davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-15
BEAUTIES OF KENTUCKY
From the Washington Post.
 tho Gnaet

From the Washington Post.
 Beautiful women, the finest race
 horses, good liquor, and the largest area
 of blue grass in the world are the boasts
 of Kentucky, and it is difficult to say
 which is first in the hearts of the native
 born Kentuckian,' said Sam T. Neeley
 a civil engineer of Paris, Ky, at the Ra-
 leigh.
 T presume we shall have to hand it to
 the Women gallantry demands that, but
 next to them I believe the call of the blue
 grass appeals most strongly to the Ken tucky-born. It's a strange thing what a fascination a field of blue grass has for a Kentuckian. Of course if we follow out the course of nature, probably all the others are more or less dependent upon the blue grass. Certainly the race horse is. You know Champ Clark, speaker-to- be, is a native of Kentucky. He spent his early boyhood days amid the swaying, fragrant fields of blue grass. and when he moved he went into another state where blue grass thrives. Missouri has perhaps the largest area of blue grass in this country next to Kentucky. Farmers of many other sections have tried to introduce the blue grass into their territory, without success. In Oklahoma many attempts have been made to grow it, the farmers going so far as to trans plant the sod. It is singular therefore, that in Vermont they are beginning to raise the finest kind of blue grass. Not long ago MT. Clark was taking a trip through Vermont Gazing carelessy out of the car window his eye lighted on a waving field of beautiful grass. He rub bed his eyes and looked again. Then he called the conductor and inquired what kind of grass it was. The trainman in formed the Missouri statesman that it was blue grass that had recently bees in troduced into the state and found to thrive.
 "I thought I couldn't be mistaken, said MT. Clark A man who has lived in
 Kentucky will know blue grass in any part of the world. l would like to go out into that field and wade around.' "
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-15

an acre for such lands are selling them to small investors at S3O an acre. The entire business is essen tially fraudulent.
 This would not be the case in the black belt of this state, for no more fertile soil or better climate can be found elsewhere. A man who has a small farm-say, forty acres-of black belt lands can indeed secure a living and even independence.
 Let us hope the black belt move ment will be we'll managed, and honestly managed. Thomaston, in Marengo county, has begun the move ment and if it will secure good manager there is no reason why the fertile lands of Marengo cannot be put in the hands of white men who will till them properly, either with or without the presence of the boil weevil.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-15
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
In m Auto Car to Atlanta


 Atlanta is handsome city and it is growing at a rapid rate,'' said Paschal G. Shook. who made an auto car trip to the Georgia capital last Sunday in the party being Mrs Shook and Mayor Exum
 and Mrs. Exum
 Tt had been several years since stopped over in Atlanta. That city's boosting spirit has long been proverbial. and I used to think that a great many of the claims made for the Georgia me- tropolis were exaggerated; but on this visit 1 had time for sightseeing, and the extent of Atlanta's business activity and the general expansion of the city made a most favorable impression on ms. Atlanta Is, indeed, a wonderful city. Large building operations are in evidence there, and among the new structures in course of erection are two office build ings.
 "The business district of Atlanta indi- cates at once metropolitan life, and At lanta's residence streets are filled with elegant homes. The, streets in every di- rection are splendidly paved. and I doubt if there Is a city :n the United States so well lighted as Atlanta. A gentleman who had spent some time abroad said recently that Atlanta was even better lighted than Paris. The White Way certainly makes great impression on visitors.
 Atlanta is 8 strong commercial cen ter, and an important manufacturing cen ter as well. It has innumerable small industries which make large pay roll totals, and make up an immense volume of business. The people of Atlanta have great reason to be proud of their city.
 "On account of the dry weather the roads were good for automobiles all the way. From here to Springville there is good macadam road bed, and from Springvile via Gadsden to the state line at Cave Spring, Ga, we found the road in very fair condition. The Georgia roads are superior to those of Alabama. One notices the difference immediately upon crossing the line. From Cave Spring via Rome the road is excellent all the way to Atlanta. The Georgia roads are being worked by convicts, and excellent results the Georgia line and Rome is as fine as any highway in the state of New York. The distance travelled from here to Atlanta was about POT miles and the speed averaged nearly twenty miles an hour, which was pretty good for so long a trip
 Mayor Exum and MT. Shook left their families in Atlanta for short visit. They left the machine too, and returned by rail, it being their intention to go back to Atlanta Saturday and bring their families home in the automobile.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-15
Corporation Tax Upheld

