davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-05
Something of a Social Necessi

Grand opera is now regarded as something of a social necessity in a great city like Chicago. In New York opera is maintained on large scale and what New York does Chicago tries to do, and it generally does it. The excellent troupe which gave distinction to the lake metropolis for time went into bankruptcy last fall, but new company has been organ ized with director and impressario of ability and personal popularity, who gave prestige to the former com- pany, in full charge.
 While grand opera belongs to the world of art and while some of the worlds greatest music comes to us through this source the question sometimes arises, is it not more of a "social" institution than anything else?
 The people who attend symphony concerts and chamber concerts are real lovers of music. They are not present as matter of show or gaiety or as an evidence of their social stand ing. But in the case of grand opera different proposition is presented. Under the caption, "Operatic Phoenix In Chicago" Musical America edito- .ializes thus:
 Several penetrating writers in the last decade have pointed out that grand opera is the one means by which highly developed modern "so- ciety" becomes conscious of itself as such. and that it's maintenance by society is therefore an absolute need If the social element which claims diamonds, smart and costly evening gowns, and family" as it's dis tirguishing marks could not exhibit itself more or less as a whole in this capacity, before the crowd, how would the crowd really known that it ex- isted, and how would Hsociety, know that the crowd. knew that it existed? Society" as such cannot make street parades like circus, for the purpose. Grand opera. with it's pivotal diamond horseshoe' between the gallery and the pit fits the case exactly, and so society" seizes upon 1t and maintains it. That is the ar gument.
 TfA promptness with which Chicago reinstates the institution of grand opera after the financial discourage ments Of the earlier attempts may be thought to lend some weight to the argument. Those who prefer to think of operatic enterprise as synonymous with artistic progress will probably continue to do so though they must perhaps prove that artistic progress truly resides in speratic entertain ment.
 At all events, whether perspcuous analysis determines it to be of the so- eiai or the artistic order. Chicago's
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-05

The Rev. Billy Sunday will doubtless make great record in Paterson. N. !. Even before he arrived there, a revival under the auspices of his campaign com- committee was well underway MT. Sun day s phenomenal success in Philadelphia IS still the chief topic of interest in the Quaker City. A statistician has worked out these facts for a correspondent of the New York Sun: With S5s.127.7o do- mated in free will offering to Billy Sunday by Philadelphia and se2, $50 col lected to pay the expenses of conducting the campaign. what each trail hitter cost
 reduced to dollars and cents, is s2.93. The converts gathered in the Il weeks battle against sin by the baseball evangelist numbered 39,49S. as shown by revised fig ures. or the money contributed solely for the private purse of Sunday s5,31277 will be deposited in bank at Warsaw, Ind, Tor the fund known as Gods tenth
 Against this fund both Billy and Ma check for charitable purposes that they personally investigate. This leaves Sun days individual honorarium $47,S15. .93. Based on Il weeks work it nets Billy salary equal to s4346.S1 a week. Sundays yearly labors usually extend over period of 40 weeks. If he receives a sum in every city where he campaigns equal to what the Quaker City donated his yearly income would be s17S,S720.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-05
Picture shows Adverti.ipe south

'The south is coming into a fair share of publicity in the picture show busi- ness, through some of the leading pictures of leading producers of films" said a
 loyal son of Dixie "The Fox Film com pany has just completed The Plunderer, by Roy Norton, having staged 1t amid the rugged beauty of Dahlonega, Ga.
 From The Nugget, a local paper, l get the details of the work. The situs is the working plant of the Findley Ridge Mining and Power company, of which Charles Sumner of Birmingham is gen. eral manager. The company's assay of flee is the headquarters of Bully Presby, rich mine owner. Dr. Craig Arnold of Dahlonega, and Miss Georgiana Peet, a teacher in the North Georgia college, as his daughter, took part.
 ''The star parts were taken by William Farnum, famous as David Harum' in that great play. and by Miss Claire Whit ney' beautiful and accomplished young woman. Miss Whitney did the near tragic and daring feat of riding along the precipitious face of Crown mountain, and allowing miner to roll a great stone down which just missed her. It was almost too real istlc. 1t is said, and was indeed a hair raiser to those who watched the brave young woman as she daringly made a thrilling snap shot for the camera man. And The Nugget also says: The Grown mountain mine is showing up nice ly, producing both fine gold and mug gets. One of the gentleman here from New York, taking pictures for the mov- ing picture shows, who never saw a mine in his life until he came to Dahlonega, went over last Monday and brought back quite lot of gold in a pan, including one nice nugget found in a single pan ninpSs,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-05

decisions, both in the United States su- preme and state courts which have re- strained many of the pernicious attacks upon corporate activities, and assured our corporations fairer treatment.
 Money continues abundant and easy, and this too Is a powerful aid to recupera- tion. Our banks are in sound eondition' reserves being higher than at any time since the new system went into effect.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-05
PRETTY SOFT, Ell?

