davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-27
GERMANY WILL NOT
 SEIZE FOODSTUFFS
 SHIPPED FROM U. s.
BernstOrff Gives This Government Of ficial Assurance Imports From America Will Not Be Taken
 For Military Purposes

Washington, January 26.-Count Vou notified the state department today that Germany had given official assurance that the government would seize nc foodstuffs shipped from the United States to Germany. The ambassador s notification was given verbally. but il was understood he later will send a formal note on the subject.
 Officials surmised that the embassy might have been instructed to make this communication as an explanation that imports from America would not be affected by the announced purpose of the German government to seize food supplies, as reported in Berlin news dispatches. No word had come today however, either to the embassy or the state department oncerning this an- nouncement and while it was mentioned when the ambassador called at the de- partment, it is understood not to have been made a subject of discussion.
 The department cabled Ambassador Gerard at Berlin for information con corning Germany's intention to appro- priate wheat, corn and flour.
 Under the contention of the United States, which has been accepted by Great Britan, foodstuffs as conditional contraband are subject to seizure only when intended for the use of a bellig- erent government. To what extent, how : ever. Germany's assurance that imports by private parties from the United States will not be taken by the gov ernment may affect the treatment of such shipments by the British fleet, of f'cials here do not predict
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-27

Montgomery. January 26.-SSpccial.) Tomcrre~ afternoon Birninghs" cs,q,rs to Montgomery. The financial problem, before the Jefferson county legislative delegation. The conference will he held present the members of the delegation, James Weatherly of the city coInmis- sion; Romainc Boyd, city attorney; E. D. smith, legislative attorney; C. II. Ab- bott, city comptroller; sydney J. Bowie, chairman of the committee of 100; nt
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-27
STEEL CORPORATION PASSES DIVIDEND
 ON COMMON STOCK
Poor Earnings During Past Three Months Responsible. Dividend on Preferred
 Stock Declared

New York, January 26-The United States Steel corporation today passed the dividend of F of 1 per cent on the common stock for the last three months of 1914, because of the poor earnings, which were the smallest In the corpcr- atiOn's history. Chairman E. H. Gary issued this stntement,
 ''The earnings for the last quarter Of 19i4 were so small that the board of directors. after careful consideration, reluctantly decided to suspend for the present the payment of dividends on the common stock. Business conditions are steadily. though slowly, improving. and it is hoped that the resumption of divi- dends may not be long deferred"
 The regular quarterly dividend ofs g. per eefit was declared on preferred, al- though only very small part of the amount required for this disbursement had been earned. After payment of the preferred dividend, involving an out lay of $6.304,920, there will be de- felt of s5,606.2ss in the surplus. This will be taken from the undivided sur plus of 1913, reducing the latter item to less than s7oo.ooO.
 Suspension of the common dividend, which was unanimously voted, accord ing to report, occasioned considera blc surprise in financial and industrial cir- cles. because of the decision of the directors last December to maintain the then existing scale of wages for 1915. Chairman Gary at that time expressed his belief in early trade betterment.
 Total earnings for the corporation for the last quarter of 1914 were s10,- 9S3,17o. against s22, ,27e,c02 in the guar ter immediately preceding, when the common dividend was reduced from . clined to S6,345,25S loss of $S336,Til compared with the previous quarter
 Analysis of the last quarter shows a steady decline in business for that period. Octobed balances of earnings amounted to s5,5S0,533, while November and December fell to s2,79S.3SS and $2.554.294, respectively.
 In suspendng its common dividend the corporation parallels it's action of 1904 and 1905. the first lean years in its history In 1906 dividends at the rate of F per cent were paid, in 1907 and 1908 each per cent was disbursed, in 1909 the dividend was increased to 2al per cent while in 1910 it attained its maximum rate of , F per cent, since which time and until the third quar- ter of last year 1t had been on a per cent basis.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-27

