davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-15

Like bolt from the blue. Street Com missioner Frank H. Gafford suddenly ten dered his resignation yesterday morning to Commissioner Weatherly. The resig- nation will take effect on January 1, and Julian Kendrick, the popular city engi- neer, was immediately named as MT. Gafford's successor. MT Gafford's reas- ons for resigning follow:
 Hon. James weatherly. City Com
 missioner:
 Dear Sir-In offering my resigna- ton as street commissioner of Bir- mingham, to take effect January l, 1916, I want to state my grounds for same.
 My physician advises me that 1 should not ride in an automobile as much as this work requires. I also { expect to be candidate for the board of revenue.
 'T may be in possession of some facts that would be of benefit to you and possibly to the board Don't hesitate to call on me- I wish you much success in the management of the street department, and any time
 
 be glad to serve. Yours very truly,
 FRANK H. GAFFORD,
 Street Commissioner Other reasons brought forward for the resignation of MT. Gafford is that the limited resources with which he struge gled to maintain the upkeep of the streets of the city had discouraged him to the extent that he had been contem- plating resigning for the past six months.
 Immediately after the acceptance of MT. Gaffords resignation, Commissioner Weatherly recommended that City Effgi- neer Julian Kendrick be made head of the street department with the exception of that part of the department dealing with prisoners and the Southside jail. L. w. Melton, an assistant to MT. Gafford for many years, will have charge of the pris- oners and the Southside jail, and Eugene L. Donaldson has been appointed MT. Meltons assistant.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-15

vessels the so-called dreadnaught most nearly approaches the ideal aimed at in the clause of the last naval appropriation act. It is necessary to qualify this an- swer however, for it cannot be said, and it is not believed that the prevailing war in Europe has demonstrated that a fleet composed of any other single type of vessels of practicable dimensions would or could be successful against properly balanced feet
 Congress asked also for report on the naval value of aircraft, and, after a lcng discussion, setting forth the need of battle cruisers in the navy, the secre- tary says of aeroplanes, dirigibles and balloons:
 My conclusions are that all these types of aircraft, each in it's particular field, have demonstrated their undoubted value for observation and scouting pur- poses. It is regretted that in this, as in other subjects pertaining to the lessons of the prevailing European war, the greater part of the departments infor- nation is in the form of confidential re- ports.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-15
Christmas In the Country
Fly DIR. o. T. DOZIER

Crismus is CT comin', an is almose
 here, But dere won't be no Crismus in my
 home dis yere, All our chilluns now is married an
 all is gone CT way. Only my ole oman is now left wid me
 to stay, An bof uv us is gittin' ole an feebler
 all de time; De ringin' bells, we think uv now,
 is not CT Crismus chime But de slow an solemn tollin uv de
 ole church bell Dat sometime bery soon will be
 ringin uv CT kne1l For me an my ole oman, I don't know
 which one fust But wes bof just here CT waitin' on de
 Lord, in whom we trust; An de one dat's left behind will fol-
 low soon, I know, Fer we can't lib disunited, now dat is
 true an sho, And when our troubles all is ended,
 de Crismus dat is bes' Will be when we shall meet again, in
 CT land uv endless res. Yes, CriSmus is CT comin, all de signs
 is mity fair; I kin feel it in my bones, I can smell
 it in de air; Everybody now so jolly, every bizness
 all CT mum, Fokes crowdin' in de stores, like bees
 widin CT gum, All de women gittin' busy wid cookin'
 cake and pie Chickens gittin' nervous an roostin'
 mity high, Preachers out a callin' all-round de
 neighborhood, Everybody smilin an feelin' kinder
 good. Chilluns almose crazy keep CT teasin
 mas an pas, Er thousan' questions axin bout ole
 Santa Claus. Boosters mity wise stay CT wake all
 mite to crow, Knows dat Crismus is CT comin' an
 wants to let us know. Yes, desc neber failin' signs makes 1t
 mity plain to me Dat Crismus is CT comin' wid CT reg lar jubilee, An I really aint much sorry; in fact, I'm sorter glad, Fer since I cum to think. my condition aint so bad,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-15
NEXT REPUBLICAN
 CONVENTION TO BE
 HELD IN CHICAGO ON JUNE SEVENTH

territory outside the continental limits of the United States. This resolution was said to have been drawn Tor US effect upon the committee meeting next June. when contests will be taken up.
 The committee gave an hour during the afternoon to proponents and op- ponents of woman suffrage.
 Dr. Anna Howard Shaw asked mat the republican platform of 1916 carry a plank promising a federal suffrage amendment and Miss Frances Jolifee of California and Mrs. Sara Bard Field or Oregon, of the Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage. served notice that there were four million women voters in the west whose votes were worth getting and could be had If the repub-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-15

to peace at any price, was merely q nIeasantry., but that he had been in earnest'' when referring to national de- fense. .
 II for one want to pay tribute to the administration at Washington. ne also said, ''for keeping it's head level and keeping us out of the insanity into which the greater part of the world has plunged"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-15

