davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-14
Progress of the Home Rule Bill

The present home rule bill passed fits first reading on April 16. The sec ond reading was passed May 9, and the committee stage was completed on December 12. The report stage was postponed by the snap vote of Novem- Der, and it cannot be completed until after the Christmas recess. The bill will go to the house of lords in Jan uary.
 If the house of lords takes advant- age of its power to delay the bill two years from April 16 last, it will no doubt keep the Asquith ministry in office that long, for the country is fully ready to grant home rule to Ire land. No one can tell what the lords will do with the bill. Thus far they have not delayed the passage of in evitable bills, and they may not get in the way of home rule for Ireland, which is long overdue.
 The setback in November delayed the bill about 10 days. The defeat of the government was but a trick and the house of commons substituted an- other resolution for the one offered by Sir Frederick Banbury by a majori-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-14
Seed and. Staple of the Crop

The government estimates the cot ton crop grown in 1912, including lint CTS, at 14,311 300 bales. This estimate just about meets public expectations. As a rule government estimates are too low. The estimate of year ago was about million bales short of the actual figures obtained from the gins. Possibly the present crop will go to IA, 100000, but no one at present is looking for a larger output.
 Prices went down when the gov ernment estimate was, published, but if the losses are regained, and a net price of 121s cents is secured for the crop, the total value of the lint will be SS55 1920, ,000, to which sum should be added $131 100000 on account of cotton seed, thus bringing the grand total up to $986, ,920,O0O. This, says Secretary Wilson, would cause the crop to rank as the most valuable one ever produced.
 The government put the Alabama crop at 1,330,0OO bales. By adding 50,- 900 bales of linters we would have a crop of 1,3SO,000 bales, as against a crop of 1,710,434 bales grown in 1911. This states crop in 1908 was 1,374,- 34O. The crop of this year in this state was probably the largest ever grown, that of 1911 alone excepted.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-14
THE CONSUMER WAKES UP
From the National Provisioner.

From the National Provlsloner.
 The butter interests have utilized mans. methods to maintain a monopoly of the market for their product. But the day Is past when they can "get away with many of them. The cost of living has at last aroused the lethargic consumer, and he is beginning to fight his own battles. The spectacle of 35 to 50 cent butter com pared to 25 cent oleomargarine Is too much for him, and he is up on his hind legs making a lusty howl about it.
 One of the devices TOT keeping up the butter price has been the tax on dealers in oleomargarine. In addition to federal taxes on the manufacture of the competi- tive product the butter people have seen to it that there was federal tax on dealers. and in many states there has been an additional state tax for selling any competitor of butter
 Take Vermont as an example. There Is a state tax there of s100 per year on retailers who sell oleomargarine. This state tax is in addition to the federal tax of s4s per year. and IS a burden which most retailers cannot carry. The result Is that they cdlHOt sell OleOmdrSdr1ne. or if they do they must put up the price to cover the tax burden.
 This is just what the butter people want, of course. It helps them to main- tain high prices for butter. Indeed, it is likely that if oleomargarine commanded a price approximating high butter prices there would be less opposition to it from the butter people. Their righteous indig- nation against this counterfeit" this "axle grease" would suddenly and mys- teriously abatel All they want is the money-and the consumer pays!
 But to get back to Vermont. The news papers of the state are beginning to wake up to the situation as 1t affects the con sumer They are championing bill which has been introduced in the Yer mont legislature to repeal the sloo state tax on retailers of oleemargarine
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-14
Strong Demand for Iron

