davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-23
WIND CONVERSIONS

From the Knickerbocker Press.
 with surprises, none greater than
 x those which have developed in tho field of surgery. Among the most strange and, to the surgeons eye, interesting are the injuries commonly referred to as wind contusions. Let us remember that gum powder always blew up but that modern explosives detonate in all directions, and we will have the key to the most impor- tant factor in the explanation of these mystifying contusions.
 The older writers on military surgey sought to attribute injuries occurring under this designation to the force ex- erted by the 'wind of the shot," as the projectile passed within few inches or feet of the patient.
 In the days of low velocity projectiles this class of wind contusions" was seen by many military surgeons. Hollow and solid organs in the abdomen suffered ex- tensive decorations ending in death Bones of the limbs and skull were shattered, and vet no evidence of external Injury was present.
 Tho explanation of Longmore, late sur geon general, British army. and Larrey, Napolsons chief surgeon, has gone far to explain the effects noted in the 'winq contusions" of those days. They believed that the injuries were caused as result of pressure of heavy projectiles having slow momentum against tough. elastic skin. They figured that the blow was delivered obliquely and that the elastic skin when yielding favored extreme pres sure of the nose resistent structures be- meath, thus crushing tissues like bones. and internal organs in the abdominal cavity.
 Changes in armaments seem to have in- creased this number of unclassified in- juries which for a better term, still come to be considered in. modern wars by the name of wind contusions." In recent lecture Paul Ravaut. a prominent brencn physician, calls anew the attention or military surgeons to studies Of certain nervous manifestations caused by the 'wind of the explosive" He first drew attention to a case of paralysis of the lower limbs, seen in the preceding Novem- Der, without any evidence of external in- jury, which followed immediately after the explosion of a shell in the vicinity or the patient Lumbar puncture demon strated the presence of blood in the spinal fluid withdrawn. He has recently oo- served three cases which point in simi- lar way to injury to the spinal cord. The presence of blood. and augmentation Of albumin in the spinal nuid of all of the cases, point to one common factor-some marked disturbance of the brain and spine. The observations of Ravaut go far to explain the nervous conditions seen in war, such as hysterical manifesto tions, many forms of neurasthenia. head aches, paralyses. etc.. which are tram sient in nature, but nevertheless disabling for the time being.
 The energy which is dissipated in the vicinity of an exploding shell or mine l is powerful. and the vibratory which Is thus transmitted to surrounding objects, be it through tissues, or through the me- dtum of the air. has a tendency to dis
 rupt material and anatomical parts.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-23
A New Raft

It takes the natural optimist to re- verse misfortune and extract benefit from a seeming calamity. Wisconsin has one of these optimists spelled with big O."
 Robert Nichols of Pewaukee, Wis, is the man of cheerful viewpoint. Nichols is also an enthusiastic fisher man-it takes an optimist to make a real fisherman. Nichols fishes when- ever opportunity presents, and never a holiday during the summer but sees him start by sun-up with line and bait.
 The other day, in company with one of his friends, he started at day break for an all-day fishing. They rowed a couple of miles to their favor ite place and prepared to throw out their lines when they discovered a terrible mistake had been made.
 Nichols had brought along can of green paint instead of the can of bait!
 For a moment both men were dis mayed and Nichols companion nut tered something about "fisherman's luck" But Nichols was not so easily defeated. Among his varied accom- plishments he is an artist of no mean skill. Taking fishhook he quickly painted green, wriggly worm on it, and cast the line into the water.
 He had not long to watch, for soon there was a nibble, bite, jerk at the line that called for all his skill. All day long, according to newspaper reports, the two fished, catching a goodly string.
 If an investigator were to hunt the country over he could scarcely find more perfect example of the win ming quality of optimism. It is the same spirit which makes things gov in every line of endeavor- the bait which wins.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-23
Birmingham's Population

