davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-12-26
"Will re-establish Fairgrounds.

Will re-establish welfare work
viii re-establish appropriations to
charitable institutions.
VIII help Birmingham grow, thus
helping the state to grow.
City's expenditures per capita are
less than any city of its size.
Receipts are less per capita than
any city of it's size
VIII tend to equallize taxes
viii reduce business licenses.
People won't vote raise in rate if
it is not needed.
Birmingham can't get relief by in
creasing its assessments. The state
1lxes assessment in Birmingham
through the states own officers and
the city must levy its tax on what
ever values these officials fix
Birmingham collects from licenses
on merchants and other vocations in
actual dollars and cents, nearly as much
money as New York or Chicago. This is
forced by the city's small tax rate.
These licenses on business should
not be increased further.
s'Will rehabilitate public library
will enable Birmingham to compete
on an equal footing with other large
southern cities.
Birmingham has a smaller income
now than any other city of its size in
the United States.
II gives no new authority to public
OFFICIALS; but does give new authority
to the people.
IF the amendment carries, 1t will
not increase taxes, but will simply
give the people the right to increase
them, il they wish
Birmingham citizens simply ask for
the right to pay for conveniences that
are essential to their progress, and
they urge the people of the state to
cooperate with them in acquiring this
democratic privilege"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-12-26
|UIET CHRISTMAS AT
RUSSIAN CAPITAL

Fetrograd. December 25.-(via London
Pristmas was quietly celebrated by the
Fnerican and British residents here. The
|nerican ambassador and Mrs. Marye
|tertained a number of American and
pssian guests at dinner
are In full swing for tba
flssian Christmas festivities 13 DAYS
InC6
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-12-26
Goes to Washington

Fl PasO. Tex, December 25.-George C.
Frothers. special agent Of the state de-
|rtment. formerly assigned to the Villa
|vernment, left here today for Wash
fton in response to an order from Sec
fary OF State Lansing.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-12-26

ing at the Elizabeth Duncan hospital,
after a recent illness.
Gardner F. Goodwin, Jr., Is able to
be out after q recent illness.
]. H. D. Smith Is able to be out
after recent illness at his home on
Seventh avenue.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-12-26
No Exposition

Paris. December ga Havas dispatch
from Venice says it has been decided not
to hold the twelfth international EXPOSE
ton Of arts in Venice in 1916.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-12-26

AS he rose into the air for reaSoen-
sion, he called:
you creatures, give me your att
tentioni"
Then more loudly did he yell,
rs this earth or is it hell?
Or some other diabolical inveu-
tom"
Then an earthman answered.
You must think you're witty"
And they ga2ed on him with looks
of scorn and pity.
why. you ignorant old jay!
Where'd you come from, anyway?
This Is merely Christmas eve Ia
New York city,"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-12-26
BASIS OF STORIES


There was some basis for the sensa-
fonal stories, but they contained only a
Imattering of one side of the affair. Aft
II Two days at V. M. l., Sweet deserted
nd was sheltered by students of Wash
I1ston and Lee university, which is situa-
Fd IN Lexington He exhibited some SUI
|erIlclal bruises and stated that he had
cen beaten with bayonets. DR.. Scott.
retired physician, examined him. Sweet
|dded that he had been treated unmerci
PLY and that he had been pierced with
ne points OF these implements
Later he amitted. while in the hospital,
lat ne mad not been hazed. Sweet, dur
llg his brief stay in the institute. told
.pany miraculous stories and it is he
'eved that he recounted his demise that
might borrow enough money to travel
ome DIR. Scott asserted that Sweet i'm
Fofed nm to lend him sufficient funds
so to Chicago. After reviewing the
bets in the case, I think there is scant
idence to accredit the death OF the
by to hazing.
The institute authorities were very
olgnant over the reports, which were
PM lortn TO the newspapers by a rather
4experienced correspondent, for thew
paired the harm that they would do to
NJ. l. 1t is true that there was some
azlng at V. M. l. at the beginning
the session, but from what I can
hther, there is less hazing than ever at
ne institute. Upon entering, every cadet
6ns pledge that he will not be a party
hazing, nor will he countenance it.
psts few days prior to the time that
Teet was alleged to have been hazed
upperclassman was dismissed by the
Edets themselves for striking a rat
the back with his fist, following his
einand for that the fourth classman
Fmand that the fourth classman hold his
EculGers erect
There are several Birmingham boys
V. NJ. ]. this year. Charles Cullom
Phn Terry Badhanl, George Eustis
(sher Tynes, William Shackelford and
illiam Drennen, compose the local con-
hgent.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-12-26
Suspends Order

