davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-21
A STRIKING MEDICATION.

President Taft recommending to that the wool and wooens be materially reduced in accordance with his tariff boards report Schedule K is high compl ment Oscar w. Underwood democratic leader the House of Representatives.
 Mr. Underwood in revising Schedule last once honestly and conservatve He did think the time opporune for putting wool the free list but he revised the tax downward and carried the doctrine of tariff reform tariff for only. President Taft vetoed Underwood measure giving among other the fact that he wait ing to hear from his tariff board
 And the long awaited report from these tariff eXperts Among other things the report shows that the lex stng duties many classes of wool and wooen manufactures are prohbtoy and greatly of the difference the cost of production here and abroad It goes on to say that the duties arranged keep of the United States entirely wooens of fine qualities which, if imported might be used to replace the cheap substitutes employed
 President Taft in calling attention to these points in Sche dule revision He always be honest but as statesman he great bunger He thinks it better than never however and getting in line with Underwood puts our Alabama statesman in ali the commanding position as the democratic leader
 Caroonists have not wanted for political subjects pro- yoke rdcue excite laughter Here is of the bes-te Presidents trailing tariff policy The people been with
 Underwood from the start in his fight tariff reduction Pres dent Taft along entirely too late for his good that of the republican party.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-21
Trial of the Meat Packers

The 10 packers are now facing the jury which will try them for viola tions of the Sherman antitrust law. These men are charged with the or ganization and operation of the Ma tional Packing company as joint means of destroying competition, en- hancing prices and establishing a monopoly in the meat trade of the United States. United States Dis trict Attorney Wickersham declares that they put into effect "the most powerful engine for the suppression of competition and the fixing of prices ever devised in the industrial world"
 This is an attempt to apply the criminal sections of the antitrust act. These sections have long been ignored, and the Chicago trial will demon strate their usefulness in efforts to suppress the trusts. The present trial in Chicago may last several months, and the appeals taken from it may last much longer, but in the end per haps the value of the criminal sec tions of the law of 1890 will be weighed after full consideration.
 The trial is, therefore, of historic value, as was those brought for the dissolution of the oil and tobacco trusts. It takes a long time to pass an antitrust act and a long time tc apply it and render it efficient. The work is well started, however, and il Congress will let the law alone it may soon vindicate itself in the courts ant at the bar of public opinion.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-21
Land for Park Purposes

The purchase of park property to the value of $130,213 may seem ex- travagant, or rather disproportionate, in view of the fact that the city needs viaducts and various other things, and has meagre revenue at the best, but the purchases of parks always justify themselves in the long run. The city secures at Ensley, North Birming- ham and Idlewild over fifty acres, and it is land that will be appreciated for park purposes in the years to come.
 Should the city decide to take over the State Fair grounds, it would have a very considerable parkage, and it could rest content in that respect. The commissioners are looking ahead more than they are regarding present needs. They see what will be need ed when the valley holds 100000 peo- pie, and they are attempting to meet those wants. It cannot be said that they misjudge the future, and they should not, therefore, be hastily con- demned.
 Any delay in the purchase of prop erty for park purposes means, as rule, additional expenses, and no doubt the commissioners have acted wisely in securing the land they did when they confirmed the park pur- chases in Ensley, North Birmingham and Idlewild. They are acting for a city of large area, and all sections of it are entitled to fair and just treat ment.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-21
ChurcI, Music

