davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
Alabama's Power Development

Alabama has long ranked high
among the richly endowed common
wealths of the union, but until recent
years Alabama water power, one OF
the most potential factors in the
states present and future develop
ment, had not been appreciated at
anything near its full value.
One reason for this is that only
within the last decade has the water
power industry emerged from the
experimental stage; but now modern
water power development is recog-
nized to be of epoch-making impor-
tance in America and is favorably
compared with the locomotive and the
telegraph in commercial Importance.
And as in the case of the manufacture
of iron and steel, and other wealth.
producing commodities, vast capital
combinations are being formed
throughout the country for the pur-
pose of gaining control of water
power resources in certain sections
with view to full development and
thorough application of cheap cleo
tricity to economic needs. Gigantic
work of a practical nature has al
ready been done in this connection,
but much greater portion of the task
remains to be accomplished; and for
this vast enterprise both English and
American capitalists are now organiZ-
ing and accumulating reserve power
while getting the '1ay of the land,"
so to speak.
Alabama's peculiar natural advan-
tages in the field of power production
have for some years been attracting
widespread attention among promoters
and capitalists in Europe as well as
this country. The Alabama conserva-
ton commission estimates that wit !
in this state one million horsepower
can be harnessed for industrial pur-
poses. This is almost one-half of the
applied water power of the nation!
This great natural power taken to-
gether with the states known eco
nomic advantages has drawn and will
continue to draw worldwide appre-
citation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
Music Festival Next Spring

When the voters some weeks ago
authorized the city commission to
issue 100000 in 5 per cent bonds,
for an auditorium, it was hoped by
those interested in large affairs that
the building would be near enough
completed by May or June as to be
available for a festival. The Music
Study club stood ready to get up a
monster festival, and for that pur-
pose to invite choruses in all the
cities of Alabama to come and take
part in grand consolidated chorus.
But since it is seen that the ground
for the auditorium will not be broken
for some weeks yet, all thought of
having the building ready in time for
a spring or an early summer event,
has been dropped. Now as the diff
ferent choral organizations of Bir
mingham are doing good work under
one and the same director, Rienzi
Thomas, the Music Study club should
be encouraged to give a festival in
one of the theatres next April or May.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
CuRIouS DECISION.

From the Living Church.
Speaking of Turks, it Is but a short step
TO Cairo, where curious decision adds
to "the laughter of nations Two Mo-
hammedan natives quarreled, and is great
heat one cursed the religion of the other.
To court they went, and the judge, IN
an ecclesiastical court it seems, declared
that since the man had cursed his own
religion, he must be considered to have
voluntarily renounced Islam. Therefore,
as the law does not allow a marriage
between Mohammedan woman and a.
man who is not of that faith, the judge
ordered the man separated from his wife!
This is commended to our divorce law
yers in the United States!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
POINTED PARAGRAPHS.

From the Chicago News.
Some mems religion IS only skin deep.
As a cure, no patent medicine can equal
sineeure.
A wise widow may pose as a man hater
for a purpose.
Some girls are born blondes and some
others acquire blondness.
No girl is as thoughtless as a young
widow can pretend to be.
Be sure you're right before telling the
other fellow he is wrong. !
A woman with a secret sorrow is in
teresting-until she turns it loose.
If a girl isn't married at 80 it's up 10
her to cut out filtration and get busy.
Nothing pleases some of us more than
being able TO convey bad news to others.
Nothing makes a girl so tired sitting
close to the plaster for hours at a ball.
Every man should like his wife's rela-
tives, but we have yet to see a moving
picture of the man who does.
A bachelor who is looking for variety
can find it by exchanging little of his
coin for a marriage license.
The man who can pass a dog fight on
the street without stopping TO rubber
possesses a brand of dignity that is sell
dom seen outside lunatic asylum.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
Praises Rishon Hendrix

