davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-18
Present Prices of Cotton Too Low

Cotton has fallen practically to S1s cents at the farm, and when the prices of farm supplies are consid- cred this may be said to be the cost of production. Cotton has been com ing in at the rate of 550,000 bales week, and such rapid marketing could have but one result, confronted as we are by a pretty large crop. There is but one remedy, and that remedy is in the hands of producers. If they would sell gradually their bales throughout the cotton year those bales would bring the highest possible price.
 The decline from the prices of last July is well nigh $30 bale, and yet corn is worth 75 cents and pork S15 in Chicago As soon as evidence is received that producers are holding bales for better prices the decline will be stopped, and stable market, to say the least, will be established. The grower should receive as much as 9 cents, and if he will distribute his +sales over the cotton year he will certainly secure that price.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-18
MARY'S HAIR IS CRAY
m the New York Press.


 Mrs. Antonio de Navarro, who was Mary Anderson, loved by the playgoing public as "Our Mary arrived yesterday in the Baltic. She came to New York to assist Robert Hichens, the author of "The Garden of Allah,'' in the production of the dramatized book. She suggested that the novel be put in stage form and assisted Hichens in adapting 1t.
 The hair of Mrs. de Navarro, that onS c was poets inspiration, now is taking on tinse of gray, but there are few other signs to denote the once famous actress has reached the age of 52. She seemed as huoyant and cheerful as in the days when she was giving theatregoers interpreta- ton of Shakespearean heroines that not yet have been forgotten. It was con- meEted in her hearing that it has been long time since New Workers have seen her.
 'Ah, yes, she replied. Perhaps that is so. but one does not notice the flight of years when one is happy. The years flee quickly then.'
 "Our Mary now is the. mother of three children, two girls. whom she left in the care of their grandmother. and boy Jose, 12 years old, who is beginning his education in England.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-18

rather conference, largely consisted of
 delegates from Illinois, Wisconsin,
 Minnesota and Nebraska. The split
 in the republican party is constantly becoming wider and deeper. The
 Chicago conference perfected a na- tional organization, and a finance committee was, at the suggestion of Rudolph Spreckles of California, ap- pointed. To use the words of MT. Spreckles, ''the average citizens dol lar is to take the place of corporation contributions. A popular sub scription in each state is to be or- ganized. This certainly looks like the of third party.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-18

From the Cincinnati Times-Star.
 Not long ago a sordd, soiled little girl came to town. She had figured in one of the sensational cases of the day. In an effort to realize something tangible from her notorety she sought to go on the stage here-and was turned away Public sentiment was as a flint against her. Her appearance on the hoards might have been the signal for a riot-at least, the clapperclawing, yelling, quite harm less sort of thing that passes for riot in New York. And yet those who come in touch with her declared that the girl is in earnest in her hope of reformation as earnest as a young woman of her training and mental capacity can be-and that she justified her effort to sell her notoriety by the plea that only in this way could she get a start. If I had a little money, I could go away some where and start over,' she said to those she called her friends. And she seemed to mean it. The pitiful, chid-like little face, with its suggestion of innocent animal ism. quivered at the thought of that vast New York which illuminated against her. She didn't defend her past. She ad- mtted it. and only asked in depreca- tory way what any other girl could have done under similar conditions. She may not have been sincere In her expressed desire for a new start. She may have been just emotional. In any event, it was best for all concerned that she was kept off the stage. But some of those who were loudest against her need not have cast a stone.
 "One woman,' said an old timer hare, "who said most against Beulah Binford began her known career as hotel cham bermaid No one has been able to trace her on the farther side of that hotel. She married a man of wealth, because of d certain buxom beauty which was here. He divorced her and the trial furnished q furious scandal for the day. Now she is so secure in her position that she dared attack young woman who may really be penitent And she is quite safe. New York S memory rarely covers more than half a dozen years'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-18
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
A Great Industrial Plant

s%The Dimmick Pipe Works will be ready for operation, I understand, about the first of the year. said Cleon B. Rog- CTS of North Birmingham. "When the United States Cast Iron Pipe and Foundry company bought the Dimmiek plant re- gently it began at once to make improve ments and get it in shape for work.
 ''The Dimmick plant under the old com pany was one of the most important in- dustries in the Birmingham district, but the United States cast people are moderiz- ing it, and in doing so are spending good deal of money on the work. When com pleted 1t will be by far the best pipe plant in the south. and one of the best in this country. As soon as operations are resumed at the pipe works some thing like a thousand men will be em- ployed; probably 15OO when everything is going at full capacfty''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-18

