davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29
ADVANTAGE OF MAXIM sILENcEn

From February Outing.
 This crash of the bullet makes the value of the Maxim silencer very little so far as military efficiency is concerned, in the iway that the fiction writer imagines the silencer to be useful. It is distinctively useful, but not to prevent the enemy from discovering the position of the men firing. as many fancy.
 Its value lies in the fact that it elimi- mates fully half of the recoil of the rife. from the action of the bases in its cham bers, and it gives the officers much bet ter control over the fire. because of the lessened noise of the rifles It cuts down the roar of the Springfield to about the noise of the .25-20 and thus the roar of the rifles at the firing line is much re- ouced, and the commands of the officers can be heard
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29
TRAVELLING LIBRARIES

From the Kansas City Star
 TNHE cities of Kansas all have their
 public libraries, with a more or
 A less complete assortment of books for the free use of the people of each city. But there are hundreds of small towns and rural communities without libraries and with no way of getting permanent institutions To them the state sends books
 Fifteen years ago the clubwomen of Kansas, many of whom came from the small towns and the country districts, decided to have a library of their own. Each member gave a few books and these were distributed to the other members of the clubs, so that the books made the rounds of the different cities. were read and studied and enjoyed. Then the clubwomen said to themselves:
 "If circulating library has been good for us, why not for other people ? Why not let all of the people of Kansas get the benefits of this library?
 Clubwomen have done lot of things for Kansas, but it is probable that no one thing has done as much good for so many people as has the founding of the Kansas travelling libraries.
 The clubwomen gave 5000 books and S4 travelling trunks for shipping the books about The library has grown now until it has 46,600 volumes and 525 trunks, each holding 50 books and used in shipping over the state
 In 1899 the legislature appropriated $2000 for the maintenance of the li- brary. This grew to $SO00 until the 1913 legislature came along and with its economical streak working overtime cut the appropriations 5000 a year The amount needed for new books has been impaired just this much. Three thousand dollars for new books has been the usual appropriation.
 The library has grown each year. When the fiscal year closed the library had sent out 1900 libraries and 61,0oO books were distributed. During 1912 1913 there were 1106 libraries sent ou. and during the previous year the num- Der was 1000.
 The books now go into all of the 105 counties of the state and there are almost TOO separate stations, or organ ized clubs which have complete charge of the books. There isn't a single county in the state that does not re- ceive one or more of the libraries each year. Of course, the big demand is in
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29
President Vetoes Immigration Bill

I
 According to a statement recently issued by the census bureau this country's continental population is now approximately 100,000,000 It is a large population, but there is room on the vast mainland of the United States for 100,000,0OO more without crowding. All foreigners of good health, good behavior and industrious habits have been welcomed in the past and they will be welcomed in the future
 The Burnett immigration bill con tains certain important safeguards that should have popular approval. But the literacy test that Congress- man Burnett has insisted upon would keep out many worthy immigrants; and, moreover, it is contrary to the large-minded teachings and protesta- i tions of the founders of the republic and contrary to our long cherished traditions of democracy.
 President Wilson in vetoing the bill writes with singular force and elo- quence and with his characteristic sincerity He thinks the bill on the whole is admirable, but the dominant and appealing note of his message is found in these paragraphs
 Tt is difficult for me to believe that 1 the full effect of this feature of the
 bill was realized when it was framed and adopted and it is impossible for he to assent to it in the form in
 which it is here passed.
 "The literacy test and the tests and restrictions which accompany it, con
 stitute an even more radical change l in the policy of the nation. Hitherto 1 we have generously kept our doors 1 open to all who are not unfitted by 1 reason of disease or incapacity for
 self support or such personal records 1 and antecedents as were likely to l make them a menace to our peace
 and order to the wholesome and
 essential relationships of life. In this
 bill it is proposed to turn away from
 tests of character and of quality and
 impose tests which exclude and re-
 strict; for the new tests here em-
 bodied are not tests of quality or of
 character or of a personal fitness but
 tests of opportunity. Those who
 come seeking opportunities are not
 to be admitted unless they already l have had one of the chief of the oppor-
 tunites they seek. the opportunity of l education. The object of such provis- l ions is restriction, not selection
 No one could appreciate more than President Wilson the value of the elements of education in the body polite or among the great mass of toilers, but he has been too close a student of history and especially of American history to have distrust of those who have been denied the ad- vantages of ordinary schooling. The children of the great majority of naturalized foreigners have learned to speak and write good English and the sons of those who were classed as illiterates when they landed on our hospitable shores have grown to be men of culture and typical Ameri- can patriots.
 Keep out the vicious and the dis eased, but let us have all who are honest and are willing to work. We need tens of thousands such in Ala bama; and every southern state needs them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29
Delighted With Augusta