The Rev. Dr. John Barbours Princeton lectures entitled Ministers and Music" which have just been published in book form, will have wide reading, no doubt, for the author is himself an educated mu sician as well as a charming writer. Along with the serious treatment of church music are fresh and apt anecdotes and many curious facts worth while which find their way into print for the first time. The selling price of the book is 50 cents, and copies will be sent by mail for 60 cents Dr. Barbour's address is Mays vile, Ky.
 Music is, in fact, as insisted before, the product of science as is no other art, says Dr. Barbour. Professor Leslie pro- nounces sound the subtlest and the most difficult department of nature. So that music is emphatically the gift of science to the world. It has taken longer to de- velop, though one of the first arts to be- gin its career Only after the most patient and learned investigations have the treas
 ures of song been brought from natures s store; so that contrary to popular im- 1 press:on it is the least spontaneous of the | arts. The close reproduction of flower or fruit may make beautiful painting, but where are the sounds in nature whlch may be copied to make melody? have sometimes been started by few notes from a rare bird that suggested and might have given the hint for a well known air
 But the full, rounded melody, with its rise and fall, it's climax and its 'anti-climax, and its distributed cadences, where IS that l to be heard in nature? It is the result or | the patient experiment, and growing tastes, of musical scholars for ages. Even the diatonic scale, which have known child to sing before 2 years of age, IS, as have already said, the product or science. l have fingered somewhat upon 1 this that I might lay basis for urging
 my brethren not to join in the ignorant | filings at classical music Classical music | is music at it's best. It is the creation Of | the masters of musical taste. Who is more likely than they to know the beauti- l ful? Who should be followed if not they? | Let he urge you then to be careful here. : Surely profession which makes such free
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-21

quent reference and pays such deferenee to the achievement of Raphael and Rub ems on the canvass, and which decks us public addresses with elegant allusions to the great cathedrals, should hold itself respectful, at least, toward that art which even more wonderfully than painting or architecture evinees the creative power or man. Now, classical music is not only the perfection of music itself, but 1t IS the source of practically all the musical phrases circulating among us In more popular productions.
 Recently. I came across 'Shoo Fly! in Schubert symphony The we'll known college song Have You No Feeling. To See Me kneel- ing?' is cribbed from von Webers Con- certstueck' The Boom de Ay,' so madly rife among us a few years since, is a transcript in part from one of Mozart concerto themes. The oh, Ye Tears of Apt is plainly suggested by Beethoven.s lovely Andante Favori' for the piano.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-21
HOW TO OFFSET POISON

From the Kansas City Star.
 There appear to be fads in accidents, just as in everything else. Let man chop off his finger with an ax and with in the next few days several other resi- dents will follow his example. Just now the fad appears to be the accidental. or designed taking of poison. A physician was asked this morning about the an- tidotes for the common poisons.
 "As a rule soap or soapsuds or the white of an egg is safe thing to give in any case" he said. And, of course, in every case a physician and stomach pump should be on the case as early as possible. Where the shock is great, use hot water bottles. Here are some of the common poisions and their simplest an tidotes:
 Carbolic Acid-F'ifty per cent dilution of alcohol or saturate solution of Ep- som or Rochelle salts freely given through stomach tube.
 Mercury or Corrosive Subllmate. White of an egg and soap or either one
 Opium-Keep the patient awake by walking him, or, if necessary, by beat ing him with a strap or stick. A stom- ach pump is necessary at once in cases of opium poisoning. Hypodermic injec- tions of atrophine also are used. Iodine-Give a solution of ordinary starch as emergency treatment. Ammonia-Any acid, such as lemon ol orange juice.
 Acetic, Nitric, Hydrochloric or Oxalit Acid-Any alkali, such as soap or soap suds.
 Arsenic-A freshly prepared solution of ferric chloride.
 Chloral Hydrite-Atrophine.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-21
Democratic state Committee

Although I am not politician l dropped in on the state democratic committee meeting in the city hall shortly after 12 o'clock" said an old citizen. q intended remaining only a few minutes, but the proceedings were so interesting that l kept my standing position until the meeting was ready to adjourn.
 T was most favorably. impressed with the personnel of the committee. It is a fine body Chairman Tyler Goodwin is a master in parliamentary procedure. I have seen many presid- ing officers at political meetings and at church meetings. I do not recall any one who has shown more skill or more self reliance than Mir. Goodwin The democratic party in Alabama is to be congratulated upon it's state com mittee"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-21
HOW POPE PLUS LOOKS

