davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-27
American GirIs in Opera
from the Pictoral Review.

rom the ElCLOfal HeVleW.
 It would seem that the season of 1915-16 has been unusually kind to American girls, for never has the mu- sic loving world heard so many good native voices over the footlights of our great auditoriums. This, too, in spite of the fact that the European war has caused a great influx of hitherto un- heard-of foreign voices.
 The Metropolitan opera house in New York heads the list with big gathering of American artists, while the Boston Opera company and the Chicago Opera company follow closely. One of the most interesting facts in connection with these singers is that most of them received their musical education in America, going abroad only to acquire dramatic routine
 Vera Curtis, very beautiful girl with a pure lyric soprano voice, is one Of the fortunates now singing in one of the most brilliant seasons of the Metropolitan. She is an American who studied in this country. For the past seven years she has been a member Of the choir of St. Marks, on the Bowery, New York, from time to time singing small parts in grand opera.
 Before Marcia Van Dresser joined the ranks of American opera singers she was well known on the dramatic stage throughout the country. The very first night she appeared at the Chicago opera house she made tre- mendous sensation with her voice.
 Another honey-voiced soprano is Frances Rose a native of Cleveland O.. now singing with the Chicago Opera company. Her entire vocal training was obtained in Cleveland, and so good was it that she was fitted to become member of the Berlin Royal Opera company, staying with them for five years. At the beginning of the war thousands of home admirers
 At St. Louis girl named Edith Ma son is still another who has come into her own in America. She had sung in Italy and at Marseilles, and this sea son had signed contract to appear with the Paris Opere Comique, but the war closed up that world famous house. and Miss Mason is singing with the Metropolitan stars this winter.
 Mabel Garrison of Baltimore Is also a product of home training both vo- cally and dramatically. For several years she was a member of the Aborn opera company. but has now joined the ranks of the Metropolitan. She is very small, almost tiny, but has 0 rarely sweet soprano voice. Louise Cox comes like Miss Garrison, studied solely in this country. She, too, is with the Met ropolitan this season.
 One of the most beautiful of all these American girls is Anna Case, who comes from New Jersey, while the youngest of this galaxy of fortunate singers is Helen Warrum, who gained her experience with the Chicago Opera company.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-27
STOCK MARKET
 AGAIN WEAKENS
Better Understanding of Political Situation Offset
 by German Successes

New York, February 26.-Opening with some snow of strength under the lead of Reading and American Locomotive, which soon rose 20 points each, today s brief stock market gradually yielded to increased pressure which emanated largely from professional sources. A bet ter understanding of the political situa- tion at Washington was more than off, set by latest reports of German suc- cesses in France.
 This latter development served as a lever for the further depression of prices, various speculative issues scoring lowest prices of the week. Support was negli- gible at best even in the investment shares, while specialties offered no re- sistance.
 petroleums, motors, mercantile marine preferred, Crucible Steel, Baldwin Loco- motive and American zinc. Coppers, which manifested decided firmness at the outset, fell back in common with the general list later and United States Steel was more than ordinarily susceptible to pressure.
 Leading rails like Canadian Pacific, New York Central and Norfolk and Western were lower by 1 to points in the drive that accompanied the final dealings. New York. Chicago and St. Louis common and second preferred de- cline 14 and 9 points, respectively, on small offerings.
 The weekly exhibit of the clearing house institutions reflected some of the recent new financing, and shifting of loans incidental to such operations. Ac- tual loans expanded by almost $49, 9,00O,0 ,0O0, with cash loss of almost $11,0O0000 and a decrease of $17, ,0OOOOO in excess reserves, reducing that item to the smallest to- tai since March of last year.
 Bonds were barely steady with total sales, par value, $1,625,00o.
 United States registered As and coupon As advanced F and A per cent, respect lively, on call during the week.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-27
NEW LOW GROUND
 FOR COTTON PRICES
General List Closed Barely Steady Net Unchanged to
 Four Points Lower

