davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-01
Sanitary Conditions in Birmingham

Out of 46 cases of typhoid in this city in April, 25 were found in North Birmingham. Health Officer Nelson is at a loss whether to attribute the appearance of numerous cases of the disease in North Birmingham to the infection left in the pipes by water from a Dolomite quarry or to germs in the Five Mile creek water now sup piled to consumers in North Birming- ham. The uncovered conditions of the Five Mile creek water are subject no doubt to pollution.
 So long, however, as there are 5000 dry closets in this city owing to the lack of sewers, it is perhaps not nee essary to look much further for the source of infection. It is lease con tamination' rather than milk or wa ter that is rendering the typhoid sit uation formidable early in the season.
 Dr. Nelson is, however, endeavoring to lessen case infection by having the stables in this city inspected every Friday and by compelling the recon struction of 5000 dry closets. This battle should go on unceasingly, for the fly season, is at hand, when the 
 danger of case infection will be in- creased.
 The screening of houses should be begun at once. All old screens should be inspected. No duty of the citizen and householder is more important than this. Every dwelling in the city should be fully equipped with screens. The notion that screens keep out air shows at least that they will keep out flies and mosquitoes, both of which are among mankind's deadliest foes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-01
WANTED. \ PLIMsOLL

From the New York Telegram.
 Just at this time the mind is irresisti- bly, drawn to remember Samuel Plimsoll, who after overcoming apparently insur- mountable obstacles, established the "Plimsoll mark on ships and earned the nndvipg title of 'sTlt Seaman's Friend
 Mr Plimsoll was a young business man of 30, in London, England, in 1854, when he began to make study of certain loose practices very common in the shipping world, notably along the line of over loading ships. He secured a mass of sta tistics, disclosing a woefull loss of life from this cause, and made them public, but the government ignored him. In 1868 he entered parliament from Derby and started to agitate his life work His cause was just and made headway, but the old, national conservatism was so strong that it was not until 1876 the Mer- chant shipping act was passed and .hs Plimsol mark. denoting the line to which a vessel may be loaded in salt water, be- came a law.
 This line is clearly marked on all ships of the merchant marine, and violation of what it stands for costs $500 for each of- fense In addition to these penalties the merchant shipping act gave to the Brit ish board of trade power to hold any yes sel deemed unsafe through defective hull, machinery or equipment, or because of improper loading or overlooking.
 Equipment of ocean steamships is the question of the hour. Who will be the latter day Plimsoll to start and carry to a successful conclusion the work of pro- viding adequate lifeboats on passenger shjps2
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-01
FLETCHER ENDORSES UNDERWOOD

From the Mobile Item. a
 The unequivocal indorsement of Hon. Oscar w. Underwood for the democratic nomination for President of the United States by Senator Duncan U. Fletcher of Florida will go a long way toward secur- ing the Florida delegation to the Balti- more convention for the Alabama candi- date Florida Is one of the few southern states that has been chosen as a battle ground by the Wilson forces, and that portion of the Florida press which is fa- vorable to the nomination of Underwood has grown exceedingly bitter in denun- citation of what it terms fight against a southern man" A majority of the nwspapers of the state however, strongly urge an instructed delegation for Under wood and now that Floridas senior sen ator has taken the position that the Ala bama man is the logical candidate of the democracy, and has expressed the bellei that, if nominated, he will be elected to the presidency there seems to be little doubt that the vote of the Florida dele gation will be cast for the Alabama can didate.
 III tue lltdDtliic tiit det iihttiic"e' S''Noe'~ sion that has arisen between President Taft and ex-President Roosevelt over the harvester trust incident, cannot but have an effect in injuring the chances of both, and whether Taft Roosevelt receives the republican nomination, it will be diff cult to make thinking republicans forget the want of dignity shown by both in the wild scramble for office. When candi- dates for the highest office in the gift of the people so far forget themselves as to descend to personal vilification, it evil dencSs lack of dignity to say the least, hardly compatible with the high office to which they aspire. In Roosevelt, how ever. it is the desperation of a demagogue trying to flatter and cajole the people of the United States into what would be, under his auspices, the destruction of rep resentative government.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-01
THE BELLS OF BRESLAU

