davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-02

Horace Kephart in the February Outing.
There is wealthy man known to
everyone around Waynesvile. who, be.
ing asked where he resided, as a wit
ness in court, answered.: 'srhree. four
miles up and down Jonathan creek
The judge was about to fine him for
contempt, when 1t developed that the
witness spoke the literal truth. He lived
neither in house nor camp but peramLu-
lates his large estate and when night
comes lies down wherever he may hap
ren to be. In winter he has been known
to go where some of his pigs bedded in
the woods. usurp the middle for himself
and borrow comfort from their bodily
heat.
This man is worth over hundred
thousand dollars. lie visited the world
fairs at Chicago and st. Louis, wearing
the old long coat that serves him as
blanket, and carrying his rations in a
sack Far from Icing demented, he is
VIGOROUSLY so shrewd on the stand, and
so learned in the law that he is formid-
able to every attorney who cross-ques-
tons him. I cite this last iostance not
merely as an eccentricity of character,
but as really typical of the bodily stam-
ina that most If the mountaineers can
display IL they want to.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-02

between landlords and tenants is
about to make its report. "When,
said the lord chancellor, "these re-
ports are published they will prove
conclusively that there are hundreds
of thousands, if not millions, of men,
women and children living under con-
ditions with regard to wages, housing
and the rest of labor conditions, which
ought to make this great empire hang
its head with shame. They will prove
by interchangeable facts that this rich
country does not provide decent homes
for the laborers engaged in an occu-
patton which is vital to our very ex-
istence."
When land reform becomes an ac-
complished fact in Great Britain there
will remain but English disestablish-
ment as a great problem. The other
problems are of minor nature.
Should the Asquith ministry retain
its power to the end of its official life
it promises to have a reform record
unequalled in all of England's history.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-02
A Decided Economy

Il overheard two rather elderly men
talking about the high cost of living
and the effect of advertising-newspa
per and Notwithstanding the high
prices for foodstuffs prevailing at pres
ent," said a young suburbanite yester-
day.
"one of the gentlemen insisted that
the consumer was paying for the ad-
vertising when he paid the market
prices for his produce. The other said
that the consumer was getting his
moneys worth because advertising
made living easier and better; that
without advertising cne would have to
chase all over town in order to find
out whore he could buy the best goods
for the least money and in a town of
Birmingham's size he would be more
than willing to pay for the merchants
advertising after one days buying.
II think the last named gentleman
was entirely right Advertising, espe-
cially newspaper advertising, has made
life much easier and better than 1t
would be without It, ones wife can
set the morning paper and sit in the
parlor and order dinner, and comparing
this with former times, when the
housewife had to go down to the mar
ket and scrap over a piece of meat
or some choice vegetables advertising
is much to be desired
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-02
Direct Election of Senators

Ten states have ratified the consti-
tutional proposition providing for the
direct election of senator's. One of the
10 was North Carolina. This shows
that the idiotic outcry in Georgia
against the proposition will be disre-
garded. The proposition submitted
does not change Section ~ of the
constitution a particle. That section
has been a part of the constitution
ever since it's adoption in 1870, and
no change in it for better or for worse
is contained in the proposition now
before the states. There is therefore
no reason why the southern states
should not ratify it, for it gives the
federal government no additional pow
er over senatorial elections. The Geor-
gia raid was either unintelligent or
insincere.
The chances are very good that
every state will ratify the pending
amendment. A few boss governed
states like Rhode Island, may not, but
the indications now are that all will.
The reform of the Senate can only
come through direct action by the
people. If the people will not weed out
the senators that represent trust in
terests no power will or can.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-02
Six-Year Presidential Term

The votes cast in the Senate plainly
indicate an intention in Congress to
submit to the states a constitutional
proposition limiting the presidential
term to six years, and making ineligi-
BILE Taft, Roosevelt and Wilson. In
other words, the Works resolution
without amendment bids fair to be
laid before the states by the present
Congress.
The country has four years in which
to adopt it, and if the country wants
It at all it can ratify it in that time,
making it an important amendment
to the constitution.
The Works resolution would proba-
bly, be ratified by 36 states. The only
state wholly committed to the fortunes
Of Colonel Roosevelt is California, and
the friends of the ex-President could
not defeat It. The friends of Mr.. Taft
are negligible quantity and it is far
from certain that the friends of the
President-elect would oppose it.
The vote in the Senate on the direct
election Of a President without the
Intervention of electors was surpris-
ing. It was defeated by the close vote
of IS nays to 32 ayes. Both of the Ala
bama senator's voted mo" Senator
Cummins Of Iowa no doubt expressed
the opinion of the Senate when he de-
clared that the pending direct vote
amendment would not accomplish the
desired purpose, other changes in the
manner of electing a President being
needed.
The Works resolution would change
in a radical manner the campaign of
1916, assuming that its ratification
would follow. 1t is an important piece
of public business, and the people can
be trusted to give it close attention,
and so can the politicians.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-02
The Civil Service

