davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-01
Progress in Seven Years

Birmingham has made more progress in seven years than any city in the south, and I think it Is safe to say that it has advanced more rapidly than any city le- low the 100000 class in this country" said A. J. Thamann of Philadelphia.
 'f-was located in Birmingham for few months in 1905 and had not been here since then until this week. I thought it was a pretty good town with quite a bright future seven years ago, but 1 scarcely knew the place when I came this time. It has grown much more rapidly than I had imagined it would, and it has become much more metropolitan than I had expected.
 Birmingham is very handsome city now and it's future is well assured.
 My business takes mo to different parts of the United States and everywhere I go I hear Birmingham mentioned as a city of phenomenal growth.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-01
Jacob ana the Rirthright

"A writer in one of the local papers mentioned the action of Col J. R. Powell in voting outside negroes in the election for the removal of the courthouse to Bir- mingham and compared 1t to Jacob ob- taining his birthright," said D. B. Grace
 "As to the analogy between the two acts from moral point of view there may be a difference of opinion. Bishop Hendrix in his sermon on Jacob said that Jacob was man of spiritual vision and discerned the true meaning and great value of the birthright Esau was a man of the f1elds and was concerned only about material things. He cared nothing for his birthright and readily sold 1t for a mess of pottage.
 Therefore, the question arises, Is 1t any robbery to take from a man that which he values not? If you see a dog eating an oyster that contains a valuable pearl and you take the pearl from him, the animal is no loser A rooster scratch ing in the barn yard for grains of corn unearthed a precious diamond, which he pecked out, and finding 1t was not corn he kicked 1t from him with contempt. To the man who picked up the diamond it's value brought leisure, travel and the op- portunity for the culture of mind and soul.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-01
Valuations for Tax Purposes

When the legislature put valuations of taxable property at 60 per cent of real values it raised a great constitu- tional question. Section 211 of the constitution of 1901 says that "all taxes levied on property in this state shall be assessed in exact proportion to the value of such property" and the question of the constitutionality of the 60 per cent clause has come m in A case that will soon be decided by the supreme court. It would seem at first glance that the rule of exact proportion to value was not violated when the 60 per cent provision was enacted. The court of last resort in this state may not, however, look at the matter in that light. It may say that taxable values must be real values, and not any part of them.
 It is a hard problem and it's de- termination by the supreme court will be welcomed by all who own taxable property in this state.
 Should the supreme court decide that all taxable values must be real values instead of 60 per cent of them a revision of values for tax purposes would follow, and property holders would not soon know "where they a TO atv ..s..-.it. ....tt....s 2.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-01
WOMAN RUNS X BALL TEAM

Ed A. Goewey in Leslie's.
 When Roger Bresnahan went to tho Mound City and assumed charge of the Cardinals, great things were expected. He did force his men to show improvement, but could not make them consistent win ners. Whether there was too much inter ference from the powers behind him Is now being debated. Anyway, he has been internationally released by the club, and Mrs. Britton, who came into possession of the aggregation upon the death of the Robisons, will probably run it to suit her self. Personally, I don't believe a woman can run baseball team. and if the St Louis outfit finishes better than last next season, yours truly and several other fans will receive a big surprise. It is reported that Miller Huggins will be the choice Of Mrs. Britton to manage the slub next sea son.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-01
Good Rosd. Day

'It is the duty of the state to finance the building of roads to enable the poorer counties and the people to get a system of good roads which will be constructed under state supervision by the most eco homie and comprehensive plan" said John Craft, president of the Alabama Good Roads association. '"rhe roads should be laid out so as to serve 20 per cent of the people of the state. The roads should be constructed under the supervision of a good business head and have corps of engineers versed In the art of road build ing to maintain them. This would make traction easier. Easy grades are essential to economic transportation.
 "As road building requires money good business methods and a competent man should be in charge of the work that the best results might be obtained. Then modern laws should be enacted so the money will not be squandered as in the past, and in some instances at the pres ent time the work is being done under slip-shod, unbusiness-like methods
 ''The state of Florida has a population of only 700ooo, with no great natural re- sources as compared with Alabama. Ala bama having a population of over three times that number, with one of the most fertile areas in the world The little state of Florida is advocating a s50.oo0.o .o0C bond issue. This state only few years ago had scarcely no population. It's tax values were way down, but the people of Florida capitalized their climate to build good roads and hotels. Tourists and or anges have developed this little state. This is an example that Alabama might well emulate"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-01
NED BRACE TALKS ABOUT UNDERWOOD
 FOR SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY

way. Every taxed article must bear it's just and proportionate share of govern ment expense.
 As Secretary of the Treasury Under wood would tell what was needed and enue by our indirect method of taxation. without injury to any interest deserv- ing of nurture. He would be fair, and wise and practical; and his advise would be accepted and acted upon. and put into practical effect
 This democratic victory should not be accepted as mere four-year tenure of of fee It should be made perpetual. It is no longer politics. It is now practice We democrats have preached The coun- try now wants the practical
 The democrats elected to office are IlOllOA DOtiiO tO SAf0 uAlo liiC ptOpiC d practical, sensible and business govern ment which will give every man equal opportunity with his neighbor to profit both by his brain and his brawn.
 The secretaryship of the Treasury will be next to the Presidency the most im- 
 portant office of this government. A master mind is needed in it-a man of the practical-a man who knows what should be done, and how to tell unto others how to do it practically. That Underwood combines all the quail ties is manifest His real position should be Secretary of the Treasury That is his work now.
 The House has men competent for leadership on the floor. Men develop with authority. It was only a few years ago when Underwood was cub con gressman. The cub of today is often the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-01
CORoNACH

Sir Walter Scott, "The Lady of Lake He is gone on the mountain,
 He is lost to the forest, Like a summer-dried fountain,
 When our need was the sorest; The fount, reappearing,
 From the raindrop shall borrow, But to us comes no cheering,
 To Duncan no morrow The hand of the reaper Takes the ears that are hoary; But the voice of the weeper
 Walls manhood in glory, The autumn winds rushing
 Wait the leaves that are searest; But our flower was in flushing
 When blighting was nearest. Fleet foot on the correi,
 Sage counsel in culnber, Red hand in the foray,
 How sound is thy slumber, Like the dew on the mountain,
 Like the foam on the river, Like the bubble on the fountain,
 Thou art gone. and foreveEi
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-01

price of the season tickets from s5 to sf, but if anyone stops to think moment there can be no criticism. The concert committee had few season tickets lnft over after the first musicale, last Sunday, and these tickets are being sold at s4. Each ticket admits two persons and as there are to be three more musicales, in- cluding that of Zlmbalist, the price per capita will be about the same as it was in the case Of those who had full season ticket which was good for all four at fractions. Zimbalist is one of the greatest violinists in the world and he plays before immense audiences in the large cities at high prices. Two dollars a seat is con sidered reasonable to hear him in New York and Chicago. In Birmingham the season ticket holders hear him at the rate of 621s cents.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-01
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
 Doctors make lot more money out or midnight suppers than out or peopie working themselves to death.
 The reason a woman wants to walk so fast in tight skirts is she would want to walk slow if they were loose
 What inspires a very tall, thin giri is she doesn't look so to anybody the way she would if she were short and fat
 The first time a baby comes a man gives his wife a set of jewels. the sew enth time an expense account book.
 It takes a mans family a month before to get the Christmas gifts, and him eleven months after to get over paving for them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-01
BE WARY

BE WARY. All people have their troubles At least 1t so appears; For some life's woe redoubles, Until they melt in tears, While others, more in favor With fortune, sometimes smile, With now and then a savor or sweetness to beguile. But ne'er a human being Can make this earthly trip, Without some gray days seeing, When sorrows fingers grip, And so, while not advising, We think it best for all Who feel their ego rising To watch out for fall.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-01
that the final legal findings will not soon he forthcominp

that the final legal findings will not soon be forthcoming
 In the meanwhile consumers will quarterly be confronted by bills on the old customary basis, and this will go on until the federal courts have heard all the claims and counter claims in the big case and rendered decisions that cannot be appealed. So long as there remains room for an appeal so long, no doubt, the case now begun will go on. The federal courts command public confidence and in them the consumer will get all that can be obtained for him, and he will perforce have to be patient. Big cases cannot be adjusted in the courts in hurry, but in the end jus tice will be done.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-01
In inc Lyccum Course

Thomas F. Green, who will be the lyceum attraction in the high school auditorium next Wednesday, is pop ular author and has the reputation of being a most charming lecturer This will be his first visit to Birmingham and Principal Brown, who has charge of the lyceum course this season, pre- diets that every seat in the spacious auditorium will be filled.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-01

SOME SINGULAR PLURAIS. We'll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes; But the plural of OK should be oxen,
 not oxes, Then one fowl is goose but two are
 called geese, Yet the plural of moose should never be meese. st fsa You may find lone mouse or a whole But the plural of house Is houses. not If the plural of man is always called s men, Why shouldn't the plural sof pan be
 called pen? The COW in plural may be cows or kine, But bow, if repeated, is never called
 bine. And the plural of vow is vows, not
 vine. And if I speak of foot and you show
 me your feet, And give you a boot, would pair be
 called beet? If one is a tooth and the whole set are
 teeth. Why shouldn't the plural of booth be
 called beeth? Then one may be that, and three would
 be those, Then hat in the plural would never be
 hose. And nhe plural of rat is rats, not rose. We speak of brother and also of
 brethren, But though we say mother, we never
 say methren. Then masculine pronouns are he, his
 and him, But imagine the feminine she. shis and
 shim. So the English, I think, you all will
 agree, Is the most wonderful language you
 ever did see.
 San Francisco Call.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-01
A PAINFUL TOAST