The corporations to the number of 262,279 know now that they must pay a tax upon their corporate licenses. In other words, if they had done busi- ness as individuals or partners, they could not be taxed, but when they bundled themselves into corporations they became subject to an excise tax. The line between excise taxes and direct taxes may be shadowy and in- distinct to the ordinary observer, but to the supreme court of the United States it was plain, and that court declared it good.
 Without a dissenting opinion the court of last resort decides that corporation tax is an excise tax and that ends the controversy. It is no four-by-five decision. The court unan- imously declares that the corporation tax is an excise tax, although to the corporation itself the tax looks very much like a direct tax. All this hair splitting is, however, ended and the corporation tax has come, no doubt, to stay, because it is so constitution al, being but an excise tax.
 Justice Day delivered the opinion of the court, and he summed up the important decision when he said: 'The thing taxed is not the mere dealing in merchandise, in which the actual transactions may be the same, whether conducted by individuals or corporations, but the tax is laid upon provisions which exist in conducting business with the advantages which inhere in the corporate capacity of those taxed, and which are not en- joyed by private firms or individu- als." this is the sum and substance of the decision. Those who dance the corporate jig must pay Uncle Sam, who is the piper in this case.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-15
Pooling Black Belt Lands

Nothing more hopeful or promising has been developed in this state this year than the movement that has sprung up in the black belt counties to bring into them men who will till their own lands-men who will first become proprietors and then farmers in that fertile district.
 Let us hope the movement will have the advantages of good adver- tising and good business manage ment. Many a rascally company is ceiling sand heaps in Florida to northern men. These sand heaps are. as rule, valueless. A living cannot be made on such lands, and ths men who pay but dollar or two
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-15
rALLEsT BRITISH SOLDIER
the London Mail.

From the London Mail.
 Private H. Harter, who has just joined the First battalion Grenadier Guards, is cnly IS years of age, but stands 6 feet Sh inches in his stockings. and is still grow ing. He is said to be the tallest soldier in the British army.
 My father, who is a Denvonshire far mer, is,'' he says, ''6 feet inches. and my mother is feet 10 inches. so I think it must be hereditary. I have lived nearly all my life in the country. I am doing two hours a day in a gymnasium and about three hours drill, so that in a month or two I ought to reach 6 feet 9i1 inches I have smoked since was 14, or do not know how tall I should have been.'
 Formerly Maj. Oswald Ames, of the Second Life Guards, who is 6 feet 71I inches, was said to be the tallest sol dier in the army.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-15
What the Rio Grande Movement Is

It is simply silly to say that big republic has surrounded a lesser re- public that is in a state of insurrec- tion and discontent with battleships and troops merely for the sake of maneuvers. No matter how much the administration continues to assert that the movement is for the sake of practice, no one believes it. The statement is incredible.
 We are either coming to the aid of the aged Diaz by enforcing neutrality at the border, or else we are getting into position to uphold in Mexico the Monroe dictrine-one or both. Proba- bly, both.
 A vast amount of American money has been invested in Mexico and the men behind those dollars know how to gain the ear of this administration through Elihu Root, Cabot Lodge and others, and all these men desire to see the insurrection suppressed. They do not care fig about the grievances of the Mexican people or the tyranny of the Diaz regime. They simply want protection and peace at any price.
 President Roosevelt and President Taft have stretched the Monroe doc urine until it means that in order to keep off European interference we must ourselves protect the subjects and investments of European nations whenever civil strife becomes threat ening.
 Look at the matter as we will the movement of troops and ships is an act of intervention. We have practi- cally declared war against the insur- rectos and all our acts along the coast line and border of Mexico will prove helpful to Diaz, who is by no means patriot and lover of freedom.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-15
SEARCHING FOR BACON's SECRET