Beginning with Grover Cleveland
every President has extended the ap-
plication of the civil service law. Mr..
Cleveland was consistent civil SER
vice reformer. In his first administra-
ton he found organized opposition to
the merit system. A great many prom
inent democrats harped on the old
notion that to the victor belonged the
spoils. Many politicians, democratic
and republican, sincerely believed that
all the federal offices, big and little,
should be filled by party workers"
or partisans backed by active "work-
ers."
While President Harrison did not do
as much to promote civil service prac-
tice as Mr.. Cleveland, perhaps he be-
lieved in it and extended the civil
service rules in several directions.
Colonel Roosevelt had been civil SER
vice commissioner and the merit sys-
tenn was hobby of his. Theoretically
he was even a more strenuous civil
service champion than Mr.. Cleveland
but while he was chief magistrate he
was not so consistent as the demo-
cratic President.
President Taft has carried out a
strong civil service policy, his most
notable act in that connection being
the recent order which placed $4,000
fourth-class postmasters under the
civil service law. Not few demo-
Gratis have expressed themselves in
favor of President-elect Wilson set
ting aside President Taft's executive
order, but the probability is that
Governor Wilson will let it stand. The
President-elect believes thoroughly in
the civil service act and can be counted
upon to extend rather than diminish
its application. President Taft's order
extending the rule to the fourth-class
postmasters may have been too sweep
ing, but the time will come and should
come not only when all the fourth
class postmasters but all those of the
first, second and third class should be
selected from the classified list re-
gardless of politics.
Every President is supposed to be
a statesman and it should be no bust
ness of statesman to consider appli-
cations for office or fill by appoint
ment those federal offices related in
no wise to the larger policies of gov
ernment.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-02
HATS OFF TO SERvIA
Herbert Kaufman in Womans Worlt
for February

Herbert Kaufman in Womans World
for February.
Servia hurled 10000 soldiers into the
Turko- Balkan war, an army greater than
Englands last mobiization-picked men.
ably equipped. differed and provisioned
But Drawer soldiers remained behind
wives and sisters and daughters and
sweethearts.
Today iN is the Servian women who
plow the fields, run the factories, clean
the streets, drive the cars.
1t is woman power that maintains in
dustry and provides sustenance.
Peasant and princess are met ON corn
mon ground. Blue stocking and mo-
stocking labor Side by side. Breed is
forgotten. There is but one caste today
in the little kingdom-courage has leveled
and ranks and patriotism has shaped 4
rev sisterhoo1 of sympathy and con-
prehersion and responsibility.
We who count ourselves In millions
may well pause to salute the little lard
OF giant souls.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-02
The CITY Beautiful

'srhe smoke ordinance Is too drastic,
as the First National banks monthly
review pointed out, but in the course
of time the so-called smoke evil should
be, and 1 think will be, greatly mini
mized," said a member of the Chamber
of Commerce.
But Birmingham certainly cannot af-
ford to handicap a single Industry. We
need more industries and If a liberal
policy In regard to smoke will have
the effect of bringing new industries
here. then l would say by all means
let us act accordingly.
LAS for the city beautiful, the first
step in that direction should be the
enforcement of a sanitary ordinance
which would result in having all the
alleys and all the back yards cleaned
up and kept clean. The parks should
be kept in better condition than they
are and in the summer every property
holder should be required to cut down
his weeds.
During former Mayor Wards ad-
Immigration We came nearer having the
city beautiful than we have ever had
since. Mr.. Ward had the weeds chopped
and that reform alone counted for
much.
"If manufacturers can get along with
out making SCOT so well and so good,
but far more important in the making
of the city beautiful are fine streets,
well kept parks and clean alleys and
clean yards"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-02
England's Reform Era

The Asquith ministry promises to
carry into effect more reform meas
ures than any ministry in the long
history of that country. Its greatest
victory consisted in the repeal of the
veto power of the house of lords 1t
has passed home rule bill and it
will pass the Welsh disestablishment
bill, and it will later on bring in a
franchise reform bill which is based
on manhood suffrage. Woman suf-
frage may follow.
And now David Lloyd George,
chancellor of the exchequer, champ
ions land reform, which is the most
Important part of the programme of
social reforms. The commission ap-
rcinted To investigate the relations
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-02
Mltigating circumstance.