L. Sevier while on a trip of inspection last week, saw a man standing beside car and asked him what he did.
 'Oh. I work for the Southern,' an- swered the man.
 What kind of job have you, section man, baggageman or what?' asked MT. Sevier
 "Ch, I've got better job than either Of those," he replied. You know the man that goes alongside the train and i. taps the wheels with hammer to see that everything is all right? Well. help him listen"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-05
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Charity Ball Tonight

Birmlngham's annual charity ball will take place tonight at the Southern clut and It promises to be unusually attractive and that it will be financially successful goes without saying. A few tickets yet unsoid may be found at each of the promi- hent elubs-the Country, the Phoenix and the Southern.
 The ball begins at o'clock and lasts until a. m. The minstrel performance will be given in the Tudor room. It will begin promptly at 10 o'clock and will last about an hour.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-05
Great Impro,ement Remarkea

There has been a decided improvement in business in New York during the last three or four weeks" said J. M Furman of the borough of Manhattan
 T am connected with small industry, but enc has only to look around and meet men representing various mercantile pur- suits to remark the difference in general trade now as compared with a month or two ago. believe we are fast approach ing normal conditions"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-05
When welI-nppareIed April on the heels
 of Iimping winter treads. -Romeo and Juliet.

BEGINNING THE DAY--Every day, 0 Lord, may I hear anew Thy voice saying, Follow me. And may l listen and wonder and obey, each time with new joy and new resolve. Teach me how natural, how inevita- bIe that I should follow Thee, for Thou hast made me for Tbyseif and my only rest is at Thy right hand. In Thy name.--H. M. 10.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-05
ALABAMA PRESS

laiadega Daily Home: The United States has asked that Mexico City be de- clared neutral by the warning factions in the republic. We see another case of
 Belgian neutrality
 Guriey Herald: We heard a fellow dis cussins wheat yesterday without the bat Of eye lid. Some people always do talk in the millions
 Gadsden Times-News: The wise farm
 CT will not let any sudden rise in the price of cotton fool him into planting an exclusive cotton crop Plant enough vegetables and raise enough hogs to keen your table supplied. Remember that cot food.
 Prattville Progress: Speaking of the Pennsylvania dog which says Mamma. |, | a paragrapher remarks that this talkine dog business is going too far-"some 1 day they will produce one that will tel | all it knows and then look out" What l does your dog know on you? Dothan Eagle: A scientist has discov ereu tHat It IS easy to make an English pea laugh. Not as easy as for Texa. onion to make an Englishman cry. West Alabamian: While you may bt
 little late getting the crop planted b,
 sure same contains plenty of something good to eat. Make the cotton secondary
 ano avoid an experience like that you ar,
 now going through. l Southern Star: Raise chickens, eggs
 vegetables cane and potatoes to buy sucl little things as you are obliged to hay,
 In the home, and stay absolutely out O
 debt.
 l Selma Times: No matter what betides
 the diversication fight has been won fo | Alabama.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-05
WAR ECHOES

Plttsburg Sun: Beyond the three-miie limit and directly off the coast from Norfolk lies a formidable fleet of for eign warships waiting to bounce upon the German cruiser Eitel Friedrich as soon as that raider has passed beyond the neutral waters of the United States-if she does so during the war. The vessels that are watching the German boat are the English ships the Cumberland, Es- sex, Suffolk and Coronia, and also French cruiser and collier It is said that there are two other vessels, but these are moving about and not always on the direct job of watchful waiting.
 In the meantime the Eitel Friedrich is coaling with much more fuel than is nec- essary for the mere trip across the ocean. Her crew Is active and her smokestacks belch black clouds, showing that if the occasion seems opportune to Captain Thierichsen he will serve his formal mo- tice on the United States, thank the na- tior for it's kindness and stand out to sea.
 There is considerable doubt as to how long the vessel has been granted asylum. At first it was stated that the time limit was up on Wednesday, and then that was The clearing of English vessels interfered perhaps for the German boat had to give them 24 hours start. His stay cannot be prolonged indefinitely for he must Intern or leave our neutral waters. In some quarters 1t is believed that Captain Thierichsen never had any intention of quitting the snug harbor, but would have his vessel lowed to New York, within the three-mile limit, and intern there.
 Baltimore Sun: The recent activity of the German submarines has failed to make any serious impression on British trade or on British commercial morale. The British losses for the week ended March 31 were five steamers, and during the same time 1859 vessels entered or sailed from British ports, a very insig- nificant percentage of loss. Bruce Is may sets forth the net results even more strikingly: ''The value of British ships sunk by the Germans since the begin ming of the war is e2,911, ,999 (s14,570,ooO out of an aggregate value of 9150,000,000 (s750,- 000,000), while the value of cargoes lost from the same cause is G4474,O0O (S22, 2,37o,- 00O) out of an aggregate value of f7,775,- 0O0.00o (s3S. .575 oO0,0 ,0OW carried in British ships during the same period. On the aggregate of the values of ships employed the hull losses represent 3S shillings in the seven months, or at the rate of 5s Cd a month in e100. On cargoes the losses have been at the rate of lis Cd in the G1OO."
 So far as trade values are concerned the operations of the German submarines have amounted to no more than flea bites. To drive British commerce off the sea their submarine fleet will have to be multiplied many times over. If they main- tain their recent activity, however, or in- crease 1t even to a small extent, they will exercise considerable influence on oversea travel in British passenger ships. People who have to cross the ocean from Great Britain or who want to go to Europe from this country could not be greatly blamed for selecting an Amer ican liner.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-05
There Will be Many Candidates

