davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-18
AMATEURS WORRY
 THE OPERATORS

Boston. April 17.-Operators at the more important wireless stations in New Eng land and especially in Boston are com plaining bitterly of interference by anna teurs. For the past AS hours the anna teurs have kept up a constant succession of sparks and they succeeded in prevent ing the Charleston navy yard station from obtaining even a scrap of the much de- sired information from the ships near the Titanic
 list recently compiled enumerates ,nores than 900 amateur wireless opcf . aiors within 20 miles of the state house who have announced tnelr coue signals It Is said that an association is being perfected whereby messages ,qI;l be taken for transmission between towns and cities in eastern Massa . chusetts by these amateurs
 While this is all interesting and edn- cational the operators of the larger machines all declare that 1t practicaliy nuts them out of the business at times VI hen their work is most needed
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-18
WORD FOR WHICH WORLD AWA|TSIS STILL WITHHELD Carpathia Refuses to Give the Details of Titanic
 Tragedy
  COMMU EATON HAS
 SsGN CONSTANT
  There os.s to Be Censorship Exer- ci Cunard Officials Which Prevents Answering Ques- tions or Giving Details 

Beyond even the mystery of how the mammoth Titanic met her fate. another mystery, evolved by the events of the past three days. forced itself to the front last night.
 Although the rescue ship Carpathia was within the zone of wireless communiea- ton for hours during the night and both shore stations and relaying ships were able to obtain from her long lists of sur vivors among the steerage passengers and to send and receive numerous messages from and to private individuals, not a word of matter descriptive of the manner in which the steamer received her death blow or how those on board the doomed liner comported themselves In the face of impending doom reached the shore.
 Given the names of the first and sec ond cabin passengers and the assurance which. the Carpathia furnished that she had no more of these to offer, the world wide interest demanded of the Cunarder was that which would reveal the long withheld secret of what took place on the Titanie's decks when 1t be- came known that the fate of the giant liner was sealed.
 But that word was not spoken. Neither were there explanations forthcoming from the surviving officers of the Titanic as to how their ship came to strike the obstacle. From the Marconi offices word came that repeatedly when the wireless working conditions were practically perfect the Carpathia was asked to convey to -the waiting world some idea of what were the momentous happenings on the Titanic in the terrible three hours and 30 minutes between the time when she struck the ice berg off the banks and that of her ma plunge to the bottom.
 One explanation was that the wireless optrator of tue carpathia IVES txhaustfe as a ~ RI l63sliee Gays work a the Key. Dut among the list os rescued on board the Carpathia is the seeone wireless operator of the Titanic, wht n ht have been counted upon to reneNl tho wearied sender of the Curnarder.
 A censorship appeared to exist on the Carpathia, which prevented any response to inquiries of what had taken place art CT the Titanic struck the iceberg
 The wireless operator on the Carpathia Is an officer of the Cunard line, and therefore subject to the ships commander.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-18
COMMITTEE IS NAMED
 TO NOMINATE DELEG ALTON

The report of the O'Neal committee was adopted and committee appointed to nominate a delegation of l2 from the state at large.
 At that time John B. Knox was not member of the slate and Judge John Pelham. member of the appellate court, was a member During the time of de- liberation of the committee a recess of an hour was ordered. Then 1t was very evident that every member of the slate to be proposed could not be elected. The opponents were enthusiastic in the pros pect of magnificent triumph.
 Bnt during the time of recess a change came over the situation. As the moment of reconvening approached Governor O Neal and John B Knox entered the hall together The first business after reconvening was the report of the com mittee on nominations The list of the proposed, delegation from the state al large was read. It contained the name of John E. Knox and not the name of Judge John Pelham. For the sake of harmony the latter had retired It was evident then that the framers of the slate had triumphed for John B Knox had been the most powerful opponent of tine plan and it was his voice which a few hours previously in support of the argu- ment that the delegates were capable of doing their own electing. asked Other wise what is the need of delegates?'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-18
FEATURE WAS FIGHT
 MADE AGAINST SLATE

