davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-09-07

FOB SALE-lntercst in oil well to be
drilled on leases OF 179 acres between
productions. Tor particulars address
froducuon. care Intelligence. se-3-p
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-09-07

foR SALE-Horse. produce wagon and
harness. National phone iot6-Y.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12
Far-Reaching Effect of Optimism

Every week witnesses better con- ditions in the industrial world, and indications now point to a complete recovery of business during the pres ent year.
 When the tide began to turn in De- cember improvement was slow. For a time industrial operators and many merchants were skeptical as to the permanency of the improvement. It was only little spurt, some of them thought Even after several weeks of increasing activity in manufactur- ing and commercial centers the doubt ing ones refused to admit that busi- ness was on the up grade. But the great financiers and the great merchants and the great lead CTS of industry, always optimistic, were accomplishing big things and their very optimism inspired public confidence and finally caused the pessimistically inclined to change their view and see the oncoming of prosperity.
 The acute depression that prevailed throughout many sections of the country from the outbreak of the war in August until the close of the year would have been worse than it was had it not been for the cheering ex- pressions of a score or more of the prominent and resourceful men who were working resolutely to bring about a revival in business. Theirs was the sort of optimism that was telling and far-reaching. They were the men of broad vision and they felt that when prosperity did return it would be pushing for new high rec ords.
 The improvement is now general and the few croakers and faint hearted men left are rapidly disap- bearing. Too much praise cannot be accorded the men at the head of the big business interests who maintained their optimistic attitude even when business was most depressed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12
The New Admirals

Congress did well in creating the rank of admiral in the navy for the commanders in chief of three fleets the Atlantic, the Pacific and the Asi- atic. The President promoted to the new rank Rear Admirals Fletcher, Howard and Cowles.
 It had been embarrassing for our fleet commanders to entertain and confer with fleet commanders of for eign nations of full admiral rank. They will now be on official equality with naval chiefs of the old world powers. and as etiquette and the order of precedence are of high importance in naval circles the fact of being an admiral instead of a rear admiral counts for much.
 The United States government has always been chary of bestowing high rank in either. the army or navy. Dewey is an admiral, but only two before him had been so commissioned |-Farragut and Porter.
 The Sixty-fourth Congress will be urged to increase the numerical strength of the regular army and there will probably be a complete re- organization along modern lines. In any reorganization plan the chief of staff should be raised to the rank of lieutenant general, if not full gen. eral. As it is now the highest rank on the active list is major general. And there is an anomaly in the fact that the present chief of staff, H. L. Scott, is only a brigadier general, a lower grade than that of a number of officers to whom he issues orders. Army salaries in this country are moderate. The cost in money of hay ing few lieutenant generals and one full general would be negligible.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12

education has rendered invaluable service to Alabama in the past, and is doing much practical work today. The bulletins which it issues from time to time are both informative and stimu- lating. They arouse new interest in education and suggest remedies for backward conditions.
 Superintendent Feagin, in his testi- mony, contended that reduction in the number of clerks in his office could not be made without impairing the educational service. He also sought to show that the large amount of money spent for printing and postage was not in the nature of extravaganza when the results aimed at were con- sidered.
 The department of agriculture IS largely educational. While the de- partment of education proper has to do only with the school system and cultural agencies as they relate to the classroom, the department of agricul- ture has done much and is prepared to do more in an educational way for the promotion of husbandry. Both in it's statistical work and in it's dem onstration work it is in large meas ure educational. Agricultural Commis- sioner Wade is a practical and sue cessful farmer. He is progressive, as shown in his achievements on his own farm in Tallapoosa county, and he is overflowing with enthusiasm.
 It may be that the legislative com- mittee will find that retrenchment can be practiced in each of the two de- partments now being investigated, but care should be taken that whatever "cutting down" is recommended should be far removed from false economy. If there are two departments in which should be kept up to high standard it is in those of education and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12
Passing of the Feather Bed

