davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-26
Charity in Ensley

"Instead of the usual Christmas tree with its toys and tinsel, the Ensley Elks adopted more practical and beneficial mode of distributing their Christmas cheer" said Harry Bross, a prominent member of the order.
 'They sent out nearly 100 hampers filled with groceries, candies, fruits, etc, and with each one large chicken. have yet to witness more timely or appreciated gifts, for in many instances Christmas would have meant little without the re- membrance from the Elks.
 "The distributing committee did its work well, and if any family was over looked it was not the committees fault, for it made every effort to reach the needy.
 "A member of the committee informed me that the gifts were gratefully received and in numbers of instances that the Christmas season would have indeed been cheerless without the remembrance from the Elks, who have the satisfaction of knowing that their generosity brought joy to many a cheerless hearth and home'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-26
~woodrow, Alabama,s All Righty

q am an Alabamian, am for Oscar Un- derwood for the presidency, hope that everything will be done to bring about his nomination and election, and, there- fore, have no kick to make concerning the action of the state committee in Birming- ham last week." said F. H. Greene yes terday afternoon.
 However, I can readily imagine cer- tain condition, were it to exist, which would make me howl over the committed s action almost to the extent of bolting the party.
 Suppose, for instance. that some months ago I had confronted Mr. Wilson, had represented that I was the poo-bah of Alabama politics, and had promised him that the delegation of this state would vote for him in the national con- vention.
 Then suppose that the boom for Un- derwood should become so rampant that could not, by throwing obstacles in its way, cheek it's progress. Then suppose that the committee so acted that it was assured that the delegation would vote for Underwood as long as his name was before the convention. Well, I am mere ly human, and I presume that I would also be kicking at the present time"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-26
PERFORMING TURTLES
From the Strand.

prOm the strand.
 Of all living creatures, the turtle is un- doubtedly the sowest in its movement and probably possesses the least brain. Yet a we'll known American naturalist has succeeded in training three of these creatures to do a number of little tricks. He places them, one above the other, on spools, and if a piece of cabbage or other green stuff is held out in front of them, they will make a complete circuit, all moving in unison, keeping their balance and not tumbling off. The bigger turtle will also ring a bell. This it grasps in one of its fore feet, jerks 1t off the ground, and then gives it a shake. It is quite amusing to watch the slow, delib- crate manner in which this is done. The turtles have always lived in their owners house, spending their time in the kitchen hunting down the vermin. one of the tur- ties draws little cart about the garden, task which he apparently does not re- sent in the least. Of course, he is never kept hafnessed for any length of time He is quite tame, follows the children about the garden, and will even eat from their fingers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-26
DICKENS IN THE QUAKER CITY

Political graft in Philadelphia is not without precedent. Here is an example of its occurring TO years ago, told by MT. Joseph Jackson in the January Worlds Work.
 Tt was when Charles Dickens was wis., iting that city. A man who had pleas ant address and was locally prominent, was introduced to the distinguished vis- itor and before leaving, received Dickens permission to bring few friends to see him. The following day the hotel literally was. mobbed The street in front of the house was impossible; the corridors of the hotel were packed, and the landlord was distracted; for Dickens refused to re- ceive this mighty army. Finally the landlord prevailed upon him to hold a levee, urging that, if he did not accede, a riot very probably would result. The humor of the situation overcame Boz s former decision; he relented, and for two hours he received this crowd. He then learned that the crafty politician had in- serted note in the newspapers that Dickens would receive the citizens who would call at a certain hour. As for this ingenious person, he stood beside Dickens introducing by name almost every mar in the line, and making political capital out of his assumed intimacy with the nov elist." tfsl3 llfKllX
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-26
IN HOTEL HOBBIES
Politics and Baseball

