davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11
The Iron Market

The local pig iron market continues ae- tive. Considerable tonnage has been con tracted for within the past week or 1t days. Rogers, Brown &s Co.'s report just issued says in part:
 Good sales. and spreading optimism increased inquiries and buying through out enlarged territory have featured the week. A steady front and strong stand for price maintenance in some districts advances in prices due to heavy buying in others. refusal to trade except on fur mace terms, are part of the general scheme of improvement. All disposition toward concession on the part of sellers to make business is now a thing of the past, left behind around the last corner up the alley.
 "Steel making irons have been popular, and advances have been scored, mainly due to recent heavy buying in the Pitts burg district. all this accomplished fol- lowing the large sales in the Buffalo ter ritory. In general, recent buying appears to have been at established figures, even the good size of the different sales seems to have been intellectual in making bar gain prices, in spite of the long period of discouragement through which the market has gone. As practically all sales are for delivery next year, they will have lit tie effect on immediate production of pig iron, which last month reached total of 1,51200o tons loss of 250,00O tons over October, and is the smallest production in any month in over six years-since Sep tember, 1908.
 "Silveries, charcoal and steel making irons, as well as the entire range of foun- dry grades. are being called for. Speci- fications on existing contracts are going forward with little change. almost all the new business being for the first quarter and first half.
 No one wants boom at once, the gen. eral desire is for the more advantageous steady and continuous improvement and advance along prosperous lines General conditions favor this, but one big thing is hurting, and hurting cruelty, the uncer- tain position of the railroads as to what and how they will be permitted to do by decree of those in power. This greatest single consumer Is suffering from made quate revenue, and industries everywhere are suffering in greater or less degree on account of our railroads being unable to buy in even normal volume-physical condition of some would make about normal volume of supply now inadequate. 1t is undoubtedly true, as stated, that the steel trade is doing for all customers less in volume than it does in normal times for the railroads alone. Prosperity cannot be made by the turn of a hand, or the stating of fact but a proper ad- vance in rates would do more to hasten adequate fundamentals of prosperity than any other single thing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11
The Edison Fire

The most signicant feature of the conflagration by which the great Edi- son electrical plant was destroyed at West Orange, N. J., with a loss esti- mated by MT. Edison at something like $7,ooo,ooo minus $2, 900, 900 in in surance, is the fact that this magnifi- cent block of concrete buildings, com posing virtually the entire main plant of the company, was thought to have been fireproof. Of the square block, only the laboratory was saved, due to the firemen concentrating their ef- forts on this particular structure.
 The eleven buildings destroyed were supposed to be among the finest ex- amples of modern fireproof struc. !. lures, and yet they seem to have burned with incredible swiftness. Nc doubt the nature of their contents had something to do with the havoc wrought by the fire, but these build. tngs were similar to other modern factory buildings put up in all parts of the country with the belief that they cannot be burned under any cir. cumstances.
 In the Baltimore fire the destruction q stfireproof" structures caused amszsment. We are supposed to havt made some progress since then ant such disasters as the Edison fire ars naturally discouraging. Apparently we are able to put up buildings that will not easily catch fire, but wher once exposed to tremendous heat, gen erated by inflammable contents Q swept upon them from the outside, n man is ahls to predict just how muel
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11

