davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-20
George Arliss in "DisraeIfv

There are number of lines in Louis N. Parker's comedy, 'Disraeli, which George Arliss will present at the Jefferson theatre Monday and Tues day, which are particularly timely to the present European war for the req son that while Benjamin Disraeli lived 30 years ago his marvellous prescience in the future relations of the nations foresaw the struggle of today as in evitab1e,' said professional man. During MT. Arliss' Washington en- gagement last season President Will son attended one of the performances At one point in Disraeli's' difficulties touching the control of the Suez canal the topic of conversation makes the great statesman the center
 What is the solution of the prob lem" Disraeli is asked. War Dis raeli replies. is not solution. It is an aggravation.' The line would prob ably have passed without notice under ordinary circumstances but as it was the audience broke out in a storm of applause, the application of the phrase to the Presidents policy with refer ence to the Mexican situation being ob- vious, and the President applauded as enthusiastically as the rest of the au- dience.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-20
For City's Temporary Relief

Two bills for the financial relief of Birmingham, embodying the recom- mendations of committee of 100 citi- zens and submitted to the legislature by the city commission early in the session, should have had the undivided support of the Jefferson county dele gation.
 One of these bills-that authorizing a bond issue election for temporary relief-passed in both houses and now has the signature of the governor. There was never any doubt about the ultimate passage of that measure, but the tardiness of the legislation was irritating to say the least.
 The other bill providing for Bir- minghams permanent relief-a bill authorizing the people to vote on a proposition for an increase in the tax rate-goes over to the July session. The present city tax of one dollar on the hundred is entirely inadequate to meet the expenses of a growing con- munity of Birmingham's class. A tax rate of S1.50 would be about right. That is the limit proposed in the bill, l but voters will have the option of making it anything between $1 and $1.50. It is provided that whatever the increase it shall be effective for period of only three years. At the end of that time the rate will drop back automatically to one per cent, unless another election be held to fix the rate. It is an admirable plan. With a tax rate of $1.50 for three years Birmingham could do some big things. At the expiration of the three years the equalization board, which the same measure calls for, might solve the financial problem and make the increase no longer neces- sary. A clause in the bill provides also for municipal budget and pro- hibits the city expending any more in one year that it's income warrants.
 In July the permanent relief bill should be one of the first measures enacted into law.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-20

Emile Charles Waldteufel. who died re- cehtiy Tn Paris, was leader of the orches- tra at the court of Napoleon III and was composer of waltzes, poll1as and mag urkas that became popular in all parts or the world. He was born at Strasburg In 1887 and obtained his early musical ed- ucation under Joseph Hayberger At an early age he showed unusual gifts as a musician and was sent to the Paris con- servatoire, where he studied under Mar montel and Laurent for several years. AS he grew older his ability as a com poser was recognized and his waltzes be- came popular along the Paris boule- wards Waldteufel was appointed pianist to the Empress Eugenie in 1865. He then had an opportunity to devote himself to the dance music for which he became famous He had charge of the court balls Of Napoleon H. as well as the soirees at Compeigne and Biarritz. When the Franco-Prussian war began Waldteufel
 
 his employment as a court musician gone when peace was declared, but the French republic demanded his waltzes and he was as popular as ever. He visited Lon don in 1885 and was invited to Berlin in 1889. His compositions included the waltzes "Manolo," Amour and Printemps," "A Toi,' Dolores" "Dans Les Nauges," Dams Un Songe," "Je T'Aime," "Myoso- tis," 'Une Rose,' "Retout Du Printemps," 'Sentiers Fleuris,'' "Soir d'Amour," Les Sourires," "Toujours Gu Jamais," "Doux Poems." Les Violettes'' and "L Espace.' The polka Bella Bocca," besides many melodies for piano and voice, were among his works
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-20
MADE IN GERMANY"

