davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-15
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Delcasse and the Balkans

Unless all surface indications are at fault, an internal crisis is impending in France and the first visible evil dence of this is the resignation of Theophile Delcasse, minister of for eign affairs in the coalition cabinet which was called into being shortly after the beginning of the war.
 The ostensible cause for the resig- nation of the most brilliant member of the cabinet is ill health, but it is quite probable that his sickness is of diplomatic character only. It is hinted that he left the government on ac- count of disagreements with his col leagues over the landing of the French expeditionary force at Saloniki.
 It is a significant fact that Del casse's resignation came immediately upon his return from a visit to Eng land and it might be that his action was dictated from Downing street. Be that as it may, it is quite probable that Delcasse objected to the further scattering of allied strength and op- posed a step which will involve grave danger.
 Were it not for the vital issues de- pending on the preservation of Servia and the prevention of it's becoming a second Belgium, the world at large might agree with Delcasse, but under the circumstances it is difficult to perceive on what he hangs back.
 Germany, having relieved Austria, now turns to the relief of her other ally, Turkey. The object of the drive against Servia is. not the crushing of the tiny Balkan nation, which, in it. self, is unimportant, but the securing of an uninterrupted railway line to the Ottoman empire and the German system of railways there. It would furnish new avenue through which to receive supplies and would enable Turkey to draw strength from the Teutonic empires. In fact it would still further consolidate the central powers.
 As usual, despite the ample warning given of the intention by Germany to strike, the allies have been too slow and must pay the penalty of incom- potency and inefficiency
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-15
STEEL CONDITIONS
x,-ou c.roat Jo,rn,1

From the Wall Street Journal.
 In the steel trade it is believed that the unified business of the United States Steel corporation in october will show larger increase than reported in Septem- Der, In the first 10 days of this month very large orders for rails were placed and Lar and structural steel orders were heavy. In fact, buying in nearly all branches was exceedingly large.
 Steel manufacturers are predicting earnings of s5o,Ooo,0o0 for United States Steel in the current quarter. or at the rate of saO0, 0O0,O0o a year. IT the corpora ton could maintain this rate for one year it would be able to pay : per cent on the pieferl ed stock and per cent on the com mon. and there would still remain a sur plus of $1O0,000.O00 It was stated this rlori.ing that the question of resuming dividends on the common stock has in nc way been considered. The directors will meet for dividend action on the last Tuesday of the current month.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-15
Millions Made on Margins

"I heard an old Wall street broker say the other day that more money had been made on margin speculation during the past six months than in any similar period of former boom times," remarked Joseph w. Sheldon of New York.
 "Rich men who could afford to take big plunges have made millions and some of the smaller speculators have cleaned ur snug fortunes; but there is usually great deal of exaggeration about the extent of the trades and the net results.
 "I had friend who bought cotton fu- tures-5OO bales-early in August. He did some organizing and when cotton got ur to 12 cents he closed out his trade with a profit of nearly $SO,O00. Gossip had il that he bought 5000 bales and that he had cleaned up s3O00oO. But if my friend had held on a month or two longer his winnings would have been very much larger: for cotton will probably not stor climbing until it reaches 15 cents-maybe 20 cents.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-15
SHAW A sENTIMENTALIsT
m the Cincinnati Times-star.

From the Cincinnati Times-Star.
 Bernard Shaw declares that he has writ ten his last play. He feels that he has alienated the British public by his Com mon Sense About the War; and with the withdrawal of British sympathy this clever satrist rises 10 say farewell
 Is Bernard Shaw becoming mushy, has h. acquired the mawkishness which he pretende6 to discover in the British public and which he flayed in his inimitable way? It is true that London did not welcome the revival of Shaw com- edy. But surely the Londoner may not be blamed for not having the stomach for satirical nonsense at this time. He de- sires heroics or good-natured fun
 The London public will return to Shaw at the end of the war. They will for give his Common Sense About the War" which. of course, was Shaws highly in d.vidual idea of common sense. which was not common sense at all. even if your sy mpa thies inclined you to agree with the0 witty Irishman. And Shaw has not alienated his American public. which has cheered him in the past with hundreds Of thousands of dollars.
 We are not worried as to Shaws fu- ture public But we are concerned as to the changed spirit that prompted this financial sob from man who formerly laughed at us. and we with him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-15
From the Fourth Estate.

