davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-12
Rural Free Delivery

According to an interview recently
published in the Washington Post, the
first order establishing rural free de-
livery system will be one of the exhlb-
its made by the postoffice department
at the Panama. Pacific exposition.
The rural free delivery service was
established in 1896, which makes it
less than twenty years old. The first
order authorizing rural carriers was
signed by William l.. Wilson of West
Virginia, who was at that time in the
cabinet of Grover Cleveland. 1t directed
the establishment of rural free deliv-
ery in the county of jefferson, West
Virginia. Four carriers were employed
and their salary was 5000 each per
year. Today there are $4,000 rural
carriers in the United States, whose
maximum salary is $1,000 per year.
The tremendous importance of rural
free delivery to this country cannot be
estimated. 1t has proved a great factor
in keeping the rural population of the
United States quite as we'll informed
about news of the day and worlds
events as the city dweller. Together
with the telephone and the motor car,
it has made life in the country almost
ideal. The average farmer can do with
out an automobile in which to speed to
town when the spirit moves him and
he could even do without his telephone,
but he has become SO dependent on
rural free delivery that he would be
lost without it. Long since the agricul-
turist ceased to be looked on as a man
who, if not lacking in culture, was at
least not strictly up-to-date in his
knowledge of what was going on in
the world. No one can say how much
rural free delivery has contributed to
the amazing prosperity farmers enjoy
today, except in the south, stragger-
ing under its burden of cotton.
Not only is the farmer beneficiary
Of rural free delivery, but many
wealthy men who prefer to occupy
country homes the year around while
transacting business in cities have had
the problem of the family mail solved
for them. Also hundreds of small bust
ness undertakings are successfully
conducted in semi-rural districts, I'M
der the most economical conditions,
that would perhaps have to be located
in town or city, were it not for rural
free delivery.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-12
The Greatest Exposition

The Panama Pacific International
exposition which opens on the Goth of
next month and which will last until
the 4th Of December, is said to be the
greatest project of the worlds fair
sort yet undertaken. In point of mag
nitude and cost it unquestionably sur
passes all worlds fairs of the past.
1t is stated officially that Gin finan-
eial value the completed exposition
represents a total investment of more
than $50, O0O, OOO." Work on the expo
sition site was begun in October, 1911.
President Taft turned the first SPADE
ful of earth. In August, 1914, the last
Of the imposing exhibit palaces was
completed and in the same month the
first exhibit was installed in the pal
nee Of machinery. The early compile
zion of the exposition constitutes a
world record in the history of inter-
oational fairs.
] The exposition area has frontage
Of two miles along the bay of San
Francisco and has a width of a half
mile. Despite the war the European
Exhibits are very extensive, and as for
Japan and the larger South American
republics those countries have never
before made anything like the displays
that they have set up at San Fran
DISCO.
Al the states of this country, ex-
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-12
Retired Army officer.

1 can remember when there were only
about 30 retired officers of the regular
army of general rank. Now there are
241, said former National Guardsman
Before the Spanish-American war,
when the United States army vas limited
to 26,oo0 men, the officers of high grade
were very few, but since the army was
reorganized at its present strength of
about 10000, the brigadiers are plentiful.
OF the general officers on the retired
list three are lieutenant generals-Miles,
Bates and Young; 20 are major generals,
ana the rest are brigadier generals. The
grade lieutenant general on the active list
mas been abolished. The retired officers
OF that grade draw 70 per cent of 81, 500.
Inc retired major generals drawn 5000
a year and the retired brigadiers s45OO a
year"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-12
Physical Betterment

