davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23
GREAT ENGINEERING FEAT

From the Wide World Magazine.
 Arabstan lies at the head of the Per sian gulf, its western boundary being the Shatel- Arab, the great river formed by the combined waters of the Tigris and Euphrates the right bank of which is in Persian territory, while the left is in Turkish Arabia. Forty miles above where it flows into the Persian gulf the Shatel-Arab is joined by the Karun, and the town of Mohammerah stands at the function of the two rivers, the former clear green stream, the latter thick and
 red.
 In ancient times the karun flowed into the gulf, and part of the river still runs along the old channel, but the main stream has been diverted. three miles above Mohammerah, into an artificial channel known geographically as the Haffar canal. It is impossible even to make a guess at the date of this won- derful work, not even a tradition re- i maining of the ruler whose far sighted | ness realized the enormous advantage oi | joining up the two waterways. Alexan.
 der the Great has been suggested, but apparently for no other reason than that
 he is a conventiont and likely persor
 and that one of his many Alexandrias
 was built on the site of the present Mo.
 hammerah.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23
Building Activity in the Spring

Many new buildings will be erected in and around Birmingham this year. Much activity is promised for the early spring.
 Six months ago local architects re- ported business dull in their line, but since the first of the year most of them have been working on designs that will be carried out between now and summer. Some of them have beer unusually busy.
 The building contractors are now re- ceivng requests for estimates anc other indications point to a great re vival of prosperity for the building trades.
 Now is an exceptionally good tim' to build. A house can be erected dur ing the next two or three months a 25 per cent less cost than it could b. six months hence, when material vii be higher and labor will be scarce.
 The music of saw and hammer ant bricklayer's trowel will soon fill tn air. And it will be music that all Bir mingham will welcome.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23
AN IMPROVED LIFEBELT
Popular Mechanics

Frcm Popular Mechanics.
 The ordinary lifebelt is cumbersome thing to wear and in order to provide protection for airmen or others who are likely to be thrown into the water a life belt has been invented that lies flat about the chest under ordinary condi- tions and becomes inflated when brought in contact with the water. This belt con sists of flexible tubular girdle, at one end of which are two receptacles, one containing water and the other a carbide which becomes a gas and initiates the tube when mixed with water. valve permits the wearer to let the water into the carbide receptacle, while wick that passes from the outside of the belt into this receptacle causes the water to enter and initiate the tube automatically in case the wearer is unconscious after being thrown into the water. Provision Is made for preventing the entrance oi water after imitation has taken place and for preventing overinflation of the tube.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23
Protecting the Public

There is not as much regulation of a paternal sort in this country as there is in Germany, where a pedes- trian may be arrested for carrying his umbrella the wrong way and thus endangering the eyes of others' but a great step toward protecting the public from interruptions advertisers was taken when the pure food and drugs act became effective. Scores of ouacks who got millions of dollars an nually from sick and ailing people were forced out of business, while others whose remedies had some merit, but not half as much as was claimed for them, had their business so curtailed and their power for mis- leading the public by false labels so badly crippled that they get "slim pickings" now, compared to the enor- nous profits they used to make.
 One of the favorite devices of these fake advertisers was to use the pie ture of some person, either benign looking old doctor or a clergyman, or perhaps motherly looking woman whose features betrayed no guile, to lend an air of responsibility to their business. One of the most notorious of the fake consumptive "cures' eX- plotted all over the country employed the name and picture of a Catholic priest and doubtless by that device thousands of bottles of the stuff were sold to members of the Catholic church.
 Recently in Philadelphia the United States government ordered destroyed more than four thousand bottles of this medicine" which had been seized in 1912 on the charge that they were misbranded and misled the public The label on each bottle contained a statement that the contents were a prompt and efficacious remedy for consumption.
 The mixture was composed princi- pally of cod liver oil, which can be bought under it's right name and with out any extravagant claims being made for it's curative properties.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23
POINTED PARAGRAPHS