The feature of the convention, ire spective of the glowing compliment to Underwood. expressed and repeatedly ex- pressed. with striking unanimity. was the strenuous strife waged against that siate alleged to have been formed by Senator Bankhead, Governor ONeal and Colonel Mallory. The fight was precip- itated carly In the afternoon, following the report of the committee on nomna- tions, of which Governor ONeal was chairman. That report contained a clause providing for the appointment of com mlttee with power 10 nominate the dele gation of 12 from the state at large.
 Jesse Stallings initiated the fight against that clause, and immediately after his first blow. was joined by a powerful ally. John B Knox of Anniston.
 As n result of the titanic efforts of these leaders the sentiment already ex- istlng. grew intense against the election Of slate The first clash occurred over an appeal from the ruling of the chair and was disastrous to the opponents of the well devised scheme. However. the second clash. that in reference 10 the adoption of the resolution proposed by Stallings and aimed at that clause of the reprt which provided for the naming by committee of the delegation from tho state at large, while resulting in defeat for the opposing allies was so sharp that hope was revived that later in the day the entire scheme might he oyprthrOwn
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-18
STEAMER WILL NOT
 TAKE MESSAGES

New York, April 1s.--A wireless mes sage picked up at 2S5 o'clock lhis morning by the Brooklyn navy yard sent by the cruiser. Salem to Siascon- sett said:
 "I can reach the Carpathia but he won't take any business from me.
 The Brooklyn operator said he also heard the Salem tell Siasconsett that he had sent President Tafts message concerning Major Butt to the Car pathia, but that the wireless operator pn board the Cunarder would not give him an 70. K" on it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-18
FIGHT RENEWED BUT
 VITALITY HAD FLOWN

Jesse Stallings' vitality had flown. The slate went through without a hitch. It was not even necessary for the members to face the jury on their own merits and on tIsir own strength. They were elected collectively. II was a remarkable triumph for political diplomats.
 Tomorrow the excited discussion which holds Montgomery by the ears tonight will have spread into every nook and cranny of the great state of Alabama
 While during the convention there was excitement. much noise a constant clash of differences and fermented Reclamation and frothy oratory it was all the game of children. The work had been done. The entire programme was cut and dried. It was known in advance that Henry D. Clayton would be temporary chairman. and 1t was even known who the temporary secretaries would be. It was known also that Colonel Mallory would be permanent chairman. Prior to calling the convention to order every committee had been ap- pointed
 Every report of committees had been
 fCONTINJED ON PAGE 10l
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-18

pathia with Siasconsett was for the most part devoted, it appeared, to the sending of private messages of reas- surances from passengers to friends on shore and to transmit the anxious in- quiries from land to the vessel Mo- inentariy the chance was awaited for communication of greater moment to the world at large-the opportunity to crawn from the rescue ship the. long awaited secret cr the Titanic's fateful last hours afloat.
 Handle Carpashia Message Only
 That every chance might be afforded Ito pen up freely communication with the slowly approaching liner practical " all other wireless business along the coast tonight was suspended. The Marconi company early in the evening 2 announced that it had notified it's sta tions at South Wellfleet, Siasconsets, Saga ponach and Sea Gate to handle messages to and from the Carpathia exclusively. These instructions, it was stated. were sent out in conformity with the suggestion made 10 the Unit cd States government by the Marconi company and which was. agreed to.
 While careful preparations were be- ing made here to receive and safeguard the living on their arrival here, word came that cable steamer had set out for the scene of the disaster from Hal flax to seek the dead.
 Appeals Disregarded
 Despite appeals that wireless communi- cation with the Carpathia be restricted to authorized messages from recognized wireless stations, the criss cross of wire less waves over the sea toward the rescue ship continued to, interfere during the greater part of the night with legitimate attempts at transmitting messages to ana from the liner. Around midnight an ap- peal was made to Secretary of the Navy Meyer to see if something coudi not be done to reduce the congestion. Tn reply the following message was received from the secretary:
 Replying to your telegram orders have been issued to all ships at sea and at the navy yards not to attempt to call the Carpathia. The Chester will relay a list of third class passengers saved when convenient. Have notified Newport not to interfere
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-18