which tally with all that is said in the cypher in pr. Owens possession con- tinue to be found. These. it is said, are parts of the tree trunks which Bacon placed there.
 T cut down all the trees and made dam for safety.
 "I cut down the trees and turned the course of the river.''
 But at this most interesting point in the search the water swiled the workers out of their trench. and so it may be for yet many tides more before they know exactly how far foday's happenings have realized their hopes.
 A more powerful pump will be sent here tomorrow which will give the men more time for the actual digging, and before the end of this week the Newport engineers will have begun the construction of a large cofferdam embracing the whole area The number of workers will be trebled, sos that there will be 24 diggers next week.
 Though this romantic search has only now been discovered, it has been going on in the neighborhood of the castle since September, 1909, when Dr. Owen first came here with his partner, Dr. Pres colt.
 They directed their attention first to a cave in the cliffs below the castle, search ing for something which could have been a clue to the mystery.
 I understand that this cave was be- iicved to be the first hiding place of the boxes before, as Bacon says in Dr. Owens cypher:
 1T dispatched my chests in fisher boat conveying them to the place on the River Wye, knowing what folly 1t was to hide them on the shore"
 An old iron handle was found in the cave and nothing more. Then Dr. Pres colt returned to America, and by patient measuring and surveying and research Dr. Owen and his associates finally Iocat- ed in September, 1910, the area in which they now believe the chests are buried.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-15
The Dry South

Some one wrote poem few years ago about the south going dry, and I ex- pected to find prohibition laws in opera ton in all the southern cities" said Charles P. Dunnington of Milwaukee.
 q had not been south of the Ohio river in many years, and as I had read in the papers about this and that state having drastic sumptuary laws, imagine my sur prise when l found it easy to buy beer and even stronger drink in all the south ern cities-that is to say, all I visited Nashville, Chattanooga, Atlanta, Savan- nah Mobile, and Birmingham. Among people who are not especially interested in the liquor question, the notion certain ly prevails up north that prohibition is immensely popular in the south; but one has but to visit cities and find it just the opposite
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-15

is about it. All through German operas, all through French operas, all through Italian operas, there are these extraordi- narily barren places in which the Ian guage is the language of casual converse tion with no elevation to it, but the toler- ance for this kind of thing has allowed the operatic art form, so far as text goes, to grow and develop into superb exam ples of an art form.
 We are intolerant of any effort in Eng fish unless it be absolutely poetic at every moment; in other words, we require a higher standard for the English text than is found in any opera text the world over, and this is why it is difficult to have opera in English, and this Is what is views although they do not understand the situation or state it exactly, but blame it on the poor, unoffending language-the language of Shakespeare. Milton, Tenny- son, and the long line of lyricists worthy of their Elizabethan forerunners. The giving grand opera in English. either original works or in translation, and al- though I recognize the difficulty of fitting text to music and in thus giving the translation the musical value of the origi- nal, I hold that there is altogether too much bother and clap-trap in the sup posed inherent difficulty in revealing the thought of one lbretto in language for eign to the original text.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-15
Settlement Work in Birmingham

Settlement Work in Blrmlngham
 The presence in this city of Miss Jane Addams of Hull House, Chica- go, may result in the establishment of settlement work here on the most modern lines. No one is better judge of what is needed here, or pos sible here, than. Miss Addams, simp- ly because no one in this country has had an experience in work among the poor and unfortunate equal to her ex- perience in conducting Hull House.
 Let us hope the women of the city will turr out on Saturday morning to listen to the views and advice of Miss Addams. Her judgment is to be trusted, and her desire to serve the deserving poor is too we'll known to need mention.
 The women of this city can accom- plish a deal of good here if they will permit themselves to be guided by one who has dealt for twenty years with difficult social problems. Miss Addams has handled these problems so successfully that she has become great social force herself, and The Age-Herald cannot too strongly urge the good women of this city to turn out on Saturday morning next to listen to what Miss Addams has to say concerning settlement work in this city
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-15
HE HAD SOME