as his successor. He was then in the prime of life and was equipped in every way for the episcopal office, but he begged the ecclestiastieal authorities who nominated him to the pope, to allow him to remain in the position he then held. The bishopric was forced on him, but he went to work with great energy and turned out after p years one of the ablest and most successful bishops in the his- tory of the American hierarchy.
 Being a cultured Belgium he had that charming bonhomie characteristic of his people. He became extremely popular with non Catholics so popular that when he sent his resignation to Rome few years ago a mass meeting of non-Catf- olics was held for the purpose of protest ing against his retirement; Prominent Raptists and others, Protestants and prominent Jews, united in expressing their appreciation of Bishop Van de Vyer as a clergerman and a citizen. The bishop was deeply touched and the resolutions adopted by the non- Catholics had such a ring of sincerity, that he recalled his resignation.
 His death will certainly be deeply mourned in Virginia Although Bishop Van de Vyer cared not for preferment he presided over the diocese of his church longer than any bishop within my recol- lection. Cardinal Gibbons was bishop Just four years and his successor, Bishop Keane, only a few years
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-18
Call of the National Committee

Chairman Norman E. Mack has called meeting of the democratic national committee. It is to meet at Washington on Monday, January s, for the purpose of naming the time and place of holding the next demo- cratic national convention.
 Thus is the coming campaign com ing steadily on. No doubt Baltimore will secure the convention, and the time will be in the early summer months. The gathering at Washing ton in January will be one full of hopefulness and an ambition to drive the standpatters and high tariffites out after Is years of unchecked power.
 There IS no split in the democratic party. All are standing shoulder to shoulder behind Speaker Clark and Oscar W. Underwood in favor of a tariff for reyenoe only-in favor of a lower cost of living-in favor of cut ting down. the exorbitant profits of the manufacturers entrenched behind the Aldrich- -Payne-Smoot tariff wall. schedule K alone takes at least $100,- 000,000 from the pockets of the peo- pie in order to put $15, 5,000,000 in the treasury. The difference goes unlaw- fully and unjustly into private pockets. It is against such outrages as this, that public sentiment is ris- ing rapidly which will sweep the re- publicans out of power, and that will bring relief to the consumers.
 The democratic national committee will, in January, give shape and form to this great protest of the overtaxed, and from that time forward the cam paign will proceed apace. Mr. Taft is the logical candidate of the stand patters. He is committed to them in a score of ways. He is with them heart and soul, and if they have the courage of their convictions they will renominate him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-18
That she may feel How sharper than serpeBt's tooth 1t Is To have q thankless child!
 king Lear.
Tint she may feel
Near Opening of the Canal

The annual report of the Isthmian canal commission is official confirm ation of current reports to the effect that the canal will be ready for use on July l, 1913. The only doubt as to this date relates to possible slides in Culebra cut, and the commission seems to be confident that the slides in the greatest earth digging enter prise the world has ever seen, will not exceed expectations. The Gatun locks and spillway win be ready, and so will the locks on the Pacific side.
 The commission asks Congress to formulate next winter needful rules and toll sheet, and this no doubt will be done. The worlds maritime interests should have time in which to readjust their routes and to build ships for use in connection with the canal.
 The commission renews it's recom- mendation that Congress should au thorize it to sell coal to merchant shipping. That point has been freely urged by Colonel Goethals in inter- views, and in one interview at least he urged the use of West Virginia coal on the ridiculous ground that it was better adapted to steam making in a tropical country. He seems to have been hard pushed for some req son to support his favorite coal. Con- gress, let us hope, will deal fairly and justly in this matter. If it shuts out all other coals it should have bet ter reasons for doing so than Colonel Goethals has so far presented. A commission might be appointed to study the coals of the country and the prices at which they can be laid down at Colon and Panama.
 The canal is to have towpath, but powerful locomotives will supplant on that towpath the once familiar mule, and the commission recommends that Congress authorize the canal man. agement to pay damages to vessels injured in passage, inasmuch as this government must insist on taking complete charge of all vessels during transit to guard against injury to the locks. This is certainly a just and reasonable recommendation, and Con- gress will no doubt accept it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-18
GERMANY'S TRAMP wORKMEN

Madge c. Jemson in Harpers weekly.
 There are upon the roads certain men who always wander-men over 30 who keep "auf der Walz" The wanderer calls them comets" A "comet' knows everything-what masters want workers, where the ham is excellent, and where the beer In the days when the poor traveller could go from door to door the ''comets" counted as friends the cooks in rich Munich and Dresden families, and would tell you in what provinces were many monasteries, since "the monks have understood it from the earliest time the kitchen and cellar well to provide" A young wanderer who fell in with "comet' lived high.
 There is superstition among poor travellers that the road is a phantom which takes a man for it's own when he has worn out one pair of soles. Most wanderers, however, think 1t high time after a few years for regular life and food few are moving more than four or five years; they tramp a few weeks, and stay sometimes a year or two in one place. Sometimes the wandering is over in one summer.
 People still young can remember when poor travellers were on foot by hundreds of thousands, eating the peasants poor. A young Mecklenburg woman told me how in childhood she was sent to the old priest of the town with gifts of fresh bread and cheese from her mother. and she found him always, she said in his quiet study wreathed about with smoke. and with a row of small coins spread out on the table before him, from which he would push one toward her when she entered, without looking up from his book. Only when she did not go would he look up to see why she remained
 T should do nothing, daughter, if l but looked at all the poor travellers that came" he explained. '"rhc old legs of Mother Ziegler cannot carry her so many times to the door, and so-Leave it ajar, mother I said--leave 1t ajar:' ' and thus he sat there in his reverie of human needs and redemption which refused no poor traveller and admitted none to it's quiet dream.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-18
BeautifuI Programme