II read with strong approval the adj
vice which Bishop Hendrix, of the NJ.
e. Church, SOUTH to give young ministers
to refrain from participating in political
fights" said w. N. Malone. "The bishop
said that there was nothing religious in
senatorial or other political contests, or
words to that effect, and he was certainly
right.
'Bishop Hendrix is one of the greatest
men we have ever had in the Methodist
church. He is broad gagged man, is a
man of fine business sense, Is a scholar
of high reputation and is one of the most
eloquent preachers that ever stood in a
pulpit. The next time the bishop comes
to Birmingham 1 hope he will be able
to accept an invitation to preach at the
South Highlands Methodist church at
Five Points,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

There is ample time for rehearsing
one or two large works, and with the
assistance of a first class symphony
orchestra such a festival could be
made of surprising excellence.
1t has been several years now since
Birmingham has had large festival
chorus. Concert-goers are particu-
larly fond of symphonic music, but
a real festival must have in addition
to great orchestra a large and well
trained chorus. Such a festival held
in the coming spring would give the
Music Study club experience that
would stand it in good stead when it
came to getting up and managing a
still larger festival in the spring of
1915.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Hotel Man Delighted with city

FredaB. Sherman, assistant manager
of Louisvile's leading hotel, the seel=
bach, spent yesterday in Birmingham on
his way farther south with a hunting
party. lie was Oscar C. Turner's guest
at a luncheon at the Southern club.
This is my first visit" said Mr.. Sheri-
man, land l am greatly delighted with
this city. 1 had long heard great things
of Birmingham; of its phenomenal growth
and general prosperity but it surpasses
all my expectations This is one of the
most beautiful cities 1 have ever visited
No wonder Birmingham people are proud
of it.
Il have been admiring the magnificent
l2-story hotel-the Tutwiler-which will
be completed and occupied within the
next few months. 1t is one of the hand
soonest hotels in this country, and the
Company owning it has been most for
tunate in leasing it to the United Hotels
company ] know the officials of the
leasing concern. They are high-elass gem
tlemen, and are thorough hotel men, They
will give Birmingham a splendid hotel
service. The United Hotels company
too, is to be congratulated upon getting
the Tutwiler, for it will undoubtedly
pay them. A hotel of the Tutwiler class
is sure to be profitable in a city like
this, provided the right sort of men run
it. I repeat, the company building the
hotel was lucky in leasing it to men
who are markedly successful in conluct-
ing high-elass hotels in the east"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
Extrn Session Talk

"The confidence of some of the COM
mittee which called upon the governor of
the state last Thursday that the chief ex-
ecutive will call an extra session of the
legislature, gives me great hope" said a
well known merchant yesterday.
''There is no doubt in my mind nor have
I encountered anyone of my friends who
have been at all doubtful, as to the neces-
sity of an extra session. 1 have talked
privately to several of the members of
the committee that appeared before the
governor at the Morris hotel and every
man has said that he was as absolutely
confident as he could be without actually
knowing, that the governor would call the
extra session. No man is a fair judge
of his own case, they say, but I hope
these men are not mistaken in their be-
lief"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

The latest oxford movement Is an assoc
citation of learned professors to encourage
the campaign for the speaking and writ
ing of pure English started by the poet
laureate, Robert Bridges. 1t is supported
by Thomas Hardy, the novelist, and Sir
Walter Raleigh professor of English lit
erature at oxford university, and other
prominent men. London special to the
New York Sun says the exact objects Of
the society have not yet been announced,
but it is understood that there will be
lectures and publications In favor of the
purity of the written and spoken Ian
guage and against the Incorporation of
foreign words. An effort will be made to
make polite speech consist of terse. Wig
orous English words instead of elaborate
derived synonyms and accurate pronu-
citation as "naycher' for nature" which
the poet laureate cited as a typical ex-
ample of the manner In which the speech
of educated English persons is being de-
plorably changed
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

Suspicious farmer folk of Daretown
N. Y, region believe they see an omen OF
war in the visitation of large golden
eagle, rare bird for this part of the
country which was slain near there few
days ago by Russell Tarpine, farmer.
Old residents tell of having seen the war
bird in similar fight near Daretown be-
fore the outbreak of the rebellion and also
some months before this country declared
war upon Spain, and they are now pre-
dieting that the United States will clash
with Mexico. The wings of the war
BIRD when stretched measured seven
feet from tip to tip
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
THE EAGLE.