From the Spokane Spokesman-Review WHERE once lived in Breslau a fla
 nous bell founder, the fame of
 whose skill caused his bells to be placed in many German towers.
 He had an ambition to cast one bell that would surpass all others in purity of tone, and that should render his own name immortal
 He was required to cast bell for the Magdelen church tower of that city of noble churehes-Breslau. He felt that this was opportunity for his masterpiece.
 After a long period of preparation, his metals were arranged for use. The form was walled up and made steady; the melting of the metals in the great bell kettle had begun
 The .old bell founder had two faults which had grown upon him; love of ale and fiery temper.
 While the metals were heating in the kettle, he said to his fire watch, a little boy:
 "Tend the kettle for a moment I am overwrought; l must go over to the inn and take my ale and nerve me for the casting.
 But, my boy,'' he added, touch not the stopple; if you do, you shall rue it. That bell is my life. I have put all have learned in life into it. If any man were to touch that stopple I would strike him dead.'
 The boy had an ever sensitive, nervous temperament. He was easily excited, and was subject to impulses that he could not easily control
 The command that he should not touch the stopple, under the dreadful penalty, strongly affected his mind and made him wish to do the very thing he had been forbidden.
 He watched the metal in the great ket- tle It bubbled, bilowed and ran to and fro In the composition of the blowing mass he knew that his master had put his heart and soul.
 It would be a bold thing to touch the topple-adventurous. His hand began to move toward it.
 The impulse was wild passion now
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-01
,iuaer,yood Sentiment in Texas

Col o. P. Gaut has returned from the southwest, where he spent several weeks, mostly in Texas,
 T found in Texas a good deal of Un- derwood sentiment. Underwood as sec ond choice seems to be the rule in that state Texas will vote for Harmon on the first ballot, but when 1t comes to a deadlock in the Baltimore convention the Texas delegation will. I believe, vote sol idly for Underwood.
 Colonel Gaut said that business in Texas was very good. There had been much rain. but Texas needed the rain that fell.
 "The cities of Texas Me very prosper ous." said Colonel Gaut. T was in Ok lahoma City, Business there is dull ow- ing to the successive drouths in the past few years. Not until Oklahoma has big crop year once more will there be reviv- al of business in the Oklahoma towns."'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-01
IN THE HOTEL LOBBIES
Increasing the Pay Rolls

"A great deal is said in Chamber of Commerce circles about the importance of small industries and the desirability of inereasing the pay rolls of Birmingham, said a well known and successful business man, "but the fact is often overlooked that mercantile houses as well as fac tories add appreciably to the pay rolls. We do need more small industries and also we need more jobbing houses and other mercantile establishments. First among the up builders are those who not only worS and accomplish something them selves, but who assist with their money young men starting in business.
 "Apropos of pay rolls the installation of the Hall-Herring Safe company's south ern agency in Birmingham a few weeks ago was of far reaching importance. To begin with it means a new pay roll of 10 or 20 men and it is a big advertise ment for Birmingham, for on each safe will be painted conspicuously the name of this city.
 Several small industries have been lost to Birmingham because of the lack of interest on the part of those who were well able to subscribe to part of the stock, but who declined to assist. 1t IS one thing to talk about the get together spirit and about working to establish new pay roll concerns, and another thing to help a good thing along by paying for some of the stock.
 Atlanta has been conspicuous in build ing up small industries and large mer- cantile trade. Birmingham must keep right up with the modern pace if it is to continue to stride forward
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-01
Bo.Ts FROM THE TITANIC

New York Telegram to the St Louis
 Globe-D Democrat.
 When the Carpathia was abreast of her pier and tugs were pressing at her bow and stern to swing her into the dock three white lifeboats were lowered from her davits to the Hudson and pulled into the dock past the crowd looking down from the pier.
 In the f1ashlight of camera the name of each boat could be plainly discerned It was Titanic
 The threes boats were part of the little fleet by means of which all those who survived the wreck were saved The boats were pulled along by ships launch and made fast to a bulkhead at the end of Fourteenth street, later to be taken over to the White Star.
 There were no cameras on the pier or landward. but every now and then flash and boom was seen and heard out on the Hudson, where snap shooters operated in boats.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-01
The Music Festival

