davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-11
Parcels and the Bourne Bill

Congress is to remain in session after the national conventions have met and have dispersed, and when it again takes up legislation any bill that voters favor may be passed
 The effort to pass general parcels post bill has by no means been aban- doned. The bill introduced by Senator Bourne is widely commended. This bill is indorsed by Postmaster General Hitchcock, who believes it would aid substantially in the solution of the high cost of living problem.
 The Bourne bill is bill based on zones. It would consolidate the third and fourth classes of mail matter, and it would raise the weight limit of par cels to Il pounds.
 The postoffice appropriation bill provides for parcels post on rural free delivery routes only, while the passage of the Bourne bill would give the people a general parcels post in which the distance a parcel is carried would be prominent feature. The Bourne bill is considered scientific and well adapted to a very broad, big country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-11
Changes in the Senate

Senator Cranes announcement of an intention to leave the Senate next March surprises no one. The million aire standpatters are climbing out voluntarily to avoid being pushed out.
 Twenty years ago the plutocrats of the Senate ruled it. They made the federal laws, protected the railroads, trusts and corporations, and dictated nominees and platforms. All this power has fled like a thief in the night. Scarcely any of the "old guard" are left. Progressive repub- licans or democrats are driving the standpatters out one after another until Shoot and Lodge are the only leaders left. The republican party will have to accept one of the two as leader, for no other strong man remains. Penrose is marked to go, and Elihu Root cannot count upon a second senatorial term. Burton will have hard fight on his hands when his term expires. The millionaire pure and simple now finds the new Senate uncongenial, and he is ready to leave it.
 Should the constitutional proposi- tion calling for the direct election of senators become part of the funda- mental law, the Senate will be changed radically, and legislation by millionaires for millionaires will be- come lost art.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-11
White Males Over Twenty-One

The number of white males 21 years of age or over in this state is 2SS, ,322, of which number 5785 are not naturalized. Out of 280,0O in round number 100000 vote, and 1S0,000 white males are disfranchised by the educational qualification or by the cumulative poll tax requirement.. At least 13O,0O0 are disfranchised by the poll tax provision. These figures are official-that is to say, there are to- day in this state 2S2,537 white males of voting age including the natural ized foreign-born whites. One hun dren thousand vote and 1S2,537 do not vote. The reader can explain the discrepancy to his own liking.
 In the city of Birmingham there are 2O,567 white males 21 years of age or over, including 1074 natural ized citizens. Of this number 1000 on the average vote. The number of negro voters probably does not ex- ceed 50. Just about one-half of the white les of voting age are dis 
 franchi by the cumulative poll tax. And th qualification becomes worse rather in better. A citizen of'vot-  ing Q n 1901 must now pay about S16.5i l order to vote, and when he becomes 45 years old he cannot vote until he has paid all poll taxes pre- viously assessed against him, so that we will soon have lot of old men who cannot vote.
 Can we afford to disfranehise much longer two-thirds of our citizens? The
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-11
THE yIENNEsE FLAT

From the New York Sun.
 The American janitor may be the tyrant that popular imagination pie lures him, but as a matter of fact his powers are rather limited, as com pared with those of the janitor of a Viennese apartment house. for in- stance.
 The Ylennese who does not wish to be out of pocket must keep early hours. After 10 o'clock at night he is taxed on entering his own house or apartment, or, for the matter of that, any house or apartment. The "sperr- geld" or door opening tax is not pecu- liar to Vienna, but is also found in other capitals of Europe.
 The 2,00O,OO0 residents of the Aus oned in their own homes from 10 o'clock in the evening until the next morning. They may go in or out only by paying the equivalent of 4 cents to the janitor or, as the Austrians. call him, the house master.
 This tax must be met every time one passes through the doorway. There is no exception to this rule man who has dined with a friend must, if he stays late, pay cents to get out of his friends house and cents more to get into his own. A telegram in the night calls for the payment of the tax before the messenger can enter. It Is the function of the housemas- ter to keep duplicate copies of forms, on which every individual in the house must report to the police his age, birthplace and religion, his exact oc- cupation. and other personal details that the Austrian authorities insist on knowing. Nor does the power of the Vinnese janltor end here.
 From the little lookout that he oc- cupies at the foot of the stairs he sees every one that goes in or out. He as certains with astonishing accuracy the amount of each tenants income, the events of his private life and the char acter of his visitors.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-11
The Ea,ca,,on.l Exchnnge


