davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-02
A Great Exposition

At midnight next Saturday the Panama-Pacific International exposi- ton will be closed by an illuminated aeroplane flashing "Finis" across the skies above the exposition grounds, where during the past year throngs of delighted visitors have roamed through a modern fairyland. In every way-financially, artistically and edu- catively-the exposition has been a tremendous success. It was launched amid difficulties that would have daunted less enterprising people than the citizens of California. War clouds in the old world, business depression and a universal unrest were met and discounted. The exposition is out of debt, although if there had been a deficit, it would have paid the Pacific coast amply in other ways.
 The war in Europe, which led to an active "See America First" cam paign and induced tourists to visit the exposition instead of making a conti- mental tour, doubtless did great deal to increase the attendance and proved a blessing in disguise. Not only were the visitors numerous, but many were prominent as we'll and the presence of someone of national or international fame was practically daily occur
 renee.
 San Francisco, ever hospitable, has
 been a lavish hostess, and if there was
 any disposition to "gouge" visitors, it was not recorded in the newspaper dispatches. The people of the United States, many of whom realized the greatness of the Pacific coast for the first time while at the exposition, are indebted to California for giving them
 an exceptional opportunity to see what the descendants of the forty miners
 can do when they put their shoulders to the wheel.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-02
MIR. BuRKITT HAZED

From the New York Sun.
 Can it be possible that Assistant Post na ster BurlSitt of Winnetka, H., is being hazec? If the news telegrams are trust !. worthy it would almost seem so
 MT. Burlsitt, whose expression of views on second marriage proprieties recently lifted him from an unobtrusive status to national celebrity, is back on the job which his conversational indiscretions cost him-back by peremptory order from the White House itself. With undoubt- c6ly revised conceptions of the advan- tages incident to refrainfng from combin- ing sociological discussions with his cleri- cal duties, there is no reason why he might not have disappeared from view as suddenly as he emerged.
 But apparently this is not to be. Orig inally merely a victim to his own deliv- cry window conversational gifts, he now promises to become again conspicuous as 6 martyr to the rlgors of official tyranny.
 The plain implication of recent Chicago news dispatches Is that his august su- perior, the postmaster of Winnetka, "has it in for him. if we may be permitted to use the phrase. To begin with, MT. Burkitts reception when he returned to Lis duties was chilling. He was met with brusque order to 'get back there and shuffIe mail" The "shuffling," fur thermore, had to do with pigeonholes, and MT. Burkitt by six years faithful service had risen above pigeonholes. Then he was told to go and "get his lunch and be back in 10 minutes" his home being Il minutes walk distant.
 Demotion and an unchristian allowance of time for luncheon! It smacks distinctly of hazlng.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-02
Statue Needs Attention

"All the parks have suffered more or less in appearance since the withdrawal by the city of the keepers, but I want to suggest an improvement which will cost little and which will require only about 15 minutes of time to make" said N. F. Henry.
 , Tn Capitol park there is a beautiful statue in memory of one of the greatest A-nlea Birmingham ever produced, Miss Mary Cahslan, whom thousands will re. Gl"inber wfe were under he- kindly care at the Fowel. school. The di.lsy atmos- phere of Birmingham, filled with smoke and soot fas settled on the head of the statue until it is quite black. I think it crying sfa'ne that the st4sue should be chowcd 10 remain in this ,ndition wher, only few minutes attention would suf- fee to remedy the matter"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-02
"NIAGNET BILLS

From the December Popular Scien1
 Monthly and Worlds Advance.
 He doesn't look like a very importal rart of big automobile organizatlo this stopped, grizzled man, but the pret dent of a great motor car company sa! that Magnet Bilr' saves his salary dozen times over every day he work Rain or shine, summer or winter, Ma net Bill'' may be seen walking slow about the automobile plant, his eyes the ground. Magnet Bill'' gets his nicl name from the fact that his tools consi solely of one tin bucket and a big std magnet, strapped to the end of a show handle. It is his duty to save autom bile tires by removing from the roadwj every nail and bit of metal that mig1 cause a puncture Thousands of cars al run over the roadway to the testing pla| and it is figured that without the p1 caution taken by Magnet BilI' the cd for cut and punctured tires would $20.000 every. year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-02
wRrrING WAR POETRY

