davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-28
First Pictures Under Water

"The world is indebted to Captain Will liamson of Norfolk, Va, for the first mo- ton pictures ever taken under water" said a member of the Virginia colony yesterday Norfolk was my home and I have known Captain Williamson and his boys for years.
 ''The Scientific American and the Amer ican Magazine have recently devoted much space to the details of the won derful flexible tube which Captain Will liamson invented and which permits him to go down 150 feet under the sea and take pictures.
 "Some months ago an expendition was fitted out and sent to the West Indies, where thousands of feet of film were taken under water These islands were selected because of the wonderful clear ness of the water. Pictures were easily taken by daylight S5 feet under the water and deeper with the aid of powerful cleo tric lights.
 "A fight between a man and a great shark is shown in the pictures, and this is genuine battle in which one of the Williamson boys engages in the fight with nothing but his knife and kills the shark which had been attracted by the carcass of a horse.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-28
Safety In Mining

That the agitation to safeguard miners is bearing fruit is shown by the report of the director of the bu- reau of mines for the year ending June 30, 1914. Although the loss of life is still great and far in excess of what might be expected in danger ous calling, substantial progress has been made. During the year more than 5000 men were killed and more than 100000 injured in the mining in- dustry. These figures may be en- couraging to student of the problem who remembers the number of fa- talities and injuries recorded in past years, but they are appalling to the average newspaper reader.
 It is estimated that more than half the fatalities in 1914 and three fourths of the injuries might have , been prevented, while financial loss of $12,000,000 could have been saved. If these facts are true, further im- provements in the working conditions of miners would seem to be highly inn perative. Most of the casualties in 1914 were due to mine explosions and mine fires, many of which were caused by electric apparatus. The im- proper explosives caused either di- rectly or indirectly, a large number of fatalities, among them being acci- dents to shot firers. Poisonous gas given off by improper explosives and due to poor ventilation also resulted in deaths and injuries.
 The bureau of mines has done a great deal to prevent coal dust ex- plosions, so frequent in southern coal mines. Safety barriers and improve ments in explosives have lessened the risk in the more dangerous mines. The bureau recommends that injury to shot firers be prevented by firing shots by electricity from outside the mine. Instruction in safety and rescue work has achieved wonderful results. First aid stations have been estab- lished at hundreds of mines and 25,00O miners have been instructed by the bureau.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-28
Crop Campaign In Jefferson

The crop diversification campaign organized by the Birmingham Cham Der of Commerce has aroused intelli- gent interest among business men as well as farmers. In fact, no recent movement has stirred up so much genuine enthusiasm.
 The field" work of the campaign will be inaugurated in Jefferson county next Wednesday. Although Jefferson is known throughout the state as great industrial eounty-a county embracing the greater part of the Birmingham district proper, with its ore mines and coal mines and blast furnaces and steel works-it is never theless very much of an agricultural county. Not only has great progress been made in truck farming in lief ferson, but some of the best cotton in the state is raised here and large farming is carried on extensively.
 Crop diversification will pay in every county in the state. It should be especially profitable in Jefferson because of the fact that Birmingham | is great market for everything that is produced from the soil. Every crop diversification meeting held next week will be addressed by men of practical agricultural experience, and scientific experts, and the results are sure to be of far-reaching benefit not only to the farmers themselves but to the community at large.
 Just as soon as the farmers acquire l the habit of raising all the food crops and hogs and beef cattle the wealth of the state will be rapidly increased. With favorable weather conditions this years crops in Alabama should represent money value much greater than that of any previous year, and before many years the crops should total in value three or four times as much as the recent average.
 Seven or eight years ago, when Ala bama's crops were valued at S100,- 100000 no little pride was manifested in tke rural districts. Last year, had cotton brought normal prices, the money value of the crops would have aggregated something like S190, ,000,- 900 or 100000. In five years from now the farmers should not be satisfied with total money value of less than S600,000,000. When we reach those figures every foot Of real estate in the cities of Alabama will be directly enhanced in price, and every commercial and industrial enterprise hereabouts will be stimulated and will flourish as never before This crop
 diversification campaign is therefore
 of vital concern to all the business
 men of Birmingham and to the busi
 ness men of all the towns and cities from Sand mountain to the gulf.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-28

