davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-05
TO BE LATE THE FASHION

From the Philadelphia Ledger.
'Punctuality is the courtesy of kings, y
said Louis XVIII. Samuel Smies. quot
ing the saying. makes the comment: .It
is also the duty of gentlemen, and the me-
cessity of men of business" Why then.
in polite" society should 1t be permissi-
BE to be late?
If the guest is tardy through careless
ness, the host has justifiabie defense for
his procedure if he declines to wait till
the puree thic,Sens and the roast srivcis
or the duck turns to tanned leather. Why
should it be worse to sit down prompt,
than to walk in tardily mumbling a finn
sy apology?
Things have come to such a pass that
the seasoned diner out makes calcula-
ton of his chances, and if he knows that
a familiar procrastinator is to be his fell
low guest he times his arrival according
ly. The late one victimzes not alone the
disconoerted host, and not merely the mu-
tinous cook, but the entire dinner COM
pany
In the church. at the concert, at the
play, deserved n.alediction is heaped upon
the late conner who short circuits the
preachers continuity, and disrupts soma
ia or dialogue by making early comers
rise in their seats, for no valid reason
most of the time, but merely because OF
indifference to the virtue of punctuality.
Tt seems that tiniciiness might dispute
with cleanliness the closest proximity to
godliness.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-05
Adrianople and Tchatalia

After an armistice lasting exactly
two months fighting has been resumed
in the Balkan country, especially at
Andrianople and along the Tchatalja
line. The latter is but 10 to 20 miles
from Constantinople, and possibly the
roar of the seige guns can be heard
in the ancient capital that Constan-
tine founded.
The contest now assumes new form.
The allies viii now attempt to take
Constantinople, thus driving the Turk
entirely out of Europe and out OF
European politics, unless indeed some
power covets Turkish territory in Asia
Minor. No second armistice will be
permitted. The first was used by Tur-
key to gain time, and the entire con-
tention will now have to be settled on
the field of battle.
he bombardnent Of Adrianople is
progressing, and an assault upon the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-05

mitted during every week, the same
Is true concerning every other large
and growing city of the United States.
The police department, it is admitted,
is inadequate to patrol a city of 80
square miles. 1t is known, too, that
the city treasury is at a low ebb. 1t
is the intention of Judge Lane grad
ually to increase the force under his
commando increase it as rapidly
as the financial condition of the city
will warrant. And in time, it is hoped
that instead of hundred patrolmen,
there will be 800 in Birmingham, and
instead of entire sections of the city
being without the protection OF an
officer, there will be heard on every
avenue at regular intervals the re-
assuring tread of the policeman.
Even then there will be crime. And
there will ever be until some. omnipo-
tent power brings about an entire
change in the nature of man.
1t is generally admitted that Chief
Bodeker is entirely competent. 1t has
been shown that of practically all the
people who have publicly expressed
themselves, he has the absolute con-
fidenca /.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-05

the last few years the highly civilized
and progressive Gael1war of Baroda has
twice visited America, and his son Is
even now a student at Harvard. The
GaelSwar's throne is under British pro-
lection.
Kings do not call on US as rule,
though they frequently drop in on re-
publican France. and are welcomed there.
The reason is simple-we could-not re-
ceive a king officially. Though We have
all kinds of systems, from the tipping
system to the civil service system, we
lack the system that nearly every other
nation revels in, the system of official
rank, which recognizes heredity dignities.
King Alfonso goes to visit the Kaiser.
Just before he reaches Berlin he will re-
move his common sense clothes and don
the uniform of a Prussian regiment of
dragons of which he is titular colonel.
The kaiser simultaneously will hurry to
the storehouse called his wardrobe and
array himself in the uniform of the Royal
Spanish Lancers. in which he in turn is
titular colonel. The emperor will meet his
august brother at the station with full
military escort; the crowds will cheer. the
bands play, the monarchs bow, and so
triumphantly they will arrive at the pal
ace as self respecting monarchs are ac-
customed to arrive.
Now. if King Alfonso comes to this
country his reception will. sad to say,
be far, far different He cannot don the
uniform of an officer in crack Ameri-
can regiment because he has no author
ity to do SO; neither can President Taft,
for various reasons, don the uniform of
Spanish regiment of lancers. Nor will
there be any considerable part of the
United States of America waiting to
greet His Majesty as the ship comes in.
AS he steps down the gangplank
newsboy may very likely brush the royal
sleeve with a newspaper. A customs
man may insist on the Kings signing
his declaration with his last name. Once
the King is allowed to step on our little
island the best he can do is to proceed
incognitio to a good hotel. register as
Count something or other, grant an in
terview or so and take the earliest train
to Washington.
There the President and he will ex-
change visits, in the course of which the
President will address him not as Your
Majesty but as Great and good
friend" Such is the FORMAL White
House phrase for all similar purposes.
The poor monarch will have to look for
entertainment as private person
wherever the official representatives of
this nation are concerned.
Can anyone wonder that no King who
has been nicely brought up can think of
an official visit to America without
shudder?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-05
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
The Easter Date

