davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-29
MR. HEFL|N REPLIES ID FOCHT'S CHARGES Alabama Lal3cr Conditions
 Better Than Pennsy .yania
 CHARGES ARE UNTRUE
Letter Purporting to Be Written From Alabama Describing Scene-Heflin Doubts Authenticity of Letter.
 Merely Playing Politics
nx (. E. STEWART

| Washington, May 2S.-( (special.)- gressman Hehin of Alabama made a ringing speech in the House this morn ing denouncing the thinly disguised at- tempt of Congressman Focht of Pennsyl- vania to array section against section, and particularly the north against the south. by his clumsy and intellectual att tack on Congressman Heflin and, Ala bamas convict system yesterday after noon.
 Mir Focht read a letter, purporting to be from alabama, describing scene in convict camp In that state where a negro had been beaten for the entertain ment of visitors
 Promptly this morning MT. Heflin arose to q point of personal privilege, this seemed about to be denied him, when MT. Underwood asked unanimous consent for Congressman Hefin to address the House for 70 minutes.
 MT. Speaker said MT. Hefiins this attack on my state and on me by tbe gentleman from PennsylYania (Mr. FoohD Is a feeble attempt to array section against section, mere political bunconbe, which has done service for years, but which is, am glad to say, dying out in this generation. 1 have made no attack on the north. as the gentleman charges, 1 simply made an attack on that system of protection existing all over this coun- try created and fostered by the republican party with its niquitous tariff laws under the false pretense of being beneficial to abor.
 NO such conditions as charged by the gentleman from Pennsyivania and in his letter from God knows were. which con- cl1des, Mir. Speaker. with the remark. able statement. if the story told therein was not satisfactory. please advise and another would be furnished, exist in Ala bama"
 My state,' thundered Congressman Heflin, stands well to tin efront in legis- lation and human laws governing its con vict system"
 But what of pennsylvania?' At this point MT. Heflin read extracts describing conditions in MT. Fochts owr state. that put that gentleman on thu defensive. You cannot divert the atten ton of the laboring reople of this coun try from the real issue the high cost O. living by these msthodsr said MT. lief lin, 'tand in November they will go t' the polls and repudiate the party whici is responsble.'H
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-29

the bulkheads SO spaced that any two adjacent compartments may be flooded without destroying the hotability or stability of the vessel"
 Every ocean or eoastwise seagoing steam vessel allowed to carry more
 than 50 passengers must have on board life boats of an aggregate carrying capacity computed in cubic feet equal
 10 ten times the total number of chr crew plus the total number of her pas sengers. There are minute details of technical requirements as to the eff
 iciency of the life boats. Every vessel except river craft would have to carry one life preserver for each person al- lowed to be carried on the vessel, in- eluding the crew At least four mem bers of the crew must be assigned to each life boat and dri1l at stated in- tervals.
 resolution introduced would pro- vide for creation of com omission nn- der a s10.o0o appropriation for ex- penses, to investigate the laws and regulations relating 10 construction. equipment and navigation of vessels. and to report to Congress. through the
 President, It's findings and resolutions. together with draft of legislation and regulation it shall propose by January Il, 1913.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-29
Split in Texas