ouSpenuS OTueI
Norfolk. Va, December 25.-The navy
department order prohibiting shore leave
for men on the interned German cruisers
Prinz Eitel Friedrich and Kronprinx vii.
helm imposed October Il. because OF
broken paroles, was suspended today long
enough to permit attendance at Christmas
services at Portsmouth, Two hundred
sailors, accompanied by number of Of.
ficers. marched to the church and re-
turned other ships Immediately after
the services.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-12-26
TOO LATE TO CLASSIFY

FOR SALE-Complete set OF AlabamS
supreme court reports; fine condi-
ton; must be sold at once. Webb
Book Co.. Birmingham. 11-26-3t
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-12-26
MONEY SAVED
Millions of Dollars Saved to the
People By Louis Pizitz' Ex-
Cellent Business Methods

passed through period of
known entire business and wish to employ this method of
thanking the
and the people that they stick they will have good
rejoice they did, know the entire popuace the future will be
glad they paonized generously the make each nd
vdua the remembered
ated
the only who
has been than Alabama
And why? because and do
You something for nothing This have learned
business Therefore, always advertising and selling
really than advertise foolish advertising don't be-
and advertising induce
and then not be able back article
itupon greater SCALE
realize how much saving because do not know the value and
hardly appreciate But when started cafe began the
splendid lunch that lido sometime
sod chickens retail for less than the wholesale when sold
retail at less than
savings real because you knew the these things Since did
these things other followed
them continue there for all But remember this Louis
Ptz the originator and the big savings
and going continue saving the public these
sales just show practical what real make
all articles you want to buy.
please public
and business proof that the of the people
better that
expect make
buys cash When these buying working and
my effort
criticism the conduct
know how possible
better Again thanking splendid patronage the
greatest
the state of Alabama the SOUTH trusting
patronage in the future, am money
sgned) LOUIS PIZITZ
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-12-26
GREAT INJUSTICE TO
| y. N. |. BY RECENT
STORIES OF HAz|NG
Reuben A. Lewis, Back for
Holidays, Discusses Sensa-
tional Affair at Lexington
BOYS OF INSTITUTE
ARE AGAINST HAZING
Thurber Sweet, Young Man Who
Died, Had Attended Classes
But Two Days While
at Lexington

The sensational reports that issued
Forth from Lexington attributing the
Heath of Thurber Sweet, the 17-year-old
|cadet at the Virginia Military institute,
to hazing We're ill-founded, according to
|Reuben A. Lewis, who was attending
washington and Lee university in Lex
Ington at the time of Sweets death.
In Virginia, there was an apprecia-
BILE wave of indignation following the
.Fcare-head reports that Thurber Sweet,
fourth classman at Virginia Military
rstitute, had died of spinal paralysis.
Following siege of hazing at the insti-
tuter' said Mr.. Lewis who is home for
the holidays. But fortunately there
WAS little truth in the report, as the
nvestigation of the case by the board of
visitors the controlling body of V. NJ.
established on November 20.
1T was true that Sweet died of paraly-
sis of the spinal column but the attend
ng physician, DR.. Hunter McClung, de-
Jared positively that his death could
not have been caused by hazing In this
opinion he was substantiated by the
placements of four other physicians who
were called into consultation.
LOCAL BOYS TESTIFY
1.-THE testimony of two Birmingham
boys played prominent part in the find
ng of the board of visitors William
Drennen and William Shackelford, two of
he eoterie of Birmingham boys in at
tendance at V. NJ. L., roomed with Sweet
and testified that. as far as they knew.
had NOT ba =
he unfortunate boy asserted that Thur.
per had admitted to her that he had not
Peen hazed. / saw a letter addressed to
Ten. e. w. Nichols, superintendent of v.
NJ. |. from Mr.. Sweet thanking the au-
horities for their attentions during his
sons fatal illness, and stating that he
leenly regretted the fact that the news.
papers gave credence to the report tina
his son had been hazed.
The investigation brought forth some
acts that were not very pleasant. but
lded IN establishing a strong case for
Z. M. l. Sweet was hardly regarded as
member of the cadet corps, for he
TENDED classes but two days while he
vas in Lexington. The remaining time
vas spent in the institute hospital and in
lexington, at the Morris House, a hotel.
lie deserted two days after he arrived
V. M. /. He objected to entering
NJ. l., but his father was intent upon
laclng him in this school. Gen. Nichols
tated that, in an effort to return to
,hicago, he used without authority, the
ames of DR.. McClung and the superitl-
endent to kilograms, but that he was
oiled in this attempt when his father
elegraphed for notification He was
very much INDUCED boy, and had been
laced in various boarding schools since
e was six years old
The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1915-12-19
EX-SOLDlER THOUGHT
DEAD is HEARD FROM
Edward Cochran after Eleven
Years Writes Home to
His Mother.