From the Fourth Estate.
 IN VIDENCE that the long-awaited re- H vival of business in the south has - actually arrived is to be seen In many forms Southerners arriving in New York bring stories of wonderful improve ment and the newspapers from the sec tion show many signs of better times through increased volumes of advertising, news of many business transactions and in editorial comment
 An exceptional example of the new spirit in southern newspapers is the Ral- eigh (N. O News and Observer, owned by Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels, which said editorially in an is- sue of this week:
 ''In the south we have been talking or good business coming.
 Now it has arrived in genuine re- vival of trade. Evidences of it continue to multiply, and another of these is a telegram from one of the greatest of the shoe manufacturing companies of the south.
 "Declaring The sick man of the south is evidently rapidly improving, there IS added the emphasized personal knowf- edge of this in the statement:
 We shipped more than S75O,0o0 worth O.. shoes into the south in September, and breaking all previous records for the month We believe that the purchasing power of the south is greater than it has been for years, and that business will continue to improve rapidly if the south will only continue to advertise the fact. '
 'rhat's proof. And there is more of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-15
Why the Mustache?

How much is mustache worth Not much, if the prevalence of the smooth-shaven lip be an indication.
 The place of the owners residence may have something to do with it. but in Missouri the present market price is $20. At least half a mustache has been appraised at $10 in that state, and according to the old stan- dard, Rays Elementary" it natural ly follows that the whole hirsute ap- bondage must be worth twice that amount.
 This problem in valuation was solved by a judge in Carterville, Mo-, the other day, when one William Mitchell appeared in court to prefer charges against Sherman Smith, al leging that the latter had clipped off one-half of the mustache of the plain tiff. Mitchell asserted that he had been cultlvating that mustache for fifteen years and that it had attained such length that it could be wrapped around his ears.
 The worthy judge decided that Mitchell's facial beauty had been damaged to the extent of $10, and Mitchell left the courtroom entirely satisfied.
 Just why a mustache long enough to wrap around the wearer's ears should be especially valuable is hard to determine at first glance.
 Possibly the Missourian used his hirsute appendage as ear muffs, and it will be remembered that winters in Missouri get pretty cold. Perhaps Mitchell prized his long, dropping mustache because-.well, "just be- cause" is probably the reason.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-15
Would Help Road Movement

All good roads enthusiasts were disap- pointed, of course, that my bill seeking to have the money derived from automo- bile and motorcycle licenses used for improving the highways failed to become law" said Senator Teague of Russellville
 'It would have got through but for the congestion of bills as the legislature drew to a close. The revenue from the licenses referred to, now turned into the state treasury, amounts to nearly s15o000 year. If that money could be applied to road building, 1t would help the movement in a very large way and there would be no longer any objection on the part of mo- torists to the license tax.
 "A bill similar to the one I introduced will doubtless pass. in the next iegisla- ture.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-15
Money to Spare
Talk about the embarrassment o

Talk about the embarrassment of riches!
 Kansas banks are reported to have so much wealth on hand that they are hard pressed to keep within the law, which specifics that no state bank shall have deposits in excess of ten times the banks capital and surplus.
 Deposits have been so heavy in many Kansas communities that the banks have had to do quick work to avoid breaking this law. The Sun flower state suffered from excessive moisture this year-which has no ref erence to it's political dryness, in which respect Kansas is very, very dry.
 But the showers descended and the rains came and in those sections where crops were not drowned out, the state has prospered, and thou sands of golden dollars have poured into the banks for safe keeping. Banks have resorted to the expedient of es- tablishing branches, which can be con- solidated with the original institution in time of lesser money circulation.
 Kansas may be the home of 'freak" legislation (which later becomes largely patterned after by other states), it's citizens may be ever ready to try experiments along govern mental, civic or any other lines which may suggest themselves; you may laugh at the little eccentricities of the natives if you will, but this thing must be admitted-Kansas has high record in gathering in the rich dol lars.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-15
PROSPERITY IN THE SOUTH

 this in abundance which is known of al men. The News and Observer can cit it's own case as another illustration. the September which has just passed tn paper signed up more new local advel Using business than in any month in tf history of the paper.
 "A look at the advertising columns ( other newspapers will show that ther is an increasing business being don throughout the entire south.
 "In the past weeks two of the week. newspapers of North Carolina apole gized to their readers for the sma amount of reading matter. giving as tl- reason that their columns. were ovei run with advertisements. Those are tn prosperity signboards of business.
 "The people of the south are on Pros perity street. The money is here, th business is being done. There should b no halt in telling the world of real cor ditions, nor should there be hesitanc in declaring that business is on the UT grade
 Talk good business, for it is real. Tal pi osperity, because we have it in tn south.
 "The calamity howlers have no plac with us. This is the day for declara tions of prosperity, for declarations C business conditions getting better an better.
 And that these prevail over practica1f ali sections is reflected in the official rs ports just made by federal reserve agent for the 12 federal reserve bank dis tricts.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-15
why anybody should wish to cultivate the acquaintance of either a crocodile or an alligator is a mystery.
Do Not Miss the Fair

