davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-27
Impressed With Birmingham

"Birmingh impressed me very fa- vorably upon first sight said T. ]. Knox. manager of the Motion Hotel cafe.
 q have been a resident of this city more than two months, and ths inn pression has in no way been dimin- ished. On the other hand, it has been heightened by numerous opportunities for observation. There is an air of briskness and alertness about Blrming- ham crowds that becomes apparent the moment a visitor strikes the city. This comes as a welcome relief whei, compared with some of the older south ern cities. Before visiting tho Ala Lama metropolis I had passed throue h Atlanta. While that city has an ex- cellent reputation it failed to come up to my expectations.
 "When l saw this city first In Oc- tober, I had no thought of making my stay permanent but after close in- vestigation of the commercial and in- dustrial conditions of the district. I de- cided to take advantage of opportuni- ties presented for making my connec- tions here permanent. am glad, there fore, that I acted upon my early inn pression. Indeed first impressions are often the most reliable"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-27
KEEPING MONEY CIRCULATING

From the Philadelphia Public Ledger
 One rich gentleman living in Walnut street that l know owns six automo- piles, five of which are of the French variety. They are worth, perhaps, S5O.- 900. His five chauffeurs receive not over $1500 year.
 l suppose this gentleman's automo- bile bill, counting repairs and depre- ciation, cannot be less than $25,0o0 a year. What shameful extravagance, ex- claims the man who has no car and who must either walk or ride in troll ley.
 But. bless his soul. what better thing can that s25.000 do than circulatee Much more human for it to be paving wages of car builders and repairers and even coolies in far off rubber planta- tions than to be hidden away in an old boot.
 And when you come to think of it one of the most difficult things to do is to keep money off the treadmili un less you do hide it like miser. Rus sell Sage saved his pennies but every one of them was out on a railroad track or a telegraph line somewhere. paying men and feeding families.
 Money invests itself as readily as a bee makes honey. and nothing you, can do with it. unless you lock it away in box. can stop it's eternal grind. Money makes the mare go," but un- like the mare, money never stops to rest
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-27
Better Without Incorporation

Royles is one of the youngest but one of the largest of Birmingham neighbors, and many community with less population is an incorporated city. Some of the citizens of Boyles have desired to apply to the leglsla- ture for a charter of incorporation, but others with important interests there are opposed to any steps being taken seeking that end.
 The Louisville and Nashville rail road established Boyles few years ago as its general yard. The company required large acreage, not only for its immediate needs but for future expansion. It wished to be close to the city but for obvious reasons not in the city. The Louisville and Nash vile invested millions of dollars at Boyles in making it one of the best equipped yards in the country, and un- less hampered the company will invest and cause to be invested there a great deal of money in manufacturing plants.-It is said to be the Louisville and Nashville's purpose to begin the erection of car building shops at Boyles within the next six months
 
 porated.
 Whatever might be gained by in- corporation would not begin to meas ure up to what would be lost in large improvements and in industries that would afford employment to vast numbers of wage workers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-27
The University Glee Club

The University Glee clubs annual concert in Birmingham has become an institution, and it is well worthy of generous support on the part of the public. These singers appear under the auspices of and for the benfit of the local chapter of the United Daugh- ters of the Confectionery, whose noble work for Alabama is so well and favorably known.
 This years concert will take place at the Southern club tomorrow night. There are many charity entertain ments but few at this holiday sea- son should have more appeal than that which the young men of the university provide.
 As an officer of the United Daugh- ters of the Confectionery remarks: "The old saying that prophet is not with out honor save in his own country often holds good when our own talent is concerned. It sometimes happens that great crowds greet entertainers who have no claim on our time or our hearts and our own-those who are of us-play to empty benches" It should not be so and it will not be so Monday night.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-27

survey have shown up the sparrow in a more favorable light. In a report based on observations during the years 1911 and 1912, it is estimated that one brood of young sparrows can destroy at least POO alfalfa weevil in a day.
 Further favorable testimony is given by Prof. R. J. DeLoach of the Geor- gia Agricultural experiment station. Prof. DeLoach says that in 1905, at Statesboro, Ga, he witnessed the spec tacle of about 1000 sparrows attack ing field of German millet which had been invaded by several million of the army worm caterpillars "In about 4S hours these little birds had com pletely cleaned the millet patch If the worms, to the relief of the owners of the adjoining farms"
 Sparrows largely inhabit the cities but they also are well distributed in the rural districts. It may be that the country sparrows render some service as insect destroyers. There is little evidence that the city variety of the bird manifests much interest in the pursuit of insects, but it may be be- cause other and more acceptable food is available
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-27