larly to industrial establishments and other large employers, Secretary Wilson said:
 The department of labor. through the division of information and the bureau Of immigration, has recently established distribution branches throughout the country for the purpose on the one hand of developing the welfare of the wage earners of the United States and improv- ing their opportunities for profitable em- pioyment. and on the other hand of af- fording to employers a method whereby they may make application for such help as they need, either male or female citi- zens or alien residents. and have their wants supplied through said distribution branches. NO fee is charged employer or employe for this service Careful atten- ton will be given to the selection of ap- plicants with q view to directing to em- ployers only such help as is specified in the applications"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-27
GREAT EMPLOYMENT BUREAU ORGANIZED Department of Labor With Assistance of Posoce and Ag cultural Departments Inaugurates Federal Movement to Get "Manless Job and Jobless Man Together

Washington. January 26.-Formal an- 3ouncement of the inauguration of a reat federal employment bureau by the Apartment of labor, with the assistance t the postoffice and agricultural depart hents. was made tonight by Secretary Iilson. The Secretary sent circular tter to all parts of the country calling he attention of the public to the govern ent movement to bring the Inanless b and the jobless man together.
 Agents of the agriculture and postof- :e departments have been provided with tanks so that employers and employ bent seekers in almost any part of the nited States may make their applica- ons without waiting to communicate ith Washington.
 ln hio letter. which was mailed particu-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-27

mitted themselves. it is known that some of them. possibly a majority, are opposed to the idea of increasing the rate of taxation, course of procedure which the committee of 100 and city officials think necessary for the welfare of the municipality.
 From tomorrow night when Birming- ham comes until the conclusion of the session. it would cause little surprise were Birmingham and Jefferson to occupy the limelight in Montgomery to the practical exclusion of other sections of the state Up to the present they have not had their innings.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-27
FUND PLAN
 WILL BE ABANDONED
Applications For Loans From Fund Have Amount ed to But S12000-Unless Unexpected. Increase In Appropriation Arises Banks Will Be Re
 leased From Pledges

is an unexpected increase in the demand for loans the sls5,oOO.ooo cotton fund plan will be abandoned shortly after February 1. Subscriptions of northern, western and eastern banks will he cancelled, and southern bankers and cotton men left to finance the surplus crop in their own way.
 Application for loans so far have amounted to about sl20Oo. and officials here have no reason to believe there will be many more applications before Feb
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-27

ruary l. when the period for making them expires The federal reserve board in its individual capacity as central com mittee of the loan fund. has concluded in view of this showing that the plan should be abandoned.
 The N2.0oo applied for probably will be taken care of by some bank in New York and the other subscribing banks will be released from their pledges.
 Members of the board said today that in spite of the few applications the loan fund had done it's work in keeping up the confidence of cotton men at . time when confidence was needed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-27
Fly HUGH w. ROBERTS
Legislative Assistance

least half dozen other members of that cop.mitter
 Birmingham, its officials and commit teemen. will formally tell the members of the delegation the results of the inves- tigation conducted by the members Of the committee with the hope of the repre- sentatves of Birmingham. that the rep resentatives of the county will see the situation as they see it. for unless there is concerted action, it is reasonably cer- tain that the recommendations of the committee will not prevail.
 At the present time while members of the delegation have not officially com
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-27
TODAY'S AGE-HERALD

1--German offensive efforts fail New mansion for governor probable. Grey answers German chancellors in-
 terview.
 City's financial problems up today. 2--Henderson reads message to legisla.
 ture. 3-Says legislation has much to do with
 conditions. 4-Editorial comment. Disagree as to ''jltney'' autos Birmingham man likely to succeed f. Pevear
 Grand jury asks that justices of peace
 be abolished 6--Society. Local delegation aids in commssary
 check bill fight. N 9-Markets. 10--would alter Magic City's form of gov. ernment.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-27
JEROME NOLONGER
 DEPUTY ATTORNEY

Albany, N. Y.. January William Travers Jerome today ceased to be a deputy attorney general. to which post he recently was appointed in order that he might aid in returning Harry K. Thaw to New York. Hereafter Deputy Attornesy General Franklin Kennedy and Frank K. Cook will have charge of the Thaw case.
 In notifying Jerome of his dismissal the attorney general said he did not feel Justified in continuing the expense of special counsel.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-27
ZEPPELIN DESTROYED