mo business or professional man can
we'll afford to overlook opportunities
presented for increasing his general eff
ficiency by means of wholesome physi-
cal exercises" said Charles A. Calhoun
the well known lawyer. And 1 know
of no better means of taking up work
of this nature than that of attending
special gymnasium classes which are
in progress in the evening at the Young
Mems Christian association of this city
Many men realize, no doubt, that
they are sorely in need of some kind
Of bodily development that could easily
be supplied by means of regular ex-
ercises. but many lack the persistence
requisite to accomplishing a long
drawn-out task of this kind. When un-
dertaking an extended course in physi-
cal development encouragement that
can only be given by friends and as
| sociates engaged in the same work is
one of the chief requisites in work.
| ing up the determination to see the
matter through to a successful conclu-
sion.
1T was almost two years ago that
a young friend Of mine succeeded in
persuading me to Join the Young Mems
Christian association and engage in
physical exercise classes. will never
regret 1T. The environment of the in
| stitution is such as to stimulate the
utmost interest in development. 1 soon
| found myself keyed to a pitch where
I wished to excel acquaintances in the
various games and exercises. Within
six months had gained Is pounds and
felt like q new man. 1 have continued
this work every evening for almost two
years now, and I can say without ex-
aggeration that 1 have increased my
, individual efficiency fully SO per cent
expect to remain a member of the
Birmingham Young Mems Christian as.
ISOLATION for the rest of my life."
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-12
HIGH FILTERS.

HIGH FILTERS.
''Oh, had I the wings of bird"
Sang the poet in plaintive refrain
"A trip would make
Where I liked and not take
A chance on a wooden coach train!
Washington Star.
"Oh, had I the wings of lark
Sang the bard as he strummed on his
lutte,
IT could save up the dimes
That I get for my rhymes
And not have to pay to commute"
Chicago Herald.
"oh. had the wings of a hawk"
Sang the rhymester as one sings who
feels.
1T could travel content,
Wherever I went.
And not dodge the automobiles
Grand Rapids News.
"Oh, had I the wings of a chicken.
Or turkey or pigeon or goose,
1 could drive away some
Writer'S cramp from my tum,'
Sang the poet, 'but what is the use?"
Houston Post
"Oh, had I the wings of Bird
Sang bard with his heart full of rue,
I'd sail in the sky
At least a mile high,
When bills for the month fell duel.
NOT AT ALL ELABORATE.
PA, what's an orgy?"
ut depends on the state of ones purse,
my son. With some people it's a double
order of spaghetti and a bottle of beer"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-12

80 49,
From the Washington Post.
Scores of American thoroughbreds,
many of which were good race horses, are
carrying officers in the armies &c the
allies" said Fred Shipley. an American
trainer, who was at Maisons la Fitts
when the war broke out, at the Raleigh.
Few of the American trainers at Mai
sons la Fitte. which is the most famous
training grounds in France, a half hours
ride from Paris, were disturbed by the
French soldiers One of the American
horsemen volunteered his services in the
French army, and it is likely others would
have followed suit, but the Frenchmen
didn't need any more men at that time.
they thought. They returned the cour-
tesy of the Americans, however. by or
dering that none of the race isorsca be-
longing to Americans should be molested
in any manner. However, there are any
number of thoroughbreds that once car
ried silks on American courses that are
now owned by the French army officers.
who bought them. One of the best known
American racers that went to war was
Restigouche a famous black gelding that
won many races in the colors of Sam Hill
dreth.'
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-12
AT GIBRALTAR
BY George Edward woodbury..


England. stand thy imperial ground,
Not all q stranger; thy bugles blow,
I feel within blood old battles now,
The blood whose ancient founts thee are found
Still surging dark against the Christian bound
Wide Islam presses; well its people know
Thy heights that watch them wandering below;
I think how Lucknow heard their gathering sound.
/ turn and meet the cruel turbaned face
England, tits sweet to be much thy son!
I feel the conqueror In my btlood and race;
night Trafalgar awed and today
Gibraltar Weakened: bark thy evening gun
startles the desert Africa!
H.
Thou art the rock of empire set mid seas
Between the east and west. that God has built:
Advance thy Roman borders where thou wilt.
While run thy armies true with His DEGREES:
Law, Justice. liberty-great gifts these;
Watch that they spread where English blood split,
Lest mixed and sulfed with his country's guilt.
The soldiers life stream flow. and Heaven displease
Two words there are; Naked apt smte-
The blade of war; and, battle storied
Rejoices In the sheath and hides from light
American am would done
Now westward look my country bids good night
Peace to the world from ports without gunl
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-12