Distribution of Christmas Money

Several years ago the Christmas club savings department was made a permanent feature of several of the large northern banks. Like most en- terprises designed to promote savings, the club plan is now popular in every part of the country.
 The first Christmas savings club was established in Birmingham in 1913. The second was established in the early part of the present year. The junior club accumulated $50, ,000, and the distribution took place this week. The senior club which last year had total of about $20,000 when the Christmas holidays came round, has TOW total of $5O,OO0, and the checks due the members in various amounts will be mailed next Monday.
 One hundred thousand dollars in Christmas money-money saved espe- cially for Christmas shopping benefit appreciably the retail trade of Birmingham. Despite the dull times in the business world during the past five months many wage earners have thriven. In the Birmingham district the pay rolls were large last month, and they will be even larger this month.
 There will be a great deal of holiday money in circulation outside of Christ mas clubs. Many of the banks and several of the corporations give Christmas bonuses to all in their em- ploy; and the large volume of holiday "coin" will be especially telling at this time. AS for the money accumulated in the Christmas clubs, it will fairly fly.
 '. The popularity of the Christmas club IS so pronounced that several banks can be counted upon to add this feature in 1915. It is safe to predict that year from now the Christmas savings here will aggregate $250, ,00O or more. Birmingham continues to grow rapidly, and three or four years hence the Christmas club savings will be up in the million column.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11
CHINESE AND JAPANESE

From the Louisville Courier Journal.
 States has been declining rapidly
 ' since 1890. The number of Japanese, on the contrary. has been increasing with remarkable rapidity.
 The federal census bureau recently has issued 8 bulletin on the Chinese and Japanese population of the United States. This bulletin includes the population fig ures of 1910 and some agricultural statis- tics of more recent compilation. In the United States proper the Chinese popula- ton in 1910 was 71.531. as compared with S9S63 in 1900 and 107, ,4SS in 1890. The Japa- nese population in 1910 was 72,157, com pared with 24,326 in 1900 and 2039 in 1890.
 The changes in the Chinese and Japa- nese population since the census of 1910 are indicated in figures taken from re- ports of the bureau of immigration. From April l. 1910, to June 30, 1914 the number of Chinese arriving in the United States was 23,073; the number of those depart ing was 26, 496; excess of departures over arrivals, S425. The figures as to the Japa- nese during the same period show arrivals of 4O,99s; departures of 35,4l5; excess of arrivals over departures, 55S4.
 That the Japanese arrivals are taking largely to agriculture is shown by the fact that 512 per cent of the Japanese in this country reside in rural territory, while 76 per cent Of the Chinese reside in urban territory. The three groups of oc- equations that give employment to the majority of the Chinese and Japanese are farming, domestic service and laundry work. Sixteen states contain 90.6 pel
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11
SPY sIGNALED WITH COATS

From the New York Sun.
 A Frenchman, Alfred Durot by name. has been sentenced to death by court martial for treason.
 During the battle which ragged around Rheims September 9 the French artillery operating near the village of Puiseulx was subjected to terrific bombardment by the Germans no matter how often they changed position. A careful watch was kept. and it was discovered that a mile in front of the French batteries a shep- herd was feeding his flock, among which were five snow-white goats.
 The shepherd was arrested, and inquir- ies showed that during the German occu- patton of Puiseulx he was the only inhab- itant who had not been molested, and that he had been given the white goats. whose presence was to signal the position of the French guns.
 Durot. at his trial. admitted his guilt.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11
A DICKENS CHARACTER

From the Cincinnati Times-Star.
 The newspaper accounts of the death of John Gottlieb Wendell at 80 years pre- sented the name for the first time to the ordinary reader. But the many obituaries that have ben published of Wendell reveal him. as one of the most original -charac- ters of his day.
 John G. Wendel was one of the largest holders of New York realty. He never sold piece of property. Indeed, when the Hudson Terminal company condemned one of wendel's holdings he fought the action through the courts for eight years and to the day of his death regarded the public utility corporation as trespasser' He never rented a building to saloon. He abhorred the automobile. He never per mitted @ telephone in his office or in his residence. He would not trust safe de- posit company but maintained in his or flee IS safes that ran the gamut from early crude affairs to the last word of safe manufacturers. He rented his prop erty at a rate that yielded him but per cent above carrying charges. Edu- cated at Columbia, Gottingen and Heidel- berg, he prided himself upon his ability to converse with his many foreign tenants in their native tongues. He maintained a summer home in Quogue, Long Island for his friends. and expended s10.0o0 a year on a free bus line, employing five men, to take children from the town te the seashore. His greatest hobby. next to real estate, was good cigars.
 It is a character such as this that makes us realize Dickens was not a caricaturist His imagination conjured up strange char acteristics, but they have their counter parts in the diversity of great city'i life.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11
A TRUE ALARMIsT.


