davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30

mendations of the expert would be
adopted and put into effect.
Kansas Citys ex-chief was very
busy man during his stay. He seemed
almost ubiquitous. He was turning
in alarms here, there and everywhere.
He watched the department in action,
he inspected all the equipment and he
wrote an exhaustive report. His first
recommendation was for a new chief.
The incumbent at that time was a
worthy fireman, but he lacked leader
ship and executive force. The visit
ing expert said that he had found in
the department the very man for
chief. That man was A. Y Bennett,
who was captain of a company on the
Southside. 1t was further recon-
mended that the chief be invested
with plenary authority and be abso-
lutely independent of politics
The people of Birmingham may dis
agree about many things but all will
agree that Mr.. Bennett has filled the
bill. He has now a wide reputation
in fire department circles as one of
the most efficient chiefs in this
country. He is disciplinarian of the
first rank and is born commander.
The. underwriters have inspected
Birmingham recently in relation to
its fire risks and have made many
Communications and which when
carried out, will mean a large increase
in the department and consequently
a large expenditure on the part of
the city. But these recommendations
all spell economy in the end.
According to statement from
Chief Bennett, he heartily approves
the recommendation of the under
writer's. 1t may not be an easy mat
ter for the city to raise the money
for doing all that the underwriters
and Chief Bennett ask for, but this
is an exceptional case where point
should be strained. Birmingham is
growing rapidly and it simply will
not do to have it in the hazard class
so far as fire risks are concerned.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Optimism ON the Increase

There is quite-an optimistic feeling in
business circles In Birmingham" said a
prominent finaneier. And better feel
ing is not only in evidence here but we
hear Of it in different parts of the coun-
try
so far as the Birmingham district is
concerned, prosperity has been particu-
larly strong for some time past. In fact,
the pay rolls have been larger during the
past L months than in any previous like
period and the outlook for continued in
dustriaI activity is very bright. But with
the country at large business has been
quiet for six or eight weeks. There is
so much optimism manifested just now,
however, as to be very generally observed
and discussed
This optimism primarily comes from
the favorable crop reports In the winter
wheat belt and from the fine planting
conditions In the cotton belt. Big crops
this summer viii bring US the same high
degree of prosperity that we had last
year, and il the west should have record
breaking crops there viii be solid boom
from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30
A BROOK IN SHROPSHIRE

BY John Masefield: s'Ths Daffodil Fields"
Ducks gobble at the selvage Of the brook,
But still it slips away. the cold hill
spring,
Past the Ryemeadows' lonely woodland
nook
Where many stubble gray goose preens
her wing.
On, by the woodland side. You hear IL
sing
Past the lone copse where poachers set
their wires,
Past the green hill once grim with sacrl-
ficial fires.
Another water Joins Il; then 1t turnS
Runs through the Ponton Wood, still
turning west,
Past foxgloves. Canterbury bells. and
ferns,
And ..lany hlackbird's. many a thrush's
nest;
The cattle tired 1t there; then. with zest
Il sparkles out, babbling its pretty chatter
Through Foxholes Farm, where 1t gives
white faced cattle water.
Under the road it runs, and now II slips
Past the great plowland, babbling. drop
and linn.
To the n1oss'd stumps Of elm trees which,
it lips.
And blackberry -bramble trails where
eddies spin.
Then, on its left. some short -grassed fields
begin,
Red-clayed and pleasant. which the young
spring nils
With the never quiet JOY OF dancing daf-
todils~
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30

has come the French soldier simply
shook with eagerness.
AT such a moment nothing seemed Inn
possible to me. The Thirty-seeond Deml-
brigade would have died to a man fol
me. because after Tomato I wrote. THE
Thirty-second was there, and l was al
ease The power of words on men is
astonishing"
The following is Napoleons idea of a
general
''In time of war men are nothing. 1t is
one man who is everything. A great gen.
eral is not an ordinary man. Military
genius is a gift from heaven, but the
mcst essential quality for a Commander
in-ohief is firfnness of character and the
resolution to win at all costs"
Next to the qualities OF the command
er, whose surest way of winning was,
he thought, ITO exaggerate ones own
forces and minimize those of the enemy
Napoleon considered a strong artillery
the prime factor in success:
IF l had 10000 more rounds on the
evening of the 18th at Leipzig / should
today be master of the world
To express his opinion on the value of
experience over theory, he said 1t was
worth a hundred volumes Of Cicero and
Demosthenes." In speaking OF national
army of which he was. of course, strongly
in favor, Napoleon insisted that ali
Frenchmen should consider the law OF
conscription necessary and sacred, II they
do not wish to see their homes devas-
tated."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30
The Regular Army

