davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-17
NEXT TEUTON BLOW
 IS TO BE DELIVERED
 AGAINST SALONIKI
Presence of Anglo-French Forces In Grecian Stronghold Is Thorn In Side of Central Powers, and An Early Attempt to Gust Invaders Is An ticipated- Allies On the Alert

Eondou. December i6.--There Is a more hopeful feeling in London with regard to the Balkan operations now that 1t is definitely announced that the Italians have effected a landing on the Alabanan coast and that the Anglo French force, which has fallen back toward Salonki has been strongly reinforced with men and guns. including some heavy naval weapons.
 It is not stated how large 8 force the Italians will send to the assistance of the Servians and Montenegrins. but from the fact that the official account inti- mates that landings have been made at more than one port, it is taken for grant ed that an army of considerable propor- ticns is to be sent across the Adriatic.
 This, with the Montenegrins and Serv- ians who escaped from Alabania, will be serious threat to the central powers right flank, while they can never look on in idleness to the concentration of an army at Saloniki, which, at a chosen moment, would undertake an offensive and to the gathering of Russians In Bes- sarabia.
 It is anticipated, therefore. that the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-17
LANGHOME SISTER GRANTED DIVORCE BY
 COURTS OF VIRGINIA
Mrs. Phyllis Brooks, Who Divorces Husband on Grounds of Deser- tion, Has Romantic
 Experiences

Charlottesville, Va, December 16-Mrs. Phyllis Brooks, one of the famous Lang horne sisters of Greenwood, Va, was granted an absolute divorce in circuit court here today from her husband, Reg inald Brooks, New York clubman, on the grounds of desertion. An existing agree ment, bearing date of February 24 1913, providing an allowance for the support of Mrs. Brooks and her two children. was continued.
 In a plea for partial divorce filed a yeQr ago. Mrs. Brooks declared that her husband abused and harshly criticized her and that he frequently told her he no lcnger loved her and would be glad if she left him.
 According to dispatches from London published last spring, Mrs Brooks, who was then visiting her sister Mrs. William Waldorf Astor, in London, was benefi- ciary under wills of two English army officers, Capt George Douglas-Penna of the Grenadier Guards, and Captain, the Hon. William Reginald Wyndham of the Seventeenth Hussars. both of whom died last winter from wounds received on bat tlefields in France.
 Besides Mrs. Astor, Mrs Brooks has two other married sisters, Mrs. Charles Dana Gibson of New York, and Mrs. Paul Phipps of Vancouver.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-17

Germans will strike at SalonilSl before the Anglo French forces grow too strong. and it is believed with that end in view they are now negotiating with the Greek government
 If their plans include the participation of the Bulgarians in the attack, they are likely to meet with opposition from Greece, as Greece Is strongly adverse to any Bulgarians crossing her frontier This applies also to some extent to the Austrians, whose ambitions always have been for a port on the Aegan, preferably Salonilxi.
 On the whole, therefore, it is thought here that the Greeks might prefer to seek the entente allies remain there until the end of the war. In fact, Lord Robert Cecil, under secretary of foreign affairs, said in the House of Commons today that the Anglo French plan was to keep the central powers from that city in accord ance with the wishes of Greece.
 Reports that the Germans are preparing for an offensive in the west persists, but thus far there has been little but artil- lery engagements and aerial fights and raids.
 General Townshend, commanding the British forces in Mesopotamia, reports the repulse of another attack on Kut- FL Amara, since which the Turks have been quiet.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-17
EMERGENCY REVENUE MEASURE CARRIES IN
 HOUSE BY 16 VOTES
Solid Republican Minority Opposed Extension of Administration Emergency Act Until
 December 31, 1916