There Is a renewed feeling of con- fldence In the stability of the market" say Matthew Addy & Co, of Cincin- natl. Tt has been thoroughly tested in the past few weeks and the sum and substance of it Is that there Is more demand for iron than can be filled. Offers at low prices have found no takers. There is no temptation to cut the established market prices Ev- cry furnace is rushed to keep It's cus- toners satisfied and few of them are up to date in shipments, Most furnaces are behind on deliveries and consumers are specifying iron ahead of time. We are having many requests to forward January iron this month. As rule at this season of the year there Is Il distinct lull but 1t is not in evidence now.
 Buying has been regular but the tonnage of new sales have not been large. But they have been sufficient to crowd the furnaces to the limit ana it looks as if d heavy buying move ment would come shortly after the new year, for 1t is a tact that not nearly all the iron has been bought that melters will need"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-14
WINDFALLS FOR HUMBLE FOLKS

lived, he would have benefited under the will to the extent of f6O,0OO.
 Another remarkable instance of a huge fortune being left to a working man is provided by the story of an estate worth at least f150, ,00O, which was awarded four years ago by the supreme court of the United States to MT. Ed ward Corcoran, Dublin harness -nlal- CT. The estate was left by an Irish American named John Sullivan, who died at Seattle, U. s. A., in 1900 There were many claimants to the property, but the court ultimately decided that the heirs were MT. Corcoran and Miss Hannah Callaghan, who were first cous- however, had died some years pre- viously. and the whole estate. there- fore, fell to MT. Corcoran.
 Five years ago two Lancashire work ing men, John Howson, a filter of BoJ- ton, and Edward Howson, a carter of Blackburn, received information that they were entitled to fortune esti- mated at f17O,00O, left to them by their brother William, who in the sixties emigrated to America and, after fight ing for the north in the American civil war made fortune in business.
 About the same time Mrs Raynel of Gawthorpe, Ossett, received the ab- solutely unexpected information tha. she was heiress to a legacy of fl00O0. bequeathed to her by a person whom she had not seen for 20 years. whose existence she had almost forgotten, and with whom she had no ties of relation ship. The person who left the money was Mrs. Duncan, who had for some time lived with Mrs. Rayner and her father in Dewsbury. She was merely a friend of the family, and thus showed her gratitude for the kindness she had received in the past
 Mention of this fortune left appar. ently through gratitude reminds ona that few months ago Miss Mary [. Milne, who had for some years bee. housekeeper to MT. Septimus Brown of Newcas tie on Tyne, Inherited prac- tically the whole of his fortune the gross value of the estate being f52.Ooo with nearly f51,000 net personalty. Am other lucky housekeeper is Agnes Saw yer who was recently left a life an- nnity of f300, free of income tax. by the late MT Frederick Douglas Muir i. well known Cheshire corn merchant: a similar bequest being made a few days ago by Mir. George Webster, a Sheffield solicitor, in favor of his housekeeper. Mrs Ryott
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-14
Baruch will Go West

The announcement in yesterdays Age-Herald that Henry Barueh, for about 15 years in charge of Loveman Joseph & Loeb's book department, was to sever his connection with that con- cern early fin the year on account of poor health, was widely commented on in a friendly and sympathetic way.
 Mr. Baruch is one of the best known and most popular men in Birminghams mercantile life. He Is recognized as an exceptionally able book department man. He knows the book trade oroughly-wholesale and retail-and his affable personality has made for him hosts of friends. MT. Baruch was born in the south. but was educated in the north and before coming to Blrming- ham he had several years experience in the book store business in Wash ington.
 When I leave Birmingham I will go to Nevada and join my brother there in the mining business" said MT. Ba- ruch. "I need outdoor life and cli- mate like Nevada's.
 My brother has been a successful Operdlor III NeNdud LOT Sofne lliHe anu I have been interested with him. like the book business and as I have many friends in Birmingham I shall regret to leave here; but I will never lose interest in this growing city or in tho great concern with which I have been connected and in which I am a stockholder. I expect to be able to get away by the first of February.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-14
County Convicts and the Roads