.As much as I have travelled over the south. I was in Augusta for the first time the other day" said Capt. E. J. Dunn of Dunn & Lallande.
 'I went to Augusta on business, but as my wife had never visited that famed resort city 1 took her with me. We both enjoyed greatly our short stay in Au- gusta. Among other things l remarked was the brisk business appearance of the city. If there had been any depression there--and of course there must have been T did not see the signs of it. On the other hand, saw many handsome houses in course of erection. Many fine improve ments were in evidence around the fash ionable hotel, the Bon Air. Augusta is ex-President Tafts fakorite winter re- sort place, and can easily appreciate his fondness for it.
 Tt is safe to say that no city in the south has more charming social life than Augusta The city is growing stead fly. It had a population in the last cen sus of 1000, and it is estimated now at about 6OOO0'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29

I the winter, when the long evenings give an opportunity for reading and study | The state charges nothing for the | use of the books. Those which become worn by constant handling are re- ! bound by the state printer.
 | In order to obtain one of the travel | ing libraries it is necessary for the ap- plicant to fill out the blanks furnished | by the state and return them to the secretary, Mrs. Adrian l.. Green, at To- peka, together with fee of $2. This I fee is the sole expense involved, and | is used to defray the cost of transpor- tation to and from the point of destfna- , tion.
 The libraries are made up in cases l of 50 books each, assorted to meet tine | requirements of number of readers There are no printed lists or catalogs of the books, but the applicant may
 signify the nature of the books de- sired, whether of history, travel, biog- | raphy, poetry, art, popular science, es- says, or fiction, and may send a list which will be filed either with the | books named or along the lines sus- gested.
 The library may be kept for six
 months, or longer if the application be
 renewed and an extension fee of g cents per month forwarded, or may be exchanged at any time for another one | upon the payment of an additional fee
 of $2.
 The latest addition to the library is l a series of prints of the most famous
 pictures by American artists. There are 100 of these prints, many being
 made from the originals in private col lections, and especially for the Kansas American Art collection. Mrs. w. D. Atkinson of Council Grove gathered the prints, mounted them and gave them to the library. Mrs. Atkinson is one of the library commissioners. She is a widely known Kansas writer and her book. "The Pilgrims of the Plains" was writ ten to raise the money to pay for the 1 art prints and the expense of collecting | them The book is now in its fourth edition and is one of the best sellers | In addition to the American art col lection the library also has a collection of prints of Italian, Dutch and Flemish
 French, Englishs and German paintings | which it distributes. A fee of $5 is charged for each week and it is in tended that the pictures be used ip public exhibitions in schools or by | clubs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29

The pickpoeket who got sentence of four years for stealing a memorandum book will remember next time to investi- gate thoroughly before he dips"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29
ENGLAND'S MARTIAL SPIRIT

From the Philadelphia Record.
 Why are you moping there, Dick?''
 i've no one to play with.'
 Well, go and fetch Freddie next door,
 "Oh, I played with him yesterday, and I don't suppose he's well enough to come cut vet"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29

At this time of year when people are | unusually susceptible to pneumonia
 health authorities are prolific in warnings. All agree, however. that the germ can be easily resisted if one gets plenty of fresh air and keeps his bodily standards normal some rules issued by Philadel- phia's health department are worth re- producing. Don't poison yourself with tainted air" says the department pulle- tin, by staying in poorly ventilated, over
 heated, crowded, foul smelling places. Fresh air does not cause pneumonia or any other disease, but is necessary for good health, in winter as well as in sum- mer. Don't injure your health and lower your vitality by overeating or excesses of any kind Good general health, main- tained at high standard of right living, is the best possible safeguard against pneumonia or any other germ disease. Don't indulge in alcoholic liquors. Those who become addicted to alcohol reduce their resistance to pneumonia and increase the liability of death from it. Don't sleep with the bedroom windows closed. Night air is purer than day air; it contains less dust and fewer germs. Don't permit di- rect draughts to blow on you, whether in bed or out. Don't sit around with wet feet or in wet clothing. Don't permit anyone who has pneumonia to pass it on to you. Treat pneumonia as a catching disease
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29
BEGINNING THE DAY-My rath-

CT, deliver me from harshness of judgment. Give me the gentleness of love. Let me lean toward the side of mercy. | would hope all things for the crring. I would cure and bless rather than merely judge. I would be like my Master. Amen. HI. M. F..
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29
Improvement in Pittsburg District

When I was in Pittsburg a few days ago I found business conditions better than when l was there on former visit, said John F. Fletcher, who represents the Harbison-Walker company here.
 "There seems to be really a marked im- provement in the industrial activities of Pittsburg, and very great improvement in feeling. The leading business men of Pittsburg seem to think that the indus trial situation will continue to improve. There is no doubt but that in the Bir- mingham district conditions are much bet ter than they were a month ago."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29