The attendance at the fair this year has been larger than it was in 1914, but in order for it to break the record of 1913 the crowds today and tomor- row must be exceptionally large.
 Birmingham always turns out well, but it is hoped the local attendance during these two remaining days of the exhibition will be greater even than usual. No one should miss this fair. It is the best ever held in the south. Everybody who has seen it says so.
 As result of crop diversification In Alabama, the agricultural exhibits are more varied than in any previous year, the woman's department is of surpassing interest, the free acts" are more attractive than ever and the fair as whole reflects the highest credit upon President R. A. Brown and the public-spirited citizens who have assisted him in the management.
 As there is promise of good weather today local pride should be great ly in evidence This is Children's Day. Thousands of boys and girls will attend, but there will be room for thousands of grown-ups, too. The grounds should be thronged afternoon and night.
 Don't miss the fair
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-15
SHOPGIRL PLAY-WRITERS
New York World.

From the New 1orK World.
 A promising new idea in popular edu- cation comes from Chicago. where the Women's Trades Union league has in- stituted classes and employed "compe- tent instructors for the teaching of short story writing and scenario produc- ticn to working girls.
 The league thus provides for the shop and factory girl the latest wrinkle in the higher education, and the fact should win the commendation of those who ad- vocate the democratizaton of knowledge. After all, if college boys at Harvard and Columbia are taught play-wr;ting and scenario composition, why should not working girls have the same facilities for self-improvement? There is, besides, a suspicion that movie plots are becom- ing as scarce as new names for Pullman cars.
 Surely, as social uplift goes, that is enc of it's most praiseworthy methods which would transform shopgirls into playwrights and make a behind the- counter drudgery a grand, sweet notion picture performance. This is educational pi piogressivism, and of a kind which re- veals an appreciation of what are the inn portant things of life. But is anybody being taught to work nowadays? Are there schools which train pupils solely for productive industry and inculcate the old ideal of pride in labor competently performed?
 These. to be sure, are old-fas ashoned mo- tions the dignity of labor nowadays, as everybody knows, is in proportion to it's ease and elegance. Yet In the last an alysis conscientious factory worker is worth more to industry than a bad play wright.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-15
A FAILURE
From Judge.

From Judge.
 Appeal to their higher ideals, their honor, their affections, the young teacher had been instructed, and she thought she would try it out on small Bill.
 '.If you do not study more, can't pro- mote you, and you will be separated from your friends, who wils go to the next grade" she said.
 Huh. These kids ain't my friends. Say, Miss Isee got friend what rides with the ash man." Bill began with pride, but was interrupted.
 Isn't one of the little, girls your sweeE- heart. though?' Miss Lee questioned.
 LAW, feller can have girl, can't he?" Bill demanded, his ears red Certainly; it's very nice that he should. How would you like it. however, to sec her go away from the room?'
 Bill shrugged in a manner which Miss Lee was forced to regard as typical of the unregenerate male.
 LAW, by next year. he said, "there'n be a fresh flock O chickens runn;n' round"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-15
AUTOMOBILE HORNS
pm the New York Times.

From the New York Times
 If the man who, in letter printed yes- terday, denounced the use made by too ! many automobilists of their sound sig
 nal devices, had used language just lit- tie more moderate, one would have felt
 no hesitation in declaring him precisely right in every contention he made. He
 was certainly sound as to his facts. Why anybody should think that be- | cause he is driving a motor car he is privileged to order other people out of his way, especially people on foot, is a mystery beyond solution, and yet the privilege is claimed innumerabie times every day. and it's assumption is made the more offensive by the peculiarly harsh and dscordant sounds by means of which it is asserted For some of the milder
 horns there is an occasional use that is legitimate, but these are so few and un- important, and the improper uses are so numerous and so outrageous, that almost without question both public decency and public interest would be served if the carrying on an automobile of any imple- ment whatever, the designed object of which was to make noise, were pro- hibited by law and the law sterniy en- forced. The immediate effect would be to make the drivers of cars more careful if not more considerate.
 The horns in all probability cause more accidents than they prevent, for in solently loud as are the commands is- sued to pedestrians through them, obe- dience cannot always be as prompt as the tomoblists had to pick their way other people do, they would soon learn, per force that there is nothing in their i- censes to justify them in consulting only their own haste and convenience as they pass along the roads and streets that are the common property of us all.
 Our rrespondent-himself an automo- bilist, by the way-declared that every time anybody is run down by a motor car the driver of it is wholly to blame. This is not quite true, but certainly the blame is usually his, and often he is ex- culpated without sufficient reason. The police, for instance are too ready to hold him guiltless when his victim has stepped suddenly in front of his car from behind another and concealing vehicle. There is
 contributory negligence of course, in such cases, but that mitigates the auto . mobilist's responsibility without by any means abolishing it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-15
Music nt the Tut,yiIer

