davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25
Hot Shots for Reformers

In an address delivered at Winona.
the Rev. Matt S. Hughes, pastor of a
church at Pasadena, CAL, ridiculed
reforms and reformers which ignore
the regeneration of individuals. He
said in part: eff someone had the
power by pressing a button at IL
o'clock tonight to adjust the affairs
of every individual in the nation so
that each one was given his or her
full rights of property and position,
at o'clock men would be out in their
nightgowns trying to take advantage
of their fellows. The trouble with tin
horn reformers and carttail orators
is they don't see the difference be-
tween men and things"
The reverend gentleman's remarks
should be taken to heart by the type
of reformer who thinks a man can be
legislated into righteousness and re-
generated by statute. There are more
fool laws passed by the state legisla-
lures of this country every year than
in all the rest of the world put togeth-
er, large part of them the work of
reformers of one sort or another.
Fortunately they seldom have the eff
feet intended and as result the aver
age citizen continues to find life en-
durable.
All the statutes in the world cannot
make bad man good. 1t is one of
life's oldest lessons that all true re-
form comes from within and not with
out. Human nature is still pretty much
the same today that it was in the be-
ginning. An aroused conscience is the
only hope of it's regeneration. Not
only does this apply to the liquor
question, but to all the other evils
WITH which propagandists are con-
cerned. AS the California pastor says,
| it is men and not things, the human
soul and not glittering generalities,
that must be considered.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25

Maybe when this war is over, Rud-
yard Kipling, or some other poet will
be inspired to sing the humble traw-
Ter, which has played such a useful
part in sweeping the seas for mines.
These small craft have done invalua-
BILE service in British waters and have
been employed with equal success in
the Dardanelles.
There is nothing in the common
place fishing boats to arouse enthusi-
asm, nor do they receive any need
of praise. Manned by sturdy fisher
men who have spent their lives in fol-
lowing the sea, they go about their
dangerous business in a practical,
matter of fact way that may explain
why they receive no word of COM
mendation, although they may run far
greater risks than other ships in the
fleet and often do their work under
fire. Undaunted by German subna
rines, these gallant little ships, armed
with single gun, scour the North
sea and numbers of them have been
sunk. One has but to read the list day
by day of German submarine sue
cesses" to see how many trawlers
boyo haop caorificed
Thanks to the mine sweepers, it is
said that there are now comparative
ly few mines left in the Dardanelles.
Most of them have been removed by
trawlers, which have penetrated much
higher up the strait than any OF the
allies other ships have been able to
90, except the submarines. -Four times
they have assembled the strait under a
whitening fire from Turkish guns and
have steamed out dragging scores Of
mines.
Sailing trawlers cost about $4,000
and steam vessels from $4,000 to
SIS, 900, trifle compared to the cost
of a battleship, yet the modern bat
tleship would be helpless without the
mine sweeper to clear passage, and
trawlers have also been used success
fully for transporting troops when 1t
was thought unsafe to risk larger
ships.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25


four commissioners to manage the
building of the railroad and work was
begun in 1904 Estimates was made
for the cost of 1874 miles from Quebec
to Winnipeg, at $4,000 mile,
and $31,250 mile for the ago
miles from Moncton to Quebec
"a total cost of s61,415,000 or
an average of s94,OS3 a mile. Con-
tracts were awarded forSthe greatest
part of the work and on September
30th, 1911, the amount of money that
had been spent for construction was
s109 100000. The chief engineer es-
timated that when completed the road
would have cost s1e1, 100000, exclusive
of interest.
The Canadian government will have
to equip it's National Transcontinent-
al line, which will add many millions
" Abo tOot. NIL lluA4 III COuCiuuluS
his analytical presentation of the facts
in the case, says. in part:
Its not difficult to understand why
the Grand Trunk Pacific should hest
tate to take over the operation of
road which would cost it a rental of
nearly $4,000 a. mile in addition to
operating expenses, even without the
showing that the governments own
commission has made of the waste
in its construction.
Nor is the prospect of operating the
line an especially inviting one for the
Canadian government, which has often
failed to earn operating expenses from
its management of the Intercolonial.
This road, which has long been owned
md managed by the government. has
capitalization of $4,000 a mile.
while the net capitalization of the
Canadian private railways is less than
SOL, 200. The Intercolonial's earnings
in 1913 were s161, 900 less than it's
operating expenses. Calculating in
terest on It's capital cost at 3 1-2 per
cent, it had in that year total deficit
OF $o,50O,OO0, which had to be paid by
the taxpayers of Canada"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25
Failure of Canadian Experiment