You never hear of an automobile man. ufacturer advertising like this: "IJse our car 10 days and if you are not satisfied send it back to us and we will refund your money"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29

Harry Thaw says he's persecuted man and New England people think so, too. Unfortunately for him, New Workers have charge of his case
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29

A Chicago woman who claims to have had three crazy husbands should have her own mentality looked into.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29

The scientist who says the earth quake in Italy was caused by the war is evidently the near sort.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29

Franz Josef is said to be about to abdi- cate. If that's true, Franz Josef is an- other ruler who believes in going while the going is good.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29

Having a Zeppelin hover over naval ting the facts
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29

The United States has dropped from third to fourth place in naval power There will be plenty of time to get back into third place if we make the effort
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29

Iceland has been voted "dry" by it's Par iament, despite the fact that the nipping climate there is a great inducement to take "nips"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29
UPON THE TROUBLESOME TIME.
By Herrick.

By Herrick. O.. Times most bad. Without. the scope Of hope Of better to be had. Where shall go Or whither run To shun This publique overthrow? No places are
 (This I am sure) Secure In this our wasting Ware Some storms wave past; Yet we must all Down fall, And perish at the last. H7Sf
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29

John D. Rockefeller, Jr and Mother Jones had talk and discovered that neither was as bad as painted.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29

The Harvard professor who taught a worm to turn to the right or the left as he directed must be q wonderful man, but even at that the chances are that he can't steer an automobile.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29

Representative Bonner is typical 'solon." He waXed eloquent about one of the Ten Commandments and then mis- quoted it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29

The crop diversification movement has put crimp in old King Cotton from which he will probably never recover.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29

A Chicago policeman was promoted for shooting a ''masher" who was trying to escape. Fair gamel
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29

Having been named after his father in- stead of his grandfather, Francis Sayre, Jr can now grow up and go about his business without being obsessed with nore than young mans usual exag- gerated idea of his own importance
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29

A J. Eaton, Jr., and o. E. Young are the only authorized travelling repre- sentatives of The Age-Herald in it's cir culation department,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29
Democratic Administration Popular

People from New York and other east ern cities tell me that the republican party is increasing in favor, owing largely to the business depression which many men attribute to democratic policies. but in the west the democratic party seems to stand better than 1t ever did before, said Jonas Stithwell of Chicago.
 q have visited five western states since the middle of November, and in every one of them I met men who had been republicans, but who told me that they were inclined to vote the democratic ticket in 1916 The west is decidedly pros porous now, and whether the democratic party had anything to do with helping business in that section the fact remains that business is good and the democrats are in power. I heard several men who voted for Roosevelt in 1912 say that they thought Wilson had made one of the best Presidents this country had ever had and they intended to vote for him if he was the candidate next time"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
IN FALLIBLE.

IN FALLIBLE. Come, one and all,
 And let us pray
 Whats bout to fall
 Is ground-hog day. A prophet that
 We can believe;
 Though lean or fat,
 He won't deceive. If he should see
 His shadow, look For weather we
 Can scarcely brook. But if it chance
 Contrarfwise,
 Sunbeams will glance
 From cloudless skies HAD THEIR PLANS MADE. When we were married, Henry, you said nothing would ever ruffie the se- renity of our lives" That's what thought at the time, but your relatives knew better
 ONE WEAKNESS. when F1lDerS goes nSnlnB ana 1allS to catch anything he says so. "Marvelous'' If he stays out late and his wife asks him what he's been doing he says that he has been drinking liquor and playing poker 'Incredible What does he say when asked about the salary he gets?" ''Oh, he's like other men in that respect. He doubles the figure.
 COMPLAINING.
 TT m evil-starred''
 Said Henry Grote
 Who found it hard
 To sell his vote.
 TRUE. If l had your hopeful disposition I would be worth million dollars" No, you wouldn't
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29

why not?' If you had my hopeful disposition, the chances are that you would also be cursed with my inability to make money"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29

true-devoted pilgrim is not weary to measure kingdoms with his feeble steps.
 Two Gentlemen of Verona.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29
STRICTLY BUSINESS.

There goes girl who spends hours before her mirror. yet nobody accuses her of being vain.'
 That's most singular"
 Not when you know the facts. She's a lady barber
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29

No communication will be published without its authors name Rejected manuscript will not be returned unless stamps are enclosed for that purpose.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
The Crop Campaign

T have been spending the winter in the south, mostly in Florida, Louisiana and Texas, and the importance of crop diversifieation seems to be generally ap- preciated, but in Alabama as evidenced in Birmingham there is more enthusiasm in this movement than in any other cotton state," said ". W. Jennings of Cincin- natl.
 As a matter of course, the farmers are expected to be alive to the need of di- versifying their crops, but it is a note worthy fact that all the business men in this section realize the value to the business world of agricultural progress. Cotton has been a great money crop, but no one-crop state can get in the front rank
 When the farmers in the cotton belt raise all Aheir own foodstuff and make a business of raising hogs and beef cat tie on a large scale, then they will be rich before they know it.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29
To He a Beautiful Performance