The concerts which the United States Marine will give at the Jefferson the atre Friday will doubtless draw large audiences. The band had to be guar anteed, but it is believed that the re- ceipts will more than meet all ex- penses. Oliver Chalifoux secretary and treasurer of the local committee under whose auspices the Marine band ap- pears. says the net proceeds will be donated to the Music Study clubs open air concert fund for next year.
 q read the Marine bands programme In last Sundays Age-Herald and was delighted with them,' said well known music lover. "The matinee pro- gramme is light but all the numbers are artistic. There are many gems. The night programme includes such beautiful standard works as Lizts' symphonic poem, Les Preludes,' and Invitation to the Dance,' by Weber, Weingartner'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-18
Attracting Attention

Alabama is an exceptionally good truck farming state, and the Birmingham district should be especially attractive tural experience" said Dr. A. Mas berg of the Jacobs Pharmacy and also part owner of a fourteen acre truck farm at North Birmingham
 T am glad to hear that many Ger man-Americanst have settled in Jefferson county within tho present year recently which means that in the next two or three years this desirable class of popu- lation will come by the thousands to the Birmingham district. The district is be- ing systematically advertised now as 8 truck farming proposition as well as manufacturing center. If progressive work had been done along this line a few years ago Jefferson county's population would be much larger than it is, and a much larger volume of market truck would be produced here at this time.
 ''I am familiar with conditions in Illi- nois where l once lived and it is safe to say that 65 per cent of the young men who have left that state to seek new homes have gone to the northwest. Ala bama has better climate than any of the northern states and if they had of known of our advantages in soil and climate, to say nothing of Birmingham as a big consumer, a large percentage of them would have found their way to this sec tion. With proper advertising and ra- tience and systematic work in other Gi- rections, we will have truck farms by thousands instead of hundreds within a radius of 90 or 40 miles of Birmingham inside of two or three years"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-18
Darkey Ways That Are Dark

Ahe ways of the colored race in matters of business are often very amusing and at times so absurd as to be unbelievable except to those who have had experience with them in cer- tain lines of business" said a furni- ture man who sells largely on the instalment plan.
 "One day a negro woman came in my store and asked the price of a rug. "A dollar and a half cash, two dollars on installment I told her. We'll she said, I always buys on stallment plan-here's dollar. and CT half and I'll pay the other nex' week.
 "They come in and ask: Does you sell on the extortlon plan? I've become so used to their stereotyped questions that as soon as they ask to be snown furniture I say: Dollar down--dollar a week.
 Many have lost thoir furniture they claim, through having 1t taken from them when sick, so 1 have to announce | if they arc sick the installments due go over.
 "I caught sharp rascal a short while ago trying to run some furni- ture out of town and by the merest chance, too. All of our installment furniture has our name on it's some where I espied this negro going along with a mirror from a dresser in his hands with my name on it. I asked him where he was going. He said: 1'se jest l CT moving to Third alley I said all right; I'll go along and see just where
 you are located. Well, that negro
 walked me round and round trying to ! give me the slip, but l stuck to him.
 Finally, in desperation, he boldly ent-
 cred woman's quarters and when she
 a six ed what he wanted in dar' he said, | Is my room ready? She said You ain't got no room in here Yes, I is,' he i said; yer husband done rented- me
 CT room. I aint got no husband; you get out CT here fo' I bust yer brains
 out Outside told him l intended to ! jail him, making a mock call by hold . ing the telephone receiver down. 1 forced him to carry mo to the depot
 where the dray was with my furniture loaded on it. l had him to drive 4 to the store. I stood to lose S100 on a purchase of $120 made by this ne-
 gro who was trying to run off the fur
 niture.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-18
Progressive Republicans Organizing