From the Chicago News.
 Prudence is common sense well trained.
 There is no idle curiosity It works overtime.
 A preferred creditor never asks for his money.
 Men who accomplish most make the least fuss about it.
 Tomorrow is the happiest day in the life of the average man.
 Man has all the vices of the other anil mals and few of his own.
 A pessimist is a person who is seasick during the entire voyage of life.
 Some men are so reckless with their coin that they even use it for paying debts. Occasionally the early bird makes a mistake in selecting worm-and gets stung. Call them white lies if you want to- but sooner or lRter they will come home 10 roost. Keep an eye on the man who says money will do anything. The chances arc that he will do anything for money
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23
Had High Record Crowd

"Mard Gras in New Orleans last week brought the largest crowd of visitors to that city ever seen there before, said J. J. Gilmore.
 .The carnival passed off most pleas antly as all carnivals in New Orleans do. Everybody was making merry, but there was no disorder or rude behavior of any sort Having once lived in New Orleans, l belong to one of the organiza- tions that has a large part in Mardi Gras festivities. l have been participat- ing in the carnivals for many years, but I never enjoyed one more than that of last week. It was noteworthy fact that in a float club of 115 members hav- ing place in the parade there was not a single absentee. Another noteworthy fact was that of another club of 200 mem- bers subscribing $100 a piece for carnival expenses, only one was unable to pay his subscription. That record certainly speaks well for New Orleans from the viewpoint of prosperity. The fact is that business in New Orleans has been active for some time. One hears nothing of hard times there
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23
From Actual Experiment

"One of the large charts that is being
 Used in the crop diversfication cam
 paign shows from actual experiment in
 Kansas the value of alfalfa pasture or
 some other legume in building up the
 frame of hogs and cattle or even chick
 ens.' said member of the Chamber
 of Commerce who owns large farm in
 north Alabama.
 This experiment was carried on in
 Kansas for 1S0 days. Fourteen pigs were
 divided into two lots. Many of the pigs
 were litter mates and weighed 50 pounds
 at the beginning of the experiment. The
 pigs in lot No. l were placed in a dry lot, and fed on corn and water alone, while the pigs in lot No. were fed on corn and allowed to run on alfalfa pas ture for 80 days
 At the expiration of 80 days the pas ture was not good and the pigs in lot No. were fed alfalfa hay in connection with the corn for 100 days. the remain der of the experiment. At the end of 1S0 days, the pigs in lot No. 1 where corn alone was fed weighed on an av- craze of 75 pounds each, while the pigs in lot No. 2 having the alfalfa pasture and theNalfalfa hay, weighed on an av- craze of 1855 pounds
 Corn is deficient in protein and has an abundance of starch and sugar. Neither alfalfa nor corn, when fed alone, will l give the best results, but combination of the two makes a perfectly balanced
 ration. This experiment shows the abso- | lute need of protein for growing ami mals.n
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23
The Cotton situation

