davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-19
COTTON PRICES ON
 DOWNWARD TREND
Punctuation Nervous on Ac- count of Damage to Crops
 by Hurricane

New Orleans, August 1S.-A small bulge featured the early trading in cot ton today, but the effect of hurricane re- ports was against, rather than with the market. Fluctuations were nervous the session through and the comment of the market was chiefly regarding the storm. Liverpool was much better than due on storm news and in this market in the early trading, considerably buying was done because of the fear of damage to the growing crop as the Gulf disturb ance worked inland. little later the impression grew that the storm was not of great intensity, and that the rains at tending it would be of immense benefit to Texas and selling increased. On the early bulge prices were sent to 9 points over yesterdays close. From this there was a drop of nearly s1 a bale, the mar ket standing at a net loss of g to Ii points around the middle of the day. In the afternoon there was little business, and the close was at a net loss of to 5 points.
 A private bureau report on condition showing a loss of 6 points during the last fortnight was bullish feature, which helped steady the market at the decline and restricted selling. A feature Of interest was the report that a large line of long cotton held by Texas trader had been forced into liquidation on the decline.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-19
Hester's Weekly Cotton Statement

Comparisons are to actual dates not to close of corresponding weeks: In sight for week, S6O00; same seven days last year, S4OO0; same seven days year before, 5000; for the month, 222, 900; same date last year, 163O0O same date year before, p 2OO0 for season, 222, 600; same date last year. 163, 600; same date year before, p, 900. Port receipts for season, 151, 900; same date last year, 67,000; same date year be- fore last, 15,000. Overland to mills and Canada for season, 12,000; same date last year. 17,O0O; same date year before 20OO. Southern mill takings for season, 13O,OOO; same date last year, 107, GOO; same date year before Il ,OO0 Interior stocks in ex- cess of August 1, 72,0O0; last year, 27,Ooo; year before 6OOo. Foreign exports for week, 1O5O OOO same seven days last year, 42 OOO; same seven days year before, 20oo; for season, 225 OO0 same date last year, 91 900; same date year before, 5000. North ern spinners' takings and Canada for week, 22,000; same seven days last year, 21 900; for season, 47,00O; same date last year, 34,000.
 Statement of spinners' takings of Amer
 can cotton throughout the world: This week, 194, 900; same seven days last year, 220,O00; same seven days year be- fore, 66,0O0 Total since August 1, 509, GOO; same date last year, 63,500o; same date year before 194,000.
 Statement of worlds visible supply:
 Total visible this week, 20s1,0o0; last week, 9,0O3, 600; same date last year, A. 1o6, 900; same date year before. 2,9TLOOO, Of this the total American this week. ,s42 GOO; last week, 1,95o0o0 last year. 2,S1o0O0; year before. 1,499,Ooo. All other kinds this week, 1,0520oo; last year, 1,296 . GOO; year before, 1.4710o0 Visible in the United States this week, 675,0OO; this date last year. 11o4000. Visible in other coun- tries this week. 2,126, 900.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-19
SHARP BREAK IN PRICES OF COTTON
Prospects of Tropical Storm Caused Apprehension and
 Prices Decline

New York, August 1s.-Relief from tropical storm apprehensions and pros poets for, rains in the southwest seemed to be chiefly responsible for rather sharp break in the cotton market during todays early trading. December con tracts sold off from 1455c to 14.36c, but later rallied to 1447c and closed at 14.4Sc, General list closed barely steady at a net advance of IS points on August, but generally to points lower.
 The market opened steady at an ad- vance of to points, which was not a full response to the frmness in Liver pool. The publication of a private crop report placing the consition at 69.S per cent compared with 75.S per cent two weeks previously, may have promoted scattering buying, but offerings increased right after the call on the more optimis- tic view of the gulf storm situation. Of- fcial reports indicated that the disturb ance was moving toward the mouth of the Rio Grande, and an impression that it would cause beneficial rains in the southwest was strengthened by the west ern belt forecast for rains in east Texas and unsettled conditions in Oklahoma After the past two or three days of nerv- ousness over the course of this storm which had appeared in the Caribbean sea early in the week, these reports caused a good deal of scattering liqui- dation and renewal of local pressure under which October eased off to 1417c and January to 14,44c or about F points under last nights decline, however, and prices steadied later on reports that the storm might be working too far south to bring the desired rains to the south west, and covering by near month shorts who were supposed to be influenced by rumors that further shipments were to be made from the comparatively small local stock. There was also spot house buying of August, which led the advance selling up to 14.25c, and closing at A. 4Oc bid, but the rally to 14.29c for October and 14.54c for January was followed by reactions under renewed realizing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-19
Ayery's Letter