The United States government, through the department of commerce, offers to have the census bureau count and bulletin the population of Bir- mingham this fall on the simple con- dition that Birmingham will bear the $5O00. Other import ant cities have received similar offers. Birmingham should not hesitate to ac. cept the proposition.
 The United States census has been steadily extending its activities dur ing the past 25 years and it is now one of the most helpful and popular branches of the government.
 The population was first counted in 17sO, and it has been counted every 10 years since then. But the work of enumeration was about all the gov. ernment undertook in the early days In succeeding decades the scope of the census broadened, and in addition to the count of souls, information was gathered pertaining to the nativity race. education and occupation.
 Not until 1890 did the government maintain a permanent working force in the census bureau year in and year out. Up to that time the bureau wal practically closed year after the pop ulation was compiled and was not re opened until a year before the nex count was in order.
 An important feature of the censui bureau in recent years has been thu gathering and tabulation of industria information. This work has beer
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-23
Britain's Enormous War Budget

The European war will continue until next year, and maybe several years longer, but how it is to be fi- nanced indefinitely it is difficult to imagine.
 There is a limit even to England's monetary resources. Chancellor of the Exchequer McKenna announced fin the House of Commons when he introduced his new budget-the most enormous war budget in the history of the world-that the hostilities were now costing Great Britain at the rate of $25, ,00O, ,00O daily. Such figures are staggering, but British statesmen are determined that the fight shall be kept up, cost what it may.
 Great Britain's revenue for the cur rent year is slated at $1,3O0, ,O0O, ,O00, but it's expenditures will total about five and half times that amount. Hence the necessity of imposing heavy taxes on incomes and com modities the like of which had never been heard of before. The rich are to pay in larger proportion for all their works of art and their other luxuries as we'll as their in- comes will be taxed almost out of existence; but the wage earner mak. ing as little as $14 a week will have to pay on his income. Tea, coffee sugar, tobacco and dried fruits art included in the taxable articles.
 The only commodities that escape the war tax are spirits and beer. A few months ago David Lloyd-Georg' threatened Great Britain with prohi bition. It was bluff. The mos famous and eloquent of commoner' has no sympathy with the liquor traf fic. He is strongly opposed to it Put he knows his people too well tt
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-23
IS IT sINCEREf
From the Pittsburg Post.

From the Pittsburg Post
 Shortly we are to see a test of the talk about preparedness" that has been sweeping the country Secretary of War Garrison is expected to ask Congress at the next session for approximately s250,- 00o,O00 for the use of the army, and a gen erous appropriation will be sought for the navy. These requests will test the sim cerity of the people who have been de- mandins a strengthening of our national defenses. Will they get back of the plans to meet the wishes they have been ex- pressing? Will they urge Congress to make the appropriations necessary to carry out those plans, and will they bear the burden cheerfully? From the talk one would imagine that no more popular requests could go before Congress than these for our defenses.
 The time has come for action. It has been generally agreed that the army sys- tenn should be reorganized to provide for more trained men. It is understood that Secretary Garrison will propose that the present enlistment terms be changed to the short enlistment with a reserve pro vision which requires the soldiers to re- turn to the colors upon call. This would be working the problem out on the the ory of defensive army. While an inn mediate increase for the army of be- tween 26,000 and 40Oo0 men and 1000 off cers may be asked, by the operation of the short enlistment plan the army, at the end of five years, would consist of 50Qoo0 trained men; 125,000 in the service and S75,Oo0 prepared to join the colors at moments notice. After that the enlist ment could be regulated according to re- quirement. Congress, however, may hav. some notifications for this plan, but with a strong sentiment for defense there should be no delay in agreeing upon some system.
 If we must increase our defenses we must. and the sooner the country comes to look upon it in this way the better.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-23
Truth in Advertising