'H'i Dt -'sdhs
 Indications point to the fact that in the approaching primary election for county officials, there will be a greater number of candidates for the five posi- tions on the board of revenue than ever before," said a man we'll informed on political affairs. "This is supposed to be due to the fact that the salary has been raised to $36o0 per annum. This, it is said. has caused several we'll known politicians to feel out as it were, and to tentatively announce their candidacy. It would seem that the money considera- tion is. after all, an important factor in mans devotion to his civic duties, and that there are many patriots who are willing to serve their county provided they are well paid for it.
 "The duties of the board of revenue are increasing each year and many finan- cial and business propositions are brought before it. It is an office that requires sound business men rather than shrewd politicians, and I feel sure the voters of the county will select the next board by reason of their fitness and abil- ity above any and all other considera- tions.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-05
TO A FALLEN SPEED

From the London Chronicle. Where red is yon receiving clay
 With life blood of hundred more, Take rest, old friend of yesterday,
 Who faced with me the battles roar. Save but soldiers fond caress; And now you lie rejected there,
 Who served me long in faithfulness Old friend, you bore me out of death In answer to a guiding hand: heard the God who gave me breath
 And serve my ancient motherland.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-05
THE LATIN-AMERICAN FIELD rom the New York Times.


 From the New York Times.
 Good will between the United States and Latin America has been increasing fast enough It was greatly promoted by the Hon. Elihu Root on his visit to South America nine years ago, by MT. Roose- welt more recently, by the "A B C. medi- ation in Mexico last ear. at the instance of this government, and by all the patient work of the Pan-American union; but work of a special character remains to be done. It is fortunate that a man of ths qualifications of ex-Sepstor Theodore E Burton now volunteers to undertake it He has abilities In peculiar combination He has those which ether men have brought to bear upon the study Of Pan American relations, and essentially. be- sides. a breadth of economic understand ing very unusual among men of poitca training He has sailed for South Amer. lea, to visit its countries and to inform himself of their needs and problems. II is an errand of his own, but he will nat Lrally be treated as one who represents this country in distinguished manner He will doubtless be able on his return to make a valuable contribution to oul stock of commercial and political Latin American Knowledge.
 The Pan-American society entertained him Friday at luncheon, to congratulate him on his purpose and he touched upon some of the more delicate asl ects of the subject in brief speech. from which we quote:
 "Our policy should be characterized by the recognition of the cherished rights of every nation. great or small. by an ab- sence of assumption of superiority because of our greater development. It is fitting that We should seek to study the varioul customs and the social and political con. ditions which exist in the nations of Gen.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-05

high salaried pastor whose work is less effective than that of plain Par son Thomas. In fact, this old world would be all the better if it contained more men of the Feb Thomas type.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-05
Buoynncx Instead of Fear


 Henry Clews, in his Saturday review, says in part
 All signs indicate that we have entered period of permanent recovery from the war The first effects of that cataclysm were panic. followed by paralysis, then a period of vacillation between fear and confidence. Through all of these phases, the process of financial and commercial readjustment has been progressing with remarkable steadiness, until fear has now almost totally disappeared and buoyancy Is taking it's place. Trade and finance, at least so far as concerns the United States, have been completely adjusted to war conditions; and the tendency now is to discount in advance the coming of peace. Confidence has been further strengthened by progress of the war itself While it would be unwise to indulge in premature optimism. the hope of an early end is based upon the belief that prepared ness on one side and exhaustion on the other can only bring one result. The gen. eral opinion is that peace will come dur ing the autumn Be that as it may, there is a universal presentiment in favor of early peace that must have some founda- ton greater than the mere wish. War is the very essence of uncertainty, how ever. and setbacks must be expected, all though the outlook Is clearer than at any time since the struggle began.
 Among the favorable developments of 1 importance is the change of attitude at l Washington and by numerous influential politicians toward big business. The sig nifioance of this change in policy will gradually be appreciated, inasmuch as enterprise will be stimulated by cessation of the attacks that have done so much to impair business confidence during the past decade. A favorable impression has also been created by a number of court
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-05

