davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-08

Washington. December l.-President Taft has written A letter to Governor Wilson offering to place at his disposal big battieship to make trip of inc spection to the Panama canal some time before MT. Wilson is inaugurated. The president has thorough knowledge of the work of the army engineers m tho lsthmus himself through personal visits. and is of the opinion that his successor would like to know as much as possible about the nations great engineering feat before he enters office.
 Many questions of policy concerning tine canal may be looked for in Mir. Wil- sons administration and MT Taft de- cided that it was only fair to the man who takes his place In the White House March l. to offer him an opportunity to inspect the canal, and gather -nfor- nation at first hand. The letter to Mir. Wilson was mailed to his Bermuda ad- dress. No answer had been received at the White House tonight
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-08
Senator Clapp Introduces Bill to Regulate Cam
 paign Contributions
EACH STATE MUST
 PAY OWN EXPENSES
To Consider Credit System as Part of the General Scheme of Cur reney Reform--Indian Bill
 Reported to the House
THE DAY IN CONGRESS.

Senate Resumed consideration of the omnibus claims bill.
 Senator Clapp introduced bill to probe eamnaign tunds from one state to another and prohibit the sending of funds for this purpose in public carriers.
 Adjourned at l:os p. III. until noon to- morrow
 House: Representative Johnson intro duced bill for the government to take over the Lincoln farm in Kentucky.
 Legislative, executive and judicial ap- proprlation bill again considered.
 Indian and rivers and harbors commit tee continued labors framing bills for ap- propriations.
 Military affairs committee concluded hearings on army appropriation blll. which probably will be reported Mon day.
 Indian affairs appropriation bill. car fsing ss.182,02s. was reported.
 Adjourned at 4;s3 D. m. until noon Monday.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-08
Report From Adrianople

Constantinople, December 7.-The fol- lowing official message has been received from the vali of Adrianople. under date of December 1:
 At 9 o'clock yesterday evening. before the armistiee was signed, the enemy. with the intention of approaching the forts. made general charge with all their forces of infantry and artillery On the south. north and west and also on the Marash side. Our brave soldiers re- pulsed the attack with great vlgor and did not give way a step from she -.d- vance posts which they were occupying.
 During terrible infighting, which lasted nearly six hours. the enemy sustained considerable losses. and had to retreat on all sides in lamentable state. The enemy fired nearly seventy shells st tho town, without, thank God. causing any losses.
 ''The armistice was proclaimed today
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-08
Turks Attack Monteneerins

Cettinje, Montenegro, December Not withstanding that an armistce has just been concluded the Turks from Tara bosch yesterday made heavy attack against the Montenegrin front In ac- cordance with orders the Montenegrns refused to return the Turkish fire, which did no damage.
 The Montenegrin troops around Tara bosch and Scutarl have received the news ot the armistic with great discontent. The army was impatiently awaiting T general offensive movement for the cap- ture of Scutari.
 Public opinion gradually is becoming reconeiled to autonomy for Albania, but the proclamation of Albanian independ- ence at Avalona is not regarded seri- orsly
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-08
NAVY YARD WORKERS
 GIVEN CIVIL SERVICE: BY PRESIDENT TAFT
Skilled Mechanics Number ing 10000 Affected by Order Effective About
 June 30

Washington. December 7.-Over 20,00o skilled workers in the navy yards through out the United States today were placed under the protection of civil service by executive order of President Taft. The erder was issued with the approval of the civil service commission and in ac- cordanee with an opinion by Attorney General Wickersham.
 A recent conference of navy yard coril- mandants recommended that the men be placed in the classified service numbering 2o,o0O That was approved by Secretary Meyer. Toolmakers, electricians, stone cutters, machinists, masons, moulders, ordnance men, plumbers and others will be affected by the order.
 Until eligible lists for the new classes can be prepared no appointments to such positions will be made in the regular channel. Rules for conveying the 20,0o0 approved by the Secretary of the Navy and President Taft. These will be made known to the navy yard commandants shortly. It is said that the order will not displace any employees.
 There will be less reason and less in- centive for the use of political influence by applicants, civil service officials said today, and the classification will have a salutary effect upon the employees who will feel secure in their positions. It will be noted that the matter of elassifieations has been under advlsement continuously for four years The result k the eman- cipation from political or personal coer- cion of the navy yard people.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-08
England Thought to Be Neutral