From Harper's Bazar.
 I watched his holiness as he passed down this line greeting them. He was man of fine physique, tall and broad shouldered with gray hair almost while ruddy complexion, large kindly Italian eyes. a simple, gracious manner with ever so slight a touch of ennui, which latter, I am sure, he acquired at the same time that he was elevated to his present dignity. For one felt in his presence that strenuous life out among his people, helping them in their struggles in the world, would more strongly appeal to him that an exis- tence which required him to shut him. self away in apparent scholarly seclu- sion. He looked man made for action, and deprived of it, his spirit seemed ever steeped in melancholy, and the shadow of willing sacrifice darkenin E his day. His personality spoke kindly sympathy for human nature, as if he would rather know each of those whom he so formally received that day merely as a fellow worker standing on a com mon plane than meet them surrounded by the pomp andform and ceremony of his life.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-21
UNDER THE VULTURE'S WINGS

would live through an operation. Justice Marks granted the motion. and a new ao tion will come up Wednesday next
 or course. 8 surgeon cannot guarante. that measures taken for the preservation of life will be effective. A patient migh, die despite any operation that a surgeon might conscientiously call successful and if the operation could not be called suc- cessful it might at least be claimed thaS the surgeon, as a laborer worthy of hi, hire, might collect his fee. But commos decency should restrain the most rapa- cious surgeon from acting as the late pr. Jewett is alleged to have acted in this case The services of a surgeon. who is eager to collect while making miserpre- sentations as to the effect of the opera tion, suggest the Tapping of vultures' wings rather than the ministrations of member of a profession that is honored as primarily reducer of the sum of suf- fering and sorrow. and secondarily money making occupation.
 The jurors probably! spent little time in splitting hairs about whether an opera tion might be successful despite it's fail uTe 10 save Il llle- itouDtiCSs tiiSy itttAhNA their decision upon the ground that a. surgeon whose ethicsiaafe those of the gypsy horse trader who would sell dead animal by description, emitting to men tion the fact of it's demise. deserves no consideration in court.
 If is the custom of some of the noted New York surgeons to require the patient to sign a check before being put under the influence of the anaesthetic, but tnere a difference. between a purely cold-bloouea business transaction that is open and above board and an effort to get money under false pretenses
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 himself And we believe that in the end his course will be appreciated by all right thinking men'eand that his true patriot ism will be realized.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-21
IN HOTEL LoBBIEs
The t.rosnero,,S south

Tn the cotton belt there has natur- ing to the low price of cotton, but the south as a whole Is very prosperous, said Jacob r. Ashton of St Louis.
 "of the half dozen southern cities l visited recently all of them seemed to be flourishing. Birmingham is certain ly enjoying season of prosperity. The holiday crowds on the streets in Bir- mingham are larger than l had ever seen here before. and I have frequent ly been in this city about this time or the year. Birmingham has evidently more than held its own through a period of industrial dullness and when the next boom comes the Birmingham district will be right in the forefront
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-21
The I.nte John BigeloNv

Few biographic sketches. of men in public life have been so full of in- terest as that of John Bigelow, who died on Tuesday at his home in New York in the ninety fifth year of his age" said a citizen who was an ar dent partisan of Samuel ! Tilden MT. Bigelow was one of Mir. Tilden's closest friends and his biography of the great democratic statesman should be in the library of every student of American history.
 MT. Bigelow was one of the few men who was equally at home in pol itics. diplomacy. editorial work and lit- erature. He was a man of prodigious industry when I first began to reaa about him soon after the war and while he withdrew from the turmoil of life several years ago his industry was in evidence almost up to the time or ms death. He was a splendid type or the old school northern gentleman
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-21
DIR. wILEY,s WHISPERS