into action by Michel, the "dust-gray war-if they can be persuaded through the Inducements of tea and toast to en- list-cdIrying their raincoats and um- prellas their golf clubs, tennis rackets and cricket paraphernalia. A musket is undreamt of in their philosophy.
 Should they happen to be aighlanders, they are metamorphosed into suffragettes, the terrors of the British empire-and hint of lingerie under the ''kiltie" is all that is necessary, in the German opinion. to carry out the illusion.
 rGreat Scott, man!' cries German officer; would you strike a woman ?"'
 Indeed no," replies the trooper, who is seen belaboring one of these unfortunates. "Its a Highlander"
 Despite the sweeping edict that has banished strcng drink from the little fathers dominion, no German can depicit a Russian without the inevitable bottle of
 wutlSi." The Russian bugler instead of a bugle, places to his lips vodka bottle When the supply train arrives it proves to be loaded not with commssaries, but WILL 'Suhd. he NuScoNllcS, M II we can believe the German satirists, made their first acquaintance with water in the Mabulian lakes Here the "soused" Cos sack. up to his neck in the muddy water, holds hi5 flask above the surface, breath ing prayer to the effect that his precious liquor may not be contaminated Russian urfam'larity with the element is fur ther illustrated. according to the Teuton idea, by the deplorable camp incident in which the Cossack takes foot bath in the soldiers bowl of soup
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-20

out charge; 15 members of a glee club; 30 enrolled in Y. W. c. A. chorus; 15,393 were assisted in some special way by our travellers aid sec retaries at the Louisville and Nash vile and Terminal stations; 3101 at tended Bible study classes; TIA attend ed mission study classes; 2256 at tended devotional meetings; 30 spent their vacation at our vacation cottage at St. Clair Springs; AS spent at least one day at the vacation cottage; 817 were enrolled in extension and indus trial clubs for educational and recrea- tional work; 5403 attended meetings held in factories; 234 enrolled in gym nasium classes; 10,764 enjoyed a plunge in our swimming pool; 12 were assisted financially through the provident fund.
 The association is virtually self supporting. The total cost of opera tion for the year 1914 was $34,- 30s.S0. Of this sum $1124.75 was re- ceived in subscriptions from friends of the institution. One of the most at tractive and homelike features of the Young Women's Christian association is the boarding department. Its cost of operation was $14,959.6S. Another homelike feature is the tearoom, which was maintained last year at cost of $11, ,250.80.
 No banking house is conducted in more business-like way than the as sociation, and the president, Mrs. Joseph McLester; the treasurer, Mrs. John B. Weakley, and all the other officers and directors are entitled to unstinted praise.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-20
From Cartoons Magazine.

From Cartoons Magazine
 F the enemies of Germany, as created
 by the German comic artists, could be
 brought to life. what a curious com munity we should have! Possibly it is best not to have the gift-Burns' lament to the contrary-of seeing ourselves as others see us. The reflection might not be that of our dressing table mirror More likely it would be that of the "wavy'' mirror of the penny arcade.
 A French army officer, perhaps owing to lack of preparation for war, might go to the front in patent leather shoes. But he might be rather surprised on be- holding himself through German eyes, to find his toes protruding through his footgear, or to discover that he was, after all, scarecrow in babbage patch
 The German artist revels in the situa- tion, and with the saving grace of humor thus relieves the dark grim page of war: A band of French infantrymen are aston ished on perceiving in the tall grass two crocodiles with open mouths
 'Milles tonnerres!'' they exclaim; .'croc- odiles in the bushes!"
 flreu py the splrlt or adventure and the hope of revealing such tropical mon- sters in temperate zone, they dig down into the grass, but find, much to their disappointment, only their con.rade who has gone to sleep in these, his gaping shoes alone indicating his presence.
 Staid Englishmen through German spectacles become long-legged, angular, basn beings with huge ra hhit's teeth ad dicted strongly to jab and "caces,'' Still ton cheese mutton chops, "tee' and mar malade Sometimes they are galvanized
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-20
LIQUOR ADVERTISEMENTS

