davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01
RETIREMENT IN THE SOUTH

From the Wall Street Journal Improvement has begun in conditions in
 the south, according to Henry Walters, chairman of the Atlantic Coast Line rail- road.
 To that portion of the country and grain growing states the proposed credit to the allies is most important. In his opinion this credit should amount 70 s1,0OO 900 GOO, or more if required, and should be sub try. according to their means. To the Wall Street Journal MT Walters says "The south after a year ef the atrictest economy, has, in my opinion, seen inc worst of It's trials and | reasonably steady improvement has begun. Tn the last 30 days the Birmingham dis trict shows a marked improvement, due possibly to the shortage elsewhere of pig ircn, and the lumber industry is at last | showing increased orders and better prices.
 The satisfactory manner in which cot ton prices are holding in the face of the loss of sales to Germany and Austria is giving confidence to all southern mer- l chants and giving good profits to the producers, where last year the latter
 ade only losses. z Present crop is the cheapest raised since 1895. when the cost of production did not average over 6 cents. T do not see how the cotton crop now picking can exceed 100000 bales, in view of the great decrease in acreage as re- ] porl,d by the government and the use of 1 only one-half the usual amount of fertili- gers.
 T understand many of thu northern | mills realize this and are buying freely | at present prices
 "Too much stress cannot be Laid upon | the benefit to the Cotton South from the experience of last year.
 Permanent warehouses already con. I structed, or which are now nearing com | pletion in the south will care for more
 than 5,ooo,o00 bales under perfect conei-
 tions and at insurance rates of about A of per cent.
 1 Tile allies should be given a credit by
 this country of $1.0Oo. GOO, 900, or more if | they require 1t. upon such terms as will
 make ali sections of the country subscribe
 llberally to it, according to their means
 and no sections are more interested in the
 esta tablshment of this credit tnan the cot.
 ton and grain growing states, especially
 the latter, which are likely to nave seri. 1 ous competition from Argentine and ths
 Black sea unless this credit be given
 promptly and whole heartedly."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01
Peace Can't be Bought

Discussing Henry Ford's plan to give $1O,OOO,OOO for spreading peace propaganda, Golfers Weekly says: "Peace is not to be purchased by the propagandizing donations of amiable anti -militaristic millionaires. It is not to be had for the asking. Not all ways is it insured even by pacifist treaties"
 That is the situation in nutshell and it is rather remarkable that MT. Ford, who presumably belongs to that class of successful American business men noted for their shrewdness and capability, should be found allied | with altruistic dreamers who ignore facts and the unalterable cussedness ef human nature at it's worst to preach the policy of peace and unpre- paredness. In other forms of humani- tarianism, notably his profit-sharing plan for employees, Mir. Ford has shown practical common sense along with a desire to help his fellow man.
 The mistake the majority of pacifists make is not taking into con- alteration that the rest of the world is not educated up to their standard He is a fool indeed who would say that war is a good thing and benefits humanity, but it may nevertheless bs necessary in fallible world where the doctrine that might makes righ is subscribed to by the war lords. Th' humiliating plight of China makes n' impression whatever on the pacifist' and even if there never should be an other great war among the whit races of the earth, what about thu j. xsllow! A struggle to the death a oems future day between the whit
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01
Onward March of Prosperity