Secretary Garrison of the war depart
ment has had no experience in military
affairs, but that is no reason why he may
not turn out to be one of the best secre-
taries we have had" said a man who
was at one time closely associated with
the war department.
"When I was young man l thought
the Secretary of War should know all
| about military organization and all about
the munitions of war, but, of course L
know now that executive capacity is what
is chiefly needed. If the secretary is a
man of insight he soon selects the right
sort of advisers.
Secretary Garrison has been in office
nearly two months and he probably
knows now enough about details to rem
der him efficient. The late Dan Lamont
made an admirable Secretary of War and
his training had been in the newspaper
office. He was managing editor of the
Albany Argus when he became secretary
to Mr. Cleveland, as governor of New
York. Elihu Root made a great Secre-
tary of War and he probably had taken
less interest in military life than the
average citizen. He had constructive
ideas and he carried them out in the re-
organization of the army.
Secretary Garrison finds that we have
too many army posts; that the army is
too scattered. That is obvious to all peo-
PIE of common sense Twenty years ago,
when the maximum enlisted strength OF
the army was 5000 l had occasion TO
visit a number of posts and at very few
n -
companies. AT many of them there were
only two companies For the economy
of mobilization we should not only have
fewer posts with not only full regiments,
but brigades stationed there. The army
is large enough now to Justify brigade
formations at all central points"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30
No Stag and No Coke Ovens

The slagpile at the Sloss furnaces
is to be removed bag and baggage in
80 days. Once removed by the Louis
vile and Nashville railroad, it will
probably stay removed. While this
part of the problem is not definitely
answered, the fair presumption is
that the slagpile would not be re-
moved at all if it is to be built up
anew. Possibly the accumulating Stag
will be sent to North Birmingham
Possibly some other dumping ground
has been found. but once removed the
old-time landmark will hardly reap
pear. Any other view Of the matter
takes away the common sense of the
first removal
The Sloss company certainly de
serves the gratitude of the entire city
for it's generous action in this matter
When the slagpile has been removed
and also the coke ovens, small room
will be left for complaint on the par
of any one.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30
Boxs, Club Tnr Day

The annual report of the Boys club
has been issued in attractive pamphlet
form. Mrs. w. d. Nesbitt, who is presi-
dent of the club this year. was treasurer
last year, and her annual report shows
that the balance in bank on January ],
1918, was s347.09. The county appropria-
ton for IS months was sS450, the city ap-
propriation for the year was $500 and Tag
Day brought in $3oss g. Under the head of
disbursements, the item for salaries
Amounted to s3l24.s2; rent, s12O5: expense
and equipment. s3a7s IS; camp, s271. 81. The
total disbursements were s1o,315.65.
Under the head. How You Can Help"
attention is called to Tag Day as fol-
lows: "The Boys club depends entirely
on your liberality on Tag Day Sfor its
existence. This is the only appeal that
we make for your assistance. Our plans
for the years work and our hopes for
the future we confidently place In your
hands. On Saturday May 8, remember
the needs of the boys and give out OF
the fulness Of your heart"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30
The s,u,nI.ony Festival

II am glad 10 see that there is an active
demaRd for tickets for the Cincinnati or
chestra concerts next Monday and Tues
day said man who had just secured
several seats for each performance.
There has been fine advance sale.
Year before last when Victor Herbert
and Schuf1ann- Heink had been engaged
for the music festival the seat sale was
poor until a day or two before the OPEN
ing concert
From the way the seat sale has started
off this week there can be little doubt
about crowded houses. There will GER
tainly be a packed house Monday night.
when Mrs. Aldrieh and Miss Christine
Miller both appear on the programme as
sooists.'
II am glad and I know other music
lovers will be glad to know that the or
chestra is to play Schubert's Unfinished
SYMPHONY 1t has only been heard once
in Birmingham. That was IS or Ia years
ago when Theodore Thomas was here
for the first time. The Unfinished. is
one of the most beautiful symphonies
ever written
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30
Cheaper Sugar for Consumers

