davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
GALLERIES AND
 FLOORS CROWDED

Impressed with the importance of measure which President Wilson has characterized as necessary to the conduct of his administrations foreign policy, an extraordinary attendance of members was on the floor when the rule was presented. Galleries and floor were crowded; throngs Of spectators filled the seats in the gal leries. occupied the stairways and over flowed into the corridors, The spectators came when the House met at II o'clock today and waited hour after hour, as routine business delayed the tolls bill and the nervous tension on the floor grew more and more tense.
 The legislative way finally was cleared and at o'clock Representative Henrs. lchaitman of the ruics committed, pre- sented the rule. limiting debate on tue sims bin 10 20 hours and precifdinS amendment. except for single notion to recommt. Brief argument brought about an agreement for three hours of debate on the rule and the preliminary skrnish h of the greatest legislative struggle of a aal ,la l nlf
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27

i PrattVille. Mafcf 26.-tSpecial )-SeVera hundred voters of plattviiie and Autauga county heard ex-Governor B, B. Comei malo public address here tonight in the interest of his campaign for governor. Contrary to expectations, Mr. Conner did not reply to the attack made upon him Alabama.
 Regarding the governors charge that he was co-conspirator with Theodore Lacy, MT. Conner said the charge was absurd.
 Never knew Mr. Lacy" said Mr. Co., mer. 'I never cracked bottles with him across the counter. I never went over the town with him.. MT. Conner declared that the governor speech was an ex- hibition of bilingseate, and for that req son should not be credited.
 They have summoned me to testify before the grand jury tomorrow" con tinued the governor. "The idea of the governor of this state going out of his way to summon me before the grand jury, when I know nothing about it."
 The former governor declared that the legislature was the proper body to in- festigate the charges made by Lacy.
 Why doesn't he call the legislature to- sether?' asked the governor
 "The legislature Is the proper body to investigate these charges, the governor can't do it. Charles Lewis, his master. won't allow it"
 Mir. Conner made several references to the governors charges, but did not an- swer any one of them. He called the governor a prevaricator-a prevaricator who takes the cake but he did not answer any of the charges made against him by the present chief executive
 At the conclusion of his speech. The Age-Herald correspondent asked Mir Co., mer if he intended to answer the gov ernor's charges.
 'I have no intention of doing so, was the reply. ''The governors charges are absurd He's not acquainted with the real facts. Why should I answer the gov ernor?'
 MT. Conner also declined to make any referenee to his controversy with Walter D. Seed at Dadeville. few days ago. It was expected that he would make men
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
BE. KE|THD
 PALM BEACH,F FLA. Vaudeville Magnate Drops Dead of Heart Disease
 in Southern City

Palm Beach. Fla, March 26-B. r. Keith of Brookline. Mass. the vaude. vile magnate, dropped death of heart failure at his hotel here at midnight to- night.
 MT. Keith was e years of age and ap- parently had been in the best of health Mrs. Keith and Paul Keith. son, were with him here. Mir. Keith and his son had been discussing business matters ir their apartments and the latter, stepping outside for a moment. returned to find his father dead.
 The body will be taken to Boston to- morrow. MT. Keith was married to Miss Ethel Bird Chase in Washington, D. C.. on October 2s last They were spending the winter here.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
TEXAS SWEPT BY
 TORRENT|AL RAINS Railroad Schedules Tied Up and Considerable Damage
 Is Wrought


 Dallas, Tex, March 26.-Torrential rains over east and south Texas and southwest Louisiana, which in some places were described as water spouts' and "cloud- bursts caused one death tied up rail- road schedules and wrought considerable property damage today.
 Standford Cranberry, aged II, was drowned in swollen creek near Derid- der. La.
 Freight trains were tied up and passen- ger trains ordered to disregard schedules and proceed cautiously in southea st Texas. Water was running over the Gulf. Colorado and Santa Fe tracks in many places. Branch and lumber roads report ed several bridges washed out, The rain fall in Beaumont today was 3.6s inches. 'waterspout'' was reported at Teague. Tex. Near that town a Trinity and Brazos Valley freight train ran into a washout and was wrecked. No one was hurt.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27