 Fort Worth Tex. May 2s.- s
 velt-Taft fight In Texas result
 the holding of two convention
 Taft followers refusing to pa the state convention where ! welt forces dominated. Each | elected eight delegates-at-larF republican national ccnveptloi 1 tarfsar4l. and efect3Is 1Nf 8eaa 1 Its favo te state and naEr al 1 Taft supports including H. r. l in it's indorsement for national corin.ss- man. and the Roosevelt convention of- fering it's support to Cecil A Lyon. 1 Lyon. who Is now national committee man from Texas Is leacer of the Roose- welt forces in Texas and MacGregor Is the Presidents campaign manager in the state.
 The Roosevelt convention. which held forth at the place chosen by the execu- tive committee for the state conventions claimed 160 counties of the 249, were rep resented with a vote of l71ls In the firsc poll taken. The Taft supporters claimed to have 203 counties represented with A vote, based on repetition Of one vote for every 100 votes cast for Iaft Tn l*S. of 10l4. One of the purposes of the con- vention held by the Taft men was to establish this basis of repltition, Tho leaders contend that the apportionment made by the executive committee, which allows one vote for each of the 24s coun- ties In the state, with the exception OF three which are given two votes eacn' IS unfair. By this calculation, they contend, a county which has less than 100 votes has the same repetition as a county with 2OO0 votes This feature will figure large- lv. they say, in their fight to be made for recognition by the national conyen- ton. The Roosevelt followers say the apportionment of votes Is made under the Terrell state law. :.
 The convention controlled by RooseveIt delegates boasted a much larger attend- ance than the convention. It was gener- ally expected this morning that the Tafe delegates would appear in the regular convention and make their fight on the floor Before the time for the opening or the convention, however, the Taft cohorts were marching down the street to tne convention hall
 By noon both conventions had perfected their temporary organizations and were proceeding with the business before them The Roosevelt convention adopted the majority report of the executive com mlttee on temporary roll. The Taft meet ing adopted a minority report signed py two of the committees 31 members.
 Tho Roosevelt leaders were willing to conc ede only about 40 counties to the Taft conyention basing their claims upon the poll, which showed 17l1s votes with Al counties reported to have held no con- ventions There were however, num- ber of counties which had their votes split by. separate conventions some OF the delegates who attended the Taft coa- yeniion early In the day returned 10 ene Rooseveit convention later. For Roosevelt: Delegates-at-large- Cecil A. Lyon. sherman; Ed C. Lasator. Falfurrias: II. L. Borden, Houston: J. E'
 tContinued on Page Eleven)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-29
Carries Every Congression- al District in State and
 Gets Entire Delegation
HIS ESTIMATED PLURALITY WILL BE
 AT LEAST 10000
Wilson Gets All But Four Delegates. He Also Wins in Texas, While Republicans Split and Elect
 Two Sets of Delegates

Newark. N. J. May 29.--one of the most sweeping victories Theodore. Roosevelt has won in the primaries since he began his campaign for ths republican presldeptial nomination was recorded yesterday by the republican voters of New Jersey. Indications based on incomplete returns are that Colonel Roosevelt carried every con- gressional district in the state and that all the 2s delegates New Jersey will send to Chicago will be Roosevelt men.
 Governor Wilson won his own state against a strong opposition headed by his political enemies within the state and appears to have o4 of the 2S dele- gates including the delegates at large
 Colonel Roosevelt's indicated plurali- ty on the preferential vote Is 10000.
 Senator IaFollettes vote as far as counted indicates he would not get more than ? per cent of the total.
 Republican primary returns from 3lS out of 1709 election districts in the state on delegates at large give:
 Taft g220, Roosevelt 1Ol50, LaFoiletto s15
 Returns from s15 out of 1799 districts on preference give:
 Taft 9221, Roosevelt 1o,15o, LaFolletts 27.
 Democratic primary returns from 129l out of 1799 districts in the sta gates at large give:
 Wilson s25l, uninstructed As
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-29
5TODAY'S AGE-HERALD

t-smith presents result of Titanic
 probe.
 Rockefeller subjected to griliing
 examination.
 Rebel attitude is threatening. Heflln replies to Focht. Georgia convention meets today. Hobson before Alabama alumni. Roosevelt wins sweeping victory in
 New Jersey 2-Alba ma alumni attend banquet. 3-r'nderwood strong in Crescent City. 4-Irditorial comment 5-J. V. Allen to file another tax in- crease.
 witnesses give details of Evans killing.
 Birmingham has an alleged ice trust
 Planning programme for the 'Gla1u Hand Festival" Mail us power of attorney" s-Dolly and Mrs. Caroline B. Nichols. Society. 7-Sports. S-Denies motion for injunction. 9--senate votes on metal bill soon. 1O--T,towah grand jury convenes Mon- day
 pr Montague leaves Howard col- lege. l1-cali for food is quickly answered 14--New courthouse will cost s54. 4.4oo. Hospital campaign on in the De- caturs-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-29
WRIGHT RALLIES

Dayton, O.. May 2s.S-Wilbur Wright. the aeroplane inventor. who has been critically i'll for the past three weeks with typhoid fever. tonight Is reported 10 have rallied somewhat from the sinking spell which he experienced last night apd attending physicians now declare there may be slight hope for his recovery.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-29
federal Victory Reported

