davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26
Southern Water Powers

The Norfolk Virginian-Pilot elo-
quently insists that the soathern states
should without delay conserve their
water powers. They should be kept, it
says, from the hands of monopolies.
No southern state, it adds, can afford
to be guilty of failure or neglect in
this matter.
AS matter of fact no southern
state is paying any attention to its
water powers, or has any intention Of
doing so. When the lands along a
stream were sold to individuals or to
corporation the United States and
the state parted with their properie-
tary rights in that stream, and the
riparian owner acquired their rights
save in the respect of navigation.
Here in Alabama the state was for
hidden by the constitution of 1875 and
again by that of 1901 to engage in
works of internal improvements or to
lend its credit to any company formed
for that purpose.
The riparian owners in this and all
other states are masters of the stiua-
tion subject only to the right of navi-
cation lodged in the state or the
United States. They own for all other
purposes the beds of the rivers and
they must be dealt with before any
water powers can be conserved"
through state action.
The Virgiian-Pilot means well, but
it loses sight of the fact that the
state has no longer any substantial
proprietary power over a river. "If,"
said Governor O'Neal recently, sour
state formerly had such power, it has
already parted with it. By the general
and special laws of this state, which
were enacted some years prior to my
administration, the right to develop
water power was conferred on indi-
viduals and private corporations. By
these laws it would seem that the
state has surrendered or conveyed
whatever title or interest or easement
it may have possessed in the streams
of Alabama, and these laws being
granted would seem to constitute a
contract by which the state is bound"
What is true of Alabama is true of
all other states. The Virginian-Pilot
will discover upon investigation that
its state is no exception to the rule.
The riparian owner must be reckoned
with.
The conservation of water powers
through riparian owners is, however,
impracticable because any action they
might take in erecting dams in navi-
gable rivers may be brushed aside at
any moment by the general govern
ment. The Secretary of War can de-
eide at any time what is and what is
not an obstruction to navigation.
To come right down to brass tacks,
SO to speak, the only way to improve
navigable rivers that the federal gov
ernment is not willing for one reason
pr another. to improve, is to agree TO
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26
DEMAND FOR REAL MUSIC.

DEMAND FOR REAL MUSIC.
In an assembly room of the National
Press club In Washington, Representa-
tive Bartholdt of Missouri and Represent
tative Mick" Longworth of Ohio were
charming the evening with the sweet and
mellow burden of music. Bartholdt, wav-
ing his German whiskers like baton,
caressed the piano on which he was ac-
companying the greatest political fiddler
row extant. Nick, swaying from side TO
side the head which despises the conceal
ment of hair. had delved deep into the
treasury of classical tunes and was rap
idly breaking every finger in his attempts
to make the thing go.
Around the two performers stood
group of men who knew nothing about
what was being played. but who wore
expressions that looked like cross be-
tween great admiration and infinite dis
tress. That was some concert Everybody
understood this and remained profoundly
silent.
Just when the stiffness was thick
enough to spin into Grape, Tom Monk.
who writes for the papers, stuck his head
through the door and in a raucous tone
voiced this plebeian request:
Mick, play Turkey in the Straw'!'-
The Popular Magazine.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

Big sea creatures are becoming busy.
The Havana Of the Ward line recently
spitted a shark on her prov off the Flor
lda coast and had a time getting the
monster free. The Saratoga arrived from
Havana with story. attested by the log
and Captain Miller and his staff of spit
ting giant manatee on Sunday, also
off the Florida coast. It was necessary
to stop the ship, says this veracious tale,
so heavy was the drag of the fish, and
Chief Officer George Demar was lowered
over the bow to dislodge the manatee with
boat hook, but he could not bulge the
carcass. Then the Saratoga reversed her
engines, backed out of the manatee and
came along home.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

The Empress Eugenle is living. She
is in her eighty eighth year. She lives
in England, and is in fair health and
strength, and has an ample income. She
is older than The Emperor Franz Joseph
of Austria Hungary. The Princes Pau
line Metternich, widow of the Austrian
ambassador to the third empire, is liv-
ing in her eighty-ninth year, and the
dowager duchess of MeelSlenburg Strelitz
faculties.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26
Important Nan Little Known