cept Alabama, Rhode Island and New
Mexico; have erected buildings on the
exposition grounds, many of them
costly and pretentious in architectural
design, while few are plain and in
expensive, but adequate withal. It is
rather late for Alabama to get in line
but the legislature should make an
without delay and erect
a state building.
The absence of Alabama in the
group of states represented at the ex-
position would certainly be remarked
to our detriment.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-12
KENTUCKY WHISKY

FROM the louisville Courier-Journa1.
kentuckians have never been, more
than the Inhabitants of other states, a
people given to indulgence in drink.
The peaGle of Gloversville, N. Y, wear
only two gloves each. Popular humor.
notion and serious opinion have never
attributed to them the habit of wear
ing several gloves upon each hand be-
cause great many gloves are man.
ufactured IN their community. You
never saw a man from Massachusetts
wearing six shoes. The virginians raise
more peanuts than others. but there is
rothing to prove that they eat more OF
them. The Floridians eat oranges, of
course, but they devote more time 20
growing, packing and shipping them
than to gorging upon them. The poppy
fields of India find more victims in
China than where the peoples are
grown. Beer has made Milwa ulxce IA
nous, but not bestial. Excellent cheese
is made in Wisconsin, but not more
largely consumed there than else
where.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-12

to perform, and they have performed it,
The cause of law and order has been and
will be INDICATED. Let that be enough
This Is no time for exultation or for re-
elimination. Let us spare one another's
feelings
But 1t must not be understood that
General Botah thinks his work as COM
mander in the field is done. He proposes
to lead his force into German South AZ
RIGA and track Colonel Maritz to his last
stand. However inclined to mercy in the
cases Of his old comrades, the magnani-
nous Botha may be. he knows only one
way to do his duty.
A finer figure than this loyal Boer Africa
has never seen. Nothing becomes him
more, showing that he can be as modest
as he is brave than his praise of General
SHUTS, the minister of defense. AT his
post day and night" says Botha. Ibis
brilliant intellect. his calm Judgment, his
amazing energy and his undaunted cour-
age have been assets of inestimable value
to the union in her hour OF trial.
England Is fortunate to have two such
brave and honest men to bear her re-
probabilities in South Africa, and it would
be the part of wisdom. to forbid The Wis
itation OF excessive penalties upon Gen.
eral DeWet and his fellow rebels.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-12


prominent New York brokerage
house, in a review of the cotton situa-
ton under Saturdays date, says in part
The most noteworthy feature during
the week was the Improvement in gen
eral sentiment, and as consequence a
broadening of operations. There is more
interest shown on the part of people
who usually pay no attention to cot
ton, strong appeal apparently be-
ing made on account of the price of
the staple and the fact that it is still
below the cost of production. These two
factors have exerted a great influence
in favor of purchases for a long pull
and many contracts have unquestiona-
bly, been taken out of the market for
the time being There is also continued
good buying of contracts by Liverpool
and the continent. One of the chief
factors in favor of the constructive
position is the better understanding of
the new contract, which demands a high
grade of staple, and is undoubtedly
checking hedge sales that ordinarily
would have been made against cotton
that grades low.
There is much talk of exports be-
ing curtailed on account of the current
high ocean freight rates, but foreign
ers continue good buyers of the actual,
and, with cotton selling at between 20
and 22 cents In Bremen as against s
cents and below, here. it is not likely
that high freight rates will Interfere
with purchases for sometime to come. In
a recent report of the bureau of for
eign and domestic commerce the Ameri-
can ambassador at Berlin is quoted as
saying that it Is not question Of how
large the market for cotton in Germany
is, but how much cotton can be shipped
to Germany"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-12
An Important Campaign