Liverpool was strong this morning prices being to English points above parity with the close of our market yesterday. Cables reported a strong quiet situation and buying on crop de- terioration.
 The first sales in our market were at an advance of to 10 points, but met rather free selling on the impression that storm danger was less pronounced.
 The storm is reported to be striking the Texas coast in the vicinity of Brownsville, with several points on the coast reporting high winds.
 Some private weather specialists say the storm will move inland off the Texas coast, but there seems to be no definite indication that it will do SO, and further developments will be closely watched.
 The market was very narrow and after the early advance fluctuation were un- important, the trade apparently prefer ring to wait further developments in the weather.
 Spots were firm all around, several points quoting the market 10 to 15 points higher, with top prices prevailing in the early crop section.
 Should the storm fail to cause any de mage and prices recede from this level it will offer an excellent opportunity to buy June cotton. On the other hand. should it cause damage in the western belt, I think we would see much higher prices. C. F. AVERY.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-19
Charles Fairchild & Co.'s Letter

New York, August 1s.-(Special. )-The strength in Liverpool was responsible TOT opening advances in our market, ranging from to points. The local bears, now ever were aggressive sellers from the opening gong. Storm warnings posted at New Orleans were regarded as 1oreru un- ners of rains in Texas. Declines of about 20 points followed. Some fresh buying came in at this level and prices steadied Moderate advances and declines followed, closing prices being about points above early lows.
 The tropical storm is said to have passed into Mexico. If this is true, chance or
 rains in Texas and Oklahoma is appar-
 ently as remote as they have been for
 the past two weeks. The situation in
 the southwest, while not perhaps incap-
 able of full recovery with ideal weather
 conditions, is beginning to create some
 apprehension. Were the eastern belt Tn
 normal condition the situation west or
 the river would not be regarded as grave.
 However, the amount of cotton nkely
 to be produced in the Caroinas, Geor-
 gia, Alabama and Mississippi this sea-
 son at the moment is a bigger riddle
 than the Sphinx The weather, of course,
 will be the deciding Issue. Boil weevil, too, will be no mean bull factor. lmpoV-
 erished soil, sappy bolls, shedding and rust are other equally potent features worthy of consideration True appercia- ton of the situation east Of the river has not yet entered the public mind. The next government condition report. we be- lieve, will convince the most skeptical. We look for big active markets and much higher prices shortly and favor pur- chases of October January and March. We particularly favor purchases of De- tober, which we think will cross De- cember.
 December oil closed about Il points higher Refiners are short, and this has
 been the weight on the market. We look
 for much higher oil shortly. We favor
 purchases.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-19
WEEKLY REVIEW
 OF COTTON MARKET
New Crop Receipts Respon- sible for the Selling on
 Advances

New York, August 1S.-The cotton mar ket has been nervous and irregular dur ing the past week, with December con tracts fiuctuating between IA 21c and 155c and closing tonight at IA. 43c, compared with 14.72c, the high record established on August g. The opinions expressed by traders around the ring as we'll as the irregularity of fluctuations have indicated
 confusion of sentiment as to the more
 immediate course of prices and a dis position to emphasize the approach of in- creasing new crop receipts, has been con-
 sidered largely responsible for the selling on advances. Continued drouth in the southwest and the unfavorable average of private crop accounts have led to cov- ering on declines, however, while there was considerable nervousness on Wednes- day and Thursday, with reference to the course of the tropical storm, which ap-
 peared in the Caribbean sea early in the week and rallies were also promoted by reports that trade interests were buying on the declines. Tropical storm appre-
 hensions were relieved today by reports that the disturbance was working too far south to damage cotton and there was some selling on prospects that It might be accompanied by benehclal rains in Texas This caused reactions of sev-
 eral points from the best but the de- cline was checked by bullish private con- dition figures and covering by near month shorts who seemed to be influenced by the reports that further shipments were pending from the comparatively small local stock. The census figures on sup ply and distribution showed rather a smaller domestic consumption for the tk Nf T,tIry hoy htJ11c had nti c but pointed to a total consumption in this country for last season of about 7,300,0O0 bales and to exports of approx imately 6,200,0o0 bales, thus indicating 8 very considerable reduction in the sup ply carried forward from the big crop year. Bullish end-season statistics had figured on the earlier month advance. however and the statement failed to cre- ate any fresh sentiment of consequence with the attention of the trade more largely absorbed by weather conditions and reports of new crop receipts in the southwest.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-19
STRIKE SITUATION | RESTRICTS TRADING
Market Responds to Specula- tive Shipping Shares and
 High Levels Reached

