davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-09

that of the lock construction, essential
to the completion of the canal had
been designed, constructed, assembled
upon the isthmus and put into opera
ton; the most serious difficulties at
tendant upon industrial manipulation
in the torrid zone had been overcome
and the entire project was well under
way. In other words it was all over
but the shouting and we are doing the
shouting now
In our pride and exhileration at the
completion of this unparalleled
achievement we should not forget The
odore P. Shonts, for history will ac-
cord him full recognition of that honor
which is his and without whose direc-
ton and assiduous application the
great project would probably never
have been, at least in our day COM
pleted
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-09
RECOMMENDS PENCE
By BILL VINES

wv ASHINGToN. February s.-(Spe-
M cial.)-We want to say in pass
ing that we have the idea all
the time that we was some democrat. and
had been boosting the administration to
beat the band.
We realized from the very beginning
that IA democratic administration, new at
the business of running the government,
because of the fact that for 16 years 1t
had been without fodder and had merely
stood on the outside of the fence on an
empty stomach and pointed out with an
unearing finger the criminal acts of the
republicans-woud need our moral and
active support, and we have done our best
Since we have been in Washington we
have said many things in the public press
calculated to raise the administration in
the estimation of the general public in
our feeble way. Many times we have
felt sore and peeved about something that
the administration had done against our
wishes, but we suppressed our real feel
ings and went right ahead and boosted
We determined that we would do nothing
to cripple President Wilson, or throw any
thing in the way of any of his policies
whatever they are-but accept the stu-
alton just as 1t was. By adopting this
course, and standing at all times as the
champion of the administration, we felt
sure that in time that our great services
would be not only realized but appre-
ciated, and we have a carefully prepared
speech of acceptance of the honor when
the President decides to reward us by ap-
pointing us as manager of one of his
reasonable banks or something like that
But just as we were feeling very chesty
over the manner in which we had been
enlightening the public on democratic
achievements, and the wonderful eXecu-
tive ability of the present occupant of
the White House, here comes along one
Thomas j. Pence, and shows up. We
never realized just what real piker we
was when it come to recommending the
democratic party, until Mr.. Pence got
busy and turned his talents onto that job,
the result of which is the little volume
just issued in which Mr.. Pence in a
modest way calls attention to the per-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-09

HOW THE ENGLISH DO IT
elisha Flagg, in Leslie $.


The manager of long established rep
utable banking firm in Cheshire Eng
land, became restless under the old
fashioned methods that had prevailed
for many generations in his bank. Final
ly, breaking through his natural reserve,
the manager approached the venerable
head of the bank one day, and suggested
means to increase the banks list of
clients, which, he pointed out, had re-
manned at the same number for many
years. and as the times had changed and
population increased, it seemed only right
to bring in more clients, which would un-
doubtedly result in increased earnings
and also benefit those who We're actively
interested in the banks welfare.
The old banker heard his manager
quietly to the end of his remarks, and
then replied that he could see no reason
fer any change from the methods which
had prevailed for over $50 years in that
bank; it was quite true that the list of
clients had not increased, but-did it not
occur to Mr.. Manager that in the event
of any such increase, there would be a
corresponding decrease in the number of
clients of their old friends and neighbors,
the Blank Banking company? Was it
not fact that they were all comfort
ally off, living their lives as upright
Englishmen, and allowing their respected
competitors the same privilege?
In these times of cut-throat competi-
tion, can we see where such conver-
sation might be duplicated in this coun-
try?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-09
Honor to Whom Honor Is Due