When business recovery began to be felt early in the year it was con- fined to few of the larger financial and industrial centers, but prosperity has been spreading rapidly within the last three months and it is now nation wide. There is scarcely district in any section of the country that has not entered upon a new period of thrift, and the onward march will continue through the winter and spring.
 Business conditions were sound even ,, before general revival of trade was In evidence, and now that the abun- dant crops are commanding high prices the prospects for strong rec ords in all branches of commerce are brighter than at any time since 1906. The wonderful improvement in busi- ness throughout the south, as result mainly of crop diversification and the large advance in the price of cotton, is attracting the attention of thou sands of homeseekers, and within comparatively short time new capital will begin to seek investment in every state below the. old Mason and Dixon line.
 Three or four years ago a northern correspondent of popular periodical visited the south for the purpose of writing series of articles on the boundless resources of this section. He observed conditions with rare in- telligence and what he wrote revealed keen insight. In telling of the south's natural wealth and it's hospitable eli mate, he coined a phrase that was extensively quoted. "The south," he said, lis the new west," meaning that the opportunities which the west of- fered enterprising young men of the thickly populated eastern states fifty years ago were to be surpassed in the south.
 All things considered, the south to- day makes a greater appeal to young men than the west ever did and a vast tide such as filled the states west of the Mississippi with sturdy upbuilders will soon flow southward.
 In the meantime prosperity strides forward, north, south, east and west. In the Birmingham district the pay rolls are climbing to higher and higher levels. September was busy month and October will reach high water mark.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01
The HOd Is Doomed

The bod is doomed. So says E. c. Hathern, president of the Building Laborers' International Protective union.
 The quaint old hod-carrier, with his briar pipe-the man who merely "car- ries the brick up to the fifth story, while the fellow up there does all the work"-will soon be but memory. "It will not be many years until the curio shop will claim the hod," says MT. Hathern.
 Hosting machinery is filling the place of the old time laborer, and even mixing machines are becoming the rule in building operations. The hod-carrier has stepped up notch. He has discarded his blackened pipe and now cigar rakishly adorns the corner of his mouth. The hod-carrier of yore now wears a natty suit, and stands with his hand upon the lever of the hoisting machinery, sending up the material by that means for the fellow who does the work" So moves the world. No one regrets that the labor of the workman is be- ing made more pleasant and less l wearisome, and yet who will not
 miss the old hod-carrier, with his cheerful humor? There will be less of the human element entering into the construction of home and public build ing.
 The passing of the old time work man may give place to better methods, but it has its element of sadness.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01
A "PATc REPLY
From Tit-Bits.

From Tlt-B1ts
 An Englishman, an Irishman and a Scotsman went forth together to burgle a farmhouse. The Sassenach appropriated a horse. the Gael a COW, while the repre- sentative from Erin comma ndeered cart.
 As they were making their way into a town a policeman approached and asked the Englishman where he got the horse.
 "Ah' was the reply, I've had it since it was foal.''
 And where did you get that COW " he asked Scottt!e, who responded: ''Ah, I've had her since she was calf.'' Turning to Pat, the constable next asked, Where did y1u get the cart?" "Ah. begorra." quickly responded Fat, I've had 1t since 1t was . wheelbarrow.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01
FATHER PHELAN, CHURCH EDITol

From the St. Louis Republic.
 The Rev. Dr. D. s. Phelan, church. editor militant. ecclesiastical lawyer, maker of nationally famous phrases and humble parish priest, has been gathered to his fathers.
 For half a century he welded a pen, sharper than any two-edged sword and mightier than a trip hammer, that made him almost a cult in certain clerical quar- ters. His phrases had In them some- thing of his own picturesqueness. They were the utterances of a warrior. His humor, as keen as Dean Swift's, was all that saved some of his most famous phrases from deadiness. One of these was casual remark dropped in a ser mon some years ago. That remark was uEnoticed here. but elsewhere it caught like wildfre, and it has been used mill lions of times, in printed form especially around election seasons.
 Father Phelan was plaster of tradi- ton in the conducting of religious jour nals. He made it personal organ, his mouthpieee. rather than diocesan chan ,nel of official information. He thought what he said. and said what he thought. If there were any consequences he took them. When Archbishop Kain suppressed his paper he smiled and went about his parish duty. The ban was lifted. and he was at it again. Last year the apos- tolic delegate threatened another suspen- sion. Again he smiled, struck off the delegates name from his free list and went right ahead pounding away 8 little more cautiously. He was molded in he- roic proportions. He venerated authority, but the authorities of his church were never quite safe from his cutting hu- nor or caustic criticism. It Is this that astounded so many outside and inside of his great denomination. One did not quito know whether to admire the man or marvel at the lenency of his church superiors.
 Today he lies in the peace of the ages, and St. Louis will pause many moments during the day to think of the gallant priest who was a spiritual soldier to the tips of his finger. He had a kind word for the poor and the downtrodden. He struck at the high places only. Protes- tant and Jew will join with Catholic in revering his memory
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01
A WISH
From the Philadelphia Ledger.