Advocates of government ownership
and management of railroads in the
United States will derive no en-
enlargement from the Canadian
governments recent experience in
this line of endeavor.
Samuel o. Dunn, editor ct the
Railway Gazette, has prepared an ar
ticle on the National Transcontinental
road. extending from Moncson, N. B.,
to Winnipeg, Manitoba, 1904 miles,
tne operation of which the Canadian
government has assumed, because the
Grand Trunk Pacific Co., which had
been expected to lease the line, re-
fused to do so. The Grand Trunks
refusal was based on the ground that
the road was not finished, and "be-
cause of the enormous expense which
tie government bad incurred in con-
s.cuoiing it could not afford to lease
the line and operate it at rental Of
3 per cent with cost"
As Mr.. Dunn points out, advocates
of government ownership in this
country have made much OF The arsu-
men: that governments can borrow
money at lower rate of interest than
railroad corporations are obliged to
pay and thereby reduce the cost of
operation But while it was true that
the Canadian government raises CAPT
tai 1T low interest rate-lowc- than
a private corporation could have done
it spent so much more in building
a mile than it would have cost a rail.
road corporation; that the total inter
est charges which must be met are
vastly greater than if the construction
had been matter of corporation
enterprise.
The Canadian government appointed
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25
THE UNEXPECTED
From the Dallas News.

FROM the Dallas News.
Recently one of our fastidious young
men bought a pair of overalls and found
in them the name of the seamstress who
had made them He very promptly wrote
her a letter with all the effusiyeness
necessary In such case and in due time
received a reply which, however. was
void of the romance usual in such cases.
Here 1t is: Il am working girl it is
true, but I make good living and I do
not care to support husband, as I would
probably have to do. if 1 married some
silly noodle who gets mashed on a girl
he never saw. Permit me to further say
l do not know how my name got in the
cveralls and when do marry, If ever,
it will be some fellow who can afford
something better than a 47c pair of
MISUNDERSTANDING News.
This young gentleman will probably
cease corresponding for some time. The
joke was certainly on him. This is like
smelling a rose with a bee in it. The
keenest rebuffs of all are those mat are
unexpected. those that follow close on
the heels of sweet thoughts of rom srce
and love, or physical contentment. The
contrast effect is what wrenches the ner-
vous system. State Press knew a young
fellow once who went to a soda fountain.
and ordered a milk chocolate. He got 1t.
1t was hot day, and the young mans
mouth watered as he took his drink over
to table in the corner. Little beads of
sweat stood on the outside of the glass,
and on top of the beautiful brown of the
chocolate milk foated little pyramid
of whipped cream. The young man
drained this delicious beverage to the
dregs, and while he was sitting there wip-
ing his mouth in satisfied contentment he
happened to glance down at the empty
glass. He was just in time to see wet,
milk bedraggled. discouraged and weak
kneed cockroach struggling out over the
edge of the glass With bullying eyes the
young man watched the roach wobble
over the edge of the table, and fall off,
leaving a milk brown trail behind. The
young man then went out and did the
same thing any of us would have done
under the circumstances.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25
WEATHER REPORT BY MOVIES