The issue of the North American
Review for the current month con-
tains most interesting contribution
by Theodore P. Shonts relative to his
connection with the construction of the
Panama canal.
The writer pays glowing tribute
to Colonel Goethals, ex-President
Roosevelt and the able cooperation
of the members of the commission.
One is astounded at the recital of the
Herculean tasks which confronted the
pioneers of the project upon the initia-
ton of their work and equally amazed
at the masterful manner in which
every gigantic obstacle was overcome.
Three stupendous problems con-
fronted Demonstration the proper
housing of the men employed in the
work and their wholesome feeding.
1t required the labor of thirty-five
hundred men for four months and an
expenditure of over $4,000,000 to
eliminate yellow fever in zone ten
by fifteen miles in area, but in that
time its Punishment was complete and
the deaths from that disease dropped
from 112 men per thousand to two
thirds of a man per thousand, and in
1906 there was not a single death
from the fever. During this period of
sanitation a majority Of the press of
this country were finding fault with
the commission for not making the
dirt fly"
The problems of housing and feed
ing were likewise successfully solved
and towns of 5000 inhabitants, with
pure water and modern sewerage,
sprang up where villages full of cess
pools, or impenetrable jungles, had
existed less than two years before.
By the installation of refrigerating
plants upon steamers and the erec-
ton of cold storage houses some 49,
600 men and their families were sup
piled with palatable food from mar
ket two thousand miles removed. In
addition to all this the Panama rail-
road was reconstructed, task almost
tantamount to the building of an en-
tirely new line Then the canal itself
was dug and the great locks erected.
Mr.. Shonts only accepted the chair
manship Of the commission upon the
express agreement with President
Roosevelt that he might withdraw un-
der executive sanction as soon as the
construction Of the canal was under
full headway. Hence he did not COM
pletely sever his railroad connections,
although for two years he bent every
physical and mental energy to the
problem of the big ditch and railroad
constructions were held in absolute
allegiance.
When Mr.. Shonts did hand in his
resignation $4,000 men in possible
10000 were on the pay rolls of the
commission; all the machinery, except
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-09
SALT FROM SEA WATER

From the Nature and Science Department
of the February st. Nicholas
Salt is manufactured near San Diego,
Cal, by evaporating sea water. During
the very high tides, which occur about
twice a month. the water flows into a
large storage pond. and after a short time
is pumped into small, shallow ones,
where 1t is kept until partly evaporated
by the suns heat. 1t is then let into
smaller and still shallower ponds,
known as lime or pickle ponds, in
which it stays until it is so nearly avapo-
rated that the remaining brine is about
6J per cent salt and about 40 per cent
water, and where the gypsum, magnesium
and other foreign substances are depos-
tied, so that when the brine is drawn
off into the crystalliizng ponds, or watts"
as they are called, it is rid of most of
its impurities.
In the bottom of these vats most of
the salt in the brine then gathers in the
shape of crystals, when the water is
pumped out, being replaced by fresh
brine. The operation is repeated again
and again until the layer of salt is about
10 inches thick, when it is broken up
and taken to the washer. Here it is
forced through water which is too salty
to dissolve any of it, but which cleans it
thoroughly. The salt is then taken up
in wire baskets, sprayed with fresh water
and passed to a conyeyer by which it is
dumped on the stack 1t is still COM
mercial' salt, however, and good only
for tanning, picking, freezing ice cream
and the like. Before it is fit for table
use it must be dissolved in absolutely
pure water and crystalized again, this
second process being repeated over and
over until all of the impurities are re-
moved
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-09