the smooth working of the system.
 Had it not been for the fact that on the board were men of practical bank ing experience and of broad business statesmanship the European war would have caused much more trou- ble in this country than it has. The board, indeed, saved the situation. But for it's effective work this coun- try would be right now in a serious financial muddle. We would have had one of the worst of panics. But ever since the board got to work the na- tional credit has been strengthened, the money market has been easy and general banking conditions have been steadily improving. Under the new system panics in the future will be vir- tually impossible.
 The board has been confronted by many difficult problems, but they are being worked out gradually and sat- isfactorily. The federal reserve act especially provides for the admission of state banks to the system. The board, as stated in the report, has been 'keenly anxious to settle the conditions upon which state banks
  may be admitted. Owing to the diff ference in state laws and the complex conditions of competition between state institutions and national banks the determination of conditions was far from easy if an equitable adjust ment was to be found' These sub- jects are under careful consideration, and the board expects that at least tentative solution of the problems at issue may be arrived at in the near future"
 At the present time applications are pending from 51 state banks and trust companies. In order for the new sys- tenn to bear it's fullest fruition all the large state banks as well as the na- tional banks should become members.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-28

through state boards of health All of this information has been carefulyl col lated, with the result that Bulletin 12 of the United States bureau of education. entitled Rural Schoolhouses and Grounds" contains in its 200 pages prob- ably more information on this subject than has ever before been collected. For the details of this survey, the large mass of Illuminating facts brought out and gem eral conclusions drawn therefrom. the reader is referred to the report itself. which can be secured from the bureau of education at Washington. As a result of this study. the joint committee of the National Education association and the American Medical association has pre- pared a statement of minimum require ments for rural schools, being a sum- mary of those conditions of location, con struction and equipment which are the very least that should be tolerated. in rural schools. This pamphlet can be se- cured from the bureau of education at Washington, from Dr. Thomas D. Wood of Columbia university, New York city, or from the American Medical associa- ton.
 For the first time In the history ol euu- cation and sanitation in this country, a reasonably comprehensive collection or facts regarding the sanitary condition of rural schools has been made and stand ard of minimum sanitary requirements formulated Parents, teachers, school boards, health officers and the general public have now been given a standard easily applied and within the physical and economic possibilities of any community. Adoption of this standard is the very least that can with decency and fairness
 to it's children be expected of any com munity As this standard becomes recog- nized through the distribution of these pamphlets, it will in a few years be pos sible to estimate the relative degree or development in any state by the condi- ton of it's rural schools. There are many other questions to be considered in solv- ing the health problems in educator, but persons interested in the sanitation or rural schools may feel gratifled at the substantial and definite progress Which has been made through the jonit com mittee in the last three years in this fieid-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-28
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
The Advance in Cotton

When l visited Georgia in November I found great depression growing out of the low price of cotton, but since Jan uary 10th I have been in the south and 1 am glad to see that the situation has wonderfully improved, said George l.. Spence of Philadelphia.
 Last fall everybody I met in Georgia had the blues and talked as if the price of cotton would not advance to any ap- preciable extent before spring, but it brings now nearly s9 bale more than it did in December. I am not connected in any way with the cotton interest, but nearly every business in this country is hurt when cotton is hurt. The steady rise in price Is certainly most cheering The south is worth millions and millions of dollars more today than it was in De- cember.
 Tt seems to be generally believed that the farmers will plant for small crop instead of a bumper crop. If the govern ment's report i'll April indicates only q 100000 or s,O00.oOo bale crop, the price vii! jump up into the fancies.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-28

eral Lees family would have the pleasure of being received by him. Miss Lee said it was "a double honor to shake hands with President who was also southerner."
 A few years ago Dr. George Petrie of the Auburn faculty made an address in which he suggested that the fiftieth anniversary of the surrender at Ap- pomatox be the occasion of a great national celebration of good fellow ship between the north and south; that great peace jubilee be held at Washington under the auspices of the United States government. Nothing came of the suggestion, but the Uni ted Confederate Veterans will hold their next reunion at Richmond in the coming spring. The old Confederate capital was selected by unanimous vote for sentimental reasons and with the understanding that appropriate exercises be held commemorating the return of the southern states to the union half q century ago. At that re- union speeches will be made by north ern as well as southern men. Presi- dent Wilson, who graciously received General Lees daughter, will send message of greeting to the old vets.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-28
RURAL SCHOOL SANITATION

From the Journal of the American Medi-
 cal Association.
 IN 1911, the national council of education
 of the National Education association - appointed committee on health problems in education. At the same time, the council on health and public instruction of the American Medical as- sociation appointed committee to CO., operate with the National Education as- socation on this subject. These two com mittees, acting as joint committee, have for three years been working in this field. The significance and practical value of the coordination of the efforts of the teaching and medical professions of the United States is apparent. The possibili- ties of such cooperation can hardly be overestimated.
 After careful consideration the com mittee was unanimous in feeling that pos sibly the most important and certainly the most neglected field in school hygiene was the problem of rural school sanita- tion. When an effort was made to formu- late plans and remedies. however, 1t was soon realized that although every one was agreed as to the paramount impor- tance of this field, there was little if any definite information available regarding actual conditions. It seemed necessary, therefore, that before any remedies were proposd or even discussed a reasonable amount of data should be secured. Fortu- nately these conclusions were completely in harmony with the views and policies of the United States bureau of education. As Hon. P. P. Claxton, the commissioner was a member of the joint committee, II was possible to develop a plan for the study of rural school conditions in which all the forces interested could unite.
 During the spring of 191S field sec retary employed by the joint committee made a careful statistical and photo graphic survey of about 100 rural schools in four eastern states. At the same time Prof F. B. Dresslar of the Peabody Col lege for Teachers of Nashville Tenn.' special agent of the federal bureau Of ed ucation, was collecting a large mass oi material on country schoolhouses lin dif- ferent states. Additional material was secured from various sources, principally
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-28