New York, February 26.-The cotton market was nervous and irregular to- day. An early break carried prices into new low ground for the movement with May selling at 1125c A rally followed to 1140c for that delivery, but the mar ket sold off again to 1131c during the last few minutes and the general list closed barely steady, net unchanged to points lower.
 Cables were about as due. but after opening Saturday at an advance of 8 points to a decline of points, the market weakened owing to decline in New Orleans, New Orleans selling here and rumors that the interior was again selling hedges in the southern market. The break carried March con- tracts off to 11.06c, July to 11.45c and October to 11.67c, or about 2 to 10 points under last nights closing figures. and point or two under yesterdays lowest levels. It seemed, however, that this break was bringing out less long cotton than previous declines and the western selling which was 8 feature of yesterdays trading was not in evi- dence There was also a very good de- mand around 11.45c for July and prices rallied rather sharply during the mid dle of the morning with March selling up to 11.20c, July to 11.60c and Octo- Der to 11.79c, or to points above last nights closing figures and some 12 to 16 points above the low level of the morning.
 There was rather active covering by Wall street interests on this advance as well as some buying for a reaction, but the demand was suddenly with drawn late in the morning, and prices broke under continued scattering lfqui- dation, southern, and local selling. Closing prices showed reactions of 2 or points from the best Reports from the domestic goods trade indicated 8 continued active demand notwithstand- ing the sharp break in raw material and reports that southern mills had been good buyers of spot cotton in the Carolinas on yesterdays decline proba- bly, helped the early rally. The small amount of cotton reported on ship board awaiting clearance at the close of the week was considered an unfa- vorable feature, however, and selling here may have been promoted to some extent by apprehensions that adverse war news would unfavorably affect the Liverpool market on Monday.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-27
Reserve Bank Statement

Washington, February 26-Reserve hold ing of federal reserve banks increased more than $1,500,000 during the past week, according to a statement of the banks condition February 25, issued today by the federal reserve board. The state ments shows:
 Resources: Gold coin and certificates in vault, S262. 491, GOO; gold settlement fund, $e, 4S5,000; gold redemption fund with United States treasury, 1,512,000; total gold reserve, $340 43S, ,000; legal tender notes, silver, etc, $17,67S ,000; total reserve, 35S,116,000. Bills discounted and bought; Maturities within 10 days, 7,477, GOO; from Il to 30 days, $11,750,00; from 31 to 60 days, $16, 75S, GOO; from 61 to 90 days, $13,- S81000. Investments: United States bonds, $29, ,632, 900; municipal warrants, $25, 40S 090. Total earning assets, $106,916,000; federal reserve notes, net, $23,793,00; due from federal reserve banks net, 13,274,000; all other resources, $11, ,041, 600; total resources, $11, 401, ,000; total resources, $513, 0,000.
 Liabilities-Capital paid in, $54,S9 GOO; government deposits, 32,501, ,0O0; reserve deposits. net, 416,566000; federal reserve notes, net, $9, ,386,OO0; all other liabilities, $150,O00; total liabilities, $51S,500,00O.
 Gold reserve against net deposit and note liabilities, 76.50 per cent
 Cash reserve against net deposit and note liabilities, S0.4 per cent.
 Cash reserve against net deposit liabil- ities after setting aside 40 per cent gold reserve against aggregate net liabilities on federal reserve notes in circulation, SIS per cent
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-27
Fruits and Produce

