davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-07
Increasing Volume of Mail

As shown by the report of the post office department there was a large increase in the November receipts of most of the postoffices throughou :. the country as compared with the re- ceipts for the corresponding month of last year, and this is accepted as one of the many evidences of marked im- provement in general trade conditions.
 Postoffice revenues have long been considered business barometers, but like bank clearings, so far as indicat- ing levels of thrift, comparing one city with another, they are often mis- leading.
 Bank clearings are of value chief ly for comparing the volume of busi- ness in any given city with the vol ume in previous days, weeks, months and years as the case may be in the same city. Such statistics are of lit tie value in making comparisons be- tween cities of approximately the same size, for the simple reason that local conditions vary, Atlanta, for instance, clears for the whole state of Georgia, and therefore makes a much bigger showing than many cities of larger size confining them selves to local system.
 With the postoffice, local conditions enter materially into the receipts from the sale of stamps, and the vol ume of such sales no longer indicates the degree of prosperity, for purposes of comparison with rival cities, as in 1 former times.
 The receipts of the New York post office in November were $2,836, ,761 as compared with Chicago's $2,4O7,- SIS. New York is just about twice the size of Chicago, but postofficc two cities. There is only one post
 office in Chicago, whereas there are
 two within the limits of the city oi
 New York. The Brooklyn postoffice
 does large business and were it's re- ceipts combined with those of the New
 York office the latter would report al the rate of nearly SS,000,000 month l New Orleans, twice the size of At
 lanta, and exceptionally prosperous
 now, was less than S4000 ahead ol
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-07
HOTEL LOBBIES
Merchants Doing Fine Business


 Ben Gross, third floor manager of Pizitz department store, is delighted over the showing business has made this month and anticipates the most prosperous hon- day trade among the merchants that has been their lot for number of years. In speaking of the business conditions with his firm as well as the general outlook, MT Gross said: We are making an ef- fort to increase our business for the month of December, 1915, s100,000 over the same month in 1914. At this time it looks as if we will do at least this much busi- ness and maybe little more. The man agement has offered bonuses to the sales men in all the departments and they are enthusiastic over the outlook for their making the extra money.
 ''The people this year are shopping earlier than any other holiday season and they are buying what they want without haggling great deal over the price. This fact within itself is evidence that every one has felt the glow of renewed pros- perity and has made up his mind to have a big holiday season. There is no sign of the peoples stinting themselves and buying with the idea that they will not be able to do so tomorrow. Most of them are employed and have prospects for the future that are the brightest they have ever seen. The merchants will in all probability make up for the off-season they had last season and everyone is glad to know it'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-07
THE GIFT

 E. P. in the London Academy. Never burn that from the wild
 cried With their own ruby dyed. Kissed by a setting sun: Nor yet the huddle of the fallen br Knew how to win and take The splendor thou hast won. There is no mountain in whose se
 heart Harbors counterpart Of thy deep tinctured bliss; No opal. from the mothers bosom t, Or bloodstone dark hath worn A livery like this. Not autumn's multico1ored robe of Shall grant me my desire In fruit, or leaf. or grain, To make an auburn harmony with tn A phoenix hue divine For me dost thou remain. Sunset and gentle afterglow may sw To match thee. and the moon At her red rising try; There is no sleight of thunder cloud
 morn Can show where thou vast born. find thee not on high. Nor shall the wine-darx shadow that
 turk Within thy wondrous cirque Be caught from earth or, sea- From distant mountain purple. or fl
 plain, Or oceans far-flung stain Of lapls lazuli. Not seraphim upon their reverent vii Though heavens blazon filings A rainbow glory there. Shall ever flash. through all their
 tured flight, Such awful fires as light This lock of womans hair.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-07
the Georgia City in its postoffice re- ceipts last month.