From the New 1ork HOSt. -
 After year of war, Englishmen are beginning to announce the discovery of some Fundamental rules for war songs and war poetry. The secret of success in the first form, one writer says, is to stick to the personal and the objective.
 My Maryland and John Browns Body" deal with no instructions and vague personifications. and even "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" begins with a possessive personal pronoun, it's personal sentiment being "embellished with a quantity of highly effective dec oration" There can be no doubt that stirring war songs are not those in . spired by the mere abstract idea of armed strife, or by an abstract idea of patriotism They must be warmly con crete
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-02
Time Saved at White House

/ President Wilson gives less of his personal attention to the distribution of federal patronage than was the habit of many of his predecessors. In this respect, as in large matters of statesmanship, he has shown wisdom.
 With the growth of the civil service system comparatively few offices can be filled now for political reasons. When the fourth class postmasters were transferred to the classified, nonpartisan list, rich field for the politician disappeared from view.
 About the only "plums" left are big ones, and consist mostly of first, second and third class postmaster ships-something like $500 in num- Der. Of these the President makes the appointment, or, technically speaking, nominates to the Senate. But President Wilson is more practical than many of the men who have pre- ceded him. Those persons who looked askance at the schoolmaster in poli- tics had assumed that he would be a martinet or doctrinaire and little of a tactful party leader or business man in the handling of administrative routine. But Woodrow Wilson has proved his capacity not only for solv- ing difficult problems, but an especial aptitude for dealing with matters of details. As time-saver he has set an example that will doubtless be fol- lowed by those Presidents who come after him.
 It used to be that chief executives allowed their time to be needlessly consumed by congressman and others pressing the claims of applicants fol positions of presidential appointment It often happened that large delega tions would call on the President b, appointment to discuss the merits oi a man of their choice, who was ask ing for $12OO or $500 postoffice.
 Of course, many postmastershipl were filled then, as practically all ol them are filled now, on the recon mendation of a member of Congress senator or representative-recognizet
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-02
IF LIFE WE'RE LIKE FOOTBALL

riOiH tue 4SeW RepuDilC.
 The glory of football is that it fur mshes Q struggle in which a man can be an absolute partisan. No Yale man Lced question that Yale ought to win. Harvard men and Princeton men can be as certain They can be loyal without a quaver of conscience. they can desire victory without thinking of consequences. Wherever they happen to belong. there they can put their faith. And even those hyphenates who go from Yale to the Harvard Law school may be for Yale ana nc questions asked.
 If tnly life were like football, what splendid education young America would be receiving. It would be learning that loyalty is greater than discrimina. tion, that the crowd you are in is the best crowd of all. A Yale freshman whc wanted to see Harvard win because liar. ard contributes to human culture would be an ass He would be treated by his classmates as Englishmen are now treat. ed vlo admire German professors. Flo, the point you are trained to in intercoi- legiate athletics is that there are only two sides to question. and that the side you are against mas nothing to rec olLmend it
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-02
TELL1NG TOO MUCH,
From the New York Sun.