 The speeiaI industrial number of the Educational Exchange of Birmingham the state school journal isued this month, is not only creditable put IS oi real value.
 Roy L. Dimmitt, director of manual arts of the Birmingham public schoois' edited this issue and he is being cor dially congratulated on his excellent work. Among the features of the indus trial edition are short contributions py many distinguished men, including the President of the United States. This IS what MT. Taft wrote over his signature;
 The present is a period for spreading vocational schools. The movement to- ward preparing boys and girls for lifes work in connection with their primary and secondary education, so that they may have some trade or business or occupation taught them in their boyhood or girlhood as part of and in connection with their general education, has become stronger of late and must be regarded as one of the progressive steps of the present dec- ade."
 Theodore Roosevelt contributed this:
 "The present system must change if it is to meet the needs of the future. My plea is for a tremendous expansion of the vocational. industrial. and technical side of education, so that the children shall not leave school with broad smat- tering only of all kinds of knowledge, but so that they shall be prepared to do the work of the future; so that they shall be able to do every form of work well in the shop. in the factory and in the home"
 And Mir. Underwood this: No phase of our educational work is more important than that which gives practical utility of the acquisitions made from books, and not until our schools fully appreciate this will independence which industrial train ing gives to the mind and hands of the young people be made commensurate with the present and future industrial condl- tions"
 Mir. Dimmitt ranks very high as manual training educator. He was reared ill Missouri is a graduate of the Uni versty of Missouri and has had several years of experience as a teacher of academic subjects in the middle west. He did special work at Cornell in industrial education. Ten years ago. when he came to Birmingham, the manual art depart ment in the high school consisted of one instructor and one shop. Under his su- pervision his department has grown to 15 instructors and 30 work shops. He is in constant demand in summer normals, having served in this capacity in the Uni versity of Alabama, the University of Mississippi and other well known institu- tions.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-11
VIII RooreyeIt Bolt.

While Roosevelt has as good as said he would bolt in case the Chicago con vention didn't do things to suit him, l am inclined to think there will be only one republican ticket in the field and that will be headed by President Taft, said W. W. Arnold of Buffalo, N. Y.
 T am republican and always vote the straight republican ticket l would have sided with Roosevelt had it not been for the third term objection. Roosevelt was President seven and a half years, and for him to be President another term would destroy the old tradition which has done much. to make a dictatorship impos- sible. President once in a third term would pave the way for a life President or Dictator-maybe real Emperor
 Roosevelt Is certainly an ambitious man and he would not hesitate to bolt 1T he had any considerable backing, out when the time comes I think most of us will line up for President Taft.
 My democratic friends say that this is a democratic year. Well, perhaps 1t IS, but unless the democrats act with more wisdom than usual in their convention, President Taft, in my humble opinion, will stand to win. According to very re- cent democratic talk in the east, MT. Un- derwood of Alabama would make by far the strongest democratic candidate. He would make a better run than Champ Clark, Wilson or Harmon, any dark horse that might be brought out"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-11
.RIp,sv INTEREST IN THE HOUSE