Under ordinary circumstances said Frank Wiiburson yesterday. there is nothing which can rival the interest the people at large take in the national game of baseball. Next year, however, poli- ties is going to cut much ice itself.
 q have noticed in The Age-Heraid that Manager Mclesworth has already selected a good team, and there is little doubt but that Birmingham will finish in the first division. The fans, as usual, will wax strong with enthusiasm. But first of all we will have to elect Underwood to the presidency. Then we will have to see that good man goes to Congress to rep resent Alabama as congressman at large Then we will have to name president of the railroad commission, and will have to fill many other state jobs Then there will be a warm fight waged for each of the fat offices to be disposed of by the voters of tl.s county. So all in all it is evident that baseball will noe have the sinecure in 1912 which 1t has enjoyed for so many previous seasons"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-26
Tyler Goodwxn.s pefense

"As did the majority of other readers, said Frank Henderson last night, T read carefully the defense issued by Tyler Goowyn of the action of the state demo- cratic executive committee which met in Birmingham last week.
 "The statement covered the ground thoroughly, and demonstrated conclusively that in making the matter of selecting delegates to the national convention a function of the state convention no law of the party was broken.
 However, I was disappointed that Goodwin made the statement. The ac- tion of the committee pleased every Ala bamian, and therefore no defense was necessary. The people wanted the com mttee to take such action that an enthu- siastic and confident delegation for MT. Underwood would be assured. Such &C., ton was taken. Therefore, the people are satisfied. l have heard no expression from the people which would warrant a contrary opinion."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-26
ocCUPATIoNAL DISEASES

A summary of Legislation on occupations al diseases, by MT. John B. Andrews,
 secretary of the American Association for Labor Legislation, appears in a re- cent issue of the Journal of the Ameri- can Medical Association. While it may not be gratifying to our pride as a na-
 ton to know that the oldest law we have on this subject is less than one year old,
 it is encouraging to know that during 1911 six states (California, Connecticut,
 Illinois. Michigan, New York and Wiscon- sin) passed laws requiring reports on dis cases resulting from occupations. The diseases that must be reported are an- thrax, compressed air sickness, and pois- oning from lead, phosphorus, arsenic and mercury. This is only a beginning, but through the cooperation of sanitarians, economists, physicians and labor unions, such law should be enacted in every state. Publicity, the remedy which has been so effective in curing other social ills, will make short work of occupational diseases, once the extent of their ravages 4s kuaJun- x
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-26
NEW YORK eREENRooMs

Adolph Klauber, in the Janmary Strand. [
 The greenroom in old New York thea
 tres was generally a -sparsely furnished
 room. in which the actors congreeafea
 between cues, and where many a good story or practical joke was carried to it's hilarious conclusion Down in the Old
 Bowery theatre, in the early ffties,, when
 George L. Fox, the famous Humpty- Dumpty vas the manager, the greenroom adjoned I small office, where Fox made his headquarters during business hours. In those days the performance began promptly at : o'clock, and there was the strictest observance of the Sabbath. On Saturday nights MT. Fox would sit in his office, and promptly on the stroke of mid- night he would reach up to large gong which hung directly over his desk. No matter if 1t were the middle of a scene or an impassioned speech of the leading actor, at the stroke of the bell the cur tain rolled down, and the performance was over,
 In Booths theatre, Twenty-third street md Sixth avenue, the old custom Of having two greenrooms, one for the prin- cipals anl one for the secondary mem bers Of the company, was observed. And woe betide the unfortunate utility man who had the tomerity to make his way uninvited into the den of the great his- trionic lions, Mr. Booth himself was al ways mildly patient and tolerant of the lesser figures about him, but there Were in those days, as now actors of less claim to fame whose serious regard for their own importance would tolerate no pre- sumption cn the part of men less estao- lished in tie public favor. The old Booth greenroom was substantially and com fortably furnished, and the walls, hung with portraits of great actors, formed a museum of dramatic celebrities
 The greenroom of the Madison Square1 theatre was converted to other uses long before the famous old house was torn down to make way for the modern im- provemeat that now marks it's site and that of the Fifth Avenue hotel. BGt it was the scene of famous companies Here, in the eighties, when Hazel Kirke" Was establishing a new record for long successful runs, the veteran Cour- dock use to sit, steeped in memories of the past, and occasionally astonishing the assembled rummers with a nunexpected outburst.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-26