 Plodsworth is a pessimist of the worst kind. He says that even if the allies do whip the Germans and Austrians. it won't be long before the Japs will be sending our prize battleships to the bottom of the sea and standing off 10 miles from New York harbor. with improved long distance guns. will reduce the Woolworth building to powder in the twingling of an eye. On the other hand, if the Germans win, he declares that in less than 10 years they will overrun Canada, build concrete gun bases all along the boundary line. wipe out Uncle Sam's little army in half @ day and keep this country in subjection for about ss years. PAUL co TX.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11

or how little will be the resultant damage.
 Pictures of the Edison plant have been shown in all parts of the United States. They were supposed to repre- sent the highest efficiency. Now they are in ruins. Clearly the fire demon has not yet been given morsel he cannot devour
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11
LUKE 1I'LUKE SAYS

From the Cincinnati Enquirer.
 Some men use mighty big words to say mighty small things.
 Most of us give to charity with the knowledge that dime makes more roise in contribution box than dollar bill.
 The men went to work and made the legs of their trousers so tight that they couldn't possibly be used for hobble skirts, and the women, just to be con- trary. have gone back to the wide skirt.
 After all our preparations for extermi- nation it looks as though both the Federal league and the English sparrow will be on the job next spring as per usual.
 We blame heredity for our failures, but never for our successes.
 When Dome men are clothed with au- thority. the authority fits them like a two-dollar seersucker suit fits a fat man after he has worn it out in the rain.
 Even the man who expects the unex- pected is often disappointed.
 Disappointment and remorse are about After you have used up all the paint you could buy and borrow, the town doesn't look bit red to other people.
 Another of the sure things of life ii that you can't find a man who will ad. init that his salary is increasing as fast as the cost of living.
 A member of one of the big political parties imagines that he is extremely broad minded and charitable when he ad. mits that there are few good men ir the other big political party. The onery cuss who can't save nicke always justines his course by saying "Oh, well. You can't take it with vol when you die."
 There may be other funny sights But one of the funniest is to see fat woman trying to tiptoe across floor. Married men are all buffers. After Ton | Jefferson had written the Declaration ol Independence he went home and played dead and rolled over and jumped through every time Mrs. Tom snapped her fingers
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11
ELECTRICITY IN HOTELS


 From the Electric News Service.
 Hotel service would be vastly different from what it Is without electricity. It is this mysterious power which operates the elevators, runs the ice and refrigeration machines. drives the fans and ventilators. grinds the foodstuffs, peels the vege- tables, sweeps and dusts and does nearly all the other hard tasks about a modern hotel. In addition to this electricity op- crates the telephones, the call bells and buzzers. the fire alarm signals and signal systems of all kinds. It is even used to cook the food, to heat water, and to heat the room.
 One large New York hotel is equipped with 1200 small motors which are used throughout the building to do the hardest work, formerly done by servants. This number Is exclusive of the 1000 small mo- tors used to drive ceiling, desk and bracket fans. The coal and ashes are conveyed by electricity; it pumps the water. drives a complete machine and re- pair shop. and the motor power is exten- svely used in the kitchen for peeling vegetables, chopping meat, for vegetable mashing, for soup straining and mix ing, for turning roasting spits, for dough mixing, for ice cream freez- ing, for turning crumbinb bread, for grinding coffee, for polishing silver and for dish washing. Motors also operate the machinery in the laundry. and convey the food from kitchen to serving rooms Even the heating system is operated by motors which circulate the warmed air to all parts of the building
 The main use of electricity in hotels is for illumination. In addition to the regu- lation lamps every hotel maintains an elaborate system of decorative lighting. Miles and miles of insulated wires are concealed within the walls and partitions of a large hotel to carry the electric cur rent to every room where it is ready to give light at the snap of switch. Electricity is also being extensively used for heating and cooking in hotels. few hotels and large restaurants are now equipped with complete electric kitchens where all the cooking is done by electric l ity. A large number of heating and cook ing devices, such as electric coasters, per- | colators. grills, etc, are extensively used in most hotel kitchens as auxiliaries to the gas and coal ranges.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11
ALADDIN