Mexico City. May 2S.-General Blanquet in a telegram to Pres ident Madero today stated that he had defeated the rebels near Aviles, 10 miles southwest cf Torreon. No details were available.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-29
News Is Meagre

Havana. May 2s.-since the beginning of the instruction in Oriente news from the front never was so meager as today. h. formation reaching Havana was confined to indications of increased boldness of the insurgents as evinced by their successful attacks on the villages of Ramon de Las Yaeuas and Yerbigunea. where they de- feated the rural guards and captured a 
 (Centlnued on Page EIeven)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-29

Washington, May zo,-GrecdutloHs taken to protect American and other foreign interests in Cuba have beer amply justified in the judgment of the state department based upon reports received from many sources and espec- ially from the owners of plantations mills and mines. The situation al Guantanamo Is said to be improving
 One fact vindicating the state de- partment,s action in asking for naval protection of American interests Is the threatening attitude of the rebels. Ac- cording to information, apparently re- liable, that comes to the department the insurgents are becoming desperate and Estenoz, their leader, declares that If President Gomez does not obtain the repeal of the Morua law prohibiting the organization of strictly negro party in Cuba he and the other leaders will demand contributions from the railroads and from the owners of es- tates in order to prolong the conflict and will destroy the property of those who refuse
 Rebels Are Active
 In the meantime bands of negroes in the unprotected sections of the Guantanamo district continue to steal horses and pillage small stores. The state department hopes that immediate and energetic measures on the part oi the Cuban government will suffice to quell the revolt and prevent further depredations.
 It is realized 1t Is not easy for regu- lar troops to run down these rebels who are familiar with every trail in the jungle. who invariably scatter be- fore Superior force only to assem ble at another point, and who can easily live on the country with the aid of little sugar cane and wild fruit.
 It is recalled that the Spaniards spent ten years in the pursuit of these bush rangers without much success, but it is believed the veterans in the employ of the Cuban government with their own knowledge of tropical jungle fighting will be able to deal more successfully with this element.
 As the idea has been preached that the rebels are calculating on making an easy escape from Cuba to other West ln- dian islands should they be too closely pressed, 1t is proposed by some of the naval officers here, if they are called upon to take an active part in the trou- bes. to cut off the retreat of such fugi- tives by a thorough boat patrol of every inch of the eastern coast of Cuba.
 Mobilization Swift
 The celerity with which two whole di- visions of the Atlantic fleet respondsd to the call for naval demonstration in the southern waters has not attracted the attention it deserves in the opinion oi the naval officers here. As matter oi fact they declare this probably was the speediest and most effective bit of naval mobilization eevr carried out on so large a scale in this or any country. As illus trating the efficiency of modern sciea- tific methods of warfare 1t is pointed out that after council by Secretary Meyer with his aides the whole movement was directed by two officers in the navy de Partment. Admiral vreeland and Captain Potts, by long distance telephone and the use of only one or two radio and wire messages.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-29
Condemns Shipping


 shipping laws and overripe administrative boards and asked that all nations act to- gether in shipping reforms. New laws, :" he said, twill best testify our affection fur the dead.'
 Captain Rostron of the rescue ship Car pethia was praised by Senator Smith and he urged that Congress recognize his Nalor
 At the outset Senator Smith defended tho course of his committee in holding British subjects to secure their testimony without delay, and briefly answered crit :cism of his lack of nautical knowledge.
 "Our course was simple and plain-to gather the facts relating to this disaster while they were still vivid realities,'' he rGid. 'Questions of diverse citizenship gave way to the universal desire for the simple truth 1t was of paramount im- portance that we should act quickly 10 avoid jurisdictional confusion and or go anized opposition at home or abroac. We, of course. recognized that the ship was under a foreign flag; but the lives of mary of our own countrymen had been sacrificed and the safety of many had beer put in grave peril, and 1t was vital that the entire matter should be reviewed before an American tribunal if Legislative action was to be taken for future guid- ance.
 ''Without any pretension to experience or special knowledge of nautical affairs, nevertheless am of the opinion that very few important facts which were suscepti- hle O. being known escaped our scrutiny. Enerey Is often more desirable than learning. and the inquisition serves a use full purpose to the state.
 Tn the construction of the Titanic, '' continued the senator. mo limit of cos. eircumscribed their endeavor and when this vessel took it's place at the head of tne line every modern improvement in ehipbrilding was supposed to have been realized so confident were they that both owne- and builder were eager to go upon the trial trip.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-29
Could Not Pin Oil Magnate Down to Specific State
 ments
DENIES TRYING TO
 EVADE DISSOLUTION
Placed on Stand to Tell Whether He Really Believed Standard Oil Com pany Dissolved in Accordance
 With Decree

