davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-19
UNWR|TTEN LAW
 FIGURES IN CASE Trial of Ebert Nail for Killing Shelton Begins
 At Huntsville

Huntsville, March s-(SpeciaL 1.-The trial of Ebert Nail, a barber. charged with the murder of Bradford Shelton, shipping clerk for the Armour plant in this city, began today in the law and equity court. Nails plea is self defense, but the unwritten law figures promi- nently in the case.
 Shelton was fatally shot by Nail sev- edal weeks ago on West Clinton street and died at the hospital five days later.
 At the trial today the courtroom xas packed with a crowd eager to hear some of this testimony. Most of 1t was ruled out before being offered. Judge Balentine holding that only the murder case was on trial.
 A deathbed statement made by Shell ton was offered in evidence, in which the dying man said he had no gun at the time of the shooting; that Nall had approached him and said, Tonight is the night" and began shooting without further warning
 All witnesses for the state were uncer- tain as to who fired the first shot, and most of them were unable to swear that Shelton fired at all.
 A. M Nail father of the defendant testified that his daughter. sister of the defendant, had been ruined by Shelton and Shelton immediately left the city. He did not know that Shelton had returned until he was told that his son had shot him. At adjournment the evidence was about half finished.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-19
VIM. M. TEAGUE
 DIES AT CAPITAL
Former Montgomery Mayor Succumbs to Long
 Illness

Mont tgomery. March s-tSpecial. )-Wil- liam M. Teague. a former mayor of the city of Montgomery. and one of the most prominent and respected citizens of this section of the state, died at his home here early this morning after a long Hines MT. Teague was p years old and had spent the greater part of his life in Montgomery.
 AS token of respect to the deceased the city commission held a special ses- sion this morning and adopted resolutions placing the flag at half mast on the mu- ncpal building and ordering all the city offices to be closed during the funeral.
 Mir. Teague was a gallant Confederate veteran. serving with distinction for three years in the regiment commanded by Col. Tennent Lomax. At the battle of Gettys- burg MT. Teague was severely wounded in the face and following a iong spell in the hospital was sent home.
 The deceased was one of the leading merchants of Montgomery. having been engaged in numerous successful com mercial enterprises during his long life here He formed and organized the Teague Hardware company in 1892, one of the leading wholesale houses of Montgom- cry. and was a stockholder In the Co., lumbus, Ga. Iron works, and in the Co., lumbus Flow company at Columbus MT. Teague was married in December, 1864, to Miss Eugenia Isabella, the daughter of John W. A Jackson of Brier Hill. MT. Teague is survived by several sons, all of whom are prominent merchants of this city,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-19

military or civilian prisoners in enemy territory. This situation has been agra vated by sensational stories of abuse and maltreatment of prisoners on both sides, which have been given wide circulation in the newspapers in many countries, and although for the most part without foun- dation of fact, have been popularly &C., cepted as true. The resolt of all this ras been to excite and inf1ame pubic feeling in all of these countries to the extent of demanding retaliation and reprisals.
 ''In this difficult and dangerous situa- tion, Great Britain, FraLce, Germany and Austria Hungary have called upon the United States, as the friend of all parties. and the representative of their interests in enemy territory, for information, as- sistance and advice. Perhaps the most important and useful service which this government, as the custodian of their in- terests, has rendered to the peligerent nations has been to bring about through the exercise of its good offices, the pres ent arrangement which will lead to a bet ter understanding urnong them as to the existing facts and the best method of dealing with the situation in the future"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-19
COUNTY LOSES SUIT
 AGAINST SL0SS C0.
Seeking $15,000 In Federal Court for Alleged Dam-
 ages to County Sewer