Aside from the charity benefit for which Pirates of Penzance' will be given next Tuesday night at the Jefferson, the performance itself will be of exceptional interest" said member of the chorus who has 4lad long experience in choir and festival work
 Tt will be, indeed, one of the most beautiful operatic events in the history of Birmingham. Mir. Lawrence, the voice teacher and recital artist of the Southern School of Musical Art, has trained the singers thoroughly. He is a professional opera singer himself, and has filled lead- ing roles in not fsw of the great works. He is not Sn1y smusician, but he is a master in stage direction
 T have long been hoping that some one would get up an amateur performance, and no opera selected could make bet ter hit I believe, than Pirates of Pen zance.' The opera will be finely costumed and finely sung, and no amusementgoer can afford to miss it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29
That's most singular. 'i
LIMITATIONS.

LIMITATIONS. I'll give Gnuggs credit for one thing. He says the best he can about people, That's true, but Gnuggs best is noth- ing more than knock"
 WHY NOT, IF THIS HAPPENED A Yale professor who died the other day left an estate valued at ss75oOo. The first thing we know a newspaper reporter is going to die and leave his widow s5oo,ooO in gilt-edged securities and not less than s10o, 900 life insurance
 NO WONDER. Do you think the world Is getting bet. ter, MT. Gadson?' "surest thing you know! It's getting better every day "In spite of the war;" "Oh, yes''
 I'm surprised to find you so optimis- tic.''
 You wouldn't be if you knew what knew.''
 And what is that?'' i've already cleaned up half million in wheat and expect to make more"
 PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29

Entered at the Birmingham, Ala, postoffiee as second class matter under act of Congress March 3, 1879.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29

Troy Messenger: It is predicted that July will be one of the dryest of months in Alabama.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1915-08-05
NO VETS OR pRYs IN MACON

Macon, Mo-, Aug. 2.--Macon's vote
Thursday for filtration and water ex-
tension was almost as unanimous as
a thing of that sort could be, only
eighty-seven votes being cast against
the proposition.
The vote was gratifying for a
greater reason that the carrying Of
the proposition, important as that
was. 1t showed the men who had
been on the wet side at the local OPP
ton election a year and a half ago
we're big enough and public spirited
enough to join hands with their dry
brethren in a good movement for
their city. Some Of the most ardent
workers were men who had been on
the wet side. But those things have
been forgotten now. Wet and dry is a
dead issue in Macon. They are all
for a better town in every way, and
are showing it by their actions.
The citizens was never more united
than at present. The administration
is non-partisan, men Of all classes,
but with the one idea of doing their
best for their town.
The nucleus for Macon's growth and
prosperity is a powerful electric light
plant installed By a commission sew.
eral years ago. With this big plant
as a starter the town has gone after
big things.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1915-08-05
MISSING LINK" ExIsTsg


Col. Pierson was in charge of the
Robinson expedition to equatorial At
RIGA, and he relates the following:
In the far depths of the equatorial
forest they were very much astonished
on several occasions to hear voices,
apparently of men, conversing in out
landish gibberish. Whatever it was
It kept out of sight, disappearing into
the jungle at their approach.
One day, however, they dashed
ahead and came upon a tribe of giant
apes. which Immediately took to the
tree tops with the most incredible
speed and agility. From their lofty
perch they broke off limbs and hurled
them at the invaders with dangerous
force and accuracy, all the time talk
ing" to each other in a strange, hoars'
voice. sounding for all the world like
a man with a bad cold.
Robinson's Famous Shows will ex'
hibit many specimens of strange ant
rare beasts when they exhibit herr
on Monday, August 8.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1915-08-05
CoNYICTs Inn CALLAMAY.

jefferson City, Mo-, Aug. 2.--Ar-
rangements were perfected Saturday
through which a convict "road gang"
will be placed at work this week
eliminating much Of the grade of
what is known as "Bedworth's HILL"
in Galloway County, on the old State
road between Jefferson City and Full
ton.
This hill leads up from the Missouri
River bottom at North jefferson City
to the high country and has long been
a terror to automobile tourists en-
route from st. Louis to jefferson City.
1t is a mile long and very steep and
rough in many places.
State Highway Commissioner
Frank w. Buffum said Saturday that
the road will be partly relocated to
avoid some of the sleeper sections and
in other places the grade will be re-
duced.
The work will be paid for by priv
ate subscription, farmers, AUTOMOBILE
lists and business men Of Jefferson
City having contributed. This work
when completed will take out the
worst place in the road between st
Louis and jefferson City for automo.
biles.
twenty-five convicts will be used,