davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-30
Great Northern Ore Fields

The determination of the Steel
 corporation to cancel its lease of the
 Great Northern ore lands in Minne-
 sota is being widely discussed
 throughout the country. Some be-
 lieve the lease was bad bargain,
 but more are inclined to think the lease was cancelled in order to show to the government that the Steel corporation has no desire to secure to itself the ore supply of the Lake Superior district. The Pittsburg Dis patch thinks the increasing royalties under the lease were becoming ex- pensive. No matter what the state of the market might be more ore at a higher royalty was to be mined, and the Steel corporation decided to unload at the first opportunity, namely, in 1915. The Springfield Republican thinks the Steel corpor- ation is trying to kill two birds with one stone. It is trying to strength en it's position under the Sherman law, and it is getting rid of bad bargain, having an abundance of Lake Superior ores upon which it has TO royalties to pay.
 All agree that the cancellation of the lease is wise and prudent so far as the Steel corporation is concerned, but no one has any conjectures as to what Mr. Hill will do when the great deposits are thrown back on his hands. He is by no means a weak ling, and he may be heard from in 1915 in the ore market.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-30

to desert his protege when he is in a sea of trouble-when he is really facing defeat. Either, argue the esteemed newspapers, he should sup port President Taft in his great ex- tremity, or else he should confess that he had been wrong when he first made him President. No such confession will be forthcoming, for our only ex-President never admits that his judgment is at fault. He really believes himself infallibIe.
 He certainly will not say that a dignified silence is the part of one who has been so highly honored as he himself has been, for only one short year ago he conducted the New York republican campaign in the most obstreperous manner He came out of it badly whipped, and his in fluence has been lessened ever since. He has some left, however, and none of it, it appears, is to be expended in behalf of his former standpat friend and associate. The rats may, after all, be deserting the sinking ship.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-30

Edward Hungerford. in Harper's Weekly
 The man who starts from one great city to another brings the new science into highways and byways where new things rarely travel. He crosses the city and the narrow streets beneath are black with people. and when they seem blown by gusts Of wind, he knows that they are rushing for a better view of him. City roofs are suddenly populated, down the dizzy perspective of some skyscraper 5G0 upturned faces peer toward him, street cars empty their loads-for two or three or four brief minutes he is the vivid center of attraction. Then the power of his great machine sweeps him from be- yond the city, beyond it's encircling su- burbs where steamboats and locomotives and factories shriek their whistles in a tedlam of mad acclaim. He turns over fields where only an occasional farmer stops his blow to look at the strangest thing he has seen in all his long years ot life, evades a pursuing automobile, swift, but earthbound and impotent gives a moment of excitement to an invalid, Led ridden disturbs a party of mourners gathered beside an open BIdAt III Couh- try cemetery, invades a picnic and gives it unexpected delight, sweeps above all ef these. edges his course along.a noun tain ledge, sending a giant eagle scared to his eyrie This then is the joy and the novelty of cross country flying. You need go no further to inquire the reason for its nation wide popularity
 But the man who flies above meet in an inclosed field knows that the source ef his revenue is fairly well assured. He knows that stand filled with prosperous folk gives him an opportunity for making 4 charge that for any other sort of out door performance would be extortonate. But woe betide the manager of any meet who even hints at that unfortunate word. Aviators in this stage of the new science are more high strung than opera singers, and even the suspicion of criticism Is erough to make one of these stars turn his back upon a manager, who to be most successful must act the role of supplicant. "Extortionate," Just hint at that and your well trained aviator will turn around and quickly name the tre- mendous death roll of last year, and then ask you if any price is "extortionata" for man to demand when he takes his fife in his hands
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-30
ADNiRES MIR. UNDERWOOD