County Convicts and the Roads
 Jefferson county's greatest need is. good roads. Progress has been made in road building hereabouts during the past two years, but we must have more hard roads and better roads, and the new board of revenue gives prom ise of substantial accomplishment in this direction.
 Members of the board and the engi- neer of Jefferson county who visited Atlanta this week for the purpose of inspecting the roads of Fulton county and Investigating the system by which the county convicts build and keep in repair the splendid highways of that section return full of enthusiasm. They found the Fulton county roads, guttered and curbed and covered with asphalt binder, in practically faultless condition.
 That county has been working con victs about 35 years. The system has been perfected and the results have been more than satisfactory. The Fulton county roads are the pride of the people and have made the high way approaches to Atlanta famous.
 The first cost of establishing con- vict camps in Fulton county was large but the results have fully justified that cost. The visit of the members of the Jefferson county board should and doubtless will bear fruit. Our county. convicts should have been put to work on the roads instead of hired to mine operators long ago. Let us lose no time now in following Fulton county's example. There is no reason whatever why Jefferson county should not have as fine road system as the county in which Atlanta is situated. The board of revenue will receive every encouragement in striking out on an up-to-date good roads policy. Let every member of the board strive to make Jefferson the banner good roads county of the entire south.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-14
PARTED LAYERS

From Keats Isabella. or the Pot Of Basil"
 Parting they seemed to tread upon the
 air,
 Twin roses by the zephyr blown apart only to meet again more close, and share The inward fragrance of each others
 heart. She, to her chamber gone ditty fair Sang, of delicious love and honey dart. He with light steps went up western And bade, the sun farewell. and joyed his
 fill fE Were they unhappy then? It cannot be- Too many tears for lovers have been
 shed, Too many sighs give we to them in fee, Too much of pity after they are dead. Too many doleful stories do we see, Whose matter in bright Epld were best
 be read; Exeert s' such a page where Theseus' Owe tne hless waves toward him
 Nr". s-<&-4s-.k-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-14
More Ground Needed for Postoffice

More Ground Needed for P0stoiIlce
 One obstacle in the way of satis- factory site for the new postotflce building will possibly be the price asked for an additional 150 feet on Fifth avenue. Could this addition be purchased at a reasonable price the government would have lot 400 feet wide and 190 feet deep bounded on three sides by wide streets and by 20 foot alley on the fourth side. No better lot would be possible, perhaps.
 The committee on public buildings and grounds could authorize the sale of the 25O feet now owned by the gov ernment in order to purchase a block elsewhere, and such a provision might be inserted in Underwood's bill.
 However, Mr. Underwood is on the spot, and he knows all the facts and circumstances of the case. He knows the price demanded for the needed ad- dition of 150 feet. He knows how much of the price demanded is real and how much of it is speculative, and his de- cision in the matter will be accepted as final, except possibly by some of the holders of the coveted 150 feet.
 Postmaster Aldrich says there are number of excellent locations where a block can be purchased at reasonable figures. The retention of the present site for the new postoffice depends, it is said, upon the reasonableness of the price asked for an addition of l50 feet. The public is good judge of real estate values, and the price asked for the addition should be made public
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-14
An III Wind With Good Result.

"The weather man has oone the mer- chants much good by bringing i'll con- slgnment of weather from the northwest sad Sol Caheen of Caheen Bros. yester- day.
 Now, if he holds hard down on the helm-the weather yane-from now until Christmas Eve we will petition for an in- crease of his salary and perqulsltes. if he Is allowed any. If he does not-well, We will send a commmittee to the north pole to see Boreas and Ind out who has been tamperlng with the supply of cold waves long overdue, which are now coming In good and strong.
 Seriously, the fine weather of this hoodoo Friday, the 18th of December. has put snap into business, and trade IS fine. All the merchants are feeling good over it, and the prospects are that rom now to the holidays we will have all the busi- ness we can handle"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-14
cELEBRITIEs' LOCKS