From the New York Telegram.
 While hitting the line hard in other ways, we have made it rule never to touch upon women or children in this col un,n, but by all the gJes and little fishes and memories of Danites and sluice ror- bers Ae have to note that the daughter of a Mormon United States senator >-is about to be presented in society in Wash ington. Heaven bless the girl. but it hurts some, as we drink ours.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-01
FOUR COMMISSIONS OF HISTORY

another Age-Herald today w. P c. Harding makes notable contribution history He presents his study of the and fall commission and the fact that the which with mOdehay naccuray frequently ferd innovation years G. when Pompey Crassus themselves the tu vrate of ancient
 Harding slightly diff of the muni
 ates by commissions For the first made battle ground precpaed struggle, each of which inspired the false pride ambitious dreams of the rulers and which end when the fanacal Buus dug his
 blade in the Gac fatal to democratic the commission that posed Antony epdu these distinguished patriots spoiled glorious reof his ambition, Antony the lascivous serpent of the turbulent N Lepdu through his parent inability to position either side of the political bausade As temperamena differ Antons eoquence inspired the rise mutny and Roe eadonp propr to runaon and ultimate continued unchecked and with fury
 The third commission of history five gess entirely frivolous political exgeny acquired blood which the heads of Louis and his inconsequenal AnOne tossed tribute the patriotism of gore loving popuace The inefficncy of this third historic commission opportunity Napoleon which the daring intrepid without modest eancy consideration his predecessors The little Corporal made himself the star of of thre while Cambaee Le Bru faithfully gtterng s uperlative pndor of their chiefan Luscious the ambitious tooth Napoleon the oce sighed Therefore declared himself with the his people, emperor fourth commission sufficiently ebuked retired sphere existence.
 No writer of whatever ability ave art finding bon the unompmenay history could reached He first dfereniates between government and commission for cie expresses simply because four historic commissions
 nous failure there just the people Birmingham despair lest might emperor local commissioners that panic enue spreading famine the deep blood the other very adroy
 ponay brilliant opportunity which For would be them should they through do time what the crafty Caesar failed the Bonapa is made apparent that Birmingham the fuure might the world aemanshp upcrb thrilling stories of the accomplishments of the Caesars political of the maerfu Napoeons will be unfamiliar with conditions historical entirely with the idea prophets without honor their country
 How Mr. Harding drawing terribly accurate picture of conditions that certainly have naturally he might concerning Birmingham. pemistc vein might with the despairng Macbeth Life story full sound and ignfying nothing quoting the ombre product of Persian sagacy Reward is neither or There!'
 Harding did neither the other And as with distinguished ct
 young and inexperienced city, hands the destiny the pillar of fire bv night, and pillar of cloud by day.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-01

conaueror of tomorrow. Opportunity makes the man, if the real stun is in him.
 The democratic party has the oppor- tunity now. If it has the stuff in it's makeup it will be perpetuated
 # #
 And, by the way, speaking of gov ernment and politics, have a man in mind who has never been mentioned in the political world who will most probably be the next governor of Ala bama Some bright Sunday morning in this column I shall spring his name and I will bet a bag of peanuts that every man, woman and child in the state will say that's the man Alabama wants" He is man who is doing |something every day and accomplish ling results.
 More about him next May.
 x + <
 Good old Commissioner Jim Weather ly has gotten his back up and is doing real business for the people. He dealt in diplomacy and was dulcet with the railroad general agents until he found that they were merely dallying with him about building viaducts across their tracks. Then Jim got out his club and he whacked them like Cherokee warrior.
 If Weatherly will keep this club well in hand 1t will not be many months be- fore the dangerous grade crossing in Bir- mingham will be a thing of the past and the name "Commissioner" will be no longer a joke but title worth any mans seeking.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-01
All unavoided is the doom of destiny
 ---Ixing Richard III.
English Investments in Alabama