From the Philadelphia Ledger.
 Papa was sitting by the table reading his evening paper generally. and when he came across an item of interest he read it aloud to mamma. Little William a typical little pitcher with big ears, as a rule was not in the least concerned about the items his father read aloud. terested.
 T see. ma,' said papa, "that the fish ermen around Cape Cod have gone out of the whaling business, and
 Up spoke William sharply:
 Gee whiz, papa but I wish you was a Cape Cod fisherman!"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01
The Forrest Highway

While convention halls are thronged with good roads enthusiasts and while world famed orators and politicians. amid rattling applause, are endeavor- ing to build national highways with their oratory. the work of sweat and muscle on the Forrest highway moves complacently on." said H. A. Wheeling of Rome, Ga.
 "The splendid response made in an unostentatious way by the citizens along the route of the Forrest high way and the benign smile of self-satis- faction of the volunteer workers, show no abatement but everywhere a more active interest Is manifested in the com pletion of the project.
 '"rhe present terminus of the Forrest highway is Rome on the north and Bir- mingham on the south. The road passes through the county of Floyd. in Georgia. and the counties of Cherokee, Etowah. St. Clair and Jefferson. in Alabama, a distance of 121 miles. The enthusiastic determination and I will spirit dis played by the citizens in each of these counties has been without precedent particularly in Cherokee county. where the income for road purposes Is very limited and Is entirely inadequate for the upkeep of the present county roads At the present time there are approxi mately 200 volunteer workers in that county on the Forrest highway. Men oi wealth and influence, who have aban- doned their private business with the one idea and the one purpose of con structing the best and most perfect link l in the Forrest highway, are giving theii time and labor to the project. Cherokee | is the one county in Alabama that has never voted a dollar of bonds, or re- ceived a dollar of state aid money, and the problem of constructing high way through the county without funds is being successfully and commercially solved by the jealous and public spirited not afraid of work citizens. Work In the other counties along
 the route is being done either by bond
 money or county and state aid funds
 and Is progressing rapidly and quite
 satisfactorily.
 All efforts and enthusiasm of ths
 Forrest Highway association are being put in to the road project, which in
 sures the early and practicable com
 pletion of not the longest. but l think
 the greatest highway in America"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01
THE GUTTER.

Oh, the trouble-laden brother,
 Heavy-hearted, plods along And you very seldom find him
 lrl the proper mood for song, For his voice is hearI complaining
 From the mountains to the sea, Sure. there never was another
 Had the luck that falls to me!' Though the sun is brightly shining
 And the skies above are blue And the dreams that mortals cherish Every day are coming true, All the spirit of the battle
 Has departed from his soul And his name will ne'er be written
 On life's star wrought honor roll.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01
THE ROCKING BIRD

By Sidney LGnier. Superb and sole. upon plumed spray That OCT the general leafage boldly grew,
 Hhe summ'd the woods in song. or typio
 drew
 Tho watch of hungry hawks. the lons
 dismay a Of languid doves when long their lovsf1
 stray
 And all birds passion plays that sprinkle
 dew <| At morn in brake or bosky avenue. Whate'er birds did or dreamed. this bir1 could say. ] Ther down he shot bounced airily alol1f The sward. twitched in srasshoppeE| made song 1 Midnight, perched. prinked. and to hl1 art again. N Sweet science, this large riddle read md plain: ] How may the death of that dull insect t] The life of yon trim Shakespeare on tnd
 tree? t
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01
HALF BAKED DRAMA