By James Russell Lowell. When was a beggarly boy.
 And lived in . cellar damp, I had not friend nor toy,
 But I had Aladdin's lamp; When could not sleep for the cold,
 I had nre enough in my brain. And budlded with roofs of sold.
 My beautiful castles in Spain! Since then have toiled day and night,
 have money and power good store, But I'd give all my lamps of silver bright For the one that is mine no more; Take. Fortune, whatever you choose,
 You gave, and may snatch again; I have nothing 1t would pain me to losa
 For own no moro castlss in spatnl
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Prosperous Coal Mining

'.The coal business is improving and l look for much activity in the new year." said J. B. Mcclary. president and general manager of a group of companies including Yo1ande. Abernant and McConnellsville. we are operat- ing Yolande and Abernant four days in the week, and we are finding very good market for our output.
 "The future for the Birmingham dis trict is looking quite bright and next year will probably find all coal oper- ators and coke makers busy
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11
The Fee System

There is more speculation right now regarding the fee system than any other subject which will come up be- fore the legislature" said a member who will serve in that body in Jan uary.
 'In the first place, unless there is an extra session, and the chances are that there will not be one. the antifee amendment applicable to Jefferson county cannot be made effective prior to the beginning of the term of the sheriff who will take office following the term of Thomas J. Batson. For it happens that the sheriff takes office on the day that the governor is fn- augurated,' and his salary cannot be changed during the term for which he was elected.
 And there is just chance that in a technical sense the antifee amend ment was not prepared in accordance with the requirements of the consti- tution. The constitution provides that both sides of the legislature shall vote favorably on a proposed amendment, and then call an election. The Alabama legislature voted to submit the anti fee amendment to the people at spe- cial time, but did not vote favorably on the amendment itself.
 And, irrespective of the amendment which will apply to Jefferson county, the fee system will receive attention at the hands of the lawmakers. For a bill will be introduced abolishing the fee system throughout Alabama. In tho larger counties salaries will be small form of fees. In some of the small counties, however, the salaries to be provided will exceed the amount now collected as fees"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11
MemoIi stiIl in Baltimore

Philip Memoli and his wife, who &C., companied their eldest son, Joseph, to Baltimore. where the latter's eyes were operated on, will probably return home the last of this week or early next. Mr. Memoli writes to a friend that the oper- ation was successful
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11

sentative, not only of the club. but Of this community.
 ''The Southern club is an institution of which Birmingham may well be proud. and I am glad to believe that its future will continue bright"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11

The great Edison plant, now in ruins was supposed to be model of fireprooi construction. we'll have to get some bet ter models
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11
sHIvERING.

The bard who sings of winter time
 In stanzas blithe and pleasing, Quite oft, despite his Hitting rhyme, Can hardly keep from freezing
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11

Mayor Harrison of Chicago says his wife is his 'boss," but even the political reformers of that town are not disposed to oust hii for that
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11

No revenue stamps are required on mar
 riage licenses, but the instalment man and the grocer, not to mention the land lord, continue to be factors that must be reckoned with.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11
WITHIN HIS RIGHTS.

From the London Opinion.
 Employs-Mr. Brown. should like to ask for a raise in my wages. I've jus. been married.
 Employer-Very sorry, my dear man. but for accidents to our employees out side of the factory we are not responsi- ble.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11
BOTH ACTIVE.