From the New York Sun. KTO other great power of Europe
 M knows the Balkans as well as
 Russia; she knows the people
 through the ties of racial utilization, she knows the country in military sensel from having fought over it. Her decision to rush a strong force to Servia's aid, as announced in telegram from Czar Nich-
 clas to Premier Paschitch, for this req
 son becomes one of the most important
 moves in the present phase of the war.
 In the fulfilment of her promise of inn
 mediate aid Russia is apparently assem-
 bling two expeditions; one at Odessa, the other at Reni, near tine Roumanian from
 tier Both are primarily directed against
 Bulgaria. The plans indicate either
 de scent upon the coast towns of Burgas
 end varna CT a passage over Roumanian
 territory. In the first case the Russians
 after forcing a. landing at either of the
 two harbors. both shallow and said to|
 be protected by mines. would have be-
 tween them and Sofia several hundred
 miles of hostile territory in much of
 which nature has afforded a defense of
 narrow passes and high mountain ranges. The heavy concentration on the Rou-
 marian frontier has been taken to in-
 dicate Roumanian's consent to the pass
 age of the Russian army across her terri tory Another indication is the state ment that the relations between the two countries ''are happier than they have heen for sometime past" By taking this way into the Balkans the Russians repeat their maneuver of the Russo Turkish war when they collected their forces at Ga- latz. Braila and Silistria and crossed the Danube with their main army at Rust- chuk.
 That Russia can expect on account of the traditional friendship between the peoples of the two nations, any aid from the Bulgarians is doubtful Earlier when eredence was given to such a report there was a considerable party in Bulgaria that opposed hostilities against Russia; but this disaffection seems to have been en- tirely put down and the Bulgarians are apparently loyal in the support of their Teutonic allies There is reason to be- lieve, though, that this move may be a factor in deciding Roumania to do what l she appears desirous of doing-that is, 1 to aid the entente powers. But the at titude of that country is SO well defined l that it is evident that the Russian ad- vance must carry with it assurance of
 success to influence her to participation ! in the war.
 1 From its perilous position it is scarcely I likely that Russia will be able to save the Servian army. But this. it is quite evil dent, is not tho whole of Russia's mis- sion in the Balkans With the railroad open to them from Berlin and Vienna to the Bosphorus and with Constantinople in
 their possession the Teutonic forces would
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-02
A Hattiesburg visitor

J. H. Kennedy of Hattiesburg, Miss. one of the best-known lumbermen in the south, is guest at the Tutwiler He is very optimistic over the outlook in the lumber market and says conditions are getting better each day.
 'The lumber market has been demor- alized for the last years or so," said MT. Kennedy. At the present time the trade has revived and prices have increased somewhat. anticipate lively market within the next 90 days. ana 1T I am ary judge of conditions 1t will rise quite a b.. in price.
 T have been in this city before, but of course l always remark improvements. I suppose Birmingham keeps pace with the progress of the south better than any other town.
 The people of Mississippi are waiting for the advent of Bilbo to the governor S seat. No one is able to forecast what this man is going u do. He was very popular with the rural folks, but in cities It was the other way.
 l notice that Birmingham is about to have political event. but there seems to be little interest in 1t. It matters not, politics we have with us always
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-02
The Next Sunday Musicale

The next Sunday musicale under the management of Mrs. J. E. Frazier will be on the afternoon of December F, and the attraction will be a song recital by Fran ceska Kaspar Lawson of Washington, D. e. said Oliver ChaIifoux. This lady is one of the young artists who has been winning laurels in the great musical cen ters of this country. She was born in Washington, where her father and mother are prominent both in the musical life and the social life of that city. She fin- ished her musical education in France"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-02
LONDON MArINEEs CROWDED

London n.-Correspondence of the New York Times; Since the Zeppelin raids over the heart of London, with bombs spattering their fragments over theatre roofs, many theatrical managers have found that their night crowds have been smaller. To get around this, so that the profit of running theatres in war time will not dwindle to nothing, many of the managers have initiated the experiment of daily n,atinees, while cutting down the night performances to two or three a week.
 Thus far, with the experiment only a week or so old, it has gone extremely well. At the Kingsway theatre, in the West End. where the crowds at night had appreciably fallen off, three matinees a week were tried last week. Every one of them drew packed houses, while the night attendance remained only fair. The Kingsway, where Lena Ashwell is ap- bearing in Iris Intervenes,'' will, begin ming next week, give matinees every day. and night performances only on Wednes- days, Thursdays and Saturdays.
 Sir George Alexander, owner of the St. James theatre, near Buckingham palace, announces today that daily matinees of ''The Big Drum will be given, and the only evening performance will be on Sat urday. Sir Herbert Tree has decided to give two extra matinees of 'Mavourneen" at His Majesty's theatre on Wednesdays and Thursdays, making three week with the usual Saturday matinee. On matinee days no night performances will be given.
 The Aldwych, in the West End, which enters into the review field with Merry and Bright will try the scheme of a matinee every day, with evening perform ances at 6:SO On Saturday there will be three performances-at 2:3O 6:30 and S:45. The Apollo, Comedy, Criterion, Duke of Yorks Haymarket, Savoy, Strand Wyndhams, Vaudeville and Daly's have increased their matinees by one or two performances q week. while most of them have advanced the night hour so that the theatres are emptied by 10 o'clock, which approaches what the the atre crowds jocusely call Zeppelin time D
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-02
RUSSIA IN THE BALKANS