A committee of wholesale grocers
In New York calls attention to the fact
that the sugar trust actually controls
beet sugar plants in various parts of
the country. 1t may be said to domi-
nate factories that produce Ga per
cent Of the beet sugar produced in
the United States.
One would say that the sugar trust
would prefer free sugar, but it does
not. 1t evidently prefers to monopolize
home production, both cane and beet.
The fear of independent cane refiners
is ever present in sugar trust circles,
and it seems to prefer combination to
competition. 1t is ready to join hands
with the domestic beet sugar industry
and cane sugar concerns to defeat free
sugar.
The wholesale groeers of New York
want the sugar tariff reduced if not
removed at this time. They are restive
under the dictation of the sugar trust.
1t is a concern that crushes everything
that gets in its way. 1t dictates prices
and holds the country up to be freely
exploited It's record is one of greed
and official corruption and the whole.
sale grocers of New York appeal to
the country to take steps to reduce the
duties on both raw and refined
sugars.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30
WHEN CARPENTER swoRE
POPULAR Magazine.

rIoiH the IOpuldf M1SdIi
Fred w. Carpenter, who is now in the
diplomatic service, and who was at one
time secretary to President Taft, is one
of the midest hammered men in the
world. Wade Ellis of Ohio tells of the
only time he ever heard Carpenter break
forth into violent talk.
In Mr.. Taft's first campaign for the
presidency 1t had been arranged that he
and Senator Foraker, with whom he had
been at variance on several questions,
should have a friendly meeting. Immed-
lately after the arrangement severe
charges were published In newspaper
against Foraker. l took the paper to
Carpenter and showed him the article.
He was all broken up, and l never saw
a man so worried and indignant. After
he had read the story twice, he said
tensey:
"Oh, dear,'
That was the only time | ever heard
that fellow swear.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30
The Fire Department

Many citizens can remember when
Birmingham fire department was so
inadequate as to cause the city to be
in great jeopardy. Twelve years ago
the fire fighting. equipment was ridicu-
lously small. The insurance rates
were not only high, but the under
writers came very near withdrawing
from Birmingham altogether. They
continued here only on the condition
that certain additions were to be
made to the department.
Several years ago the fire losses
were so heavy as to cause serious con-
cern to the city government and the
owners of buildings, both in the busi-
ness and residence districts. Some
thing had to be done. The ex-fire
chief of Kansas City, who had a ma
tional reputation as fire fighter and
man of executive ability, was in
duced to visit Birmingham and spend
a week here for the purpose of looking
over the situation and making recon-
mendations THAT would raise the ef-
ficiency of the department. 1t was
agreed between the city fathers and
the underwriters that the recon-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30
Iron MARKET Outlook

"The pig iron market has been extreme
ly quiet for some weeks past, and, as one
prominent broker remarked this week, nc
decided activity is looked for until
June" said member of the Chamber
of Commerce.
Early in 1912, when Birmingham iron
was selling below $40. we thought that
il ii would only advance to s1l everything
would hum here. There was profit
then in $ll iron. but since that time
miners wages have been advanced very
ma terially. and the price of iron today
$l2 / believe-does not yield any profit
to speak of. But as the summer advances
and crop reports continue roseate there
will be activity in the iron market once
more. / would not be surprised to see
the pig metal selling at s15 ON No.
basis, f. o. b. Birmingham, by the middle
of June"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30
WE'RE pETrEn ACQUAINTED
m the PhiIadelphia telegraph.