Washington. December 16.-The House tonight, by a vote of 9O5 to 1s9 passed the joint resolution extending the emergency revenue tax until December S1, 1916. The Senate is expected to take like action in day or two.
 The law is expected by administration leaders to bring revenue into the treas ury at the rate of sS2. 900, GOO a year.
 The republicans, voting solidly against the resolution, were joined by the five progressives and five democrats-Calla- way, Texas; Hiliiard and Heating, Colo rado; Buchanan, Illinois, and Wingo, Arkansas Several proposed amendments to shorten the period of extension were voted down.
 Representative Kitchin of North Caro- lima, in his first speech as majority leader, told the House that unless the law was extended the treasury would face deficit of more than $s1, 900 at the end of the next fiscal year.
 'We democrats know that no tax is popular in time of peace' he said. "But we would be unworthy of the record of this administration and this Congress if we did not have courage and patriotism to arrange sufficient revenues to meet the governments absolute necessities
 Minority Leader Mann urged that ex- tension for a shorter period was prefer able and former Speaker Cannon sug- gested an issue of Panama canal bonds to meet the deficit.
 It is expected that a general programme of revenue legislation which may revive revision of the emergency tax law will be worked out by democratic leaders soon after the holiday recess, which probably will begin Saturday,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-17
FEELING IN VIENNA

Vienna, December 15,-(Via London. December 16)--The Austro- Hungarian governments reply to the American note on the Ancona was transmitted at noon today to the American ambassador. Frederick c. Penfield.
 The American note as published in the Vienna morning papers resulted in a high state of public indignation, and while the text of the Austrian reply has not been made public, 1t is under stood that common ground is indicated on which the United States and Aus. tria might come to the understanding.
 Those who are conversant With the contents of the reply express the con viction that the American government cannot fail to realize the justice and moderation of the Austrian govern ment's attitude and they view the re ply as a fair and open minded docu- ment showing the imperial govern ment's willingness to do whatever is right.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-17
ROBBINS AT THE HELM

With Robbins pictured as the directing genius of the activities of these com panies, the testimony described the switching back and forth among them or their stocks, bonds, notes, checks or cash with the net result, it appeared, that the Harvard and Yale were leased to the Pacific Navigation company. Robbins had an alleged profit of $691 1.000, the freight boats were sold to the Eastern Steamship corporation, stock in which was owned by the New Haven, and Rob bins became the owner of $500 shares or that corporation's stock personally, both together being enough to constitute a majority.
 Warren D. Chase insisted that Robbins had told him that he had engaged in the enterprise purely for his personal profit, and that he never heard Robbins say the New Haven was interested in it or knew of any of Robbins co-defendants having knowledge of it.
 How the Metropolitan Steamship com pany of Maine, No. 2 was organized was told by its incorporator Benjamin C.. Ward, lawyer of Portland, Me. He said he had formed the company at the request of Chase.
 "Who were it's directors and officers?' asked MT. Osborne.
 Well, as I recall them, they were Grover c. Richards, brother-in-law of my partner; my stenographer, the janitor in my building, the assistant janitor and somebody from across the street,
 Richards testified that at the request of Chase as treasurer or the company, he drew checks for as high as s1,500,0O0. A youth at that time scarcely over 21, he said he did not know what the checks were for. and would have been unable at the time to give any account of the transactions.
 The government hopes to complete it's testimony tomorrow and on Monday the defense contemplates making a motion to dismiss the indictment. Argument on the motion probably will take at least one day.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-17
MAY DEMAND RECALL

London, December 16.--A message to the Exchange Telegraph company from Amsterdam quoted a telegram received from Vienna as saying the feeling there is that the United States will ask for the recall of Austrian embassy, as the Austrian note on the Ancona case is couched in such terms that such step Is considered unavoidable.
 Ut is said that the note was sub- mitted to the German ambassador be- fore it's presentation to Ambassador Penfield.' says the news agency dis patch. and that Dr. Dumba, the re- called ambassador to the United Staten, took a hand in drafting the document. .
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-17
TODAY'S AGE-HERALD

May be two years before decision Tn in Steel corporation case. Next Teuton blow to be de ei against Salonik.
 Grand canal in Venice looks III vast navy yard.
 Open rupture with Austria ight avoidable. 2-Birmingham has big advanta 3Qr' armor plant. 3-The Holland letter. 4Editorial comment 5-Form association to build bridge ~ Tombigbee river
 pr. Cunningham writes on epid Dt oi
 grippe in city.
 Truss on first official inspec pf
 streets.
 Bell Telephone company offers Hia
 city in rate investigation. 6-Society. Mrs Catt looked upon as win for
 presidency. 8-Sports. 9-Criminal courts in every count says
 highest tribunal. 11-Markets. of Austrian reply era fk- able. says London paper.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-17
WARDEN UPHELD FOR REFUSING TO HANG
 INSANE PRISONER