I'm a, recent issue of Life was an
editorial that does Alabama an in
Justice" said d. B. Grace.
'The editorial stated that 10000
children in Alabama were employed in
day labor, and the editor expressed the
hope that ho might live for 10 years
to see what a disastrous effect such a
situation would have on the intelligence
of the people of Alabama The inference
to be drawn from this editorial Is that
Alabamians are inspired by greed and
make their children work instead of
sending them to school. While the edu-
cational situation in our state is not
what it should be- there are mitigating
circumstances, Under a law passed by
the latest legislature no child can be
employed in a factory who has not
attended school eight weeks during the
year. and the child must present a cer-
tificate from his or her teacher certi-
flying to the fact before that child can
be employed This is virtually COM
pulsory education to limited extent.
80 1t Is apparent that the 10000
child laborers to whom Life referred
must attend school part of their time.
And it must be borne in mind that a
considerable portion of the population
of Alabama are negroes and they are
not noted for their thirst for learning,
and dire necessity in many cases pre-
vents them from gratifying the thirst
they may have. But they are steadily
advancing along the road to knowl-
edge and to Observance of the laws.
Booker Washington asserts that no
graduate of his school at Tuskegee has
ever been sentenced to penal institu-
ton"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-02
DeGra,y EnthusInstIc

In a personal letter to a friend Fourth
Assistant Postmaster General P. v. De
Graw is enthusiastic in his hopes for the
future increase in the parcel post serv-
ice. He says
''The increase in the handling OF pack
ages WILL however. naturally be of grad
ual growth, but eventually in my iudg-
ment, the system will be highly appre-
ciated and patronized by not only the
rural communities, but by residents in
the city as well. In fact 1 believe that
the city service will grow more rapidly
than that in the country, and that tne
time is not far distant when our city serv-
ice will have to be largely handled
through pneumatic tubes and the de-
livery OF packages TO outlying commun-
titles thus further facilitated through the
parcel post system.
"A congressional commission is now en-
lincoln registered his own name and that
gagged in consideration of a proposed re-
vision of existing contracts with pneu-
matte tube companies throughout the
United States. with a view to the ex-
tension OF the tube or tunnel service
which has been found necessary in Lon
don and Paris, and which, in fact is
at this moment essential to insure mod
ern postal equipment In our large cities.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-02
NED BRACE TELLS THE STORY OF THE
ANNUAL GREDIRON DINNER in WASHINGTON

watching. Initiative" and Miss Rin-
rafferendum," who thought things right
side up at present. Should be turned ups
side down" Last and most impressive
was Professor Higher Education on a
tricycle., who with Miss Democracy sang
the famous "Gobble Duet" the refrain
running:
office Office office"
BAH" ETC.
An entertaining feature of the dinner
was reproduction of "Statuary Hail.
which disclosed through the agency of
loud-voiced lecturer such plastic treasures
as former Senator Bailey, Representative
Ollie James, William ]. Bryan, and others
An incident to the drinking of the
single toast of the dinner-to the Pres
ident of the United states-was the be-
stowal upon President Taft of the large
gold gridiron bearing this Inscription:
ITO William Howard Taft, President of
the United States. as a token of friend
ship from the Gridiron club of Wash
inston, February /, 1913"
Included in the guest list were the
German ambassador, the Siamese min
lister, six members of the cabinet, the
president pro tenn of the Senate, the
speaker of the House and very many
senators and representatives,, while
among the out-of- town guests were the
following:
Felix Agnus, Baltimore American;
Edward H. Butt. Liverpool, England;
Robert A Brown, Birmingham; Daniel
Guggenheim, New York; J. c. Hemp
hill. New York Times: Collector Will
liam Loeb, New York; John McCuteh-
con, Chicago Tribune; Carlos K Me-
Clatchy. Sacramento, CAL; Henry T.
Oxnard, Omaha: William J. oliver,
Knoxville, Tenn. Delavan Smith, In
dianapolis News; Charles Scribner,
New York; James Sreyer, New York;
Frank B. Noyes, Washington; Melville
E. Stone, New York; Frank A. Wander
lip, New York; Oswald Garrison Willard,
New York Evening Post, and Arthur
Willert, London Times.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-02
THE MINE MULE.

