davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-29
FAYETTE IS RISING
 RAPIDLY FROM RUINS

Fayette, July 2S.-(Special.)- l.)-Fayette re- cently voted overwhelmingly in favor of the issuance of bonds to build water works. People are very much enthused over this proposition and the bonds vii. be put on the market immediat tely.
 Never in the history of this part of tho state has there been so much progressive ness. Numerous buildings are going up of handsome design, and the new Fayette on completion will be one of the most beautiful little cities in the state.
 Many of the stores have been com pleted and are now occupied by the owners. Among those completed are: Propst Bros, Berry Bros. Robertson & Dodd and Andersons jeweiry store. Many others would have been completed but there seems to be a scarcity o. brick masons and this is causing a great delay in the building and much worry to the 
 Many people made the prediction imme- diately after the fire that 1t would be 10 years before Fayette would be as large as before, but today contracts have al- ready been let on almost all Of the o,o business blocks besides a number of new ones that were not occupied before
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-29
ID ADJUST TAXES
 IN JEFFERSON j J Assessments of B. R., l.. &
 P. Go. Is More Than Forty Counties 5.

Montgomery July 2S.-(Special) )When the Alabama tax commission has adjusted the tangible and franchise assessments of the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company, a footing of the two assessments will show that they aggre- gate an amount which is in all probability greater than the combined assessments in as many as 40 counties of Ihe com monwealth. On Tuesday of next week ti,s commission goes to Birmingham for, tho purpose of adjusting the tangible assess ments, the franchise assessments having already been discussed but not finally passed upon.
 From the report of the state tax com- total tangible assessment of the Brming ham company represented an amount greater than the combined Assessments of 22 counties of Alabama. When 1t is taken under consideration, moreover, thaI the traction company of the Magic City is only one of the many corporations of Jefferson county that help to fill the states strong box. 1t is at once seen whav an important part the Birmingham indus tries and corporations play in the up- building of the treasury. and Incidentally, of the state.
 Last year the total tangible and fran chise assessments of the traction ard light company were s5,750.000. but the total of the assessments which were recently fixed, as a basis. were sS,0S0,6oS. This figure may or may not stand
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-29
BIRDS A PROTECTION AGAINST
 ADVANCE OF THE BOIL WEEVIL

Montgomery, July 2S.-(Special.)-'The destruction by birds of the codling moth, the boil weevil, the creeping caterpillar and many other insects that prey upon the crops shows clearly that birds not only should be protected" said John H. Wallace, Jr., state game and fish com missioner today, but that efforts should be made to increase their numbers so as to add to their effectiveness as auxiliares tc the farmer.
 '"rhe department of agriculture at Washington during last year made ex tensive experiments with view of test
 ing the artificial nestng-sights for the occupancy of birds. This was accora- plished with marked success In Europe the use of artificial nests about houses and orchards and groves has resulted In attracting large numbers of birds to particular locality where their services in
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-29
COMBAT REDUCTION
 OF EXPRESS RATES

Chicago, July 2S.-Leading railroads throughout the country are preparing to combat the widespread demand for a general reduction in the express rates.
 The position of the railroads, which heretofore has been a subject of spec ulation, was made clear this afternoon al the second days hearing of the eN- press charges and express companies methods before the sub committee of four commissioners, representing the National Association of Railroad Com missioners.
 P. S. Eustis, passenger traffic man ager of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroad. said his company would resist all attempts to force a lower scale of prices on the express carriers. Representatives of other roads also said they would fight the attempt to cut the rates.
 "This agitation about express rates is a serious matter" said MT. Eustis. Tt looks as if the express companies are trying to throw 1t all onto the railroads. Our company proposes 10 go into the express rate question on two grounds, one pertaining to the reasonableness of the rates. If we can show that the express service IS two and one-half times better than the freight service and that the eX- press rate is only one and one-haf times the freight rate.z the committee will be compelled to consider the prop osition from that viewpoint
 Reports were read to show that the Great Northern Express company made a profit of 90 per cent during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1909.
 The Investigating committee ad- journed and will continue its hearings in Chicago, August To.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-29
Rradstreet's Statement