From the Montgomery Advertiser.
 Former Congressman Sidney J. Bowie or Birmingham is in Montgomery on legal business. MT. Bowie is a stauncb ad- mlrer or Hon. oscar Underwood who for many years was his associate in Congress. ana he believes that there is well defined chance for MT. Underwood to be nomi hated for President in the next national democratic convention. MT. Bowie for many years represented the Fourth Ala bama district in Congress. During bis service MT. Underwood represented as he does now, the Ninth Alabama district. Both men were leaders although MT. Bowie voluntarily retired from Congress to practice law. MT. Bowie believes that MT. Underwood is one of the best equipped and best poised men in public life in America. and he believes, too, that with the Alabama delegation in Congress ad- vocating MT. Underwood there is likeli- hood that he will receive the democratic nomination for President.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-30
Colombia and the Canal

Colombia is complaining because while Colonel Roosevelt was Presi- dent this country robbed" her of Panama. What are the facts in the case?
 In 1893 the Colombian congress extended the French concession to October, 1904. The canal remained uncompleted and the Colombian con- gress refused to extend the conces- sion to 1910. And when transfer of the French company's interest was sought by the United States the fran chise had only three years to run.
 Martinez Silva, formerly Colom- bian minister to the United States, explains the situation. He says. "Under article P the concessionaires not only lose their rights if at the expiration of the time allotted them for the construction of the canal the canal is not navigable, but also for felt the bond of $15O,00O, with inter- est. Article 23 specifics further that in case of forfeiture of rights the land granted shall revert to the state, without indemnity, as well as all buildings, materials, works and im- provements."
 The truth is the Colombian govern ment was trying to become the pos sessor of property worth $40,000,000 by having the concession expire in 1904. The effort to grab the French company's property was defeated by Colonel Roosevelt, and that is all there is of the case Colombia was not dealing fairly with the French company and she had no reason to expect fair treatment from others And she did not get it. She lost Panama and all canal rights.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-30
Canada's Census

Canada's decenmal census, taken last June, has proven very disap- pointing to the Canadians them selves. The more sanguine among them had expected a population of 9,000,090, and even the more cau- tious anticipated a total of 5000, ,OO0. The true total is 7,151, ,S69.
 The land area of Canada is 3.619.- SIS square miles, as compared with 8,567, ,563 square miles in this coun- try, including Alaska and Hawaii. Great as it's area is the population of the dominion is nearly two mil lions less than that of New York state, and half of a million less than Pennsylvania's population. The popu- lation of New York is 9,113, ,279, and Pennsylvania's population is 7,665,- III. When the population of the lat ter is spread over the vast area of Canada new problems do indeed arise-problems that this country does not have to solve.
 The number of American farmers going into the Canadian northwest has been overestimated. The num- Der has not exceeded 300, 1000. Per haps as many more will leave this country before the next census is taken. When 1921 comes round Can ada will do well to have 1O,OOO,O00 of people.
 Its cities are growing handsomely. Montreal, the largest, is a little larger than Buffalo; Toronto is about the size of Milwaukee, and Winnipeg is pushing Birmingham close in the respect of population.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-30
PATTERSON ON SUFFRAGE
'ssssssss.s

CTS In Israel demand the ballot for them- selves and their daughters, the fathers and brothers and sons in Israel are like ly, like Cap'n Scott's coon, Ito come down."
 This is not to say that good would come of it. There can not be a qualified equality. When men and women are brought to common level and standard the woman ''reduced"-how shall their duties be patitioned and where shall the world find it's needful elevation and re- pose?
 There must be a raised dais, a kind of right divine somewhere. In America, at least, the woman holds it. When one man is to obey another man." observes Lick Deadeye, "equility is out of the question: When the position of men and women is interchangeable, there is danger Of confusion both in the mattex of terms and obligations. Universal ed ucation and universal suffrage portend universal revolution. That is the hope. the faith Of socialism. Shall it be realized 1T the millennium? Or, shall it bring forth other cons of blood ana flame, to end in despotism?
 Our very dear and most welcome guests should not be too sure that they are right lielc IS danger In uniVerSality. There is danger in precipitancy. They shouIu seek to arrive at truth; bearing in mind that truth Is shield having two sides to It. Coursing down the River of Time. Dame Prudence keeps to the middle of the stream On either hand are rugged banks, or shifting sands, with what be- Vond of wooded mystery she knows not, so that it is rarely perhaps never safe to land. Qualified woman suffrage al- ready exists and should exist everywhere the woman absolute over the schools and the institutions of charities and correc ti3n.
 Meanwhile the area of woman's opnor- tuhlties and woman's work widens. as if surely should. It is the Courier-Jour- nafs opinion that her influence will only degenerate in proportion to her political activities. In our opinion she Is putting 'he ballot against the home. transcendant Influence for good against a dangerous il, niluenee Tor evil. We are afraid she VIII md when it is too late that she bas been playing with fire.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-30
Shaking Up the Nagrants