Few Still Hopeful
 After the strain of three days without news of their missing ones. there were few of the hopeful that still held out to- night against the seemingly final word as to the fate of friends and relatives.
 The small remaining hope of the few who persistent refused to believe the worst rested toright on tine faint possi- hility that tho ls'N1f Survivors, sent by ViileicsS from arpathia, might, after all not be quite complete.
 The fact that one new name came through late today in private message from the carrathia waffhe basis of what was desire more than Il iIape that there were slips enough in the wirefdes lets to account for d few, at least, of those still unaccounted for. At the best, however, it appeared that it could be only an occasional one whose safety had not been reported through some error of compila- tion on the liner or of wireless transmits sion.
 New Report as to Survivors
 From the Carpathia, which was approxi- mately 600 miles from New York this morning and which is expected, if she keeps up her rate of progress of 13 knots an hour, to reach the entrance of the harbor by 8 o clock tomorrow night, came a new report during the day as to the number of survivors on board.
 Through the Cunarder Franconia which established wireless communication with the rescue ship, came a message which in- cluded this statement:
 She has a total of 705 survivors aboard'
 The previous statement from the Car pathia has been that she carried S6S sur vivors. It may be that the report received through the Franconia included count of rescued passengers only, disregarding the f 100 or more members of the crew who must have been in the boats which the Carpatha picked upll
 Communication wis being had with the Carpathia tonight through both the scout cruiser Chester and the short wireless station at Siasconsett. Through the Chester there began coming slow lv the names of saved passengers If the third class of the Titanic The very sending of these could but help con firm the fateful belief that there were no more names of first and second class passengers to send.
 Hardly Possibility
 And thus there was left hardly a possibility that the names of well known men. such as John Jacob Astor, Maj. Archibald Butt, William T. Stead, lsidor Straus and the others of the now familiar list of notables. could !, have been omitted in the transmits <sion of names. That these men had gone down with the ship there re- f1ained hardly a doubt Authorities on conditions off the banks agreed that rescues of passengers not taken from sne liner by the boats would have had tc be made speedily, as exposure anu exhaustion would quickly sap the life of human beings forced to resort 10 eny other means than boats of keep i. ing afloat
 't During the early evening hours the wireless communication of the Car
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-18
Adoor Is Trapped

Stockton. Cal. April l7.-WiIliam A. Aaoor. suspected Of the murder of George Marsh. wealthy soap manufacturer of Lynn, Mass, was arrested here at s:i5 o'clock tonight He was trapped through the aid of a telephone operator when he attempted to telephone to his aunt. Miss Orpha Marsh, niece of the murdered man.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-18
FLOOD CONDITIONS ARE ALMOST PAST | HUMAN ENDURANCE President Taft Asks for Aid to Help the Many
 Sufferers TWO NEW BREAKS IN
 LEVEES REPORTED Conditions in TalIulah Are Hourly Growing Worse--Meat Supply Is
 Low--A Cyclone Strikes
 Alabama Towns

One Mississippi river dike and another along the Arkansas gave way before the flood last night and today the water from the main levee crevasse is pouring over the fertile delta lands Of Bolivar and adjoining counties in Mississippi, while the breach in the Arkansas river bank is adding to the overfiowed area in south eastern Arkansas. Up to ? o'clock this morning no loss of life had been re- ported. Messengers are riding through the remote sections warning the inhabi- tants to seek places of safety.
 GreenvilIe Is Safe
 The break in the Mississippi levee is 10 miles north of Greenville and while the water may spread further south than that city, protection levee, 1t is believed, will afford ample protection to Greenville. A number of small towns are In the path of the water. The break In the Arkansas river embankment is 15 miles north of Arkansas City.
 Reports to the government engineers in charge of the fourth levee district, extending from vicksburg south, are reassuring.
 Rations Distributed
 Fifty thousand rations and car load of tents. cots and blankets arrived in Vicksburg yesterday. They will be dis- tributed among the needy in the flood ed area. many of whom are reported to have been practically without food since the Salem break last week. Elmer gency camps will be established at a number of places not affected by the flood, where those rescued will be cared for.
 Water from the Panther Forest crev- asse began to flood Lake Providence, La, yesterday. This must joint the sea of water rushing through the Dog Tail break, which has already flooded q large section of northern Louisiana and will eventually inuHdate a large portion of territory lis miles n Ii,f gth and fTofa Io tss so miles II adth.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-18
Ringing Instructions Are
 Give71 For UnderlUOOd