only once in Il century does Easter
come as early as March 2s,' said a
man who studies the almanac sIn 1856
Easter came on March 2s, the same as
this year 1t does not come again in
March until 1918, when March 81 will
be Easter Sunday. In 1910 Easter will
come on March "a and jim 1851 it will
come on March 25. But, as I have
pointed out, we will not have an Easter
as early as March % again in the pres
ent century. In 1918 Easter was as
early as March 22
"A certain learned priest in Rome
is said to favor a change and have
liked date for this great feast of
the church, like Christmas and all
Saints. but am inclined to think that
no change will be made. Sentiment and
immemorial custom have a great deal
10 DO with these matters and from very
early times Easter has been the Sun
DAY on or next the fun moon after
March 21. 1t can come, therefore, as
early as March %. as has been shown
The reason why a change would
pe desirable according to those who
might favor a change is certainly not
apt to have much u eight at the vatican
Il has been said that spring fashions in
northern climates are not seasonable
In March 1t has been claimed that
the manufacturers of feminine apparel
experience heavy loss when Easter
comes in March, but l do not see how
this could be. When spring weather
does come then spring hats and spring
gowns are in demand no matter if East
er has passedn .
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-05
Amendment Number Sixteen

Thirty eight states have ratified
the sixteenth amendment of the fed
eral constitution, and the total num-
Der of ratifying states will probably
exceed 40. This is good answer to
the five-by-four decision rendered
against the income tax by the supreme
court when it swallowed itself.
The amendment places no restric-
tions whatever upon Congress when
ever it desires to collect taxes on
| incomes. 1t can adopt cumulative
tax, or it can name flat rates on
any or all incomes. 1t is left free to
frame an income tax to meet the
needs of the government, whatever
they may be-.
1t is generally believed that an in
come tax bill will become part of the
revenue system of the government be-
fore the extra session is ended. Doubt
less incomes below $4,000, or possi-
bly, $4,000, will escape taxation, but a
rate of l per cent on all above those
figures will probably be laid. On i'm
mense incomes tax still higher may
be and should be laid. AS this tax will
be levied alike on individuals, firms
and corporations, there will be no fur
ther need of corporation tax and it
will doubtless be repealed. At present
$30,000,000 is collected under the lat
ter tax. A reasonable and easily-borne
income tax is expected to yield $780,
0G0,0 900 year.
The passage of an income tax de-
pends primarily upon the ways and
means committee. 1t will pass through
Mr.. Underwood's hands both in the
committee rooms and on the floor of
the House. 1t will be Forthcoming and
it will have an important bearing on
Il
tariff legislation. 1t may even give us
free sugar.
The proposition was submitted to
the states in July, 1909, and within
month the legislature of Alabama,
then in extra session, had ratified it.
No other state ratified it in 1909. In
the long run four states only formally
rejected it-Connecticut, New Hamp-
shire, Rhode Island and Utah. This
remarkable quartet is either boss
governed or extremely selfish, or both.
1t is impossible to foresee the ma
ture of the tax that Congress will i'm
pose. The 1894 law provided for a
flat tax of 2 per cent on incomes over
$4,000. The Bailey bill authorized 8
per cent tax on incomes over $4,000.
The Cummins bill provided a graded
tax, on incomes over $4,000, the high
est tax being per cent on incomes
of over 100000. Mr.. Underwood and
his associates will devise just tax
laid on what men have rather than on
what they need.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-05

whole length of Constantinople's last
line of defense at Tchatalja will not
be long postponed. The Young Turks
are now in power, and on them alone
falls the responsibility of maintaining
a further stay in Europe. The country
is bankrupt, and no power proposes
to come to the relief of the Ottoman
financiers. Alone and unaided Turkey
must withstand the heretofore victori-
Gus allies.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-05
Jacob RII. Tomorro,, Nicht