The tabulated vote in the House of Rep resentatiyes on the equal suffrage amend ment shows that Iowa had votes for and against the measure; Massachusetts had for and against; Michigan for and 2 against; Minnesota , for and against; Missouri 10 for and against; New Jersey for and 1 against New York 9 for and 20 against; Oklahoma for and 3 against Pennsylvania r for and against: Ten nessee for and 5 against. It is believed that the suffragists will fight their great est battles in these 10 states during the next few years. The division of votes in dicates that equal suffrage sentiment is growing rapidly. The congressional dele gations of Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas voted solidy against the amendment. However the suffragists of Alabama are at present carrying on brisk campaign, while the the legislature is in session at Montgom- cry, to have the state adopt equal suf- frage.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-28
THE DEATH OF FAyoRlTE CAT


 By Thomas Gray. Twas on a lofty vases side, Where China's gayest art had dy'd The azure flowers that blow; Demurest of the tabby kind, The pensive Selma reclined.
 Gazed on the lake below. Her conscious tail her joy declared. Her fair round face, the snowy beard, The velvet of her paws, Her coat, that with the tortoise vies, Her ears of jet, and emerald eyes, She saw; and purr'd applause. Still had she gazed; but midst the tide Two angel forms were seen to glide, The Genii of the stream; Their scaly armour's Tyrian hue Through richest purple to the view
 Betray'd a golden gleam. The hepiess nymph with wonder saw; A whfsker first and then claw.
 With many an ardent wish. She stretched in vain to reach the prize, What female heart can gold despise? What cats averse to fish? Presumptuous maid with looks intent Again she stretched, again she bent.
 Nor knew the gulf between. Malignant, Fate sat by. and smird The slipp'ry verge her feet beguird,
 She tumbled headlong in. Eight times emerging from the hood She mew'd to ev'ry wat'ry God,
 Some speedy aid to send. No Dolphin came, no Nercid stirr'd; Nor cruel Tom nor Susan heard.
 A Fav'rite has no friend! From hence, ye Beauties. undeceiv'ds Know, one false step is ne'er retriev'd, And be with caution bold. Not all that tempts your wand'rtng eyes And needless hearts. Is lawful prize;
 Not all that glitters. gold.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-28
HOW PERFUMES HELP TRAVELLERS

Kathleen Hills in Leslie's.
 It was recently announced, as dis covery in medical science, that nausa after a surgical operation under ether, could be prevented by the patients in- haling a favorite perfume. This may be new as a post-operative treatment, but it is an old palliative for travellers at ficted with mal de mer on land or sea, for train sickness is almost as common as seasickness. Numerous "headaclle
 colognes' as well as favorite perfumes
 have been found efficacious as a pre- ventive of nausea at sea. Many trav-
 olers find that even the aroma of an
 orange or lemon helps them over a
 threatened attack of seasickness One
 need not peel or eat the fruit The de- sired result can be secured by merely scratching at the skin and thus liber- ating it's aromatic essence.
 History states that perfumes were used by the ancients both as medica- ments and as instruments of injury, 50 it would appear again that there Is nothing new under the sun." Certain groups of colognes have peculiar ef- fects. for instance the fruit essences by blending produce the odor of any fruit. Their use is inhibited by the fact that they irritate the respiratory organs, producing coughing and headaches Oth- CT perfumes have sedative effects and
 their use is recommended for nervous people. The employment of perfume as a preventative of nausea would there 1 fore seem to be merely a variation Dl
 the principle of using colors in the treatment of peculiar ailments, with perfume the appeal being made througf
 the sense of smell.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-28
From the New York Sun.