By Browning.
Dervish Ferishtah walked the woods one
eve,
And noted on a bough ravens nest
Whereof each youngling gaped with cal
low beak
Widened by want; for why? beneath the
tree
Dead lay the mother bird, "A piteous
chance!
How shall they 'scape destruction?"
sighed the sage
Or sage about to be, though simple
still
Responsive to which doubt. sudden there
swooped
An eagle downward, and behold he bore
Great hearted) in his talons flesh where
with
He stayed their craving, then resought
the sky,
"Ah, foolish, foolish met the observer
"Who toll and MOL to eke out life,
when, 10,
Providence cares for every hungry
mouth' ~
To profit by which lesson home went he,
And certain days sat lnusing-neither
Nor drink would purchase by his handi-
work.
Then-for his head swan and his limbs
grew faint
Sleep overlook the unwise one, whom in
dream l4
God thus adnonished: Hast thou marked
my deed?
Which part assigned by Providence dost
judge
Was meant for mans example? Should
he play
The helpless weakling, or the helpful
strength
That captures prey and saves the perish
ing?
sluggard.l arisei work eats them Geelnwhp
lack!"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

Probably the largest single insurance
transaction in history has been put
through by a Canadian concern. The pol
icy to be written is for upward of $100, =
100000. The property being insured is
valued at between SIP, 900, 600 and $1150 200. =
900. and belongs to the Canadian Pacific
Railway company. Five big insurance
pany in the British Empire, are interested
in the deal.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
Death Roll of Railroad Presidents

with the death of Mr.. Finley, presi-
dent of the Southern railway and the
Alabama Great Southern railroad, and
the death OF Mr.. Emerson, president of
the Atlantic Coast Line on the same day
recently, one is sadly impressed with the
number of railroad executives that have
passed away in comparatively short
space of time" said Paschal G. Shook.
1.-THE entire south was startled by the
death of Samuel Spencer, president Of
the Southern, nine or 10 years ago. Then
came the death of Mr.. Harahan, presi-
dent of the Illinois Central, who had
taken great interest in Birmingham and
who had many friends here. Major Han
son, president of the Central of Georgia,
who died few years ago, was one of the
most successful railroad executives in the
south. Colonel Russell. for many years
prominently connected with the Mobile
and Ohio, was one of Alabama's ablest
men and his death was greatly lamented.
''The late John w. Thomas, president
of the Nashville, Chattanooga and ST.
Louis. while not so well known in Bir-
ming ham, was highly esteemed by all
southerners who knew of his ability. l
am sorry to see that Mr.. Thomas son,
who succeeded him, is now very i'll. Mr..
Parrot, who died very recently, was, as
president of the Florida and East Coast
Railway company strong lieutenant OF
Mr.. Flagler.
"These railroad officials have all been
upbuilders of the south, and they are all
greatly missed"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
STOLE SACRED GARMENT.
n the Living Church.

FTOn inc IIlVlHB OHuTCIl.
An echo of the Balkan war is found in
the report that an officer Of the Bulga-
rian army had offered the Prophets
Mantle" for sale. 1t turns out to be in
deed a reputed garment OF ''the Prophet" T"
but an undergarment studded with jewels
and long kept in the Selim mosque at
Adrianople. as one of the most precious
relics of Islam. The Bulgarian had ap-
propriated it from it's glass case as one
of the "contraband of war" 1t has now
been restored to the Turkish, govern
ment.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
Retail Trade Good