From the Chicago Evening Post,
 In Douglas Fairbanks dressing room
 the other day, Joseph Allen wasitalling
 about Joseph Jefferson. Jefferson he said. had an old servant, Bagley, of whom he was very fond. He kept him for long time after the old fellows indulgence had practically destroyed his usefulness. Finally Bagley carried his excesses so far that it was impossible to retain him longer without hurting the dis cipline of the organization, so he was let out.
 "Bagley staggered to the front of the house. bought ticket in the gal lery and went up to see his old mas ter's performance of Rip Van Win kle.'
 "The scene was reached when the angry Gretchen drives poor old Rip from the cottage. when he returns and in a most pathetic voice asks: Den l haf no interest in der house? The theater was as still as thea ter can be and half the audience was | in tears, when Bagley's broken voice piped from the gallery: "'Only so per cent Joe, old top; only | so per cent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-11
SOUTHERN HONOR MEN AT ANN
 APOIIS


 From the New York World.
 Though Michigan cadet leads the graduating class at the Naval academy five of the first 10 graduates hall from the south. Two are from Alabama, none from New York, Massachusetts, Ohio or Illinois. and only one. a Kansas mid shipman, represents the great,west on the academy honor roll.
 Unlike the universities, the.student pop ulation of Annapolis is approximately representative of the whole country, and that southern cadets should gain more than their share of the prizes is of con siderable interest.
 Are southern boys better students or do they pursue older fashioned ideals? The theory that in the north and west the best undergraduate talent at the universi- ties is destined for business or profession- al careers does not hold in the case of the Naval academy where all students are fitting themselves for the same life work. And certainly the test of scholar ship and discipline is as severe there as in any academic course. The fact that the naval tradition has always been strong at the south may have something to do with it, though that assumption does not explain why Ala,oama's rela- lively small contingent should contribute two honor men while many of the great states of the north and west have none
 Whatever the cause. the south has req son to plume itself on the fine showing made by it's young officers and gentle men to be in the first grade ofinaval ser- vice.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-11
Portrait of n scientist

| The portrait of Michael Tuomey, which was presented to the University of Ala bama at the recent commencement, has been much admired by critics and persons of taste. It was painted by Miss Edna K. Smith, the popular Birmingham artist Professor Tuomey was appointed mem- Der of the faculty of the university in 1s47, and at the head of the department of geology mineralogy and agricultural chemistry he distinguished himself and added great lustre to the institution. He was state geologist and performed inn portant work in developing Alabama's mineral wealth. He so impressed the leg islature that an appropriation of sl0,000 was made for a geological survey.
 Miss Smiths portrait of Professor Tuomey is an admirable work of art, ," said a prominent citizen.
 Major Garrett one of Birminghams pioneers. recalls Professor Tuomey, and speaks in high praise of the portrait. The distinguished geologist said to his class in 1856 that in less than 30 years they would see the dawn of a great industrial era in this country, the center of which would be in the vicinity of Elyton.
 The Rev. R. D. Nevins of Tacoma, Wash, a son-in-law of Professor Tuomey, chanced to be in Birmingham for day. Miss Smith had just finished the portrait and i'll looking at 1t he expressed himself as greatly pleased with 1t as a likeness.
 Miss Smith now has two portraits in our state lnstitutions-one of pr. N T. Lurton, which was recently presented to Auburn, and this of Professor Tuomey.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-11
TRIES BARBER FIRST AT s2
THFFsS btftfstsHt IT fftF'f 1N T N@ Horne1, N. Y. Telegram to the Ne'

Hornen, N Y, Telegram to the New
 York Tribune.
 It has taken Harrison Freeland of the little village of Greenwood S2 years to make up his mind that there is really some comfort and enjoyment to be found in a barbers chair
 All the years of his long life until just now Mir. Freeland has cut his own hair and shaved himself, being firmly convinced that it was neither pleasant nor economical to have a barber fuss ing about ones head or face. Last week. however, the aged man was in- duced to visit the village "tonsorial parlor" for the first time and have his hair cut by David Ferris. whose neighbors regard him as an artist with the shears.
 To MT. Freeland's surpire, theI dread ed operation proved really most com fortable and soothing, and, as heavy tipping Is not an ironclad law in Greenwood. it was not so very expen- siye He admitted, too after a long look in the barbers mirror that the general effect was better than he could produce before the family looking class. and Mr. Freeland is expected to visit the barber hereafter whenever he feels his hair needs cropping.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-11
On to Baltimore