Alter deliberating for nearly two days. the jury in the case of the County of Jefferson vs. the Sloss Sheffield Steel and Iron company returned q yer dict for the defendant yesterday at noon. The county sued the Sloss com pany for s15,000 damages, alleging that by reason of the blasting of rock by dynamite at the quarries near North Birmingham, the county sewer and mains adjacent to the quarries were damaged to the above amount. The case has been pending since 1910. and went on trial Monday in the federal court, Judge w. l. Grubb, presiding.
 Verdicts for the defendants were also returned in the federal court in the case of John Peterson vs. Louis vile and Nashville Railroad company and Luke Kimbell vs. the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-19
TOM PAGTTT TELLS OF
 LAND OWNERS PROBLE EMS

believed in certain principles of govern ment or reform, advocating them while living on your placer" asked Chairman Walsh, of the commission. MT. Pagitt said he would object to q tenant taking time, when he ought to be making a crop, to spend in advocat- Ing reforms.
 What hours should a tenant spend at Wcrk?' asked Commissioner Walsh.
 Well" replied Mir. Pagitt, Fin crop season some of them go to work at 1 o'clock in the morning, and some at 6 o'clock, and they generally work until dark"
 Two witnesses today testified that they believed landlords are not responsible for hardships in the present land tenant system. These witnesses were E. J. Gid- dings, an attorney of Oklahoma City, and Prof. Charles B. Austin of the unlVei- . slty of Texas. Mir Giddings discussed usIry, saying that in Oklahoma farmers owe banks and other money lenders SoO,- 000.000, and that about s4OO00,0O Of this is loaned at usurious rates. He estimated that usurious rates ranged from 20 to POO per cent He suggested federal action as one effective remedy to reduce usury. Describing conditions in the former ln- dian territory section of Oklahoma as extremely bad for tenant farmers, ne said:
 This is not due primarily to tyranny by landlords, nor to lack of thrift in tenants, but to the inane, insipid and senseless policy of the federal govern ment in handling Indian lands
 He suggested that the commission rec omlnend that the government sell these Ildian lands, investing and safeguarding for any incompetent Indians the revenue from the sales.
 Professor Austin said 90 per cent of the contracts between landlords and tenants in Texas are verbal and 50 per cent Tor one year only, with the result that neither tenants or land owners are able to inn prove agricultural and living conditions on thousands of farms. The custom or tenants. he said in mortgagng their crops ahead on notes, which nearly all fall due in october and November, meant their "economic bondage.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-19
HANDLING THE BEAR

A rather amusing story was told about town yesterday concerning the cartoon by Artist Walter Blackman in yesterday mornings Age-Herald en- titled Its a Bear"
 As will be remembered, the cartoon depicted Chairman Merritt of the legis- lative probe committee Investigating a hole in tree, named gossip, and when large bear sticks his head out Of the hole and goes "Boo.' Prober Mer- ritt takes to his heels and dashes off through the woods. The bear is labeled Emmet O'Neal.
 Now the story goes that some days ago in Montgomery the members of the probe committee were discussing the hearings to be held in Birmingham when Chairman Merritt to his fellow committeeman is alleged to have said
 You fellows can go ahead and ex- anime the little fellows mp there. But when it comes to old Emmet, I'll handle the bear."
 And Blackman swears on his word Of honor he knew nothing of this state ment when he drew the cartoon.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-19
ADJUSTMENTS
Neil O'Rrien Minstrels

Nell OBrien and his great American minstrels, with everything all new for his third annual tour, will be the at traction at the Jefferson theatre mat inee and night today.
 America has probably no more yer satile or popular minstrel star .hau Neil O'Brien, who is now in his third year at the head of his own organ ization. this season composed of all new material, with a beautiful and elaborate new scenic production and all new acts and features. That min strelsy still retains a place in the re- gard and affections of American thea tregoers has been amply proven the past two seasons by the great artistic and financial success Of the O'Brien show, now noted and distinguished for its clean and superior performances and for it's many original and novel innovations.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-19
SAY TURKS CAN
 REPULSE ATTACKS

London, March 1S.-QO:SO D. m.)-A Reu- ter dispatch from Amsterdam gives the following quotation by the Berlin Vos- sische Zeitung from an address made by the German Field Marshal Baron von Der Gotz at social gathering in the German embassy at Constantinople yes tcrday:
 'Thc Turks will know how to repulse the renewed aetacks on the Dardanelles. for which they are making the greatest prepara tions. Future historians will. am convinced, praise the defense of tho Dardanelles by the Turks as great and valiant achievement.
 "The lesson I deduct from the Dardan- elles fighting is that shore artillery of me dum calibre Is very effective against armored ships"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-19
HEAD OF ROAD
 IN POLICE COURT