''The long spell of warm weather has
affected to some extent various lines of
business, yet Notwithstanding that fact
merchants as a rule have been. quite
busy this season. said Felix M. Drennen
of the DrennenSc Scompany.
From our point of view the Birming-
ham district is enjoying a great deal of
prosperity. We were busy all through
the fall, and now the holiday trade is
very brisk indeed. The change in the
weather will help all mercantile people, OF
course.
My prediction is that 1914 will bring
this district even more solid prosperity
than it has had in the present year.
When we look the country over wei ought
to be glad that we are living in such
progressive and thrifty section. The
Birmingham district is the best that |
know of, and 1 believe that everybody
here will agree with me-"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

-HE Christmas spirit is already en-
veloping the land and Birmingham
= and jefferson county are not back
ward In asking for that which they desire
in their stockings
We're the governor of Alabama to be-
come imbued with the real Santa Claus
snirit he would announce the calling of
an extra session of the legislature after
the Christmas holidays to relieve the dis
tress not only hereabouts, but the en-
barrassing condition of the states affairs
generally The talented statesmen OF the
Alabama legislature really deserve an op-
portunity to show themselves In praeti-
cal legislation when such is needed. The
leaders can be trusted to hold the small
bows down to real business and to elimi-
nate personalities and petty politics.
* y r.
Birmingham is climbing the hill toward
the crest where it promises to become a
great city. In its progress 1t Is handl-
capped by lack of commissary supplies
1t needs the clothing and food and imple-
nents of warfare to conquer necessities
consequent to growth. 1t needs more
money for maintenance of government
and law and order. and for its corpora
ton self to keep pace with the advance
movement of its individual citizens. 1t
needs more street lights, more paved
streets, many, many more policemen,
Some more fire department equipment,
more force to clean its streets, more
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

the grape seasons but does not OBJ
fuscate his wit, so much the greater
will be his fame and there is no telling
how many times he will see his picture
in the papers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

This week will be crowded with Christ
mas shopping and next week will be even
more so. No matter how early we shop,
the time will never come when Christmas
week will be quiet or featureless in the
retail district.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

The suggestion that all poisonous drugs
be put up in a triangular bottle is good
one, and nobody will object. so long as
no change is made in the shape of the
little brown jug.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
THE FATE OF HENRY PIERCE.

THE FATE OF HENRY PIERCE.
A fresh air fiend to Hades went
That was the place where he was sent
on parting from this vale of tears,
Where he had fingered sixty years.
Arriving there he gave sniff,
His ghost became erect and stiff
And then, as mad as mad could be,
Old Satan's self he asked to see,
And coming on that sombre king,
Who sat beside a lava spring,
Said, Sir, my name Is Henry 1lerce.
The ventilation here Is fierce.
F." Tis time that some one made complaint,
The air has a decided taint;
| never could a place endure,
Unless the atmosphere was pure"
Forthwith the devil gan to smile,
His wrath concealed with smoothest guile
Then with snarl made this retort,
slave. Hell is not a health resort.
Come forth, ye imps, and souse him
deep
In birthstone lakes and let him steep
Where sulphur fumes roll thick and fast
And then in lower dungeons cast"
And as they led poor Hen. away,
Those horrid minions heard him say,
"I always opened windows wide
And slept that way before | died.
"Oh, what a fate is this for me
To spend a whole eternity
Amid these nosome vapors rife,
Who led hygienic lifel'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

Two flremen who tried to slip aboard a
ship in New York We're betrayed by their
"jerky walk" An investigation showed
that they We're wearing 1000 rounds of am
munition. No wonder their gait was
rather uneven.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

The supreme court of North Dakota
has decided that the law forbiddng the
sale of snuff in that state is unconsti-
tutional. The suspense of the clippers"
while this important matter was being
decided must have been terrible.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

policeman made the serious mistake
of striking a player at an eastern foot
ball game, and was roughly handled. He
couldn't have been worse treated, in fact,
If he had been running with the ball.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

Colonel 'Goethals politely declined Day.
tons offer of a job. Well, Dayton got
the advertising and the colonel has a
more ambitious task ahead of him; so, as
they say in politics, Everything is
lovely"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