Tse got a lot uv taters gittin' sweeter
 ebery day,
 Er COW dats givin' milk, an CT loft
 full uv hay; An Ise got CT lot ob chickens an lard
 to fry 'em in, owns de house I lib in, an I don't
 owe cent,
 Not like dem common niggers what
 has to pay dere rent, Pse an honest cullud gentleman, dat's
 just what I am, Er good tax payin' citizen, uv de state An I aint jest ready yet, to jine de
 angel band,
 Wid CT crown upon my forehead, an
 CT harp widin my hand" II think I rudder stay right here, in my little cabin home, Whar I gifts CT sweeter music, from de banjo dat I own, Yes, Crismus is CT comin an Rse glad it am so near Cause I wants ter git ter samplin', dat barl uv simmon beer Now kivered up wid fodder, behind de smokehouse do- Whar 1t has been CT maxim at leas' a mont or mo- An when my chillun an grand-c -chil- luns, cum ter see us CrismuS Dey's gwine ter hab de biggest treat eber had since dey was born, 'Possum baked wid tater, ginger cake an simmon beer, Fried chicken an brown gravy, CT nuf to swim CT steer. All steamin' on de table wid biscuits lite an brown, Er feast ter beat de banquets what wite folks hab in town. An when deys all fru eatin', we'll clar de kitchen flo. We'll string up de good ole fiddle, an tune de ole banjo, An when all gifts to dancin' an de music gins to ring, An all tines hands CT round, an all begin to sing; I'll lead my good ole oman to de middle ob de ring, l An we'll teach dem young niggers how ter cut de pigeon wing. For, do I is CT deacon, an prays in public now an den, When 1t comes ter Crismus dancin', I don't think it any sin.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-15
Next Republican Convention

Chicago, December 14.--More na- tional political conventions have been held in the Chicago coliseum. where the republican national convention will be held next year, than in any other building in the United States. Three national conventions' have been held within it's walls andSit was there that the progressive party selected its first national ticket.
 The buildings maximum seating ca~ pacity is 1l,640.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-15

Power company quotes s3 irons for s1 as long as they last.
 Wells is distributing s5 bills with all Hart Schaffner' & Marx clothes. Griffith & schlege1 say Kodak" and other things.
 Clark & Jones suggest victrolas and pianos for Christmas
 Hoy Rattermann advertise their toy- land and rug bargains
 Herzog Thompson have something to say about your wifes Christmas pres- ent.
  gift demands
 Louis Pizitz says there are only nine more shopping days until Christmas and for you to shop at his store ev- cry day.
 Kaufman's is going to give you Jan uary prices on suits and dresses now Loveman, Joseph & Loeb is telling you of the velvety tones of the Edison photograph
 No Chance of Disappointment From the American Boy.
 'I believe" said the impatient man as he put aside the telephone, that I'll go fishing
 Didn't know you cared for fishing q don't ordinarily. But it's the only chance I have of finding myself at the end of the line that isn't busy"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-15
Made musical history c short time ago at Orange, N. J.

lican party would put such plank in it's platform
 Mrs. A. J. George was spokesman for the anti-suffragfst @
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-15

Louis Pizitz says there are only nine more shopping days until Christmas and for you to shop at his store ev- cry day.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-15

Clark X Jones suggest Victro1as and pianos for Christmas
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-15

Herzog- Thompson have something to say about your wife's Christmas pres ent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-15

Wells is distributing s5 bills witt all Hart Schaffner & Marx clothes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-15

Hoy -Rattermann advertise their toy land and rug bargains.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-15

Griffith & Schlege1 say Kodak and other things.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-15

Reid Lawson offers to meet all your gift demands.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-15

Power company quotes s3 irons for s1 as long as they last.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-15

Kaufman's is going to give you Jan uary prices on suits and dresses now
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-15

Loveman, Joseph & Loeb is telling you of the velvety tones of the Edison phonograph.
Evening star., 1915-10-25
C. O.P. LEADERS ATTACK
DEMOCRATIC POLICIES
Senator Bourne Declares Europe
Will Not Decide the Presidency
of the United States"
Republican Publicity Association
Says Administration Has Vio-
lated Pledges to the People.