Make your advertisements ring true" said c. W. Roberts, chairman of the Ad club committee on truthful advertising.
 Honesty, sincere truthful advertising and merchandising are absolutely neces- sary in order that the printed word of merchant or manufacturer shall be &C., cepted at its face value. It is therefore essential that every advertiser carefully "edit'' his copy and be absolutely certain that every syllable, word, phrase and sentence is based on fact and be positive that every promise contained therein will be kept when public demand Is made. Cases are recorded where a single false note has turned the public wholly against an advertised product-and made the ad- vertiser suspicious of his own advertis- ing.
 When the Birmingham Ad club ap-l pointed a committee on truthful adver- Using and a vigilance committee and sent them out clothed with authority to com pei honest advertising, by using moral suason where possible and legal action where forced, they automatically became public benefactors and will prove beyond peradventure of doubt that they are en- titled to recognition by all the great di- visions of commercial life in Birmingham.
 '"rhe results of the committees work starts Thursday. with merchants using the truth seal in their advertising. All merchants have not yet had time to sign contracts and secure the useo the truth seal, but within the next few days all progressive merchants will ask for and be granted the use of the truth seal''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-23
The Late" Rudyard Kipling

An indignant gentleman who strongly sympathizes with Germany has written letter to Chicago newspaper in which he calls Rudyard Kipling the Hate Rudyard Kipling,' because of certain articles about the war which the celebrated author has recently contributed to American newspapers. "I say the late Rudyard Kipling advisedly," writes this de- fender of Germany, flor the spirit of the author of The Light That Failed Jungle Tales Kim etc., has surely left his body, and the foul remains have bred the poisonous vaporings for which American newspapers are paying big sums."
 Perhaps it would be asking too much, even for an author of MT. Kip ling's importance, to remain strictly unbiased in his accounts of the Ger mans, when men who were formerly the sanest in Europe have lost their noise and are no longer able to see any qualities to praise in their ad- versaries. MT. Kipling's activities since the war began have redounded little to his credit, even in England, where some of his incorporate speeches have subjected him to ridi- cule. With the exception of the first and possibly the second of his ar ticles from the front, the Kipling war correspondence may be described as interesting, but not great. However, he was considerably more temperate than other writers of lesser fame who have pictured the atrocities" of the European war.
 When an author has achieved such prominence that his admirers em- brace all races and all countries pru- dence suggests that he can best con- serve his fame by remaining aloof as far as may be from the recrimina- ton and abuse in which so many cverwrought notables are now indulg- {,,o
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-23

This is seen to a marked extent in the case of the high explosives Ike pyroxylin. Those in the vicinity of detonations from such a substance suffer decorations and other mutilations, ending in death. with no evidence of solid missiles having aided in the creation of the extensive wounds.
 In less marked way we observe tho ef- fects of the transmission of the energy of a reduced calibre bullet in gunshot wounds of the spine. and in shots through the vicinity of large nerve trunks. The high power rifles are now responsible for paralyses of a permanent and more or less transient kind as a re- suit of the disturbance exerted by the v- bratory force on tissue.
 Wind confusion no longer explains the injuries which were once so satisfac- torily understood by that term In the days of the use of solid shot Longmore and Baron Larrey explained away this , vagary by the occurrence of the pressure exerted on the part of heavy projectiles having slow momentum. The wind of the explosive" as a causative agent in the production of certain nervous cond- tions is well shown now by Paul Ravaur to be coincident with the presence of blood or increase of the amount of albumin in the spinal fluid, due to the vIbratory force which is transmitted through the air. The effects of the transmission of the energy of high power military rife bullets Is well shown in the injuries of the spinal cord and individual nerves. Injuries which occuras a direct result of pressure. or the transmission of energy through air or tissues. should not be attributed to disturbance in the wind.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-23
Live TheatricaI Center

