davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-19
METEOR BURNS IT'S
WAY THROUGH SNOW
AND SLEET INTO SEA

New York. February 1s.--Among the
remarkable storm stories told by the
passengers of the steamship Columbia,
of the Anchor line. and the Red Star
liner Lapland, both of which came into
port today three days late, was the ac-
count of a large and brilliant meteor
which burned its way through the snow
and hail and plunged Kissing into the
sea within a short distance of the lap
land
Passengers said that on Friday night
they were startled by the appearance
in the northern sky of brilliant ball
of fire. SHOOTING in a parabola toward
the liner. 1t seemed to them almost GER
tain to fall on the Lapland's deck. In
stead it burst into pieces with the re-
port of a cannon and sank into the sea.
The Columbia brought in the lowest
barometrica1 record ever reported in
tho history of the Anchor line and the
story of a hurricane in which the ship
was tossed about like a shell.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-19
TH0RSbY PREPARING
FOR BIG BERRY CROP
Over 1900 Empty Crates
Received From Purchasers
in Distant Cities

Mountain Creek, February 1S--(Special)
Fifteen hundred empty crates have been
received at Thorsby from purchasers in
distant cities ready for strawberry ship
ments. The berries will not ripen as
soon as they did last year. owing to the
recent cold weather. but growers say the
indications are that the crop will be as
great and the fruit better.
The funeral of the late M. p. Robinson
was largely attended. Odd Fellows from
all the nearby towns came to the Union
Grove cemetery to witness the interment.
The Issue of $4,000 in bonds for water
works improvement Is to be voted on
just eight days from now by the people
of Clanton There is some opposition,
but those favoring the measure think that
the proposition will pass.
Capt. j. Nj. Simpson commandant of the
Soldiers Home Is expecting to put grave
head and foot stones over the 10 unmark-
ed graves In the Soldiers Home eeme.
terry soon. He has given the order for
the stones.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-19
FLORENCE SCHOOLS
BADLY CONGESTEO
An Appeal Is Made to COun-
Gil for More Commodi-
Gus Quarters

Florence, February 1S.-Before the city
council last night an appea, was made
by Superintendent Norton of the city
schools for building to be large enough
to accommodate all the children who
should be In the city Schools The pres
ent building is now overcrowded. and
a portion of the patronage is accommo-
dated in the Dillard block. near the bnsi-
ness section of Florence This appeal wa
supplemented by an earnest talk, made
by M. w. Camper Of the Florence
Times, who placed the matter of better
equipment before the council.
The Sheffield union station was injured
by fire yesterday. This morning the
Northern Alabama railroad commenced
requairing the damage. About S1100 worth
of work Will be necessary to repair the
actual damages resulting from the fire
suit was filed today against the city
of Florence by sherman Williams and
his son, who is a minor, for the sum OF
$4,000 for injuries sustained by the boy
falling from a bridge, which was not pro-
tected by banisters The boys leg was
badly broken and he is suffering from
internal injuries.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-19
TO SEND TEMPERANCE
WORKERS INTO "WET"
STATES is PROJECT

New York, February 1S.--The Pres
byterian church will send $50 temper
ance workers into California, Colorado,
Washington and Oregon in an effort to
swing these states into the dry" col
umn at the next fall election. They will
take with them motion picture films
teaching lessons against the sale of
alcohol. Plans for the crusade were
perfected today at a meeting of the
Presbyterian board of temperance.
Charles Scanlon, secretary of the
board, said that at a meeting of the
temperance commission of the federal
council of churches, to be held to-
morrow in Philadelphia, he would ask
The 80 religious denominations that be-
long to this organization to unite with
the Presbyterian board in this work.
'"Fhe tendency of the Presbyterian
church." he said "is to show the ef-
feet of alcohol on industry, offspring.
longevity, health and efficiency. We
Will endeavor to supplement by educa-
tion the political attitude and the leg
islative activities now under way. We
will make a special appeal to the wom-
en- of these states. all of whom have
the riSht to vote
The executive committee of the Pres
byterian church at its meeting today
approved an appropriation of $4,000
for the temperance work to be carried
on in the west
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-19
HOW TO PREVENT GRIP
It Attacks Weak and Strong
|, Alike-But There's a Remedy