be in 8 position to strike Russia in u rear through her Black sea territor England is in the same peril as regart Egypt and Suez; and France and Ita as regards Syria and the Asia Min, coast. The entente powers are forced break this outlying Teutonic line.
 The Russian advance is thus but a pa of a plan for this purpose, an allied dri, into Bulgaria that promises to maj the Balkans the field of one of the gre, battles of the war.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-02
ANDALUSIA WRITTEN UP

From the Andalusia Star.
 Wednesdays issue of the Birmingham Age-Herald devoted one and one-fourth columns to Andalusia and her enterprises. The Age-Herald is one of the nation s greatest newspapers. It is the only daily newspaper in the south that uses the Ro- togravure pictures. This feature has added much to the popularity of that pa- per. Today the Star reproduces all that The Age-Herald's special writer had to say about Andalusa and her enterprises
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-02
THE DARKLING THRUSH

By Thomas Hardy. leant upon a coppice gate
 When frost was specter-gray, And winters dregs made desolate The weakening eye of day. The tangled vine-stems scored the six, Like strings from broken Tyres, And all mankind that haunted nigh Had sought their household fires. The lands sharp features seemed to The century's corpse outleant. His crypt the cloudy canopy.
 The wind his death lament. The ancient pulse of germ and birth Was shrunken hard and dry, And every spirit upon earth M Seemed fervorless as l. q At once a voice outburst among The bleak twigs overheard In a full-hearted even song
 Of joy illimited- An aged thrush, frail. gaunt and small In blast-beruffled plume, Had chosen thus to fling his soul Upon the growing bloom. So little cause for carolings
 Of such ecstatic sound Was written on terrestrial things
 Afar or nigh around. That could think there trembl
 through
 His happy goodnight air Some blessed hope, whereof he knev And I was unaware.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-02

The circulating library of lantern slides maintained by the public health service is bringing home to the citizens of this country lessons of hygiene and sanita- ton. A great deal of good has already been accomplished. The use of the loan library was first offered to the public about two years ago. It comprised at that time a limited number of slides, treating of comparatively few subjects. The collection now contains nearly 5000 views of all sorts of subjects connected with public health, some of the slides being duplicated. Although they are be- ing multiplied as fast as funds can l~ obtained for the purpose, the supply is inadequate to meet the increasing de- mands from physicians, social workers. schools, clubs and associations engaged in spreading the knowledge of diseases and their prevention. The slides illustrate in a striking and forceful manner impor- tant problems of health. The views of typhoid fever subjects show the results of unclean living conditions, how milk is infected, how water is polluted, the improper disposal of sewage and the deadly part played by the fly in spread ing the disease, followed by pictures showing how to cope with these evils. Malaria, hookworm, plague, yellow fever and tuberculosis are treated in similar manner. There are nearly 100 views of the health service exhibit at the Panama Pacific exposition. There are more than 80 slides depicting health conditions in Alaska. American Indians. diseases ot children, rural schools and tropical dis eases are some of the other subjects illus trated. The slides are sent out from the headquarters of the health service in Washington.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-02
I.ooING AHEAD.