London was selected for the confer enee because England Is nearer neu- tral than any other great power, both Turkey and the Balkan states eonsid- ering her friend; because the powers have the ablest ambassadors in London and because Sir Edward Grey, the Brit ish foreign secretary, who will natur ally hold a commanding position, has a unique reputation for honesty among European diplomats.
 The King has provided St. James palace for the meetings of the peace commission. The palace is quaint and contains rooms gorgeous with paint ings, tapestry and armor and has the advantage of unusual quiet. Consid- ering the importance of the business, singularly few statesmen with world reputations will be seen.
 The Greek premier, NJ Nenizelos, i. who shares with King Ferdinand of Bulgaria the honors of cementing the Balkan league, has started for London, The Egyptian prince, Ahmed Fouad. who is a candidate for the Albanian
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-08
Greeks Occupy Delyino

Athens, December 7.--Greek troops oper- ating in Epirus have occupied the towns of Delvino, Argyro-Castro and Santi Quaranta, about 50 miles northwest Of Janina.
 The bomhardment of Avalona on the Adriatic sea, which has evoked Austrian and Italian protests was insignificant, ae- cording to official statements. All that occurred was the firing by the frigate Peneios of d lew shots at a body of armed Albanians gathered on the shore.
 Fifteen hundred Albanians are reported to have made an attempt to capture the Himara passes by surprise. A force of volunteers dispersed and pursued them
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-08

London December 7-Prospects for satisfactory and soaby rapid settlement the Balkan and of the great European interests depending upon it, brighter tonight that any time since the allied took the field against Turkey.
 The enyoys from the Balkan kingdoms, Greece-if Greece decides to participate the Ottoman empire will hold the first meeting of the peace conference next Friday At the time ambassadors of the great at London charged with the task of protecting the interests of their countries will meet of of appeals watch advise and admonsh the delegates.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-08
Adrianople Short of Food

Sofia, December 7.--According. to re- liable reports Adrianople has provis- ions enough to last only 15 days.
 Dr. Daneff, president of the chamber of deputies, has returned from the ne- gotiations at Baghtche. He expressed the opinion today Chat peace would be arranged successfully with little diff culty. The Turkish delegates at the armistice negotiations proved to be extremely eoneiliatory, he said, and the fact that Turkey Was willing to leave the besiged fortresses without re- victualling was considered as proof of the sincerity of her declarations that she did not wish to waste time
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-08
Outlook For Peace Tn Europe Is Brighter
 Now Than Tn Months
EnvoyS From Balkan Kingdoms And Ottoman Government Meet In London Next Friday To Ar
 range Satisfactory Peace
AMBASSADORIAL CONFERENCE
 TO ACT AS COURT OF APPEALS

Will Be Most Important Conference Since Conference of Berlin After Russo Turkish War and Servias Unyieding De sire for Adriatic Port Is Question Which Threatens Disaser-Greeks Desire For Sooniki An
 other Question Which Will Be Diff
 fcult to Settle
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-08