From the Beaumont Enterprise
1t is the ola proverb which tells US that
great oaks from little acorns grow, says
the Memphis Commercial Appeal, adding
that time has demonstrated how much
truth there is in the saying. Most of the
great inventions of the world were very
simple at first. The steamboat of Fulton
could be easily carried about on fiat
car, and the first steam locomotive was
not much more than toy.
This has been true since the age of
Invention dawned." says the Commercial
Appeal. 1.-THE acorn of the idea was
small at first, the growth was slow and
sure until mighty oak of perfection was
the result
out in Birmingham there is a moving
picture man who has ideas, and ideas are
worth money in this creative era. He saw
the possibilities of displaying the weather
bureau reports ON the screen In his NOV
ing picture theatre. He presented his plan
to the proper authorities in Washington
They were quick to see and appreciate the
great advantage there could be found III
conveying this important information to
rural communities and to large cities as
we'll.
Weather forecasts which have been
disseminated over inland states of the
country for many years. by means of the
telegraph and the printing press are be-
ginning to reach the people of this terri
tory through brand new channels, and
the wireless and the movie are now tell
ing the people what kind of weather they
may look for.
Some people do not have an oppor-
tunty of reading the newspaper, but they
have. however, time to visit moving pic
ture show. 1t is comfortable to be thus
easily informed whether it is advisable to
carry an umbrella or an overcoat the
next day.
The weather forecasts, where the new
system has been adopted, are printed by
the local officer in charge of weather mat
ters on cellulod films from which the
emulsion has been removed. These are
turned over to the various moving pic
ture theatres, who have them projected as
an informative interlude between shows.
THE plan was suggested two years
ago. Since then the display of weather
information on screens has been intro
duced In 10 different cities"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25
A HAPPY THOUGHT.

II would not accept bribe," said tho
official, haughtily.
IF that's the case" said the coniden-
tial agent there is no use of my taking
up any more of your time
Don't be in such hurry. If you feel
like depositing a certain sum to my credit
in reputable bank, why-er-I might let
my wife use it for pin money"
THEN MR.. TwoBBLE FLED.
Here's an interesting article in this
magazine on the steppes of Russia" re-
marked Mr.. Twobble. -
do read it to mel" exclaimed Mrs.
Twobble. I've heard so much about the
Russian Cossacks and their horses DO
the steppes ride as well as the cossacks,
Idear?"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25

Capt. w. P. Lay of Gadsden has is
sued pamphlet on the River Prob
ments-that will be read with great
interest. 1t is handsomely illustrated.
Captain Lay is a recognized authority
sents a great array of facts and dis
cusses the situation with characteristic
clearness
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25

1t is estimated that one year of fight
ing has cost the allies about 81. 200. 600 ooo
more than the Napoleonic wars, which
lasted for 20 years, and the expenses of
conducting the Franco-Prussian, the Rus
so-Turkish, Boer, Russo-Japanese and
Italian-Turkish wars, says the Brooklyn
Eagle. The United States government
could be conducted on the basis of the
country's requirements under President
Buchanan for 400 years with the money
already spent by the belligerents. Neu-
trail nations have borrowed s61s ooo. 600 to
enforce their neutrality or to provide for
deficits In customs and other revenues
caused by the war. 1t has cost Holland
s14O0o0,o00 and Switzerland s4o,OoO0oo. The
national debts of the belligerents have
been greatly increased, and it Is esti-
mated that $500. 900. 900 a month will be
added as long as the war lasts. The
United States has lent $500, 600, 600 either to
the warning nations direct or to other Eu-
the one year France has spent more than
the huge indemnity she paid to Germany
in 1871. The Punic wars of ancient Rome
and all subsequent struggles in which the
Romans were engaged until Antony was
defeated by Augustus and Cleopatra COM
mtted suicide could have been financed
by the enormous sum spent by the bel
ligerent powers in one year.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25
Enjoyed His Western Trip