The farmers of the cotton states
have, for two or three years past, been
making progress in crop diversified
ton, and the distressed" cotton mar
ket of last fall accumulated more than
ever not only the Importance of di-
versification but the absolute neces-
sity of it.
In former years when farmers in
their associations resolved to reduce
the cotton acreage in order that better
prices might be obtained little heed
was paid to such action. 1t will be
very different in the spring this year.
The fact that the farmers of Alabama
have sown considerable wheat acre
age and have sown larger oats acre.
age than last year makes it plain
that less cotton will be planted. But
whether or not the reduction of
acreage in Alabama will be 80 per
cent, as has been urged, remains to
be seen. There will probably be some
thing like that reduction, but the CAM
paign of education to that end must
go on.
The crop diversification campaign
of the Birmingham Chamber of Com
merce will help very materially in
increasing the total money value of
Alabama's crops, and every business
man as well as every progressive
farmer should cooperate in the or
ganized work that our civic body has
undertaken. William P. Redd, who is
chairman of the Chamber of Commerce
farm movement committee, will as
such give close attention to the crop
diversification movement.
Notwithstanding the increased pro-
duction of corn, oats and hay in Ala
bama last year, millions of dollars
went out of the state to pay for food
stuffs. Every southern state that
produces cotton has been large buyer
of grain. This year the outgo of
money should be reduced to a mini
mum and within the next few years
Alabama should be a seller of grain
and other products as we'll as cotton.
Most of the cotton states can raise
high grade of beef cattle and high
grade of hogs, and where this is done
in businesslike way no crops, not
even cotton at high prices, will pay
so well. But as Chairman Redd says,
zone Of the most important things to
be sought by the agricultural inter-
ests is how and where to find profit
able market"
The marketing of corn yields the
farmer as rule a fair profit, but
he gets his largest profit when he
feeds his corn to hogs and cattle. Mr..
Redd in his statement in Sunday
Age-Herald tells of an interview he
had with large western farmer who
grew $4,000 bushels of corn in 1918.
When asked what price he obtained
for that big crop the westerner stated
that he did not sell any, but bought
10000 bushels in addition; for he con-
sidered that when his corn was fed
to his stock that it brought him from
$1.4O to $3.50 bushel regardless of
what corn was bringing in Chicago.
Let the crop diversification move
ment be pushed in practical way
during the next few months, and the
value of this years crops in Alabama
should far exceed all previous records.
In 1918 the crops of this state brought
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-12
A SOCIAL FAvORITE.
UNUSUAL CHARACTER.

e
was once said to be the largest re-
ceiver of stolen goods in the United
States. He was a magnate of an arson
trust
How was it that with all of societys
elaborate organization against just
such men as he-its costly police. its
courts and jails-this offender living
his life openly, the quality of his ac-
tivities known of all men, was able
to survive until AZ without having con-
sequences more serious than one mod
crate prison sentence? The reason is
that he was useful to the police us Well
as to the associated thieves.
What standards can such man
have? He who had often given the po-
lice information upheld gang ethics
when he was dying by refusing ell in
formation as to the identity of the
man who killed him. A touch. more OF
fiction than reality was added after his
death in the discovery that one of the
legs Of a table at his home was hollow
and filled with stolen valuabies.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-12
m aggregate of nearly s2oo, ooo. 900

an aggregate of nearly 5000, 000, 900
almost double as much as the crops
of 1907. With good seasons and with
pluck and characteristic industry on
the part of the farmers the produc-
ton of 1916 should reach in value
fully $500, 900, 900; and within the next
five years that large total should be
doubled. 1t can be done.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-12