To reach even this complicated ar Engagement has strained all the re- sources of European diplomacy. There have been times in the last month when even the consent of all the governments to friendly gathering appeared be- yond the range of possibility. Austria consented yesterday 10 join the ambas- sadoral conference and Germany, which stood aside awaiting the decision of it's ally, announced it's acquiescence today.
 This will be by far the most impor- tant assembly of diplomats since the Berlin conference after the Russo Turkish war. Giants, like Bismarck, Beacensfield Salisbury and Gortchakoff tos6e sure, win not tread the stage out their successors who do will have an equally important work 10 perform
 A Dangerous Question
 One question, charged with the possi- cilities or disaster Is servia's un- anenehahle determination for an Adri- etie port and Austria's determination that she shall not have 1t. Seryian official newspapers make It plain. how ever, that the little kingdom has made up it's mind to take instructions from the poewrs so far as public opinion in servia will let 1t.
 A second interesting struggle will take place over Turkeys endeavors to hold as much of the conquered territory as Oriental diplomacy and the help Of friendly powers can save for her. The best bargain the Sultan can make prob- ably will reduce his subjects in Europe from more than six millions 10 less than two millions and the Turk seems reconciled to this.
 A third important factor will be the Greek attempt to gain Saloniki.
 Besides various difficult questions will arise over the commercial status of the various states, the disposition of the Turkish debts attached to the con- quered country and the final status of Adrianople-
 That the peace negotiations proper will be less complicated than had been feared is. promised by the two facts that Turkey and Bulgaria appear to have reached an understanding already and that the dissension among the allies portend by the failure of Greece to sign the armistice Is mostly myth, a pre-arranged plan having been agreed to by the allies that Greece should stand out so that her navy could con- tinue the blockade and acquire the islands which are Greeces natural share of the spoils.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-08
Triple Alliance Renewed

Berlin. December 7.-Official announce ment was made today of the renewal of the Dreibund without alterations, thus confirming the report several days ego that Germany. Austria Hungary and It. ally had determined to renew their al- liance for another term of years.
 Vienna. December 7.--The alliance be- tween Austria Hungary, Germany and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-08

throne. is coming to make a personal campaign in his own behalf. The pre- miers of three of the Balkan kingdoms also are expected.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-08
Few Senators Hear Evidence

Washington, December With not more than one-fourth of the senators present most of the time, additional witt nesses in regard To the katydid enlm dump deal, were heard today by the Sen ate, sitting as a court of impeachment in the trial Of Judge Robert w Archibald of the commerce court The deal Ill which Edward J. Williams and Judge Archibald were interested to buy the Katydid bank from the Hillside Coal and Iron company, furnished the basis for the principal charge against the judge
 Charles A. Conn prospective pnr- chaser of the bank, concluded in n few minutes today his testimony about the endeavors to sell the Williams Archibald option on the bank to him.
 The deposition of Williams, given months ago to an agent of the department of justice. was read to the Senate to contradict testimony in regard to Judge Arehbald's part In the deal, as told to the Senate by Williams early In the week.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-08
Effective Not Later Than June 30

The order must become effective not later than June 30, next. Ii affects all navy yard employees except common la borers. The present occupants of posi- tons may be classified upon their eff ciency being certified by the various com mandants, or by being examined and found qualified 10 the labor board, and being recommended by the commanding officer under whom employed.
 The new regulations provide for com petitiye examination. Secretaries of the civil service commission will afford em- ployes classified hereunder protection of the civil service act.
 President Taft's order will have the effect of giving the employees the status they had from 1906 to 19O9. The order continues the merit system prescribed by Congress in 1872, which was, with subsequent notifications, enforced in an executive order by President Cleveland in 1S96
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-08
Bradley Testifies

Richard Bradley of Scranton. Pa, ans other prospective buyer. told of offering s9O0o0 for the option. and of ". A. May an official of the Hillside Coal and Iron company, sending him q form Of con- tract of sale just before the investigation of Judge Archbald's conduct became pub lie. The witness was questioned closely by Representative Clayton as to the req sons which May gave for recalling the contract a day or two later. A letter was produced in which May wrote to Bradley that "because of complications, brought to your attention yesterday he called off the sale. Bradley s~ofe that May never gave him any reasons for end ing negotiations and that he was unable to explain the phrase May testified It was because of complications as to tue, but Bradley could not remember that.
 At s20000, Bradley testified. he expected To make little money" out of the eulm pile. He said he did not know Williams and Archibald were only paying Sooo Tor the property.
 The trial will continue Monday.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-08
Cleveland Made Regulations