Although republicans admit that the
European war has the center of the
stage and that they believe the
democrats will take advantage OF
| the situation to confuse political issues
the G. o. P. leaders assert that by cam
paign time the soup kitchen will take
| precedence over the diplomatic situa-
ton between this country and the CEN
trail powers of Europe According to a
statement sent out by former Senator
Jonathan Bourne from the Republican
publicity Association. The trenches of
Artois will recede from the American
vision as winter approaches; and the
soup kitchen of New York will loom
up bigger than ever. Europe will not
decide the presidency of the United
States. We shall decide that matter
for ourselves, and the decision will be
| based on a full consideration of which
party is the better under complete
desire for America first
Mr.. Bourne declares the democrats
have violated pledges. and specifies as
follows:
Reduction of the cost of living, econ
omy in administration, free canal tolls
for coastwise American shipping, main
sehdHCe u lue merit system In the
civil service, protection of the rights of
American citizens abroad and avoid
ance of legislation inimical to legiti-
mate business interests. Every citizen
who reads either the newspapers or
government reports knows that this
administration has been the most ex-
travasant in American history; that 1t
reverted at every opportunity to the
spoils system, which the republican
party overthrew, and that it enacted
wreck and ruin to American industry
until the European war served par
TALLY to check the further importation
of products of foreign labor and enter
prise
Il am we'll aware that the democrats
will seek to avoid such compa rsons as
l have made, and that they will try to
make the campaign for Mr.. Wilson's
reelection turn upon his management
of our foreign relations. The men
whom his policies have kept out of
work will not, however, be cajoled by
plea that he has kept them out of a
war in which We never had any bust-
ness to be, anyway.
Nevertheless. the republican party
will not hesitate to accept this issue,
even il We are not willing to say that
it shall have first place. We are entirely
willing to contrast the diplomacy Of
Seward and Blaine and Root and Hay
with that of Bryan and Lansing and
Wilson. We are willing to put in par
allel columns Mr.. Wilson's notes to
Germany and Mr.. Blaine's notes to
Italy. We do not regard a strict ac-
countability,' which was not enforced,
as equal to a 'Perdicaris alive or Raj
souli dead which produced results"
Evening star., 1915-10-25
JAMES |. CURTIS NAMED
MINISTER TO LIBERIA

President Wilson today appointed
James L. Curtis of New York as min
lister resident and consul general to
Liberia. The appointment is the first
to be given TO colored man in long
time. The presumption is that the LII
berian post being especially appro-
pirate for a colored man. the appoint
ment will not be fought in the Senate
Senator Vardaman OF Mississippi and
several other southern senators have
declared their intention to prevent the
confirmation of any colored man to
position Of prominence In the govern
ment service.
The Liberian post. which has always
gone to colored man. was offered to
A. NJ. e. Church. He could not accept
the place and recommended Curtis.
one OF the most prominent colored demo-
Gratis in the country,
Bishop Walters has been strongly
urging President Wilson for some time
to stand by his promise to give the
position of recorder of deeds in the
firmly convinced the President will do
this, in spite of Mr.. Wilson's recent in
, clination to give the appointment to
District white man as concession to
the home rule" plank in the Baltimore
convention platform.
The President realizes that his Sc
lection of colored man to be recorder
of deeds would precipitate race feeling
In the Senate, and he would like to
avoid that.
II he felt that the selection would be
approved without too much bitterness
no would quickly make 1t, according
to information.
The President has given little at
tention to the recordship problem late
|ly. 1t is said today.
Evening star., 1915-10-25
NUMBER Of GIRLS
TRAPPED BY BLAZE
Only Ten of the Thirty-Two in
Burning Factory, Pittsburgh,
Are Accounted For.