NV uOlCSdAo Apples-Fancy York Imperial, bbl., $4.6O; fancy Winesap, bbl.. s5; fancy BlaclI Twigs, $5; bull1 $2.75@S bbl. fancy Ar. Oranges-F Florida, box, $2.T5l3. Grapefruit-Box, $SdD3.25 Cranberries-Barrel. $10; box, $2.50 Bananas-Bunch, S1.5OQ2. Leinons-Fancy imported, box, s5; fancy California, $4.50.
 Limes-$1d1.25.
 London Layer Raisins-s1.S5. Figs-$2.50 case.
 Citron-1Sc ID.
 Irish Potatoes-Michigan white, bu., s1.35
 Onions-Red and yellow, pound, 3Nc Peanuts-51a@61zc per ID. Tonlatoes-Cuba, per crate, s. Cabbages-Danish, pound, 15kc. Rutabagas-Pound 1%c. Sweet Potatoes-Bushel, S5c. Lettuce-Hamper $1.50Q2. Celery-Florida, $2.25@2.50. New Snap Beans-Per hamper, s2.25. New Crop Lima Beans-71sc h.; black eyed peas, 51906c. Pecans-Fancy paper shell. 2o@25c; Tex as. 15c.
 English Walnuts-No. 1 California soft shell, 171zc; No. California, 15c Butternuts-15c h. Brazil Nuts-15c lb. Prunes-SQ10c ID. Dates-$3 case. D Pig Feet-$2.25 keg. MackereE$6.75 half-barrel. Cocoanuts-Per 100, S6 Florida Pineapples-S3 per crate. Florida Strawberries-25c qt box. Mobile Cabbage-$1.2o per crate.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-27
WHEAT PRICES TAKE :.
 A SEVERE BREAK.
Threatened Breach Between us. and Germany Causes
 Flood of Selling

Chicago, February 26-Excited selling that resulted from pessimistic surmises about developments in the submarine issue and that arose from unconfrmed rumors of the fall of verdun brought about severe break in wheat The mar ket closed semi -demoralized 51sc to SAC net lower, with May at $1 .131s and July at Sl.1OA. Corn finished 7sc to 11sQ1Ac down and oats off 1hQssc to %G1c, but provisions us changed to Sc higher.
 Although wheat showed weakness from the outset, declines in quotations did not become radical until the last hour of the session. Attempts here to explain set backs in the New York stock market as possibly being due to less favorable outlook for avoiding an open breach be- tween the United States and Germany were what first gave to wheat the violent downward impetus that turned loose a flood of selling orders to sell out hold ings and put stop to losses. During the rush to unload an erroneous rumor spread that the Germans had captured the whole fortress of Verdun. The effect on the market was to increase greatly the pres sure to sell. Denials about Verdun af- forded little or no relief
 Before the stampede of the wheat bulls took place forecasts of heavy shipments from Australia and Argentina had been something of a weight on the market Demand was further curtailed by the fact that most of yesterdays big export sales in the United States had turned out to be for deferred shipment
 Corn finally gave way owing to the extreme weakness of wheat Throughout most of the day. however the corn mar ket showed considerable strength, the re- suit mainly of receipts being small Oats followed the action of corn. Buying on the part of cash houses was the fea- ture in the first half of the session.
 Higher prices on hogs carried provi- sions upgrade. The weakness of cereals acted only as an offset in part Ship ments of lard and meats were in excess of last years figures
 Future quotations were as follows.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-27
MARKET TAXES STEADY TONE Prices Recovered by Heavy Buying on Profit Talk
 ing Shorts

New Orleans, February 2s.--Whilo international politics caused much bearish comment in the local cotton market today and at times selling pres sure was heavy. the tone on the whole was steady and recessions were fol lowed by recoveries. Late in the morn ing the market was at it's highest, the trading months standing at net ad vance of 9 to points. The close was steady. point higher to point low CT than yesterdays close.
 The steadiness of the session was due almost wholly to weekend realiz- ing by the short element. On the open ing near months stood point up. but selling quickly increased. being stimu- lated by, news dispatches from Wash ington regarding the submarine ques- tion, and values quickly fell off to g level to II points under yesterdays last prices. Heavy buying by profit taking shorts set in and prices gradu- ally recovered.
 Talk of drouth in Texas was consid- cred more bearish than bullish because it was claimed that additional injury was resulting to the wheat crop, which would throw more land into cotton-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-27
His Great Scheme