President Cleveland in 1894 issued an order containing regulations. After re- vision theyt were adopted by the ciyil service commission flor the reason they had been found useful, and 1t was itn- portant that they should be given Fta- bility independent of changes of tdtain- istration." and because the regulations were based upon the principle that po- ltical influence should be disregarded in appointing navy yard employees
 This action was confirmed bg presdea; Cleveland in an executive order in 1s96, and for 13 years 1t was supposed slassi- fication had been accomplished. In 1sos. however the Attorney General held that navy yard employees, appointed under the regulations. had not been classified but could be classified by the President by the modifying or revoking the navy yard regulations Since that time repre- resentatiyes of the navy department and the civil service commission have had under consideration such modifications as would permit of the classification of navy yard employees.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-08

tContinucd on Page renD
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-08
Republican Club Meets

CContinued on Page Ten.)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-08

ocontinued on Page Ten)
Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-04-19

Panic was upon him IN a way that he
hardly realized. he simply could not
face the black gulf he was dropping
into with his health and full physical
powers still with him. It was nature
to make a last effort for his life. Then
she plunged straight downward.
straight as a pluinmet for the bottom
Of the Atlantic ocean"
Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-04-19

Her stern raised high IN the air. It
was now impossible TO stand on deck
without holding on. Some OF the re-
naming passengers slid off with part
ing shrieks. They dropped into that
icy sea.
"Brownson felt the jam coming now.
watched. Then the ship began to sink.
Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-04-19

shiny. The whole structure was so
thoroughly clean, neat and in proper
order. 1t was absurd. There he was
stanf 1g upon that bridge where he
had - ID so often, and here below him
We're hundreds of dying p~eople-people
like rats in a trap.
"A whistling roa arose above all
other sounds. The siren had ceased,
Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-04-19

head against the ice wall. but it would
give her no support. She was slipping
-way-awa to her grave below.
"Brownson gaz : back over the decks,
He watched the crowd impersonally.
and 1t seemed strange to him that so
much valuable fabric should go to the
bottom so quickly The point was SO
clean n bright, the brass was SO
Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-04-19

and Brownson knew the air was rush
ing from below. The ship would drop
in a moment. He dreaded that last
plunge, that drop into the void below.
The thought held him a little. The
ocean was always so blue out there, SO
clear and apparently bottomless, a
great void of water.
FThe ship sank to her superstructure.
Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-04-19

hnOl5 oil b00As dAAQ lAt0A aLAQ 4
1t pictured the captain shutting the
compartments from the bridge; 1t
showed, in grewsome detail, the panic,
the bursting of the bulkheads, the
sinking. 1t portrayed the terror of
the doomed, the heroism. the rushing
of the women to the lifeboats and the
fnal plunge of the liner to the depths.
But 1t was not fact; 1t was fiction.
The Titanic was believed to be I'M
slnkable. No one had ever considered
the possibility of its sinking. YET on
April 10, four days before the most
colossal tragedy of the sea took place,
a prophetic account of the wreck was
on the news-stands.
1.-The White Ghost of Disaster" is the
story. 1t Is by Mayn Clew Garnet and
vas published in the first May number
of the Popular Magazine.
So far rs can be learned the tale of
the wreck OF the f~iction-ship Admiral
Is absolutely the same as that of the
White Stsr liner Titanic.
In fact, with the change of names
1.-THE White Ghost of Disaster" could
be run in the columns of a newspaper
as a news story of the Titanic tragedy.
1t Is one of the most remarkable CO.
incidents of story writing.
Mr.. Garnett's story is, in part, as fol-
lows:
Captain Brownson shifted h air
hungrily as he stood there at the bridge
rail. The air was chilly. but 1t was al
ways chilly in that latitude, even in
summer.
1.-THE slowing engines eased their vi
brations, and the side wash rolled less
noisily. There was a strange stiffness
over the sea. The silence grew as the
Roadway subsidized.
1.-THE captain listened intently. He
felt something.
There is always that strange some
thing hat a eaman feels in h pres
ence of great danger when awake. 1t
has never been explained. But ell good
really good-masters have felt 1t; can
tell you of 1t If they will. 1t is un-
canny, but 1t Is as true as gospel. The
second officer had felt 1t in the air. felt
it In his nerves. He felt-ice. It was
danger.
Something sounded out there in the
haze. It was a strange vibrating
sound, a sort of whispering murmur,
soft and low, like the far-away notes
of a harp. Then 1t ceased.
."The Admiral started ahead slowly at
tha cantain's signal for fill speed. She
was a giant liner. a shin of eight hum
dred feet in length. IT took some mo-
ments to get upon that vast
hull. But she started. ana in a few
minutes the snoring of the bow wave
told of a tearing speed. She was doing
22H knots an hour. or more than 25
miles the speed of a train of cars.
.aThere was q pufY of colder air than
usual. A chill as of death itself came
doatinp over tba silent OCEAN man
on lookout atood staring straipht into
the mist ahead and then sang ont.
".aometh,ne riebt ahead sir, he
vellea IN q voice that carried Hike the
roar of n on
"Rrownson i,,st saized tho, ever shut
+,ng ne comna rtynants suyung ~
damned n hard over and screamed.
ssfon her-aton ber-hard over vo,,r
wbaoI-bord ovar,u
"His voica endad in q vibrating
screecb that sounded wild u,aira m
' cannv In that awf,I s,Ienca A hun
drad ron s+onned a. +boir str,da on
Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-04-19
Tragedy Foretold
IN Thrilling Tale