George f. Baker of New York, who
was witness before the Pujo com
mittee in the so-called money trust
probe the other day, Is not only a
multi-millionaire hut he Is a man of
strong character and uncommon DOM
nance said a professional man.
'In one of the weeklies I saw a
fine picture of Mr.. Baker and under 1t
was something like this: The man
who has the unusual distinction of be-
ing important but little known Mr..
Baker was born at Troy, n. Y, In
March, 1870 I lirst knew of him as
a member of the executive committee
of the Southern railway some eight
or ten years ago. There was talk of a
certain official losing his Job.' A friend
of mine in close touch with the COM
pany said: No. he won't His hacker Is
George F. Baker, asked who Mr..
Baker was and was told that he was
a member of the executive committee
and the most potential man in the
whole organization.
Three or four years ago Mr.. Ba-
lker visited the Birmingham district.
He wired his old friend, Mr.. Maben.
and asked him TO meet him the next
morning at the Terminal station and
join him in his private car for the day
Mr.. Baker was making tour OF in
spection of the Southern, but, being a
member of the finance committee of
the United States Steel corporation
he spent an hour or so looking over
the Tennessee company's plants at
Ensley. To all intent and purpose he
was travelling incog. Had it been
known that so eminent a man in the
financial world was In the district
there would have been some public
hospitality But Mr.. Baker always
Stunned anything like elaborate social
functions At any rate he met very
few persons here.
Talk about interloclSing directors.
Mr.. Baker is a striking example He
was president of the First National
bank of New York until three years
ago, when he accepted the position of
chairman of the board. He is presi
dent of the First Security company
and president of several other large in
stitutions. He is vice president of the
Bankers Safe Deposit company. of the
Jersey City Water Supply company,
second vice president of the Northern
Securities company, and director in
these companies: New York Central
and Hudson River Railroad company.
the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy.
the New York Central and st. Louis
railroad company. the Erie Railroad
company, the Lehish Valley Railroad
company, the Northern Pacific Railroad
company, the West Shore Railroad
company, the Southern and other
railroad companies, the United States
Steel corporation, the Chase National
bank of New York. the First National
bank of Chicago. the National Bank of
Commerce of New York, the Manhat-
tan bank. the New Port, Rhode Island.
industrial company, the Continental
Insurance company, the American TEL
ephone and Telegra PHI company, the In
ternational Harvester company, the
New England Navigation company. the
New York Edison company. the New
York Mutual Gas Light company, the
Pullman company, the Adams Express
company. the Mutual Life Insurance
company and many other we'll known
corporations. He is a member of the
metropolitan Museum Of Art. of the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

Col. John Witherspoon DuBose's new
series. Eight Governors Of Alabama
1s7+1901" will be found of absorbing inter
est. Number one of this series appeared
in last Sundays Age-Herald. number two
on Friday and number three appears in
today's issue. Apart from their historic
value these narratives have distinct
literary charm. They deal with stirring
times and with great men and measures,
and all persons who are eager to be in
formed and who enjoy historic literature
will not fail to read these articles.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

Real Public Spirit

Birmingham has always had good
citizenship, but 1t is only within the past
few years that we have had the get to-
gether spirit, which is essential to what
we call public spirit said a member of
the Chamber of Commerce. There is
much genuine public spirit in this city
row, but there is still room for more.
II was impressed with what / read
III The Age Herald Lobby column-ex-
tracts from a letter written by a Bir-
n.ingham man who is visiting Atlanta.
The name of the writer was not disclosed,
lut suspect that he is a certain gentle
man noted for his public spirit and for
his habit of helpfulness. It will do no
larm, and may do good to reproduce
what this gentleman wrote:
4 notice in the Atlanta papers bat
tho business men are raising fund of
S12, 800 to send a regiment of the National
Guard to the inauguration of President
Wilson; this in a city that last year
raised 100000 for the Young Mems Chris
tan association, 100000 for a girls col
ege and $4,000 this year for grand opera.
Surely Birmingham should cultivate
This spirit and promptly put over the
$4,000 guarantee for the music festival.
We did nobly several years ago for our
Young Mems Christian association and
Young Women's Christian association, but
seem obsessed with the idea that these
two efforts entltle us to a rest or ex-
ernption for 10 years.
The ideal good citizen Is one who is
ready and willing at all times to give a
proportionate part of his time and money
whenever the public good can be con-
served thereby. To make a great city
calls for personal Sacrifice and a spirit
of cordial cooperation
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26
Carnegie Pension Fund

The second annual report of the United
states Steel and Carnegie Pension fund.-
showing operations, for 1912 is interesting
The fund was established January l.,
1911, and is applicable to employees of the
Steel corporation. Judge E. II. Gary is
chairman of the fund. The total disburse-
ments in 1912 were ss5s, 1902. and in 1911
there was total of s2s1, ,457.37.
The disbursements TO employees of the
tennessee company amounted last year
to 11S3.50, distributed as follows: Bloc
ton works, $3.50; Ensley works, $S7s.oo;
ketona quarry, sf44; Pratt mines, S2SS;
Whitwell mines, s144.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