SAM MINTZ. ENEMY OF SOCIETY
From the st. Louis Post Dispatch
Sam Mintz was an interesting type
of the enemies of society found In
large cities. Fortunately It Is not q
numerous type in this country outside
of New York.
He Committed depredations on the
cooperative. or gang, principle. The
simpler. more conventional offenses
against property perpetrated by
ordinary thieves and holdup men
he was enabled to supplement
with more picturesque and ingenious
crimes. He was one of the leaders OF
gangs who robbed freight cars On a
scale that made the total stealings run
up into the thousands.
His gang also drove off trucks and
delivery wagons loaded with costly
merchandise whenever such a convey
ance was found unguarded. the rig be-
ing turned loose when the valuable con-
tents had been unIoaded at a secret
depository. He provided markets for
the loot of his associated thieves. He
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-12
One doth not know how much an Iii
word may empoisOn liking
Much Ado About Nothing

BEGINNING THE DAY-Give me
eyes. o lord, that 1 may see Inee
going Thy way among men. Inou
art writing Thy name upon inc
faces, and, behold. l see not Thou
nrt showing Thy face in the way
they toll and sing and suffer; Thou
are declaring Thyself in their slim
ME deeds and words and thouShts'
and. behold, 1 am blind. Give me
eyes, o Lord, give me eyes. Amen
III. NJ. Il.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-12

Richard Garfield used to say that he
never gambled, but he dropped over a
million dollars In Wall street, which
merely goes to show that it is impossibIe
to play with fire without getting scorched
occasionally.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-12

War is bad, Of course, but the wives of
some soldiers are getting more money
from the government while the head of
the house is away than they used to get
when he was at home
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-12

A famous French surgeon is reported to
have successfully grated another mans
arm to the stump of a French generals
arm. There is very little of the human
anatomy that cannot be made as good
as new" these days.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-12
A R.ARE COLLECTION.

How dear to my heart are the old resolu-
lions
I've made every year since first be-
To wear long trousers and smell of to-
bacco
And look on the world with the eyes
of q man.
know not how often I've sworn
would keep them
And maybe in less than a week or two
broke,
But hopeful I cherish and yearly renew
them,
For a good resolution to me IL no joke.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-12

Some of the South American critics seem
to think that Uncle Sam hasn't covered
himself with glory in Mexican affairs, but
1t isn't necessary to go SO far from home
to find critics of that sort.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-12

A rich American woman who recently
married prince to reform him will stand
better chance of succeeding in her pur-
pose if she holds on to the purse strings.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-12

connection with its January calendar:
John Miner Caldwell is the son of
Dr. Henry Martyr Caldwell, one of the
most prominent figures in the early
development Of the Birmingham dis
trict, who was for 20 years president of
the Elyton Land company. He was born
at Greenville, Ala. on June 10. 1868, and
came to Birmingham when years or
age. He commenced business in 1887 as
secretary of the Caldwell Printing COM
pany, and later was connected with the
Birmingham Trust and Savings COM
pany for several years, after which he
organized the Southern Bolt company,
becoming its president. In 1901 he en-
tered the investment securities business
with Hon. George B. Ward. Through the
ability and energy of its members, this
firm has established a large clientele
and an excellent reputation for integ-
rity and conservatism.
"Mr Caldwell is active as senior
member of Caldwell & Ward, and, in
ham Realty company. a member of the
executive committee of the board of
directors of the Birmingham Trust and
Savings company, and president of the
Caldwell Real Estate and Improvement
company, owning real estate worth in
excess of half a million dollars. He is
member of the Southern club
and the Country club, and Is interested
IN various civic undertakings"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-12
SPEAKING OF TRAVELS.

II was talking to a man just now who
had visited Beirut, Bombay and Hong
kong. Quite varied assortment of places.
chr"
Yes, indeed, but I once met a fellow
who had visited Kokomo, Ind, Sheboy-
gan, Mich, and Kankakee, ILL.,
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-12

Staid old Montgomery is buzzing with
legislators now, some of whom are al
ready filled to the bursting point with a
sense of their own Importance.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-12

Philadelphia is already in such a groggy
condition that it is unable to hit back at
the Rev. Billy Sunday
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-12

Despite the present unsettled times a
few people still continue to advocate fresh
air for the promotion of health and lon
RevifY.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-12

The people Of Germany are being ad-
vised to eat potato bread as much as
possible, an indication that it is still too
early to talk of peace