New York, March 1S.-John L. Quinlan, vice president of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway company, and Robert l.. Forbes, it's transfer agent, ap- peared in police court here today upon complaint of minority stockholders, who charged that they refused to permit them to examine the stock books
 MT. Quinlan explained he had no objec- ton to the minority stockholders inspect ing the books, but that he and the men under him were transferring upward of 100000 shares of stock and to allow inter- ferences would seriously hamper their work.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-19
CITIZENS EXPOSED
 TO WARSHIP FIRE

Berlin, March 1S.-(Via London, March 19, 12:33 a. m)-The Vossische Zeitung 8 Athens correspondent says the govern ment of Smyrna at the beginning of the recent bombardment arrested 2000 British and F1 ench residents and threatened to eXpost them to the fire of the warships if the bombardment was continued.
 'The British admiral" the correspon- dent adds, "thereupon opened negotia- tlons through the American consul, de- manding the leveing of the forts and the surrender of the harbor, saying the city itself might remain under Turkish admin istration. The governor rejected this pro- ppsal. The admiral then demanded the right to pursue German warship into the harbor without interference from the forts. This, too, was rejected
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-19
HOSPITAL
 FOR DRUG ADDICTS

New Orleans. March 1S.-City author ities appealed by telegraph to Surgeon General Blue today to allow them to use the marine hospital here to care for drug addicts. Since March 1, when the newfederal drug act went into effect scores of users have asked Coroner OHara to give them relief.
 new federal drug act went into effect where such cases can be cared for is filled. An emergency hospital has been established in the parish prison with cots supplied by the fire department. Coroner OHara told Acting Mayor Kicks today that the situation was get ting beyond the citys facilities and re : 'quested that pr. Blue be appealed to.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-19
PROTEST AGAINST
 CANAL ORDER

Washington, March 1s.-Representa- tives of employees at the Panama canal zone affected by President Wilson's re- cent executive order requiring them to pay for their own rent, coal and lighs, were in Washington tonight prepared to go to the White House tomorrow morning to protest against the order.
 Secretary Tumulty has agreed to take a statement for submission to the Presi- dent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-19
TODD FOUND GUILTY
 OF LOOPING BANK

Montgomery, March 1S.-tSpecial) )-John N. Todd, safe expert and locksmith, was found guilty by a jury in the city court this morning of the charge of burglariz- ing and footing the vault o fthe Exchange National bank of Montgomery of s1527 on December Il, 1914. The jury returned the verdict of guilty after being out all night long. Following the verdict Todd was committed to jail to await his sentence on next Saturday.
 Todd had piled his trade of locksmlth Tn Montgomery for 20 years ana was con sidered enc of the greatest experts in his line in the state. No announcement has vet been made by his attorneys as to whether or not an appeal will be taken.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-19

menudIOn lO lldl CllCct NiAA " 'A''~N~ = it's report to the legislature.
 Suggestion to Committee
 Several persons appeared before the finance and taxation committee today and offered suggestions relative to the work upon which it is engaged Mai. J. B. Francis of Birmingham, former tax collector of Jefferson coun- ty, gave the committee certain 1n- formation regarding the taxation sys- tenn in Birmingham and offered varl- ous suggestions as to new methods or obtaining revenue.
 Another person regarded as tax expert who appeared before the com mittee was Judge A. A. Evans of the state tax commission. Judge Evans eX- plained the work of his department, of which he is a member and gave the committee other information.
 The committee also heard sugges- tions from Representative II. A. Thompson of Butler, who has plan whereby the states revenues may be increased $1,00O,000 annually. The first suggestion he made contemplates tax on all drinks sold in the state con taining caffein, though domestic cor porations are exempted under his plan. According to MT. Thompson, coca-cola and other drinks of that kind should be taxed at the rate of about 10 cents per SdllOn OnutI lHib Sy otchi thS states revenue would be increased con- siderably over S500.000 annually.
 Other suggestions he made contenl- plate the abolition of the office of county treasurer in all of the counties of the state and the abolition of the county tax collectors of all the coun- ties, which would save the state, ac- cording to the Butler representative, several hundred thousand dollars an- nually.
 The committee appreciates the fact that it has a hard task before 1t, a h harder, perhaps, than either of the other two recess committees. Fully cognizant of it's heavy responsibilities. therefore, the committee seems iubued with the idea of getting all the sug- gestions available that will be of as sstance in giving the state new revenue system. A general informa- : tion has been extended to all per- sons having information that might be of service to the committee to appear [ efcre 1t and discuss freely whatever plan they may have, and the com mittee is also inviting suggestions in writing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-19
"LACY WILLING TOOL IN HANDS OF
 STRONGER MEN,
tContinued from Page one)