when they have been made drunk ill pre- paraton for a show of valor.
 Many playwrights, and audiences in large proportion, because the theatre is not supported mainly by persons who
 desire to frequent doctor and saint ard hear great argument" but by mere amusement seekers and holiday makers are extremely callow. Occasionally, the occasions wide apart a writer for the
 stage has message to deliver. Oftener he has living to make and is an anx. ious caterer to the passing whim of the crowd. Just now the deluge of blood and tears in Europe, with its sordid purposes l and sordid means and methods, has turned the civilized stomach as the odor l of hot blood and entrails turns the stom- ring. The play which condemns war is l in order. No matter how sha!lcw and cheap 1t may be 1t will have hearing. l War, like other human undertakings which demand the sacrifice of self, has Its heroes and heroines that arc not fic- l Ition made It has also, as history amply proves, purposes and results that are not lcontemptible. The argument contained in the popular song, T did not raise my | boy to be a soldier" is not more sickly or more simple minded than the argu- ment that nothing that is good can come
 from tonflict.
 1 If the play discussed so briefly by the l reviewsr Is as represented its author llas written less judiciously to create it than
 the reviewer did to dismiss 1t. .<@M.
 sss..s I two women does not mean to insult tho t"intellisent juror" He knows ''there ain'd m such animule"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01
HOTEL LOBRIES
The I.nte Cotton

The rain came in good time for the making of late cotton, but the wind mas blown the ripe bolls off. and while they will not be entirely lost they will be much damaged by the mud said Columbus Teacher
 This weeks rain will add considera- ply to the size of the crop, but 1t will De small crop at that The high price of cotton is going to put the farmer and the country merchant in fine shape"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01
Big Pay Rolls Thi. Month

The September pay rolls were very large and the October and November pay rolls will be even larger: as a result trade in Birmingham will be humming during the next few weeks" said Felix M. Drennen.
 It is safe to say that business here Will be more active this winter than it has been in many years past"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01
POINT TO CONSIDER.

I'm afraid Grabson thinks too much about the material things of life"
 Perhaps so, but we need few people il. the world like him."
 "Yes?"
 'If everybody spent his time in reading poetry, admiring works of art and listen- ing to soulful music. who'd donate the money to build libraries, art galleries and audtoriums?'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01
 A PLEASANT CHANGE

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
 President Sam of Haiti was murdered. The United States has requested General Blot to restore order. But Doctor Bobo. the insurGent. declines to be reconciled. RestfuI reading, this. after years strug- gle with European war names.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01

Now that the Anglo French commissions CTS have completed the details of the in- ternational loan, they may have time to visit a few of the shows provided for tired business men.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01

BEGINNING THE DAY My Father an 9lad Thou hast prom ised not to give me more than can bear. I am glad Thou watchest me, to lift the burden or give more strength as my need requires. am glad Thou hast miracles of grace awaiting at my demand. I rest in Thee. Amen-H. M. K.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01

A London merchant visiting in this country says the war makes London quite like Chicago" That should cause the Britons to hate the Germans more than ever.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01

and yellow races is not improbable. The Japs are already dreaming of world power. When they are ready to strike, woe betide the nation that is unprepared to war against them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01
ALABAMA PRESS

Troy Herald. Thomas Edison says: T, is now the beginning of the end of the horse. Horses in the near future VII only be used as ornaments. Their conn mercial value will be nothing Lool, funny to-see old Beck and Ford hooked up to a two-horse blow.
 Selma Times: Alabama has a new com mander of militia and a new adjutant general, which indicates that we are get ting in a state of 'spreparedness'' for that war with Germany
 Montgomery Times: The Shelby Iron works shipped iron down the Alabama from Selma 45 years ago. Birmingham thought that she was doing something new when she commenced to ship iron down the Warrior but she was not. But it is hoped that our big neighbor up the road will find 1t so profitable that she will keep it up through all the years tc come.
 Talladega Home: Birmingham has or ganized a branch of the National Se curity league. but what that town needs is an organization of the home guards ,
 Troy Messenger: Birmingham is agog with rumors that there has been found Ia flaw in the prohibition law And some of those fellows may get in the peniteli- tiary by fooling with flaws
 Montgomery Advertiser: If Captain von Panen fhouoht be was fo,chjnC +ba sv,,,- pathies of the south when he referred to those "idiotic yankees" he was mistaken The yankee is no longer political issue in the south. He pays too much taxes down here.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01