A prominent New York cotton broker age house said in its Saturday review:
 There was very little life to the cot ton market during the week, trading being reduced to minimum. There was evidence of some evening up on the part of traders, but no indication that the attitude of either consumers or specu- lative buyers of tbe staple had changed The demand for cotton is such that of- ferings on concession meet with veady absorption, while the selling on hard spots is scattered and unimportant. A notable feature was of course the inau- guration of the Lever bill, giving the government control of cotton contracts. This is causing some hesitancy, but there is little doubt that the trade will soon adjust itself to the new conditions. One of the uncertain factors, so far as its effect on the volume of trading is con cerned is the complete stoppage of ar bitrage business with Liverpool. The ex- | act effect of this closing of the English | market to American traders can only be ascertained by actual experience. As it appears now it will to some extent cur
 vail the activities of local operators.
 "The war situation has naturally come | in for a good deal of discussion, and | there is a general feeling that specula-
 tive operations had better be deferred un-
 til some definite idea may be gained
 as to the effects of the German block.
 ade and the methods of reprisal to be 1 adopted by England. The publicity ac' | corded the situation magnifies its req l chara cter and naturally makes for eau
 tiorsress, but it is hardly probable thai ! the apprehension now existing will bt ! long lived. As a matter of fact while the trade is absorbed in these problem: l as affecting the export movement ship
 ments are still being made in volume | and from present indications Februar,
 vromises to break records in a more de 1 cidcd fashion than did January. Exports for the week again approximate 5OOO0
 bales, bringing the total shipments fol the season within 100000 bales of thu amount sent forward up to this sam' time last year. This is practically q per cent of last years total, as compared with only 25 per cent in the middle O. November. So far as continuation O. the export movement is concerned, ther'
 is no indication of any falling off. as thu amount on shipboard not yet cleared to
 tals about half a million bales.
 Trade advices from Lancashire re port pretty full operations at the leading I textile centers: whereas about 25.0oo0o spindles were idle in August. the numbe Lof inactive spindles now is placed at les
 than 2.OOOOoO,'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23

A mysterious method of curing skin diseases, said to be simple in applica- ton. but defying all attempts at expla- nation, was described and demonstrated at a recent meeting of the Jefferson Clinical society, Philadelphia The tech nical description of the treatment as given by a physician is as follows: "A certain quantity of blood is taken from the patient and the corpuscles separated from the liquid by extremely rapid rota- ton in a centrifuge. This blood serum then is injected into the patient That is all there is to it; nothing is added tc the serum, it is not even sterlized We simply take blood from the patients one arm, take the serum from that blood and reinject it into the other arm. The re- suits are wonderful in the few cases in which we have tried it. It seems i'm. possible that this auto-serum treatment should have any effect whatever, but
 there are the results"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23

President the Fourth of July, or h. dependence Day, and Washington's birthday were of equal rank, and each stirred up the same patriotic ardor.
 There were many divergent views in the constitutional convention and no little wrangling. Had it not been for Washington's wisdom, tact and per sonal influence the republic that was founded would have been unstable and probably short lived. Washington's compeers included statesmen and men of exceptional force, but it took a Washington to harmoniZe the discord- ant clements.
 Up to the breaking out of the Civil war the 22d of February was cele- brated with great national feryor in every part of the union. After the war the day was still kept, although other anniversaries, more or less sectional, aroused more general interest. But the American people appreciate Wash ington's greatness as much today as they ever did, and the revival of the patriotic spirit incident to the 22d of February is wholesome and welcome. The addresses on Washington yes terday were more thoughtful and con- structive than usual, and the occasion served to stimulate and brace genuine Americanism. F.#ss
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23
HUNGER

Dana Burnet in Harper's Magazine for
 March.
 The Starving Men they walk the dusk,
 With hunger in their eyes. To them Lighted House is like
 A lamp of Paradise. It is the Window in the dusk,
 That marks the drifter's coast: It is the thought of love and light
 That mocks the drifter most. Now I have been a Starving Man
 And walked the winter dusk; And have known how life may be A Heaven and Husk. The Painting Hands they pulled my
 sleeve, And bade me curse the Light But had seen Rich Mans face That looked into the night. A hungry face, a brother face, That stared into the gloom, And starved for life and starved for love
 Within a lighted room
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23
Washington Widely Remembered

There was a very general observ- ance of Washington's anniversary yesterday. The holiday as an institu- tion is the oldest in the American call endar of patriotic days.
 During Washington's lifetime so much enthusiasm was aroused over Washington's splendid achievements that his friends and admirers began to celebrate his birthday even before the Revolutionary war was ended. After Washington had retired from public life and become the first ex-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23
New WaterwOrks Contract at Last