'sEaeh of the four concerts of the Bir- n.ingham Music festival at the Jefferson theatre this week should draw a full house., said a member of the Chamber of Commerce. who is also a great music lover. Tt will be a serious reflection on this city if the festival is not financial success.
 No better orchestra music has ever been heard anywhere m the south than will be heard in Birmingham on Friday and Saturday. The Minneapolis orchestra which has been secured for the occasion ranks right up with the greatest orches- tras of the world. There are at least 12 sy ymphony orchestras in the United States of creditable standing, but the Boston symphony. the Theodore Thomas orches- tra of Chicago. and the Minneapolis or chestra are pre-enlinently the model or ehestras of this country, and the Bir- mingham Music Festival association was fortunate in securing one of these. The Boston symphony plays in Washington every season, but it never crosses the Potomac. I remember southern tour it made about 20 years ago when Nilsisch was conductor. It came as far south as Atlanta, but since that tour no proposi- ton from any southern management or southern association has been considered The Thomas orchestra. when Mr. Thomas was conductor played in Birmingham on three occasions. but il has not been avail
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-01
pALARRAs CARINosAs

Spanish for Fond Words.'9 By Thomas Bailey Aldrien. Good night have to say good night.
 To such a host of peerless things. Good night unto the slender hand
 All queenly with it's weight of rings; Good night to fond, uplifted eyes,
 Good night to chestnut braids of hair. Good night unto the perfect mouth
 And all the sweetness nestled there The snowy hand detains me, then
 I'll have to say good night again. But there will come a time, my love,
 W hen, if read our stars alright, shall not finger by this porch
 With my farewels. Till then, good night! You wish the time to wish it so? You would have blushed yourself to death To own so much year ago. What, both these snowy hands! al, then I'll have to say good night againi
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-01

Charles S. Braddock in the May Wide World Magazine, I take more or less re- spectful exception. Outside of the Chi nese home consumption, quantities of the nests are exported to other countries in which there are Chinese colonies. There is also a very limited demand for them
 in Japan. The Siamese only make use Of them for sick or convalescent persons never as an article of normal diet
 My personal opinion of the nest is that it is a gustatory fraud and I speak from a goodly amount of experience with it. It is as a soup that the nests are invariably served. By the way, should the reader wish to experience the joys that are supposed to wait on the birds nest epicure, let him invest a few cents in a package of favorless white gelatne and, soak the same in warm water until it is fairly soft adding a pinch of salt meanwhile. If he will now venture to dig a spoon into the mass and eat, he will know exactly how the real article tastes which is equivalent to saying that it is pra ctically tasteless.
 The dietetc value of the nests is about equal to that of ordinary gelatine. For persons whose digestive organs are out of condition, jelly. in nests form or other wise. is acceptable. and that is all that can be said in this connection.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-01
WOMEN THE BEST ouTo DRIVER,

 Robert D. Hein in Leslie's.
 Men are still automobile shy, so it isn't any wonder that hands go up when you mention wives and mothers dabbling with machines of the road. Woman motor drivers are so few even in New York city, that 1 had to inquire my way. It was as the fashionable automobile pro- cession was basking along Riverside drive and the Hudsonl river one afternoon about two snows ago that l went to a mounted policeman at busy spot.
 You have been on this corner for sev- era years. Possibly nowhere do more motorists pass. Tell me-" I ventured, can women run autos?" "can women run Young man, are you trying to kid me?"
 He saw that l was serious. My boy, women are the most expert drivers. They respect traffic regulations. Women realize the responsibility and al- ways have their machines under control. | Who ever heard of a drunken woman driver or one arrested for speed violation | or carelessness? Look, coming down the chauffeur gazing at the nursemaid. As she glances back, watch him pose and et the car steer itself. He does the same trick at 30 miles an hour. A woman would never do that. Lose her head in an emergency? No, sirl She's on the job, If we had more women drivers in this town, there would be fewer coroners' ca SOS
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-01
RELATED APPRECIATION