Fred Wiegand the violnist, brother of John Wiegand, the pianist and director of the Tutwiler orchestra, and himself a member of the hotel organization having filled a seasons engagement as leader at Buckwood Inn, a fashionable Pennsyl- vania resort will return to Birmingham Saturday night and resume his position here. He will bring voloncellist with him.
 c. Romero, an esteemed member of the Minneapolis Symphony orchestra. who has been the violinist at the Tutwiler for several weeks, leaves for Minneapolis to- day to enter upon the seasons work there.
 Director Wiegand says he will -endeavor to make the music at the Tutwiler more attractive than ever this winter.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-15
Increasing Activity

The pig iron market continues strong and upward. It is understood that little first quarter Birmingham iron can be bought for less than SIS on No. basis.
 Rogers, Brown & Co.'S Cincinnati re- port, just issued. says that the Chicago district holds the center of the stage this week. Pig iron consumers there "ap- pear to be securing their share of the general improvement, which has been spreading rapidly over the country, and are entering the market"
 The report goes on to say in part Interest in Pittsburg seems to be cen tered chiefly on first quarter and first half buying, some 25,00O to 5000 tons in good sized lots now being negotiated. From the fact that these two districts have been singled out, it should not be assumed that the other parts of the country are not continuing in their strong upward tendency. This week has been, in fact, somewhat better than last. Even tn stove business, long a laggard, appears tc be improving.
 '-rhe United States Steel corporation 3 announcement that on September 90 their books showed an increase in thrilled or ders of 409, ,16S tons over those of August 3l. will have a beneficial effect on the en- tire industry. This increase, the largest monthly gain in two years, is attributed largely to the recent buying of the rail roads, which not only continue their raj. and car purchases, but are broadening out. purchasn other supplies such as bars. structurals and spikes. They are breaking away from the hand to mouth buying which has been their practice for several years, and are again contracting ahead
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-15
HOTEL LOBRIES
Wanted to See the Damaged Goods

When the hangers for Damaged Goods were displayed in the vestibule tf the theatre recently, country visitor came to the box office where I was sell ing tickets and asked where he could find our dry goods department. said Brown Parks, treasurer of the Jefferson.
 I see you have been reading the play bills. This is a theatre and not dry goods store I replied But the man in- sisted on being shown to the place where We kept our damaged goods It was with some difficulty that I finally made him understand. Several persons were pres- ent during the interview and they could not help laughing at the countryman's s ignorance
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-15
Alligator Joe's Estate

Warren B. Frazee, known through out the country as Alligator Joe," died last June while exhibiting his col lection of saurians at the Panama Pacific exposition and appraising the value of his estate has been found a pretty problem. Even Frazee's widow, who was her husbands assistant, was unable to tell the court what his pets are worth.
 However, the appraisers finally listed 148 alligators at $2000, 25 crocodiles at $27O0, 300 baby alliga- tors at $250, and one sea turtle at 25 cents. In addition to these items, nine pelicans were priced at $50 The collec- tion also included two ducks, two rae coons and six blue herons. The entire estate is valued at $5295. A
 Here is the case of man who ac- quired reputation in his chosen pro- fession and must have devoted great deal of time to it, not to speak of the trouble of caring for nearly seven hundred saurians and transporting them about the country. Yet he cvi. dently failed to make a fortune anc the property he left will not be con verted readily into cash. There is nc money in alligators and crocodiles, { condition that should cause no sur prise. There may be less lovablt brutes in creation than these mon sters. Out they are hard to find, ane
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-15
PROHIBITION IN ALABAMA
'om the Houston Post

From the Houston Post.
 Alabama is prohibition state by stat utory enactment after the people of the state had voted down an amendment to the constitution providing for statewide prohibition. Recently a report made by the United States revenue collector to the sheriff of Mobile county shows that fed eral licenses were issued to B dealers in liquor in the county during the month of September. Under the Alabama law the possession of federal license is prima facie evidence that the possessor is vio- lating the prohibition law of the state. Evidently, Mobile is getting ready for an era of blindtigerism such as usually fol- lows fin the wake of all statewide prohib ton laws.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-15
To Blow in Chattanooga Furnace

'C. F. Buck is getting his Chattanooga furnace ready for blast" said P. G. Shook, who has made a contract to SUD- ply him with ore from Cedartown.
 'rhe furnace has been idle three years. It has a capacity of about 250 tons a day and it is MT. Bucks purpose to have it in operation by the first of January.
 ''The furnace plant Is owned by the Chattanooga Iron and Coal company, of which MT. Buck is president
 It is understood that the Chattanooga concern has sold a considerable tonnage of iron for delivery in the first quarter at s13 on No. basis.
 With the Tennessee companys furnaces at Bessemer in blast, as they will be shortly, MT. Bucks will be the last of the southern furnaces in condition to fall in line.