From Everybody's Magazine.
 Ra3tus was on trial, charged with stealing $7.S5. He pleaded not guilty, and, as he was unable to hire an attorney, the judge appointed Lawyer Clearem as coun- sel. Clearem got uri strong plea in de- fense, and Rastus was acquitted. Coun- scl and client met a few minutes later outside the court oom. Now, Rastus, said Celarem, you know the court al lows the counsel very little for deefnding this kind of case. I worked hard for you and got you clear. I'm entitled to much more pay than I'm getting for my val uable services. and you should dig up a good-sized fee. Have you got any money?"
 ''Yes, boss, replied Rastus, "I still done got dat seven dollahs and eighty-f1ve cents.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-15
LAZY WIGHT.

THE LAZY WIGHT. The lazy wight ere long will doze Where some sweet-rippling river flows And sumbeams dance upon the wave, Whose floral banks the waters lave. And all his cares will be forgot In some secluded woodland spot, Where birds uplift their melody And gloomy thoughts can never be. What though his wife must toll at home, He still delights the hills to roam, Or fishes by a hermit stream, Whose voice invites his soul to dream.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-15
MARBLES COMING BACK
pm the New York Tribune.

NEW
 An, elderly woman who keeps a little shop in Harlem she calls a stationery and book store" probably because her chief stock in trade consists of candy cheap toys, picture cards. pencils and writing pads, says that there is re- vival in marbles. Her best customers are the children who attend the school nearby.
 For years" she said, "the boys have given up the old ia shioned marble for the more expensive glass 'agates' and alleys The old game of bounding was never played and marbles could not be given away. Lately there have been many calls for them. see the boys playing the old game, andrsurely the marble is coming back"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-15
National Democratic Convention

Baltimore is making strong pld TOT the next national democratic convention, and I hope it will win," said Henry O.. Bates of Boston
 when the time comes for the na- tional committee to meet and decide upon the convention city the eastern democracy should unite and work for Baltimore. The convention will not come further east than that city, and unless we organize a strong movement the chances are a western town will capture the prize. Baltimore has ample accommodations, and can raise suffi- cient money to take good care of the national democratic convention.
 'srhe democrats all through the coun- try seem to be hopeful of democratic victory in 1912. I was as far west as Kansas City recently, and the talk among the people I met was most favor- able to Governor Harmon. This is the first time in many years that the demo- crats have had 8 number of strong, available men from which to select. There are at least a half dozen popular democrats of presidential calibre. either one of whom would grace the White House. But from the way 1t looks now would say the two candidates of ex- ceptional strength were Harmon and Woodrow Wilson. If Governor Harmon can carry Ohio I believe he will be able to carry New York. Harmon and Wilson oh the same ticket ought certainly to be able to carry New York and New Jer- sey''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-15
THE TEST.

Say your heart is weary, weary,
 And you find it hard to smile; All the future prospect dreary,
 Scarcely worth a fellows while. Petty cares still throng around you,
 Drawn from out forbidding deeps, And the tricks of fate confound you,
 Where life's tide relentless sweeps Wage the fight undaunted, brother,
 Let your faith be proved in fire Weddings lean upon some other,
 Dauntless spirits still aspire, Gaining strength, whate'er befalls them,
 Pushing on to reach the skies; When the voice of duty calls them,
 Ready for each new emprise.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-15
Concerning Operas in English