Powder has been made at Hazardville,
explosions have occurred and 70 persons
have been killed. A recent explosion was
very destructive and the Hercules COM
pany of Delaware has decided to close the
plant. This is the end of powder making
in Hazardvile.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26
NED BRACE TALKS ABOUT WOODROW WILSON
AND SEVERAL MATTERS OF LOCAL INTEREST

therefrom In the meantime the state
will be made into a garden spot--the
farmer will be in town with his pro-
duce and the man of training will
work in the mine without having to
compete with the shackled servant who
must work under the whip.
Too many men are living in Alabama
of the labor of The convict. Let them
live of themselves.
Should Governor ONeal call an extra
provide finances for the state he should
include In his call a provision for tho
regulation of the possession and car
rying of firearms. No man in Alabama
should own a gun, rifle or pistol WITH
out possessing a license for the owner
ship of same. If a man would carry
a pistol in his pocket he should be
authorized by license to do so and his
authority should be made public in the
by law.
The law against carrying concealed
weapons should be strictly enforced.
Police officers and deputy sheriffs
should be authorized to examine or
search every man who enters a sa-
loon or drinking place or who stops
in any public place. to ascertain II
he bears concealed weapons, and to
stop upon the public streets anyone
who appears to bear concealed weap-
ons.
If such was the law instead of some
county within the last year there
would not be one-tenth the number.
Think for yourself, you who must
be down town and about the district.
how many people you know who carry
guns" If you are at mine or a
plant" or working a bit out of town
you have a "gun." 1t was only last
week at little party that young
man went into the dressing room and
requested the coat boy to let his-eis-
tol remain in the corner under his
coat.
This young man didn't want a pis-
tol, but he lived many blocks down
Eleventh avenue, and he felt that
someone might hold him up in going
home.
If there were an enforced law here
no one would fear to go home any
where at-any hour unarmed
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

Auguste Van Blene, author of 1.-THE
Broken Melody" died suddenly during a
performance at Brighton, England. He
was born in Holland in 1850, and ap-
peared nearly eoO0 times in The Broken
Melody"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

Wilson had announced policy of ig-
noring altogether the civil service
system.
In every southern state,N and in
every state, as for that matter, will
be found democrats who are seeking
office with unusual vim, and the few
that do succeed in securing places will
become known as men of extra
ordinarily good luck. These men
whose ardor is not dampened by the
President-elect's policy are of the
type that believe there is no such
word as fail.
Woodrow Wilson will address him
self to large policies and will pay
little heed to the clamor for office.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

Prof William Robert Webb, now United
short term, lives al Bell Buckle. He Is
20 years old, and has been school teach
er all the years of his active life. He is
known locally as "Sawney" Webb, and
he is highly esteemed wherever he is
known
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

The milion-dollar mansion In Wash
ington, built by the wife of Secretary
MacVeagh, has 30 bathrooms, but 1t will
have no tenant after March 4, according
to present indications.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

Battling Nelson, the prize fighter, was
married last week In Chicago to Miss Fay
King. The prize fighter and his bride met
in Denver, where the young woman was
terview Nelson and the romance resulted
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

The seaboard cities say the zone plan
of the parcel post fits interior towns. but
does not fit towns on the sea, where a
good share of each zone is out on the
water.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Brisk Spring Trade Predicted

Business has started off very well IL
the new year and l believe the first half
OF 1913 will witness great deal of pros
perity,' said E. L. Chapman of Philadel-
phia. Manufacturers have been very
pusy Tor nearly year past Last fall
was record breaa.er in the Industrial
world and I believe this year will see
higher records. il we have good CROPS
next summer 1913 will probably be high
water mark year all round"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

National Academy OF Designs and of
the American Fine Art society. In his
younger days he had good voice and
frequently sang in glee clubs. He is
now an honorary member of the Men
delssohn Glee club of New York.
while Mr.. Baker has few intimate
friends, he is not lacking in comrade-
ship and the few friends he culti-
Yates are said to be bound to him by
hooks of steel. He is unmarried
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26
QUITE so.

According to the old saying, "A man is
known by the company he keeps :"
mo doubt. but his ability to cause
other people trouble lies chiefly In the
kind of company he promotes
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26
DIsCOyERED,

The old-fashioned barber who calls at
tention to your increasing bald spot by
saying, you'll soon be barefooted''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

Thus far the country merchant is not
going out of business because of the COM
ing of the parcel post. and he never will.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

William Rockefeller may not be as ili
as he says he Is but it is plain he is no
match at present for the restive and
muscular Charles W. Morse.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

1t is still Governor-elect Dunno In Illi-
nois. The emphasis is still on the elect
for The deadlock shows no signs OF sanity.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

The population of Kansas fell off 1900
last year, and that state may have to
turn its chief attention to children In
stead of wheat.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

President Emeritus Eliot declined to be
one of the American Immortals' that
Congress is asked to indorse. That list
of immortals sadly needs revision.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

The peachtrees in Georgia are still DOR
mant, and week or two of cool weather
even a freeze, would be helpful. A crop
Of 5000 cars in Georgia is at stake.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

One octogenarian in Boston says the
only rule he knows for long life Is this
Keep youaiemper and don't worry.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26
A DIFFICULT TASK

Dan Cupid showed pair of scales.
Said Venus, What wilt do, Love?'
Said he, Although it naught avails,
I'm bent on weighing true love-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

great Lincoln memorial in Potomac
park, Washington, is practically agreed
upon. Democrats, and republicans alike
favor It,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26
WHERE'S HE?