Fred C. Kelly in the St. Paul Dispatch.
 workman called at the home of Pres- dent Tafts brother Charlie, in Cincinnati, to perform some odd job, and he paused to note some of the priceless paintings in Brother Charles private gallery. He was attracted to a small original Van Dyke and moved up closer to get better look.
 "Ah!' he exclaimed. I've got that same thing down hone. Yes. it's exactly like that My wife got it some place here in town. Are they worth much?'' That one is worth S35, ,0o0,'' he was told.
 Hum he murmurcd II guess IT. have ours framed"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-01
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES

he had ever imagined, when the light of his life went out Sull. when the vital spark had fled smile fingered on his face.
 MERELY DESCRIPTIVE. said you are my poem,a She didn't quite agree To that-but she admitted She was averse to me.
 Judge. She wasn't such a poem: Much nicer ones you'l meet With lines that are more graceful, And more poetic feet.
 Altoona Times. Indeed she is no poem,ts For one day did greet CT; I asked to be her steady But she wouldn't let me meter.
 Allentown Democrat Of course she is no poem But that's no sign she aint A stunning moving picture You ought to see her paint,
 -Springfeld Union. Though she was not a poem. Of one thing l am sure,. Her doughnuts would delight the soul or any epicule.
 Tribune Republican. They may have not been poems, These inspirers of your rhythm, But had they they been from Texas It would be different with 'em.
 Houston Post. We used to know a poem The neighbors called her "Anner," And when she wore a bathing suit It was a joy to scan her.
 THE LESSON. They sent him up for seven years, For he had stolen thirty cents. ''No guy like me- he said with tears, "Is classed among financial sents.'
 Los Angeles Tribune. For common pilIers such as he Mankind has naught but sticks and stones, He might bonded boodler be Had he but swiped a million bones.
 Youngstown Telegram. He ought to get a hundred years, 1 To live a life of penitence. A man disgraces the profesh Who falls from grace for thirty cent
 Milwaukee Sentinf How true, o brother. are those wi With which you round your bit rhyme, So small a thief should feed on curds And never cease from doing time.1 PAUL COG
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-01
THE yENTRILOauIsr SCORED

From London Opinion.
 Recently well known ventriloquist, who was taking q journey, Just man. aged to get into the train as it was leav- ing the station, and had mo time to take out a dog ticket for his terrier
 When the cry All tickets readyi" was heard few stations further on, the ven triloquist dropped the dog into a ham per, which was labeled in bold charac- ters' Professor Jones, ventrilquist."N
 When the ticket inspector opened the carriage door the dog began to bark
 The man, noticing the label on the hamper turned to the ventriloquist with a self satisfied grin and said: All right, mister, that's vera clever, but ye canna fool me; that tricks been played on me before"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-01
PASSING THE TIME AWAY.

PASSlNG THE TIME AWAY.
 Once there was man who builded for himself a dream castle of surpassing beauty. It stood in the fairest spot be- meath the skies and was the constant abiding place of happiness. Before he had quite finished the last golden spire, his castle of dreams t1mbled in ruins about his ears. Looking out into the bleak world, he saw such a dreadful void that straightway he began to build another castle which would be even fairer than the one that he had built before. Again the radiant structure faded before his eager eyes and he found himself clutch ing at nothing. Did he quit building? No, indeed. He built again and again, and each time the castle fell until he became an old man. He had just started another castle, which seemed to him the loveliest
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-01

against the harvester company, and it also wonders why it has taken Pres- ident Taft five years to discover that the papers should be filed. The whole thing is a part of the politics of the day, and George W. Perkins became in the recent New York primary subscriber to the Roosevelt funds fol one-third of $50,000
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-01
FIFTH AVENUE SEEN BY BENNETT