From the Memphis News-Scimitar
 The newspapers of the country will doubtless take a good deal of interest in the case of the Montgomery Adver- tiser, that is making a test case of what is known as the Denson law, passed by the legislature of Alabama. and which seeks to restrain newspapers from pub fishing whisky or other liquor advertise ments. The News-Scimitar holds no brief for the liquor interests. and will not ac- cept or publish liquor advertisements, but, like all other right thinking news papers, 1t is solicitous for the liberty Of the press, 8nd the integrity of the con- stitution of the United States, as well as of the constitution of several states. The greatest safeguard to the liberty of a
 people is the untrammeled freedom of the
 press. Individual newspapers may go
 wrong at times and violate the proprieties,
 but these can be scourged into right do-
 ing by public sentiment, which is all
 powerful. It were better to allow few
 individual newspapers to do wrong at times than to destroy the principle firmly fixed in the organic law of the country of free press. Once this realm Is in- vaded there Is no telling the extent of the | mischief that may be done, AS was ob- served in these columns recently. and on frequent occasions, there are too many thoughtless and overofficious people who are seeking to regulate the conduct of the press, and restrain 1t of it's liberty and limit its freedom. Every attempt In this direction is blow at individual lib- erty. and a trespass upon that which Americans hold most dear. No matter how skilfully the law is drawn, 1t is vio- lative of both the spirit and the letter of the organic law of the land, and should be declared nu)H and void by the courts.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-20
In pr. Edmouds, Pulpit

'The officers and members of South Highlands Presbyterian church antic- ipate large congregations at the morn ing and evening services Sunday when the pulpit will be filled by pr. Gaines, president of Agnes Scott college" said man interested in church work. "Dr. Gaines topics. l understand, will be 'Woman's Crisis and The Ideal Wom an.' Unusually attractive programmes have been prepared for these services.
 Every Sunday during the absence of Dr. Edmonds the pulpit of the South Highlands Presbyterian church will be occupied by distinguished minister. an arrangement which the large con- gregation attending that church will appreciate"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-20
Larger Army Needed

But for the fact that the appro- priations agreed upon by congression- al leaders are already startling in their enormous total the recommends tions of Secretary of War Garrison for an increase in the coast artillery and the mobile army would have re- ceived consideration and there might have been favorable action.
 If this Congress ends without strengthening the national defense public sentiment will become so aroused that the Sixty-fourth Con- gress will be forced to act. All that MT. Garrison asked for at this time was an increase in the army of only about 33,O00 men. But it is under stood that bill has been drawn with the approval of the war college pro- viding for an entire reorganization of the regular army with a minimum of 100000 enlisted men, to be gradually increased to a maximum of 250, ,000.
 In these days of wars the United States should be better prepared than 1t is to defend itself against attack from an old world power. It is possi- ble, but hardly probable, that America will be drawn into the present war. Germany is a great fighter on the field of battle, but in diplomacy it has been extremely weak ever since Bis marck's day. The foreign office has made a serious mistake in not accept ing the Washington government $ protest with regard to it's sea war zone.
 The policy of the United States was for the maintenance of a strictly neutral position. When the war started it was hardly conceivable that Ameri- ca would be drawn into it, but since all great nations have international re- lations touching many angles it is hard to say~what may or may not hap pen. If the United States should be forced by Germany into this titanic struggle its active support of the al lies would hasten the end of hostili- ties. Italy and Roumania will probably join the allies. If that happens, then the heroic Kaiser's position would be indeed hopeless.
 But as far as this government is concerned there is always chance of keeping out of trouble without sacri- ficing national honor, and only after diplomatic efforts have been exhausted will there be any likelihood of the United States declaring war against Germany.
 Not in many years has a situation affecting this country called for calm CT consideration than this which is now engaging the attention of the cab inet and boards of strategy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-20
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Gnod Business

Business with my companies Is good. said B. A. Inglis, president of the Ala bama Paving company, engaged in roat construction work and treasurer of ths Copeland-Inglis Shale Brick company We have been operating here many last November.
 "Our business is now very brisk. A few days ago we closed a contract with Orange county, Florida, for building l; miles of brick paved road from Orlando tc the county line. We sold the material for this work-2,50O,000 brick. Three hundred cars will be required to haul the brick The contract represents to us s12OOO0. We expect to keep busy all the year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-20
\ Jefferson County Farm