sent for but for some reason refrained from interference.
 The may or retained the chair in a vain endeavor tn resume the council proceedings. but finally the council beat a retreat, leaving the women in possession of the hall. with few so- cialst members of the council. who remained to hear speeches delivered by Miss Zeelie Emerson of Jackson, Mich. and others.
 While Miss Emerson was speaking the council ventured to return to the chamber It then carried a resolution excluding the public from the chamber for three months
 George Lansbury, n member of the council and strong supporter of the militant movement, fiercely prot ested against this. proceeding as irregular and threw the town clerks books and papers to the floor. amid cheers from the suffragists.
 The council meeting then adjourned.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
PANDEMONIUM REIGNS AS
 SUFFRAGETTES RAID HALL
Armed With Flour Evil Smelling Drugs Clubs Infuated Women Wreck Vengeance On Council Who Refused to Give
 Them Hal-Men Rested in Battle While Women Shout

London. March s6.--An extraordi- . nary suffragette disturbance occurred today at meeting of the Poplar bor- ough council, which had voted ad- versely to letting out council halls for suffragette meetings.
 With shouts of "cowards' and other offensive epithets a crowd of women invaded that section of the hall re- served for the councillors. exploding bombs containing evil smelling chem icals and flinging bags of flour and stones at the members The councillors were soon struggling with the infuri- ated women, many of whom were armed with bludgeons and bottles
 Shrieks and shouts. the smashing of glass and the splintering of chairs completed one of the worst scenes of pandemonium in the history. of the sui fragette movement. The police We're
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27

rerulse of Gen. Francisco Villa and his rebel army, fighting has been resumed in the attack on Torreon <: Noe, a few miles north of Gomez Palacio.
 This was the substance of a brief dis patch to federal headquarters in Piedras Negras late today, said to have come direct from the battlefield. It was sent by Gen. Joaquin Maas.
 Villa Defeated
 Eagle Pass. Tex, March 26-Federal officials at Piedras Negras, Mex, oppo- site Eagle Pass, today announced they had received official advices of the de- feat of Francisco Villa constitutionalist leader at Gomez Palacio a suburb of Torreon
 Notices were posted in Piedras Negras declaring Villa had been repulsed with loss of POGO killed and wounded" and that the consttutionalists are now re- treating toward Escalon"
 No details were obtainabe Escalon is about 100 miles northwest of Torreon
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27

executive approval was expected that the literacy test ought to be cut out of the bill.
 Senator Smith declared today that the literacy test would remain in the bill, and that he considered the measure as re- ported to the Senate the best immigra- ton bill prepared in years. and believed that it would pass the Senate overwhelm- ingly. Senator Smith declined to express an opinion as to whether the President would veto the bill.
 Representative Burnett is in Ala bama engaged in his campaign.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
TODAY'S AGE-HERALD

1--villa reported defeated.
 England facing serious problem.
 Tolls repeal battle begins.
 Six drown when schooner sinks. 2-Plans ready for mine experiment. 3-Gain in production of iron and steel 4-Editorial comment. 5-May put fiusher in use.
 Celebrate anniversary of Horsesho,
 Bend today.
 Cleanup crusade to be conducted.
 Citizens disapproye of lease system. G--Society. 1-Sports. s-Autoists to race here. 2 Mrs. Chapman Is given freedom. To- Georgia entering on campaign whici
 is Alabama rival. 1l-Enect of music on animals varies. |1;-Markets. 1EFornan tells of Compton killing
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
REPRESENTATION
 CRITICAL, DECLARE J. 5. ARMY OFFICERS
Present Fighting Second in Interest Only to Battle of OjinagaROrde Con-
 ditions Improved