New York, July 2S.-brduSefess e' morrow will say:
 Sentiment as to the future seenls to he undergoing a change for the bet" ter even though number of reports continue to tell of quiet business ana caution as to distant buying. Whlle midsummer quiet still prevails in many lines, the vacation period IS passing and already some travelling statesmen are back on the road. They have met fair success and, moreover, few can cellations are noted from sections where the crop outlook earlier appeared to be gloomy, while some reinstate- ments of orders previously held up are noted. Withal, there is enough irregu- larity to divest the favorable reports of absolute uniformity
 For one thing, retail trade, though improved a trifle by cooler weather, is not stimulated very much by clear- ance sales Current wholesale and 1ob . hing lines are quiet. while the weak ness of raw cotton for future dellV1ry tends to unsettle the textile trade, puy- ing as well as misunderstanding, and pros pective tariff legislation is also dis. turbing factor. Buyers seem inclined to purchase in small lots.
 Gradual improvement continues to characterize the iron and steel trade. in which industry operations continue to expand. The buying movement Is not a big one, but appears to be such as to augur well for the future. Sti!l, cuts on sheets and steel bars tend to impart an unsatisfactory aspect to those branches of the industry. Coliec- tions are not better than fair at best and a number of centers report con siderable slowness.
 Business failures in the United States for the week ending July 27 were 25s against 2S9 last week, 200 in tho Ike week of 1910; 223 in 1909; 275 in 1srs' and 142 in 1907.
 Business failures in Canada for .he week number 22, which compares with a like number for last week, and 4l m the corresponding week in 1910.
 Wheat, including flour, exports from the United States and Canada Tor me week ending July 27, aggregate 2,5lf,- 2O4 bushels against 1,67S,5o5 last week and 1.246,74S this week last year For the four weeks ending July 97, eN- ports are 7,339.607 bushels against ,, . 04S.013 in the corresponding period last year. Corn exports for the week are 35O.O99 bushels, as against 534,52l last week and 315,S31 in 191o For the four weeks ending July 27, corn exports are 2,759,O27 bushels against 1.29S,47l last year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-29
BETTER TONE IN
 TRADE REPORTS Dun and Bradstreet Make
 Weekly Reports
STEEL SHOWS UP BEST
Spasmodic Trade in Pig Iron-Senti- ment in General for the Future Seems Changing for
 the Better

New York, July 2S-R. G. Dun & Co. $ weekly review of trade tomorrow will say:
 A variety of conflicting developments affect trade conditions. among them be- ing the passage of the Canadian reel procity bill. unsettement over the out come of the negotiations touching adjust ment of affairs in Morocco and the de cision by the interstate commerce. com mission in sthe Spokane rate and similar cases. These influences. however, are to the future.
 Of more immediate interest, the ex- cellent programme of the cotton cror toward maturity holds first place.
 Moderate Improvements mark condi- tions in iron and steel, although in east ern territory pig iron buying is of re- stricted volume.
 The best showing Is In finished steel products There is further slight expan- sion in mill operations. The leading fn- terest Is working at a little over 10 per cent of it's ingot capacity, while blast furnace operations are increasing, three additional furnaces having been put in commission.
 Track supplies are in greater request, recent contracts placed at Chicago ag- gregating about 19,OOo tons. 9 More anil nation is reported in plain structural material and steel bars.
 In pig iron trade is spasmodic in the east, with the orders mostly for small lots, while in the central west there ap- pears to be less disposition to grant large contracts for either basic or foundry grades.
 The primary cotton goods markets are very quiet.
 Forward ordering is confined to spe- c.alties and fancies Jobbers are re- strained by cotton crop conditions and are awaiting the result of retailers in- ventories. A further revision of bleached cotton and gray goods has been made. Export shipments are light, but still show a good gain over a year ago. A great deal of business is being held back in anticipation of large cotton crop.
 The woolen business has varied much with different houses and while some sizable orders are reported on better known grades of 5erges. transactions in many of the fancy lines are very small: There are small stocks fin the hands of the manufacturing trades, but marked hesitation is manifested by buyers
 The footwear market continues slow. Visiting buyers in Boston are cautious about buying ahead and do not place the number of new orders anticipated. Trade is quiet in all kinds of leather, but tan ners are now doing more business thar earlier in the month. Prices are generally strong and quotations are f1rmer on con tracts ahead than on moderate quanti' ties for present requirements.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-29