New York, May 2s.--J. D. Rockefeller, retired head of the dissolved Standard oil company. was placed on the witness stand here today to tell whether he be- lieved the company had been really disco seu under the dess of the ussta cd states sup eme court. The 2 fa1s mil : ilonaire could not be induced sst all |fimes to give direct answers to aues- tions bi,t made indignant denial of all suggestions that there had been any effort to evade the decree of the court.
 MT Rockefeller appeared as witness in the action brought nominally by Missouri to compel inspectors of the election of stockholders of the Waters Pierce oil company at St. Louis last February to vote proxies of the Rocke- felelr and other Standard oil interests which had named Standard oil men .as officers of the company
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-29
ROBSON BEFORE HE ALABAMA ALUMNI Old Graduates Hear Grafton in Morgan Hall Yesterday TRIBUTE TO R. E. LEE Merrimac Hero Takes for Subject 'The Southerner of the 20th Gen. tury"-Manufacturing and Agri- cultural Possibilities of South
 Ny K. A. RoTHARMEL
 
 
TRIBUTE TO R. E. LEE
ToDAY's PROGRAMME

9 a. m.-Annual meeting of board of trustees.
 lo.so a. m.-Commencement ad- dress. President Dr. s. c. Mitchell, Pin. D. L. L. D., University of south Carolina. tMorgan halD.
 11.s0 a. m.-Conferrins of degrees bv the president of the university. (Morgan halD. D. m.-Baseball game, Central University of Kentucky vs. Ala bsma, lCampps). q n--I5 iversi re'septivli- , tSYot ls halil.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-29
unprepared for Disaster

"When the crisis came state of abso- lute unpreparedness stupefed both pas scngers and crew and. in their despalr the ship went down, carrying as needless sacrifice of noble women and brave men as ever clustered about the judgme It aeat in any single moment of passing time.
 "We shall leave to the honest judgment of England it's painstaking chastisemen; of the British board of trade. to whose Iaxity of regulation and nasty inspection tne world is largely indebted for this aw- ful fatality. Of contributing causes there were very many. In the face of Tarnins signals, speed was increased and niessa ses of danger seemed to stimulate her to ac- ton rather than to persuade her to fear.
 .-The Titanic rushed onward on her true course-one recognized as appropriate and agreed upon by mariners as the interna- tionaI highway for westbound vessels. yet dangerous at this season of the year. wiIen the Labrador current may be bear ing vast masses of ice across the track of ships-scores of these towering glaciers 2 ~--~-~--~
 (Continued on Page Ten)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-29
CONVENTION MEETS IN ATLANTA TODAY Presnises to Bs sMost' Excits
 ing in Years THE WATSON MEETING Says He Is Going to Baltimore to Lock Horns With William Jennings
 Bryan "and Don't Care Who Knows It"
THE WATSON MEETING

Atlanta, May 2s-what promises to be the most exciting democratic state convention held In Georgia in years will convene here tomorrow at noon for the selection of delegates to Baltimore.
 Supporters of Thomas E. Watson will make an effort to secure control of the convention as soon as 1t is called to or der by State Chairman W. C. Wright MT Watson. who holds a proxie. an nounced tonight he himself would nominated John W. Moore of Atlanta for temporary chairman. although Il has been generally understood that the leaders had selected c R. Hutchens who conducted the Underwood cam paign in this state, for both the tenn porary and the permanent chairman- ship
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-29
REBEL ATTITUDE
 IS THREATENING Precautions Fully Justified, Says State Department MOBILIZATION SWIFT Ta.k of Running Down Retels Will Not Be Easy, But State Depart ment Hopes for Early Success
 of Government
MOBILIZATION SWIFT

Santiago, Cuba. May 2s nsu- gents today burned So0e tons of sugar cane, many freight ears and other property on the Marcos Sanchez plantation. the vicinity of Guantanamo. The American Fiji delity company was the owner.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-29
Inspectors Refuse Demand