Phoenix, Ariz.. December 16.-William Fallin, whom R. B. Sims warden of Florence penitentiary. refused to hang November 26 last. was declared insane by jury and was taken today to the state asylum.
 After Sims refused to execute Fallln he was cited before the supreme court for contempt but exonerated Falling was resentenced to hang January z, but the verdict of insanity saved him from the gallows. The prisoner was convicted of having slain man in Phoenix
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-17
VILLA OFFICERS
 ATTEND COUNCIL

El Paso, Tex, December 16. ne question of terminating Vil-
 opposition to the Carranza de
 etc government is before a { uncil of war now in progress a Chihuahua, at which Villa a. his staff are in attendance. r lis information was given out night by Americans who arr J ved from the south.
 Pressure Is being brought to i ar upon General Villa to [ andon the fight, 1t is said.
 Meanwhile supplies of all sorts were being "comman- cred" from Chihuahua City
 erchants. 1t is said. to provi- g on an expedition southward.
 Troops are being rapidly con c ntrated at the capital. com ieg from Juarez, Madeira, Pear g, n and Casas Grandes, and it was asserted the south expedi-
 on. if decided upon. would be rected toward the state of , disco.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-17
Churchill Narrowly Escapes

Londcn, December 16.-Winston Spencer Churchill, who resigned his portfolio of chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Tn order to join his regiment at the front, had a narrow escape few days ago, according to wounded men who nave ar rived at home. These men say that MT. Churchills dugout was hit by German she'll
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-17
THE GRAND CANAL IN. VENICE LOOKS LIKE. A VAST NAVY YARD. Ancient StOrehouse of Art Now in Heart of the
 War Zone HUGE WARSHIPS
 ON GRAND CANAL Protective Armor to Defend Archi- tectural Wonders From Bombs Destruction-Art Treasures
 Removed From Palace

Venice, December 2.-(Correspond- : ence of the Associated Press.) )-War has brought some strange changes and vicisitudes to this wonderful old store house of art. the greatest probably in all Europe, now in the heart of the war zone and in a state of siege, with bomb attacks frequent and the enemy iron tier only 30 miles away The grand canal looks today like vast navy yard and the whole city has taken on fadlike aspect of preparation and defense.
 Three huge warships, one a dread naught swung in the grand canal just off the arsenal on the left. They were puffng black smoke and their gray destroyer was nearby ready to dart for Austrian submarines. Rising from the arsenal was huge diribigle bal loon on the watch for enemy aero planes. At the same time two Italian monoplanes took tligh. from St. Georges Island, circling over the ca nals and quays.
 WARS GRIM VISAGE
 Turning to the famous Campanile and the square of San Marco, everything has taken on the grim 2visage of war. The Campanile, one of the architectural wonders of the world, was piled with sandbags reaching 30 feet high around the base, a protective armor against bombs. A great wooden rack had been built to hold the sand bags and they made a solid wall 20 feet thick around this precious monument
 All of the famous bronzes and marble reliefs were shut of from view by the armor of sandbags, but the great bell tower rose above the sandbags 325 feet, still an open mark for bombs. The Campanile, usually open to visi- tors, is now rigidly closed and the only ones going to the tops are the military observers. watching day and night.
 It is we'll this defensive armor has been thrown around the Campanile, for one of the Austrian bombs has already struck only 200 feet and another 300 away. The first bomb struck on the stone quay, squarely between the granite column topped by the winged lion of San Marco, the emblem of Venice, and the other column with the statue of Theodore. This bomb did not explode If 1t had, 1t probably would have shattered these columns and might have reached the Campanile The other bomb fell in the grand canal and exploded under water.
 ARTS BOMB PROTECTION
 These two bombs were within 50 feet of the palace of the Doges. And so the palace also was armored even more solidy than the Campanile. The beau tiful building. ranking with the Alham- bra, would be recognized in its war dress. A solid brick wall 10 feet through, has been built around each corner, thus defending the sculptures of Adam and Eve. which Ruskin in his Stones of Venice says are the finest in Europe All the other famous sculp- lures are similarly sheathed with the front of brick. The remarkable arcade
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-17
OUT FOR CONTROL