Washington, March 26.-Not since the successful assault on ojinaga has there beer so much interest manifested here in the details of the Mexican campaign as fin the present attempt of the rebel gen. eral. Villa, to capture the important fed eral base at Torreon. But whereas in the first instance the fighting was under the direct observation of Americans just across the line, virtually nothing is known here of what is going on at Torreon. The state department has its represen- tative at the front in the person of Vice Consul Carothers, on terms of personal intimacy with Villa, but so far it has heard nothing from the vice consul ex- cept a brief message last night that the results had not been determined.
 Situation Critical
 Army officers here believe that Villa s situation is critical. They point out that 1t would be impossible for him to proceed on his march toward the City of Mexico, leaving a strong federal base on his line of communications, while on the other hand he cannot remain indefinitely in his present position outside of Torreon for ls cF of means to keep his army in food. water and ammunition. The necessity Of gathering most of his troops at the front has thinned the constitutionalist leaders lines of communication with his base a- Chihuahua, and if these should be cut by a force of federals from Satilo Mon terey the rebel army would be in des- pcrate plight. The army strategists here are convinced, therefore, that if Villa does not succeed in breaking down the opposition at Torreon quickly he will be obliged to undertake a hurried rereat to Chihuahua to reorganize and strengthen his forces.
 Border Conditions Better
 Conditions along the Texas border are much better than they normally are. ac- cordns to information reaching President Wilson The President told callers that newspaper editorials and the judgment of impartial observers showed that a good many of the raids and border diff culties which occur ordinarily had been stopped He appeared to be satisfied with conditions along the international line.
 II was explained at the state depart me mt today that the 8 constitutionalist soldiers released at it's instance at Nuevo Laredo had been under medical treatment there ever since the beginning of the year, when they had been wounded n some of the sharp fighting that took place near Laredo about that time. They were not regarded as fugitives in the sense of the federal soldiers who fled
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27

The rebels are said to be retreating at Bermejillo. a town on the railroad 20 miles north of Torreon
 At the war office 1t was said that the message was sent from San Pedro De Las Colonias, a town 37 miles northeast of the battlefield, and was filed by a fed elal officer
 It was the first dispatch to come through the fighting zone.
 The government again tonight claimed victory at Torreon, although admitting that details were lacking. Newspapers issued extra editions based on the gov ernments meagre dispatch from San Pedro. In railroad circles, however, the news is discredited to a large extent on the ground that Hipolto. 130 miles east of Torreon, is the nearest point of com muncation.
 The government also claims victories at Cuatro Cienegas and Arteaga.
 Fighting Resumed
 Eagle Pass, March 2e.-Following the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
VII SON MIGHT VETO BILL INCLUDING LTTERACY TEST
Understood Executives Objection to Provision IntenseSec retary Confers With Senator Smith of Senate I'm
 migration Committee Smith Refuses Statement
py C, E sTEwART

Washington, March 26.-(special.)-It is understood that President Wilson is op- posed to the literacy test in the Burnett immigration bill to such an extent that he has hinted at veto if this test was not removed before the bill reached the White House.
 w B. Wilson. Secretary of Labor. had q conference with Senator K. D. Smith of the Senate immigration committee. and 1t fs declared informed the senator of tho Pfesid1nts objections. and that if the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27

For two hours the rule alternately was defended and attacked iu heated debate In the House. When adjourn ment came. with an hour Of debate on the rule left for tomorrow, Speaker Champ Clark, who before had not an- nounecd his position on the repeal pol fey. issrcd n stat, ment vigorously op- posing the rule.
 "Surely there Is nothing sacred about for this mad rush." said the speakers statement. "I will not be party to ram- ming such a rule down the threats of mpubprs
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
SCHOONER S|NKS:; CAPTAIN AND SIX 0F
 CREW DROWNED
Wireless Report Says Bos- ton Steamer Went Down Saturday-Cause of the
 Disaster Unknown

