davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-12
NEW IRON AND STEEL TAX
 WILL HAVE. ITS DIRECT
 EFFECT ON BIRMINGHAM
Senator Underwood Original Sponsor for Presidents Sugges ton That Commission Be Provided by Congress to Make
 Thorough Study of the Whole Railroad Situation.
By HUGH w. ROBERTS

common carriers may be burdened with tlieir fair portion of governmental upkeep, but permitted at the same time to rear reasonab ble return on their investment
 The idea was Senator Underwoods S. As is remembered. he gave that subject especial emphasis in a New York speech last year. and later in Birmingham, while addressing the Alabama Bankers asso- oiaticn, again alluded to the rail~~~a sit uat ton as the biggest problem in American business fife. It is recalled, that follow irg the Birmingham speech, ex-Governor Conner through the press, attempted to buke the senator.
 Before writing his message, the Presi- dent conferred with Senator Underwood and it is regarded as extremely probable that the .Alabamen made to the chief executive the suggestion out of which grew his rather significant rcommenda- ton.
 AN IMPORTANT ISSUE
 The railroad question is destined to be an important issue before Congress. The railroads for so many years the subject of bitter political controversy, will be given an impartial hearing, because leaders in Congress have reached the con- cl;lsion that if the railroads prosper, the people prosper; that when the railroads cannov ouy rails, cannot extend their lines, cannot improve their service. the people, in turn, suffer.
 It is apparently the idea of the Presi- dent to secure the appointment of 6 commission to study this subject. Com gress, however has an idea that a joint committee should be raised As a mat ter of fact, it is known that Senator Un- dervood, within the next few weeks. will irtl oduce resolution to that effect un- I &:~~ x.<.~~ .<.fe. |. -x. desires the honor. The .Alabamian, it is evident, would be better satisfied were Senator Newlaads. chairman of the com mittee on commerce, to sponsor the reso- lrtipn. However, he, himself. will act if Newlands hesitateS.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-12
CATHEDRAL RUINS MOST PATHETIC
 FEATURE OF VISIT
Some Houses Have Had
 Fronts Removed by Shells, Leaving Interiors Just as When Owners Lived There
By RICHARD HARDING DAVIS.

Arras, November n.-(Special Corre- spondence )--In northern France there are many buried towns and villages. They are buried in their own cellars Arras is still uninterred. She is the corps Of a city that waits for burial, and day by day the German shells are trying to dig her grave. They were at it yesterday when we visited Arras and this morn- ing they will be hammering at her again.
 Seven centries before this war Arras was famous for her tapestries, so fa- nous that in England tapestries were led Arras. Now she has given her name to battle, to different battles that began with the great bomb rdment of October year ago, and each day since then have continued. On one single day, June 26 the Germans threw into the city shells in all sizes from three to Is inches and to the number of f0,500
 That was about one for each house This bombardment drove 2700 inhabitants into exile, of which number 12OO have now re- turned. The army feeds them, and in response they have opened shops that the shells have not already opened, and supply the soldiers with tobacco, post cards, fruit and vegetables from those gsrdens not hidden under bricks and ce- ment. In the deserted city these civil ians form an inconspicuous element. You can walk for great distances and see none of them. When they do appear in the empty streets they are like ghosts. Every ho shp1l al,a f +l,,, iutoreal ghosts. But the others stall stav on. With the dogs nosing among the < fallen bricks and the pigeons on the ruins sef the cathedral, they know no oliters home.
 SILENCE IS MENACING
 As we entered Arras the silence fell ilRs sudden change of temperature. It was actual and menacing. Every corner seemed 10 threaten an ambush. Our voices echoed so loudly. that unconscious ly we spoke in lower tones. The tap of the captains walking stick resounded like the blow of a hammer. The emptiness and stiffness was like that of d vast cem- etery and the grass that has grown through the paving stones deadened the sounds of our steps. This silence was broken only by the barking of the French ''75's' in parts of the city hidden to us, the boom of the German guns in answer, and from overhead by the aeroplanes. In the absolute stiffness the whirl of their engines came to us with the steady vii brations of a loom.
 Under our feet were shell holes that had been recently filled and covered over with bricks and fresh earth. It was like walking upon newly made graves. On either side were cellars into which the houses had dumped themselves or, still balancing above them, were walls pret- tily papered, hung with engravings, paint ings, mirrors quite intact These walls
 (Continued on Page EighD
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-12
POWERS DISsATISFIEp