Jacob A. Riis, who will appear in
the lyceum lecture course at the high
school auditorium tomorrow night, Is
advertised as the man who has done
Things" He is one of the best known
men in the United States and as he
has had large opportunities for large
aspects of life he is exceptionally at
tractive on the platform.
Mr.. Riis writes readable books
books that are gripping" said a pro-
fessional man. Among his best known
books are The Battle With the Slums.
Children or the Tenements.' Theodore
Roosevelt the Citizen and How the
Other Half Lives,
Mr.. Riis was porn in Denmark, May
3, 1S49. He was educated at Latin
school In Ribe, his native town. He
settled in New York and became po-
lice reporter for the New York Sun.
He was active in the small parks and
Fairgrounds movement and in tene-
ment and school reform work. He has
been actively connected with the small
parks commission and with the good
government clubs Mr.. Riis has been
twice married. His first wife was a
Danish lady and his second wife was
Miss Mary Phillip of st. Louis, whom
he married in 1907"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-05
Lanes Action Commended

Judge Lane is to be commended
for his action in reference to
the case of Chief Bodeker, not
especially in that he restored the chief
to his office, but specifically in that
he absolutely refused to convict him
of misconduct or inefficiency without
direct proof.
The commissioner of public justice,
in other words, held that Bodeker,
suspended for a breach of discipline,
was innocent of all crime because
nothing had been proved against him.
There were those in Birmingham who
desired the dismissal of the chief.
These gentlemen, however, did not
prefer charges. But Judge Lane was
determined to go to the bottom of all
rumors, and he did SO. At the bot
tom of each, he found nothing.
SO determined was the commits
sioner of public justice to make no
mistake, that he proceeded in his in
vestigation with the utmost care. For
| instance, he announced to an Age
Herald reporter Monday afternoon
that he would reinstate Bodeker.
The reporter wrote the STORY 1t
was edited and set in type. But it
did not appear Tuesday morning.
There was reason. Between the
hour in which Judge Lane made the
statement in the afternoon and 8
O'Clock that night, someone informed
him that "he had heard of serious
matter in which the chief was once
upon a time involved Judge Lane
Immediately telephoned the reporter,
requesting that the "story" be not
published. Yesterday the commits
sioner Investigated that serious mat
ter" and at the bottom of it all he
found nothing.
So Judge Lane is to be commended
He made an effort to learn if there
was any ground on which charge of
misconduct or incompetency could be
| based. When he found none, he re-
stored Bodeker He has never con-
victed man without sufficient proof
and there is every reason to believe
that he will never in the future do SO.
In connectiof with the incident
which is now osed, it might be
stated with deal of truth and in
common justice that while there may
be gambling in the city of Birming-
ham and certain petty crimes COM
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-05
Regarding Tendency

Without any ordinance compelling
manufacturers to install devices that min
imize the smoke evil the smoke nuisance
will gradually be abated," said a coal op-
orator. I'm New Orleans there is much
less smoke now than there used to be- and
the large sugar planters of their own ac-
cord use methods that practically do away
with smoke.
Il m opposd to an anti-smoke ordinance
in Birmingham at this time, because there
are many small manufacturers on whom
1t would be a real hardship to require
them to install devices that reduce their
smoke. Birmingham should avoid any
tendency of placing restrictions on little
industries And, after all, what good
would 1t do to stops the smoke in small
factories where we have coke ovens in
side the city? I certainly am not in favor
of driving the coke ovens out. The time
win come when real estate will be so val
liable that the Sloss-Sheffield company
with it's large plants within the city linn
its will find it profitable to move outside
but this Is matter that should be left
to the company.
Birmingham has got along we'll with
coke ovens, and we should be patient and
not force any pay roll producer to quit
u.s."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-05