81 am glad indeed to return to Bir-
mingham after my trip through the
west" said Judge Alvin M. Douglas
Monday upon reaching the city.
L thoroughly enjoyed my vacation
and now feel in shape to return to my
up in my absence. To get to the sub
Ject, | took in everything there was
TO see both at the expositions and in the
way of Rocky mountain scenery. Los
angeles Is a wonderful city and l saw
some interesting things there; among
them being million dollar hotel which
serves meals at 25 cents a plate. One
can readily imagine how popular this
establishment must be- Barbados such
as are In use in moving picture houses
are used there to keep out the rush.
While in the west 1 took a short
journey through the northern section
OF Mexico, encountering villa out
post. was surprised to find that these
soldiers of Villa were extremely cor
dial to Inc. l became intimate with
some OF them and had my picture
taken with group of these pic
1uresque soldiers of fortune. 1 was
grleyed and shocked upon my arrival
In Chicago to find that an editorial
writer on the Chicago Tribune had
written scurriously about my native
southland. l did not fail to tell every
one with whom 1 came in contact what
| thought of that editorial. 1 was graf
ihed to find that great many of the
people OF that section did not agree
with the views of that particular blood
and thunder, uniformed and ignorant
writer. l doubt seriously whether or
not this man who saw fit to call the
south the horrible names he did has
ever been out of Chicago, much less
travelled In this beautiful land of ours.
After all am glad to be back here;
there is no place like home"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25
TO THE SUMMER WIND

BY John Banister Tabb
Art thou the self-same wind that blew
When 1 was but boy?
Thy voice is like the voice I knew,
And yet the thrill of Joy
Has softened to a sadder tone
Perchance the echo OF mine own.
Beside sea of memories
In solitude dwell;
Upon the shore forsakon lies
Alas! no murmuring shell!
Are all the voices lost to me
Still wandering the world with thoe3
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25
HASN'T BUT ONE

From the Pittsburg Sun.
Bernhard is anxious to 'set FOOT on
American soil once more. She evidently
doesn't count that artificial member as
one Of the immediate family.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25
NOTHING ON SOLOMON
from the Shreveport Times.

From the Shreveport Times.
When Ohio's six most beautiful wom-
en- visited the Minnesota capital the other
day. on their way to Frisco, Gov. w. S.
Hammond bachelor, turned the job
of entertaining them over to his private
secretary Solomon in all his wisdom
never had anything on Governor Ham
rnond
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25

From the Detroit Free Press
If the IL months of fighting in En-
rope have brought no decision, neither
have ~ months of warning to the Uni
ted States produced any tangible re-.
suit. Today the American army and
navy stand about where they did at
the outbreak of the conflict. The
army is still an immobile skeleton; the
navy is still lopsided and lacking both
In equipment and men. A ship or two
authorized in the regular run of busi-
ness has been launched and it is an
nounced that some modern submarines
are to be built, but this is only play
ing at preparedness.
The brighter side to the picture of
the loss of year is the increasing evi :
dence that the period of mere agita-
ton has passed and that the govern
nent is finally waking to an under
standing of its duty. The President
has come out for preparedness. and
both the Secretary of War and the
Secretary of the Navy have let it be
known that they will submit con-
structive programmes to the next Con-
gress. Unfortunately the ray of bright
ness is Swallowed by the circumstance
that it is likely to be several months
before anything really is begun, and
this at time when one danger to the
nation constantly follows another.
Perhaps 1t may not be possible to
move more quickly than this, but there
should at least be no time lost I'M
necessarily. For, as the motto at the
head of the leader in the current num-
Der of proceedings of the United States
naval institute eloauently puts 1t: TOO
late on earth may be too soon in hell"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25
A LARGE ORDER.