1 Washington, July 2.-(Special.)-Con Eressman Oscar Underwood of Alabama hs one of the most fastdious men in Con- eress in the sense that every detail of business or official duty must be done dust right Time and labor are no ob- lject Whatever is to be done must be done just right.
 One of the best examples of his precise ness in this respect is his manner of ad- dressing even the small packages of seeds that are sent out once a year to his con- stituents. Of course, MT. Underwood cannot attempt to do this work himself, Though I believe he would do it If it were a possibility, and there were not much greater duties constantly calling for his time and thought.
 = His secretary and clerks write the ad- dresses on the small frankng slips at odd times when they are not busy working"
 Every constituent must be addressed as "Mr," Miss or Mrs" as the case may be. The constituent who receives the package of seed may never notice that Mir. Underwood has been particular to address him with all this respect, but Mir Underwood is very careful that this little extra attention to personal respect goes down OF ev- cry address.
 MT. John Smith would get his pack age just the same if it were addressed simply to John Smith, and John would never notice that the "Mr.' was left off but the MT" is required to satisfy the fine sensibility of MT. Underwood and the MT" goes on or the clerks head goes off.
 When you consider that the address ing clerk has to write these two let ters very carefully with pen on about 25,000 or 30,000 slips of paper aud in the limited time allowed, you can have some idea of the labor 1t costs 70 be absolutely polite.
 Frederick Leonard Blackmon. congress- man from the Fourth district of Alabama, is young man who will make his mark in the United States Congress- He came to Washington with that leve-headed wisdom that inspired him to keep silent until he gets the proper hang of things.
 This is his first, term, and he has not
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-29

destroying insects is much needed. and a great increase of birds from this method of housing them has been noted.
 Tn Alabama there are'17s birds that prey upon the boil weevil; exafnina- tions of the stomachs of these various species have disclosed that they feed upon this pernicious insect.
 "The expenditure by the farmers of small sums necessary to supply arti- flcial bird boxes, whether purchased or homemade, will prove a. profitaois in veStment. since 1t will increase the total number of birds and will attract to the places where they are most needed some of our most interesting and valuable. species of birds, whose destruction of the insect pests will re- pay many times the small outlay made In their behalf.
 The estimate of the economic value of birds to farmers embraced in ths above Is 8 result of extensive expert ments made by the United States de- partment Of agriculture"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-29
NEWS OF BLOCTON

B1octon, July 2S.-(Special) -Supt. J. F. Harrigan has been transferred by the Tennessee Coal. Iron and Eall. road company from the Blocton division to Edgewater. James Stewart has been appointed to fill his place. Mr. Stewart has lived in Blocton for many years and has had charge of Mine No. ?. His apoin tment gives general satisfaction to all the men.
 Hev. John l.. Ray. who has been con fined to his room for two weeks with blood poison in his left arm, Is con valescent now and is able to be up.
 Many of the Blocton miners are go- ing to East Lake Saturday to attend the celebration and barbecue given by their employers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-29
CATERPILLARS IN
 TUSCALOOSA COUNTY

Tuscaloosa, July 2S-(Special.)--1 An army of caterpillars has made its ap- pearance in Tuscaloosa. Thomas Clin- ton and Henry Burks, two of the larg est planters in the county, are using great quantities of Paris green to- day to eradicate the pest before fur ther damage is done. The remedy has been used to good effect here and the farmers are confident of doing away with the caterpillar. This is the first time in a number of years that the county has been infested and the farm CTS dread the caterpillar as much as the boil weevil.
 Walter Robinson, aged 42 years died at his apartments on Sixth street at o'clock this morning. MT. Robertson mad been a great sufferer for several yeas but of late had seemed better. He is survived by sister and two brothers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-29
MEETING AT VERNON
 A GREAT SUCCESS