 The frank statements of President James Mitchell of the Alabama Inter- state Power company relative to in- vestments of English money in the south need not be and should not be discredited. A great deal of accumu- lated capital in Great Britain seeks investment elsewhere every year. MT. Mitchell is banker as well as the head of the interstate power company, and he is at present engaged in turn ing surplus capital that comes his way into these southern states. No harm but much good both to the Eng fish investors and to this section of this country will doubtless follow. The statements of MT. Mitchell were plain and convincing, leaving no room for distrust or for lack of reason able confidence. If all would keep in mind the fact that English capital is constantly accommodating and must be invested somewhere he will undestand at once MT. Mitchell's mis- sion and efforts in this state.
 Nor does it matter to what extent MT. Mitchell and his English clients have invested money in the American Cities company. The American Cities is holding company controlling lighting and trolley properties in six southern cities. This city is one of the six. MT. Mitchell says his English friends have secured 50,000 out of 360,000 shares of the American Cities company. It really does not matter to this city whether they have purchased 50,000 or 250,000 shares. Birmingham and the remainder of the south does not stand to lose anything in either case.
 m the absence of anything to the discreit of MT. Mitchell his state ments should be as frankly accepted as they were frankly expressed. There is no occasion for distrust, and these English investors should be well comed to Alabama, and they should be trusted. "We propose" says Presi- dent Mitchell, 'to bring industries here from time to time and in that way consume the power we make which will be left over after the field here has been supplied. To do this we must have the best possible relations with the people. We depend upon their good will for life, and they will prosper if they assist us in that way Every place we have ever worked we have been welcomed, and I am sure Birmingham will not prove an excep- ton. The relation of people toward a public service corporation must be cordial or that corporation cannot last long. Birmingham, believe, will give us that encouragement" It certainly will. There is no reason why it should not. The more development the bet ter for all, and the English capitalists have the means to create electrical energy at Lock 12 on the Coosa and elsewhere until this state becomes the home of industries and prosperity and even accumulating wealth.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-01
Taft and the Civil Service

"I have been interested in the discus sion going on in the press about Presi- dent Taft's civil service order in refer ence to fourth-class postmasters," said Judge Oscar R. Hundley, "and I wish to commend the recent editorials in The Age Herald on this subject. This order of the President springs from the most venal and sordid of political motives He has no regard for the civil service lay, as shown by his actions during the re- cent campaign, save in so far as it may be used for his own selfish political ends
 Through hs officials he made every eff fort to get tip evidence from which he could remove all officials who were not supporting him, while he permitted his supporters to violate the law without a reprimand even. In this city and county alone, where an agent of the civil service commission made an investigation, it was shown in an official report to the com mission that there were most fragrant vio- lations> of the law by IS employees of the Birmingham postoffce. and though this was called to the attention of the Presi- dent. not one thing was done to enforce the law.
 After the President received stolen nomination at Chicago he removed with out just cause every official who had op- posed him. The recent election in this state and district especially has shown, as was contended, that practically all the support he had was from his own ap- pointees and their imnsediate friends. His recent order was for the sole purpose of rewarding those who assisted him in get ting the nomination from the man to whom the people had given 1t.
 Every true American who loves his country above politics ought to desire the new President to have a successful ad- ministration for the general welfare of the people, and do not believe President Will son will colse his eyes to this belated po- litical job put up by Taft just as he hob bles out of offce''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-01
LITTLE SURPRISES.

''Dr Frothly, which would you rather we'd do next year-raise your salary $500, or pay your expenses for a trip to Egypt?"
 Pardon my haste. old chap, but we need you at the swell banquet right away. to make the fourteenth gucstr
 Don't be scared. miss; m neither
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-01
NATURALLY FOLLOWS.

''IIe seems to be a very learned Egyptologist.''
 And no wonderl He's been in the cigarette business for years"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-01
ANIMAL CHARACTERISTICS.

with the pantherine Mary Garden and the efephantine Eugene Ysaye." Is the way the music critic of the New York Telegram begins his account of recent concert in Carnegie Hall. Sounds almost as If it might have been a con cert at the zoo. PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-01

The Canadian government is endeav- bring to keep the St. Lawrence open to Quebec this winter. It will have to cut some ice
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-01

Wooden vessels are not longer lived than iron or steel ones. They are kept in use longer to avoid total loss to the owner.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-01

The prices of sandwiches in Washing ton are going up. in order to insure their getting to the inauguration stand ard in good sea ason
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-01

There will be but 26 days in the short session that can be devoted to appropriation bills and general legis- lation Short sessions should be abol-
 ished. Tho country has outgrown them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-01

A budget plan will probably be adopted by the democrats and the new administration. It is becoming more popular every year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-01

The socialists in Germany and Aus tria are protesting against a needless war in tho Balkans, and they are gain ing a hearing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-01
HIS CHESS.

q overheard two women having a lively argument yesterday as to the merits of Gil Blas."
 "Gil Bias, eh? I don't know the fel- low, but I'll bet my hat he plays fid- dlet'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-01
GRIDIRON pRAc,TIcl

Poor old Don Quixote tilting at windmills must have been a ludicrous sight,
 "No doubt. Still. I don't suppose his performance was any more idiotic than that of the college football star who spends a great deal of his time tackling
 a dummy"