London, January 26--(9:50 D. m.) It was officially announced in Lon don this evening that the Zeppelin dirigible balloon which on Monday dropped bombs on the Russian port of Libau in the Baltic sea was de 'troyed and that the members of its
 rev were taken prisoners.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-27
To Diversity Crops

Town Creek, January 26.--iSpecial) ) Most of the farmers in this section of the state have expressed their Intention of diversifying their crops this year Cot ton acreage will be greatly diminished and more stress will be laid on the raising of grain and hogs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-27
TO CELEBRATE BIRTHDAY
 OF EMPEROR WILLIAM

Boston, January 26.-The birthday of Emperor William will be cele- brated on the Common tomorrow by the musicians of the interned German steamships Kronprinzes- sin Cecilie, Anerika and Cincinnati. Permission was obtained from Mayor Curley for the demonstra- ton.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-27
To Quarantine Ch.ttanoos.

CollinsvlIle, January 2G.-(Spe- cial l)-Upon recommendation of the city health officer the town coun- cil declared a quarantine against Chattanooga on account of the smallpox situation at that place. It will be practically a shotgun quarantine as all approaches to the town will be guarded.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-27
French Report

Paris, January 26.-,10:45 p. m.)-Tha
 following official statement was issued Nv the war office tonight: The British troops repulsed last night
 new attack on Givenchy Les La Bas-
 lee and by counter attack succeeded in |eoccupying their positions of the day
 Before. "The fighting has been very violent on
 Yhe only road between Bethune and La (Continued on Page Ten,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-27
Must Keep Up Army

\ The Hague. January 26-(Via London 40 D. m.)-"We must maintain under the Iolors our entire army, for any moment Incidents are possible which may render
 t necessary for us to make an appeal No arms" says r. W. A. Van Der Lin Yen, premier of The Netherlands today \ The statement was made in the second
 hamber of the Dutch Parliament when ' bill for the extension of the military
 ervice was being discussed. The premier
 .dded that the government could not dis Hose the information it possessed con- ,erning the foreign situation, because much of 1t was based on confidential documents.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-27
Birmingkan1's Financial Problems
 Win Be Put Before SolonS Todd,

 tt Generally Believed Concerted
 tive eAsisa
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-27
Bombardment Follows

These attacks followed a heavy British pombardment of German positions he h'ond La Bassee in which. according to Soulogne reports, one big German gun was destroyed. while the 6e1nlE.ns were
 prevented from getting a second heavy
 gun into position.
 This was on Saturday, On Monday fhe Germans mads their attacks and Fome of the hardest fighting of the cam jpaisn took place. The Germans shelled Ikhe hospital at Bethune and wounded |Eere removed to Boulogne. | There has been heavy fighting to the Ieast and west of Craonne, in the Ar lsonne and in Alsace.
 | The Russians are making another effort IEo advance In East Prussia, while in Poland there has been slackening in the fighting on both sides for the mo- Ilnent. The Russians appear to be con leentrating themselves on their offensive north of the lower Vistula, while the kustro-G Germans are preparing to meet
 he Russian advance through the passes lbf the Carpathans and in southern Buko- lkina.
 \ Russian submarines in the western por-
 ion of the Baltic sea have torpedoed the Herman cruiser Gazelle, which, however
 leached port with the assistance of a
 Swedish steamer. Their activity has
 Ftopped the trade carried on by German EFteamers between Germany and Sweden
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-27
DETERMINED EFFORT I'D PIERCE BRITISH |AND FRENCH LINES MEETS W|THFA ALLURE Germans Preparing Big Mill itary Venture to Celebrate
 Emneror's Birthday, Says
 Holland Report
 RUSSIANS MAKING
 A NEW EFFORT TO
 ADVANCE IN EAST Netherlands Premier Urges
 Country to Keep Army
 Ready For Any Event By Extension of Service