"The market for washerwomen, scrub women, cooks and house servants is rather oversupplied.'' said county of fcer "At least that is what I infer from the tales of the women who are on the hunt for jobs just now, to keep out of the condict class, for yagrancy.
 "A few weeks ago it was hard to em- rloy female servant, or to keep one Tor longer than a week or. two. Now all is changed. The doorbells are ringing morn ing, noon and night and those who an swer often find a bedraggled slouch of negro woman, driven out of the alleys by officers who are cleaning up the city in systematic campaign against male and female yagrants. The usual fine Is 250 days and cost, and that generally gives the idlers one year of guaranteed steady employment. three meals per day-but no craps games and house parties these often ending in a cutting or a killing.
 Tt is probable there will be less steal ing by negro men and negro women, too, in Birmingham this winter. The town has been overrun with idle negroes for some months. There are some white vaga- bonds, too, that are going to Flat Top for change of scene, and an opportunity to do something for the general welfare of the city, county and state"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-30
A Wall Street View

Henry Clews in his Saturday review, says in part:
 Filling of the government suit against the Steel corporation was somewhat of q surprise, and caused a sharp break in the market for these shares. Its effect upon the market in general was compar- atively slight. The separation of the ore and transportation interests from the company was a foregone conclusion, since these arrangements were of a clearly mo- ,nopolistic character. In other respects, however, it will be difficult for tlfe gov crnment to prove that the Steel corpora ton is a monopoly, and the drastic charges made in the petition not only serve no useful purpose, but are un- occasionally disturbing and will cause more or less distrust until settled. There ic. however, no occasion for being un- duly frightened. The supreme court is rot going to sanction any confiscation of property, and the Steel corporation is likely to continue in business in spite of government suits and tariff changes.
 "The present depression in the iron trade is a vastly more important factor in the present low prices of steel securities than the antitrust law In steel prod tets there has been a decline in prices of 27 per cent since the panic of 1907. These markets are still unsettled because the railroads, which in good times take 40 per cent of the output, are not taking more than 20 per cent, chiefly because of un- satisfactory financial conditions. The de- cline, which has brought prices down to the lowest on record except in 1897, Is rapidly bringing our most important in- dustry into healthy and more promising condition.
 "The investment market is much more satisfactory than at the beginning Of the month. Fair buying has taken place in the best class of railway bonds, which have shown distinct improvement, not only in New York; but at other finan- cial centers. The great ease in money is perhaps the most powerful element of support now visible, and will in all prob ability lead to liberal new issues of se- curities, presumably short term notes or bonds. Another very satisfactory feat ere which has been repeatedly alluded to is our continued heavy excess of ex- ports. This, too, is one of the funda- mental cures for present ills which is quietly laying foundations for coming re- covery. The financial situation abroad, which received such a severe shock from 'he Moroccan question, shows decided improvement. Confidence is rising in both Berlin and Paris, the chief points of un- settlement; and London, too, is display ing more confident undertone."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-30
The salvation Army's Work