Washington, March 26-Loss at sea of the American schooner Hattie P. Simpson of Boston with her captain and five other members of the crew, was reported to the navy department tonight in relayed wire less messages from the steamship Caracas. which has on board four survivors of the schooner
 The dispatch said the Simpson sank Saturday morning, March 2l, but gave no details It came from the Caracas, pre- sumably the American steamer of that name bound from San Juan. Porto Rico. and was picked up by the battleship Kan sas at target practice off the Virginia Cape.
 Captain Fletcher of the Kansas relavcd the message to Rear Adnural Badger, on the Michigan in Hampton Roads, who in turn sent it to the department.
 Just received from Kansas, now well off shore from Cape Henry for direct firing:
 Received from caracas-F. Hestam. second mate; John Turner seaman John Maria, engineer; Charles Brown, seaman of schooner Hattie P. Simpson of Boston. Philadelphia for Galveston. 13, March, abandoned and sunk morning 21st. All remainder of crew, captain, first mate, steward and three seamen lost"
 Naval officers were at loss to eX- plain the loss of the schooner. as they had heard of no heavy weather along the coast during the latter part of last week. They were inclined to think that the crew must have left the vessel in boats before she sank. and that one of the boats was swamped.
 The schooner Hattie P. Simpson a 1265-
 New York, March 26.-The schooner Hattie P. Simpson. l265- ton tes- sel, was built at Waldoboro, Me, in 1891 and was owned by A. R. Reed of Boston, which was the schooners home port. The shipping records show her as having sailed from Philadelphia on March Strong.
 here from the Caracas. Captain Strong of the Simpson, and five men of the total crew of 10 were drowned
 The schooner was loaded with anthra- cite coal and went down SO quickly. 1t appears. that Captain Strong and those lost with him. did not have time to make the yawl which was hauled up to the davits astern.
 The position where the yawl was over hauled by the Caracas was latitude 3G 2 and longitude 72.25 No information as to the cause of the schooner's loss was contained in the messages received up to midnight.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
RULE RECEIVES
 LITTLE ATTENTION

To d House silently attentive, Represen tative Henry explained the rule and launched into a defense of the repeal bill. Then followed an argument in which the rule received little attention, as compared with the merits of the measure; and the Presidents foreign policy the right Of the American government to exercise con trol of the canal it has built, and the economic adyisabilty of free tolls for American ships were dragged back and forth in the discussion.
 Most speakers dwelt on the foreign sit- uation. The Presidents adherents who spoke, all democrats, declared that under tfe treaty the United States had no moral right to pass it's ships free. His oppo- nents, republicans and progressives. at tackled the foreign policy of the admin istration and denounced the proposed peal al an "abject surrender to Great Britain
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
W|L.SON TELLS WHY
 HE. WANTS AMERICAN !. SHIPS ID PAY TOLLS
President Says Serious h. ternatiOnal Situation May Result if Repeal Bill
 Is Defeated

Washington. March e6.-President Will son, in talks with callers today, argued that members of Congress were not being asked to change their personal opinions on the tolls exemption but to vote na- trotically for it's repeal in order to eor- rect serious international situation. which threatened to embarrass the United States at every turn in future negotiation of treaties and trade agreements.
 The President told Congressman who visited the White House that those who based their oppasitita to ti,c repeal on economic grounds or even on their iiidi- vidual interpretation of the Hay-Paunce- fote treaty were losing sight of the main point-the united and unanimous opposi- ton of the civilized world against the tolls exemption. The President has been informed that the press of South Amer lea, speaking he thinks also for tlieir governments, has joined the press and governments of the rest of the world in the view that the United States is inIer- obligations.
 No Personal question
 MT. Wilson emphasized that it was no personal question with him, though he himself believed the tolls exemption was form of ship subsidy and a mistaken economic policy as well as breach of the treaty. He reiterated that he did not go to Congress with his message to eX- press his personal views, but to state ..lt, l,,I ntie int. |. ally, involving circumstances which were not before members of Congress when they last considered the Panama canal act He did not believe members of Cor gress would be compromising themselves by changing their votes now, because he knew they could not have foreseen the world wide protest at that time.
 Asked just what the international situa- ton was, the President explained that so long as the judgment of the whole world was unanimously against the United States on a situation of national honor and q treaty obligation, foreign govern ments generally would not be enthusiastic about entering into further treaties or trade agreements. For this reason he held it vital to repeal the tolls exemp- ton clause.
 Explains Situation
 There was deep feeling in the Presi- dents voice as he explained the situation to one group of callers. He referred 10 the American nation too big ard pow erful to be ungenerous or captious in ,,s construction of treaties. The t'nitca States. he believes, Is too big Sto say we will do just as little as possible. anl as we please in Interpreting our obligation
 He insisted that the thing for the United States to do was voluntarily and ungrudgingly to make its own ships pay tolls on an equality with other nations as the points involved were too small as compared with the international inconven- fence and loss of prestige which he thinks would be casioned.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
Presentation of Rule to Limit Debate and Prohibit Amendment to Sims Bill ProvOkes
 Heated Debate
CLARK ANNOUNCES POSITION
 BY VIGOROUSLY OPPOSING RULE
Hour Debate Left for Rule Resolution When Adjournment Taken-Gaeres and Floor Packed and House is in Ner
 vous Tension as the Great Struggle Begins