The mine mule is no longer a necessity
in up-to-date Mines where electric power
is used both for cutting coal and for
hauling 1t to the surface. but the follow
ing lines written by Berton Braley for the
Coal Age still have a local interest:
He sees the pleasant daylight only once
or twice a year,
When they take him out to gambol on
the grass;
But he cocks those funny eyes OF his and
waves a crazy ear.
And you bet he's wise to all that comes
to pass.
He is meaner than the slxinner-and the
slSinner's awful mean
But he's stronger than the cable on the
cage
And of all the critters underground it's
plainly to be seen
That the mules the boy who always
earns his wage!
The skinner is a driver who swears pur-
pie streak,
But profanity is love talk to the mule;
He would kick the gentle miner to the
middle of next week.
But when the skinner beats him he is
cool.
For the mule he loves the skinner, and
the skinner loves him back,
Though you sure would never know it
by his talk:
And the mule he hauls a string OF cars
along the bumpy track
And very. very seldom will he balk
But if the mule gets sulky he can tangle
up the mine,
While the pit boss and the eager stand
and swear;
And the cars are backed behind him In a
long, unbrokerf line
And the skinner hops around and tears
his hair.
Yet when the mule is ready he will start
to work again.
And merrily he hatils the cars away; ~
For like that guy. Sir Galahad, he has
the strength OF ten
When he really wants to bring II into
play.
So, here's to Mr. Long Ears with the tas-
sci on his TAIL
Nav he prosper like dividend that's
fat
And when he's done with working and he
hits the spirit trail
May he go where all the sanity mules
are at,
Where there isn't any mining and there
! isn't any coal.
And skinner is a critter never met:
| Where the only occupation is to bray with
! all his soul
| For the mule has earned his Heaven,
| you can bet
-Berton Braley.
NO FOoT-REsT. EITHER
"A seat on the New York Stock ex-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-02
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Southern Prosneritx

This Is my first visit to Birming-
ham and as much az l had heard OF
the city 1t surpasses my expectations,
said F. II. Morris. who represents a well
known New York publishing house
birmingham is already a great city
and as 1t will continue to grow rap
idly, no one can well overestimate its
future.
have not visited many southern
states, but my travels have included
richmond and Nashville. Both of those
cities are handsome and both seem to
be progressive. Taking Birmingham.
Nashville and Richmond as examples,
would say that the new south was
enjoying high degree of prosperity
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-02

A WRONG IMPRESSION.
Here's a book that ought to prove in
teresting.'
What is the title?'
The Memoirs of a Pugilist
Il didn't know you We're interested in
the prize-ring y
I'm not. There is nothing in this book
about the prize-ring. 1t deals exclusively
with the stage"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-02

Tho Presldent-elect mas consented to
wear silk hat when he reviews the in
augural parade. II suppose I'll have to
concede that much to custom he, said
TIE only time he ever felt uncomfortable
as governor OF New Jersey, he said, was
the day he wo~e silk hat and sat on a
horse reviewing the troops at Sea Grit
year ago He has worn felt hat on
every occasion since then
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-02
nEriEcrIoNs OF A BACHELoR

From the New York Press.
The way a girl learns to hirt Is Just
by doing it perfectly the very first Try.
A rich man hates poor relations so
much he'd rather. be one than nave
them
What inluriates rich man with the
government is that it doesn't make nm
richer.
The trouble with self confidence Is It
can tip itself into well easier than II
can maui itself out. 81.
When man oversleeps in the morn
ing his wife expects him to blame II on
breakfast being late and that he Will se'
- the office behind time.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-02