\ the discovery of plot to over
throw the King, to murder every member
of the cabinet, to seize the public build
ing in London and to proclaim a new
government. This is known in history
as the Cato street conspiracy for the
reason that the conspirators met in a
loft in Cato street, London, and planned
tho outrage. The plan had been sug
gested three years previous, but the con-
spirators lacked a leader until they at
length found Arthur Thistlewood.
Ehistlewood was an ex-officer in the
British army. He had married two rich
widows, squandered their fortunes, and
in his travels in France and America con-
ceived the idea of forcing a republican
form of government upon England. He
set about this by melting riots and by
ether militant methods until finally the
bigger conspiracy presented itself.
The conspirators knew tnat the cab
met ministers sometimes met at informal
dinners at each others houses. Thistle
wood arranged to be notified of the next
dinner and with a picked gang of thugs
he planned to burst upon the diners
and put them all to death. They were
then to seize the Bank of England, the
Mansion house and the Tower of London.
After they had accomplished all this they
planned to proclaim a provisional gov
ernment" for the country.
Edwards, one of Thistlewoods lieu
tenants, was chosen to find out the time
of the meeting of the cabinet, and he re-
ports that they would gather at Lord
Harfowby's house on the evening of Feb
rdary %, 1890 So this date was set for
the Wholesale slaughter
1t was arranged that all the conspir-
ators would meet early in the evening of
this date. well armed but two, who were
to watch the mansion and report when
the partv were all assembled. When the
watchers were satisfied that all the cab
met were present, they set off to Cato
street to give the signal. Before they
reached the loft, however, Gordon of
nolice had surrounded the house. AS
they swooped down upon the criminals
they fought like cornered rats, and This
tlewood and several companions succeed
ed in escaping.
A big reward was offered for their cap
ture. and the ringleader was caught the
following day. The way the plot was
discovered was through Edwards, who
wa government spy md had kept the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-09
Modern Europe

Hundreds of thousands of American
tourists continue to cross the pond and
visit the old countries each year" said
traveller who is paying brief visit
to this city after a tour of the conti-
nent
The scenes of historic interest will
never cease to attract the student of an
cent history and art. European gov
ernments guard with care relics and
mementoes of the past. Old castles are
kept in repair, and are open to the in
spection of the foreigners The treasures
of art and ancient workmanship in the
great museums are the source of indy
ing interest. While visiting ancient bat
tlefields or pausing to look from the para
pet of some often beleaguered castle be-
side the Rhine, the imagination will often
people the scene with historical charac-
ters and men of knishtly bearing and
accoutrement.
However, against this shadowy back
ground of the past modern Europe is
asserting itself. Although the countries
of that part of the globe will never dis
pell the influence of old beliefs and Gus
toms. the European viewpoint gradually
changes with the progress of science and
invention. But perhaps it will be many
centuries before the freedom of opinion
prevailing in America, which so rapidly
cbliterates precedent, viii come into ef-
feet among inhabitants of the old world.
1t seems that skyscrapers are almost eX-
elusvely Americana for / visited almost
all of the principal cities of Europe and
saw no buildings of more than 10 stories
in height.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-09
THE WINNING

By William II. Kirk.
You toiled, my tired brother. and you
won:
You dreamed and saw your wondrouD
dream come true;
Yet who was ever happier than you
Before your bruising battle had begun?
Who ever looked upon the rising sun
With purer joy, or trod the flashing
dew
With more abandon? Dreams, all
dreams, you knew
And nothing else. Tonight your dream
is done.
How strange it is that you have reached
your goal
And cannot find one thrill of honest
joy!
How sad the knowledge, when you search
your soul,
That all achievement is a. gilded top!
This span we live would be a gift to
prize
II we could dream and never realize.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-09
Gotham Grasps Birmingham's Idea

OothdW UfaSpS blrminghamS Idea
When Birmingham, through some of
its citizens, suggested that it be made
a county of itself, the world took no.
tice.
New York gave the matter serious
consideration, and then event this CITY
one better" A movement is now on
foot to make the city of New York
q state of itself.
Argument favorable to this idea is
presented through page interview
in the New York Times by John Finck,
3 dealer in real estate. There is no
sentiment in the argument. 1t is one
entirely of business principles. Mr..
Finck declares that 10 years ago the
debt of the state of New York was
$10,000,000, and that the debt now
is $220,000,000. He points to the fact
that whereas New York city received
little benefit as result of the in
creased expenditure of the funds of
the state, the chief portion of the
states burden must now be borne by
the city.
The argument of Birmingham is al
most identical. This city under ex-
listing conditions cannot make "both
ends meet" 1t feels certain that but
for the fact that it is forced to con-
tribute to the county, without ''aterial
benefit in return, the greater portion
Of the county's revenue, the city could
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-09
NOT BAD FOR HER FIRST GAME