From Tit-Bits.
 There has been more traffic in the hair of the great Napoleon than in that ol any other monarch, and the prices nave varied greatly. Some time ago JOCK that had been cut from Napoleon's head on his death bed at St. Helena commando ed a250 in Paris. A few months later ah- other lock, which had likewise been cut after his death, was actually disposed or in London for the sum of 27 5s!
 But even that was not the lowest price at which Napoleon's hair has been bought at a public auction. On one occasion a lock was sold at the rooms or Messrs' Knight Frank & Rutley for 9S
 A little later a sample of the Bona parte hair changed hands in the metrop- oiis for a e5 note; while Messrs Sothepy, a. little time before. could only get go 5s. for a lock which had been cut from Napoleons head during his captivity at St. Helena.
 On two other occasions, however. the same firm did much better, obtaining, In one instance, as much as 920 1Os. for the interesting relic. In the other case the price give nwas e30. A letter, however,
 went with it, and the hair had been cut from Napoleon's head when he was on
 board the Bellerophon.
 After Napoleons, Nelsons hair would seem to command the highest figure. TWO or three months ago lock Of the im- mortal admirars hair realized no less than
 e3l5, which would appear to be the rec
 ord Some years ago a10o was paid Tor a lock. In curious contrast to that was
 the amount paid short time before for one of his locks, cut long before he had achieved any of his deeds of "deering do'-namely, when he was boy of 10. Only a2 was paid for this.
 But even that was double the amount that could be obtained for some hair which had once adorned the head of Ma poleons vanqusher, the great Duke of Wellington. When offered for sale by auc-
 ton by Messrs. Stevens. 20 shillings was all that anybody would offer for it. The hair of writers is evidently thought more of than that of some of our greatest warriors. For example, guineas was
 paid for one of Sir Walter Scott's locks,
 inclosed in a morocco case, when put up for sale in London.
 It is a curious fact, however, that for
 some hair of the beard of Sir Walter s great-grandfather, offered at the same
 time and place, only 30 shillings was bid. And this despite the fact that there was plenty of it, inasmuch as the old man
 had sworn never to shave until King James was restored, as a note in Sir Walters own handwriting, included in the bargain, testified.
 Another writer whose hair commands a fair price is Oliver Goldsmith. To obtain one of his locks his coffin was opened, and the hair was incased in a black enamel brooch Ten guineas was paid for
 tnls when offered for sale by auction in London.
 It is not very long since a lock of Byron's hair was sold at Messrs. PutticlS x Simpsons salesrooms for Rl3 los. The lock was inclosed in a glass case. and with 1t went letter in the handwriting of the poets sister, to whom the hair had
 belonged. It was presented by her to a | Mrs. Clarke, and ultimately came under the hammer. with the result mentioned.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-14
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
A Visitors Impressions


 q am most favorably impressed with Birmingham said c. B. Harper Of Marietta, Ohio, who was the guest of Felix NJ. Drennea yesterday.
 q am about to move from Ohio to Jacksonville Fla. where I will en- gage in mercantile business. had spent some time in Florida and that's how I came to select Jacksonville for my future home Had I seen Birming- ham first I would probably have se- lected this city although Jacksonville is a decidedly progressive city.
 Birmingham is a wonderful city, indeed, and no visitor can fail to like 1t. It requires no extraordinary pro- phetio vision to picture this city with q population in 1920 double the last census figures ono need ask no ques- tions to be convinced of this city's present rapid rate Of growth. Every year or two will make great dif- ference, Practically all of the small stores in the central business district will be replaced by elegant and taller buildings within the next five years.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-14
.y fully up to the customary liberal

ty fully up to the customary liberal vote.
 The government expects to send to the house of lords three great reform bills before the Easter recess. These three are the home rule bill, the discs tablishment of the church of Wales, and the new franchise bill, the prin- cipal clause of which will put an end to plural voting. Elections for mem bers of parliament are not held on one day in Great Britain, and big prop erty holder can now travel from one district to another, voting in every one in which he holds property. The pend ing franchise bill will limit the voting power of such magnates to their home district
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-14
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press,
 The worst evil about money is not to have any,
 On A bathing beach a woman is afraid to have anybody see her neck and in a ballroom her neither limbs,
 A girls idea of a really poetic sutor is If he rhymes her eyes like stars with loves pure vows.
 Arguments between two people are all ways awfully one-sided, because one al- ways has louder voice than the other. The reason a woman alone in the house is not afraid of burglar downstairs is shell bet it's her husband coming home late, as usual.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-14
Lew Lazarus Leaving

