davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07
WAR ECHOES

New York Herald Germans complain that there is against them a conspiracy of international law and American sem timent They declare they are being outrageously treated.
 There may be some persons who have been inclined to maintain a neutral atti- tude, but what are these to think now when German submarines begin war by torpedoes on hospital ships and merchant vessels?
 Germans have boasted they will isolate England and starve her. Evidently they are doing their level best to do it.
 But such a step will be against Amer jeans as well as Englishmen. The mo- ment they begin to sing Atlantic liners, that moment there will come a revision of neutrality and application of an old rule. The new neutrality will place a nation that commits acts of outlawry in the category of the outlaw, and the old rule revived will treat as pirates those who murder under the name of war.
 A situation undreamed of Tn modern history is hastening to crisis through the acts of Germany.
 P. M. Crockett, in the Westminster Ga- zette Warsaw is a city rather larger than Liverpool, but it's resemblance to the grimy giant of the Mersey ends there for yershava. as the Russians call 1t, has. not without reason, been named the astern Paris. It is a city of varied aspects. The wild boulevards and shady parks of the suburbs really do recall those of the French capital. The main thoroughfares, with their imposing stucco fronted buildings and noisy eec- tric trans, are quite cosmopolitan. There is a large modern industrial quarter of factories and cheap lodging houses which is as ugly and uninteresting as such places are all the world over. In the old town which rises abruptly above the river there are Gothic churches, steep ccbble stoned streets, massive stone arches ornamented with sculptured coats of-arms. and high, mysterious looking houses, all of which have an air medieval and Teutonic. One may explore narrow alleys which bring to mind the "closes' of Edinburgh. The Russian lord and mas ter of the whole has imposed his sov- ereignty in the outward and very visible form of a huge Greek orthodox cathe- dral and belfry, the latter a copy of the tower of John the Great in Moscow, which Is the most conspicuous and, it must in fairness be adde, probably the most beautiful object in the city.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07
Prominent Army oGicer

Col. E. N. Jones of Camden and Maj. E. N. Jones, Jr., U. s. A, of the general staff with headquarters in Washington. are visiting their sister, Mrs. I. Felix sJenkins, at 1903 South Twenty fifth street. city.
 Major Jones is on duty at the war college in Washington said a per sonal friend, "and has been assigned with other-officers to the problems now before the American people of req sonable national defense. It IS sup posed, but not known, that the gen eral staff has worked out problems for reasonable increase in the army which will be forthcoming when Congress is ready to consider such.
 ''He is a welcome visitor to the city and has many friends and relatives here"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07
Regarding Philanthropic Foundation.

While some of the probing" done by the United States government either by congressional committees direct or by federal commission has been along practical lines, there has been entirely too much of it. Some of the trusts needed curbing, but vir- tually all of them have shown a dis position to comply fully with the law when the law has been made clear and when their rights have been de- fined by judicial authority.
 But what seems to be not only an unnecessary probe but absurd, not to say cruel, on the face of it, is that being conducted by the federal con- mission on industrial relations, to as- certain whether the foundations which have been endowed respectively by John D. Rockefeller, Sr., and Andrew Carnegie are in restraint" of Ire ligious, political or educational liberty of the people of the United States"
 No matter what might have been said against trusts which enabled men to amass vast fortunes, the public has applauded MT. Rockefeller and MT. Carnegie for their splendid benefac- tions, and especially such as are ex- emplified in those foundations en- dowed with their wealth.
 Both of these noted philanthropists submitted to the investigation in all good nature. On their own initiative they have given away millions and millions of dollars for education and for the relief of suffering humanity How even the most extreme "re- former" run mad on the probe ques- tion, could find fault with the Rocke- feller foundation to which MT. Rocke- feller has given $10O,OOO,O0O or how fault could be found With Mr. Car negie for his large philanthropic work, is hard to understand.
 MT. Rockefeller is an old and loyal member of the Baptist church and be. fore he had acquired great fortune was known for his generosity in con- tributing to the Baptist denomination and to Baptist colleges. But when he founded the Chicago university it was his wish that the governing body con- duct it apart from sectarian bias It is a great university and members
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07