Even the briefest accounts were thrill ing and revealed perhaps more than any other feature of the conflict the remarkable achievements of science in these latter days when battles are fought simultaneously in the air, on the land, on the sea and under 1t. Just as no other war in the history of the world has been so vast as the present struggle, so has the ingenuity of man never before been put to such a successful trial of destructiveness.
 One of the most exciting aerial bat ties that has happened recently was described in press dispatch of Christmas Day, via London from South End -On-Sea, England. Almost mile high, two British aeroplanes and one German, travelling 70 miles an hour, fought a spectacular engage ment while thousands of people down below strained their eyes and stretched their necks to follow the movements of the three machines. AL though the British birdmen fired re- peated volleys at the German invader, is seems that no particular damage was done to any of the combatants.
 No doubt the tremendous speed at which aeroplanes travel, atmospheric conditions and other problems of aerial navigation are responsible for the poor shooting that is done by the aviators. Although there have been number of such battles recorded, in only few cases was any serious damage done. Pistol fire exchanged at short range has proved in most instances a mere waste of ammunition, while shooting from the ground below is scarcely more effective.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-27

we need such a monitor by our sides when we pause to make up the pro gramme of the New Year.
 Make no resolutions and you will break none" is the philosophy of a pig or piece of furniture. By Christ's clear standards mans life is written in terms of his failures. If you have succeeded you are an animal. If you have failed you have had a dream. Don't bring your ideals down to your life; lift your life to your ideals. If one never reaches as high as he aims. 1t is therefore the more necessary to aim at the absolute, the highest.
 Nor should the gazer into the New Year, in remembering the advice of Christ, forget His resources. His rich. strong, glorified life split enough power into the world to take us alono In His train. God still owns Him as His Son by fulfilling His promises and carrying out His schedules of life.
 Leap astride a sun-going horse. and stick, in the name and the power of God and His Christ.
 HENRY M. EDMONDs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-27
The Real Christmas Spirit

Never was the real Christmas spirit the spirit of happy greeting and .neighborly kindness-more generally manifested throughout the country than it was last week.
 Reports from every large city told of large deeds of charity. The poor and hungry were fed in groups of hundreds and thousands, destitute families were liberally provided with the necessities of life, orphanages and mercy homes were generously remem- bered and everywhere the scriptural saying, it is more blessed to give than receive, has been the dominant note of this Christmas-tide.
 This is said to be a commercial age. There is much rivaly in business, much eagerness for accumulation of wealth, much rush and scramble in the work a-day world. In nation of 100000 900 souls there is some sordidness and some wickedness, but high-mind- edness among the worlds workers is the rule and the good in every com- munity so far outweighs the bad that all but ill disposed natures feel happy in the reflection that this land of ours is all the while growing better.
 Certain it is that no season of the year is so humanizing as Christmas.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-27
THE COUNTRY

THE COUNTRY l am longing for the country where they still eat mush and milk, And where the socks have not yet changed from wool to lustrous silk;
 Where the good wife still wears calico and bout styles never frets, Where girls still smell of wood smok e. not of tale and cigarettes.
 Cincinnati Enquirer. m longing for the country, where the purest breezes blow And Where the things we like to eat in great abundance grow; Where happiness and rare good health and peace and plenty are And nearly every man you meet rides in an auto car.
 Birmingham Age-Herald l am longing for the country where l used to have cold feet; where the winters are a terror and the summers are a treat: where the women and the children do not fear the outdoor air, And fellows private business is no neighborhood affair
 Nebraska Journal. l am longing for the country I am longing just to be Where l can let the whskers grow upon the face O me; Where l can let my hair grow ;n a wild and woolly way And where father does the farmin' and there ain't no board to pay.
 Houston Post
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-27
Great College Fraternity Gathering

One of the notable convention events of the year will be the biennial meet ing of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity to be held in Birmingham this week. Many distinguished educators will be in attendance, and college boys from one end of the country to the other will answer to the roll call as dele gates. The president of the Phi Delta Theta is Guy Potter Benton, who as president of the University of Yer mont, is known and esteemed through out New England.
 The convention will be in session several days, and in addition to the routine business to be disposed of the social activities will have large part on the programme. The Alabama Phi Delta Thetas deserve much credit for securing this years meeting for Bir- mingham. It was heli two years ago in Chlcago and San Francisco was rep resented there by a committee who urged that the 1914 convention be held in the Pacific coast metropolis.
 Many national bodies that hold meetings next year have decided upon San Francisco as the place, and as the Panama-Pacific exposition opens on the first of February, a number of organizations that are to meet this winter are extending the time few weeks in order to accept the exposi- ton city's invitation. Great pressure was brought to bear on the Phi Delta Theta fraternity to meet in San Fran cisco, but Birmingham was deemed the more desirable place.
 The meeting Tuesday will bring about 800 visitors, and cordial well come awaits them all.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-27
Some New Years Reflections