Arnold Bennett, in Harper's Magazine for
 May.
 The glory of the thoroughfare inspires even those who only walk up and down it. It inspires particularly the mounted policeman as he reigns over turbulent crossing. It inspires the women, and par tioularly the young women, as they pass in front of the windows, owning their contents in thought. 1 sat once with an old, white haired, and serious gentleman. gazing through glass at Fifth avenue, and I ventured to say 10 him, "There are fine women on Fifth avenue" By Jover' he exclaimed, with deep convic- ton, and his eyes suddenly fired, there arer' On the whole, I think that, in their carriages or on their feet, they know a little better how to do justice to a fine thoroughfare than the women of any other capital in my acquaintance. I have driven rapidly in fast car, cling ing to my hat and my hair against the New York wind, from one end of Fifth avenue to the other, and what with the sunshine, and the flags wildly wSRinS in the sunshine, and the blue sky and the cornices jutting into it and the roofs scraping it, and the large whiteness or the stores, and the invitation of the signs, and the .proud opposing processions of slippery sinuousness of the other cars' and the proud opposing porcessions Of American subjects-what with all this ana with the supreme imperialism of the mounted policeman, I have been positive ly intoxicatedi
 And yet possibly the greatest moment in the life of Fifth avenue is at dusk, when dusk falls at tea time The street lamps flicker into a steady, steely blue, and the windows of the hotels and res taurants throw a.yellow radiance; all the shops-especially the jewellers shops-be- come enchanted s treasure houses, whose interiors recede away behind their fla cades into infnity; and the endles files of innumerable vehicles interlacing and swerving, put forth each pair of gilt tering eyes. Come suddenly upon it all, from the leafy fastnesses of Central park, round the corner from the Plaza hotel and wait your turn until the arm of the policeman, whose blue coat is now whitened with dust, permits your restive tndulIeuf tO piuHSe uoNI iieo thN man currents of the city. You will have then the most saandiose impression that New York is, in fact, inhabited; and that even though the spectacular luxury of New York be nearly as much founded upon social injustice and poverty as any imperfect human civilization in Europe, it is a boon to be alive thereinl l In half an hour, in three-quarters of an llour, the vitality ie clean gone out of the street. The shops have let down their rich, gathered curtains, the pavements are deserted. and the roadway is no longer perilous. And nothing save fire will arouse Fifth avenue till the next morn ing. Even on an election night the sole sign in Fifth avenue of the disorder of politics will be a few long strips of tape paper wreathing in the breeze on the asphalt under the lonely lamps.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-01
cart lives long.
 -I.ove's Labor Lost
knark,s Dairy Industry

Adress of Maurice F. Egan,
 Estates minister to Denmark on
 fries of that country was highly
 Euctive. Those who had come to
 k that the United States leads all
 other countries had their eyes
 he'd to the truth. DenmarS's farm
 are better educated, better organ kd and better represented than the farmers of this country are ver have been.
 There are no cattle ticks in Dem mark. Careless milking by unwashed hands is unknown. The best Of feed for the cows is selected, and quality IS preferred to quantity. What IS the result? Denmark never lacks mar ket. and today her dairies are Eng :. lands chief source of supply. Before the children leave school the map of England and the steamship lines lead ing to it have become to them familiar subjects. They know where thelr country's products are to be marketed. If the United States could be brought up to the Denmark standard tbis would be the richest country Tn the world. Every farmer would own an automobile at least. It is all-pos- i, sible, but as things are going thls country will be long time in getting to the Denmark level. We have too much politics to the acre and the COW and all else on the farm do not get a due share of attention. !
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-01
able for southern festivals since Thomas

able for southern festivals since Thomas death.
 "The other well known orchestras are the New York symphony Walter Dam rosch. conductor: the Russian symphony, M. Aitschuler, conductor: the Philhar- monic of New York, stransky, conductor; the Philadelphia orchestra, Pohlig, con ductor, and the Metropolitan Opera House orchestra. When. the Damrosch organiza- tion is in it's best form it is not easily surpassed. Mr. Damrosch is himsef great conductor. He has temperament and scholarship, but unless he can re- hearse his men daily the orchestra lacks dash and the ensemble lacks smoothness. Damrosch and his orchestra were at high water mark the last time they appeared in Birmingham.
 But getting back to the Minneapolis orchestra, a great treat is in store for every music lover hereabouts. The pro- grammes are delightful and it is safe to say that the general verdict will be that this years festival was the most enjoya- ble of all.''