PITTSBURGH, October 25.-Fire this
afternoon in a feed store on the North
Side spread to box factory where a
large number of girls were employed
AS the flames rushed upward through
the building frightened girls ran to
the windows and without hesitation be-
gan jumping to the street. In an IN
credibly short time the entire structure
was wrapped in flames. and gathering
crowds in the streets heard the screams
of those unable to reach the windows.
One Death Results.
Seven women were quickly gathered
from the sidewalk and hurried to a
nearby hospital. where one died soon
after being admitted.
The factory was operated by the
Union Paper Box Company, and officers
said thirty-two girls were at work
when the fire broke out Seven of them
jumped and three were taken out by
firemen before the building collapsed,
leaving twenty-five unaccounted for.
Evening star., 1915-10-25

Special Dispatch to The Star
PITTSBURGH, Pa. October 25.-
Thomas G. Forney, no is indicted in
connection with the attack made upon
T. Franklin Schneider of Washington,
d. c., in the Hotel Anderson. June "a,
pleaded guilty in criminal court this
morning before Judge l.. L. Davis to
charges OF felonious assau ult and battery
and conspiracy. and also entered a plea
Of nolle contendere to charge of enter
ing a building with intent to commit a
felony.
He was remanded to Jail, to be SEN
fenced following the trial of II. c. Car
Isle and William Bowers, who are
listed for trial tomorrow. George Nc
Henry, another of the alleged conspira-
tors. has already pleaded guilty, and is
in Jail awaiting the final disposition
of the other cases.
District Attorney r. X. Jackson rep
resented the commonwealth and Attor-
neys John S. Robb. jr, and William L.
e. Goullon were there in behalf of the
defendant. He made no statement to
the court.
According to McHenry'ss story,
Schneider was struck over the head
with a hammer as he was emerging
from his room in the hotel. McHenry
admitted that he had struck the victim
with the hammer. but declared that he
had been hired to commit the deed by
Forney, whose motive it is believed to
have been his desire to get possession
by Inheritance of his father-in-law's 8
wealth.
Evening star., 1915-10-25
RETURNS TO INTERNED SHIP.
DR.. W. H. Schler Only Went to Johns
Hopkins Hospital.

Secretary Daniels of the Navy De-
partment today received frem Rear Ad-
miral Beatty, eommandant of the Nor
folk navy yard. notice of the return to
his ship of DR.. w. H. Schler, commits
stoned officer aboard one Of the in
termed German vessels at Norfolk DR..
Schler had been granted leave of alb
sence, with permission to go to Johns
Hopkins University to take special
course However, after the disappear
ance of two other commissioned officers
and six warrant officers DIR. Schler was
directed to return. He did not respond
to the first telegram. and investigation
developed the fact that it was not de-
livered to him. He returned Immediate
ly upon the receipt of the second tele-
gram sent him.
Secretary Daniels, however, said that
1t is probable that DR.. Schler will be
granted permission to return to Johns
Hopkins to complete his course.
Evening star., 1915-10-25
DIR. WELLINGTON K0O TO
REPRESENT CHINA HERE
Named to Succeed Kai Flu Shah as
Chinese Minister to the
United States.

PEKING, October 25.-President Yuan
Shi-kai today announced the appoint
ment of DR.. Wellington Koo, minister
to Mexico. Peru and Cuba, to be Chi
nese minister to the United States In
succession to Kai Flu Shah, who Is re-
called to Peking.
DR.. Koo came to Washington recently
to get information on the Mexican sit
uation. prior to departing for Mexico
City. to which place he had been named
as the Chinese minister. He was en-
tertained by Secretary Lansing and Of
ficials here. Although there was no
confirmation at the time. a report was
current that DR.. koo would be named
Chinese minister to the United States
and Kai Flu Shah recalled because of
his alleged failure to report compre-
hensively on the state of American
public opinion during the Japanese
Chinese negotiations.
DR.. Koo was an under secretary in
the Chinese foreign Office until recent
ly, and as such was a member of
commission which conduct
ed the negotiations in Peking with the
perfectly, and is a graduate of Column
bia University, where he received his
doctorate.
DR.. Koo is a close friend of President
1uan ohl-hal. and SAID TO De strongly
sympathetic with the latter's plan for
the conversion of the Chinese republic
into a parliamentary monarchy.
Minister Shah was without advices
today concerning his recall and the
of DR.. Koo as a successor.
1t was said at the legation here that
a rumor regarding Minister Shahs re-
call had been heard late last week
1t was said at the legation Minister
Shah's name had not been mentioned
In connection with any other post and
attaches said they were ignorant of
any reason why the minister should be
recalled.
Evening star., 1915-10-25
ZEALANDIA Is LOCATED
AT A MEXICAN PORT
American Steamer Suspected as Fit
ting Out as a German Raider
Has Cargo of Rosin.