From the Baltimore American.
 When Irving Bacheller was running a newspaper syndicate and publishing a juvenile magazine in New York he always sat in a large porch rocking chair before fat desk so heaped with letters that every few minutes a lit- tie epistolary avalanche would shoot down from it to the floor. One day Orson Lowell. the artist, who was a partner in the magazine, found him in a meditating mood and said to him:
 What's the matter, Irving; got an idea?"
 Yes" answered Bacheller, very slowly, "a big one. One that will make us all rich. You know the great aux is extinct and that there are only four of it's eggs in existence. They are worth thousands of dollars apiece, and great aux itself would be priceless. My notion Is to get these eggs and hatch 'em."
 But how will you hatch them? ?" asked Lowell.
 "Oh," answered Bacheller, visibly an- noyed. "I haven't given that point any thought yet. But it's a mere detail a mere detail. The plan is bound to succeed. And it will make us all rich"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-27

quirements. This is a decrease Of S17,609,- 75O from last week. The statement fol- lows;
 Actual condition Loans, etc., ss,SSs, ,96S GOO, increase s4S,794,00O; reserve in own vaults, CB) $5OS, ,223, eco, decrease S9,5S4,00O; reserve in federal bank, s1G6, 154,000, de- crease S1,S46,O00; reserve in other deposit taries, S5S, ,470,OO0, decrease s603,OOO; net de- mand, deposits, s. AS, ,Ss2, 600, increase SS4,- 27S,00o; net time deposits, S155, ,221,000, in- crease S1,S54OOO; circulation, $S4,S75,00O, in- crease 8, ,OOS. 900.
 (B)-Of which s4SO, CPS, 600 is specie.
 Aggregate reserve, SIPS, 456 O00; excess reserve, $184,99S,79O. decrease $17OO9,75O.
 Summary of state banks and trust com panies in Greater New York not included in clearing house statement:
 Loans, etc., $674,944000 increase $10,S53,- 800; specie, $56,969, 1O0 increase $5S4, 400; le- gal tenders, $9,112, ,40O decrease S2sO0; total deposits, SS65, ,S06,0O0, increase 7,80O; Banks cash reserve in vault, S11, 4S1, ,5OO trust companies cash reserve in vault, S54 600. .0OO
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-27
Atlanta Reserve Bank

Atlanta, February 26-The weekly state- ment of resources and liabilities of the Atlanta reserve bank follows: Resources Gold coin and certificates, gold settle ment fund, $5,776,0OO; held by the bank, S5,950, 12S; legal tender notes, etc., SPA,
 T90.20; total cash reserves, $11, ,850, ,918 20; due from federal reserve banks, net $570, ,s26.15.. Bills iscounted-Commercia paper, $4,S42,234. .65; United States bonds, S4S,000; all other resources, SLIP, ,656. .58 Total $18,419, ,635. 5S. Liabilites-Capital paid in, $2, 416, $50; deposits treasurer of United States, $6, ,164, ,279. TO; reserve de- posits net, $s.95S. .S96 .S9; profit and loss. ss2, 256 62; federal reserve notes, net lia- bility, s1,35S,590 all other liabilities, $39,- 162.87. Total, SIS, ,419, ,6S5 5S. Federal reserve notes outstanding, s15.696,550; federal re- serve notes in hands of the bank, $1, ,136 40; total s1456O. 14O. Gold deposited with fed eral reserve agent $1S,2 $50. net liability account federal reserve notes, $1, ,35S, ,59O.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-27
And It Continues So

Lowell Otus Reese. in Judge
 Destiny was busy endowing the hn- man race.
 "IIere." she said. 'is a man gross of nature and without brains shall make of him a millionaire"
 And this,' indicating poor speci- men with sunken eye and a bulging head, Ifs man that I have equipped with brains. With them he shall win from the world his share of its wealth.
 sThus have I balanced human en- deavor." And Destiny was proud.
 But there was one whom she had very nearly overlooked.
 "This one.' said Destiny, cycling it askance, "could neither acquire wealth nor keep 1t if he had 1t. shall make of him a poet.'
 Then she placed them all three upon the earth and removed her hand. Whereupon the millionaire promptly used the wise mans brains to lubricate the machinery of his business.
 And the poet died in the poorhouse.
 Moral: There ain't any.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-27
.(,OttOn--- A Talk to the Producer