The United States public health service declares the feather bed in sanitary, "with a great capacity for evil" In certain parts of the coun- try there are still old fashioned peo- pie who can't get full nights rest" on anything but a feather bed, but even in remote rural districts the feather bed is no longer as common as it used to be, while in cities it is extremely rare.
 Whatever may be said by health ex- perts as to it's "great capacity for evil," the feather bed promotes sleep and before we got to know so much about germs, it was supposed to be ideal for inducing sweet dreams from which the slumberer awoke refreshed and ready to fight life's battles anew. In the old days nobody suspected that a feather bed was unhealthy. It was the prized possession of well-to-do families, boon to the tired traveller and the ultimate aim of poor folk who hoped some day to have at least one feather bed, even if all the members of the family could not share it.
 The younger generation has only a hay idea of the feather bed, loom- ing mountainous, but still over shadowed by towering bed posts in a wide and drafty room. On a cold win ter night, when the floor was like ice and the wind banged the shutters, and what little heat there was in the house was going up full-throated chimneys, it was luxury to climb upon one of the superior feather beds, the kind stuffed entirely with the softest feathers of ducks and geese, sink into its billowy bosom, whose folds successfully cut off uncomfortable air currents, and drift away to a slumber so sound that the trump of Gabriel seemed power less to break it.
 Doubtless we live to learn and the present generation is better off for sleeping on high, firm mattresses man. ufactured under sanitary conditions and supported by springs with just enough resiliency to make them worth while. But the old fashioned person who still clings to feather bed will tell you that the only fault he has to find with it is the difficulty of get ting in and out of it, the operation demanding a certain amount of dex- terity and agility which all of us do not possess.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12

banding and a hopeful feeling prevails It is very spotted. Some lines operat- ing at nearly normal capacity and others at much less.
 Recent price advance in steel prod ucts has not been tried out suficientiy on account of the small volume of buyins' but with the coming of spring ana tne opening up of construction in many lines will help to increase steel tonnages Tn shapes and structurals and the situation should become steadily better. Wire, tn plate and steel pipe mills are operating about at capacity and it is estimated that the activity in all steel lines will average close to 60 per cent of normal at the present time.
 "Inc1easing orders for merchant steam CTS placed in the east have brought about renewed interest in the steel which will be required to build them, and it is con fdently predicted that the next few months will see the greatest shipbuilding going on in the history of the country '
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12
Aid the Charities

Some of the good women of Bir- mingham have done and are doing splendid work in the United Charities organization. They have taken care of the homeless and the friendless. Mrs. Ross c. Smith and Mrs. w. D. Smith have done valiant work and are deserving of more generous support than they have had in this great charitable service.
 The public of Birmingham should be liberal and generous in their subscrip- tions and not let the good work be suspended on account of scarcity of finances.
 Let us all put our shoulders to the wheel and help.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12
PARIS AND CRIME
From the New York Tribune.

From the New York Tribune. Paris is without crime. Alfred Capus,
 writing in the Figaro, of which he is
 has called a large part of the criminal element to the front, does not adequately explain the phenomenon. He recalls the warning of a magistrate at the outbreak of the war that one of the great dangers in the void created by mobilization would be the opportunity for violence offered apaches of 14. 15 and 16 years of age.
 But in five months there have been
 recorded in Paris not more than two or three really criminal acts. This is as- cribed to the absence of Special at mosphere" which in times of peace en- courages crime. ''The criminal instinct combined with the occasion is not enough to produce crime,'' writes M. Capus There is Unnecessary special atmosphere one heated with example, with bravado with the literature of the outer ooule- yard, where that instinct may undergo
 an intensive cultivation"
 The war has not only destroyed this
 atmosphere, but 1t has set the crim-
 
 cipline in high places which has turned their thoughts directly from anarchy With the return of peace, however Paris will again see crime, and ever great and famous crimes, M. Capus pre-
 diets. ''But," he continues, they wil
 come back in smaller number if we know | how to preserve little real discipline. g little of our present orderliness; if w prevent in greater measure than formerly the troubled image of vice from invading young minds"
 | Unfortunately, the reaction which fol lows a prolonged national struggle, par | ticularly if that struggle be victorious | almost invariably loosens more than evel | the moral and legal reins on license. I | is hard to believe that Paris, swarminf
 with discharged soldiers. will prove any exception to this rule. escaping the nat | ural swing of the pendulum.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12
ALABAMA PRESS