Montgomery. April ed the 
 that to until nom O. sh
 delegation on a matte w. Underwood''
 he Alabama politics occurred his feet hats thrown into the air Voe erous chee miles around
 disorder 10 minutes might reeen to Ind everybody 8 a
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-18
Alabama Delegates Who
 VIII Fight For U11derlUood

 10 he
 at Banknead Emmet oNea Henry Clayton rampbe H. Y Wnnnghan First Distro-F Pegam L. w. Lockin. O. second Distrct-c R. rem le
  Disrct-M B. welbom Kelly Dixon w Craig A D its
 A. Hines, w. overton Frank w. . Seventh J. B. Haralson w Sims, ner 
 Darden
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-18
SYMPATHY FOR
 TITANIC VICTIMS

Montgomery. April 17-tSpeciai) J. A. Nathan. delegate from Col bert, introduced a resolution near the conclusion of the session of the convention through which the dele- gates for the people of Alabama expressed heartfelt sympathy for the fate of the passengers of the ill-fated Titanic.
 During the reading of the resoiu- ton there was silence for the first and only time during the day. II was as if the world had checked it's progress for an instant to drop a tear, resuming A moment later with a hum and buzz which. through contrast seemed to have gained additional vim and vitality as a result of it's rest
 The resolution was adopted.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-18
PRESIDENT TAFT
 CLINICS TO HOPE

Washington. April 17.-President Taft tonight told friends that he was still clinging to the hope that Mai. Archibald Butt. his military aid, might have been saved from the wreck of the Titanic.
 The continued lack of news of the major today carried the hopes of the President still lower. but to- right Mir. Taft was expecting that with the arrival of the Carpathia tomorrow something definite might be learned.
 The President telegraphed to Ma jor Butts relatives today that he was stfi hoping for favorable news.
 New York. April 1.-The follow ing wireless dispatch. which was being sent from the scout cruiser Salem to the Carpathia, was read at the Brooklyn navy yard tonight: President of the United Staues is very anxious to know if Major Butt, Mfr. Millette and MT. Moore are safe Please inform me so I can transmit to him.
 .cHANDLER." Up to 1o:3o o'clock the cruiser salem had received no reply.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-18
CONVENTION GREW VERY
 TURBULENT AT TIMES

In reference to other matters. however, there was marked difference of opinion. As result the convention was the most turbulent h the recent history of the state. There is no doubt but that in pre- pairing for slate delegation mistake was made It is unnecessary to search for the man who made the mistake. Let 1t suffice that mistake was made. Many of the delegates resented the effort of tho so-caled leaders of factions to thrust a greased ticket through the convention. On account of that resentment the day was marked by turmoil There was no harmony. That sound which emanated | from the convention hall was not one call culated to induce the seurrying dove of peace to nestle. It was roar, one con tinuous roar, a roar ominous of evil dis 1 content.
 | The slate ticket was elected, however,
 and the 0'Neal faction and the prohiAl- | ton faction are content They each
 scored triumph. Bnt il was by the nar-
 rowest possible graze, and as a result of 1 arduous toll and smooth maneuver.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-18
Names ReIayed Twice

Portland, Me. April 1.-The na.a@s of survivors among the third class or steer age passengers were sent from the Car pathia to the scout cruiser Chester, S.hIe h relayed tiiem 10 the Salem to be relayed again to the commandant of the naval station at Newport, R. ]. It was picked ID by wireless operator her. as tte Chester sent il.
 i'n acco,i:ii of poor wireless conditions the process of sending was slow anG the names had tc be repeated many times After portion of the list had been sent the Salem Was heard transmitting mes sage from the Chester directing her 10 siop sencing for while. This was IF derstood to be on account of interferences ny the chester's wireless apparatus with Ire erorts of the Carpathia to conmun.- cate with the shore stations.
 Third Class Passengers
 A list oi tnird-class passerge,s aul crew iescred from the wrecked steamship 
 CONTINUED ON PAGE ID
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-18
Clashes in Convention Over Minor Issues, But Senti- ment for AIabamian
 Is Unanimous
OBJECTION MADE TO
 THE SLATE PLAN FOR
 NAMING DELEGATES
O'Neal Plan Adopted After knoxs Name Is Placed on List-No Sug- gestion of Second Choice for
 President Is Heard
By HUGH N. ROBERTS