From Life AS 1t Is" by. w. II. Call.
friend, to ball game for the first time,
and in his superior knowledge asked her
after the first inning was over, if there
was anything about the game she would
like to have explained.
Just one thing" said the sweet young
creature II wish you would explain how
that rheumatic bush league relic in the
box ever gets the bal lover the plate
without the aid of an express wagon
And in the silence that followed all
that could be heard was the faint chug-
ging of the young mans Adams apple
working feverishy up and down.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-09
ADVERTISING 1HE MISSING

t IUlII 14tSIIt s.
Sensible! Distressing cases have been
reported in New York city of missing
men and women whose bodies have been
found in the morgue. In other instances,
persons of prominence. falling i'll on the
street, have been carried to some char
ity institution, unrecognized, while dill
gent search for them was being made
by anxious relatives and friends. The
commissioner of charities. Mr.. Kingsbury,
who brings a splendid record of efficiency
to bear, as his highest recommendation,
has installed a new system in the hos
pitfalls and morgues of New York so that
publicity may be given in the press every
day regarding the unidentified sick and
dead.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-09
ToMoRRow-rRIAL OF BROOKS FOR AssAuLTING SUMNER

but we happen to know of whole sections
of farming country in the United States
nor even water in the farmhouse. We
are the greatest people on earth, We ad-
nit that. but our wheat yield is pitably
low our corn not what it ought to be
and the farmers are renting their de-
pleted farms for cash and moving into
town.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-09
------------se'---
TALK LOUD; CAN'T VOTE
From the Gadsden Evening Journal.

A great many of these ardent "argu-
hers" who occupy the street corners and
concern themselves with the senatorial
race are not eligible to vote in the pri-
maries The man in the country who
says little, and who values his right of
suffrage so highly that he keeps his poll
tax paid to date is the one who will
WELD the greatest Influence in determin-
ing the result.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-09
NEVER A THOUGHT OF A LEGUME

From the BreederS Gazette.
1t is a fine world, but men plow and
follow corn after corn with never a
thought of a legume. There is a love-
ly sky, but how can one look up at 1t
when he is taking care to escape the
mudholes in the undragged road? 1t is
lovely morning. but we know lot
OF farmers whose notes fall due today.
We wonder if they have fed their cattle
wisely and have the cash in the bank
with which to pay. 1t is great weather.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-09
LET'S MOVE TO PANAMA
he Mobile Register.

From the Mobile Register.
BY executive order the tipping of pub
lie servants in the canal zone has been
forbidden. Tipping should be forbidden
as to all public servants. Why Should
an employe of the public expect a tip
for simply doing what he is already
paid to do?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-09
GREAT TRIALS OF HISTORY
TRIAL OF CATO STREET CoNsprRAroRs