Mrs. Charles Westfall, Of Adams
ton, has Just received the startling
but most welcome news that her son.
Edward Cochran. is alive, we'll and
prosperous in San Francisco, al
though she and other relatives be-
lieved he was dead, as nothing had
been heard of him for eleven years.
In June. 1904, Edward and his
brother, Lee, enlisted in the United
States army at Sutton, this state,
where they were then residing and
were sent to jefferson barracks in
Missouri. They were assigned to the
cavalry service and were sent to the
Philippine Islands, but on arriving
there were placed in different COM
panies and were separated thereafter.
Neither heard from the other brother
and as time grew on each believed the
other had been killed or had died.
Lee afterward returned to West
Virginia.
In the letter Just received by Mrs.
Westfall it was stated that Edward
had re-enlisted in tho army after
serving his first term. Upon COM
plotting his second term of enlistment
he went to San Francisco and enga ged
In business. Edward expects to re-
turn to West Virginia in the near fu-
ture and visit his>mother and other
relatives. Lee Cochran and another
brother. Joseph, now reside at Adj
amston, as does. sister. Mrs.
Georgia Barker.
The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1915-12-19
new GAS LINE
For Furnishing Gas to Balti-
more viii Stimulate Work
in Calhoun.

Noting the fact that West Virginia
gas will be piyed to Baltimore, the
Calhoun Chronicle says:
THE Columbia Gas and Electric
Company Is making preparations to
supply Baltimore, Washington and
other eastern cities with natural gas.
and in order to have an adequate sup
ply Of gas will build sixteen-inch
main line from the Lewis county line
on Sand Fork through to the huge
gas fields Of Roane county. especially
those around Tariff.
The line will pass through this
county. nearly dividing Washington
district. No doubt activity will be
stimulated in the fields OF that dis
trict. as 1t has long been recognized
as great gas field. Heretofore wells
that have been drilled and show to
be good producers have been plugged
for the lack Of method of transporta-
tion. 1t Is also probable that the i'm
mense gas deposits near Stumptown
will be developed and the product
marketed in eastern cities by this line
Of the Columbia company. Several
fine wells have been drilled in and
around Stumptown and, as the new
line will be built within few miles
Of that place. 1t is not unlikely that
the Stumptown field will be
thoroughly developed,
The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1915-12-19
FAKE OFFICER
Gets 260 Pints ofWhiskey from
Four Foreigners, Accord
Ing to Story.

BY impersonating an officer an I'M
known young man secured $50 pints
OF whiskey from four foreigners. who
brought the liquor into the city on
train No. 4 Friday night, according to
information reaching the police de-
partment Saturday night. When the
foreigners alighted from the train
with their baggage the young man
approached them and displayed q
badge, according to the information
in the hands OF the police. "You are
under arrest" the young man Is said
to have told the foreigners. The par
ty proceeded toward the city until
they reached an alley. which runs of
of Fifth street.
you fellows wait here minute, {"
the foreigners were told, 1t is said,
and the young man disappeared in
the alley. After waiting for half an
hour or ;. ore. the foi,ix ers realized
that they rad been tr'rked and start
ed a search for the "officer," out no
trace Of him could be found.
The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1915-12-19
Matinee DANCE
To Be Given Christmas Day by
Sigma Gamma Club Will
Be Elaborate Affair.


