davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-15
FOREIGN TRADE PROBLEM

From the New Republic.
 Perhaps the best explanation of the large attendance at the St. Louis con vention of the National Foreign Trade council was the statement of MT. James A. Farrell that "one week of war did more than 10 years of academic dis cussion to convince the country that foreign trade is vital element in do- mestic prosperity" The several huK- dred delegates were asked by the coun- cil to discuss measures dealing not so much with the immediate capture" of European trade as with the elements needed to build up a permanent foreign commerce. For the increase of Amer ican international trade is one of the great realities implied by the state ment that our isolation is ending. It will probably be the most impor tant foI ,e drawing us into the politics and culture of the world no doubt a peril GUS but certainly an inevitable adven-' ture, and almost immediately it raises question of internal policy which in- dicate how vast a reaction on our life this development is sure to have. The convention at St. Louis discussed the handicap put by antitrust laws on ex- porters competing with European gov ernment fostered combinations. MT. w. l.. Saunders, president of the Inger- soil Rand company, thought that tho courts would give exporters the free dom they desired. Mir. John J. Ryan. president of the Amalgamated Copper company, replied that the prospect of interminable law suits was not very encouraging. But it was the reaction of the smaller manufacturers wEich was most interesting They have tound that the only way to enter foreign bus mess at a moderate cost is to co-opsr- ate in selling and pro-rate the ex- penses. But when that is proposed the small merchant confronts the anti- trust law and finds that while large business can bear the heavy cost of direct foreign representation the small man is protected" from the form of combination the most needs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-15
IRELAND IN CENSUS
the The Irish World.

From the The Irish World
 The population of Ireland is inereas- ing-this is the remarkable and gratiry. ing fact of the situation in Ireland which will be hailed with pleasure by Irishmen everywhere. According to the registrar generals official returns for 1914, as summarized "the population has within the year increased by 5000. The number of emigrants during the past year decreased by 34 per cent. The total number of immigrants in 1914 was 20,314, as compared with SU,- 917 in 1913, a net decrease of 10,663. Both male and female immigrants are reduced in number, the former hy5792 and the latter by 4S61. The decrease was steady throughout the year The immi- grants to America numbered 13,649, be- ing a decrease of 35 per cent. Since 1S61 when immigration returns were first collected, there has never in any year been so few immigrants as in 1914.
 These figures mean and indicate pros perity soon coming when the Irish peo- pie will have more to say about the management of their own affairs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-15
Equalization of Assessment.

"The thing needed to be done in the matter of taxation as to assessments, is not raises but equalization of as- sessments." said Frank Hewitt, for many years tax assessor of Jefferson county.
 "As it is, we have all sorts of valua- tions by various and sundry means; by persons who have never viewed the property they pass on. My idea would be to have Several different groups ot men familiar with values and prop critics to view every foot of taxable property and assess it within 30 days Then to file this with the board. with the right to contest it, If not satisfac- tory. The findings to be final, and this assessment to hold for a period of four or five years"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-15

mix the writers in beIes lettres will be mentioned 30 times when more abstract science will not be mentioned once and there is this great advantage in that sort of knowledge. that the display of it.. unless very immodarate indeed, is not counted pedantry, when the display of other intellectual attachments might run some risk of the imputation.
 :" There is indeed one evil in the read ing of poetry and other light productions. that it is apt to be indulged in to down. right gluttony, and to occupy time which should be given to business; but l am sure l can rely or you and you will not so misapply your time. There is, how of sciences to all men. and to merchants particularly-the science of political econ- omy. To this I think your chief atten- ton should be directed. It Is in truth the science of your own profession, which eounteracts the-(words lost with seaD- and narrow habits which that profession is sometimes apt to produce; and which Is of perpetual appeal in every discus sion on mercantile and financial affairs.
 "A merchant we'll instructed in politi- cal economy must always be fit to lead the views of his brother merchants-with- out it, he is a mere trader. Do not lose day therefore, without providing your self with a copy of Adam Smiths Wealth of Nations, and read and re-read 1t with attention-as l am sure you must read it with delight In giving you this advice I consider you as merchant, for as that is to be your profession in life, your test of the importance of any &C., quirement should be how far it will tend to render you an honorable and distin- guished merchant-a character of no small estima tion in this commercial country"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-15
Relations Will Remain Friendly