London, January 26.-(4,3O D. m., Two hundred additional survivors of tho German cruiser Bluecher, sunk in the North sea Sunday by British warships, have been landed. They included n few petty officers.
 London, January 2e.-dO:40 D. m
 The Germans who are reported from Holland to he making preparations for |, big military venture to celebrate the
 Emperor's birthday tomorrow, already
 have made . more determined effort than usual aasinst the French and Brit Ssh lines i'm Flanders and northern
 France. They have attacked the FrencI. to the cast of Yprez and have made no less than five attacks on the first diyi- sion of the British force on either side. of La Bassee canal.
 | Both British and French official reports assert that all these attacks failed and that the Germans suffered heavy losses. Il The Germans admit their attack on the British north of the canal was un- successful, but say that on the south side Ipf the waterway their efforts brought Ifomplete success, and that the British attempt to recapture these trenches was ,repulSed with heavy lossps
The Washington herald., 1915-01-03
1915 Service Retirements.

The age limit will cause thirteen re-
tirements in the United States army dur
ing 19l5-twelve in the navy. none in the
Marine Corps and one in the revenue
cutter service as follows:
Army-Col. William Lassiter. infantry
January 6; Brig. Gen. Eli d. Hoyle, jan
uary l9: Col. Rogers Birnie. Ordnance
Department, April >: Maj. Gen. Arthur
Murray. April %; Col. Louis N. Maus,
Medical Corps, May s; Col. William F.
Blauvelt, Tenth Infantry, May IL; Mai.
Joseph T Davidson, 'Quartermaster
Corps, July Il: Col. John L. Glenn. Quar-
termaster Corps. August Is; Col. John c.
Gresham, cavalry, September .; Col.
Charles NJ. O'Connor Inspector Generals
Department. October 3; Col Henry
Kirby, infantry, october 20; Col. Frank
B. Mccoy, Thirtieth Infantry. October q;
Mai. Gen. William H. Carter, November
1s.
Navy-Rear Admiral George S. Willis.
February q: Medical Director Edward
II. Green, Marine Corps. April Is; Rear
Admiral Robert NJ. Doyle, May ;; Rear
Admiral John r. Edwards, July 8; Rear
Admiral Walter c. Cowles. July IL; Rear
admiral Charles B. T Moore, July %;
Pay Director John n. Speel, July 30; Rear
Admiral Charles J. Badger. August 6;
Pay Director Reah Frazier, August IL;
Rear Admiral Alfred, Reynolds, Septem-
ber Z: Pay Director Mitchell c. Nc
Donald, September q: Rear Admiral
Frank E. Beatty, November 26.
Revenue Cutter Service-Senior Capt. ].
F. Wild, U. S. r. C. S, November 8.
The Washington herald., 1915-01-03
Daniels Project Favored.

The plan of Secretary Of Navy Daniels
for the creation OF a naval reserve
force probably will be Incorporated in
the naval appropriation bill, according
to opinions coming from authoritative
sources.
The project as drafted by Mr.. Daniels
generally Is considered to be ideal. and
to be infinitely better than the plan of
Secretary of War Garrison for the
establishment of an army reserve, be-
cause of the inclusion in the former of
provisions which would insure the i'm
mediate raising of an enormous con-
tingent.
Secretary Daniels believes a substan-
tiaI inducement should be offered mem
bers of the proposed navy reserve. and
in accordance with his convictions he
has Incorporated in his project pro-
vision for the payment of attractive
salaries and retirement on half pay
after completion of certain service.
Army and navy officials on the whole
believe any project which fails to offer
adequate inducement TO men to enlist
will prove abortive If attempted.
Because of the ideal nature of Secre-
tary Daniels plan, it is receiving uni
yersal Endorsement. and indications are
that Congress will give il formal in
dorsement. President Wilson approves
it, as it cOncurs with his views on
adequate national defense.
The Washington herald., 1915-01-03
Annapolis Notes.