Lew Lazarus, for many years engaged in the manufacture of mattresses, leaves today for Little Rock, Ark, to connect himself there with hls son-in-law, who is at the head of the Well Packing com pany. His wife has already preceded him, but his son, Sidney. will remain in Bir- mingham in charge of the mattress busi- ness.
 "His going away Is distinct loss to Birmingham" said man who knows Lazarus well. He was one of our pioneer citizens, and one of the most enterprise
 ing and popular. He Is very prominent
 in Masonry, and those of us who belong to the craft will miss him greatly. He was initiated in Masonry in Shelbyville Ky, in 1885. He affiliated with Birming- ham Fraternal lodge in August. 1887. He was elected worshipful master of the lodge here in 1890. In the grand lodge of Alabama MT. Lazarus has been a member of the finance committee for nearly a quarter of a century, and has been chair man of that committee for many years. He is chairman of the Masonic relief board in Birmingham and has afforded substantial aid to many worthy brother. He Is past grand high priest of the Grand Royal Arch chapter of Alabama. He Is a very active Shriner, being past master and drum major and bandmaster of the Shriners' band In the Scottish rite he is u thrty-second degree Mason, or what some of us jocularly call the thirty and a half degree, that is, he has been elected by the supreme council knight commander of the court of honor, which makes him eligible for the thirty-third and | last degree,
 "Mr, Lazarus will continue his Masonic membership in Birmingham no matter how long he lives in Arkansas"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-14

The first eugenic baby of the first eu- genie marriage has been born. It is n boy. He is George Herrick, Jr,. the l. months-old son of Mir. and Mrs, Georpe Herrick. He is far ahead of the average child of his age in the development of body and brain. The baby's parents arc fine specimens of the human race, and both have made the science of health a study. Mrs. Herrick Is a trained nurse, and has never in her life had days ill., ness. MT. Herrick, jeweiry worker, has like record
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-14
sketch of an UpbuiIder

The Traders National bank has made hit with it's biographical sketches of Builders of Birmingham." Its sketch in connection with the Deoem- Der calendar is of E N. Cullom, one of the most popular of our citizens. Says the Traders National bank;
 Edward Northcraft Cullom was born in Montgomery, Ala, on February 2s, 1858, his father being one of the old settlers of that city and among its first bankers. He entered the Univer- sity of St. Louis and after graduation
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-14
A REPENTANT PREACHER

Letter to Wright City CNeb.) News.
 MT. Editor: Please allow me to apolo- gize to the congregation of last Sunday hisht Tor the long service. We are sorry We Kept them so long-one hour and three quarters in song and prayer and preaching Is too long, and we promise not to do so any more- We thank the people for their patient ana close attention during the entire service"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-14
WORTH TRYING.

WORTH TRYING.
 Since Woodrow Wilson has several grown daughters, it is feared that the White House will not be large enough to accommodate his family. For some reason or other, girls always take up more room than boys. It has been suggested that an architect be consulted. We suggest that Dan Cupid be consulted. A White House wedding would relieve the con gestion. PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-14

The Philadelphia postmaster says he needs refrigerating plant if butter. eggs and poultry are to be carried by parcels post. Thus far the Postmaster General has excluded nothing except articles ''cal- oulated to do injury to the mails in tram sit" Under this ruling live chickens, ducks and bugs can be sent up to Il pounds in weight.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-14

The colonel was never in a more recep- ready practically accepted the 1916 nomi- nation, and the race will be between him and 3. democrat.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-14

A CERTAIN CITIZEN. About the nations Wrongs he wept, The while his mate Some boarders kept. His patriotic Heart would bleed When he observed Of trusts the greed.
  Most statesmanlike The air of him, And yet, his wife Took care of him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-14

The progressive party is but six months old and yet it claims to be the party of Lincoln. The grand old party has not enough vigor and life left to reply.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-14

Boss Barnes says the rebuilding of the republican party must be delayed until 1t can be built on old time principles-in other words, everything for the few.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-14

The canal is choice junket in cold weather and every official who can trump up an excuse is sure to go there from the President down.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-14

The late Robert Knight, who made cot ton cloth, left a fortune of $24,0OO,OO0, but no one is accounted rich nowadays unless he has s100,O0o,O0O