 There will be no breach between Germany and the United States.
 The American note concerning Ger many's war zone proclamation was necessary, and while it was character istically firm it was likewise friendly The reply is awaited in Washington with keen interest, of course, but there is reason to feel that it will be concil- iatory, or at any rate of such na- ture as to lead to an easy adjustment of the points at issue.
 The editorial comments of the Ber- lin newspapers are for the most part of friendly tone. The two papers that express themselves with bitterness against the United States are of very limited influence and are not worth considering.
 The New York stock market may be affected by the situation. Wall street traders are quickly frightened by the least suggestion of interna- tional complications. But when Ger many and the United States reach an agreement the stock market will inn mediately bound upward. In the meantime the American people will not allow themselves to worry, for they have no fear of this country being drawn away from its neutral
 pocitiop
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-15
Rench ShoMs in Eart

q have just returned from a trip to New York and Philadelphia" said F. w. Bromberg, the jeweler, "and had the pleasure of seeing two great bench shows.
 The Philadelphia show, under the patronage of popular charity, was quite a success in every way. I saw hundreds of the finest dogs of many breeds, worth up into thousapds some of them. The mana cement of the show is under the direction of some of the most prominent men and leading and favorable known to them secured valuable suggestions for our April show, which I feel sure our bench committee will adopt.
 Tn New York, the the show was the center of attraction. I found the lead ing papers devoting illustrated pages to it's features.
 "Time was when these shows did not make good financially, but that is now passed, under wise and popular man agement.
 We hope to have some of the stars of the New York and Philadelphia shows on our benches in April also it is not improbable that we may se- judges from these shows. assuring the highest class of expert judging, very important thing, by the way"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-15
WAR ECHOES

New York World: If Prime Minister Asquith's statement that the British gov errment is considering drastic measures to paralyze all German commerce. means close blockade of the German coast, neutrals will know what to expect and
 how to govern themselves. Adoption of such a policy in the beginning would have smplified matters greatly
 A lawful blockade must be duly an- nounced; it must be effective, and it must be continuous. When these requirements have been met, neutrals who disregard 1t are subject to capture although the rights of persons must not be violated.
 A British blockade of Germany will mean close quarters for the fighting ships of both nations and full responsibility of the belligerents to neutral nations Block ades to be effective need not depend upon battleships. The greatest blockade ever known was that proclaimed by the north against the south in our civil war. It reached from Virginia to the Rio Grande, and although powerful war vessels were within call, it was practically enforced by merchantmen lightly armed.
 With lawful blockade of Germany by 0itdt DIltdiu dilu 1eTlhdny HluSl elll- ploy their sea power against each other and not against lawful neutral commerce.
 With a lawful blokade of Germany by Britain, there will be no more decrees from Berlin authorizing German subma- rines to run amuck among the neutral comm nerce of the earth. The British and the Germans will need all their energy to withstand each other. If we must have war that is what war should be.
 New York World: The plea is advanced that because the declaration of London as not formally ratified by the bel
 ligerent governments whose representa- lives signed the convention, it is a mere scrap of paper This is a mistake The declaration failed of ratification largely through it's
 hard and fast definitions of contraband traffic, but taking it as a whole, it is an authoritative qualification of the accepted rules of international law as rela ting to naval warfare.
 Rear Admiral Stockton defines it's status correctly in his "Outlnes of h. ternational Law
 Whether formally ratified or not by the signatory and other powers, it has the authoritative weight due to the unani-
 nous vote of the representatives of the great maritime powers and to their dec laration that it represents the actual principles of international law upon the subjects dealt with.
 What is more to the point in respect | to the German war zone proclamation, | the declaration of London enumerates I the rules of international law to which the United States has consistently ad- hered and which 1t is bound to maintain | in protecting it's neutral rights.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-15