From the New York Sun
 TN spelling test to which students oi
 the University of Illinois were re- Il gently subjected, in plain violation oi Article VIII of the amendments 10 the constitution of the United states' .ins ,;st of words was given out: "Accommo- date. dissipate, disappoint, laboratory en'- ,,a rra ssrnent, athletics, lose, courtesy pfo- lessor. stopped, precede, harass. com na nies. interfered, inferred, noticeanie' lovable. Thackeray. Macaulay. proceed acknowledgment. permissible rms se- lection was fair. trapless to the point oi ridiculous simplicity. or might nave seemed so except for its results. oniy 10 of the a assasslns of orthography wouiu have opassed;" the lowest percentage o. accuracy was Al the highest was s0.
 The mutilations suffered by the Vo. cables are easily imaginable: 'Dissipate and "d,sappoint'' swapped places un- doub.cdiy, on the duplication or w D." "Precede'' sat in "proceeds on''i- The imp of parversity waved ms """o' and "or'' and ''er'' were chansehnss '' their cradles. Terniinal 'ible," it may W pe .anf.red ,, was "harrassed." "emoarasseo
 bv heinz "lnterferred'' with by youthlu' Macauleys and Thackerys who could no' tell it apart from it's cousin able con sopantal laparotomy was performed upon
 ..oooonmoda.e." ..o Since orthgrapny ana ort,anv stand or fall together. "athalet- foe. r,ust have had frequent occurrence
 p,,t with the monster "separate' left out |, might reasonably have been expected
 that one patient follower of routine, one snir,tless disciple of convention would DC found among the lawless geniuses.
 The college newspaper moans: "Is 1t i'm ross;bIe to teach spelllng?" Tears. idle .o.rs and crocodilian "Possuntsquia posse v,dentur', used to be favorite motto of high school graduating classes In those days they "could," not because the, thought they could. but because they had been made to. Spelling cannot be taught but it can be learned. The teacher in i l is but drillmaster, driving his awkward squad with merciless reiteration through 1 the motions of the manual.
 1 spend half an hour this evening witl your S-year-old son and his reader" H.
 reads the pictures. He Knows" words not syllables. His eager, alert, hungr! mind Is being fed on association of ideas
 in system of hertical. theoretical. fal
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-28
"JlM" SCOTT'S DAY OFF Coewey in Treslia's.

James Scott, the White Sox nifty twirler, Is probably the first ball player to take part in a game in prison without being de- tained after the contest. Recently he ac- companied some friends on a trip through the State reformatory at Pontiac, H.. and paused to watch a match between the hines made up of inmates In the third inning one of the pitchers weakened, and Scott was asked to go to the rescue. Roll ing up his sleeves he proceeded to put 'em over the plate with seizzling speed and allowed only one hit and no runs during the remainder of the contest. James was given a great ovation by the inmates for his showing, and decided that his after noon had been well spent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-28
Federal Reserve Boards First RepOr

Federal Reserve Boards First Report
 A summary of the federal reserve boards first report submitted to Con- gress yesterday is printed on another page of this issue, and will be read with interest. The new federal re- serve system has been in operation only a short while, but its practical application has been already of such great benefit to the financial inter- ests of the country and to business in general that the banking and cur rency act which created the reserve board and provided for regional re- serve banks has more than justified itself. When the measure was adopted by Congress it was said by financiers and publicists that it was the best banking legislation that any party had ever adopted. After the reserve sys- tenn is little older its good work will be considerably extended, but enough has been done to assure the business world of the high efficiency of the federal reserve board and the high character and business-like methods of the regional or district boards.
 War or no war the reserve system will be of great value year in ane year out. But its best use will be fell in the long run by the public in croI moving periods and in time of threat ened financial trouble or in othel emergencies. The personnel of thu board was carefully selected by Pres ident Wilson and since the board en tered upon it's duties last August pub lic confidence in the ability of th' members has been unbounded, which -l course. hes helped materially Il
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-28
IAnc.x 0nIy T.xn

'"rhe other night Hugh Roberts and a prominent attorney were discussing the bill introduced by Representative Fite of Tuscaloosa to regulate the practice of law in connection with damage suits" ]" said Charlie Mandy attorney took exception to the term shyster' used rath- CT promiscuously by the youthful states men and legal reformers. I have prac- tieed law for nearly 10 years ill this coun- ty and state, and during that time l have known only two lawyers to whom the term shyster might apply Hugh had just ordered Bronx he paused mo- nient and looking the attorney square in the eye, gently asked, Who was the other fella,.2 2 :,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-28
Following ie Fathers Footsteps

Lots of men who are successful at their professions appreciate their own early struggles so keenly," said Walter Blackman, that they always try to dis courage their children from following the same profession.
 fI have friend who is successful civil engineer but he works hard and had an especially hard time getting a foothold. He has three boys and the other day I asked him if he was train ing them to be civil engineers
 The symbol of the civil engineer is the tripod, he said Whenever I have to punish my three boys, I strap each one of them to a leg of my tripod. In this way l hope to inspire in them such n dread of the tripod that they will shud- der whenever they see one in years to come.' !"