From the Washington Post.
 It isn't supposed to be good form for
 theological students to fly in the face of
 Providence, but when we read one day | that Dr. Wiley has put the scientific taboo on whiskers, and on the next that the seniors of Dickinson college have pro-
 mulgated an edict that all male members shall wear mustaches on pain of boycott, the conclusion is inevitable that that is
 just what these rash young men have done. Or else they don't care the prover- bal fig for the good doctor and his cease less trail of the deadly parasite. Either alternative is serious enough, goodness knows, and one can take his choice with out fear of being cheated.
 It is barely possible, although the con- tingency is remote, that there has some how percoated intb the peaceful halls and dormitories of Dickinson that islander now going the rounds which would make us believe that in his youthful days the fam ous gastronomic guardian of the universe cultivated a half crop of alfalfa on his chin, and strode the eampuses of Ger man universities perpetual invitation to all the breezes that blew So little Of what is going on in the outside world ever penetrates the sacred precincts or the American university that 1t is doubt full if this base report has ever reached Dickinson. But in the event that it has we hasten to declare, for the alleviation of any undergraduate apprehensions, that we ourselves do not believe it. We have seen the polished dome of the Wiley brain laboratory so often, have upon so many occasions noted the virgin skin upon the Wiley chin, as pink and fresh as that of borax boarder and as destitute Of hirsute adornment as the lid of a stove., that we are convinced those slick and curried fields were never permitted to grow up in weeds and brambles. Dr. Wiley is nothing If not sincere, and if he says that spinach on the map is in the hookworm and scarlet fever class, no one who knows him would for an instant be- lieve that his attitude was the result of a bad attack of sour grapes
 The experiment of the Dickinson seniors will be watched with interest by the scien- tihc world. Dr. Wiley's pronouncement against the galway and the goatee is on trial If the Dickinson males get by with their defiance the pure food cause must bear another blow. But maybe the Dick inson seniors can't; let us wait.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-21
MEMORIES OF LOUISA NJ. ALcoTT

From Harper's Bazaar.
 To sit in the beautiful home of Mr. John Pratt Alcott, the son of Meg ana Joiii' Brooks and the last of the Little Women circle. to turn and fine oneself surrounded hv the intimate associations of Louisa Al colts domestic life; her chair, her books the sewing table beside which she knitted the army socks and cried because she could be only a hospital nurse insteao oi a soldier on it the old paper cuIer- doubtless the dagger of early attlc trase- dies-everyUhere, at every turn some pregnant souvenir; then directly above among a bevy of "Any's" Concord sketches. her own portrait at the age oi 90, painted for the first readers of sLittie Women who would not have turned with me, all impulse to pour out grlhood' wonderings?
 "Yes. it was very like her at the time MT. Alcolt smiled generously as l opener ut"-turning, with backward wave of his hand-"that was her favorite "a much later .ane-and the original oi the photographs she always gave 10 girls.'
 Quickly my eyes followed and caught the changes of maturity The look Of the first high spirits softened, the flash of the eyes deepened to kindly insight the nos trils less sensitive, the large, well cut mouth still generous if less nasty and the quick smile heretcmpered to a fine humoi and very gentle melancholy.
 And was she as lovely as that? "Yes," replied MT. Alcott, cheerfui'y settling down to answer questions. 'pu' no picture could ever show the real charm of Aunt Louisa's face. It was all expres- sion. At the slightest humor her eyes ,, would flash and her whole face brighten and at any sorrow or trouble every line would soften and always her hand wouio go out Aunt Louisas whole life was spen' for others. Through all the struggles o' her girlhood-exactly those of l. title Women--her lfe's ambition was to heif her home ones. When, through her pen this was at last realized they never Knew an ungratiiied wish. She would allow nc one to suffer if she could relieve him, ever at her personal loss. Her interest in boys and girls Was a sort of ruling passion Many a young struggler has been helped by her generous sympathy, and returned | in success, to thank her when she had al
 most forgotten the kindness"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-21
 TRUE STATES MAN