Washington March 26The greatest legislative battle yet undertaken by President Wilson's administration begun today with presentation of special rule in the House to limit debate and prohibit amendment the administrations to repeal the provision of e Panama canal act allow inc free passage American ships.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
UNDERWOOD SITS
 SILENTLY IN SEAT

Throughout the discussion Majority Leader Underwood for the first time op- posing the administration. sat quietly at his seat listening attentivels to the arg,i- n,ent. Republican Leader Mann and Pro gl essive Leader Murdock both made arguments against the rule and the bill
 Adminstratonists tonight vigorously sought to keep the supporters in line enc to get recruits. The opposition di- rected It's efforts to obtaining votes to defeat a motion to close debate on the ule. which will be made after an hour s debate tomorrow, and which if beaten. would allow amendment of the rule In this situation opponents of the bin would attempt to open the Sims bill to amend mont and might force the adoption of a compromise amendment. repeating the tolls sections without surrendering the contention that the United States under the treaties has the right to grant free tells.
 Speaker Clafk's statement tonight en- couraged opponents of the rule and Rep resentative sims, author of the repeal bill. later issued statement declaring;
 "I have heard there will he an organ ized effort by enemies Of the administra- ton. both in and out of the democratic rarty, to defeat the motion for the pre-
 tCOntinned on Page ElEhp
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
Unconfirmed Rumors

London, March 27.-Many uncon- firmed rumors appear in the morning papers of the resignation of officers at Adershot and Curragh.
 The Chronicle, government or gan. insists that resignations must be dealt with by instant dismissal. The Chronicle admits that it no longer is possible to think of postponing the dissolution of Parliament until next year.
 "A general election,'' it says, must come very shortly and the issue of pop
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
ENGLAND FACING
 SERIOUS PROBLEM IN QUILTING ULSTER
Asquith Not in Position to Make Statement While Ru- mors Are Flying Thick
 and Fast

London. March 26-That the govern. ment still is facing a situation of extreme difficulty is proved by the fact that Pre- inier Asquith was not in position .o- night to make his promised statement in Parliament, and it consequently was post poned until tomorrow
 The air is full of extravagant runners. among the most credible being the repors that Colonel Seely, after all is to quit the war office by an exchange of portfolios With Lewis Harcourt, secretary for the colonies.
 The only new facts in the situation to- could not be confirmed.
 day were found in the resignation of Field Marshal Sir John French, chief of the imperial general staff. and Sir John Spen- oer Ewart adjutant general, from the army council. Rumors that other mem bers of the army council have resigned
 Call Hurried Meeting
 Negotiat tions and conferences between Buckineha palace. the war office ard Downing street were carried on through out the day. and it was known that the strongest efforts were being made to in- cuce Field Marshal French and General Ewart to reconsider. The prime minister called q hurried meeting of the cabinet at his residence after it was decided 10 postpone the statement to Parliament.
 Later it was announced, with a show of authority, that both French and Ewart at last had consented to withdraw their resignations
 In Ireland no change has occurred Bel fast remains quiet. and although it is as- serted that officers at the Curragh camp are determined to resign because of the repudation of Colonel Seely's guarantee by the government, no resignatiOns. so far as known, have occurred.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27

Mexico City, March 26-Confmation of the reported de feat o General Villas army Torreon by federal forces under uenera easco was gwen in received at today at the Mexican office The losses are placed at 700 killed
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-27
AVORITE CANDIDATE FOR THE LEGISLATURE FAVOR PUTT
FRANCISCO VILLA IS
 REPORTED DEFEATED:
 ARMY IS IN RETREAT
Confirmation of Reported Repuse Troops at Torreon Received in Official Dispatches at Mexico City
 Fighting Reported Resumed at Noe

Washington March 26.The constutionaist agency k S tonight gave out the following telegram from Rafael N constltutionais agent at Fl Paso:
 Gomez Paacio and Lerdo in hands and Torreon Is completely surrounded We expecting victory at any hours