New York August 16.-To the further delay in. the railway labor negotiations at Washington was attributed much of the hesitation and occasional reaction of todays market Trading was very ac- tive, however, but restricted more than recently to the better known speculative favorites shipping shares, United States Steel and Reading forming a very large percentage of the sessions business.
 Mercantile marines were again the lead CTS, with a new high record for the pre- terred on it's gross gain of "A points to l03s4, part of which was forfeited later on cables from London indicating future restrictions against companies under for sign control. Marine common was all most as prominent as the preferred, ris- ng 5s to 3S1s very near its maximum Atlantic, Gulf and West Indies and United Fruit wrested leadership from the marines in the final hour. the former at- aiming a new high price on it's extreme idvance of 2as to 7, while fruit, in which dealings attained unusual preparations, Advanced steadily to 16S@, an overnight gain of 6A points.
 United States Steel failed to duplicate It's recent daily performance of mount Ing to higher levels, at no time reach ing yesterdays best price and plainly de- noting realizing sales Shares of minor steel companies were firm to strong, the Eonspicuous features being Colorado Fuel. Republic Iron and Steel, Great Northern Ore and Virginia Coal, Iron and Coke
 Mexicans were conspicuous at higher evels during the forenoon, Petroleum md American Smelling featuring that lass, but here also profit taking proved iffective. Motors and munitions moved regularly, mostly lower. Rails were Comparatively inactive. Reading, St. Paul nd Rock Island reflecting pressure High priced specialties were represented ty CubanAmerican Sugar, which rose 21s points on a single sale to 250. Total ,ales of stock amounted to 715,000 shares.
 Bonds were steady, with total sales lar value, S2,860,000.
 United States bonds were unchanged on lc Il.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-19
The Character of Birds
the Chicago Journal.


 The federal government Is Investigating
 birds with a view to discovering whether they are harmful or helpful to mankind
 Of 40 or 50 species, exclusive of hawks and owls, thus far put through this scien- tifc third degree, only one has been found harmful-the English sparrow. This quarrelsome little creature is an unquali- fled nuisance. All vtner birds of the group mentioned are either inocuous or helpful. and many of them are worth well nigh their weight in gold to the farmer and fruit raiser.
 Of hawks and owls there are 75 species
 found in this country, only six of which are injurious. The rest either do no harm at all or more than make up for occa- sional depredations by their services in keeping down vermin.
 The moral seems to be that when in doubt about the character of a bird, give 1t the benefit of that doupt. The chances are about If to that even the suspected hawk or owl is friend in disguise, anc other feathered creatures, with the single exception of the sparrow, are just an6 ! righteous altogether.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-19
WHEAT PRICES SOAR
 ON CROP REPORTS
Market Affected by Rumor That Canadian Government
 Would Commander Crop

Chicago, August 1S.-The wheat mar day following the lead of Winnipee. which, like this market, was affected
 by renewed pessimism of Canadian crop reports as made by experts of private houses. A rumor gained currency that the Canadian government would com mandeer the crop, but this was denied at Winnipeg. At the top today prices here were up Sc and the close was 3h O 1 Ac over yesterday. Corn advanced 1 A @2%c in sympathy with wheat and reports of further hot weather in the corn belt. Bullish crop advices helped oats. which jumped 1@1Ac. Provisions closed 15 Co BOG over yesterday. There was nothing startlingly new in the reports of damage to the Cana dian crop but the confirmation of the gloomy outlook apparently added in- f1uential converts to the bull position and the result was big, broad market which absorbed heavy profit taking sales almost without a quiver until near the close, when cent was con- ceded from the top. Cash premiums advanced to the highest of the season with good export demand and light offerings. France added to the bull en- thusiasm, advices on the crop of that country placing it at 100 ,000, 900 bushels
 under normal. European weather gen. erally was reported unfavorable, as was that of the Argentine.
 The corn crop which blistered for several weeks under a scorching sun, was said to be suffe ering further from another hot wave. Kansas reports as to the corn crop outlook for that state were pessimistic. Cash prices advanced # and No. yellow sold at S919c, tho highest price on record. The market was big, active and strong.
 Oats livened up in sympathy with other grains and on a private estimate lowering the crop by 69,000, 900 bushels since August l. Spot prices were higher with export bids close to the market In provisions a large business was said to have been done in lard for ex- port. The market showed unwonted volume and activity.
 Futures quotations were as follows
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-19
Bank of Germany Statement