permitted A. D. Smith, former presi- dent of the company, to substitute for a s6O00 certificate of deposit in the Jeffer- son County Savings bank, a deed to cer- tain property of negative market value and a certain montague. The deposit certificate had been filed with the de- partment for the protection of policy holders, he said. He testified that the company had suit pending against Mr. Smith for recovery of the money
 He testified that Cyrus B. Brown, in % surance commissioners, had written him that he was not responsible for Mir
 Laird's action, but that MT. Laird was under a s10,000 bond and was subject 10 suit The witness stated that no ac- tion had been brought against MT Laird on his bond and that $10000, the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-19
Alabama Power Company

state be his master DO not submit his weaknesses to the lust for money of a human being. The slavery of the lease system is more terrible by far than the slavery which brought about the war.
 He told of how senators from Colorado had informed him that under the honor system that state had lost through escape only per cent of it's convicts.
 sThe honor system should prevail everywhere" he said Hope should be held out to all men," he added.
 In conclusion he expressed the opinion that the convlcts could be removed from the mines within a reasonably short time without ruining the state financially.
 Senator White expressed the view that the state should retain the proprietor ship or regulatory rights of navigabe sti cams.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-19
Dr. Wharton to Sneak

Death at Frolic" is the subject of an address to men by the Rev. Dr. H M. Wnorton. the great evangelist of Balti- more. at meeting tomorrow afternoon at the Majestic theatre. This meeting is nader the auhpices of the Young Mems Christian association, and will begin promptly at o'clock. Doors open at 2:S0.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-19
"A Pair of Sizes"

"A Pair of Sizes the most conspic- uous farce success of recent years, will be the attraction at the Jefferson Friday and Saturday. matinee Satur day, March 26 and 27. In the cast are such well known players as Oscar Figman, Orlando Daily, Minna f1ombel, Jane Meredith, Arthur Linden. Jack Rafael Adelyn Wesley, Eleanor Fair banks and others. This company that will be seen here is made up of the best players of both the Chicago ani the New York companies
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-19
THE WEATHER
Weather Forecast

Washington, March 1s.-Forecast for Alabama: Increasing cloudiness Friday, rain at night or Saturday; colder Satur- day.
 Tennessee; Rain Friday; colder in vest Saturday partly cloudy in west; rain or snow and colder in east
 Georgia: Partly cloudy Friday, rain at night or Saturday; colder Saturday in north and west
 Mssissippi: Rain and colder Friday in rorth; rain Friday or Friday night in south; Saturday colder and probably fair.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-19