The crop campaign which was begun by the Birmingham Chamber of Com merce and which is now being carried throughout the state of Alabama is cer- tainly move in the right direction. :, said T. B. Tanner, a produce dealer of this city
 The farmers of Jefferson county and of Alabama need only to awake to the opportunities which await the man who produces the crops which are most in demand within the state to become inde- pendent and prosperous The land and climate of this state are all that could be desired. In fact, I believe there is as good land in Alabama as there is in any other state of the union; and there is land in Jefferson county that will pro- duce as large crop to the acre as that of any other part of the state
 q have a farm of about $50 acres out toward Mount Pinson, within 10 or 12 miles from the heart of Birmingham The greater part of this land is now under cultivation, and for the past few years the returns have been most gratifying never raise any cotton. I produce hogs, dairy cows, vegetables and feed stuffs and other marketable products. This farm is self-sustaining, no feed be- ing purchased. A great part of the pro- duce is brought to Birmingham and sold to the retail trade of the city. This farm is handled in a thorough and busi- ness-like manner. A record of costs is kept and charged against each crop ana in this manner the relative value of the different crops is easily determined at the end of the season.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-20
DEPEW NOW HAS WAR STORIES
From the Washington Post.

From the Washington Post.
 XV/ HEN former Senator Chauncey
 \A/ M. Depew was in Washington
 last week he entertained many friends with stories of his experiences in Europe immediately after the breaking out of the war. Senator Depew, who is S1 years old, was in Switzerland when first intimation that trouble was brewing from the Swiss bankers, who declined to cash his letters of credit. or even to give him change for Bank of England notes. He went back to his hotel at 12 o'clock and notified Mrs. Depew that they must leave on the o'clock train for France They did, and it was the last train out of Switzerland for weeks.
 When we reached the French border the first thing that caught my eye was a freshly painted sign ordering reservists to report in Paris" said the senator at the Willard. Great crowds of men-most of whom had thrown up their work with out hesitation-were assembled at the sta- tions, and we kept putting on engines and attaching cars to our train all the way to Paris. The men were so thickly packed in the cars that they had to stand up close together all the way. The jour ney lasted many hours longer than the scheduled time. The Paris I had left a few weeks before never was so gay, the sun never so bright. but the Paris that greeted me on my return was a different Paris. There were no taxicabs, no vehicles x~I r1&e 1o1lf had commandeered all the automobiles and carriages in a night, but by paying 40 francs ($s) got an old man to drive me to the hotel.
 "The streets were quiet and free from crowds; stores were closed, and In the various rendezvous the soldiers were bus fly preparing themselves for their jour- ney to the front. Women-wives, moth- CTS. sweethearts-were in the throngs, but there was not a tear. I never saw women so set as were the French women in Paris on that occasion. I talked with many, and all told the same story-that their men must go to the war to save the republic. There seemed to be a singular dread among the women in case the Germans took Paris.
 ''Thert were hundreds of Americans be- sieRing the American consulate, but by means that I learned in Peekskill, where was born. managed to get waited on among the first. One couldn't leave Paris without passport, and you could not re- main without Identification papers. We went to Boulogne arriving at o'clock in the morning. The boat to carry us to r,.-~ HV,f xxy{t1, 1 ing 1t was pouring rain. we were denied admission until o'clock in the afternoon. Then I asked the English officer in com mand why we had not been permitted Ao go aboard.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-20

younger universities have outstripped
 their older rivals in point of attend ance.
 The raising of the standard of med ical colleges, which is one of the most salutary educational reforms achieved in recent years, has resulted in a de- crease in the number of medical stu dents. The number of doctors gradu- ated in the future may be smaller, but they will be better qualified to prac- tice medicine.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-20
FIVE SOULS
W N. Ewer in the London Nation.
 FIRST SOUL.