Berlin, August 1S.-(Via London.) The weekly statement of the Imperial Bank of Germany, issued August 15, shows the following changes:
 Total coin and bullion increased 494,000 marks, gold increased 439,000; treasury notes decreased 6,001, ,000, notes of other banks increased 2,24S,- 0U0 bills discounted increased 194,- 014,o00, advances decreased 6000, in vestments increased 12,925.000, other securities increased 19,245,OoO. notes in circulation decreased 54,474,G00. De- posits increased 231,725,Ooo, other lia- bilities increased 45,76S,000.
 Total gold holdings 2,36S,493, ,00O marks.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-19
Sugar Market

New York, August 1S.-The local mar ket for raw sugar was dull and un- changed. Holders were still willing to sell Cubas at 4Ac, cost and freight, in store and afloat, but refiners did not seem disposed to pay this price, al- though they would pay 41ac Rather than accept the low offers of refiners, holders were said to be placing their sugars in store. Closing prices were 4Ac for Cubas, cost and freight, equal to 5.75c for centrifugal, and 4.9Sc for molasses, all nominal.
 No new developments occurred in re- fined sugar and prices were unchanged at .7c to 7.25c for fine granulated The coun- try continues to buy only in very linn ited way and withdrawals on old contract were light
 1n futures orders seemed to be pretty we'll divided, and closing quotations were from points higher to 1 point lower. Trading was quieter with operators awaiting fresh developments in the spot market. Total sales for the day were 34O0 tons. including switches of October to March at 5o points. September sold from 4.71c to 4.6sc, closing 4.70c; October. 4.66c to 465c. closing 4.65c; December, 446c, closing 4.45c; March closed 4olc; May, 4.10c.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-19
Flour and Feedstuff

Self-rising flour, high grade, sS.25 medium grade, $s05; Tennessee flour, s7.so; Michigan flour, ss.75; hard winter wheat flour, $765; spring wheat flour, $s.15; Illinois flour, s7.90; Idaho flour $845; pure wheat shorts, $35; pure wheat bran, $31; cotton seed meal 7h per cent, s31; Cremo cotton seed meal, s25; cotton seed hulls, $21; lintless hulls, s13; No. 1 timothy hay s22; new pea green alfalfa, s24; southern alfalfa, $2o; mixed alfalfa and Johnson grass, s1s. Caffir corn and milomaize, $1.75. No. Johnson grass, s15; wheat straw, $13. Wheat, per 100 lbs. s2,50. Mixed feeds, s94@Ss; No. white oats, per bushel 63c, Corn, per bushel, $1.10. Cornmeal, per 2-bushel sack, $2.1O; corn chops, 100-lb. sack, $205; corn feed meal. $34. Poultry food, s2.05 per sack; dairy food, $31
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-19
New York Futures
Port Movement

New Orleans: Middling, 14.1Sc; receipts 172; sales, 220 stock, 109,719.
 Galveston: Middling. 14.55c; receipts 3312 sales, 55 stock 51,152.
 Mobile: Middling, 13.SSc; receipts, 1172 stock, Il ,227.
 Savannah: Middling, 14c; receipts, 1261 exports, 1891; sales 2307; stock, 57,600. Charleston Middling. 14c; receipts, 1761 sales, 200; stock, 23,9s9.
 Wilmington: Middling 131ac; receipts 123; stock, 53.441
 Norfolk: Mddlng, 14.13c; receipts, 5o9 exports, 5619; sales, POS; stock, 25,516. Baltimore: Receipts, 1S0; exports, 1900. Boston: Middling, 14 45c; receipts, 45; ex. ports, IS; stock, 6SS7.
 Philadelphia: Middling, 14.s5c; receipts 67; stock, 651
 New York: Middling, 14.4oc; receipts 300 exports, 69Ss; sales, 1906; stock, 72.62o Minor ports: Receipts, 91S6 exports, 341s stock, 11,S26.
 Total today Receipts, .11,9ss; ship. ments. 23.SS4; stock, 426,22S.
 Total for week: Receipts, 54,082 shipments, 104,S62.
 Total for season: Recepits, 151,052 shipments, 224926.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-19
Hubbard Bros. & Co.'s Letter