From the Charleston News and Courier. ciety at it's annual banqeut in New o York on Saturday, MT. Underwood devoted himself to a consideration of the tariff. He is always Illuminating and al ways particularly happy in his phrase ology. In bringing out his points he hits the bell every time. Listen to him.
 "When we cease to have competition at home, and the law prohibits competition from abroad by protecting profits, there Is no relief for the consumer except to cry out for government regulation. To my mind, there is no more reason or jus tice in the government attempting to pro- tect the profits of the manufacturers and producers Of this country than there would be to protect the profits of the merchant and lawyer, the banks or the farmer, or the wages of the laboring man. In almost every line of industry in the United States we have as great national resources to develop as that of any coun- try in the world. It is admitted by all that our machinery and methods of do-
 ing business are in advance of the other nations. By reason of the efficient use of American machinery by American labor, in most Of the manufactures of this coun- try, the labor cost per unit of production is no greater here than abroad.'
 The protection of profits! Aye, who would not have such protection if he could, but whose intellect does not rebel at the condition where privileged persons are granted such protection and at the expense of all other persons in the na- tion?
 But it was in his treatment of the tariff on wool that MT. Underwood was most eloquent We quote:
 ''To protect profits of necessity means to protect inofficency. It does not stimu- late industry because a manufacturer standing behind a tariff wall that is pro- tectng his profits is not driven to devel- op his business along the lines of greatest efficiency and greatest economy. This is clearly illustrated in a comparison of the wool and iron and steel industries Wool has had specific duty that when worked out to an ad valorem basis amounts to tax of about 90 per cent of the average value of all woolen goods
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-26
Secretary Meyers Navy Yards

Secretary Meyer is keeping the navy yards in hot water. He really wants to abolish all of them except the one at Norfolk. He would build another in Narragansett Bay, and a third at Guantanoma, Cuba. That's all he would have if he could have his own way.
 But Congress and local interests stand in the way. It is not unlike the army business. The general staff prefers to concentrate the regular army in New York, Chicago and San Francisco, but objection arises wher- ever an army post had been estab- lished. A similar feeling confronts the navy whenever Secretary Meyer proposes to abolish navy yard.
 In the long run, however, both the army and the navy will be put on a modern basis, and both will be con- centrated at few points. Even the Brooklyn and Boston navy yards stand discredited in Secretary Mey- er's estimation, and Norfolk and Guantanoma alone are favorites in his mind. The movement for concen- tration in the army and navy cannot be worked out suddenly. It will come by degrees in the course of time.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-26
DEMOCRACY'S ISSUE
Prom the Mobile Register.

From the Mohile Register.
 Nlth nomination or Hon. Oscar W Underwood by the national demo-
 A cratic convention. wound. according to political indications of the present day, insure democratic President of the United States from March, 1913. This is espe- e1ally true if Mr. Taft is to be re-nomi- mated by the republican marty. and all indications point toward MT. Taft as the nominee of his party whether or not he is the choice of that partvs rank and fiie. It IS therefore the duty of southern democrats. regardless of any partisan or personal preference. to support with all the vlgor and party fealty that is ex- pected to men loyal to democracv. the ambition of those who seek to place In the White House the man who is respon- sible for reunited democracy and whose presence in tie White House would mean a reunited United States. No one can deny that MT. Underwood's diplomacy. his courage, his magnetism and persua- sive power as a leader have so estab- lished him in the confidence of the demo- cratic majority in the House that they are content to follow his leadership to a degree as has not been witnessed in the democratic party in many years. In say ing, therefore that MT. Underwood is re- sponsible for a reunited democracy, there is placed to his credit the strongest req son why he should receive the united support of tlose democrats who have been mised oil false issues and who have loyally followed in the past four cam paigns a party lacking in fundamental principles of party platform and party organizatiop. And no one will deny that Mir Underwood as President of the United States, with that same dipomac y and tactful magnetism that has been ex- hihited by him in his course as leader, would forever obliterate the sectional lines that men like Hepburn seek to define in their sectional animosites.
 MT. Underwood is a progressive man; he is the chief progressive on the most progressive of American issues-the tariff He stands committed before the people to
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-26
Republic or Empire in China