Lafayette Sun: The anti-tipping law goes into effect April 1st. While this wa a very popular bill among the members of the legislature. we do not think if will receive the serious attention of the public necessary to enforce the law.
 Troy Messenger: A Birmingham man, MT. Baugh, is now President of the Southern league. Another victory for Alabama.
 Huntsville Times: The cause of educa. tion in Alabama is considerably on the up grade. Good for that; and here in Madison county the people are the friends of compulsory education.
 Tuscaloosa News: Not even Robert Burns who could write sympathetically of a mouse, louse, or almost any other varmint. ever had anything good to say about the English sparrow
 Talladega Home: Beer is reported to be running short in Germany. The end of the war is in sight.-Age-H Herald.
 If the lack of drink should increa SC the fighting power of the Germans like 1t has the Russians, the Germans have not yet begun to fight
 Anniston Star: R. H. Baugh of Bir. mingham now heads the Southern learne Watch for the small boys of that city to begin at once to play "Baughl.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12
VINTAGE AND VANTAGE STORIES
 OF THE NEWSPAPER CLUB

Only two,' he replied with apparen disgust. And he added with a most DE thetic gesture:
 Evidently, there is something wror with these blanky-blank shells.'"
 Charlie Mandy told the following stol at the club yesterday, giving Dr. J. Grs Thomas as his authority:
 Many jokes, near and otherwise, ha' been perpetuated from time to time the expense of the Ford automobile. He is one on the other foot. Three your men, each having s1500 decided to inve their capital in automobiles. Two of the went the limit and purchased machin that swept away their entire capital. Fl third bought a Ford for $500
 "Of course the owners of the more c, pensivs machines 5Sneered considerably the Ford, but the owner of it paid, attention to their remarks and bided h time. The three went for spin Il other day and came to very steep hi The little Ford was in the rear, but loI before the top of the hill was reach had passed both of the other cars. Aft rounding the hill one of the owners O the larger cars said to the owner of th' Ford in a rather sarcastic manner:
 What makes your machine rattle s' when taking a hill?'
 ' Don't you know what that is? Why it's the rattle of that 5000 I still hav' after paying for this machine
 One day ''Zeke'' Wilson of the stephen son studio was approached by a news paper solicitor.
 ''Do you get the News?" asked the SO licitor
 ''Yes," replied ''Zeke," T get the new every morning out of The Age-Herald."
 "Zeke'' said the man turned on his hee and walked out without saying anothe word.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12

In 1912 the total number of incandescert lights used in the United States was es- tiinated at S5,557.s19 The 1912 estimate also contained for the first time the num- Der of arc incandescent lamps used for street lighting. Out of total or 5O5, ,3s5 arc lamps reported by commercial and muni- eipal central electric stations, 94S, ,643. or 69 per cent were used for street lighting. or the total number of arc lamps used Tor street lighting 75.S per cent were re- ported by commercial stations and 24.2 by municipal stations. Of 76,4s4.Os6 incandes- cent lamps reported by both municipal aud commercial stations 6S1 ,379, or o9 per cent were used for street lighting. Cali forDla had III of the incandescent lamps useG for this purpose, Massachusetts 99 per cent, New York 92 per cent and H. linois per cent
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12
State Educational Work