He shared his umbrella with her on a
rainy day and now they are married."
That's the way it goes" replied the
cynic. IT have no doubt he started out
for few minutes and now he'll probably
have to keep roof over her head for the
rest of his life."
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25
HOTEL LOBRIEs
Strong Iron Markets

THE pig iron market continues very
active. with a decidedly upward ten
Gency in prices said J. w. MCQUEEN,
vice president of the Sloss-Shenield
company.
while iron for spot delivery is $11
on No. basis, am getting s11.6O
for the last quarter. started out this
month to keep sales down to our
months make. about $4,000 tons. but I
have already sold 10000 TONS
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25

After few more English liners are
torpedoed foolish Americans may quit
risking their lives and embarrassing the
American government by taking passage
on them, but this is doubtful.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25

Now it is said those marvellous Germans
have perfected device to melt barbed
wire defenses a mile away. Why not go
a step further and incinerate the allies
armies?
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25
WORTHLESS GIFT.
nthropist.

Every time Dubson opens his mouth he
gives himself away"
Even at that, he's no philanthropist."
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25

The Kaiser has decorated Won Tirpitz
for "Germany's increasing submarine sue
cesses.' If Won Tirpitz had a sense of
humor he couldn't keep from smiling.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25
THE BURDEN BEARERS.

Toiling In the meadow lands,
Toiling on the hills;
A fellow has to work somewhere
To pay the monthly bills!
Birds are singing far and free,
Flowers deck the rills,
But life is just a weary round
For those who pay the bills!
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25
IT'S CUSTOMARY NOWADAYS

From the Spokane Spokesman Review.
We see where a general blacksmith
wants job. why not put him to work
on the city books?
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25
n -------sss----
so DOES THE WORLD

From the Pittsburg Sun.
Austria has placed a price of $4,000 on the
head OF Gabrielle d'Annunzio. The poet.
IL all reports are to be believed. holds it
at a much higher price.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25
GOOD PICKINGs, THOUGH

From the Kansas City Star.
Speaking of tough luck. there's going
to be only one receiver for the Missouri
Pacific and only one lawyer for the re-
ceiver
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25

Mexican refugees. are finding safety
across the border in Texas. even if they
don't connect regularly with three meals
day.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25
rEELING THEIR oArs

The German military authorities are
Feeling their oats" That is. they have
requisitionel the entire LOIS oats crop Of
Germany.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25
TALKING roo MUCH

From the Ell Paso Times
Old Doc Wiley declares that most of
our troubles come from the mouth, and
this confirms the suspicion that the most
OF people will persist in, talking too much.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25

| The allies may say what they please.
| and gain few yards here and there, but
Berlin is the only capital in Europe that
is doing much celebrating these days.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25

Even II Petrograd falls, Moscow is a
fine town and will make an ideal capital
until the lambasted Russians can pull
themselves together again.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25

Grand Duke Nicholas, according to his
pictures, is every inch fighting man..
Nobody questions his title as the world s
greatest retreater
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25

Arrangements are being made to heat
the trenches of Europe's warning armies.
The time is coming when the capture
of red hot stove will mean something
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25

President Wilson seems to have a high
opinion of Philadelphia specialists. His
latest visit was for the purpose of having
his eyes o. KID.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25

The Haitians should behave. Their lit
tie disturbance is not even first class
sideshow, compared to Europe's bloody
spectacle.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25
NOT ACCORDING TO PRECEDENT

The Germans with 100000 Russian pris-
oners should take leaf from the history
of Charles XII. With an army of less
than 5000, Charles and his Swedes cap
tured 10000 Russians But the Russians
got him later on.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25

| According to some reports the Turk,
having proved himself a first-class fight
ing man, is perfectly willing to quit.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25

AS soon as Galveston gets the sand out
of its eyes it will be just as clipper as
ever.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25
IN THE vERNACULAR.

1.-THE violin Is said to be the aristocrat
among musical instruments"
And what is the bass drum"
Why. that's the big noise.'"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25
KEEPING THE PEACE.

rs your wife the sort of woman who
insists on having the last word?"
mo, indeed" answered Mr.. Dugsfortn,
pleasantly. I'm peaceful man and she
gets it without insisting"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25

A 24-hour day is entirely too short for
the pressing duties of Secretary Lansing.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-25

The gulf storm passed by Chicago,
which usually has all the wind it needs.