China's reply has been made manifest. and recent ca bles and correspondence frcm Peking have been conflicting in the speculati tion as to whether the monarchy would be established in the near future or indefinitely delayed. But it Is now evil dent that the protest from the Japanese government, backed up by Russia and Great Britain, has been disregarded An official mandate dated November F bear ing upon the monarchial movement was received in New York by mail only yes terGay It reads as follows:
 According to the report of the minis ter of foreign affairs, Mr. Obata, the Jap arese charge d'affaires has, under instruc- tions from his home government, tensnred friendly advice to the Chinese government requesting the latter to postpone the a6option of the monarchy to the future on the ground that if the change is brought about too suddenly. it may cause some unrest or disturbance in the coun- try, which would jeopardize the interests of the various friendly powers. etc. The possibility of some unrest or disturbance which the Japanese government men tens in the advices has already been an- ticipated by the government and inquiries have already been made by the head quarters of the commander in chief of the army and navy to the civil and mii- tery authorities in the provinces on dif- ferent occasions, regarding their ability to maintain peace and order in the diff ferent localities of the provinces in the event of change in the form of state Leing brought about. The provincial of- fc.als, both civil and military, have all
 (COntinued on Page Eleven)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-12
MRS. CASTLE CAN DANCE; WHEN SHE
 TALKS-IT'S AWFUL
To Careful Observer Con-
 gress Actually Shows
 Number of Symptoms of an Alabama Legislature
Fly HUGH W. ROBERTS

Washington, December 1L-tSpocial) More than in many years has Washing. ton this week been the news center os American life. The capital has in fac. not only been the scene on which the manipulators of world business and poli- ties moved their pawns. but has been as well, the playground of the nation.
 First Of all, of course, is politics Con- sress reconvened after recess of nine months. America demanded the recall of Count von Papen and Captain Boy-Ed, German naval and military attaches President Wilson delivered his message urging the nation to prepare at a cost of many millions of dollars for the pos sibility of future wars
 And then met the national democratic executive committee with Tom Taggart and Bill Sapp and other celebrities play ing the leading ioles-met, selected St. Louis as the city and set June IA as the date of the next convention. The Con gressional Union for Woman's Suffrage. the National Rivers and Harbors asso- c'ation, and the National Association of Gas Men successively held the local spot light. And the week has been full Of arittv and color
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-12
PROVINCES VOTE

The march of events followed fast The machinery for obtaining an ex- pression of the nations opinion of the proposed change having been put into operation, it was announced in Picking on November [ that 5 of the IS prov inces had voted in favor of a mon- archy. Meanwhile the entente powers, noting with evident anxiety the pro- sress of events in China, made repre- sentations to Peking regarding the proposal to upset the republican Sov- ernment. It was pointed out to China that such a Step in the midst of the European was was not desirable, as tending to lesson the stability of con- ditions and possibly lead to internal outbreaks which might ultimately en- danger the peace of the Orient Japan took leading part In the representa- tions.
 China, however was not moved by the attitude of the powers, answering them with declination to postpone the decision and assuring them that the government had been advised by the provincial officials that they would be able to maintain tranquility in event monarchy was re-esta blished.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-12
MRS. CASTLE CAME

 And to cap the climax. Mrs Vernon Castle danced. Mrs. Vernon Castle is to the cast what Paviowa is to Europe and Juoge Hundley to Alabama. Mrs Yer non Castie--whose husband is said to be in an English trench--camc with a mon key, dog. plano and a coon-the h.ftep essayng the duties of maid
 -Nt tbe National theatre, Inc fuipona .taEces cuteftltsael ali viSitins ueiegates and the members or all political parties a1,i creeds for an entire week. As {. spirit of the dance. She Is the reincar- Ina ton of tho bacchante She has the fawn-like grace of q satyr. She might havc called for tho head of John tho Baptist and got it. There Is passion blood and fre--iI her snuous, serpent like contortions: and she breathes a reck- less, a frightful disdain, even contempt for the world
 She danced It was apparent that she could do nothing else. When she spoke and occasionally she was permitted to utter sylable-or when she attempted to sing, her audience was instantly awalk- eied from a dream, artistic and delight full One was reminded of the incon- quoua effect produced by femal im- personator who, after entertaining by suggestive movement and alluring song for half an hour, removes his wig, and in q masculine Irish brogue calls out over the audience.
 Hello. boy!"
 But Mrs. Vernon Castle Is a dancer-not ar actress. And 1t is said that despite her inability to sing, it requires several cart-boys to deliver her weekly salary.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-12