Vernon, July 2s,-(Special)-The Teach ers' institute which closed here yester- day was the most successful ever held in Lamar county.
 A county organization was effected, with the following officers: President Miss Nave Alexander vice president, w. E. Ayres; secretary, Miss Auggie Mc- Dougal.
 A local school improvement associa- ton was also organized for the town, with Mrs. M. c. Young president Mrs. L. D. Box vice president and Mrs. F. R Harris secretary.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-29
COMMISSIONERS TO
 HELP BUILD ROADS

Greenville, July 2s.-(Special.)- )-The statement sent out yesterday to the effect that the county commissioners Lad done nothing to help the citizens of Butler county improve the Glasgow road tu Greenville was misconstrued inasmuch as the commissioners will furnish the citi- zens that are building the road with the county teams scrapes and road gang. + is understood that the county will also give the sewerage pipes. This will be a. great help to those who are building tue road and will enable the 10 miles to be built in more than record-breaking time. The citizens and the commissioners are working in perfect harmony.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-29
BALDWIN TO HAVE
 FINE FAIR EXHIBIT

Bay Minette. July 2s.-(Special.)-P ident> James A. Carney of the Baldwin County Fair and Racing association an pounces that the work of compiling an exhibit for the fair this fall is going on with such gratifying results that this falls exhibit will elclipse all others.
 Ir addition to gathering a large num- her of excellent products for exhibit, MT Carney states that he has been able to secure for the association a number of substantial money donations from the land companies operating in the county which will be a great boost to the fair.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-29
NEGRO IS WANTED
 IN MONTGOMERY Tom Simpson Is Held for
 Highway Robbery CONCERT AT COREY Band Will Be Heard Again TOmOr-
 TOW Aforementioned News of Interest in the Steel City
CONCERT AT COREY

Tom Simpson, negro, was arrested yesterday by Officers Eubank, Baker ana Hughes on the charges of grand larceny and robbery The man is badly wanted in Montgomery, where he will be taken as soon as an officer from that place arrives and identifies him. A Montgom- cry officer was in Ensley recently look ing for Simpson, but failed to locate him. He is wanted there for highway rob bery.
 Sam Kelley, another bad negro. was also arrested during the day by Captain Ramages men. Kelley was arrested on the charge of highway robbery and was lodged in the city bastile.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-29
Maderists Assault Kelly

Mexico City, July 2S.-T. K. Kelly, of the Inter Oceanic branch of the National Railways. was beaten by Maderists near Puebla sev- eral nights ago, and is at the poin. of death in the companys hospital in that city, according to information which has just reached here. Kelly was rid ing on a freight train which was held up and robbed He tried to argue with the looters, who clubbed him with the butts of their guns.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-29
CONECUH PENSION
 EXAMINERS NAMED

Montgomery, July 2S.-(Special.)-Th following pension examiners have been appointed by the governor
 Conecuh county-J. c. Travis Ever green, and Dr. w. r. Betts of the same city. Dallas--John J. Babcoci. Selma, and Dr. L. H. Moore, Orrville. Lamar K. C. Rector of Vernon.
 The governor has at the same time con- f,rmed the appointment of James A. Ar mour of Mobile as clerk Of the Mobile excise commission.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-29
To Ship Cattle to Brazil

New York, July 2S.-Percival Farquehar, prominent London banker. arrived in New York today by the Maurentania He will spend several weeks in the west as the representative of an English syndicate Investigating a plan to ship American cattle to Brazil, where the syndicate be- lieves better pasture can be found and superior breed of beef cattle raised for the English market.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-29
MONTGOMERY RAISES
 ADVERTISING FUND

Montgomery, July 2S.-(Special)- A $15,000 advertising campaign, by means of which the city of Montgomery hopes to exploit its resources and to advertise it's advantages, has been prac- tically decided upon by the Business Mems league. It is the purpose of the publicity committee of the city to wage an extensive campaign to secure the maximum results with minimum ex- penditure.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-29
Kirkland Returns