government posted on every move
rlotters. And yet, as il
out, he was probably
of the criminal lot, an,
when things became to,
reward was offered fo
this was never brought
On March a special
issued to the lord chief
land and for the trial
conspirators. against
for high treason were f,
and the trials commeno
Thistlewood on April Il. Eleven pris-]
oners were included in the indictment.
AT the trial the history and details
of the plot were minutely detailed byI
Adams, an accomplice. Four more wit 1
nesses were called TO confirm his state
ments. Hiden, who gave the warning to
Lord Harrowgate, the two Monuments
and Dwyer, an Irish bricklayer.
The defense attempted by the prison-I
ers counsel was necessarily of desper-
ate character They admitted the in
tention to ssnate ministers, but
urged that the whole evidence of high
tire ason rested on. the statements of the
accomplices.
When called up for Judgment. Thistle
wood declared that ''he was murdered, ac-
cording to the etiquette of the court =
because not allowed after the close of his
counsels. speech to call witnesses to
prove what a villain Dwyer was, and
that Adams and Hiden We're swndlers.
At last Thistlewood became so violent
in his address as to require the interfer-
ence of the court.
Ings, another of the conspirators, threw
the whole blame on Edwards, and de-
nounced him as the real instigatofz
Though the usual sentence for high trea-
son, with all its disgusting details, was
passed on all the prisoners, the lives of
those who had pleaded guilty were spared
and they were transported for life, and
only rhistlewood, Ings, Brunt, Davidson
and Tidd were executed. When Thistle
wood, on the scaffold, was asked if he
repented. he smiled and said Not at
all. l shall soon know the last grand
secret"
England was greatly excited over this
Cato street conspiracy, and it became
the conviction of vast number that
the whole kingdom was undermined by
such plots and that only the most siren
uous eXertions could protect the realm
from an outbreak of horrors--and sea-
son of absolute panic set in.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-09
BIRMINGHAM WILL BE SATISFIED

From the Dothan Morning News
Strange that the authors of the cur
rency law didn't see that about 75ct
instead of 12 regional banks would be
needed to satisfy all localities.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-09
GOOD PLACE TO EDUCATE CHILD
From the Tuskegee News.

While Birmingham is doing a great
deal for her streets, buildings, etc, she
is not forgetting to provide handsomely
for her schools, because the people of
that good city realize that children must
have the very best advantages possible
in order to efficiently meet the problems
of the coming times.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-09

BEGINNING THE DA1--Let me not
lose, o God. the sense of wonder.
Keep me fresh for the enchantmcnts
Of This Innd of Life. May | walk
this day a re-diseoverer of colors ana
fragrances, of heights and depths, of
fidcIities and loves, of God bending
over nv and Christ walking with us.
Tn His u,me. Amen.--H. VI. Il.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-09

Mayor Mitchell of New York is consid-
ering the appointment to office of a man
named Schnitzpan. When that name is
considered will not his appointment be
Tor the mayor reversal of jumping from
the pan into the fire?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-09

When Villa shot down that emissary
from Felix Diaz he recalled the bloody
deed of Ivan the Terrible in impaline a
messenger with his iron staff upon the
bloody stairway of the Kremlin at Mos
COW. deed which gave that fight of
steps its name,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-09

ocean cables show an appreciable gain
III the last half decade. While the num-
ber of companies stiIl remains at saven
the mileage of lines in operation ba .
grown considerably. In 1912 there were
6hsfG nautical miles of wires in on
Grafton, gain ever 1907 of p, ,375 nautical
miles, or 46.2 per cent. While the gross
income of the companies in the latter
year was large there was a slight deerea se
IN the number of messages transmitted.
ihls was undoubtedly due to the growth
IN favor of the wireless system.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-09
COSTUME MISSING

From the Washington Herald.
Press reports say Anna Held lost a.
hair pin the other day. If she doesn't
get another one the police may stop her
show.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-09

There are two imports which the pres
ent tariff overlooked, and which are COM
ing to this country free of duty. One is
the hookworm which is said to be coming
from the Orient and the other is the bal
loon hips for the ladies' which are coming
direct from Paris.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-09

Really, if John d. decides to pay those
$l2'69o'ooo taxes many there be who will
find it too expensive to feed an auto
mobile.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-09
sToRK NOT YET sUppLANTED

From the Enterprise Ledger.
A baby was brought by parcel post
SO miles at an expense of Is cents. Didn't
get ours that way.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-09

California is bound to make her mark.
She is shortly to establish a pencil fac
tory within her confines.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-09

secretary Bryan has bagged another
plrd In his peace net. Persia has com
pie'eo the trio by joining Ecuador and
switzerland. With the peacock, the bear
ana the equator our Secretary of State
VIII soon be able to establish brand
new constellation.