From the Philadelphia Telegraph.
Conversing with a coterie of friends re-
Gently, DR. William osler told of the
rather embarrassing position in which a
well known physician recently placed him
self.
The physician referred to by DR.. Osley
was guest at a social affair, and at din
ner was placed beside an elderly lady
whom he had not previously met. AL
most at once the lady, who was inclined
to garrulity, began to talk.
by the way. DOCTOR she smilingly rs-
marked, "ought 1 to call you doctor or
professor"
you may call me what you please,
madame was the physicians quick re-
ply. Il am frank enough to admit, how
ever, that some of my friends call me an
old fool"
81 see, DOCTOR" smilingly replied the
lady, but, of course, they must be people
who know you intimately"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30
Examinations That Do Not Examin

Examinations That Do Not Examine
Senator Johnston's resolution and
speech concerning the manner IN
which the south has been cut out OF
appointments in the diplomatic and
consular service of the United States
is Illuminating. The District of Colum-
bia has gobbled up more appointments
than the entire south has been favored
with. and the District of Columbia
neither makes nor exports anything.
Only three consuls have been ap-
pointed from Alabama and they draw
salaries amounting to $4,000. From
the District of Columbia 65 persons in
the diplomatic and consular service
have been appointed, and they draw
annually salaries that aggregate
$205,35O.
The claim that the consular service
is now out of politics and that the ap-
pointments are regulated by examina-
tions is to a considerable extent pre-
tence. Many consuls, it is said, have
never taken any kind of examination.
They are chiefly republicans from the
northern states or the District of Col
umbia.
Senator Johnston is convinced the
present rules and methods of ap-
pointment were planned to keep DEM
ocrats from ousting republicans. When
the state department submits a reply
to Senator Johnston's resolution the
facts will be brought out, and the
stuffing of the consular service with
republicans will be fully made known.
The entire south is indebted to Sena-
tor Johnston for the statements en-
braced in his recent speech, which ap-
pears in full in the Congressional
Record.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30
RECALLING FAMOUS DUEL

the senator from Missouri was one Of
his most loyal adherents and the two
men were great friends. They tell story
of Bentons coming to the White House
once and asking TO see the President.
you can't see him, SENATOR" the me-
gro servant told him. 'IIes upstairs
havin' bullet cut out of his arm"
"All right. George said Benton. "I'u
see him anyhow
He went to the Presidents bedroom
and found Jackson with doctor. cutting
from his arm one of the bullets Jesse
Benton had fired from lis gatling gun
pistol more than 20 years before.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30
MAxIMs OF NAPOLEON
Tho New York Times.

From the New York Times.
Paris.-Great interest has been aroused
among military students and historians
through the publication by Col. Ernest
Picard Of selection from hitherto un-
known military maxims and precepts die
tated by Napoleon during his imprison-
ment at st. Helena.
The Emperor attached great weight to
tact and skill in the treatment of sol
diers.
when I used to say he wrote. "as !
rode through the lines in the heat OF
battle. Unfurl your flags. the moment
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30
SURRENDER.

When you wake up every morning
In melancholy mood.
And you've lost the trick of smiling,
And you wouldn't If you could,
something's wrong with you, my brother,
And it's time that you inquired
what Ii Is of toll or trouble
Ihat Is making you SO tired.
There's no other test so certain
AS the early morning kind,
When the golden sun is rising
And Is peeping through your Blind
And the birds are sweetly singing,
And the dew is on the lawn
And the hufnblest bloom that's blowing
Seems to welcome in the dawn.
Ii such beauties fall to lift you
From the depths of your despair
And life's burdens still afflict you,
Seeming more than you can bear,
Much we fear there's something lacking
In your quality of grit
And you want to yield the struggle,
When you know it's wrong to quit.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30
A FRIENDLY CAMPFIRE

David Grayson In the American Maya
zine.
Did you ever sit by campfire ard
watch the flames dance and the sparks
fly upward into the cool, dark air? Dio
YOU ever see the fitful light among the
tree depths. at one moment opening vast
shadowy vistas into the forest, at tne
next dying downward and leaving 1t all
in somber mystery? And what a friend
iy and companionable thing a campfire
is! How generous and outright 1t is! II
plays for you when you wish to be lively
and 1t glows for you when you wish to
be reflective.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30

Mrs Mollie Addison of Denver, who takes
brandy baths, is the originator. Mrs
Addison testified she had seen two Of
ficers-twins they appeared to be-enter
her room to arrest her for making a dis
turbance. A policeman said he alone had
arrested the woman. II was perfectly
sober when l got into the tub," the wom-
an said. 81 placed little of the brandy
in the water for my rheumatism-and
when l awoke / don't know how it hap
pened-I was somewhat intoxicated. That
whisky must have got In through the
pores and gone to my brain.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30
REVENGE.
From fIarper's Magazine.