Nashville, July 2S-Chancellor J. H. kirkland of Vanderbilt university, whose pame has been mentioned for the presi- dency of the University of Alabama, re- turned this morning from Montgomery, Where he met the nominating committee CT the board of trustees. No proposi- ton has been made me by the commit tee, and so, of course l cannot say what my attitude would be in case one was made" Chancellor Kirkland says he and the committee discussed the situation in general but not specifically.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-29
SOME LITTLE STORIES ABOUT
 ALABAMA'S CONGRESSMEN
BY WALTER HARPER

attemp pted to set any woods on fire. He is wise enough to keep quiet. He is
 wading in til he knows the true depth of the water and how high the breakers run.
 He has the advantage of having had 10 years experience in the senate of Ala
 bama just preceding his elevation to the higher legislative position, but did not take the assurance of this experience to grab hold hot in Washington. He was wise enough to know that the game is rlayed differently here, and that another
 kind of score card is used. But he is watching the game closely. He is absorbing the fine points, and when he catches the proper deal his friends in Alabama and his colleagues
 on the floor of the House will be apt to hear from him.
 He is always on hand at roll call
 unless hndered unavoidably by busi-
 ness for his constituents or otherwise
 and sits through the sweltering ses
 sions like a student that is being pun ished. But he knows the art of keep ing his seat.
 It is not the talking congressman or senator that accompishes most for his constituents. But Blackmon can talk when it is opportune or necessary. He will talk some of these days and the people of the Fourth district should keep him on the pay roll of Congress till he has his bearings and Is ready to branch out into pyrotechnics If that | is the kind of representation they want.
 But MT Blackmon is dligent and faith | full in department work. He looks person. ally after every call from his constituents and is making many warm friends in the departments at Washington. He has | manner that is pleasing and makes | friends easily.
 | He is careful to guard every interest l of his district and answers every call without partiality.
 He holds a place on two important com mittees of the House, expenditures on pub | lie buildings and postoffice and post roads, l This Is good for a new member. When Mr. Blackmon was elected 10 Congress he gave up entirely his large l practice of law at Anniston so as to be
 entirely free to serve the people as their | congressman. He laid aside every hin
 drance that might interfere in any way with the performance of his whole duty. He is on the job day and night
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-29
Improvements at Ensley

An additional story Is being added to the Ramsay & Mccormick building on Avenue P between Eighteenth and Nine- teenth streets. The work will not in- terfere with the occupants of the ground floor and the contractors hope to be able to finish the job at an early date.
 The Ensley Bank building is being touched up by the painters and carpen- ters in various places and will soon pre- sent the aspect of a new building. This building is one of the most handsome in the Steel City and the repairs made on it is in keeping with the general pro eressiveness of the town.
 A new car has been aded to the equlp- ment of the Ensley Street Railway com pany. the private line operating between the town and Ensley park. The car is attractively painted and well furnished on the inside. The seats are made Of cane and are comfortable.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-29
NEWS OF EPES

Epes, July -(Special.)-The county high school commission will visit York, Cuba and Geiger on August 1-2 for the purpose of selecting a location for the Sumter county high school. All these towns are bidding earnestly for the school and no other seems to be interested.
 Work of raging the walls of the store of pr. J. W. Epes was begun yesterday and the cement building blocks .herefrom will be utilized in the construction of viaduct on one of the main streets. The building activity in the city at present is marked.
 Revivals at the Baptist churches here and at Sumterville, five miles west, have just closed, and Rev. J. F.. Herring, who conducted both, has been congratulated upon the good results achieved.
 Protracted services will begin at the Methodist church here Sunday next, Rev. ]. T. Eckford, the pastor, being assisted by Rev. Tendon, formerly Of Sumter county
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-29
Battle Prohibited

St. Petersburg, July 2S.-A dispatch from Teheran. Persia, states that the Russian minister there has declared that Russia will not permit battle within 20 miles of the capital.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-29
Creenville Gets Postal Bank

Washington, July 8.--tSpecial.)- )-Green- vile, Ala, has been desighated as the lor cation for a postal savings bank. It will be ready for receiving deposits August 26.