Statistics show clearly a large in crease for this season over last in the consumption of cotton by Amer ican mills.
 Fully as important is the fact that the stocks are very low, demand ex- cellent and prices at q level that show substantial profits to the man ufacturers.
 The lack of facilities to transport our cotton to foreign mills makes it impossible for these people to ac- cumulate any stocks. These mills are converting all the cotton they can get at profitable prices.
 These underlying facts point clearly to two conclusions: CD. That for the present America will have to carry the stock of cotton, which, though less than last year, is still large, and CD, that eventually the mills will consume the cotton at good prices.
 If the producer lives at Tome' and continues to maintain his in dependence he will get good prices not only for the cotton which he has in hand. but also for that which he will raise during the coming year,
 The facilities of this company enable owners of cotton to carry it conveniently through declines and to sell promptly on advances.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-27
Flour and Feedstuffs (Wholesalers' Selling Price. )

5 Colorado patent, s67O; self-rising flour, $7; Tennessee flour, $6.5O; Michigan flour, $765; Idaho flour, $6.S5; Indiana flour, $7.20; hard winter wheat flour, $655; Minnesota spring wheat, $6SO; bran wheat shorts, $SS: brown shorts, $50; pure wheat bran, $28; c. s. meal, 71a per cent, S35; Cremo meal, $2S; c. S. hulls, $17 per ton; No. timothy
 hay, $22 per ton; pea green alfalfa, west ern, $25; southern alfalfa, $21 mixed
 feeds, per ton $S6 oats, per bushel, No. 2 white, 65@66c; corn, per bushel 91c; corn meal, $1.75 per 2-bushel sack; chops, $1. TO; poultry food, S1.80 per sack; dairy food, $29; Johnson grass hay, $14.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-27
JOhnnie's Idea

From Ilt-B1ts.
 Johnnie, a bright boy of 6, while being dressed for school, observing his little overcoat much the worse for wear, and having more mended places than he admired, turned to his mother and asked her:
 Mother. is father rich?"
 "Yes. very rish, Johnnie. He's worth two millions and half"
 How. mother?"
 "Oh, he values you at million, me at a million, and the baby at half q million"
 Johnnie, after thinking a moment. said:
 "Mother, hadn't you better tell fath CT to sell the baby and buy us some clothes?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-27
New York Cotton Futures
Port Cotton Market

New Orleans: Middling, 11.13c; receipts. 2319; exports, 8587; sales, 160O; stock, 4Oo,O74. Galveston: Middling, 11.55c; receipts, 9612; exports, 66So; sales, 150; stock, S12, ,SS7. Mobile: Middling, 10.SSc; receipts SS; sales, 175; stock, 20,9S9.
 Savannah: Middling, 11.50c; receipts, 2s49; sales, S27; stock, 177,oS5.
 Charleston Middling, 11zc; receipts, 106 stock, S3617.
 Wilmington: Receipts, 80; stock. 51, ,2Os. Norfolk: Middling, ii .13c; receipts, 1432; sales, SiS; stock, 126,5Sl. Baltimore: Stock, 492S Boston: Middling, n.S0c; receipts, S90; stock, 12,S00. Philadelphia: Middling. il .45c; receipts, S7; exports, 497; stock, 31S2
 New York: Middling, Il 120c; receipts, 50; exports, 1264; stock, 319,SO4
 Minor ports: Receipts, 24,S94; exports, 245S4 stock, 3S,OS3.
 Total today: Receipts, 40,761; exports, 41 ,616 stock, 1.551, ,356.
 Total for week: Receipts, 40,761; ex- ports, 41,e16
 Total for season: Receipts. 5,52oosf; exports, 3,44s66s.
 Interior Movement
 Houston: Middling, 11.5Oc: receipts, 25S1; shipments, 5S25; sales, 215S; stock, 159,673.
 Memphis: Middling, 11.aSc; receipts, 1T47; shipments, S73; sales, 1500; stock 274,050.
 Augusta: Middling, 11.25c; receipts, s72 shipments, Ss7; sales, 627 stock, 16,- AT.
 St. Louis: Middling, n1zc; receceipts 1195; shipments TYPO; stock. 1s.255. Cincinnati Receipts. 4s0; shipments 278; stock, 16,253.
 Little Rock: Middling, 1156c; receipts, 4T0; shipments, 45S; sales. 458; stock, 36,S55. Total today: Receipts, 6S45; shipments. 12.051; stock, 670,53S
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-27
Chicago Grain