From the Washington Post. nHE various reports as to the prepa-
 rations of democratic leaders for
 ! the inauguration of activities look ing to the opening of the campaign for the presidency in 1916 must be regarded as premature.
 The democratic party has much to do before it can enter into any campaign before the electorate of the United States.
 It has to provide for an American mer- chant marine.
 It has to make such marine safe and arrange protection of our coasts by a larger and more powerful navy.
 It must allay apprehension as to our land defense by providing for stronger army.
 Harbors must be improved waterways made of greater service; conservation prcmoted rural credit system estab- lished; the postal service extended and developed, not dwarfed. stunted, or lim- ited.
 The voters of the United States de- sire honest administration and strict economy in such administration, but they able to produce the results above emu merated.
 The voters of the United States are strongly in favor of everyone of these policies and the necessary legislative and executive action which will carry them out.
 They are proud of their country; they know it is no third class nation, and they do not expect it to be financed in less than a first class manner.
 The voters of the country are opposed to a treasury deficit, and they are even more bitterly opposed to war tax In time of peace.
 The democratic party is in no shape to make it's debut for the season of 1916
 It has promises to redeem ty legisla- ton, and 1t has errors to correct by the same process.
 It's legislative action upon sugar, for instance, deprived the government of revenue, seriously injured the business interests of Louisiana and other states, and benefited not consumer in the re- public, for prices are higher now by a large percentage than when the tariff schedule was passed.
 It was an error, an economical mis- take, a political blunder.
 It should be corrected, but while cor recting that. the democratic party should go further and revise the entire tariff law so as to produce the revenue re- quired by the government to carry out the policies the people demand.
 Let the democratic party frankly, hcldly. courageously state to the coun- try that the European war has so changed commercial and financial con dttions that it becomes necessary to alter the tariff schedules in order to increase the revenues. and that it pro-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07
Cheap Money for Farmers

"The value and importance of the crop diversification campaign now go- ing on In Alabama cannot well be over estimated" said well known citizen yesterday who has long been an in terested and active advocate of agri- cultural improvement.
 '"rhere is another matter, however. which should be embodied in that cam paign, and that is cheaper money on long credit for the farmers, since this is really an essential factor in the successful prosecution of all farm de- velopment plans in our state. I was much pleased to read the admirable letter of MT. w. J. Mccain of. Living ston on this subject. published in The Herald of February 5, and I hope others will continue the agitation un- til there is relief for the farmers in this matter of cheap money on long credit.
 "The 'dnancier.' to whom MT. Mccain alluded, was none other than Mr. W. P. G. Harding, who was then president of the First National bank of Birming- ham and now a member of the federal reserve board at Washington. It will be recalled that Mir. Harding made d report to the meeting of the Alabama Land congres at its session held In this city in November, 1913, in which he called attention to the difficulty of any bank in Alabama supplying the farmers with cheap, longtime money owing to the tax on banking capital in this state. He said that if the leg |
 investment and commercial banks and allow the former to be- relieved from the tax now placed on the lat ter, that he would start bank at once with large capital to furnish cheap money to the farmers of this state Here is some constructive legislation that our lawmakers can undertake that would go very far toward building up Alabama"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07
THE TWILIGHT WITCH

By Madison Cawein. The twilight witch comes with her
 stars,
 And strews them through the blue: Then breathes below the summer bars A breath of meadow rue; She trails her veil across the skies And mutters to the trees, And in the wood with firef1y eyes She makes the mysteries The twilight witch, with elf and fay, Is coming down the slumber way, Sleep, my dearie, sleep The twilight witch. with crescent
 moon.
 Stoops on the wooded hill, She answers to the owlet's tune, And to the whippoorwill. She leans above the reedy pool And wakes the drowsy frog, And with the toadstool. dim and cool, Rims gray the old dead log. The twilight witch comes stealing
 down To take you off to slumber town. Sleep, my dearies. sleep The twilight witch. with windliks
 tread,
 Has entered in the room; She steals around your trundle1bed And whispers in the gloom. She says: T brought my steed along, My fiery steed of flame, To bear you, like breath of song, Into the land of dreams. am the witch who takes your mana And leads you off to fairyland. The far-off land of sleep.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07
POINTED PARAGRAPHS

From the Chicago News.
 It's the high spots that knock out the rolling stones.
 It's easier for young man to raise a row than a mustache.
 Lack of interest in a story is enough to prove its truthfulness.
 Some people would rather die a natu- ral death than send for a doctor,
 Except for their vanity. it would be impossible to please some people
 The golden rule is all right, but the one used by a lot of people Is only plated.
 An enthusiastic meeting Is that of two girl chums who haven't seen each other for nearly an hour.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07

Dr. Anna Howard Shaw says nothing will ever win the heart of a mother from her children. That's credible state ment, but many of the most rampant with every prospect of remaining so.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07

The Russell Sage foundation has dis covered that children no longer play games at Springfield, III. Now that the discovery has been made, what is the Russell Sage foundation going to do with it?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07

Although New York is reported to have many thousands of men out of work the street cleaning department was un- able to get enough workers to remove recent fall of snow. Just because a man Is out of job is not always sign that he wants one
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07

A negro preacher in Kentucky was fined $50 for selling his vote. Reprehen- sible, of course but 1t must be remem- preacher, white or black, is nothing to speak of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07

The proprietor of a saloon in Chicago lunch room. The average dyspeptic takes his life in his hands every time he enters some dairy lunch rooms
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07