The joint legislative committee ap- pointed to investigate the educational and the agricultural departments of the state with view of ascertaining whether these departments have been conducted with due economy and whether expenses cannot be reduced without impairing efficiency, is now examining witnesses. There will be a thorough "probe" and the report of the committee with recommendations will be awaited with interest.
 Retrenchment is good thing, but ~cuts" are sometimes made at the ex- pense of efficiency. The department of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12
POINTED PARAGRAPHS

From the Chicago News.
 But silence would improve some peo.
 ple's conversation.
 Clean sweepers-a new broom in which
 to sweep the dirt. A cozy corner is handy place in which to sweep the dirt. Better keep your temper; otherwise il is apt to give you away. Woman began her career as a rib; now she is the whole umbrella. If love were contagious girls would work overtime trying to catch it. It's poor variety of widows weeds
 that will not produce orange blossoms. Nothing is more painful than the antics of a fat woman trying to act kittenish About the time an actress recovers from one attack of matrimony she has an. other.
 Wealth has it's penalties. You never hear of poor man spending money fol dyspepsia tablets Any woman can keep an expense ac- count. but not more than one in thou
 sand can make it tally with her cash.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12
ALABAMA's CROP CAMPAIGN

From the Washington Post.
 There can be no question that the crop campaign begun in the south as a result of the acute cotton situation a few weeks ago is going to have lasting bene- ficial results" said Capt. A. B. Rich of Birmingham, at the Raleigh. "A sys- tematie campaign was begun by the Bir- mingham Chamber of Commerce, and is now being carried on. The farmers of Jefferson county, Alabama, are alive to the situation, snd already have announced their conversion. If this is done through out the south the way to Independence and prosperity is open.
 There is as good land in Alabama, also in other southern states, as can be found anywhere in the country, and the climate is all that could be desired for the raising of all kinds of crops.
 q know of one farm not far from Bir- mingham, about $50 acres in extent, the and or which no cotton has ever been raised, Hogs, dairy cows, vegetables and foodstuffs are grown, and the farm has always been not only self-sustaining, but exceedingly profitable. A great part of the produce finds a market in Birming- ham. This farm is handled in business like manner, the owner keeping a record of costs of each crop, the price received for it. and the total profit derived. in this way being able to tell at a moment'1 7 notice just what crops are paying and those that are not making money for him.
 This is the plan of campaign adopted by those behind the campaign in the south. and it is q sure thing that it will have the results expected-that is the getting away from the one-crop idea ~-s' making the southern fn~ s0srf al ti,v,oS,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12
ADRIF'T WITH THE TT
MAKING THE BEST OF IT

MAKING THE BEST OF IT. He takes a cheerful view of life Ard says he gets 1t from his wife. A strange remark. She looks like one Whose loud complaints are never done. The grabbed visage of shrew She doth reveal. and proves one. too. Mysterious? Oh, not at all. Her husband, by his words let fall, Declares himself in truth to be A paragon of chivalry, Attributing to her. we throw, Perfections she will never know.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12

It is great deal of trouble to smear papers and magazines or else clip then out. It would be much easier for news dealers to exact a promise from every customer that he would shut his eyes when he came to a whisky advertisement and thus avoid temptation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12

1t was rather thoughtless on the part or the commander of the Prinz Eitel Friedrich to complicate matters by first sinking an American ship and then run hing to cover in one of our strictly neu- tral harbors.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12
TO SARAH Bl

By Edmond Rostand. Thou whose genius |
 ism unbroken, Fail not to envy the Who, fighting to defe Each moment fall. That wound. thou
 must have for Since they strugglin
 too,
 And suffering may
 death!" But a wing on each 1
 retain:
 For thee one heel ala To stamp the earth To the winds of the
 hoist your sail, We need a Samothr When it assailed the The steel gained . '
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12

It doesn't require great courage to re- main on board burning liner when 1t is steaming lickety-split for the nearest port and is accompanied by fleet of so- lioitous liners called to it's aid by wireless messages.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12