T was much impressed with the com munication of the Salvation army in the press in reference to the practical work ings of their industrial home here in Bir- mingham." said man who takes much interest in their work.
 'I have made point of giving them such articles of apparel as l do not need, or have discarded, rather than to almost give them away to some second hand dealer or negro pensioner 1 have given them shoes, hats. suits and very heavy underwear that for health reasons dis carded. I am about to have my annual shake-out and will call the wagon.
 ''The giving of work to needy men, many of them weighted with years, the feeding housing and helping of hundreds, to say nothing of the kindly interest shown in the outcast and the wanderer for one cause and another. is itself d great practical charity and l do hope that the men and women of Birmlns- ham will remember to help the cause at least in the giving of what they no longer need themselves"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-30
MISS NIELSEN "HUSHED" THE KING

From Affairs at Washington" Joe
 Mitchell Chapple in National Nigga
 zine for November.
 One evening the Duchess of Man. chester entertained in honor of the late King Edward. Miss Alice Nielsen, the American opera singer. was present and sang. Among others there was a request for Tosti's Good bye to Sum mer," then in the first flush of it's great popularity.
 With the composer at the piano, the first stanza went with no strange or unusual occurrence, but while Tosti was playing the soft interlude leading to the second stanza, the King turned to one of his party with some remark, and his sonorous bass sounded out sharply through the room against the soft harp like chords of the piano.
 With exquisite daring, Miss Nielsen looked straight at his majesty and be- gan the line: "Hush"--then an ominous rause--"'tis voice." By this time the royal listener was all attention and looking straight into pair of eyes dancing with ill-suppressed merriment. There was moment of suspense, when the King saved the joke by starting the laugh in which the company joined. The royal guests took his gentle repri- mand with true gallantry.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-30
From the Fall Mall Gazette.

From tne Gai1 Mall Aiazelte.
 rYHE jewel of october is the opal The
 Greeks believed it possessed the
 \ power of bestowing second sight to those under it's influence, provided they did not use the power for selfish ends By it's misuse. they became unlucky Tn love, disappointment and misfortune logging their footsteps.
 The theory was started that for occult reasons the opal was unlucky or that It brought i'll luck to it's possessor, and succeeding generations have inherited the distrust that was once aroused.
 The idea that opals were unlucky is thought by many to be on account of the unfortunate part Sir Walter Scott as signed to it in his Anne of Geierstein. ' But the gem must have appealed to so great a lover of beauty in animate and inanimate nature as Sir Walter Scott, his thoughts to engender superstition by giving a bad name to a marvellous ex- ample of creative energy.
 The opal is also associated with misfor- tune by Russians of both sexes, who, should they chance to see an opal among the goods displayed for purchase, will tuy nothing more that day, and it is a curious fact that the Japanese, being un- der the sign that this stone belongs to, should be the nation to bring such i'll tuck to the Russians during the disastrous war between these two countries.
 The Romans of old loved the opal so well that they bestowed upon it the name of 'lovely youth.'' It never oc- cured to them that it was a gem which carried Ill luck to it's possessor. Lucky, indeed, did the Roman esteem himself
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-30
MORGAN DECIDES QUICKLY

Affairs at Washington Joe Mitchell
 Chapple in National Magazine for Mo-
 vember.
 At one time a business partner of J., Fierpont Morgan had been working on an important traction proposition for a long time preparing details and statement. When all was in readiness, the partner went to MT. Morgan late in the afternoon and asked if he was reacy to go into the matter in the morning. Tt will take some tiyne,'' he added.
 I'm going to Washington tonight, :" said MT. Morgan, but get into my car iiage and we'll talk it over as I drive home" When they reached his Madison avenue residence the veteran financier had solved the knotty problem on which his firm had labored for weeks, and gave the answer with as little ceremony as if he were asking the coachman to call at S..
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-30
OPAL SUPERSTITIONS