That Birmingham is again becoming one of the live theatrical centers of the south is the opinion of Leon Burger. who for many years has been interested in things theatrical in this city.
 There are now more theatres operat- ing in this city and with success" said Mir. Burger than at any other previous time in the history of Birmingham. This surely means the return of prosperity, as the success of the theatres is an excel lent barometer on whether the people have any money to spend.
 Another indication that prosperity is here is that the theatre men are putting forth such excellent attractions to catch the attention of the public. At the Bijou one of tae best stock companies in the country is playing current plays. This is extraordinary, as the royalties alone on such plays as Bought and Paid For" Baby Mine and Within the Law" pre- sents a formidable exenpditure. And showmen do not spend money without the expectation of certain returns.
 At the other theatres the same efforts are noticeable for the high class enter tainrnent of the public"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-23
BEAUTY CONTESTANT WINS WISH

From the Moving Picture World.
 When Governor Henderson of Alabama crowned Miss Lois Wilson of Birmingham the beauty Queen of his state. the little lady had just one other honor In view, to be selected from amongst the beauties of all the states as a member of the act ing stan at Universal City. It was in deed glorious to have the chief executive of your state tell you that you. were the prettiest girl of your state-put to De Ia moving picture actress at Universal City. that was a greater achievement | still. But Miss Purcell of Washington D. C., was decided the particular beauty for moving picture honors and little Lois Wilson of Birmingham dabbed Her eyes and went-not home.
 She went to Chicago where she had an aunt, for she felt that she wanted to reconcile herself to her defeat and get her sunny southern smile back before she said Hello to her friends in Birming- ham again.
 Enter the Smalleys and a company from Universal City, to do some scenes in Chi cago of their Pavlowa feature-Mme. Pavlowa was handy, dancing through the month of July at the Midway Gardens, one of the great summer amusement places of the Windy City. The Smalleys required girls for a mob in one of the scenes and word went through Chicago about it. Little Miss Wilson heard and went out to the temporary studio along side the Midway Gardens. She was put into a costume and made up" The nat
 ural beauty that had compelled an Ala
 bama governor to say kind things to her,
 made Miss Wilson stand out in the great
 mob. She was given . regular part, and.
 whisper it. the part carries her through
 all the scenes at Universal City, 60 litt't
 Lois Wilson has after all been gratified
 in her supreme wish to be moving pic ture actress at Universal City.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-23
ALABAMA PRESS

Selma Times: It is given out that the south's banks are fully prepared to handle this years cotton crop. It is good news. The banks have not Jagged in getting in state OF preparedness" for the require ments of the times. There will be plenty of money to move the crop or to hold it. whichever programme the south prefers.
 Talladega Daily Home: The members or the Alabama legislature rested Tues day. They have two more days in which to labor and then their end will come.
 Gadsden Evening Journal The Bir- mingham Ad club, an organization of the leading business and advertising men of the Magic City, is a live wire affair and has accomplished much to clean up the advertisements of that city and just re- gently was the prime mover In having the legislature enact a law looking to cleaner advertising practices in the state. The latest move of this organization Is to issue a seal to advertisers who will submit to it's requirements, guaranteeing the truth fulness of that firms advertising.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-23
BEYOND DEATH

 By Alfred Moves
 In lonely bays Where Love runs wild All among tho towering grasses, Where light. light, light. as . sea birds wing, Tho chuckle of the child-god passes- o to awake, to shake away the night And find you dreaming there, On the other side of death, with tho soa wind blowing round you, And the scent of the thyme in your
 hair.
 Tho beauty perish, Perish like flower, And songs be an idle breath; Tho heaven be dream and youth for
 but an hour. And life much less than death, And the maker less than that he made. And hope less than despair, If Death have shores where Love runs
 wild, think you might be there.
 Reborn, ah. white From the splendid sea, There should you awake and sing. With every supple sweet from the head
 to the feet Modelled like wood doves wing o to awake. to shake away tho night And find you happy there. On the other side of deeth. with the sso
 wind blowing round you, And the tang If the thyme ar vcrrbe'~
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-23
Dancing at Movie Prices