The figure of the Old Years dying and the New Years being born in the night has appealed very powerfully to the imagination of the human race. Millions of people still read with vivid feeling the "Stop, Look, Listen" sign stuck up between December 31 and January 1.
 At such time Christ were an ad- mirable companion and adviser.
 In Him was an utter lack of cynicism or despair. He believed in the best, in aiming at the best, and in saying so-which is not always easy in the midst of world which wisely doubts and indulgently smiles.
 Wonderful dreamer He was. "Be ye perfect;" "Go ye into all the world and preach.' He always touched the rim when He spoke. Little man, of a little people, without external aid or visible power, yet finding no hesitancy in talking about perfection of life and of dominion.
 Ii Hung Chang, believe it was, said once that Christ was too ideal istic, that He laid down ideals impos- sible to achieve. Well, that is the very reason that He is the logical Lord of the hearts of men.
 And we who are weak, timid, doubt ing, cynical, apt to be influenced by the superficial temper of the times
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-27
CHRISTMAS PAYS
From the Savannah News.

From the Savannah News.
 Christmas is very costly institution. It makes deep holes in millions of we'll filld pockets. Fathers hand reaches into his pocket more often in the few weeks before Christmas than during any other period of equal extent in the whole year. And lots of money goes for presents that, in the hands of happy children, last a very short time. Nightfall of Christmas Day sees many toys in mangled heaps that bright and shining and new greeted the little folks as they hoped out of bed Christmas morning. And millions and millions of things are bought that never would be, if it were not for CShristmas. But does all this mean that Christmas Is not worth the money it costs, that it would be better if the world did not ob- serve the anniversary of Christ's birth in the way it does? Nobody in the whole wide Christian part of the world will say that Christmas does not pay for itself. that 1t is not worth all 1t costs, and that 1t is not bargain at any price. Where can be found a father and mother who feel that they have been cheated by Christmas, after they hear the gurgling laughter of their children, in ecstacy among their new toys. even if there had to be skimping and saving of pennies to buy the little presents?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-27
Active Business In January

There has been very decided im- provement in many branches of business since November l." said E. J. Weisner of Cleveland, but the new period of prosperity which has been predicted by great captains of industry like Judge Gary and Charles M. Schwab will date, it is now thought, from about the middle of January. There seems to be no doubt in the minds of business men in general that high record prosperity is not far away. Already we are hearing good re- ports from the winter wheat belt and if the crops are as big next summer as they were last-the wheat acreage is larger-we will have the greatest boom in the his- tory of the United States"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-27
THE ECONOMY EXPERT
James H. Collins in the Saturday Ever
 ing Post.

James H. Collins in the Saturday Even-
 ing Post.
 Close on the heels of the efficiency man has come another specialist known as the economy superintendent The et- ficiency mans job is to hold the stop watch on operations, with a view to speeding them up or shortening them as well as to shorten and simplify routine.
 The economy superintendent, on the contrary, browses all round the works to see what is being used; how it is be- ing handled; what is spoiled, thrown away through ignorance, carelessness and use of wrong materials. His super vision into the plant. with leeway to change these if he can effect sane econ. omies by substitution and improvement, and extends through the works, with its countless opportunities for leaks and extravaganza. out to the scrap heap, where he finds suggestions that, in turn. help him develop better standards in the purchase of more material.
 Within the past 10 of 15 years ma- terials have changed greatly Steel used to be simply steel. and iron was iron, and the natural products, such as lum- Der. rubber and fibers, were used with allowance for their limitations; but to- day there are literally hundreds of va rieties of steel for different purposes, and iron is available in different grades, too. and has been replaced by alloys. And all the natural products have their manufactured and synthetic substitutes. This wealth of modern materials has opened up vast possibilities for the economy man at the buying end Once on time he could only have cut down costs by cheeseparing, using less of the same material or an inferior grade; but now there is rich technical field to be worked. He can often cut costs by using some other material that ia both cheap CT and better. His economics are not due
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-27
To Be n Great Event

'The Phi Delta Thetas are looking forward with great pleasure to the convention which begins it's session here next Tuesday" said Alex R. Dear born, Jr.
 "The local committees have been busy for sometime making arrange ments for entertaining the visitors in a fitting manner.
 As the Phi Delta Theta fraternity holds its national convention only once in two years, and as the meetings are usually held in cities of the largest class, it is with much pride that we induced those charged with the selec- tion of the place to chose Birmingham. It is estimated that the convention will bring fully 800 visitors"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-27
LUKE M,LUKE SAYS

From the Cincinnati Enquirer.
 Men regard women toys. But the ones wearing the brightest paint are not always the most popular
 The wedding day kiss is loaded with dynamite. But the tin wedding day kiss Is lraded with cold mush.
 Married women ought to make good jurors They know what darned liars all the men are, and they are wise to all the alibis.
 What is the use of fussing around and coUrting a girl for two years when you can cop her out or know where you stand the very first night you meet her?
 Mother will gather up all her coffee checks, soap tags, trading stamps and grocery checks and will get a lot of Christmas presents with them. And father will come home and indignate about mother spending all his good money tor lot of junk to give to people who will not appreciate 1t.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-27
Opposed to Incorporating Boyles