Neither the Manchus nor the rebels have any money, and the latter at least do not want intervention of any sort. All dread action, in fact, on the part of the powers, and all know that China has had plenty of carnage and war. And yet the Shanghai con- ference has thus far been unable to agree.
 Sun Yat Sen will arrive in Shang- hai tomorrow, and if any one can cope with Yuan Shai Kai he can. The conference will no doubt be reassem- bled, and possibly some adjustment between northern China and southern China, between the Manchus and the rebels, will be reached. It is too early to say it cannot be. Some think Yuan will become the first president of new republic, with either Dr. Wu or Dr. Sun as vice president. At present the premier at Peking stands for a constitutional monarchy headed by the infant emperor. The dictator is, however, Chinaman, and he has no reason to love the Manchus.
 It is simply impossible to judge the situation at this distance. The chi. nese should, however, be left free tc determine their own internal affairs The country has IS self ruling demo cratic provinces, and the wiseacres who say it is unfit for popular rule may awake to find that they did not know the Chinese as well as theN thought they did. The Manchu dy nasty is inefficient and it has no req right to the throne. If the powers keep hands and loans off China vii find solution of her civil troubles.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-26
Tariff Revision outranks All Else

Immediately after the holidays Congress will meet, and it will soon be the theatre of many tariff bills, Serene Payne announces that he is preparing a bill, and Senator Smoot says he will present bill. The lat ter is not member of the originat- ing house of Congress, so far as rev enue bills are concerned, but he has highly protective bill locked in his breast and he has determined to un- load it. Both MT. Payne and MT. Shoot interpret the tariff board re- port as an encouragement to high rates, and their bills will be framed to protect and promote profits wrung by law from home consumers. Neith- CT bill will become law, but they will serve to show the people where the republican party stands.
 Chairman Underwood will bring in a bill based on all the information he can gather, and he is great student. His bill will be one for revenue only. It may not become law, but it will serve to show where the opposition party stands.
 The Underwood bill and the Payne Shoot bills will be Section K of the real issue in the coming campaign. No one of them will perhaps become law. The struggle over them in the next three months will be strenuous, and every step taken will be step in the campaign. The mighty battle will begin next week and it will go on without ceasing until it is de- cided in a shower of ballots next No vember. Oscar Underwood will be the calm but masterful figure in that battle, and all Alabama hopes he will become the party's designated leader.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-26
ALAsKA,s YEARLY NEWSPAPER

From the January Wide World Magazine
 In the bad old days the masters of the whaling vessels sailing from San Fran cisco to the far north used to give the Alaskan Eskimos raw fire water' in or der to secure the valuable furs they had obtained during the long Arctic winter. Little they dreamt that these fierce chill dren of the north would one day be so advanced as to print their own newspa- per! After the terrible slaughter by the whalers of the alcohol frenzied natives at Cape Prince of Wales, in Boring Strait it was a rather ticklish job for white man to start a Bible class. Still, Mir. II. A. Thornton attempted it, but he was shot dead by boy of 14 who was killed in his turn by his own kinsman. This affair happened in 1S9O Two years after MT. w. T. Lopp appeared on the scene with his wife. They settled at Cape Prince of Wales, and year after year, until 1903, they taught humanity to the Eskiraos. The reindeer was intro duced from Siberia, and MT. Lopp got his pupils to learn to rear the herds. He also taught them boat building, carpen- tering, etc., and, to put a final touch to his valuable work, he had small press brought from the States, and it was not long after that his willing pupils were able to compose and print their own pa per. This is probably the only yearly newspaper in the world-The Eskimo Bull latin
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-26