Grip and pneumonia attack the sys-
tenn quickly and relentlessly. They are
especially dangerous at this season of
the year when exposure to sudden and
severe changes of the weather and
atmospheric conditions are frequent.
They are sure to attack the system run
down from worry, overwork or expos
ure.
For moro than fifty years Dufty's $
Pure Malt Whiskey has been recognized
as a wonderful remedy in the preven-
tion Of coughs colds, grip, pneumonia
and all diseases of the respiratory
organs. Physicians who stolidly con-
form to the ethics of the profession
publicly recommend it and are prescribe
ing 1t for their patients.
The secret Of the marvellous success
Of Duffys Pure Malt Whfskey in re-
ilieving and preventing throat and lung
5&rou bles lies in the fact 1t is one of the
\ 1featest strengtheners and health build
krs known to medicine. 1t not only
Ichecks the ravages of the disease itself,
but helps the stomach to more perfect
ly digest and assimilate food In order
that richer and purer blood may come
from 1t, and regulates and governs the
hearts action. so that circulation VIII
be strong and powerful. carrying health
and yigor to every organ of the body.
Get Duffy's and you'll escape the grip:
sold by most druggists, grocers and
aeeierA S1.3S = full quart bottle. Get It
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-19

in recent times, become very largely note
dealers. That is to say, they buy notes
outright and pay cash for them, less an
agreed rate of interest and / per cent
commission.
Expert Note Dealer
The note dealer has become very ex-
pert. He sends the notes in small
amounts here and there throughout the
country. They are in that way sold to
the banks and are widely scattered. In
the old days, it was easy to keep an eye
upon the discount dealings of a mercan-
tile house so that restraint could be put
upon 1t when asking for too heavy dis
counts. But under the modern method it
is practically impossible to know how
much paper any one house sends out.
Therefore, reliance is for the most part
placed upon the credit and standing OF
the house. Furthermore, new standard
of credit has been established by this
method, For If a large house or manu-
featuring corporation offers the paper of
its customers to the banks for discount
then the suspicion is likely to arise that
the credit of the house is not good enough
to enable 1t to sell its own notes to the
note broker or dealer direct.
Mr.. Morgan has pointed out that the
poorest commercial paper now discov-
cred in the markets is the paper which
in payment for the goods themselves,
whereas the best paper is the paper of
the strongest business houses whose
credit is so good that they can make their
own paper and go direct to their banks
or to the note broker and sell it, thereby
converting it into cash and in that way
be able to make cash payments for their
own bills and to get the discount of 8
per cent customarily allowed for cash
payments.
This change In the method of creating
commercial paper seems not to have been
clearly understood by all of those who
drafted the new banking and currency
law. There has been much said and writ
the about the value of the new banking
system as means of utilizing the great
CT edit which is in commercial paper. After
the new system is put in operation there
may come complications due entirely to
this change. Mr.. Forgan says that the
federal reserve board in the last analysis
can do nothing but make a rule which
will apply to business as Ii is. 1t cannot
upset these new credit arrangements, and
1t would be folly to attempt 1t. Far
better to retain the new system and to
recognize 1t in the attempt to standardize
commercial paper than to force the busi-
ness of the United States to return to
the old basis.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-19
TO PROBE ALLEGED
PURCHASE OF TITLES

London, February 1S.--Today it was
decided at a meeting of unionist men,
bers of the House of Lords and the
House of Commons that the peers
should support the motion of Baron
Ampthill for an inquiry into the
charges brought by the newspapers OF
the purchase of titles by subscriptions
to party, funds.
This will be done at the resumption
of the debate tomorrow in the House
of Lords on the scandal connected with
the purchase of Marconi shares by
members of the cabinet.
This means the adoption of the mo-
ton by the House of Lords. bur it is
anticipated that the government will re-
fuse to participate In the inquiry on
the ground that there already has been
one inquiry
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-19
STANDARDIZINGC COMMERCIAL PAPER
IMPROVEMENT OVER FORMER BASIS