the Georgia City in its postoffice re- ceipts last month.
 Louisville and Dallas were neck and-neck in November's postoffice in come, notwithstanding the fact that Louisville's estimated population IS 36O,000 as against Dallas estimated population of 125,000.
 Birmingham is one of the three cities in the United States that has more than one postoffice within It's municipal limits. It has two besides the Birmingham postoffice-one at Ensley, with large receipts. and the other at Thomas-all the other outly- ing sections being served from the central office through branch sta- tions. The Birmingham office has never quite reached the $500, ,00O-a- year mark, although several southern cities of less population and with less traffic show greater postoffice re- ceipts.
 At the rapid rate of increase ln u z Birmingham postoffice during tne past two months, it will get well across the S6O0,OO0 line next year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-07
A Progressive City

Dallas, Tex, is not only one of the wealthiest and most elegantly built cities in the south, but it has come to be one of the most progressive in tackling large said J. V. Dinsmore of Phil adelphia. 'I have visited Dallas three times within the last two years and each time it has shown decided growth and i'm provement. One of the greatest things it has done-the greatest in it's way any southern city has done-is in making a strong. determined pull to capture the national democratic convention next year. It means business, has offered $lOO,0OO as an inducement, and if is does not win it over St. Louis and Chicago it will derive much benefit from the advertising. Even public spirited and progressive Atlanta, with a big auditorium, did not have the get-up to put in a bid for the democratic convention
 'I believe that if Dallas were a little more central it would be an easy winner. As it is, am betting on St. Louis"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-07
WORK OF BRITISH FLEET

From What Sea Power Means to Eng land,' by A. c. Laut, in the American Review of Reviews for December It is hard for the landsman to realize that the silent pressure of sea power may decide the ultimate issue of the great war without any matched and pitched battle whatever.
 It has been said that one single error in the fleet might end the history of Eng land; yet men have asked in wonder and scepticism. Where is the fleet? What is it doing? Where are those boasted monsters of mystery that slip in and out Of the fog, the watch dogs of the empire bound whither and whence no man knows? Isn't this policy of secrecy being maintained too rigidly? We the public. have paid the bill; and it has been a whale of bill-- OO0,oOO in 1900 for dread naughts, e1,5Oo.OO0 in 1905 for dread
 naughts plus some new wrinkles in guns and plating and speed G21. 700 900 in 1910 for superdreadnaughts, with such speed and hitting power as the world has never before known. We've paid the bill and whooped huzzas, and trusted the fate of the empire to the fleet. Whats the fleet doing? We have a right to know Just what the fleet means to England is best appreciated when you remember that the German naval base is less than 375 miles from London. or 560 miles from the Firth of Forth, which is the base for the English North sea fleet. Put it another way It would take the German fleet less time to reach England than it would tol lra
 and reach Montreal. To be explicit, the fleets of the two greatest rival powers are only 16 hours apart. Maxim says that , European power could land 100000 men on the Atlantic shores of the United States a month before a defensive force-naval and land-could be mobilized to repel I invasion. If that danger exists for the United States-3000 miles, or 10 days, away | from hostile base-how much greater is | the danger to European powers at war only IS hours apart!
 l What the fleet has been doing has al- ready been guardedly answered by Pre- | mier Asquith The fact that England has not been invaded is tine silent work
 negative work. It has been positive, 1 though every move mas DeeI SuTOuueu III /! mystery and secrecy.
 The fleet has guarded the transport of l 2500.000 men. It has brought home more | than 500,000 invalids. It has protected
 the carrying of 3,000OO0 tons of food and
 supplies for Great Britain. It has made | safe the conveying of sO0,000 horses. It has ensured the allies supplies and munitions l to the value of S1, ,5OoOO0,O0O. It has pa- | trolled and policed the sea lanes of the world for a year and half: so, though l the most colossal war that ever shook the world is in progress. the remotest sea lane outside the mined areas is safe i as in times of peace
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-07
For National Security