Chicago, February 26.-Wheat, Cash hard, $1.12a1. .145s; No. hard, s1 0S@ 1.121A Corn, No. 2 yellow nominal; No 4 yellow, 7o@72Ac; No. white, 7i@7z1kc Oats, No. white, 41A@4Sc; standard 43s4u441ae. Rye, No. ?. 92094c. Barley, 64 @70c. Timothy. $5.5o@S Clover, $10020 Pork, $19 25Q20.50. Lard, $10.O5. Ribs SIG. .75911. .25.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-27
Spot Cotton
Pig Iron
Not So Small
From Life.


 Getting to be great statesman. hey?' sne cred somewhat jealous rival. T SUD- pose you think you are another Webster or Patrick Henry. eh?''
 Not at all, retorted Congressman E1ubdub. 'But some of the anecdotes that were related of those fcllers have been hitched onto me"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-27
Sugar and Cereals

Granulated sugar. s.25 per cwt.. f. O. b Birmingham.
 Choice Rice-$5.50 per cwt. Fancy Rice-$6 per cwt.
 Extra Fancy-ieo0 per cwr
 Grits-s2.25 per 96-lb. bas.
 Sugar is being sold by Birmingham re. tailers at from F to 15 pounds for s1.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-27
Cnffee Market

New York, February 26.-The mar ket for coffee futures was steadier to- day. Yesterdays near month liquidation seemed to have relieved the market of pressure and there were comparative ly few sellers around the ring this morning. The opening was l to points higher in response to the steady Bra ziIian cables and the market improved on scattered covering. a little Euro pean buying and a moderate demand from local trade interests. May sold up to 7.S4c and September to S.03c, with the close steady at net ad- vance of 5 to II points. Sales, 13,000; February. 7.6Sc; March, 7.6Sc; April 7.76c May, 7.sSc; June, 7.SSc; July 792c; August, 797c; September, S.02c; october, S.05c; November. S.OSc; De- cember. 812c; January, 8.15e. Spot cof- fee steady: Rio Is, 9Ac; Santos As, 1OMc No change was reported in ocean freights or in the cost and freight situation The official cables reported an advance of 1-S2 penny in the rate of Rio exchange on London with no change in milreis prices. Brazilian port receipts, 25,000; Jundiahy, 13,0O0; san tos reported a clearance of 25,0Oo bags for New York, but there seemed to De some uncertainty as to the steamer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-27
Bonds
Mercantile Paper

New York, February 26.-Mercantile paper, S@sA per cent; sterling 6o-day bills, $47lN; demand, s4761s; cables $4.76 15-16. Francs: Demand, S537A; ca bles, $5.861s. Marks: Demand, 73Ac; ca bles, 731hc. Kronens: Demand, 12Ac; ca bles, 13ssc. Builders: Demand, 421ac; ca bles, 424c. Lires: Demand, $6.70; cables $669. Rubles: Demand, 32c; cables, 32Ac Bar silver, 567sc. Mexican dollars, 431ac Government bonds steady; railroad bonds steady.