New York, February 1s.-(Special. 1.-The
recent communication of James Berwick
Forgan. president of the First National
bank of Chicago, to the committee of the
federal reserve system. Secretaries Nc
Adoo and Houston and Comptroller of the
Currency Williams, on the quality and
character of commercial paper which
should be the standard for acceptance
under the new banking system is spoken
of in this city as the most important, as
well as the clearest, elucidation of the
problem which has yet been publicly
made.
For some time it has been evident that
the establishment of the new federal re-
serve system is sure to disclose some
highly interesting facts associated with
the use of commercial paper as a source
of credit. The people as a whole have had
little knowledge of the quiet and yet
steady change from methods which pre-
vailed ever since banking was established
In the United States until about IS years
ago, when an almost nationwide adoption
of new method began.
In former days, and TO this day In Great
Britain-the universal custom in trade of
all kinds was payment for commodities
and merchandise by means of notes
drawn at anywhere from 60 to 12o days
and sometimes. in the case of a special
transaction of magnitude, for as long a
time as six months
These notes, which became known as
commercial paper, were presumed to
represent actual value-commodities
bought and sold. There were few in
stances of those possessing great capital
who always made cash payments The
late A. T. Stewart invariably paid his bills
in cash at 10 days time and insisted upon
receiving discount for cash payment.
He was one of the few merchants in New
York who never compromised with his
creditors. That being known, an ar
rangement was always made when a
composition with creditors was in progress
that there should be sufficient surplus to
pay Mr.. Stewards claims in full.
The Banks of Discount
The merchants and manufacturers who
received notes made by their customers
in payment for commodities were accus-
toned to indorse them and then place
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-19
BY HOLLAND

| them in their own banks for discount
which was placed to their credit Much
has been said in recent years about the
| high credit value that is in paper of this
kind and that bank which was carry
ing a line of good paper could easily Sc
cure needed funds by rediscounting it at
some other bank. But that was rarely
| done by any bank in New York or in
Boston or Philadelphia for the reason
that the offering of paper of this kind
for rediscount might raise the question.
Is the bank which does this in some en-
barra assment?
1t was done, however on a very great
scale several times by New York banks
and by banks in other large financial
centers, but these We're times of none
tary or financial peril and the rediscount-
ing of this paper was exclusively done by
| clearing house associations.
When the Change Began
1t is not possible to identify the date
when the change in the commercial paper
| discount market began. The best judg-
ment is that it was first noticed about
10 years ago or practically at the time
when the great promotion of industrial
combinations began.
There is a faint tradition that 1t was
first done in some other city than New
York. But in New York there was a
very swift change from the old to the new
method and such a change as speedily
and greatly involved the question of
mercantile credit.
To illustrate: If We take a commission
house, or one whose business is exclu-
svely wholesale, and go back In its his
tory 10 or IL years we shall find that
1t began then no longer to offer notes for
discount rendered to it by its customers
in payment for commodities. OF course
there were frequent exceptions to this
rule. but they usually represented trans
actions of small amounts, les sthan $1,000
The keeper of a store in a small COM
rnunity having bought bill of goods of
jobbing house. say for $500, might offer
his note for three months in payment
and that would be discounted. But the
large transactions were not of this char
acter. The great houses and the manu-
featuring combinations began to pay their
bills in cash whereby they could receive
a discount of per cent for payment in
10 days time. These houses obtained the
cash through the selling of their own
notes. They would issue potes, say at
one time of the aggregate amount of
500, 200. divided up into much smaller
amounts, usually of from 5000 to $4,000.
These notes are carried to the note brok-
ers who have, by reason of the changes
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-19
FEWER WHITE DEATHS
IN PIKE LAST YEAR
County Health Officer Reports That
Is More Negroes Die in 1918
Than Whites

Troy, February 1S.-(Special )-Coun-
ty Health Officer Dr. ]. S. Beard has
completed his report for the year 1913.
The report shows that the death rate
among the negroes is greater than the
whites, while the birth rate is much
greater among the whites. There were
rs more negro deaths during the year
than white deaths. and there were 164
more white babies born than negroes.
1t may be possible that in some cases
the negro births were not reported. but
the report would indicate a steady in
crease of white population over the me-
gro population. The total number of
deaths for 1913 was 333. of which 15l
were white and 179 negroes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-19
HOBSON MAKES FOUR
SPEECHES IN CALHOUN