Now where's the bard
Who's ne'er essayed
To rhyme about
A pretty maid?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

Can Congress by a mere statute render
so living Americans immortal? You should
read. Reginald, that list of names.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

Mexico is between volcano and the
revolutionists and she considers one as
undesirable as the other.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26
oEITEI-sEIEss

Philosophy is not of much use to a
man who is wearing collar with rough
edge that saws his Adams apple every
time he tries to look at pretty woman
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26
A PROMISE.

The birthday of George Washington
Will soon be here again:
We take applause upon ourself
Because we shall refrain
From any old moth-eaten jokes
About the cherry tree:
That all such quips have lost their zest,
We're sure you will agree.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26
WHAT A PITY

Many a good cook has been spoiled for
life because somebody told her she looked
like Julia Marlowe.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

The American people will still call hei
Helen Could 1t is a habit that cannon
be overcome in day.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26
WHAT'S THE IIsE?

Dibbs always wore his overshoes
And wrapped his throat to keep 1t warm
He bundled up from head to heel
Whene'er he faced the winter storm
Such care he took to scape from colds,
You would have thought he'd ne'er be
sick.
But once a week his wifey 'phoned.
20, doctor. doctor, please come quick,
MY husband dear is very Ill.
I'm much afraid he'll pass away:
He kicked the cover off last night
And has dreadful cold today"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

ooK out, Mr.. Trust man!
] Woodrow Wilson is after you' lie
49, is a progressive, and he is after the
brigade who have made all sorts and
kinds of money by combining and cutting
out the small fellows.
He is going into the presidency as
trust buster; and he is going to make
every man show his hand.
Wilson really has the right idea. lie
wants every man and every corporation
to stand upon a concrete foundation, built
down and settled upon the solid rock
Ike unto the supports of a so story Of
flee building.
Some people think he has too much of
the educational, or the college training
about him. This may be true, but when
he assumes the presidential office the real
thing will be before him, and he has the
brain and the sinew to parse the sentence
and put it into the practical.
He may have to pull from the pulpit or
commence with the commercial; but he
has of practical knowledge sufficient to
know men, and he will surround himself
with those who will do the proper and
right thing.
That brings US back home in thought!
Some eight or ten months ago we were
crticising Commissioner Exum because
he was sick and absent. He was away
and he was drawing salary. But mis- fire
department went on, and his finances
conditions.
Exum is now not annoying himself with
the trivial but is figuring out the finances
Of the city, and when he does it we will
all know where we stand and what we
y y
The real trouble with the city commits
sioners of Birmingham is that each one
of them tries to do too much of the de-
tail. II they would outline policy and
step aside for the lieutenants to enforce
discipline much better would be the or
ganization.
Outline to your fire chief what he is to
do. Let him organize the men under
him.
Do the same with your chief of police.
Hold him responsible and require a mill
tary organization and results.
The same with your street commission
er. Require good and we'll kept streets.
y 4 y
And that reminds me that the First
avenue street to East Lake is getting bad.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

Congress should not limit the "immor-
tails in this big country to 80. We have
100000 at least.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26
SCARE us. PLEASE

A sorry sight we've never met,
And hope we never will.
Is a mud-bespattered suffragette
Who's marching up hill.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26
IRON PIGS.

guess I've seen a million pigs.
AS quiet as could be-
If one of them should ever grunt,
1t sure would startle me.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26
I,eJR R,ueQ
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES

ssssssssssss

| past, when nobody believes he ever did
anything worse than drinking a few beers
and sitting in the front row at a girl
show.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26
WANTS TO DIE SOON.

Are you still following those rules
you used to follow, so you would live
long time?'
mo. Since moved out to Drury sta
ton l We lost interest in longevity
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26
A MODEL WIFE.

"PnIbury. what does your wife say
when you arrive home in the small hours
of the morning.
..She says, Come in, dear.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26

Illinois has governor by deadlock. His
name is Deneen and he is becoming tired
OF his job.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-26
REFoRE THE PRINTED SLIP.

"Scribbles has been following a literary
career for many years"
"Yes. indeed. Why. Scribbles can re-
member the time when editors expressed
their regrets with pen and ink"
PAUL COOK.