q have attended two national demo- cratic conventions and by reading have been familiar with all that have been held since 1S76," said Joseph F. Wart- mann of New York. ''I believe this years convention will surpass in interest all those of the past. I have never failed to vote the democratic ticket since l was old enough. and while I was never an ardent Bryan man I cast my ballot for him every time he ran.
 "A few months ago I was inclined to think that Woodrow Wilson would win the nomination, but I can see now that Wilson has little or no chance. l believe that Harmon would make an excellent President, but nearly every democrat meet speaks of Harmon as being prac- tically out of the. race. Clark is strong, but he will not be nominated Mayor Gay nor will get complimentary vote. but that is probably about all, s
 MT Underwood of Alabama is now q prime favorite and if l were betting man I would be willing to make a wager that he would head the ticket. It goes
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-11
IN HOTEL LOBBIES.
Regarding PabIic Spirit

Birmingham has developed A great deal of public spirit since I first visited this city about 12 years ago." said Aaron Seidel of Chicago.
 Tt was rather a crude town at the beginning of the last decade, but find it very much of a city now. It has grown rapidly within the past few years and Is today one of the best built cities in the United States l am particularly struck with evidences of public spirit and especially the boosting spirit. Few chambers of commerce anywhere have as many members as the Birmingham cham ber-upwards of 200O."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-11
GREAT .AD- FOR THE DOCTOR

From the Columbus Dispatch.
 A Chicago physician recently motored to Columbus, where he spent several days with friends on the East Side. While down town one day he left his touring car standing in front of the crittenden hotel, and when he came out he saw King Hughes, the colored doorman. standing back of the machine laughing.
 Whats the giggle?" queried the doc tor.
 Nothing, boss" answered the genia Hughes. But you're a physician. aren't you?"
 Yes
 T thought so when saw the red cross on the front of your machine. but if owned that car I'd take that sign off tht back"
 The doctor went around to the rear ana looked at the license tag. It read: ''35, %, Ill.,"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-11
THE HAPLEss EDITOR.

THE HAPLESS ED11OR.
 A man who owns eighty acres of land and has sense enough to till 1t. makes the lot of country newspaper men look like the last remnants of a Dutch zlunch. The farmer has the best of it all around. He is as independent as an express company He doesn't have to write a soulful sopltu- ary over some peak headed fellow that keeps on display an exhibit of cut plug profanity that would make the efforts or the steamboat mate sound like the meet ing of the Epworth league. H e doesn have to go into raptures over the beauty of an open face bride with cast of .countenance that would blow out the gas. The farmer isn't Required to lie until hls back teeth fall out about the sterling manhood of a groom with ears like a caulihower plant and the brain power of yearling shoat. He doesn't have to run contest for the most beautiful young lady in the community, make everybody sore and then print .seventy-five cent halftone of the beauty that looks like a tintype of grandma at the age of 13.- Olathe Register.
 A FAULTY EDUCATION.
 q have just been talking to youth who claims to have done everything"
 Has he ever wrapped a motor car around telegraph pole at o'clock in the morning?"
 'I think not
 Then he has a great deal to learn"
 HIS CHOICE.
 He wouldn't take part In the toll of the
 mart, az Where the troubles of man never cease, But turned from the strife of profitless
 life And walked in the valley of peace.
 PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-11
THE LAMENT OF THE LINER