At dinner given by the Musical Art club of Philadelphia recently Andreas Dippel and Victor Herbert were among the guests and the principal address of the evening was made by Harvey M Watts. The question of opera in English was discussed and among other good things MT. Watts said:
 The first false assumption is that all other operatic texts save English are fluent, eupnonic and poetic, and of high literary value A very ridiculous assump- tion, for anyone familiar with the his tory of opera must know that in all times and in all languages the librettos of operas have been under suspicion.
 "Voltaires famous mot apropos of the Italian and Fernch operatic texts of his day, that what was too silly to be spoken was sung. is very well known. and ev- eryone certainly must be aware that one of the great reforms proposed by Wagner and carried out by him was that proper and poetic text should be supplied to carry on the burden of the music.
 "The second assumption, which is as foolish as the first, is that all other oper- atlc texts but English can be heard bet ter over the footlights. Of the reasons given for this alleged state of things some of them have points and some have not.
 'The real and important fact about all this controversy is not that there Is any inherent difficulty in writing a beautiful English text or in speaking or In singing 1t, for the wealth of English literature is such that we need not repine, but the curious fact is that we have not yet ac- ouired a tolerance for certain common places which are bound to occur in an English opera text, and which also oc- i cur in all other opera texts, while the Latin and Teutonic peoples have acquired this toleranace and are perfectly obliivous to the shortcomings of an admittedly i'm perfect art form.
 That is, the Italian, the French and the German listen to the connecting com monplaces in operas-the bald spots. the bare spots which connect the more poetic and more lyrical moments. and they not only do not take offence at the phrase ology in those portions which are ex- ceedingly ordinary and commonplace, but | they endure them and that is all there
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-15
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
 It seems easier to economize on re- ligion than on anything else
 A girl has such a better temper than men, because she can hide 1t when 1t isn't.
 A man. seems to think he gets married, just to show how little he can appreci- ate 1t.
 After a man gets rich enough he begins to wonder if there is any way to get some fun out of it.
 Anybody can make fairly good argu- rent by letting the fellow who is against Him do all the talking.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-15

Uncle Sam will not hereafter let insur- ize between battles American restaurants unless they will accept the services of a stomach pump.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-15
The Iron Trade

'The iron market is fairly active this week." said a broker. There is a healthy inquiry, and while there is no indication of an advance in price in the immediate future, March business will foot up quite a big tonnage.
 "All the metal trades are more active now than they were month ago and the outlook is for steadily improving condl- tiono
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-15
Nearly Forty Years of Age

"The first sale of lots here was on June l, 1871. and 1t is safe to say that not many towns aged only 40 years can make the showing of Bir- mingham," said Nicholas T. Wentworth of Philadelphia.
 of all the cities above 100000 Bir- mingham had the largest percentage of increase according to the census fig ures. Some of the Oklahoma towns make larger percentage showings, but they are of the smaller class. Between 1880 and 1890 Birmingham showed an increase of about 750 per cent. but the 1890 population was only between 26,- 900 and 27,O00 and the percentage ex- hibit. therefore, attracted little or no attention. But with a population Of 132.6S5 in the recent census the whol country sat up and took notice when the census bureau figured out 245.4 per- centage gain over 1900.
 "I do not near of any programme for celebrating Birminghams fortieth an- riversary, but there will doubtless be big celebration on the occasion Of its semi centennial. This city is un- doubtedly headed for the 1000, 900 pop ulation class. It will probably have not less than 300.00O by the time it is 50 years old, and 100000 by the time it is three score and ten. Most cities of phenomenal growth have been of the mushroom kind, but Birming- ham is better built and more solid than the average city of 150,000
 'In the east one hears Birmingham talked about a great deal. In addl- tion to it's being a steel center 1t has many things to advertise 1t just now, among them Congressman Underwood, who lives here. He Is in the spotlight because the ways and means com mittee of which he is chairman is the most important in Congress. This com mittee is burdened with a responsibility greater than at any time in recent years. Upon MT. Underwood's wisdom and tact hang, to a great extent, the fortunes of the democratic party in the next presidential election"