Canada has acquired huge debt and large number of incapacitated men as a result of the war, but the Canadians also have an idea that victorious Germany would lose no time in seizing Canada
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01

The Germans deny the French claims and the French deny the German claims. The weary newspaper reader comforts himself with the sporting page.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01
WILL BE suCCEssruL
he Beaumont Enterprise.

From the Beaumont Enterprise.
 Poking fun at Henry Ford's suggestion for miniature submarine Is now in or der. If history Is due to repeat, this means the unqualified success of the plan.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01
PROOF POSITIVE

From the New Orleans States.
 The Chicago News thinks that the ob- server who says the world is going crazy finds powerful. corroboration for his the ory in the large number of people who initiate Charlie Chaplin.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01

Comparative peace reigns in Alabama. now that the legislature has adjourned, except for the commotion thirsty citizens make around express olfices.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01

Now that Colonel Roosevelt has killed moose. his admirers who feared he wouldn't, can breathe easier.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01

So long as this part of the country con tinues to suffer from the heat. the es- teemed oyster might as well remain ir his she'll
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01

MT Rockefeller accumulated enough grime in Colorado to make him look like one of the common people.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01

The straw hat and the ''ice cream
 suit are making a gallant stand on thei
 last line of defense
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01

Henry Ford scoffs at college educa- tion. Still, he must have not few cap able college graduates in his employ
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01

The hoboes favor Pittsburg for their national convention in January, but Pitts burg shows no disposition to hand them the key to the city.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01
BADLY NEEDED

From the Boston Transcript.
 Mir. Marshall says that he prays con- stantly for Wilson. and every time we think of Tom so do we.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01

The tricks modern science can do with the human voice leave the old-fashioned ventriloquist in the shade
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01
Bright Conditions

Victor C. Lomel of the Searight- Reese Furniture company returned yesterday from 30 days business trip through northern Alabama
 T noticed wonderful improvement and an exceptionally bright outlook in all the places I visited" said MT. Lomel. Most of the towns have taken on new life as a result of the improved cot ton situation.
 Tn Talladega. for instance. the mer- chants are planning for the biggest fall trade they've ever had, and a number of really good orders were booked for the house I represent"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01
COULD'VE BH DONE

From the Louisville Courier-Journal.
 The Floridian who pleads sels-defense in
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01

Oh well, maybe the war will end some day and then Doc Cook can tote brass tube up Mount Everest.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-01
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
...s.e...ss..s..ee...sse.s.s..s

PROBABLY A RUSSIAN GUN This moving picture battle looks like the real thing.''
 .'Piffle!" said the ordnance expert. Do you see that machine gun the hero is working, apparently with such deadly ef- feet on the enemy?'
 "Ir hasn't elected an empty cartridge case since he started"
 LOOKING AHEAD. @ You think our navy ought to be larger?"
 Yes sir-ee.' replied the apostle of pre- paredness.
 What improvements would you sug- gest?'
 We need more ships. sir. more ships" But, what kind?'
 "oh-er-192o models, if we can get 'em."
 SHOULDN'T ARGUE. You believe in temperng justice with mercy. of course" said the humanitarian. Tn majority of cases" replied the tlcugbtful man. But make exceptions.' For instance?'
 "The man who receives black eye In the course of an argument about the war deserves it''
 TROUBLES IN STORE "Jibway seems to be an easy going sort of fellow"
 Well, he won't be much longer' What happened to him?" He's just bought secondhand motor car"