The pacificists see, or pretend to see, in every movement seeking to strengthen the country's defense a step toward militarism, and protest more and more vehemently against the proposed increase in the army and navy.
 Peace-at-any-price advocates att tribute wrong motives to the Wash ington administration in putting for ward it's preparedness programme at tn lime. Expansion of the army and navy will mean increased business for the manufacturers of munitions. and the builders of ships, and, there fore, according to the opponents of national defense, the carrying out of the Presidents plans would be traceable to influences based on selfishness. Champions of unpre- paredness, like MT. Bryan, never give those on the other side credit for patriotism or honesty of purpose. While there are many people who suspect the former Secretary of State of being prompted by sinister mo- tives, it is only fair to assume that the -ho are opr -scd to the govern ment spending money for a lIaeer army and a larger navy are actuated by honest convictions, just as arc those who take the other view.
 III disposed persons are alway: quick to see false motive in others, but fortunately such a habit is no. general. The great majority of the American people are patriotic and those who fill office are, as a rule, high-minded. Differences of opinion on important questions there will al ways be, but they should be only hon, est differences.
 Of this particular question regard ing the national defense, the public is safe in trusting to the Judgment o1 broad-minded statesmen and military and naval experts. Those wLo have diyested their minds of prejudice ano
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-07
Former Birmingham Man Here

$. w. Lawson. who a few years since was connected with Birmingham news paper and has not been in Birmingham for some three years was in the city Sat urday and Sunday on his wedding trip.
 MT. Lawson says that Birmingham is one of the best advertised cities in the country. He is a native Alabamian and says he is taking a great deal of pride in boosting Birmingham to hs Canadian friends he having been a resident of Que- bee for the last 12 months
 "One would not think, looking at Bir- mingham today" said Mr. Lawson. that it had suffered any depression. In fact, one has to go away and be gone a few years to realize just how this city is building up and pushing to the front The Jefferson County Bank building, the Newspaper club and the Tutwiler, all new. compare favorably with any city in the country
 MT. Lawson was married in Chicago early last week and is now en route to Florida and Cuba, where they expect to spend the winter
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-07

A ENCOURAGEMENT in the Asso-
 "A ciated Press dispatches of the 4 A death of Col. Edmund Berkeley, ranking survivor of those who particl- pated in Pickett's charge at Gettysburs' will be likely to revive, to a greater or less degree, the discussions and contro- yersies concerning the merits and the results of that famous deed of arms Colonel Berkeley was one Of four broth CTS who served in what was known as '.Berkeley's regiment in the confederate army through the war. Passing away at the age of 91, he left an honorable record as a soldier and as one of the dis tinguishcd officers who followed the lead of the gallant Pickett in one of the most, noteworthy charges in all the his tory of the worlds greatest battles Tn the interest of the truth of history and as lesson in bravery for the inspira- ration 1t may be we'll to recall the main features of that memorable and bloody incident.
 For some weeks after the awful car
 nage at. Charlottesville, General Lee, with some 73,000 men, and General Meade
 with about 10000 larger force, had faced
 each other-the former in command of
 the army of northern Virginia and
 Meade at the head of the army of the
 Potomac-both making arrangements
 for the next encounter, which was to
 take place at Gettysburg. The fighting opened July 1, 1863, and continued for
 three days. The engagement was one of the most deadly and bloody in all the records of warfare up to that time, resulting advantageously for the su- perior federal force and turning the tide of the whole war.
 Pickett's charge took place the third day. In the morning, Longstreet or
 dered Pickett to attack the federal cen ter. Pickett's force consisted of 5000
 men. supported on the right by 5000 un- der Wilcox and 5000 more on the left com manded by Pettigrew. The three columns advanced in the face of most mur- derous artillery fire. The charge says conservative historian, was one Of the most magnificent known i'll military history" The confederates fell by the hundreds. every gap in the ranks being filled at once by comrades of the dead. The men under Wilcox and Pettigrew became demoralized but the force di- rectly under General Pickett pressed on with unsurpassed valor till the first line of federals was reached and murder . ous hand-to-hand engagement took place. Tremendously outnumbered, the deci- mated ranks of Pickett were forced te
 retire. losing as the result of their his-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-07
PSYCHOLOGY OF GOOSE STEP