BEGINNING THE DAY.-Gra- ciOus Father, give me brother1y sympathy with the weaker travel CTS in the pilgrimage of life. Teach me to encourage, not to criticize, Make me to know that I in my own way am also full of faults and that in their circumstances I might be far worse than they. For Christ's sake. Amen.-H. M. E..
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12

A member of the Colorado legislature has served two terms in an insane asy- lum. No doubt serving in the state leg isieture offered slight-but only slight variation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12

Tennessee voters seem to think their legislature is at least better than the Kansas or the Alabama legislatures. Still that's nothing to brag about
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12

Denver girl is said to walk bare- footed in the snow every morning. She may be a classic dancer getting "atmos- phere" for dance typifying spring.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12

The United States now has three ad- mirals in service, and if there is ever another friendly gathering of warships they will rank as high as anybody.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12

Joseph Letter says there is always a large invisible supply of wheat in this country. At the present rate of export It will soon have to show up.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12

The moment anything unusually impor- tant begins to happen in Greece, the in- vcterate punster also starts to work.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12
fer bulldog our entrance bars.
AN ENDORSEMENT.

We like to read about the honest toiler returning from his days work in model factory to his cozy little cottage at nigh.. We like to read about him being met at the door by his smiling wife and romping children. We like to read about the hap piness and contentment found in his home. We like to discover that the honest working man never gets less than s5 for C days work and has snug bank account to which he adds a little every week. Tn fact, we think the profit sharing plan is a good thing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12
MUST CONCENTRATE.

You may say what you please. but these new dances promote temperance m drinking q had an idea that they drove people to drink" Nonsense, The man who is not in com plete possession of his faculties can never master the tango"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12

The U-12 of the German navy has found a 'watery grave,' but that's the logical end of a submarine
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12

The republicans say that prosperity de- bends upon electing a republican Pres ident. Prosperity for republicans undoubt- edly does.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12
NO DESIRE TO BICKEn

From the Kansas City Star
 Esquire Peavy-Well. Henhooker, are you guilty or not guiyt? Brother Henhooker-Not guilty, yo' honah, sah! Esquire Peavy-But you were seen in the act of coming out of the Coloners henhouse "''+h "7 ckens. and
 grp sg enho9'i sah. make lf fiht q ye bs't fo' de ta4 ds ese Ae1ft i 1e -z'ment tfa4i4 .
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12
To get, I claim. All laeerated by a pin.
 Was

To get, claim. All laeerated by pin.
 -Wasl And yet. our friend. vol However sharp and pair The pin--may be, Without it we Would surely feel we'd IT
 -E The pin may leave it's jat And We miss the last hom1ng cars; But we're distressed When, in our vest We find she's busted our cigars.
 -Hodston Post. We care not for the mashed cigars, Nor yet the pin that leaves it's scars, But we'll admit We have a fit When her bulldog our entrance bars.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12
Builders Will Soon He Busy

April will probably be a busy month With the building contractors and May promises to be still busier," said an archi- tect. "A Hull such as we have had is us- usily followed by great activity. There are many signs right now of an early re- sumption of building work"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12

The New York man who ate three pieces of pie and then died never would have made a gastronomic star in a lob ster palace.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12

The United States now has a fine chance to buy silk at reduced prices, thanks to the war and not to the silk worm.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-12
MARKING BACK.


 "He still has sentimental affection for the town where he first met his wife Some men are that way sYes. He says he would give a million dolars if he had the courage to take the sort of chances now that he took then. A HARD-WoRKED CHORUS GIRL. "she was on the stage seven years" ''why did she ouit?' ''She was discouraged It was five years before she got speaking part and all she said then was, Hurrahl Here comes the boys,'
 SPOTTED.
 The peslxy little submarine Can most extensive damage do, But once it's periscope is seen,
 Its chances to escape are few.
 EQUIVALENT TO THAT. "Dubson says he has no use for a woman who cannot keep him guessing" Tn other words, he likes them all, ehY'
 THE SQUEEZE PLAY. When you would put your dexter fin Around girl it is a sin,
 A crying shame,