Montgomery. April IT, -(special)-The name of Oscar W. Underwood was the keynote of the convention. Every dele gate was not only In favor of the nom- nation of the favorite son of Alabama, but was enthusiastic in his cause.
 There was no mention of second choice Had even a reference to that ta- booed subject been made the proposer would have been howled down to his seat
 Such was the temper of the convention In reference to Underwood. As a result every speech during the long and tedious day contained a eulogy for the presiden- tial candidate of this state; and fur thermore. an enthusiastic delegation of IS men was named and instructed 10 vote for him in the national convention until a nomination Is made.
 No middle ground was taken. It was Underwood all the time and all the way.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-18
Taft Asks Aid

Washington. April 1.-The national director of the Red Cross society to- day said President Taft has reported that the flood situation even more desperate than described in press dis patches. Reports from army officers, he said. "confirm the danger in every particular. It is my duty, therefore, as president of the American Red Cross to lay the grave question before the ever responsible people of the country, urging that from their never failing mercifulness they contribute promptly and substantially to the creation of an adequate relief fund"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-18
Conditions Growing Worse

Tallulah. La, April II.-Conditions n Tallulah grow hourly worse and the ed Is not yet in sight. Water has risen rapidly since yesterday when Bayou Macon began to back in It Is report end is not yet in sight. Water mas risen Forest. Ark break began to Hood Lake ~~~~~~
 <CCNTINUED ON PAGE O)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-18
Practically E0ery Circumstance Goes to Sho7v of 61O Only BPS First
 Cabin Passengers Are Safe
THE INABILITY TO GET ANY
 MORE NAMES CREATES HOPE
Seems That There Are No More Names Be SenNew Mes sage Says Only 705 Were Saved But This Is Thought to
 Be Erroneous-The List of the Steerage Passengers

Saisconse Wireless Nantucket, Mass April 18ln reply to query the Carpaha early this morning the wireless operator aboard the said that Colonel John Jacob Asor was board the Carpahia He said he did not know whether Benjamin Guggenhem Major Archibald Butt were board.
 New York April 1.-The roll of the saved from the Titanic disaster tonight complete.
 Practically every attending circumstance in the transmits of from the Carpat goes to show that only BPS of the 60 cabin of the Titanic safe the ship.
 The 2S2 cabin passengers whose have not appeared in the lists ashore yesterday by wireless must probably be conceded among the 1912 lives which the collision of the mammoth new steamer with iceberg off the New Foudand banks Sunday night is believed to have taken
 Thousands of hopeful hearts turned to despang the United States Chester reported late day that she had been communication with the Carpatha and had asked repeatedly for the full list of the first and second cabin survivors and that the ship reported that all the already ashore The remainder of 50 saved passengers the seerage members of the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-18
Prompt Help Demanded

In the appeal for relief money the Pres ident states that the conditions of suf fering and destitution In the districts inundated by the Mississippi have as- stunned an intensity and magnitude which demand prompt help. The 25,000 persons temporarily homeless and de- pendent, he says, will soon be threat ened with epidemics unless prompt measures of protection are taken.
 "The army is doing everything pos sible to provide shelter and food 10 meet the immediate emergency" says the President, but the equally import ant task of conducting the relief camps, maintaining health and restor- ing the flood refugees to their homes under conditions which will enable hem to return to normal conditions of life, rests upon the local authorities and the Red Cross Questions of health which inevitably arise from the gather ing of great numbers into camps are already becoming acute, and to those will be added others even more sefi- GUS when the water subsidies. Typhoid dysentery, smallpox. malaria and other diseases threaten and must, If possible, be prevented by prompt and vigorous measures"