 How many people know the psycho- logical purpose of the goose step, which is so perseveringly practiced in German military drill? It is widely known that our emotions depend largely upon our physical state, and are influenced by the body's attitude and tension. Courage rises with muscular effort and mental balance is steadied as breathing deepens Any civilian will tell you that his men, tality Is affected by being drilled in an upright carriage and in standing firm and straight upon the feet. The use of the unhexed leg in the goose step is but incidental. The main purpose of the goose step Is to bring into consciousness and under immediate control the soldiers physical support. German officers be- l.eve that the consciously firm knees re- sulting from the exaggerated goose step have wholesome effect on a soldiers state of mind.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-07
False Economy in City Matters

This continual wall coming from many different citizens about economizing in the city's affairs, seems to be the talk of those who do not really know the meaning of economy said Scott Chesnutt, an ob server of politics in Alabama.
 There can be no economy in the cur tailing of number of departments at cost to the individual citizen. For in- stance, take our police department Ev eryone will acknowledge it is wholly in capable of coping with crime in Birming ham, despite the fact that the men are capable and do their best to look after the citizens is held up, robbed and beaten, it is not economy to fire policemen, it would be economy to hire a lot more. The cut ting of the police department would be the direct means of the citizens suffering from false economy. If we cut the fire department and render it less efficient, our merchants, as well as the men who own modest little homes, will be forced to pay big increase in the insurance rate. Is that economy? Of course 1t isn't. It Is false economy and works to the dis advantage of every man, woman and child in the city.
 "Is it economy to charge for the school ing of the children when the greatest curse to civilization is ignorance? It may be economy of the false sort, but it cannot and never will be real economy. Cut the other departments if it is necessary, but don't cut the arms of the city that are most valuable to the man who votes and pays taxes. To do this means false econ- orny, and more people should think what this fallacy of economy as practiced by cur commissioners lately really means"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-07
sEA-FIGHTING AT LONG RANGE


 From What Sea Power Means to Eng land,' by A. C. Laut. in the American Review of Reviews for December
 The fight in the North sea began l2 miles away When the Bluccher was struck, she was 10 miles from her Eng fish enemy. When Won Spec and Grad dock fought off Chile they opened fire at a distance of 12,000 yards; and Craddock had old-fashoned obsolete ships. If old fashioned obsolete ships open fire at f, 900 yards, what the superdreadnoughts can do may be guessed. What they can do, experts say frankly. Is throw 2000-pound projectiie 25 miles with such accurate rangefnders that the defiection will be only 20 yards for six miles. In fact, the improvement and change in naval equip ment has been so swift and revolution ary that the life of battleship has been rated first rank for only five years. In speed. in size. in armor proof, and big gun fire, the changes have come so fast since 1905 that the nations had either to fight it out or cripple themselves finan- cially building bigger and bigger mon- sters of the sea; and oddly enough, the changes all date from little Cheese box on floating saucepan" the Monitor of civil war fame From the time the Moni- tor and the Merrimac spat out their fire. cracker shots at each other. 1t has been a race among the nations for speed, ar nor proof. big guns. and long range Those best informed declare that the bis gun and speed have rendered secondary both army proof and submarine: but these are disputes that will be finally settled in any monopoly Of courage. The courage oi both sides has been magniticent-almost terrible, but speed and the big gun have won
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-07
ALABAMA PRESS


 Talladega Home: The boys have quit carrying hand satches and suitcases when they visit Birmingham.
 New Decatur Advertiser: It is well President Wilson gets married this year. Next year is leap year and there might have been whispered innuendos.
 Decatur Daily: Furnace Blown in At Chattanooga says a headline. Sounds plausible. A little extravaganza can be expected in town that ships It's liquor in collins.
 Andalusia Star: Another blessing that the boil weevil brought to Covington county was a 50 per cent reduction in mortgages. The cotton farmer is the mortgage maker. Proven by the records.
 Mobile Register: Inez Mllholland Bois- sevain will go with Henry Ford on his peace junket. What a dull trip it would be without the fair Inez-Bir- mingham Age-Herald. It will be a dull trip all right Mrs. Inez has been re- fused a passport.
 Brewton Standard: Birminghan's Age Herald says that "a number of London newspapers have dropped Henry Ford s advertisement because they don't agree with some of his peace sentiments" We wish to state plainly right here that any of our advertisers can get out and scrap for peace in any way they see lit and the Standard will still carry their ads at 10 cents per. We admit we are not quite so independent as these Lon don newspapers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-07
A KIND OFFER