Extending over three counties in south
western Wisconsin, an iron ore body has
been found, 1t is claimed. The ore tract
extends over an area 60 miles long and 40
miles wide. The ore assays, it is claimed,
from "a per cent to something over 60 per
cent in metallic iron. The ore is in Yer
mon, Crawford and Grant counties. Much
of it lies near the surface, and the seam
is of unknown depth. 1t lies near Prairie
is limestone near at hand. and coke can
be brought in by water, provided it is
sought for up the Ohio river. Prarle Du
Chen is booming
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-05
WHY KINGS DoN,T CALL

From the New York Evening Sun.
If King Alfonso of Spain can persuade
his government to let him visit our
shores-a feat he is trying very hard TO
accomplsh-he win be the first reigning
European king to drag the royal purple
over the land of the free and the home
of the brave.
We have had monarchs here before, and
indeed reigning ones but they were
usually from the cannibal islands and
coral reef circuits. For instance, about
a quarter of a century ago that distin-
guished potentate, King Kalalxaua, of the
then primitive and un-Americanized
Hawaiian islands, used to transport his
august person across the Pacific and ia
vor US with o visit now and then. Within
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-05

Catherine Tyndle, who lives In Nanti-
coke Hundred. Delaware, is regarded
as one of the most remarkable women for
her age in this country. She has lust
passed her 1o7th birthday, and does as
much as or more work than any of the
young women in this state. She regular-
ly does her own housework, besides the
washing for four families, and helps out
when there is any extra work to be done
In the neighborhood. She has raised nine
children. the oldest twins. being now in
their sixty-fourth year, and the baby
is just 81, besides helping to bring up
S5 grandchildren and 12 great-grandehil-
dren.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-05
SHERIDAN AND HIS CREDITORS

From Youths Companion.
Like many a brilliant man before and
since his time, Richard Brinsley Sheridan
had a habit of resting on his oars a
bit too long when he thought himself
tired. Then, finding himself short of
money, he would borrow. This habit
increased with his years, and, moreover,
his efforts to discharge his obligations
last was such that tradesmen demanded
cash on delivery.
Benjamin Robert Hayden, who was
himself woefully addicted to the same
bad habit, tells with evident glee two
stories of a fellow sufferer.
A butcher one day brought a leg or
mutton to Sheridans house. The cook
took it. put it into the kettle, and went
upstairs for the money. As he stayed
away some time, the man entered the
kitchen, took off the cover of the kettle,
fished out the joint. and walked off
with it.
But the laugh was not always on
Sheridan. A CREDITOR he had successfully
avoided for some time came plump upon
him as he emerged from Pail Mall. There
was no possibility of lodging, but Sheri-
dan did not lose his presence of mind.
"Oh," said he. that's beautiful mare
you're on!'
Dye think so?"
Yes, indded. How does she trot?'
The creditor was pleased-even fiat
tered He told Sheridan he should see.
and Immediately urged the mare to do
her prettiest. But long before the ami
mails best pace was reached, Sheridan
had turned again into Pail Mall, and
was lost in the crowd.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-05
Single Term Propositions

Ii the House really wants to see a
one-term amendment submitted to the
states and ratified by them, it will ac-
cept the Works resolution just as the
Senate adopted it. 1t may not be ideal.
1t may not be just to the President
elect. 1t is certainly just to the coun-
try's only ex-President. It's best fea-
ture is that it treats all alike, be they
democrats, progressives or standpat
republicans. 1t cuts all off from sec
ond terms. Its fairness to all must be
conceded. All are treated alike by it,
and the partisans in the House should
accept it as the best possible measure
that can. be submitted and ratified.
Congressman Clayton has long IA
vored a single term, and he is chair
man of the judiciary committee. Much
will depend upon how he looks at this
matter. Doubtless he will endeavor to
carry into effect the plank in the Bal
timore platform, and the Works reso-
luton certainly does that.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-05
Active HuSineSS

II do not recall year that has
started off better in the business world
than this said George Curtis of Phil
Iadelphia.
There was less dullness than usual
following the holiday season and ever
since the middle of January all branches
of trade seem to have been unusually
brisk. The outlook for spring is cer-
tainly bright. I believe 1918 will be
an exceptionally good year"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-05
TELEPHONES
Bell (private exchange connecting an
departments). No. 4peo-
Uuuiet meals make i'll disestions.
Comedy of Errors.
What the State Should Do