James, years old. had been naughty
to the point of evoking whipping
from his long-suffering mother, and
all day long a desire for revenge ran
kied in his little bosom !.
At length bedtime came, and, kneel-
ing beside her, he implored blessing
for each member of the family indi-
viduality, she alone being conspicuous
bv her absence Then, rising from his
devout posture, the little supplian'
fixed a keenly triumphant look upon
her face, saying, as he turned to climl
into bed:
Il spose you noticed you wasn't in
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30
A VALUABLE REWARD
From the Kansas City Journal.

From the Kansas City journal.
"John, you have been our porter for
25 years.
Eyes, SIR"
"You have been prompt and honest You
have saved the house thousands OF dol
lars
"rve done my best, SIR
"And we are going to do something for
you, john
"Thank you, sir.
"Yes, John, we are going to let Vol
wear FIVE stripes of gold braid on your
sleeve"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30
business In the West

Business conditions are good through
out the west" said L. N. Perry of st.
Louis
81 was as far west as the Pacific week
before last and the people L met talked
as If times were exceptionally good. Cali
fornia is on a real boom. That state
was never more prosperous than 1t is
now, L was told"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30
A GENTLEMAN

From Ilff0.
A kindly heart, quiet voice. polite
words and manners. a hand open to help,
attention to little things for the comfort
Of others. freedom from anger. boasting
and patronizing; toward the strong, cour-
age; toward the weak. chivalryi toward
all men, fairness. Few men ever see one
in mirror.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30

Alarmed at the temperance of the bu-
bonic plague in Manila five victims of
the scourge having died in that city this
year, the Manila board of health has en-
ployed so additional rat catchers to rid
according to reports received by the
United States public health service 'It
is of interest to OBSERVE" says the pub
lie health service report commenting on
the announcement of the Manila author
tiles. that the increase in the rat infec-
tion corresponds to the increase of the
number of plague cases in such typical
plague centers as Hong Kong, for in
stance"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30

The sugar lobby In Washington has or
pull together to defeat free sugar in three
years. The consumer has no bureau and
no LOBBYIST
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30

The Moslems are no longer rushing tc
the standard of the Calipil to save Islam
They have spring piowing to DO first
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30
PROBABLY MADE THE ROMANS HOT.

What kind of tune do you suppose
| Nero fiddled when Rome was burning?"
Il don't know. It was probably some
sort of incendiary rag"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30

The general convention of the Episcopal
in the new synod building which is prac-
tically an annex of the Cathedral of ST.
John the Divine. Tho building cost $780,
900, one-half of the most of which was
borne by w. Bayard Cutting and one half
by j. p. Morgan. Both have passed on
beyond. In the synod building a good
luncheon will be served to the delegates
to the general convention.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30

The British suffragettes now threaten
to stop cooking or attending to house,
work or the children. This would be a
genuine hunger strike.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30

The words Grand Old Party has
been abandoned, and 1t is now 1.-THE New
Republican Party" The change, how
ever, deceives no one. The old leaders
and the old line up is there.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30

II is estimated thar the door mats Of the
White House will last twice as long now
that office seekers have been warned off.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30
NEXT MORNING.

NEXT MORNING.
(Contributed)
awoke. my room felt like Vesuvius,
]. felt smothered in sulphurous smoke;
Filled with ashes and csnders my mouth
was
And my throat was SO parched could
choke.
saw crocodiles, monkeys and dingbats
Running over the ceiling and wall,
While sea serpents, lizards and Holsters
From under the bed seemed to crawl.
felt that ! lay in a slag-pot,
Submerged in the white liquid fire;
That my forehead was famed with hot
blast
And my pillow a coil of barbed wire.
And 1 heard all the bands in tho world
Making rag-time and jag-time a hash,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30

T. r. is mentioned for mayor of New
York. This will stir up the lair of the
tiger.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30

A Secretary Of State who is not dis.
concerted when asked to cross the CONT.
nent is one worth having.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30
sTILL IN THE FIGHT

From the Admission Star and Hot Blast
Underwood has won his spurs-Nash-
Vile Tennessean. And he's using them to
good advantage =,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-30

The supreme court of the United States
is now only two years behind, and it
hopes to catch up in the future.