The American steamer ZeaIandia.
which has been under investigation
by customs authorities on charges
that she had fitted out as German sea
raider when she sailed from Pensacola,
october I, for Tampico. Mexico, has
been located by British agents at Cam
peche, Mexico. with cargo of rosin.
The Zealandia was one of several
ships suspected by British agents of
preparing to raid tank ships carrying
oil from tho Mexican fields to the Brit
ish navy.
Ofieials here see nothing irregular in
the Zealandia carrying cargo of rosin.
except that there Is no use whatever
for that commodity in Mexico. but it
is used for making shrapnel and for
smoke burning shells.
The Zealandia is said to have had the
American colors on her hull painted
out and to have hoisted the German
flag while at sea, but that was denied
by her owners,
Evening star., 1915-10-25
OUTPUT OF COTTON GINS.
Total of 5,713,A7 Bales Of the
Growth of 1915.

The third cotton ginning crop Of the
season, compiled from reports Of censu.
bureau correspondents and agents
throughout the cotton belt. and issued
today. announced that 5,7lS,3t7 bales
of cotton. counting round as half bales,
of the growth OF 1913 had been ginned
prior to October Is, This compared
with 1.619,747 bales. or 47.s per cent Of
the entire crop sinnsd prior to October
ls last year; s.s73.51s bales. or 4s.s per
cent. In 1913. and s.s74.20s bales. or $40
per cent. in 1912.
Included in the sinnings were 54,l22
round bales, compared with 1899 last
year, 4s,030 In 1913 and 4l.7%5 In 1912.
Sea Island cotton included numbered
40,257 bales. compared with s0.o7S bales
to October Is last year. 31.lSs bales in
1913 and $50 bales In 1912.
Evening star., 1915-10-25
VENICE BOMBARDED
BY ENEMY A|RMEN
Church Roof Crushed and
Bomb Falls in st. Mark
Piazzetta.

ROME, October 25, via Paris, 4:25
p.m.-Teutonic aeroplanes last night
made two separate attacks with in
cendiary bombs on the city of Venice
according to an official announcement
given out here today.
One of the bombs fell upon the root
of a church and crushed the ceiling
which was ornamented with sculpture
Another missile fell upon the piazzetta
of the Cathedral of st. Mark and in
front of the Ducal Palace.
Official Announcement.
The text of the statement follows:
Enemy aeroplanes made two attacks
separated by a short interval. upon
Venice last night. throwing many
bombs. some of which were incendiary
The first attack was at about 10 pm
"One bomb fell on the roof of the
Church Deglie Scalzi. 1t crushed the
ceiling, which was ornamented with
beautiful sculptures of Tiepolo. An in
cendiary bomb fell upon the piazzetta
of the Cathedral of St. Mark. in front
Of the dueal palace, without doing
any damage. Five other bombs fell
either in canals or upon places in the
city, where only slight damage wae
produced.
No One Injured.
THE aeroplanes returned at about II
pm. One bomb fell in the court of an
almshouse and set fire to piles of wood
Two other bombs exploded without do
ing any damage. No one was hurt"
Evening star., 1915-10-25
Further Interrogation.

In response TO question from Rep
resentative Cooper. Mr. Macfarland
brought before the committee clearly
the point that with very slight eXcep-
tions the half-and-half plan had been
followed unfailingly since 1878 He
said. however. that there has been a
change of the policy of acquiring small
parks, and that recent acquisitions
along this line had resulted in the as
SesSment of neighboring property own
ers for benefits.
In this connection. he mentioned the
Borlaud amendment. recently enacted.
by which property owners share with the
District and United States governments
the burden of the cost of street paving.
The trouble with the Borland amend
ment." said Mr.. Macfarland. lis that it
does not provide for general plan OF
development in the interest of the
whole city
1T is also matter of compulsion,
said Senator Works.
There are injustices,' said Mr.. Mac
farland.
Further on Senator Works suggested
that there should not be any limita :
tion on the governments power to ap-
propriate for the District of Columbia.
There is nothing in the acts of Con-
gress," replied Mr.. Macfarland, pre-
venting the United States from pay
ing more than so per cent for the cost
of maintaining the District. 1t is mere
ly limited to appropriating no less than
so per cent"
Just before the close of the morning
session Senator Works suggested that
the committee should summons several
senators and representa- tives who are
known to oppose the half-and- hair
plan, presenting list to Senator Chill
ton containing the names of Senators
Kenyon and James and former Senator
Blackburn, and Representatives Page.
Crisp. Ben Johnson and former Repre-
sentative Prouty.
Mr.. Macfarland's statement to the
committee is published elsewhere in
The today