The devious trail began with the Bullard company in New Haven, shuttled through half-dozen New York banks, jumped to the Pacific coast and back and led also to Hartford, Boston, Portland and Augusta, Me. The transactions had their center in Charles w. Morse's defunct Metropolitan Steamship company, which owned the Harvard and Yale and four freight boats The government alleges that the New Haven wanted to get rid of the competition of the two passenger steamers and gain control of the freight boats and that in behalf of the New Ha- ven, Robbins devised the scheme by which it could be done. The scheme in cluded, according to the testimony today, the organization of the Metropolitan Steamship company of Maine, No. 2, the New England Securities company, the Skilmark company, the Pacific company and the Pacific Navigation company, all brought into existence within a month 8 time and involved also the Billiard com s,s nv, the Metropolitan Steamship com pany of New Jersey, the Eastern Securi- ties company and the Eastern Steam shin cOrporatiOri.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-17
Six Dummy Corporations Organized to Secure Con-
 trol of Freighters
DEAL ENGINEERED BY
 EDWARD D. ROBBINS
Young Clerks Handle Million Dollar Checks Without Knowledge in Mys- terious Financial Manipulations
 Planned by Corporation Lawyer

New York. December 16.-The tangled financial transactions alleged to have been engineered by Edward D. Robbins, former general counsel of the New York. New Haven and Hartford railroad, to get the steamships Harvard and Yale to the Pacific coast, netted him profit of s691,- GOO. according to the reckoning of the government counsel from testimony ad- duced at the trial of Robbins and 10 other former directors of the New Ha- ven road charged with criminal violation of the Sherman law.
 In an effort to unravel the skein, the government called to the stand Warren D. Chase of Hartford. Conn.,, Robbins chief agent in the transactions, and half dozen other witnesses who participated in them, young men who handled million dollar checks as officers of the so-caled Robbins companies without knowing, they confessed, where the money came from or where it was going
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-17
DISTRICT WANTS TO VOTE

Washington. December 16-(Spe- Eial )--The District of Columbia would Become political entity. N 1t is petitioning Congress that it be Permitted to elect officials to serve as E1unicipal and county authorities and No elect statesmen to represent it in |she Congress of the nation &s It is subject to the control of a |y improbable that Congress will seri- usly heed the cry of the district. It |$ said to be cry emanating from. Politicians and not cry based on the ctual requirement. of the people. Congress, first of all, regards the istrict-or rather the city of Wash |ngton--as a metropolis prospering ex- Eeedingly as the result of excellent 
 It is the subject to the control of Commission, the members of which are ppointed by the President. This com E1ission interprets and puts into prac- Eical operation laws enacted by Con- Esress on the suggestion of the com Enittees of the House and Senate Enlarged with the duty of caring for Hhe district.
 N Under the present system Washing Eon is as beautiful as any other Amer Ecan city. It has better streets, better Eanitation and more magnificent pulp Eic buildings than any other metropo-
 is of similar size.
 It has better police department Ihan the average American city. It's
 re department is regarded as a model ly which those of other cities are pat
 erned.
 It's rate of taxation is $1.s5-where-
 Is, a resident of Birmingham, to the Rity, county and state is required to bay twice as much. The family of
 Washington which lives in comfort Bays $6 or $S per annum for water.
 -he same family in Birmingham would Ne compelled to pay between $35 and H4O
 \ A $500O policy on a home in Wash ngton necessitates the payment of a Premium only one-third as great as
 $5000 policy on home in Birming-
 am.
 NOT AN ACTUAL NEED E For all of the above reasons mem vers of Congress are inclined to be- lteve that the cry for lf-government \k a cry given voice by politicians and Not one traceable to the actual needs
 f the people. It is said that one-
 a1f of the population of Washington kvould not suffer voluntarily change
 political conditions. It is generally
 eSarded as probable, therefore. that
 he plea heralded repeatedly in Wash
 (Centfnued sn Page Ninc)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-17
WASHINGTON WANTS
 TO VOTE AND WORKS
 TO BECOME ENTITY
Captain Lay Discusses Gen eral Dam Bill Allowing Private Capital to Con- struct Locks
By HUGH w. ROBERTS