Invitations are out for the annual
matinee dance to be given on Christ
mas afternoon in the spacious audi
forum Of the Masonic temple by the
members Of the Sigma Gamma Clup.
This will be one of the brilliant
and notable functions of the season
and will be greatly enjoyed by the
younger set, as 1t Is their first OPP
portunity to celebrate the holiday va
cation.
Dancing will be from $3.50 to 6 to
music furnished by the Cadenza Or
chestra, rendering all the latest and
popular selections. More elaborate
preparations than usual distinguish
this years affair, which promises to
be largely attended.
The patronesses will be Mrs. Hem
ry Raymond, Mrs. ]. Horner DAVIS,
Mrs. Virgil L. Highland, Mrs. J..
Buckner Winfield, Mrs. Robert A.
Haynes. Mrs. William A. Gaylord,
Mrs. James L. Duncan. Mrs. George
P. Leatherberry, Mrs. Maybury Har-
rison, Mrs. David B. Carper, Mrs.
Henry Alexander and Mrs. Joseph A.
Wetherell.
The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1915-12-19
Foreigner Scared from Train
by Officers Leaves Pack
age Behind.

Although quite cargo Of whiskey
and other liquors was carried into the
city and into various towns along the
route by the Short Line passenger
train Saturday night. one carton con-
tanning forty pints Of whiskey was the
net seizure Of squad Of officers from
Clarksburg that came in on the train.
The officers went to Wallace and
boarded the train for the purpose of
arresting persons for violating the pro-
hibition law, the expectation being
that there would be an unusual
amount Of liquor carrying traffic ow-
ing to the Injunction against tho trans
portation Of liquors as personal bag
gage. which goes into effect Monday.
So far as they could observe everybody
was complying with the law. One for
eigner, however, took fright at the
officers and got of the train at Erie,
leaving behind the carton Of whiskey
that the officers seized.
The squad consisted Of John n
Tenney. deputy state commissioner Of
prohibition, and Deputy Sherfffs Lace
Wolfe and John Siers.
RIMS INTO Landslfde.
The Short Line train was more thon
an hour late as tho result OF running
into landslide at Minnia. The cngi-
The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1915-12-19
Public Service Commission Ap.
proves New Form of
Contract.

Uniform rules and regulations
adopted by the West Virginia Nation
al Gas Association and approved by
the public service commerce commits
sion, are now being put into effect
by the companies belonging to this
association. These rules were COM
piled by the association officials, and
approved by the commission after a
conferences and upon changes recon-
mended by j. K. Anderson, commits
sion consulting engineer, to whom
numerous of the points involved were
referred.
Formerly. practically every gas
company In West Virginia had a DIFF
ferent form Of contract. Arising
from this were many evils. so those
intimate with the gas business de-
clare, and several OF the larger COM
panies belonging to the ASSOCIATION
conceived the idea of adopting uni
formity OF contracts form for the sale
OF their. product to consumers. The
adoption OF uniform rules. 1t was be-
lieyed would do away with the many
legal tangles into which the CONSUME
.er and producer and selling agens
constantly found themselves involved
in the courts. These companies after
% long conference fled with the COM
naissionAa complete set Of rules and
regulations which when aigned form
The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1915-12-19
Safely IN SCHOOLS
Urged by Fire Chief Huffman
In a Bulletin Issued Sat-
urday Night.

safety In Schools" is the subject
Of q IRE prevention bulletin issued by
s. r. Huffman, chief OF the local FIRE
department, Saturday night. Fire
proofing new schools in this section
Is urged by the chief, who says that
those already built can be made safe
by bisecting them with a FIRE wall.
"All non-areproof buildings can
readily be made safe for their In
mates by bisecting them with a FIRE
wall, having doorways on each floor.
All the inmates have to do to obtain
safety Is t.. pass horizontally through
the doorways in the fire wall. close
the; fireproof doors after them and
,theysswiii ind themselves in what s.
practically q separate building. In
which there is no IRE and from
which they can make their escape
lelSurely and without confusiou,'' a
The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1915-12-19
SHORT LINE YIELDS.
CARTOON OF WHISKEY

neer stopped the train in time TO avert
serious accident. however. and only
trifing damage was done to the engine,
the front Of which was well decorated
with mud. Is
AS train No. 4, eastbound from
Parkersburg, due at 1901 p. m. als-
rived while the officers were aboard
the Short Lne train, liquor carriers
arriving on tho former were NOT mo-
Tested. Suit cases and cartons gsloye
were carried on the train when It
stopped here.
'sNothing Doing
!. The Pittsburg Flyer. which came In
nearly two hours late owing to land
slides along the way. was visited by
tho officers and while many arriving
passengers carried suit cases, cartons
and other packages containing liquor.
as proclaimed by labels. no instance Of
law violation was detected and the
squad came away empty handed.
Another large cargo Of liquor ar
rived In the city on westbound tram
No. j. arriving at 1910 q. M. but ns
the prohibition officers and deputy
sheriffs were out trailing somebody
at the time. no one was arrested.
The officers were at the railroad Sta
ton early this morning to meet east
bound train No. Q, which was expected
by them to bring In several hundred
liquor carriers with perhaps several
thousand bottles Of intox icants.
The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1915-12-19
SIX ARRESTS
Made by City Police Officers
Saturday Night and Sum-
day Morning.