(ContiAusd ss pase EIeveas
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-01
Money for Blood.
(Richmond Times-Dispatch)

(Richmond Times Disparch)
Early in the great controversy both
England and Germany announced that
the issue would be determined solely
by the question Of money, men and
supplies, combined with the question Of
morale among the troops. Just now
comes news that the house Of Morgan
has arranged a loan Of $12, QO0, 900 to
Russia. 1t is the forerunner Of similar
loans from many bankers. At last the
nations are wearing out their ready re-
sources.
If the average man will just sit back
quietly and think bit, he will appre-
ciate what this means. It means, brief
ly, that the question of life ard death
for millions lies in the hands Of the
relatively few men in the world who
control the cash. If providing this
cash means that war will go on refus-
ing to provide the cash means also that
war must stop. If one man in the
world had all the cash in the world,
and by lending or Withholding it he
could continue or stop the frightful
slaughter, and if you who read this
were that one man, what would you
do?
We would spend part of it in show
ing the people of the world the base
ment of those who prepare and precipi-
tate wars, and the rest in relieving the
distress of wars that are.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-01
ONE OFFICERS FEEL
ING OF GREATEST FEAR
ASSOCIATED Press Correspondence)

ASSOCIATED Press Correspondence
London, Jan. 20.-"The greatest feel
ing of fear l ever experienced" writes
an officer who has been at the front in
France since the fighting began. was
yesterday, when l was carrying several
cases of champagne across a field
where the bullets were thiclleSt.
"A well-known champagne merchant
had given me the key to his cellar and
asked me to get out a dozen cases of
wine for the field hospital in the rear
of our position. l undertook to do this,
but found it task worthy of the Vic
toria Cross, for l had to carry each
case to motor-car across an exposed
place where the whistle of bullets was
continuous.
For the first time during the war
was afraid-terribly so. No one could
have been more terrified. l wasn't
afraid Of being killed, but if | had been
nit while carrying champagne from q
vacant house, everyone would have
said, Served the loOter right Who
would have believed that 1 was taking
it to a hospital?"
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-01
Time Of Revival.
Editor Kennebec Journal:

Editor Kennebec Journal:
In talking with a business man Oh
Portland recently, the subject of the
Philadelphia revival was brought up,
he said. IF ever there was a time
when a man Of God ought to get
hearing it is now, with conditions as
they are across the water, and the
outlook on our own side"
He is not a Christian but he is able
to see that the trouble and distress,
and fear, that is upon the people will
drive them to God.
There is no doubt but that for q
long time this earth has seen nothing
of the old time revival power, and as
Wilbur Chapman says, -Four times
the effort must be expended to win
soul that was required few years
ago. The heartfelt sorrow for sin
and the great joy of the convert is
hardly ever SEEM"
But those whom Christ has made
fishers of men ought to take heart
for there is evidence that the SET
time to favor Zion has come, There
is a sound of a going in the mulberry
trees"
1t was my privilege to attend fe"
revival meetings in the Baptist
church at Westbrook last week,
where E. a. Davis is in charge, as
sisting Pastor June. There were
many evidences of a work of grace
in operation there. The prayer was
20 Lord send a revival and begin in
me-" Evangelist Davis will begin a
series of meetings in the Baptist
church in Oakland about the first OF
March and we are excepting time
of refreshing from the presence of the
Lord.
JOHN &. BRANCH.
Oakland, Me, Jan. %, 1915.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-01
WOOLWICH

Miss Cynthia Adams very plea
ly entertained the Willing Workers
Wednesday afternoon and these ladies
are rightly named, for they are ready
for every good word and work
Eugene Cramwell caught a 101a
pound pickerel in Neguasset Lake
Thursday morning.
Woolwich Grange is in very pros
porous condition, members taking q
more than common interest III its well
fare. At the recent installation of OIL
GERS more that 10 members were
present.
We are sorry to learn Of the ser
ious illness OF Mrs. Airline Chapman,
formerly of this town. in San Diego
Cal, whore she has been an emergency
nurse.
School in town will have a shorter
term than usual.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-01
Russian Prohibition.