The inspectors refused on the ground that to do so would violate the dis solution decree of the supreme court of the United States and of the decision of the Missouri supreme court busting the standard oil company of Indiana, from the former state. The Waters Pierce Interests alleged. In fighting to prevept the Standard oil representatives from gaining control of the company that the manner in which the Standard oil interests had observed the decree of the United States court was "farcical."
 The richest man In the world.' was subjected to a grilling by Samuel Un- termeyer. counsel for the Waters Pierce interests, that caused the witness to pound his fists on the table to empha- sibe his indignant denia1s of pointed questions as to whether the decree Of the court had been in fact carried out.
 Did you ever have discussion with John D. Archbold as to how the sub sidiaries should be cut loose and still held tight?'" queried the Waters Pierce attorney.
 There was never any thought of cutting loose and holding tight" MT. Rockefeller almost shouted.
 T happen to know about that"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-29
Watson Meeting Held

" dtSDH htttfhb iiSN
 MT Watson held his widely adver- tised meeting tonight in the ball room of the Kimball House and outlined his plan for blocking any effort to put through a slate
 q didn't come here to start row, he shouted "and it won't be my fault if this convention Is not love feast. But I am not going to allow a few men to get behind locked doors and run things" He proposed that his sup porters should oppose the appointment of any committees and that they should fight to have the convention itself, in committee of the whole. pass upon all credentials, make the rules of procedure and draft it's platform. A resolution 10 carry this plan into effect was adopted. The hall was packed to such an extent that great confusion reigned throughout the meeting. Re- pea tedly MT. Watson vas forced to ap- peal to the gathering which appeared to be enthusiastically for him, to cease shouting and get down to business.
 The meeting also passed a resolution in dorsing MT. Watson for delegate-at-large and another favoring the election of dele- gates individually Immediately after the convention was organized
 s..I am going to Baltimore to lock horns with William J. Bryan and l don'f care Who. knows IT, Ntiictt 'j ahi w htr'i+ 1t is time we had southern leader for southern men
 MT. Watson did not mention the name of Thomas B. Felder to whom he previ- ouslv had announced opposition for dele- gate-at-large Earlier in the evening. however he had reiterated his Opposition to MT. Fielder in a public statement The fight is expected If he carries this op- position to the floor Of the convention.
 
 To Elect Eight Delegates
 The convention is exported to select etgnt delesates-at-large with half vote each.
 If is said that the leaders against whom Mir Watson is making his fight for eon- troI have agreed upon the following for seven of the places. J. Randolph Ander- son of savannah, Crawford Wheafley of Americns. Thomas B. Fielder of Atlanta. charles R. Pendleton of Macon. II. II. Dsan of Galnesville,t q. R. Hutchens Of Rome and w. c. Brantley of Brunswick. Tn the event MT. Watson persists fin his fight for control. indications tonight were that these leaders would favor tne selection of T. w. Loxless of Augusta in nreference to Mir. Watson.
 Several of the district delegations held conferences today and chose delegates to Baltimore. The others will meet for sini- lar action prior to the convention.
 Carrying out the wishes of the voters expressed in the recent presidential pri- mary. the Georgia delegation will go to Baltimore bearing instructions for un- derwood.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-29
Conclusions of Committee

Other conclusions he presented. in brief. were as follows:
 Before the Titanic departed on her lnisden voyage there were not sufficient .s4ts of oilers HulAAeads, equipment = s.rnal devices.
 Officers and crew were strangers to each other and not familiar with the ships Implements or tools, and no drill or station practice took place and no help ful discipline prevailed.
 The speed of tho Titanic was 24ls miles an h, UT at the h1he of the accident. at thoug', officers 1of the Titanic had been advised of tho ffesence of ieebergs by the steamships Baltic. Amerika and Cali fcrnian
 Passengers Uere not advised of danger, althoe gl President Ismay Of the White Star Line, Whu was taking sle vessels maiden voyage was Informed. No gem eral alarm vas given nor any organized system of safety Undertaken.
 Of the 1224 passengers and S99 members of crew on board, there was room in life boats for ohiy. 1176 persons, and because of lack of order1y discipline the boats took off only s1o< persons. 12 being rescued from
 Offiosrss 6fsthe White Star line "battled with tii6 {aifh's after receiving infornia fitn from their Montreal office Monday morning Following the accident.