New York, August I8.-(Special. )-The forecast by the government that the gulf storm would pass over Texas with pre- dctions of rain there and unsettled wealth CT in Oklahoma dominated the market during the day, notwithstanding the de- cline in crop conditions reported through private sources.
 This estimate was generally known here yesterday afternoon. It caused the ad- vance in Liverpool today, but it did not attract any outside buying because of the predictions of rain in Texas.
 A small uncovered short interest was disclosed in August, which brought rela- tive advance in October. At the close selling orders from Texas supposed to come from houses there. brought about
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-19
Liverpool Cotton

Liverpool, August 17.-Cotton: Spot strong. Good middling, 9.02d; middling, S.S6d; low middling, S.70d. Sales, 5000; 500 for speculation and export; receipts, 5000; futures barely steady; August S.72d; August and September, S.6S1ad; Septem- Der and October S.65d; October and Nov ember, S.62d; November and December, s5sd; December and January, S.561sd; January and February, S.56d; February and March. S.55kd; March and April. S55d; April and May, s53d; May and June, S.511ad; June and July. S5Od; July and August & 44d
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-19
Produce Market

New York, August 1S.-Butter firm; re- ceipts, 3S59; creamery extras, 92 score, S1A @31kc; creamery, higher scoring, 32Q 32hc; firsts 291a@31c. Eggs steady; re- ceipts, 12,1S5; fresh gathered extra fine, 32@33c; extra firsts 3O@31c; firsts. 27@29c. Cheese firm; receipts, 4s00; state, fresh specials. 17A@171sc; state, average fancy, 161s@16Ac. Poultry, live weak; broilers, 21@25c; fowls, 161A@171Ac; turkeys 15@1Sc. Dressed firm broilers 23@2Sc; fowls, TO 221Ac; turkeys, 2SqS2c.
 Chicago, August 1S.-Butter firm; re- ceipts, 656O tubs creamery extras, 31Ac; extra firsts. 291x@3oc; firsts. 271k92S1ac. Eggs firm; receipts. 6350 cases; market unchanged. Cheese steady; unchanged. Potatoes higher; receipts, 15 cars; Jersey bulk cobblers. s1. 1.20d13o; Virginia barrels. g. 50G355; Wisconsin early Ohios, $1@1. 10. Poultry unchanged.
 St. Louis, August B-Poultry un- changed, except springs, 19c. Butter and eggs unchanged. Kansas City, August 1S.-Butter, eggs and poultry unchanged.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-19
Junk in Europe
from the Chicago Journal.

T rOTl the CHlcdSO JOuTHdl
 Has anyone thought of the magnitude of the junk business in Europe after the war? There have been squibs and comic drawings about it, but how much serious consideration has it received?
 Last year, in these United States of America $40 000,000 was paid for scrap iron. This is a big and wasteful country but it cannot be using up metal at more than fraction of the rate prevailing in the war zone. Thousands of tons of iron, not to mention copper. brass and lead. have been shot away at each of many narrow strips of the battle line. The top- soil in the salient of Ypres, on the line north of Arras, on the Somme front, and above all at Verdun, must be so saturated with metal as to be a sort of artificial ore Surely. in the bitter poverty which will be Europes portion when she Is through with war lords, that resource will not be forgotten
 For that matter it may be that Eurpoe's workers will turn thrones and crowns into scrap" too.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-19
WHEAT AND LARD UP ON MORRIS AVENUE
Conditions on Wheat Ex. change Does Not Affect
 Flour, Locally

Morris avenue was featured yesterday by considerable unsteadiness in meat and lard quotations. Extra ribs, rib bellies and clear bellies showed A-cent ad- vance late yesterday afternoon. Pure and open kettle lard advanced 1a-cent, while compound took the chute for h-cent decline.
 Feverish conditions causing depres- sion on the wheat exchange, have not affected flour prices on Morris avenue It is still being quoted at the advanced figure, and dealers say they are look ing for no declines, unless wheat takes another big drop.
 Today's quotations follow:
 Poultry and Eggs
 Commission Merchants Price) Guineas-35c.
 Roosters-10c per lb.
 Extra Graded Eggs-2sc.
 Fresh Country Eggs-24c.
 Turkeys-Live, 23c; dressed, 24c. Geese-75c, or 13c pound.