Admission, February 1S.--(SpeciaL)
Capt. Richmond Pearson Hobson, cam
didate for United States senator. again
made whirlwind campaign of Calhoun
county Tuesday after attending meet
ing of the Admission Hobson club at the
Calhoun county hourthouse Monday
evening. Several of his local supporters
accompanied him on the trips to the
various places where he spoke, and
Hobson clubs were formed.
Captain Hobson made four speeches
in the county during the day, going
from one place to another in an auto
mobile, and he paid nigh compliment
to the new pike roads which have been
constructed recently in this county.
Captain Hobson first spoke at Chosea
Springs. Thence he went to Alexandria,
where he spoke in the afternoon COM
ing back to Blue Mountain City for a
speech in the evening at 6 o'clock. The
campaign was closed at Jacksonville,
where he spoke at O'clock
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-19
FAIL TO DISCOVER
CAUSE OF HEAT
OF KANSAS WATER

Girard, Kan, February 18.-No solu-
ton of the mystery that developed a
month ago when water In the city's
" ellis. 1900 feet deep. rose to 120 de-
grees. was offered in report by c..
a. Haskins, state engineer. made to-
day to city off Ials. Mr. Haskins said
he could find no cause for the heat,
Tut pronounced the water pure. The
waters temperature now is 80 degrees
Girard officials have received hum
dreda of letters from all parts of the
United States asking about the water.
One letter concluded: kansas people
are awful liars"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-19
PLAN TO RESIST
LAW FOR INSANE

Fort Madison, Ia, February 1s.-ln-
mates of the state penitentiary here to-
day prepared to resist through thf
courts the enforcement of the Iowa law
providing for the sterilization of in
sane, diseased and criminal wards Of
the commonwealth. A test case Will be
filed in the district court with r. A
Ryun, convict. as the plaintiff.
1t was announced that the entire pris-
on population was behind Ryun and
that fund sufficient to defray lega
expenses had been raised.
Ryun gave his entire earnings,
cents.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-19
NEW BUILDING BEING
BUILT AT DADEVILLE

Dadeville, February 1S.-(SpeciaL)
Hicks & Oliver have purchased the So
foot front lot from Herren Brothers,
on which the building occupied by In
gram & Howle Hardware company was
recently burned, and announce that
within a short time will begin the
erection of modern business house.
This completes the building operations
on the burned over area; the new build
ings will all be superior to those de-
stroyed by the recent fire.
DR.. w. B. Fulton, president of the
Tallapoosa County Boys Corn club an
nounces that the county commissioners
have granted his request for prize
offer for the best yield of corn for the
year 1914 of $40 and a prize of $40 for
the best pig The competition for the
best yields of corn in this county has
resulted in great good.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-19
CANDIDATES
IN ACTIVE CAMPAIGN
Aspirants for Seat in Con-
gress From Eighth All
Now on Stump

Huntsville, February 1s.-(Special.) 1.-The
four candidates for the seat of Judge
William Richardson, as representative OF
the Eighth district in Congress. are all
now engaged in an active campaign.
Judge Ed Almon and Judge James III.
Ballentine have been speaking during
the last several days and w. w. Gala
han and Clarence Watts viii open speak
ing tours within the present week. 1t
is a curious fact that has not been noted
heretofore, that Lawrence, the smallest
county in the district, can justly lay
claim to three of the candidates as ma
tive sons. while the fourth is a son of
native of the same county. Judge
Almon, Judge Ballentine ana Mr.. Gala
han were born in Lawrence. DR.. Watts,
father of Clarence Watts, was also born
there.
The Odd Fellows of Madison county will
hold county roundup in Huntsville on
February 25. Grand Master Cramton will
make special visit here TO attend the
roundup and will show Views or the odd
Fellows homes throughout the coun-
try.
Later reports from the bedside of Col
James F. O'Shaughnessy. VINO Is Ill with
pneumonia at his hotel in New York,
state that he is very much better.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-19
CONFESSES TAKING
PART IN BURGLARIES

Pittsburg, February 1S.-According to
the police, Mrs. Elmer Anschott, IL, to-
day confessed she had taken part in
maiIy burglaries for which her husband,
who Is 10 years old, was arrested.
Dressed as a boy, her hair cut short,
she stood guard outside the houses he
robbed with revolver hidden under
her coat, they say. Quantities of sill
verware and other valuab1es, alleged to
have been stolen by the couple. were
recovered by the police. Mrs. Anschott
will be given hearing tomorrow.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-19
EVANGELIST TO SPEAK
Billy Williams to Tell Experiences
at TrianOn SUNDAY