reduction of possibly the worst tahg ever devised for the aggrandisement of the few at the expense of the many. l. IS the man who framed the tarfff bill al the special session of Congress .As spring, and he is the man who h-- sour aseous yet persuasive leadership harmon ized his party and passed these bills. H. stands, therefore. as the exponent of ts fir reduction. On the other hand, the chief defender of the tariff is MT. Taft who placed his indorsement upon the tariff bills that are now in force "as the best tariff this country has ever hada
 The democratic party has lost soti campaigns on issues that did not appes to either tlie patriotism or the goo sense of the American people. Today tn democratic party has the issue and 1t is to this issue that the democratic party must tlun 10 win it's victory. The rehei of 9o09Oe00 of people from tax extortion Is the issue, and the issue is personihed in Oscar w. Underwood. What more fit ting therefore than that the man who is the personifcation of the issue should stand before the people as the candidate
 
 vetoed the bills drawn by MT Underwood seeking to give relief to the American peopie?s What more fitting than the can- dldate should be Mr. Underwood, standing Tor tariff reduction as against MT. Taft standing iii defense of present tariff laws? What more fitting for the democratic party to nominate man who can win for this is the time democracy can win. Powerful political leaders of thought and those Journalistic opponents of democracy throughout the country should take noto of MT. Underwood. They should inyesti- gate; and with party loyalty firm-with sectional prejudice eliminated, learn to know the man and the principles for which he stands. The southern press, especially. should rally with unhesitating vigor to support and use their influence for the man who has done more than any living democrat to reunite democracy and who can, as a southern democrat in the White House, establish forever reunited country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-26
MARIE DREssLER's PARTY

From the New York Sun.
 Marie Dressler entertained yesterday afternoon-that Is, specially entertained. She gave party and was hostess to $500
 small guests, orphans from IS homes and societies and 150 child cripples. The party was a special performance of "Til- lies Nightmare" at the Manhattan opera house. The guests all had their party manners on at first and sat up stiff and grand opera like in the early prelimi- naries of the Nightmare" For this was an event and the awe and glamour had to wear off a bit before childhood got back to naturalness again.
 Enter Tillie, disgusting Miss -Dressler! Whew! There was riot then on ana on the stage. No, not exactly riot, just suc- sessions of loud noises and applause and boys laughing right out with loud crack and girls smiling and their smiles working into outright laughs that surprised their owners-and eyes that shone like stars.
 Well, soon all the guests forgot com pany manners and were calling the hos tess Tillie And when Marie Dressler marle little speech of greeting from ths box where Frederick Townsend Martin was the guests cheered Tillie and Hut tered handkerchiefs, with here and there crutch or two waving over on the east side of the house, where most of the cripples were.
 The guests didn't seem to know much about Chantecler models, Yankee wives' society buds, cocottes, chanteuses, boule- vardiers and such like that danced about in the chorus, but say! When Tiilie sat on the rail of that airship way up in the atmosphere and swung her legs and rocked back and forth out over space, and didn't give a hang. and then, kerpiunk, went right over backward down through the ether and landed in the middle of | Tbirtv-fourth street and $500 kiddies with splash! That was some splash! And vhen she was a grand opera singer and got grand and tragic and when 1t came time to die fell over backward on the
 narlor sofa that was on hand to the dol
 and rolled itself off the stage autolike
 with no one pushin! Or when willowy Tillie. like a soubrette, wound herself
 all in and out of snake dances and Ori- ental dances and got into funny shapes tc
 make fun of all these stylish new danc' 1 ings. Well, what's the use of trying rc l talk about Tillie when you're laughing al l the time?
 The extra policemen and hremen and thu