Washington, December 16-(Special.) frhe decision of the supreme court in he case of the government against the United States Steel corporation, may not be delivered before the expiration of two years.
 The government has prepared it's brief. .On account, however of the illness of Justice Lamar. and the incompetence to Eerve of Justice McReynods (for in the beginning, as attorney-general, he prose- tuted in behalf of the governmenD, the suit will undoubtedly be subject to con- Siderable delay.
 The idea obtains generally that the government having lost in the lower court on evidence of fact, will lose in he final decision of the supreme court. The delay, therefore, will be Of probable rritstion to industrial Birmingham be- 'ause it is known that as soon as the 1ecision is rendered-and not before-the Eteel corporation will initiate a policy bf development and extension, which will result in the expenditure of approximate y $30,0O0,000
 CAUSE OF DELAY
 decision of the supreme court, mus be rendered by a majority of it's mem bers-or five. With Justice Lamar ill, ind Justice McReynolds unable to serve, he court, for the consideration of this base, will be composed of but seven members. The possibility that the de- ,ision might be rendered by majority or four-whereas majority of all the nembers-five-is necessary. is responsi- ble for the indication that sometime will rlapse before the merits of the case are Eonsidered
 As is known, by special bill through Congress, it has been considered probable hat Justice Lamar will be retired In hat event another justice would be banned, and the case immediately sub- (,itted. The result, it is generally antici- Pa ted, will be in favor of the company, Or, as is recalled, the decision of the ower court was rendered by the unani- nous voice of the judges.
 BIRMINGHAM THE VICTIM
 Birmingham is made the victim of cir kumstances which, it is said, could not be Avoided.
 The administration could not have af- Rorded to have done otherwise than ap- Peal from the decision of the lower court, t is pointed out, because such pro- Feature is necessary in order that con- Perverted points might be definitely de- Eermined
 On the other hand, it is pointed out, he company, despite the prevailing opin- on that the dissolution suit will be de- ided by a verdict favorable to its con- ention. could not afford to take chances Ind while the suit bends, the officials f the corporation are under the im- Esression that they would be taking hances if they should develop at all ! And thus the delay. Birmingham, 1t is iaid, has reason, however, to rest con f'ent in the conviction that the corpora ion will win, and will, when assured ff victory, carry out it's programme of Development, necessitating the expendi- ure of many millions of dollars.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-17

on page Two)
The copper era and Morenci leader., 1915-09-24

grave were those of the Odd Fellows, Brother Krichbaum officiating as chaplain. A choral society sang sev- eral beautiful selections as a prelude to the Odd Fellows services. The special train comprised five cars and all available space being taken, mak- ing it one of the largest funerals ever held in Morenci
 MT. Johns had been in poor health for some time and some weeks ago left for Los Angeles, where he hoped a change of climate would be of ben eft However, on Sept. 13 a tele- gram was received by the Lodge an- nouncing his untimely death. The deceased leaves father in Cornwall, England, and a brother in Michigan, both former residents of Morenci. It was the wish of the father that the body of his son be shipped here and buried by the Morenci Odd Fellows, of which the late brother had been Ia member for many years. The de- ceased had resided in Morenci for the last fifteen. years, and his untimely death was mourned by a large circle of his acquaintances here.
The copper era and Morenci leader., 1915-09-24

by Governor Hunt, and in the mean, time appeal was taken to the su- preme court.
 The statute provides that when an appeal is taken from a judgment imposing the punishment of death, and the judgment is affirmed and the time fixed for the execution shall have expired, that the supreme court shall in its judgment fix the time when the original sentence of death shall be executed. A copy of the supreme court judgment delivered to the superintendent of the state prison is sufficient authority for the execu- tion at the time specified
The copper era and Morenci leader., 1915-09-24
KERMEEN MUST DIE ON NovEM. 'f EZRA.

Phoenix, Ariz.. Sept. 2O.-Affirming the judgment of the lower court in the case of the state vs::f W. w Ker- meen, the supreme court set Saturday November 4 as the date for the ex- ecution of the Bisbee murderer
 Kermeen, who is in the state prison at Florence, is one of the condemned men whose cases were taken to the supreme court on appeal While on a hunting trip near Bfsbee he shot and killed man who had befriended him, and robbing the body, fled to Fl Paso, where he was arrested. He was found guilty in the lower court, and sentenced to hang December 19, 1914,