w N. EWer Tn the LOnQOn Nation.
 FIRST SOUL I was a peasant of the Polish plain: I left my blow because the message ran: Russia, in danger, needed every man To save her from the Teuton: and was
 slain.
 gave my life for freedom-this I know, For those who bade me fight had told
 SECOND SOUL. was Tyrolese mountainer; l gladly left my mountain home to fight Against the brutal. treacherous Musco- And died in Poland on a Cossack spear. l gave my life for freedom--this know, For those who bade me fight had told
 THIRD SOUL. I worked in Lyons at my weavers loom. When srGdeily the Prussian despot hurled His felon blow at France and at the
 wurld a Then I went forth to Belgium and my
 doom.
 I gave my life for freedom-this I know, For those who bade me fight had told
 FOURTH SOUL. l owned vineyard by the wooded Main, Until the fatherland, begirt by foes I.usting her downfall called me, and Swift to the call-and died in fair Lor-
 raine
 I gave my life for freedom-this know, For those who bade me fight had told
 me so.
 FIFTH SOUL. I worked in a great shipyard by thu
 Clyde. There came a- sudden word of wars de-
 clared,
 Of Belgium. peaceful. helpless. unpre-
 pared,
 Asking our aid I joined the ranks, and
 died
 gave my life for freedom-this know. For those who bade me fight had told
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-20

'Oh,' he said, we never allow anyone to go aboard until o'clock. We don't be- gin to wash up the decks until F. sir"
 For the first time I appreciated the observation that some Englishmen are dense. The conditions in England were entirely different from those in France The people were gay, laughing, chatting, apparently obivious of what was going on, secure, perhaps, in the remembrance that England never had been invaded
 Among the leading statesmen of Eng land-and I talked with most of them the universal feeling was that peace could not come within two years"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-20
EASILY ANSWERED.

The Lusitania is a queeniy ship, and she never appeared to better advantage than when she was flying the American flag. even if it was a ruse to mislead the Germans.-Age-Herald
 We fail to get the A.-H.'s viewpoint of just how the Lusitania could appear ''queenly'' while sailing under false col ors.-Andalusia Star.
 Tut. tut! Sailing under false colors is chara cteristic of queens. Many of them pretend to be happy when they're not and a few pretend to be good when they are not. There isn't queen in the world today who isn't hiding something or other.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-20

over there will be an unprecedented ex- pansion of demand from abroad. In Eng land ore is short and prices of pig iron are advancing. In Germany the monthly output of pig iron has been reduced from about 1,5O0.0o0 tons per month to about 600, coo This is a reduction of approxi- mately two-thirdsp
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-20
A FRANK STATEMENT.

'Is this Rubens good copy?" asked the prospective purchaser.
 My dear sir'' exclaimed the enthusl- astic dealer, "the only way I myself can tell this copy from an original Is by the price at which it is listed. I know I couldn't afford to sell an original for such small amount of money.v
 PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-20
THE WAY IT GOES.

Judging from the way that man talks, he must be fairly hard up. Do you SUD- pose he's hungry?"
 "Oh, no. He's been keeping six motor cars and has had to dispose of one. The man who's consoling him gets a salary of 5000 year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-20
ALTRUISTIC.

ALTRUISTIC. I'm troubled about my landlady." 'Why so
 She has such q suffering air." What do you propose to do?" T thought of trying to interest her ir votes for women, so she would get her mind off the fact that she has to take in lodgers for living.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-20
Young Women's Christian Association

Young WOmen'S Christian Association
 Of all Birmingham's uplifting in- stitutions none has endeared itself to this community more than the Young Woman's Christian association. It is now in it's eleventh year. Starting in a small way it has increased steadily and is today, with it's elegant home, a splendid monument to Birmingham s Christian charity and broad Christian zeal.
 The annual report covering the period from January, 1914, to Janu- ary, 1915, which has just been pub lished, is full of interest and encour- aRement. In tabulated statement under the caption of "Those Who Have Used the Association in 1914" are set forth these facts: Two hundred and forty-one girls found in the as- sociation a permanent home; 392 transient guests; 240O enjoyed our parties, receptions and musicals; 65,- Al were served lunch at our down. town tearoom; 8s7 girls who were not able to pay were served lunches with