Commander Walter S. CrosIey, U. s.
N, of Washington, with his wife and
children. spent the holidays in Annapolis.
Mr.. Glover, father of Midshipman r.
o. Glover, first class, and son, Of Rich
mond, Va, Joined Mrs. Glover and Miss
Glover in Annapolis for the holidays.
Mr.. Cannon, of Washington. father of
Lieut. Commander Sinclair Cannon. L..
s. N, on duty at the Naval Academy,
Is visiting his son.
Mrs. Rosario Morrison. of Washington.
wife of the late Prof. Morrison, Naval
Academy, is visiting friends in Annapolis
and at the Naval Academy.
Not one midshipman Of nearly 800 OF
the first class who had foreign leave un-
til supper roll call last Sunday evening
failed 10 report on time. Those who
availed themselves of the long holiday
spent their vacation in Baltimore, WASH
ington, Philadelphia, New York and
other places. Study periods and recita-
tion hours were resumed on Monday and
continued until New Years Eve, when
there was another days holiday.
The Washington herald., 1915-01-03

the opinion of all the naval experts who
ever poured over an encyclopedia.
"On the answers to the question as to
the number of types of war vessels need
ed and on the answer to the question as
to the proportion which can safely be
kept in reserve with fragmentary crews,
depends the preparation OF any intelligent
plan for the future. On the answers to
those questions depends the number of
officers and enlisted men which We ought
TO authorize. Do not forget that our
Naval Academy cannot be enlarged in a
day without serious deterioration and
that the standard of the American man.
of-war's man ought not TO be lowered
by the incorporation in our naval estab-
lishment of vast drafts of hastily trained
recruits. on the answers to those ques-
tiOns depends our building program, and
/ hope that no one Is so ignorant as to
fail to realize that Very long time is
required for warship construction. So
the inquiry cannot begin too soon.
Minor Deficiencies.
The shortage of ammunition to which
Secretary Daniels testified before the
Committee on Naval Affairs. the short
age of mines which was admitted by
Admiral Fiske. the antiquity of the bat
tleshiD torpedoeS which Admiral Strauss
pointed out. even the pitiable aircraft
situation which Capt. Bristol revealed;
all these facts are startling enough, but
a determined general stan of the navy
with plenty of funds could remedy them
in a year or two. Not so the deficiencies
in the ranks OF our fighting vessels nor
the deficiencies in the personnel which is
to man them.
"Dreadnoughts and crews cannot be inn
prOvised when the war cloud appears
above the horizon. Admiral Fiske states
that ii would take five years to get our
navy in condition to fight an efficient
foreign enemy. This opinion has not
been indOrsed perhaps by the public Off
ciaI evidence of some of the navy heads;
but it is most distinctly in line with what
navy men say when they express their
private opinions on the subject"
The Washington herald., 1915-01-03
Fort Monroe Notes.

Fort Monroe, Va, Jan. Col and Mrs.
William F. Wood. of Washington. are
guests of their daughter, Mrs. Henry c.
Pilsbury.
Lieut. John A Brooks, jr.. gave an in
formal party recently for Miss Jean Por-
ter, of Washington; Lieut.. and Mrs. Les
ter E. MoretOn. Ann B. and Bessie kim
berly, Margaret and Arabelle Dudley,
Elizabeth Hudgins. Helen Ohnstad,
Lieuts. Francis Englehart, Alfred Z.
Larrabee, Gooding Packard and Albion
p lockwood.
The recent Christmas tree entertain
ment in the post chapel was a most sue
cessful event. and the children. big and
little, came home with their arms full of
gifts and goodies. Chaplain and Mrs. Pru-
den worked hard to make the affair a
success. Preceding the Christmas tree
entertainment Capt. and Mrs. Albert l..
Rhoades gave a fancy dress party for
Misses Carolyn Wildrick. Jane, Frances
and Dorothy Gray, Elizabeth Nugent,
Jean Rowe, Laura Wynder Marshall,
Eunice, Flora and Marion Rhoades and
Mary Smith, and Masters Edward and
Jack Farnsworth, Alexander Stuart, John
Wilson. Richard c. Marshall, Warren
Wildrick and Robert Arthur.