the Maker of all things that he en- dured his last illness and died"
 Mr. Williams reared a large family of sons, all of them now prominent in affairs. Besides John Skelton Will Hams, two of the sons, Lancaster and Berkeley, are well known in Birming- ham, the latter being officially con- nected with the Alabama company, formerly the Alabama Consolidated Coal and Iron company.
 The south sustains real loss when such men as John Langbourne Will Hams pass away.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-15

lowed. then political friction between England and China, and the so-called opium war. which culminated in the treaty of Ranking 0S42) by which five ports of China was opened to foreign trade, and in 1858 opium was admitted as a legal ar ticle of commerce. By that time the vice of opium smoking had spread like a plague over the gigantic empire, and be- came so deeply rooted that, in spite of n- numerable edicts and decrees, all efforts to check it's growth have been powerless.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-15
Popular In the Lyccum Course

q have been a theatregoer for many years, and have always enjoyed Fred erick Warde on the stage, but I have seldom attended an entertainment that gave me so much pleasure as Warde' S Evening With Hamlet, at the High school auditorium last Wednesday night" said a professional man.
 'It was in the lyceum course, and I doubt if the lyceum bureau has more popular attraction than Warde. He de- claimed in finshed dramatic style all the principal speeches in Shakespeares great tragedy, and while his brief com ments threw light on certain phases of Hamlet's character and illuminated the entire plot, he did not attempt to go into psychology or to read abstruse meanings into Shakespeare as so many commentators have done. Like all high class actors Warde prefers to let the lines of the dramatist speak for them selves.
 "I certainly hope that we will have Mir Warde here in the lyceum course next season."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-15

An Ohio state senator has introduced a bill to permit widowers to adopt children. Old Doc Yak is an Illinoisan and his re- legal. whether the Doc is a widower or a bachelor.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-15

The prohibition lobby" seems to be running the state of Alabama just now. but sooner or later fanatics overreach themselves and there is reaction that sweeps them to oblivion.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-15

Count Zeppelin says he hopes to fly from Berlin to New York in three days, after the war ends. If German-Americans be- have themselves in the meantime the count will be cordially welcomed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-15

The National Tailors' association has next summer. The sort of men who wear wrist watches will obey the decree with ala critY.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-15

Lady Constance Richardson believes in she's consistent, any way. Lady Con- stance earns a living by dancing more or less unclad.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-15
Regarding Culture

Tn these days of excellent high schools as well as colleges, no man is consid- cred educated unless he has some knowl- said an old citizen.
 Every one who has had good school ing or who has had any thirst for knowl- edge has read Adam Smiths Wealth of Nations. of course. I read it before l was 16 It was quite dry to me then. but I re-read it a few years later and it interested me. I read John Stuart Miil's s
 lectures On Political Economy and even though had some liking for such studies I never would have called any of these books diverting. But I was impressed with a letter which I read in Ruskin s 'Praeterita-a letter which pr. Thomas Brown of Edinburg wrote to Ruskins father in the year 1897. It seems that the elder Ruskin, who before he was 30 was head of the sherry trade in Lon- don, was a protege of Brown. Brown was a scholarly man and he referred tc Wealth of Nations as a book to give delight In Great Britain political econ. | omy has long been stressed as indispcn. sdpie III tne matter OI euucdtlOn, partlcu' larly for those of the merchant class
 In the light of our modern social and commercial life Dr. Browns entire letter
 is singularly interesting. Here are few
 excerpts:
 "'You seem, I think, to repent tot much the time you have devoted to belle' lettres. I confess I do not regret fol you. You must, I am sure. have fel the effect which such studies have II giving general refinement to the man ners and to the heart, which, to anyon
 who Is not to be strictly man of science
 Is the most valuable effect of literature l You must remember that there is grea difference between studying profession
 ally and studying for relaxation and orn
 ament. In the society in which you are t
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-15