@N~ND~
 Yesterday was a red letter day at the city hall and red letter day for the householders of Birmingham, for new waterworks contract, after much irritating delay, was accepted by the city commission. There might have been a satisfactory agreement on the water rates question several years ago had both parties been ready to treat with each other in a friendly spirit and business-like manner, for when President A. M. Lynn and Com missioner James Weatherly, who handled the problem, did get together an amicable settlement of a long standing contention was assured. But since an agreement is reached all past chickering's boot nothing, and will quickly be forgot. It is now "All's well that ends we'll
 Birmingham's water supply is pure and abundant. The waterworks com pany has invested millions of dollars in its large filtration plant and in ex- tensions. It has given good service. But the consumer was paying too much.
 Under the contract the water rates in Birmingham are greatly reduced, and the average consumer may use the city water without stint at cost low enough to satisfy every reason able person. There will be no meter rents except on the large meters in mercantile houses and industries. An important clause in the contract is that the city at any time after April 1, 1915, shall have the right to buy the entire plant of the waterworks company subject to appraisement by a board to be appointed, in the event that the water company officials and the city cannot agree on price. In the municipal ownership propo- sition the rights of the people are fully safeguarded, for if the city au- thorities fail on any ground to buy the plant after accepting the report of the appraisal board it is provided that there may be referendum and the appraisal placed before the people
 It is an excellent contract, certainly excellent in it's general provisions. As Commissioner Weatherly says, "The city has secured peace on terms that are not only honorable, but are profit. able and at the same time secures the power to purchase on a friendly basis without prolonged litigation. At last | it is in the power of the people o1 Birmingham to own their own water works plant if they so desire" The other commissioners speak of the con tract with a tone of gladness. They feel as if a great burden has beer lifted. President Lynn pays his high est compliments to the members o1 the city commission. "They have go everything out of the situation ther, was to be had" said he; but he ex pressed in cordial terms his thank. for "the fair and courteous treat meht" his company had received il the negotiations of which the settle ment is the result, and to show hi faith MT. Lynn remarked that h, firmly believed "after today we vii assume new and different relation to the Birmingham public"
 | Yesterday was, indeed, a red lette
 day in Birmingham's history, and n,
 matter what else may be said of tn
 city emphasis can be laid on the fac
 that it will never want for cheap, Dur
 water.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23
A lanRn TRlFLE
e Mempbis News-scimitar

From the Memphis News-scimitar.
 By legislative enactment the Alabama citizen Is prohibited from having morel than one quart of liquor per month shipped in to him from another state This 10 m direct violation of the interstate com mcrce law, but the Alabama iegisiasure| cares nothing for that
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23

The wake made by it's periscope, And therein truly seems to lie The battle cruisers only hope.
 DETERIoRATING ..Is it true that sailors in the United States navy are taught to crochet?' asked the fair girl. Not yet" answered the irate states man, '.but we are developing among our tackles some first class timber for glee clubs"
 DESTROYED "Doppel says he can read character at glance
 Nonsense. He's been glancing at him. know yet that he's a fool"
 RESCUE q see through you" the young man said Unto the maiden fair; Forthwith she cried, a rosy red, Good heavensl Tell me where''
 QUITE A BOUQUET why do you call Mir Blowster suc- cessful horticulturist?" Because he's the father of Daisy, Rose, Violet and Lily Blowster.'
 FORMERLY FAMOUS FOR IT Well, how do you feel about the war in Europe now?" '.The same way I felt several months ago.
 And how is that?" "I'd like to see the Belgians get on
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23

The recent battle between redskins and palefaces in Utah caused a plea surable thrill in the boy who found in news papers confirmation of the stories he reads on rainy days.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Property fin Middle West

Most of the cities of the middle west are thriving once more.' said J. B. Gaillard of Cincinnati There was much dull- ness in the Queen City last fall, but in most branches there has been steady recovery.
 Tn the interior cities of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois business is very brisk, and people seem to be expecting unusual pros- perity by next fallT
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23