T am decidedly opposed to making Boyles an incorporated town or city, said Arnold Masberg of the firm of Lin- nehan & Masberg
 My concern owns valuable acreage property at Boyles, and that being so. everything concerning that prosperous community is of interest to us. While certain advantages result from incor- poration as a rule. in the case of an industrial community like Boyles it is better to continue without charter. It will not be long before one or more big industrial plants are erected at Boyles. and within the next four or five years 1t will be one of the greatest and most flourishing industrial sec tions of the Birmingham district
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-27
THE WE'LL OF THE MAGI

By George Englehart. Fearful of Herod's cruel eyes And doubtful of old prophecies, In hasting from Jerusalem
 To Bethlehem, The Wise Men, so the Arabs tell Halted beside a little we'll Their lode star lost. the track grown
 dim
 In Rephaim. Etooping across the waters brink, Saw, mirrored in It's darkened flow,
 The stars white glow. It rose not to the starry height, But leading closely through the night Rested roof high, beacon mild, Rested roof high, beacon mild,
 Over the Child. Lord. in our souls the world and
 doubt Have put Thy stars high radiance
 out; Light us a 1owlier lantern, meet
 For earth worn feet. Our years have taught us no sure
 way; Our wise men's wisdom halts astray: Lead us, o Child, to find Thy star
 Where children are.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-27
Modern Wonders

Only few years ago who, save a few scientists and inventors perhaps, dreamed that today it would be a com mon occurrence to read in the news papers of aerial battles taking place above the hostile countries of Europe, while excited people stare up from below at birdmen sweeping down upon each other more savagely than ever falcon attacked his quarry?
 Since the beginning of the war in Europe many such aerial battles have been recorded, in more or less detail.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-27
GIVE HER A CHRISTMAS
AeJt3oaeQ

GIVE HER A CHRISTMAS
 "A gift that would be a welcome remembrance for the woman who takes her breakfast in bed Is well designed tray."-New York Evening Post
 Breakfast in bed'-the parasite! Put a frying pan in her stocking.--North American Review.
 And a slap stick In her husbands sock.-Youngstown Telegram.
 And cracker crumbs in her bed- Houston Post,
 Have heart, then. Give her a bou. doir cap.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-27
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
wieners Instead of weiner.

T notice that in Birmingham as in other cities the wiener stands are very numerous" said T. T. Dalton of Chicago.
 The little wiener restaurant is now taken as a feature of every large city. But as this food produce which is today so popular gets it's name from Vienna, the German of which is Wien the name of the sausage, it seems to me. should be spelled wiener and not 'weiner.' as I see it here.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-27
GOOD WORDS FOR THE SPARROW

From the Louisville Courier-Journal.
 At one time it looked as if tho com mon sparrow had mo friends at all." though he nas contrived to prosper and increase his tribe in the face of all op- position. Just now. however, the spar row is finding some defenders.
 There is a law in Michigan which provides for bounty of 2 cents a head for sparrows during the months of De- cember. January and February. Some of the women's clubs in that state are petitioning the legislature to repeal the law on the ground that the birds are useful as insect destroyers. Some re- cent Investigations of the biological
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-27
WE'RE SURE SHE CAN

Well. Princessa. did Santa Claus fill your stocking?"
 Not literally, of course, but he left me a dozen perfectly stunning pairs which I am confident of being able to fill myself"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-27
NED BRACE TALKS ABOUT BlRr1fNGF1AMS s AFFAIRS AND MAKES SO1E SUGGESTIONS ,

r HE people of Birmingham are finally
 aroused over the financial condition
 of the city.
 A committee of one hundred and sub committee of fifteen have been appointed to devise plans of relief of a permanent and practical nature. These committees are, However. merely advisory to the city commissioners who were elected to man. age the citys affairs. These committees, commissioners who are paid salaries for the work.
 They are expected to earn their salaries There are three good men on this com mission, but somehow they can't agree uron plans. They cannot get together Therefore I should say that concretely it is a proposition put right up to Presi- dent George Ward to handle himself, as- suming both the criticism and the credit that might arise from his acts.
 If he waits upon the other commission CTS to agree with him things are liable to jog along until the machine runs into a ditch.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-27
The Sunday Musicale

The second of the seasons Sunday mu- sicale arranged by Mrs. Sharp and Mrs. Frazier will take place at the Tutwiler this afternoon at 3:30 clock.
 Thuel Burnham, one of the most distin- gushed of the younger group of Amer ican pianists, will be the attraction. He went abroad when a mere lad and has been studying and playing in Vienna for the past 15 years.