MT. Bartholdt should remember that this country is exerting itself strongly rot to be pro-German or pro-anything else except pro-American.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07

Mardi Gras will be a week from next Tuesday, February 16. It is a legal holiday in Louisiana, Florida and Ala bama.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07

With Germany and England trying to have an opportunity of learning which country can take the most notches in it's belt.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07

Hogs are reported to be almost unob- tainable in Vienna. Before long it may be possible to buy full rights to Vien- nese opera for a few pounds of pork.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07

From the Kansas City Journal
 q have been to consult a beauty doc. tor about my complexion.''
 Does he hold out any hope?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07
Crawford Johnson's Achievement

The election of Crawford Johnson as president of the Chamber of Commerce once more emphasizes the opportunities Birmingham offers to the young man who works hard and attends to his business" said President c. M. Stanley of the News paper club.
 MT. Johnson came to Birmingham Feb- ruary 5, 1902 and so far as he knew at the time he did not have a single friend or acquaintance in >the city. On Feb ruary 5, 1s15 exactly 13 years later, he was elected president of the Chamber or Commerce, an organization thoroughly representative of Birmingham and includ- ing in it's membership representatives of every phase and branch of the city's in- dustry and aspirations.
 ''The new president was born in vir- ginia, but when he was months old his parents moved to Oxford, Miss, where his father became professor of English in the University of Mississippi. The young man grew up in this atmosphere and ultimately graduated from the uni versity: Then he went to Chattanooga and was for eight years deputy clerk of the United States court. From Chat tanooga he came to Birmingham.
 MT. Johnson deserves lot of credit for what he has accomplished during the past 13 years, but Birmingham, too, deserves lot of credit for the opportuni ties it holds out to the young man who comes here as a stranger"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07

On the principle that taking one's um- brella along prevents rain, building auakes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07
NED BRACE TALKS ABOUT MATTERS
 OF INTEREST TO THE STATE GENERALLY

THE governor and the state legisla-
 ture of Alabama could quickly
 settle the indebtedness of the state by providing for the issuance of interest bearing notes rather than bond is- sue.
 We all know that administrations are loath to provide for the payment of bonds, while they will economize and pro- vide for the payment of interest bearing notes.
 So instead of calling upon the people to vote on the issuance of s1SOO,o00 of bonds why not make nine interest bearing notes of $20o,0oo each due successiveiy, say on the tenth of January each year for the next nine years. The state could easily redeem one of these notes each year and the banks would prefer them to bonds. They could be issued probably at four and half per cent-certaintly at five per cent.
 The most conservative financiers in Bir- mingham and elsewhere believe this the proper solution of the problem and the legislature could easily provide for this and settle the states difficulties in the next two days.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07

BEGINNING THE DA1-Thou knowest. 0 God, better than | can wherein I lack. Bless me, then, in Thine own way, for by Thy grace would make this day which will add something to the health of my soul. Amen.-H. NJ. E.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07

Birmingham's sinking fund makes noise like a German shell striking a cathedral.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07

soldiers description of shower bath in one of the trenches shows how mans ingenuity can ameliorate the horrors of war
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07

The presidential chair in Mexico is a revolving chair and every time 1t turns around there is a different man in it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07
CHANGING THE SUBJECT

"Blowster's favorite way of beginning world and I ought to know what I'm talk ing about.''
 I've met chaps like that"
 How do you treat them?'
 "Oh, I usually ask them if they have also visited the planet Mars. So far haven't found one who's been there"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07

Even if the sun were not shining and the skies were not blue the seed cata- log would remind us that spring is on the way.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07

An English woman novelist says women are humhugs That's nothing new. Few women think well of each other
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07
WENT TOO FAST

WENT TOO FAST "The reason why this town doesn't progress faster" said the visitor, lis be- cause too many men are marking time." That may be so," said the old resident. Tt wasn't such a slow place. however, when our most widely known citizen was here"
 What's become of him?"
 He's in the penitentiary doing time"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07

pie are asking, "Where is all this wheat ?" The most reasonable assump- tion is that somebody is holding it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07
CRUEL WORDS

CRUEL WORDS Miss Passedup says she is going to sell kisses for charity" Now, isn't that just like woman?' How so?" Trying to sell what she can't give away?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07
A MEAN QUEsTION

The Swiss declare they will fight sooner
 than starve. Who wouldn't?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07