Whats going on at the front today ?' Are you referring to the allies or the Christmas shoppers?'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11

Admiral Craddock's ghost must feel considerably relieved, now that Admiral yon Spec has received a dose of the same medicine.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11

The Russians claim that they didn't lose a single man in the evacuation of Lodz, while the Germans claim that the Russian losses were enormous. Slight differences of opinion like this arefhow taken as a matter of course. /
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11

It is said that 21 cities claim to have the finest union station in the world" What's S more, all 21 can prove it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11

It becomes increasingly evident that President Wilson is fine man to sit on the lid
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11

BEGINNING THE DAY-HeIp me, my God, in my struggle against my one particular sin. Thunder in my soul that Thou hast not builded me for dy.aster. Point me to the millions who have overcome. Remind me of Thine infinite resources to save. Stir me, thrill me, drag me through, and sit me on a high place. In Chirscs name. Amen.-H. NJ. E.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11

The foot and mouth disease is now under control, but we haven't found a remedy yet for jingoism.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
A HELPING SPIRIT.

A hELflSG SPIRIT. In spring his heart
 Is filled with song And he does his part
 The whole year long To make this world
 4 place so glad, When its blooms are furled We shan't be sad, But live in hope
 That the darkest days, When weddings nope And sighs upraise, Will soon pass by .s.s And the smiling sun Beam down from the sky On battles woni
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11

Brother Hearst thinks the bombardment of New York by foreign enemy con- tingency of the future. Chicago should worry.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11

A toothpick famine is reported in Mex leo, but if food gets much scarcer down there tooth picking will be an empty show.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11

The Tipperary will be a new addition to the British navy. There's no telling what g. popular song will do
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11

When he heard the news from the south Atlantic the Kaiser's sickness probably took a turn for the worse.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11

Luke McLuke says there are SC sets of triplets in Ohio. Economy seems to be a lost art in Ohio
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11
A NoNENIrx

How vain his life who still desires
 To shirk the tasks he should perform, Whom every sort of effort tires
 And no enthusiasms warm. Listless. he drifts along the stream
 That bears him to the outer dark; A heart that never held a dream,
 A soul without kindling spark
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11

cent of the Chinese and 97.3 per cent of the Japanese. and the state of California
 alone contains 5o.7 per cent of the Chinese and 57.3 per cent of the Japanese popula- ton of the country. Kentucky in 1910 had 52 Chinese, compared with 57 in 1900. and 12 Japanese, compared with none in 1900. The total number of farms operated by Chinese in 1910 was 76O and the total num- Der of farms operated by Japanese was 2502. The land in Chinese farms amounted
 to 62,0H acres; in Japanese farms to 157,259 acres. The value of farms operated by Chinese was $10,724.000; of farms operated by Japanese, $S1,549,o0O. Only 57 of the
 Chinese farms and only 257 of the Japa- nese farms were operated by owners, the
 great majority of both Chinese and Japa- nese being cash tenants. Four-fifths of the Chinese farms and even a greater proportion of the Japanese farms were less than 100 acres in size.
 There is nothing very alarming about the amount of land that is owned or
 farmed by the Chinese and Japanese, de- spite the enormous amount of contention
 that has been aroused on the subject. The highest percentage of farm acreage | operated by Chinese is in Placer county, California, where 1t Is only 15 per cent
 Placer county also shows the highest pro- portion. for California, of Japanese farms, per cent In Orange county, Texas, how
 ever, the Japanese operate n per cent of
 the entire farm acreage. The greatest ab-
 solute acreage of Japanees farms is in
 San Joaquin county. California, amount
 ing in the aggregate to 12.7so acres of land.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11
RETRHNcHING.

RETRBNCHING. ''The war Is affecting everybody" "Yes?" T heard of a millionaire yesterday who used to employ five chauffeurs. Now he has only four"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11
THE BENEFICIARY.

Does Dr.. Pillers enjoy a large prac- tice?''
 NO. He has to work so hard he doesn't have time to enjoy anything, but Mr.. Pliers enjoys it.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-11

Vice Admiral Sir Frederick Sturdee can have anything hs wants in London.