who was the owner of an opal that filled his neighbor with envy.
 In the middle ages there were not want ing men who shared the Romans weak ness for opals did not lose their popu- larity as time went on. Each century brought it's own joys and sorrows, luck and i'll luck to the human race, and each age brought it's fashions ill jewelry as in clothing, put the opal remained high in favor and entered largely into the adorn- ment of both sexes It's frangibility was well known, but this was regarded not as i falling so much as d special claim on tEc care of all who handled it.
 Alone among jewels the opal defies the ingenuity of the imitator. It owes it's charm not so much to it's own intrinsic merits as to the splendor of the rays of light that it reflects. It is the chameleon Of stones Pliny writing 1910 years ago, remarked that it displays at once the piercing fire of carbuncles, the purple brilliancv of amethysts and the sea green of emeralds, the whole blended together and refulgent with a brightness that is quite incredible"
 Unlike other gems, the opal is stone with a temper The diamond rises su- perior to climate, as also does the ruby. the emerald and the sapphire, but the oral has an organization so delicate that 1t loses color when exposed to severe, cold and becomes dull under the influence ot moisture. But when warmed by the rays of the sun or even by the tempera- ture of the hand, it recovers it's good hu- mor resumes it's exquisite brilliancy. Prejudice dies hard, but with regard to the opal it is on the wane, and the day iT probably not distant when the gem will not longer be regarded with supersti- tion
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-30
Colonel Roosevelt's Attitude

The republicans are not accepting in kindly spirit ex-President Roose- velt's statement that he will not be heard in the campaign of next year. They say he placed William Howard Taft in the presidential chair. The latter desired to go on the supreme bench, but Colonel Roosevelt insisted that he run for President, it is claimed, swerved him from his real ambition. The republicans proceed to argue that it is the heighth of un- co ndness on Colonel Roosevelt's part |, San
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-30
REFLECTIONs OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
 What makes man good citizen is he's afraid not to be.
 The loveliest girl at a party belongs to the mother of every one there.
 The more man can eat the more he'd think 1t was gluttony for anybody else.
 Alow priced clergyman can marry peo- pie, but it takes a high priced lawyer to unmarry them.
 A mans success in politics depends upon his being able to say everything with out meaning anything.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-30
Cbaffee's state Fair Bill

'It may not be generally known that Frank P. Chaffee, secretary of the Busi- ness Mems league and of the Alabama State Fair association, was the father of the bill passed by the late legislature by which s20.0Oo was appropriated to ad- vance the agricultural interests Of the state" said a prominent citizen. ifet such is the fact, and while valuable as- sistance was given by many of the friends of the agricultural interests It was the untiring persistence and the pre- sentation of facts gathered during the four years of service as secretary of the. State Fair association by Secretary Chaf" fee, that paved the way for the passage of the appropriation.
 "When Secretary Chaffee first started his movement for greater recognition by the state of the annual exposition, he found ready assistance at the hands or those who realized the importance or a proper presentation of the great resources of Alabama to the people, and that the state and county fairs tended to create interest and rivalry among the farmers, as well as being a fine school of instruc- tion for them.
 "It was only after years of persistent effort that the appropriation was finally agreed to. That it was the best invest r1ent the state ever made is generally admitted and evidenced by the splendid success, and universal praise and ad- miration of the magnificent agricultural exhibit assembled by Captain Kolb at the recent State Fair.
 Among those whot gave unstinted praise to the agricultural exhibit was Senator J. F. Johnston. Jesse Stallings, ex-Gov. B. B. Conner. George G. Willis, Fill Vines. Gordon Crawford and num- bers of other distinguished citizens Of the state.
 Secretary Chaffee modestly declines to accept the credit due, but it is generally accorded him. One of the strongest and most bitter opponents of the appropriation bill was Representative Merritt, who be- came one of its strongest supporters through the efforts of MT. Chaffee, and became quite a factor in it's passage
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-30
The New Cardinals

There have been so many groundless rumors about new American cardinals that those of us who keep informed are slow to credit dispatches from Rome an- bouncing that this or that prelate is to receive the red hat" said layman.
 But when the Associated Press sends a list of those to be created cardinals at consistory to be held in November am inclined to think 1t is true.
 Tt had been understood for some time that no American would be raised to the cardinalate during the life time of Car