From the humble position of steneg-
rapher to secretary of a 100000 cor
Toration is the Jump that Miss Martha
A. Parsons has taken in a quarter OF a
century. She has been elected secretary
Of Landers, Frary & Clark, and succeeds
George M. Landers, president pro TEN.
of the conencticut senate. When Miss
Parsons went to work in the factory. 70
) cars ago, it was not long before she was
appointed personal secretary TO Charles
L. Landers, son of the late Congressman
George M. Landers. sSr who was the
moving spirit In the promotion Of the
concern. Since then she has climbed the
ladder steadily. 1t is believed that she
holds a more responsible place than any
oeher woman In Connecticut manufactur-
ing industries.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-02
Enjoying a Needed Rest

Il am enjoying q needed rest said
Prof. Frank +. Harms. who was mu-
sical director at tho orpheum up to
the time that theatre closed tempor-
arily.
1 played at the Orpheum % months
cohsecut1yely without missing a single
performance. l had an offer from an
other theatre and could have kept right
on at work, but 1 thought it was a
good time to rest while"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-02

Leader Underwood was the butt Of
food natured raillery when at tariff
hearing 1t was discovered that he wore
an Italian hat, French hosiery and gloves
and an English walking suit. Some OF
these charges were, however, not proven
II is pretty certain that Mr.. Underwood
brown felt hat will figure In the debate
when the tariff revision bills are actually
introduced.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-02
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES

THEY WHO VIEW WITH ALARM.
In life we find
Some people who
Have little hope
OF pulling through"
Just let the least
Mis- fortune come,
Straightway they grow
So cross and grum,
You'd think they ne'er
Again would smile,
Or deem a day
On earth worth while.
Their souls affrayed
BY needless fears,
They journey on
For years and years.
And shrink from woes,
Poor fools unwise,
That never do
Materialize.
They are the sort,
Who, il the sun
But hide his face,
Forthwith they run
And loudly wall
This sad refrain,
What If he neer
Did shine again?'
A few raindrops
Refresh the bud.
20 Lord they cry.
us this a flood?'
A little pain
Doth make them sigh,
ALAS, alack,
'Tis time to die!"
Few joys upon
Them ever walt,
So much their fears
Exaggerate.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-02
FACTS YOU MAY NOT CARE ABoU

FACTS YOU MAY NOT CARE ABOUT
From the womnn's World for February.
A fly has very small feet-no shoe
maker can fit ono. ~
There are over 1sooooo voters in the
United States. Every -pne of them
knew exactly how the eviction was go
ing to turn OUT
OF the marriages last year, half tho
participants were men and half were
women.
Most trolley cars have round wheels,
except those which so ~ your house
after II D. m.-these being sections I
oblate spheroids.
There are 1o,oooooo slot machines in the
United States. All but ten are out of
order.
If all the storage .eees in he country
were smashed at o1ct the entire popu'
latlon would be asp1lyxiated.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-02
MorlIEHssoNG


MOTHEHssONG
BY Alfred Austin.
White little hands,.
Pink little feeE
Dinrpled all over,
Sweet, SWEET. sweet,
What dost thou wall for?
The unl<nown?. the unseen?
The Ills that are coming
The joys that have been?
Cling to me closer
Closer and closer,
Till the pain that IS purer
Hath banish'd NE grosser
Drain. drain at {he stream. love,
Thy hunger is &reoing,
That was born ~ dream, love,
Along with ~ beang' :,
Little fingeu - feel
For their ~ y my breast.
Little lipe G. eal
For their the1r rest
Till the dew sleep, dears
Lies soft g ~ eysA
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-02

Drexel & Co. outwitted Kuhn, Loeb &
Co. when the former purchased the en-
tire new issue of common and preferred
stock of the Baldwin Locomotive works.
Tile Drexel profit on the transaction will
re $1,75o,0oo.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-02

In st. Louis, Aulson S. Bouchard, a
laundryman, died leaving an estate OF
$4,000. A copper casket was selected
and when the bill came in it called for
$500. The widow now claims that gun
metal coffin costing $1,000 should have
been selected The matter is pending in
the courts of Missouri.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-02
MUSIC.

Sweet is the sound of the babbling brook,
Where sylvan aisles invite
And poets lean with pensive look
Their verses to indite;
But sweeter STILL when bizzards roar
And winter storms begin,
Is the rattle of coal Jumps as they pour
Into an empty bin.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-02

Senator Kavanaugh is q master of base
ball politics and he will have no trouble
in handling the kind that prevails in
Washington.