The first national convention of the progressive republicans has been held. Two hundred delegates met in Chi cago and indorsed Robert M. LaFol- lette for President and urged direct general primary of the party as means of securing presidential can- didate. Senator Bourne had long ad- vocated before the members of the republican national committee the calling of presidential primary through the whole country at. least 30 days before the meeting of the convention. This appeal will fall on deaf ears, for majority of the re- publican national committee are standpatters. Five states will, how ever, hold presidential primaries for both parties. North Dakota will lead off on March 19, followed by Wiscon- sin on April ?, Nebraska on April IT, Oregon on April 19 and New Jersey on May 2S. Texas is. also to have a presidential primary, and other states may be added during the com ing winter. Among California's many constitutional changes presidential primary was not provided for. It is, however, more properly statutory matter.
 The republican national committee will refuse to order presidential |. primary, and in the states controlled by the progressives an appeal will be made no doubt to state executive committees, and a very considerable expression may be secured in 1912 from presidential primaries. How far these will go in making Mir. La Toilette candidate remains to be seen. The Chicago convention, oi
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-18
EXCHANGING cOURTEsIEs

 From the Red Hen. -s s.
 The late Sir w. $. Gilbert, the libret tist. once met I.iebling, the pianist, and the following interchange of courtesles occurred between them. Iiebling was introduced to Gilbert, and Gilbert said:
 sir, I have heard Liszt--'
 Liebling bowed his head in acknowl- edgment at what he supposed was tho coming compliment.
 q have heard Henry Hertz" contin- ued Gilbert.
 Liebling bowed still lower.
 q have heard Paderewski." -.==,
 J4iebling made genuflexion even un- to the ground. 4-ts5s
 Well, sir" continued Gilbert, in ab- rupt tones, mot one of them-not ono of them, sir-perspired as profusely as you do.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-18
"OPENING WINE"

From the Louisville Courier Journal.
 "The salesman who asserted he was robbed of roll of bills while buying II quarts of champagne for the culti- vated circle that frequents MT. Shar- keys saloon may count his experience d valuable one of it has taught him that opening wine for prize fighters is n folly that borders closely on mental disorder. Indeed the modern craze for trea ting worthless companions to wine, usually of inferior quality and inyara- bly at exorbtant cost, is matter that well deserves serious consideration at the hands of alenists.
 "There is an old saying about friend ships made in wine that applies with peculiar force to this incredible scheme of money wasting. No man over pur- chases countless quarts of champagne for his mother, wife, sister or friend, but he will joyously empty his pockets under the electric sign of Kid Lay down or Johnny Take the Count "-- New York Herald.
 The "wine opener is a paradoxical individual. He is a cheap type of
 SpoIt WHO speiluS SOOu Qeal or money. The term does not in the least apply to a gentleman who can afford champagne and who drinks 1t with his friends and with his dinner at his home, his club or his hotel, because he and his friends like 1t and because it im- proves his dinner. The wine opener who frequents tenderoin cafes and buys quantities of champagne to inn press it's denizens is sometimes one who can afford the expense, but he is osten- tatiously vulgar and he never gets value received. Generally speaking the net proceeds of his evening are a next morning headache, a financial strin- gency and the well earned contempt of those for whom he has "opened wine"
 The wine opener" is seen in his glory in the New York topderloin and in the Paris tenderlOin. In Paris he Is nearly always on American and fre- quently not a rich American. He may be from large American city, but in the accepted sense of the term he Is a Reuben. Under the impression that h., is "seeing life" in Maxim's Abbayes, the Dead Rat and similar catch franc devices set up and operated to fleece the easy mark he buys champagne at about three times what a Parisian is paving for 1t around the corner. There are always some feminine "cappers" for the game who will drink their half of wine and who are lSalsomined with sui ticient skill to seem beautiful when viewed through rosetinted haze crc- ated by cham pa gne sold at o5 francs |, bottle. The Reuben is never lonely as
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-18
From the Washington Post.

Aptii iilc " dSltliiBlOu GOsl.
 k NE and forty are the ways of con-
 M structing tribal lays. Thus sang \ the poet, and he claimed that ev- cry single one of them was right. If this be the verdict as to profane traditions, low about the various interpretations of cnty times seven are the exegeses of mat ters millennial and eschatoogical-by which is meant. in plain United States that men differ as regards the time set for the coming of the kingdom and the day of final judgment.
 To side with any one of these bands of enthusiasts means their firm support. ali the rest. To barley and dicker with the contending forces, in the hope of pal Hating all is to fall into the error of the ignorant. Even to touch upon the sub iect is fraught with danger, if only that it leads to the submerging of the rasn meddler with labored screeds from the learned, each of whom possesses the only true key to the mysteries.
 Thus, when celebrated divine informs us that the end of the world is at hand, we are reminded of the caution that lit- tie children should be seen and not heard, and that speech is golden while silence is sivern. That he has much in support of his contention cannot be gainsaid Un- doubtedly the precedents to the final cata- olysm are wars and rumors of war, earth quakes, floods, and pestilence. We have had the flood. We are having war, of Q