From the Gadsden Journal.
 Every action and utterance of Under wood these days bespeaks the true states man who believes that it is his business to serve the people with all disregard as to his own political future. Although q prominent prospect for presidential nom- ination he did not hesitate to oppose the recent pension grab bill, even when warned that this would ruin his chances He believed it was wrong to enact legisla- tion that would inevitably result in g treasury deficit and did his duty without regard to what effect this might have on
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-21

and it seems to be good law, because rule is printed on every telephone book which gives the company the right to change numbers when the service can be improved in that way. It is difficult to see how a change in numerals improves telephone ser vice, but it may do it. Anything that would keep central" from saying with frequent readiness Hines busy" would certainly improve the. service, and change in numerals may do that.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-21
Rereading Dickens

With the approach of Christmas shall follow my usual custom and re- read Charles Dickens Christmas Car ols.' which are to my mind the great est of all stories relating to this glad some season." said an admirer of Dick ems
 T think I have read the Carols a dozen times, always to enjoy them, and what is more, I believe they inspire a great love and reverence for the Christ mas-tide and all 1t means to the Chris tian world.
 Then again, there is an additional interest this year, for in the early part of February, 1912, the anniversary of the birth of the great novelist will be celebrated throughout the civilized world. 1 am of the opinion that the works of the great portrayer of hu- man character are increasing in pop ularity, certain it is that he is be- ing very widely read at this time. If you have not read the Carols, there is a great treat in store for you. If you have not read them. just take the time to do so at this time and your Christmas holiday will be brighter and better for so doing."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-21
Telephone Numbers Not a Fixtul

Telephone Numbers Not flxture
 Numerals are not purchased when a telephone bill is paid. So judge ill the Superior court in Atlanta held in case recently brought before him. Patrons of telephone company think that their claim to a number is not only sound, but also legal so long as bills are paid. The claim to a number that had been given to him-number ,5000-and change in that number by the Bell people led to the suit in At lanta, and the judge held that the change was reasonable and lawful. It was done to improve the service.
 No one can, therefore, lay claim, with any legal certainty, to any numerals whatsoever in telephone service, for they may be changed whenever the telephone company thinks it's service can, in that way, be improved. In other words, and in short, the telephone company is the judge, and it may change ones numerals daily if need be.
 This is Atlanta law. at any rate,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-21
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELoR

From the New York Press
 Before a man gets religion he always gets trouble.
 A woman is too good for this world and a man too bad for the other.
 The only child is a candidate for the asylum before it is out of it's cradle
 A girl will hardly ever accept man unless she doubts she is going to get a dozen more chances to do it.
 The fascinating thing about pretty sir is she can make you think she Is A million times pTettier than she is.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-21
UNpERwoop STRONG IN WEST

From the Montgomery AdVertiser'
 Judge A. H. Aston, supernumerafy ildge of Alabama who has been hold ing court in Oneonta, Blount county, is stoppine at the Exchange en route to his home at Clayton. Judge Aston is an enthusiastic friend of MT. under- wood because he thinks the Alabamian stands a good show of winning the nomination and of being elected if nom mated.
 "Recently l had a letter from son of mine who lives in Denver said Judge Aston. "He stated that while he did not know MT. Underwood, 1t was very gratifying to him to sec his name mentioned in connection with the presi- dency and particularly glad to see now popular the Alabamian was in the west. He stated that Mr. Underwoods name was mentioned as favorably and as freouently in that part of the country as were those of the other possibilities.
 Tt is ridiculous to see the sectional fear of we southern people The sec tional cry in connection with the Under wood boom is heard only in the south. Those fellows up north would welcome an opportunity of slfening that the war was over 30 years ago. ley would be glad of a chance to cognize a southern candidate for tn esideney. I believe the democrats cd Elect un- derwood if they could els Anybody. and 1t looks like a democ c victory this time.'