Evangelist BILLY" Williams of Califor.
MIA Will speak to men at the Trianon the
atre next Sunday afternoon on the sub,
ject THE Last Romp With the Tiger
billie" Williams has given this address
2320 times in this country. and 1t is an
impressive and helpful talk. Before his
conversion he was drummer and LIVED
at a rapid rate, and I'm this address h,
gives many of his experiences before ano
after conversion.
The meeting will begin promptly at
o'clock. the doors open at 2:30,&hnd 1t is
free to the men of Birmingham.
Mr.. Williams, who is conducting a re-
vival at the East Lake Methodist church,
last night spoke on Conversion"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-19
Cured His RUPTURE

vas badly ruptured while lifting a
trunk several years ago. Doctors said
my only hope of cure was an operation.
Trusses did me no good. Finally. got
hold of something that quickly and
completely cured me- Years have
passed and the rupture has never re-
turned, although am doing hard work
as a carpenter. There was no operation,
no lost time, no trouble. have nothing
to sell. but will give full information
about how you may find a complete
me, Eugene NJ. Pullen. Carpenter. y96
Marcellus Avenue. Manasquan, N j.
Better cut out this notice and show 1t
to any others who are ruptured-you
may save life or at least stop the
misery of rupture and the worry and
danger of an operation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-19
OLD ROADBED OF THE
|. & N. USED AS PIKE
Cullman Has Model High
way Ten Miles Long
10000 BALES SHIPPED
Sam Green Succeeds Emmett Math-
ews on School Board-Democrati
Executive Committee to
Meet Saturday
10000 BALES SHIPPED

Cullman. February 1s.-(Special.) }
The county of Cullman will get a
bounty OF something like $50, 900 in
the donation of the roadbed of the
louisville and Nashville railway from
this point to Hancevllle. This road is
direct and is, already in use, and with
a small additional expenditure by the
county in widening the fills will be a
model pike 10 miles long that would
cost the county at least $4,000 per mile
There is also three miles of the road
bed south of Hanceville to Garden City.
and one mile between Vinemont and
Holmes Gap, that have been aban-
doned and are no wused as public
roads. This right of way was cut out
when the Louisville and Nashville put
its new double track through this sec
tion.
Sam Green was elected a member of
the city school board to succeed EN-
NETT Mathews. resigned. The enroll
ment of the city school has gone 200
above last years enrolment Another
teacher has been employed.
The democratic county executive
committee met nthis city today and
after attending to matters of minor
Importance adjourned until saturday
No action was taken in regard to re-
strictions at the polls. that matter TO
be settled on Saturday next. Chairman
S. j. Griffin wished larger attend
ance before such an important matter
be decided.
The city of Cullman has shipped to
date 10000 bales of cotton as report
ed by Mr.. John Gerdes. a cotton buyer
of this city Hanceville has also
shipped between 1000 and 5000 bales.
Frank Boyer, a leading young busi-
ness man of Cullman, was honored by
a surprise part yon the night of Feb
ruary II in celebration of his birthday.
Mrs. Lenger was hostess and zoe COW
ers were laid. The Fourth regiment
band. of which Mr.. Boyer is the leader,
furnished the music. The celebration
took place in the Buchanan hall
Mrs Ella Fleming of South Dakota,
Who is the guest of her daughter. Mrs.
Asa Fuller. addressed the Cullman
Equal Suffrage club at the Tuesday
meeting which was held at the home of
the president, Mrs. Ignatius Polalk
Al 10 o'clock last night the store of
Mcdonnell & Kelly, located in the
northeastern business section of the
city, was burned. The damage will
probably reach $4,000.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-19
IRISH LEADER
is REELECTED

Cork, Ireland February 1S.-William
O'Brien, leader of the independent irish
nationalists. today was reelected. un-
opposed. as member OF Parliament for
Cork city He resigned in consequence
of a recent speech by Augustine Roche,
nationalist member for North Louth.
who declared the independent leader
ha6 lost his hold on Cork. Mr.. o. O'Brien
accepted the challenge and Immediately
vacated his seat. The regular nationals
list party decided not to oppose him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-19
Form Debating Society

Admission. February 1S.-(Speclalo
Through the efforts of Prof. Leilus
Young and his father. Prof. j.. w.
Young, the students of the Peeks IIill
public school near here have organized
a debating society. which will hold reg
ular debates every Thursday evening,
the first to take place on the 18th.