President Wilson, after doctoring him.
self a day for a cold, is hard at work
again, but he likes his job and does not
complain of the wear and tear.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
NED BRACE TALKS ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS
SPIRIT AND WHAT lit MAY BRING HERE

uty sheriff entitled to carry a weapon
carry it exposed in a holster. just as do
cavalrymen in the army. No soldier car
ries his weapon of defense concealed. The
deputy sheriff and the plain clothes po-
liceman should likewise wear his badge
of office as well as his weapon exposed.
There have been killings in this district
where the legal guardian was thought to
he a highwayman rather than am officer
because his pistol and badge of'office were
not exposed.
If policemen and sheriffs would set the
example they could we'll require men
who must bear arms for protection to get
a permit for the same and carry the pis-
tol strapped In a holster to their body.
Men who want to carry them otherwise
sbouId be searched and arrested. If the
better element of people would set the
example and officers would not hesitate
to walk upon the streets and quietly feel
about persons for concealed pistols the
negro and reckless element would as
quickly discard the pistol as the women
did the hustle some twenty years ago
when new style was set.
Why not let's enforce the style of not
carrying pistols in this Birmingham dis
trict When we do we will not have TO
read of so many killings. Let's start at
the seat of the disease.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

sanitary departments, etc. Birmingham
was one of the first cities to adopt the
commission form of government, but as
regards keeping the city within its In
come it. seems to be a failure. While
the commission form of government un-
doubtedly is an Improvement over the
previous system, we have always said
that not so much depended on the form
of government as on how much the civic
spirit of the people is aroused.
The Birmingham tax rate for all pur-
poses is only about one-half the total tax
rate in Chattanooga. This rate in Bir-
mingham obviously is much too low The
Alabama papers argue for the removal
of the limitation of the tax rate on cit
les. Better than a removal would be
to place it at a more reasonable figure.
The tendency in American common
wealths now is to secure a higher as
sessment of taxes. This will not be re-
sisted if the rate is limited, as has sue
cessfully been done in Ohio, where the
total tax allowed to be assessed in city
is 1 per cent. Governor Harmon's sys-
tenn has worked well. The assessments
have been placed on a much higher ba-
sis and the result has been larger
revenue and a better distribution of the
taxes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
SURPRISING.

"There comes Mrs. Gadson. She's my
bette noire.''
"Indeedl had no idea that you We're
ever related"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

The man who stole some counterfeit
money from a. Toronto store was an un-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

The cooler weather will be welcomed
by merchants and others-by all except
the poor whose coal houses are empty.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

Representative j. Thomas Heflin showed
unmistakable courage by trying to out
talk three women at once.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
FELL THROUGH.

How about that scheme Dobbs origi-
mated? l believe he said he would let you
in on the ground floor
80 he did, but the next move was trr
ward the cellar
PATTI, COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

money for charities, more hospital space,
more schools and more things of all kinds
that go to make a great city. Its real
property should legally be permitted to
pay for these things
y * y
I am glad to observe that an Alabama
or Birmingham district spirit is being
aroused to get the proposed government
armor plate plant here. The first thing
we want to do is to aid in getting a bill
through Congress for an armor plate
plant. 1t is a government necessity. Then
get the plant located in Alabama, where
we have all the material needed, the
climate and the labor. Don't let us scrap
over the adjacent town to Birmingham in
which 1t shall be located. The govern
ment experts will select the site best
suited after provision is made to locate 1t
in the iron district of Alabama. 1t must
be here or in Pennsylvania, Ohio or
Illinois, and we are nearer the great pro-
posed naval center at Norfolk than any
other point in view.
y * y
Apropos the discussion between the
coroner and Commissioner Lane about
the killings and murders in the Birming-
ham district, why not every law officer
and citizen do his duty toward enforcing
the concealed weapon law. Enforce TINS
law to the letter. To do so a start should
ba made with police officers and deputy
sheriffs. Let the policeman and the dep
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07
Ile.t3oaeQ
ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.
Observation-Disclosures

eTo succeed a man must give the peo-
pie what they want"
"Either that. or make them want what
he has to give"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

Poet Riley will seek for better health
in Florida. A sunny man to a sunny
state.