 Archibald Sullivan, in the Sphere. You weighed me deep with your silken things, With your soft delights and your marble floors, With your carven rose and your out stretched wings That doubled weight on my noiseless doors. You gave me streets like the streets of. town,
 For palace vast so you fashioned me, Then into the water you eased me down And called me ship that was fit for sea.
 And the mad waves knew so they laughed aloud; But to you on the>shore the thing seemed For you only cheered in blackening crowd E4E With my thousand rooms was built for land.
 Set well on rock as a house should he. But through years of work you had schemed and planned To make me ship that was fit for sea. Yes the ocean knew I was not her child But lighted town on her breast anoat. While the ice wolves raced like pack gone wild
 To stare at the thing men called boat. was not their freight. I was not their due.
 lust a marbled madness of huge degree. And they ran nIe down and they stabbed me through As shin for land, not ship for sea. Now fathoms deep from the summer light. Festooned in dead and the emerald weed. lie at rest from the fight men fight For their satin show and their gilded need My bridge is silent. my ropes are frayed. The silk at each porthole fiutters free. The shattered wreck of the thing they made zff A ship for land. not ship for sea
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-11
Excess in Baggage Allowances

The railroads had prepared new regulations relating to baggage, to go into effect July 1, but. the inter state commerce. commission has sus- pended those regulations for 12O days beginning July l.
 The proposed regulations say that no piece of baggage with a greater dimension than 45 inches shall be carried free as baggage. Every inch of additional dimension is to be con sidered equivalent to 10 pounds of ex- cess weight and is to be paid for. No piece whose greatest dimension ex- ceeds 70 inches is to be carried as baggage.
 The suspension of four months will enable the interstate commission to study the subject and to prepare a schedule that will protect alike the public and the railroad companies The "excess" regulations are needed not so much against vacationists as against professional travellers who dc not hesitate to fill baggage cars up tc the limit.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-11

number of white males disfranchised today is 1S0,000. It is not too much to say that fully 130,000 of this num- Der are kept from the ballot box by the cumulative poll tax requirement, and Alabama is the only state in the union that has poll tax that is un- limited in it's cumulative feature so far as elections are concerned.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-11
Genius for Banking Business

Some men have a genius for trading and some are particularly well adapted to the banking business. but according to my idea the high class banker Is one who has a breadth of view and sound judgment, and is quick in his decision" !" said retired business man who owns considerable property
 T never ran a bank, but I was for several years a director in a banking institution in a small town. In the cities the men at the head of large banks must possess large capacity if they conduct the banks business successfully and with safety and those that happen to know do possess it. Some of the smaller bank CTS do a safe business, but they are some times too cautious to suit the man of big propositions
 "A few days ago l saw an illustration of what it means to decide without hes itation A man came to a well known banker and offered him a s5000 six months note for discount, with good collateral He wanted the money right away: want ed a quick decision. Said the banker Your paper is good but 1t is not conven- tent for me to discount it today. I could borrow the money for you from another bank at per cent and lend it to yot at per cent, but that would not leave enough profit to make it worth while The man said. I will make it interesting for you. I will give you S500 to discount this note.' The banker then said. I vii accept your proposition. The sum of s59 is an indueement. While the banker wa' filling out a check for s4500 the tele phone rang and inquiry was made fol the gentleman with the s5000 note. 4 banker at the other end of the phone said, T will discount that note for you. The man said. Tt Is too late; I hay, already negotiated The collateral wa' really. gilt-edsed. Two bankers had turned it down, but the one who was talking over the phone said that he would consider the matter and let him know in half hour The man who made the $500 for his banl had the merchant instinct for trade. simply cite this as an. example of wha happens throughout the financial world Some bankers are successful because the, are conservative. but most of the bis ones prosper and shine because of theii quick insight and their resourcefu methods
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-11
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR

From the New ork ffeSs.
 A man needs two vacations. to get over one
 Gratitude always finds a place where it can hide itself from sight.
 The danger about having women vote is they might get to understand all the political questions men don't.
 The man who had a million to spend on his yacht could feel very bitter about the man who had two million to spend on his.
 her pillow at night but for her rings she wants an absolutely safe place like an old shoe.