n EBcRE the giant liner Titanic sru ck al iceberg In mdocean and san
Is with nearly 1OO of her passengers and crew. a full, exact and detailed
~ story of the accident a N print.
It told % tn leviathan entered the field Of ice, Mowe down to ten
knots a hour. and then struck and f oundered.
Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-04-19

In adopting the SURETY STAMP COUPON we have
done SO after much deliberation and only after convincing
ourselves that the SURETY is the Stamp Coupon that is
preferred by people who buy the class of merchandise pro-
vided by the M. & B. store. and also that the SURETY IS
THE STRONGEST AND SAFEST STAMP, being backed up
by the SURETY COUPON co. with a capital of 100000
WE CHEERFULLY GIVE SURETY STAMP COUPONS
TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS, and the fact that every Surety
Stamp Coupon Book when filled is worth to you $3.50 in
goods of your own choosing forever relegates the time
worn Premium Parlor" idea to the background.
Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-04-19

TOMORROW WE WILL GIVE a New Book containing
10 STAMP COUPONS FREE to every customer who comes
to our store, whether they buy or not, AND In ADDITION
WILL GIVE DOUBLE SURETY STAMP COUPONS, instead of
one, on all exchanges of Tobacco Tags, United Cigar Store
Certificates, Soap Wrappers, Milk Labels, Coupons. Etc.
Ask for Our Exchange List.
When your books are filled, or if you have books al
ready filled, bring them to the M. & B.. Store. EACH
BOOK ENTITIES YOU TO $3.50 in GOODS OF YOUR W
SELECTION FREE choice of Clothing, Shoes. Hats and
Furnishings for Men and Boys, and Outer Apparel, Shoes,
Gloves, Neckwear and Hosiery for Women and Misses.
Norwich bulletin., 1912-04-27

to say the least. I had suspicious of you, and now they are confirmed by your questions; but l do not live on R. F. D. No. 2,-belieye We both have the same pOstman. However, your identity is at last disclosed through the mysterious oracles of the Social Corner.
 What an interesting fraternity this that we do not know and are not known. I have a faint recollection of seeing you at 8 musical this winter. That right?
 How we all enjoyed that reunion of the Social Corner! I congratulate the author in possessing %the pen of a ready writer"
 How we all laughed over Hulda's trip to Leonard Bridge. That was great.
 Ready: have been there since HlL- da's return, and had no better success. but came away disappointed. I did not even have the courage to ask Who's who,7 or Are you Ready" as I thought I should.
 What has become of Nat and Jane Ann? Even the children say Hasn't that funny man wrote this week7"
 THEODA. Willimantic,