No matter where you change to go, You're very apt to meet The man who'd make a pile of dough If he could just buy wheat.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07

sion to the household. Others are think ing seriously of becoming national banks and thereby strengthening themselves to withstand the tempests of hard times
 Of course. the Alabama legislature. like all aggregations of politicians. has been dallying around and playing politics. but the indications now are that the legis- lature is getting down to business and after the expulsion of a bit more hot air Will do some practical things, and will relieve the burdens of the state and of the city of Birmingham.
 x # <
 Right in this connection, would say that the legislators should be fair with the practical women of this state and if they want to vote. or have the voters of this state say whether they shall be ac- corded the privilege of the ballot, the matter should be submitted to the people at the next general election and the women enabled to fight their cause out before the present voters of the state
 have always heretofore been opposed to woman's suffrage, but I heard the matter so practically and ably presented by an intelligent woman of the state the other day that I am, to say the least of 1t, on the fence at the present time. Certainly believe the women should have fair chance to present their cause before the people.
 A,eA Ad3,oeQ
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07

ner and I believe 1t will result in as much good as the educational campaign which has been in progress in this state for the past several years
 * # x
 As a matter of fact, the European war and the low price of cotton has caused the people of the south generally to think deeply upon practical questions.
 Most of the people in the south have recently had nothing else to do but to sit and think. And lots of them have done nothing but sit. Now. however. they are thinking deeply and are beginning to put their thoughts into concrete and workable form. The farmers are prepar- ing for diversified crops this year. And the manufacturers are doing likewise
 Our people in Birmingham found out long ago that they couldn't simply make pig iron and prosper. So all sorts of finished product plants and little manu- featuring concerns have builded up in this district and these concerns have pre- vented stagnation here.
 # x #
 As matter of fact, brighter times are ahead. The financial furry is prac- tfcally over. The weak concerns have gene to the wall and the stronger ones have taken over the business and are in mild way already
 Some of the banks that have been op- erating under state laws are realizing the virtues of the aid of the Federal Re- serve Bank and are applying for admis-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07
SPEAKING OF TR1uMPHs

''The general who wins a great battle no doubt feels elated-'
 'I should think he would"
 But he doesn't feel half as jubilant as the social climber the first time she gives a party that is attended by some people who are really at the head of the pro- cession.'.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Welcomes nIrmIngham,. sunshIue

'Birmingham's sunshine looks mighty good" said Hubert Drennen, who re- turned yesterday from a trip to Detroit and other points in the north. "I have not seen a ray of sunshine since have been away. Sleet Ice and snow are everywhere. As I came through Ohio 1t seemed to me that there was not tele- graph line intact. The wires were dan- gling everywhere. covered with sleet md ice.
 At Cincinnati Friday night our train was unable to get closer to the depot than Eighth street. The Ohio river was at the 511A-foot stage and that meant the abandonment of the station. Thank goodness we don't have any weather like that in Birmingham"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07

This crop diversification movement which is arousing so much enthusiasm in the state is perhaps the greatest move ment of this generation in Alabama
 The people at the head of it have gone about their teaching in practical man.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07

stiIl in thy right hand carry gentle peace, to silence envious tongues.
 Henry VIII.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07
HEARTLESS

HEARTLESS .'why do you want divorce from this woman?''
 "On the ground of cruel and inhuman treatment"
 What does she do to your" putting the family phonograph in my bedroom and playing a tune I abomi- nate" PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07
CAN'T BE DOWNED

CAN'T BE DOWNED Who dreams a dream of sunshine While plodding through the rain, Who hears, above street traffic, A woodland birds refrain; Who, when the storm clouds lower Sees skies aloft of blue. No matter what his troubles are, Will somehow struggle through.
 A POET WITH A "PUNCH'' A dispatch from London says that the Lord of Aberdeen. retiring lord lieuten-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07
ADRIFT WITH THE TInES

THE SOFT PEDAL PEDESTRIAN Now, gasolinely speaking,
 I make no noise at all; The automobile agents
 On me don't ever call. No catalogs of sundries
 Are sent me through the mail; do not have a chauffeur Who gets himself in jail. The way to mend a puncture I really do not know; The cost of tires per annum Means naught to me, I trow. When people start to talking Of roadsters and the like, I simply put my hat on
 And take a little hike.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07
ALe.t37aea

ant of Ireland, has reconsidered his de- cision to assume the title of Marquis of Aberdeen and Tara. Perhaps Poet Wat ships plan caused him to change his mind. Historic Tara will not become a part of his title. Instead he will be known as the Marquis of Temair. Rah for Poet Watson' whose verbal flashing uhquestionably had its effect.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07
SOMEWHAT SIMILAR

T once saw a man shot from the mouth of a cannon I presume you have seen such foolhardy performances?'
 Well, I've never seen man shot from a cannon, and I haven't even seen an young fellow prance up to the altar and get married to an expert fox trotter be- fore he had paid the last installment on the engagement ring
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07

A ]. 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., 1915-02-07

No communication will be published without its authors name. Rejected manuscript will not be returned unless stamps are enclosed for that purpose.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07

Entered at the Blrmlngham, Ala, postoffice as second class matter under act of Congress March 8, 1879.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07

A POET WITH A "PUNcH'