Members of the city police force were
kept quite busy Saturday night and
early Sunday morning. one violator
Of the automobile law, two men
charged with disorderly conduct and
fighting and three DRINKS being ar
rested and placed in the city lookup.
NJ. o. Yerkey was arrested by Off
Ger McCloud for allowing his auto
mobile engine running while he was
out CT his car. He put up $3.50 for
a hearing Monday morning. Harvey
Bennett and John Janroy, arrested
by Officer Joyce for disorderly con-
duct and fighting. also posted $3.50
for their appearance for trial Mon
day evening. The three DRINKS were
held for trial Sunday morning.
The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1915-12-19
BOLD BOY BURGLARS
TAKE GUNS AND RUN
But Bioodhounds Run Them
Down and Stolen Weapons
+ Are Recovered.

Clarence Smith and John Molder,
boys about is years old OF Industrial,
are prisoners in the count Jail ac-
cused Of committing burglary satur-
day night at the home Of Lee Wheel
ock, a machinist in that suburb. They
were arrested at their homes soon af-
ter the burglary by Deputy Sheriff
Clarence Vannort. assisted by special
officers, having been trailsl there w
Sheriff Ross F. Stout's pair OF blood
hourGs.
The burglary occurred about o
o'clock while Mr.. and Mrs. Wheelock
were in the city shopping. Their ten
year-old son saw two figures leaving
the house by the front door as he was
returning home and yelled at them
but they fed In the darkness. When the
parents returned home and investi-
gated they found that two rifles and
I'VE pistols had be,1 taken from tie
house. The burgla's hac taken key
from a hiding plare in front OF the
house and opened the front door.
The sherifss otii"e was Immediately
notified and Deputy Sheriff vannort
and his assistants took the dogs out
on the next car. The bloodhounds
picked up scents and followed them
to the homes Of the Smith and Molder
boys. each four or five blocks away
in different directions.
When confronted by the officers and
parents, the boys owned up to having
stolen the guns, took three of them
from hiding places and gave them to
the officers. who returned them to Mr..
Wheelock. The other gun that was
stolen was found in the yard OF the
Wheelock residence. one of the boss
having dropped 1t in their hasty de-
parture. The weapons are = forty
four caliber Winchester rife. an auto
matte twenty-five calibe. rife. Colt
revolver and Smith and Wesson le-
yolver.
Both boys will remain in she jail
pending developments in their case
before magistrate. The Molder boy
is son Of glassworker and Clarence
Smith Is son Of an upholsterer.
The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1915-12-19
BOOZE TRAINS
Are Run from cauettsburg,
KY, to Points in State of
West Virginia.

tbY AssociATtn rRIss,
HUNTINGTON, Dec. Especial
trains were necessary on the Chesa-
peake and Ohio railroad today to
haul persons carrying liquor from
Catlettsburg, KY, to points in West
Virginia. 1t was estimated that 1,5O0
persons journey to the oasis, fearful
that the Injunction issued recently in
Aanawha county would bar labelled
liquor from the trains.
It had been announced this edict
would go into effect December 20,
on the Chesapeake and Ohio, but to-
night the matter was still in the hands
of attorneys. One special train car
rying 351 passengers was started
from Catlettsburg and run to Hinton,
The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1915-12-19
UNIFORM RULES
FOR CONTRACTS

contracts between gas furnisher and
consumer. These rules. after recon-
mended changes had been made, were
adopted, approved by the commission
and are now being placed in effect.
Engineer Anderson said yesterday
that there are embraced in the new
contracts form man concessions of
convenience to consumers. such as
allowance for tapping high pressure
gas lines. of greater advantage TO per-
sons in rural districts. 1t Is believed
that practically all companies Of con-
sequence in the state will adopt these
rules and the relation between the
public and producers Of gas for pub
lie use Will be greatly improved.