Montgomery, March 1s.-(Special.) .)-!n- formation relative to public utilities or every kind, taxation .aws of all the states, the various "Blue Sky statutes, and other data pertaining to the general sys- tenn of public revenue were presented to the recess committee on finance and tax ation today by Dr. Thomas M Owen, di- rector of the state department of archives and history.
 pr. owen has been busily engaged for the past three or four months collecting
 Information and data from other states for the information of the Alabama leg islature, and as a result of his labors he has added to his department the laws of practically the entire country pertaining to the principal matters that were taken up by the legislature at it's recent ses- sion.
 The departments collection of laws and pamphlets bearing on the broad subject of finance and taxation is perhaps one of the largest in the possession of any sorth- ern state, and all this information has been turned over to the committee by the director of the department. The finance and taxation committee. as is well known, was charged not only with the responsibility of devising a new rev enue system, but was also delegated the authority to investigate all public utili- ties of the state, with view, perhaps. or recommending the creation of a utilities Commission.
 Alabama Power Company | One of the principal utility corporations of the state which the committee will in- vestigate, it is announced, is the Ala
 bama Power company. It was this com-
 mttee that rendered a favorable report on Senator Judges bill providing an as- sessment of from 25 cents Co $2.50 per horsepower and repeating the perpetual franchise clause of the law relating to power companies.
 The bill is now on tn senate calendar having been referred to the committee on finance and taxation for investigation during the recess.
 The committee will make an investiga- ton of the Alabama Power company with q view to taxing not only that company. but other water power companies of the
 state, and it is expected that a recom-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-19
Local Data
Weather Conditions

Summary of observations made at United States weather bureau stations during the 24 hours ending D. m., 75th meridian time, March IS, 1915:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-19
Safety First

FrOm tHe doustOn POSt.
 Do you believe in being perfectly frank with your friends?'
 "Only with those that are smaller than I ann
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-19
Gives Sum toI Red Cross

New York, March 1S.-The Rocke- felier Foundation announced today .t had contributed $25,O00 to the Amer lean Red Cross toward sending a spe- cal sanitary commission to Servia to aid that government in controlling epi- denies.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-19

MRS. JACKS BEATEN BISCUITS
 Ask You< Grocer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-19

The Bessemer Equal Suffrage associa- tion will hold it's regular meeting Sat- urday afternoon at 3 o'clock at the pub lie library at which the president, Mrs. Kate Jones, will preside.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-19
Desire Satisfaction

Tt is unquestionably true that each government desires to deal with this very difficult situation in a manner which will be satisfactory to all concerned insofar as circumstances permit. Nevertheless. in view of the known differences, there nat urally have been misunderstanding and miseivngs on both sides about the treat ment of their subjects who are held as
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-19
ON FINANCE
 BEGINS RECESS WORK
Suggestion to Committee

mendatfon to that effect will be made Tn it's report to the legislature.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-19

He testified that in his opinion for the fate of the company, which Is now in the hands of receivers, the former president, A. D. Smith, and the insur- ance department were responsible. He said that he had no evidence to the effect that MT. Laid was remunerated as as result of his transaction with A. D. Smith.
 He added that the attention of the department had been called to the qnes- tionable securities of the company in 1913, but that no action was taken.
 The witness expressed the opinion that a separate insurance department was 8 necessity.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-19
Disgrace to Civilization

Capt. Frank s. White was the next witness. He condemned the fee system. He declared the lease system blot on civilization and a black mark against religion. He told of horrible experiences of convicts in Alabama mines.
 ''I am ashamed of the business my state is engaged in." he said. Put the convict on the public roads and let the
Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1915-10-17

XTOU KNOW how you have
to watch your help &c keep
them from running your fine
clothes on washboards or washing
machines. You know how they are
inclined to slip in a little I've or
washing powder that damages the
finer fabrics. All this fear and worry
is avoided if you make them use
Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1915-10-17

If you will make your help use Magic
Washing Stick just one time they will
be glad TO use 1t afterwards, and you
will not be fearful for your fine clothes.
Magic Washing Stick not only takes the
work out Of washing, but takes the fear
OF damaged fabrics away,
Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1915-10-17
MlIN Lnst I'm the Mn,ies.

There's one thing in the movies.
you can always tell what's coming
after the picture Of the man at home
with his wife bending over him wait
ing TO light his cigar"
why. [ never noticed. What does
Gene next?"
"a picture Of the man writing q
check"
Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1915-10-17
Some Town.

We're a growing town said the
leading citizen of Painted Post.
Il don't know" said the travelling
man, there aren't any more people
here than there was last year"
Il know that" said the proud resi-
dent, but the Smith twins put on
long pants last week"