The Franfurter Zeitung has a poor opin- ion of the United Statessrbut this country will doubtless be able to worry along somehow
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-15

If the plan to divide Texas into four states should ever be carried out, Tex ans would have to quit making fun of Rt cde Island and Delaware
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-15

A submarine as large as battleship is proposed. The dreadnaught no longer in- spires the confidence 1t used to.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-15

Strawberry shortcake is on the market now, and many persons formerly in a pessimistic mood are more hopeful
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-15

Villa has captured the second largest city in Mexico, but, unlike Goldberg 8 characters, now that he's got it, he knows what to do with it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-15

A Chicago man who fought duel with a New York lampost was probably blind ed by the glare of Broadway
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-15

MT. Burbank has been invited to pro- duce substitute for wheat. Why not reg gulate the wheat speculators?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-15

There is no telling what Austria Hun gary would give just to be back where she was one year ago.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-15
FIAT CATTLE


 From the Wall Street Journal
 This countrys live stock approximates s6, ,0OO, 900 GOO in value, and is so intimately connected with the supply of food and raiment that the wheat and corn crops are of no greater concern to business in- terests Every year the department of agriculture reports the numbers of an- mals as of January 1. The production of meat animals has beene steadily declin- ing, but this year the department report ed an increase of 2.5 in COWS, ''other" cattle increased 3.4 per cent, sheep O.5 and swine 9.G per cent But whence comes this increase?
 After the estimate of 1914 the depart ment issued bulletin in which it said: With regard to meat animals our esti- mates indicate an accumulated shortage since the census year of approximately 19.2 per cent, or S,536,000 head of cattle; 11.6 per cent, or 6.5O9,000 head of sheep; and 52 per cent, or 3,214,Oo0 head of swine. The indicated total shortage of meat an- imals since the census of 1910 is therefore approximately 1S,25s,OOo head, or nearly nine beef cattle, seven sheep and over
 
 mated population in January, 1914.' For years beef cattle have been mak- ing a downward curve on the chart that resembles steep toboggan slide. But after reaching the bottom last season their own momentum was sufficient to carry them some way up the ascending grade. Perhaps the country is to be con graduated in having a department of of aott 1n xryh@e | ductive powers approach the guinea pig. But this makes it still harder to explain why four states have exactly the same | number of cows as a year ago, and in eight states there is no change in ''other | cattle"
 | Instead of estimating, the census bureau makes an actual count every 10 years Here is comparison for the three latest | census years of other cattle
 Agriculre , Census. Dept. | 1910 (April 15) .......H,17S,4 434 47,279,0O | 1900 (June 10) ....... .5O, ,0S3,77 27, ,00( 1890 (June 1W .33. 7S4,12S 36,S49, ,00t
 In 1900 the department estimated the number at 27, ,61O,OOO while the census com. the department raised its estimate from the preceding year to 45,500.000. This was an issue of 17,890,000 fiat" cattle, by g stroke of the statistician's pen. A pity such phantoms cannot feed the country or give shoes to the barefooted. It may be that there arc 3.4 per cen more cattle in the country than a veal ago. Likewise, the population Is sup posed to have increased approximately per cent. If there really are more cat tie 1t is due to the simple fact that II the past season marketings have beer less than at any time in A years. Bu keeping cattle from the market has no filled up any gaps in the food and leathe supply. nor is 1t an increase of produc ton.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-15

With seven boxing brothers, Joe Shrgrue never lacks for a sparring part nor
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-15

BEGINNING THE DAY-O God. my Father. make this feast day for my soul. Feed me on the bread of life and may the living streams flow at my feet. Strengthen my lie with the hidden mama. Delight my heart with tastes of heaven. May I sup with Thee in heavenly places. In Christ's name. Amen.-H. M. E.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1915-05-08
WsIkino For Low.