From the New York Telegram.
 Of course, all joking apart. MT. I has a number of good friends who him well in his peace mission and anxious to show their interest A P' sylvania chief of police las offered take fingerprints of the rarty. to used in identifying bodies in case ship is torpedoed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-07
A DIRE PREDICTION

From the New Decatur Advertiser.
 MT. Hooley," 8 new contributor The Age-HeraId. says if the birrling authorities consent to moving pict being exhibited on Sundays. that city Ego the way of Sodom, Gomorry Montgomery" This is a frigntful diction,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-07

From the Gadsden Times News; Hugh Roberts is making brilliant beginning as Washington correspoildent of The Birmingham Age-Herald. and 1t may safely be pred cted that he wlll en- Tighten and entertain the readers of that paper with the news and gossip of the nations capital. He Is one of the best equipped men in the business today and the Times-News feels sure that he will score heavily in hls new and larger field.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-07

Fine liverwurst is quoted at 60 cents pound in Berlin and ordinary liver wurst at the same price. What becomes of economy in a case like that?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-07
NOBODY BLAMEs HIM

From the Knoxville Journal and Tribune.
 Two of Heine Schultz's relatives had already been killed and he had the ser vices ot a pretty French girl to help him get away. Who planes him for desert ing?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-07

BEGINNING THE DAY-O God. give me a passion for the rfSnt. would love it with all my heart. Thou knowest how dull it appears at times to my foolish eyes, ana with what slow zeal I follow It. Give mo great thirst for the things of the spirit. I would pur- .ue them with hurrying feet and with tears of desire. Amcn'- H. NJ. E.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-07
NO OUTLET.

''why does a little friendly advice make us so much hotter than little unfriendly advice?"
 Perhaps because it's considered bad form to hit person who offers a little friendly advice.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-07

the servant problem"
 PLAIN SPEAKING.
 Nothing but my sense of duty uphol| me in this unpleasant task" said the se|
 righteous meddler in other peoples fairs
 "Drat your sense of duty! exclain the victim of the uplift.
 "sirv' You call 1t an unpleasant duty, Il you seem to get considerably more sat| faction out of reforming me than ? out of being reformed" DEPARTED HEROES. In passing drop briny tear For good old Andy Aikens; In life no one would ever hear Him asking for ''the makin's.' Youngstown Telegram In passing don't forget to weep For good old Johnny Bone; e In life he never made a peep And never sought loan. Mansfield Shield In passing we would drop a tear For honest old Abe Lincoln;
 For when he started in to talk It didn't stop his thinkin'. Jamestown Journa In passing drop bouquet on The grave of Anson Farr; Who never held you for an hour To lie about his car. Grand Rapids Newt In passing drop a brick-bat on l The head of old man Buck; Who's always knocking at the door To sell your wife some truck. Geneva Free Press-Time3 \ In passing kindly drop a tear For William Rotter Reef. He had some trouble with his ear, But never said, "I'm deef."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-07

If the British had captured Bagdad, it would have been at least one achieve ment to hurl in the teeth of Lord North cliffe.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-07
PICKETTS CHARGE

toric charge about two-thirds of tn number Among the fortunate survivi was the heroic Berkeley, whose death just announced.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-07

The Turk can at least urge in his de- fense that he has never bombarded the of Rheims
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-07

It is the irony of fate that General Botha is the only British general who has won a decisive victory in the present War-and he's Boer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-07
A STRONG CHARACTER.

A STRONG CHARACTER. Docs your father look with favor on me as a prospective son-in-law?" I'm afraid not.''
 ''What makes you think so?" "The way he talks"
 Well, what does he sayT" says he's met with a great deal of trou- ble in this world, but probably has strength enough left to weather one more misfortune"