In discussing the streams of Ala
bama the Mobile Register says 1T
may not be possible to have public
ownership indeed, but some sort OF
control may be devised that would
protect the people and enable them
to profit by the natural conditions
that environ them" The Register has
in the words quoted outlined the true
policy of this state.
On account Of riparian ownership
neither the state nor the general gov
ernment can sell water impounded
here in Alabama. Neither possesses
proprietary rights in Alabama
streams, but the control and regula-
ton of public utilities is easily with
in the police power OF the state. This
has been determined in dozen de-
cisions. Just as the state controls
regulates and taxes railroads, tele-
graph lines, telephones and street car
systems, SO indeed can the state con-
troll, regulate and tax water powers.
The work of supervision could be add
ed to that of the railroad commission,
although it would probably be better
in great river state to have a pub
lie utilities commission, in the words
of the Register, "to protect the peo-
pie and enable them to profit by ma
tural conditions"
Such commission should be organ
lied by the very next legislature that
meets. It could speedily secure re-
ports of gross and net earnings of
every water power company, and if
1t found that a syndicate, English or
American, gigantic or diminutive, was
earning too much money it could and
would direct that company to reduce
It's rates to consumers to a reasonable
basis. This work would be done every
year, or even oftener. The syndicate
itself would conform to the regula-
tions from time to time of the utili-
ties commission, and it would no doubt
gain in that way consumers instead of
losing them.
This plan of the Registers could be
rendered operative even before a big
dam in this state can be turned into
a producer of electrical energy, and
the. sooner the control and regulation
of hydro-electricity is begun the bet
tsr it will be for all concerned.
1t is very true that hydro electricity
must underbid power based on the
combustion of coal, and coal is cheap
in this state. A public utility commits
sion would, however, see that the
rates of hydro electricity are kept at
all times on a just and reasonable
basis. The state alone, or more strictly
speaking, the people of the state will
have but themselves to blame in case
this is not done. The right to regulate
the price to the consumer of electrical
energy is as well established as any
thing is established in the government
Of state. 1t is simply unquestioned,
1t matters little how much English
\ capitalists may covet the magnificent
rivers of this state as they tumble to-
wards the sea if at all times there ex-
lists a commission appointed by the
state ito protect the people and to
enable them to profit by natural con-
ditions."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-05
WELL HATH HE CHOSEN
By Matthew Arnold.


ELL hath he done who hath seized happiness
For little do the all-conaining Hours,
Though>opulent freely give
Who. weighing that life Well
Fortune
Declines her ministry, and his
justice infring'd,
Makes his welfare his
He does well, too, who Keeps the mild
Birth goddess and the austere Fates gave.
For the day
Bring him. a weeping child,
First to the light
A country for him. kinsfolk, a home,
Unguded he remains,
Till the aFtes again. alone with death.
In little companies
And our place left,
Ignorant where to stand, avoid.
BY city and household groupd,
order heaven-ordained
Must day
Voyages exies, hates, dissensions
Besides what
The a-hated. order r-brealxing.
Without friend city home,
Death who discovers all.
How then 1 praise, who
To self f-selected
Prefer obedience TO the primal law
Which consecrates the ties of these
Are TO the gods
That touches but himself.
For every may 1oos'd
With strangers; the bond
Original
OF blood, bind;
Nor II Fate binds. not BEAR
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-05

The Iron Market

THE Birmingham iron market is more
active than it was few weeks ago." said
w. NJ. Byrd of the Hammond Byrd COM
pany. "Some iron is being sold for s135
on No. 2 basis, but S14 is the usual quo
tation, and know of sales made recent
ly at that price l think We will soon
have another brisk buying movement
When that comes the market will harden
at s14 and the spring will probably see a
much higher quotation"
Mr.. Byrd leaves today for Cuba.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-05

From the Cordova Herald.
Cordova invites the manufactures that
birmingham is driving out with its
"smoke ordinance to come here and mix
their smokestacks with our church
steeple. We don't object to smoke as
long as 1t means industrial prosperity.