President Wilson broke a precedent by calling on Speaker Clark. However, President Wilson breaks precedent with much less noise and excitement than a certain strenuous gentleman formerly an occupant of the White House.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23

Puck criticizes the New York Times for opposing woman suffrage. Were it not for lovely woman, it would be inn possible for Puck to publish so many seductive pictures
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23

The old-fashioned gentleman who says, Don't take your flannes off too early,'' is politely referred to the man who wears "athletics" the whole year round
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23

A baseball writer says the Boston Braves" won the championship because Stallings made them mad. However, that isn't the way to win a pugilistic championship.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23
BEGINNING THE DAY-O Lord

BEGINNING THE DAN-O Lord, prcscrve me from trying to do too much today. Remind me that IT IS not how much. but how well, now swcetIy. how contentedly, that nvaiis. Remind me that there is another life in which I shall labor. Give me to do my work quietly. For Jesus sake. Amen.-u. NJ. E.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23

contemporary says some foods are cheaper than they were before the war. If that's the case, a list of such foods should be posted in every public place.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23

Schools at Rheims are being taught in cellars. Just for the sake of appearances, it is to be hoped that no wine cellars are used for that purpose.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23

An authority says a man may dress moderately well on $l5o0 a year. Of course he couldn't hope to do himself proud on such a modest sum.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23

General Carranza, it appears, is still on his way, without any clear idea of where he's going.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23

Jack Johnson is said to be homesiclS for Chicago. There are a number of people in Chicago who want him to come
 back
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23

policeman who was nearly crushed to death by women in a bargain rush probably went to work that day think ing he had a snap.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23

Recent pictures of Ostend have nc bathing beauties in the foreground That's the principal reason why they are so uninteresting.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23

It was a mistake to make George Washington a demigod in the first place George had his faults like other human beings.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23

Of course it's none of our business but have the scene shifters struck in the western theatre of war?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23

If German submarines do what is ex- pected of them, 'Davy Jones' Locker is going to be overcrowded
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23

Washington bureau. 207 Hibbs build ing.
 European bureau, 6 Henrietta street, Covent Garden, London.
 Eastern business office, Rooms 4s so 50, inclusive, Tribune building, New York city; western business office' Tribune building. Chicago. The 5. '. Beckwith Special Agency. agents 1or- eign advertising.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES

their feet again and eat as much al they used to-
 APPEALING FOR SYMPATHY
 Are you sure you can't live withou me?"
 "Quite."
 But you used to live without me
 T was younger then and could stan more."
 THE WRONG TIME
 "You can't blame people for not takin4
 good advice. It's so tiresome" That's true. And 1t is usually of fered at time when the person ad vised is tired of everything TO BE EXPECTED "Chumpson took his wife to all tn, tango parlors and now he says she neg lects him. Serves him right. He might hav' known that she would meet some fe low who can tango better than he can. GET THE HOSE. HEINIE! Wanted-German, English-spealsin. woman, suitable for washing and iron l ing and cleaning.--Cleveland Plain Dealer AS TO THE TURK The Turk. it seems, is not as ter fible" as we have been led to believe
 His chief failing is laziness, and it mus be confessed in justice to the Turk tha he has no monopoly of that. PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23
A SLIM CHANGE

A submarine is spotted by
 The wake made by it's periscope, And therein truly seems to lie
 The battle cruisers only hope.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23

Remittances can be made at current rate of exchange. The Age-Herald will not be responsible for money sent through the mails. Address.
 THE AGE-HERALD.
 Birmingham, Ala
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23

That life is better life, past fearing dcatb than that which lives to Tear.
 Measure for Measure.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23

A J. Eaton, Jr., and O. E. Young are the only authorized travelling repre- sentatives of The Age-Herald in its cir culation department
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-23

No communication will be published without it's authors name. Rejected manuscript will not be returned unless stamps are enclosed for that purpose.