That's a swagger car of yours.'' Thanks"
 What model?"
 .1s2o."
 Aren't you rather previous?' Well, I'll tell you something conf dentially. had the date moved up, g I'll hardly be able to buy another ca before 1920"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-02
Observations On the War

"l have been watching the pi ogrtss of the numerous negotiations of the various belligerent nations with Greece" said Harry Greenwood, who is a Greek and a close observer of the European war. T only hope Greece will be able to keep her skirts clear of this great struggle. cannot see how it would profit her any, thing to take up arms. It would undoubt- edly be bad for the little country. She has just begun to recover from the rav- ages of the Balkan war, and now is not the time to become involved in another conflict.
 Lord Kitchener's visit seems to have been much more brief than was antici- pated. As yet no one has been able to give clear explanation on this subject, and I suppose no one beside Kitchener himself ever can. It is too bad the ter- rible slaughter can't cease at once. have little faith in Henry Ford's ship of reace centure, and do not see how he can hope to aid in stopping the strug- gle. His enterprise will be fruitless."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-02
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
A CHANGE OF HEART.

A CHANGE OF HEART. ''The King thanks you and I thar you" said the cabinet minister, on visit to the front.
 "HoorayH shouted the muddy soldier Thousands of our brave boys ha, died, but I know thousands more a ready to die"
 Another mighty cheer went up. And to think.' unused private WI had shouted as loudly as any of u others, 'T used to imagine myself a s cialist,"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-02
HOTEL LOBRIES
Life At the National Capital

Washington promises to be particular ly gay this winter" said Herbert D. Freddy of Philadelphia. T stop over there frequently; spent two days there last week and never saw Pennsylvania avenue more crowded
 Scores of rich families from Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Pittsburg spend the month of December in Wash ington. and when Congress convenes the national capital will present the most animated scenes of any city in this coun- try"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-02
SIGNS OF THE TIMES

From the Chicago Tribune.
 In the Boston and Worcester cars Passengers are forbidden to stand on the front platform and will not be al- lowed to stand on the rear platform In Atlanta's street cars: Transfers Issued cn this car will be good only when pre- sented at the point where this car first touches. or, failing to touch, approaches most nearly, the route to which passen- gers desire to transfer" In the New comb hotel, Quincy. H.: "In case of fire tc save furniture throw it out of win- dow In Hotel Deming. Terre Haute, Ind: "Our excellent food served by girls ir. dainty uniforms appealing to both eye and palate" In Berwyn, H.: "Odorous dry cleaning In Denver: Washing taken in and gone out done here" On Indiana avenue; Removed to FPS In- diana avenue" At Oakwood and Drexel: Goats refined, skirts rebined.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-02
CAUSED TROUBLE.

q understand young Mrs. Frisbe found a letter from another woman i MT. Frisber's pocket"
 That's awkward"
 But 1t was from MT. Frisber's mother Tn that case, I presume everything lovely"
 Indeed, no. What the old lady had | say about Mrs Frisber has kept poe Frisber in hot water for a week"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-02
MEANING SHOT
From the Chattanooga Times.

From the Chattanooga Times.
 Captain Boy-Ed had a right, of course. to buy supplies for German ships in America, but he had no right to violate the shipping laws to get his purchases to their destination. If an American in Ger many had attempted such a thing-he would certainly have been Cavelled.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-02
A SAD AWAKENING

From the Louisville Courier-Journal.
 The young man who fondly believed that two could live upon as little as one has just arrived reluctantly at a complete realization of the falsity of the theory when the family doctor of- fers congratulations and says "it" is twins"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-02
A GOOD PROvIDER.

He tried to make the best of life And buy fine raiment for his wife, Providing her with everything woman
 could desire; Year after year kept slaving hard, From many simple pleasures barred, To which the humblest mortals may
 with confidence aspire. He neer was heard to make complaint, And though not what you'd call a saint His patience and his industry were
 marvellous to see. His little wife would often say To someone at the matinee, Jacks so wrapped up in business he
 never thinks of me-"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-02

A great many Norwegian vessels have been sunk by mines and submarines, but now that winter is coming on, the Nor wegians will probably be able to keep cool
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-02

Claude Kitchin doubtless has an ample supply of oratory on tap. but he will need President Wilson's programme of pre- paredness.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-02

"What's the matter with Kansas?" was a question not difficult to answer but the European belligerents would prob- ably give great deal to know what's the matter with Roumania.