A dispatch from the Russian CAPT.
tai, dated Wednesday evening, says:
THE government anticipates no difh-
Guilty in raising by indirect taxes q
sufficient amount to cover the de-
ficiency due to lack Of revenue from
the sale Of liquors. Notwithstanding
the great percentage Of laborers in
the ranks Of the army, it is pointed
out that the efficiency of those se-
naming, owing to enforced sobrietY
has been increased from so to 100 per
cent. The natural resources be-
longing to the crown, such as Oil
fields, coal and copper mines, wood
land and prairie, which hitherto have
not been exploited, have been given
out in free concessions. and are
about to be developed and from these
taxes, together with the land taxes,
it is calculated, will aggregate a total
Of ss47.ooo,ooo."
The report Of the ways and means
committee Of the Duma, estimates an
increase Of the governments ordi-
nary income from direct taxes Of &C.,
$4,000 rubles. Thus national pro-
hibition Of the liquor traffic has not
only increased efficiency and decency,
and decreased crime and INSIDE
meanors but is providing revenue foE
the government previously taken
from the rum business.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-01
Maine Gossip
Never Mind.

(St. Louis Globe-Democrat)
sometimes. when nothing goes just right
And worry reigns supreme.
When heartache fills the eyes with mist
And all things useless seem,
There's just one thing can drive away
The tears that scald and blind
Some one to slip strong arm round,
And whisper, Never mind"
No one has ever told just why
These words such comfort bring;
Nor Why that whisper makes our cares
Depart on hurried wing.
Yet troubles say quick "Good-day"
We leave them far behind,
When some one slips an arm around,
And whispers, Never mind"
But love must prompt that soft caress-
The love must aye be true;
Or at that tender, c!inging touch
No heartsease comes to you.
And If the arm be moved by love,
Sweet comfort you will find
When some one slips an arm around,
And whispers, Never mind
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-01
Children of the Dead,

Five hundred and fifty orphan children
mostly babies and all nameless, wer
brought here this afternoon from tn
quake area.-(Cabe despatch from
Romeo
And for the New York Sun H. S
HaSkins writes:
Gone are the hearts that bore them,
Gone with the dead and missed.
Lost are the hands which soothed them
Still are the lips that kissed,
Silenced the songs that lulled them,
Sweet at the close of day,
Oh, for the angel mothers,
So far, SO far away!
Who is to plan their future?
Who is to teach them games?
Who is to answer questions?
Who is to give them names?
Where winds the path tomorrow?
Where runs the road next year,
Who is to guide their footsteps
Up through the hills from Here?
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-01

Chad" Of the Kennebec Journal, has
been putting in some powerful strokes,
editorially, for the cause of prohibition,
good sleighing arrived, he had a four
gallon key, marked Axle Grease" set
into his cellar?-Manchester Union
How about this, Chad?-Biddeford
Journal.
It's a base and baseless (how's
.that?) SANDER. But we've taken ac-
ton against the critter, or, at least.
we have decided what to do. We are
going to go around and pull up all
his fishing holes in the ice in
WINNIPEG (Winnipe) s-double
aukity (saukee) p-double-on (pond).
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-01
The Reproof Valiant.