One of the most ambitious plans to bring recreation of a healthful character amongst the working girls of the city has been launched by z. 'Nespor, former superintendent of the municipal play ground department. Mir. Nespor plans to open a dance hall at Fourth avenue and Twentieth street on October 9, based on the plans of the municipal dance halls of the larger northern cities
 Our motto is morality" said MT. Nespor last night ''and now that the city of Birmingham Is unable to main- tain a recreation department it is my in- tention to open dancing pavilion on the plans of the municipal dance halls of the north. If the condition of the city treas ury had warranted my retention as sn perintendent of recreation we would have started a municipal dance hall at the armory, but as we cannot have any civic aid owing to the impoverished condition of the municipality we start dance hall regardless. At the present time. the workers in the downtown office buildings have no place to spend the noon hour, but the moving picture shows. It is my intention to provide dancing and other athletic diversions for these workers at competitive prices with the movies In our hall the young women who desire to foxtrot through the noon hour can do so with an appropriate partner; if basket ball is desired there will be enough devo- tees of this sport on hand to make the game interesting. For the young men. boxing, fencing, wrestling and other kin dred sports will be taught. It is my in- tention to provide scientific recreation based on psychological studies of the mental and physical demands of young men and women who work"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-23
A FoRcEFUL LESSON.

well, Dinah. how are you and your new husband getting along?"
 "Firs rate, Mis- Betty. been gree ably 'esprised in dat man.
 Does he treat you all right?'
 'Yessum. He sho do and ain't had ter hit i'm but one time. I never seed CT nigger learn as quick as he do."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-23
HOTEL, LOBRIES
Cold Weather Stimulates Trade

was glad to be compelled to get up at an early hour this morning and dig up the trusty blankets to ward off the coid air that insisted entering my room, said F. W. Blackford, flor .the cooler weather will mean better business on Morris avenue. Trade today was greatly stimulated, and if the weathe. continues cold I believe the demand will continue"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-23
A MEASURE OF SAFETY.

MEASURE OF SAFETY.
 MT. and Mrs. Twobble never have a cross word,' remarked MT. Scadson. "she merely looks her disapproval and there the matter ends.''
 'T believe I prefer my wife to say what's in her mind," said Mr. Gadders. '1f she tried to content herself with merely looking at me I'm sure she would eventu- ally explode"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-23
STANDING ALONE.

It isn't what the world thinks.
 Nor what its people say The truly independent man
 Will let deter him-nay, He'll keep his eyes upon the goal
 And bravely play his part, So long as conscience still approves
 The dictates of his heart.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-23
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
PLACE TO LOOK.

Just what is meant by circumlocu- tion7" asked the seeker after knowledge.
 T haven't a definition on the tip of my tongue" replied the busy man,. "but if you will look in the paper dare say you will find a very good example of 1t under the general heading of Diplomatic Cor respondence.'"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-23

Schumann-H recently ventured forth in the wilds of Chicago to hear a 5-year- old girl sing in a suburban moving pie ture theatre. The press agent says she left an armful of roses.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-23

Old pr. Shoop has been hard hit by the government under the pure food and drugs act, but the philanthropist who wants to cure all the ills flesh Is heir to is not easily discouraged.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-23

Now that the New York World is ex- posing the ''pernicious activity of Great Britain in the United States, German Americans who waxed wrathy when Ger many was under fire for a similar off, fense will have a chance to cool off.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-23

The sport shirt is finding defenders here and there who write letters to newspapers about 1t, but they prefer to remain un- known to the general public and merely sign their initials.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-23

Now that Swiss watchmakers are man ufacturing ammunition for the British and Italians, the phrase, "a Swiss move ment has assumed deadly significance.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-23
LOST IN FILMS.

LOST IN FILMS. Theatrical pride Is a curious thing For instance?'
 I've just heard of an actor who boa sts that he was a failure in the movies q guess he must be one of those old fashioned actors whose only asset Is a rumbling voice."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-23

That young married couple who took their honeymoon trip on the bumpers of freight cars. at least avoided paying trib- ute to the Pullman potah.