tral and South America. A greater ce-
 gree of familiarity with their language
 and customs Is highly desirable They have literature the value of which is not appreciated. There should be no idea of imposing on any nation our own politi- cal or commercial systems except as from better acquaintance they may prove worthy of acceptance. We are wont to include in one comprehensive genera. classification all the nations of Latin America, as if they were all of the same type, without realizing that each has . distinctive national life and a wide di- versty of social and ecoonmic conditions Most naturally, each of the South Amer ican nations has desire to be considered
 as separate political and social com munlty. Notwithstanding the teneficent
 influence of commercial relations, these or our national policy. Friendship, good VIII, and cooperation should be our chief est desire. Just as the western hemisphere Is separate geographically, 80 the future promises that, while maintaining most
 harmonious relations with all the nations Of the world, yet there will exist in the
 new world kindred and advanced ideals of government and good will.
 1 That should remind us how little the people of this country really know about their national aspirations and tendencies. the various peoples of Latin America
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-05

Millions of pounds of powder are ex- pended daily in the war zone, but even at that the soldier boys have little on our American blondes
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-05
The spartnnburg FestivoI

''Spartanburg. s. C., as is we'll known, is the foremost music festival city in the south, for it has a festival of large proportions every spring and an entire evening is always given to oratorio" re- marked a man of the musical set.
 For many years past Damrosch and his orchestra have been engaged for that festival regularly, with one exception, I believe. Damrosch will be there this season-April IA. 15 and 16 The festival chorus is made up for the most part of students of Converse college. The ora torio to be sung this year is Mendels- sohn's 'Elijah.' There will be five per- formances in all. Including an opera night 'Faust'-and children's matinee Birmingham has Damrosch for two concerts on Monday, April 19. Sullivan S grand cantata, The Golden Legend will
 be sung at the night concert and it will be done in splendid form by the festival chorus, under Rienzi Thomas direction. It Is the purpose of the festi- val management to have a three 0ays festival next year. If that plan is car ried out, I think it would be well tc have children's chorus for one of the afternoon concerts, just as Spartanbure has and as Birmingham had in former 1 years"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-05

It is all right to look before you lean. but don't look long enough to show others which way you are going to jump
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-05

The winter was long and 1t had the lingering habit, but the weather will soon be hot enough to make us wish for A
 return date of March,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-05

When Senator Root declared that he was not the man for the presidency none of the other republican aspirants took the trouble to disagree with him
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-05

Some of the wonderful stories sent ou, by the war correspondents read like testi- monials in a patent medicine ad
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-05

Yesterday fin Birmingham was bright enough and springlike enough to be called an ideal Easter, and yet men wearing
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-05

Birmingham's s1,25Oo0O bond issue will be voted for week from today. Roll up a big majority for it,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-05

After all. England may go on the water wagon by moral suasion which beats statutory prohibition in every respect
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-05

Since Made in America" is designed to keep our wealth at home what is the matter with Marry in America" move- ment?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-05

Although spring dresses have gone m In length they are not likely to drop down in prices.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-05

Peace hath her heroes despite the ia ct that you can't make romantic girl be- lieve it. y
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-05
SYD'S SCRIBBLINGS
EASTER IMPRESSIONS.

Oh, yesterday was Easter And all were on parade The summer frock and new straw hat Were out, quite unafraid A little straw, some ribbon, Add a feeler then to that, A bow or two, and there you have The latest model hat. The young ones and the old ones Were dressed up fit to kill On May the first, dear Hubby Will have to pay the bill.
 TOO LATE TO HIDE IT. One cold day last week Ted Browneli drove one of his Fords up to the curb at the Tutwiler and carefully placed a blanket over the hood to keep out the cold. A newsboy standing near said: "Oh. you don't have to do that now! I saw what you had.
 ODES TO A JITNEY. Hark, hark. the dogs do bark, The jitneys come to town. Some are marred and some are scared And some are broken down.
 Kalamazoo Gazette. Squeak, squeak, they sure do creak, They're very old and funny. Some are slow and some are fast But they all take in the money.
 DOUBTFUL. ASSURANCES. Do you think they approved of my Easter sermon?" asked one of our we'll known ministers yesterday. "Yes, I think so," replied his wife; they were all nodding.''