An artisan and his assistant came to a
house to do some repairing. AS he en-
tered, says the Berliner Illustrierte lei
tung, the lady of the house said, in lou l
tones:
Anna, before you do anything else,
lock all the silverware in the vault
The man heard this. and after he had
put on his overal!s, he called to his as
sistant so that the mistress of the house
should hear him: "Fritzie, i think you
had better run over to the shop with my
watch and purse; evidently they are not
safe here"
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-01
SMITHFIELD

c. L. Stevens is very low with pneu-
monia.
Mrs. G. L. Keyes of Lewiston is the
guest of Mr.. and Mrs. w. E. Marston.
Hanson Clement is cutting wood
for w. f. Marston
Miss Hall Of Skowhegan Is the guest
Of her sister, Mrs. A. C. Merrill.
Sam Albee Of Norridgewock had
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-01

NJ. Caillaux, bitten by poisonous
snake in Brazil, should have known
enough to remain in France-assumine
he had heard about Brazilian ants car.
rying away Col. Roosevelt's suspenders
-Brockton Times.
occurred. You viii remember re on neaf hot
rainy night when the colonel, his paja.
mas having been misplaced. turned in
without removing his Undertaking
his drawers and part of his undershiri
that the ants got away with.-Biddeford
Journal
We haven't seen Kermit's photo
graph Of the tragedy.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-01

Nearer Heaven and self-supportins
is the latest church construction
plan. Planning to place a church as
the crown of towering thirty-s story
skyscraper, some of the friends Of the
old John Street Church, New York
city, have now proposed the mos.
unique idea ever conceived for mod
ern devotions. On the site Of the his
toric little chapel, which must now
bow to the engulfing structural
growth about its downtown locality,
a lofty office building may be reared
to support, both in a financial and
material sense, the new divine edifice
for Its worshippers. If this novel
plan is carried out, it Is expected that
many another church may come to
find new strength and seclusion high
up in the clouds on the basis Of a
solid and paying pediment Of office
suites.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-01
Upsettine His Theory.

THE heavy explosions of a battle
always cause rain. 1t rained after Wa
terloo: it rained after Fontenoy; it
rained after Marathon"
But Marathon was fought with
spears and arrows. my dear"
There you go. Always throwing cold
water on anything 1 have to say
Louisville Courier-J Journal.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-01

What's that! Another great deficit
from government operations in the
fiscal year? Sure it is not psychology
cal?
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-01
Editors Letter Box

The publication Of a letter In this
department is not to be taken as an
endorsement of it's view by the Ken
nebec Journal. This column is main
tanned for the discussion of matters
Of general public interest when kept
within bounds of reason and not OF a
Nbelous or abusive nature.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-01
Competition.

My unkle Bills down to Panama."
Dragged little Harry.
"Sho! That's nothin'," retorted little
Billy. My brother Jims been to Aus
tralia'
Well. what if he has? My fathers
gone to Egypt" said little Harry.
"Pooh!" calculated little Billy. My
erandmother's gone to heaven!"-
Judge.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-01
Light and Airy
Warning.

When she letteth thee recklessly spend,
And laugheth to see thee go broke
Thou mayst jolly her on without end,
For she taketh thee but as joke
But when she demurreth at price
And chideth for what thou hath spent
Thou art treading on treacherous Ice,
For the maiden hath solemn intent
Puck.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-01

Speaking about aeroplanes advancing
trouble to telephone that they had gone
up.-Portland, Maine.
Some Of 'em come down kerslup.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-01
ROSE OF SHARON CHAPTER ,

", o. E. S. Stated meetings the Az.
Wednesday of each month at MasorMi.
Temple. All members sojourning in n:
city are invited to attend Wv
Anna NJ. PARTRIDGE. W, M
ELIZABETH A. THOMPSON ca,
au22S m-W-ftf wv
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-01
"Gratjtude" Is Good,

Speaking of the appointment of the
Progressive State chairman, Irving E.
Vernon to the choice little Demo-
cratic plum of bank commissioner.
the Lewiston Journal says:
Governor Curtis's act is generally
regarded about the State House as
being in the nature of an expression
of gratitude to the Progressive party
for it's refusal to stand by the Re-
publicans during the deadlock over
the election Of State officers and
members of the executive council at
the opening of the Legislature"
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-01
Overheard.

Tinker has placed an old railroad
sign. Stop. look and listen.' at the en-
trance to his driveway
Whats the idea?'
His wife is running the touring
car."-Judge.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-01

hawse hole, the men do not relate-they
simply tell the story and say: there's
the cat. Prove that it is not true