walk out into a nature such as the
old prophets and poets-Manu, Moses,
Homer. Chaucer-walked In You may
name It America, but It isn't America.
Neither Americas Vespucius nor Co
lumbus nor the rest were the discover
ers Of It There Is a truer account Of
IT In mythology than any history Of
America, 50 called, that have seen
At present In this vicinity the best
part Of the land Is not private proper
U. The landscape Is not owned, and
the walker enjoys comparative free
dom But possibly the day VIII come
when It VIII be partitioned or into 30
called pleasure grounds, in which
few VIII take a narrow and exclusive
pleasure only. To enjoy a thing ex-
elusively Is commonly to exclude your
self from the true enjoyment Of It
Let rs Improve our opportunities, then.
before the evil days come.-Thoreau.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1915-05-08
Webster and Turk.x,.

Senator Daniel Webster at his farms
In New Hampshire and at Marshheld,
Mass. seems to have been one Of the
earliest advocates Of improving the
turkey. he did a great deal in that
way himself and sent many fine COB
blers and hens from Marsh6eld to
friends at home and In Europe who
were engaged in improving breeds OF
poultry. A downtown hotel In this
city made for years a special feature
Of serving prime turkeys from Web
ster's Marshheld farm The ~godlike
Daniel used to stay at that hotel,
and at times when In good humor he
would take the head Of a table and
carve one OF his own raised turkeys, q
saddle Of mutton from his New Hamp-
shire place or a haunch Of a deer shot
by himself in Plymouth woods.-New
York Sun.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1915-05-08
Polite Rahuka

On the boat from KieI TO Copenhagen
the son OF Bjorn Bjornson. the famous
Norwegian man OF letters. wandered
up to the top deck OF the steamer, from
whence ran a small companion ladder
to the captains bridge. On the stair
way was q conspicuous placard with
the legend "Eingang verboten." But,
conscious OF special privilege as his
great fathers son. Mr.. Bjornson as
scended and was strutting around on
the bridge when an officer appeared
and politely but peremptorily ordered
him down
Bjornson's indignation was unbound
ed why. my man. what do you
meant Don't you know who ami
Why. SIR. ] am the son OF the greatest
Norwegian poet OF an timesF'
The of1cer was visibly impressed
BE bowed, all humility and admiration
Il beg your pardon. Herr Ibsen," he
ologtEed.-Everybody's.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1915-05-08
Ria Of the San

The cause Of the sap rising to the
tops Of trees and plants Is one Of the
many mysterious operations OF nature
which cannot be definitely explained
What we call sap in trees Is the water
which they draw for their nourishment
BY means OF their wide branching roots
In the soil and which by some beauti-
full mechanism Is distilled and distrib-
uted through every part Of the tree.
The water Is absorbed into the plant
by delicate hairs attached to the roots
and ascends by capillary attraction or
sort Of root pressure remotely resem-
bling the circulation OF the blood In the
human body. Even scientists, how
ever, cannot explain the mode Of ae-
ton, and they find the furnishing Of
sap to the smallest plant or single
blade OF grass as great a mystery as
the more powerful current that per
vades the tallest tree.
The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1915-05-08
AIssson For NaIlia.

Mrs. Washington was a strict disci-
plinarian about certain matters and
among other things always required
the members Of the household to fol-
low the example OF her husband and
dress for dinner. which was at
O'Clock. On one occasion Nellie Gus
IDS and her cousin. Martha cambridge.
appeared at the table In their morning
gowns, but no comment was made
upon II until a coach was seen ap-
preaching and the visitors. some
French officers Of high rank and
Charles Carroll. Jr.. OF Carrollton. one
OF Miss Custis' ardent suitors. were
announced. Instantly the girls. In q
nutter OF excitement begged to be ex-
cused In order to change their gowns.
but Mrs Washington shook her head.
NO." she said Remain as you are.
A costume good enough for President
Washington Is good enough for any
guest OF his" Needless to say, Miss
Nellie never overlooked her proper
garb for dinner again.