davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-12
Little Disturbance to Business

Not in many years has the presidential campaign been so tame and free of ex- citement No great political, economic or social issues are at stake-at least no radical differences of opinion exist and the whole campaign thus far has been one of men rather than of issues, '' says Henry Clews in his weekly financial review. Patriotism and preparedness seem to be the only live subjects; and regarding these, the differences are main ly in degree.
 That the whole country believes in pa- triotism as well as in preparedness goes without saying; and, since there can be no great conflict of opinion about the degree of either, it follows that no very heated campaign can be based upon such issues. The tariff will probably become more prominent later on, because the country will need a much larger revenue to meet the inevitable cost of prepared ness, and the tariff can readily be made larger source of revenue if not pushed too high. During the next six months more or less heated discussion must be anticipated, although the present cam paign promises to be much less disturb ing than usual''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-12
rom the Boston Herald.

From the Boston Herald.
 n OSTON'S Faneuil hall tribute to Sholem Ben Menachem Rabin- 0 owits. better known as Sholem Aleichem, reminds us again of the Yid- dish tongue, of it's poMers of expression and of the high literary values which it enshrines.t It does the better service of recalling the work of man who became a household word in our Hebrew communities and endeared himself to the heagts of Jews the world over. For most Americans the source of his suc- cess as a story writer is hidden by the obstacle of language, but we know enough of his product to feel the strength of it's appeal to the mingled pathos and humor of life, with the hu- nor stressed and the sunshine not with held One story which this Jewish Mark Twain" told at a Cooper union meeting reveals his humane outlook and Is worth more than many a sermon:
 This Jew I met told me of son Or his who had been impressed into war With his regiment he arrived at the bat tie line From it's position the regiment was ordered to fire" Said my friend: My son, who had never killed so much as a fly-he was ordered to fire. He fired, aiming at the sky. Asked his of- ficer: Why aim at the sky?' Said my son: What then? Not at those trenches, surely? There are men in those trenches, and if aimed there I might hit one D
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-12
SEA FIGHTS AND POETS
From the Boston Herald.

From the Boston Herald. | Will the great fight in the North sea have it's poet? Salamis has Aeschylus, who was in the battle. Campbell sang
 of the British victory at Copenhagen. l Brownell is the poet of "The Bay Fight" in our civil war; Forcythe Will l son celebrated conflict on the Mis- sissippi and several, among them Long the Merrimac. Still more fortunate have been Sir Richard Grenville and John Paul Jones. The former Is im- mortalized by Tennyson; the latter by l the lines of Walt Whitman and the prose of Herman Melville in that singu- lar book, Israel Potter" too little known by the youger generation. But where is the poet of two great English victories, Trafalgar and the battle of the Nile?
 The older poets had an advantage over their followers; there was greater opportunity for thrilling de-
 scription when ship fought ship at short range, when boarders charged with cutlasses, when sails were the motive power instead of steam. There was little question then of visibility" There were no aerial eyes; there was no wireless information. The vessels met as in a prize ring. The blows were as those of fists. Granted armaments of equal strength, the personal equa- tion entered into the result. Hearts of oak" had genuine significance.
 On land there are still bayonet charges, hand -to-hand encounters, in- dividual bravery. On the sea there is seldom the same opportunity. The sinking of an immense battleship by a sly torpedo does not fire the spirit or the imagination of the Muse, who reflects on the irony of the name that declared the vessel to be unconquer- able Aeschylus himself might not be in heroic mood on an iron-clad firing at long range, prey to a mine. The lines of Whitman, however, are still applicable:
 Have you heard that it was good to
 gain the day?
 I also say it is good to fall-battles are
 lost in the same spirit in which they
 are won.
 beat and pound for the dead; blow through my embouchures my
 loundest and gayest for them. vivas to those who have faiPd!
 And to those whose war-vessels sank
 in the sea!
 And to those themselves who sank in
 the seal ..s..
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-12
The Coming Contest

It is no trivial contest the demo
 cratic party faces in the November
 election.
 Though a large part of President
 Wilson's record is most excellent ant
 is highly indorsed by the people o1
 this country; though he has kept us
 out of war with foreign powers and has handled the internal affairs of
 this country with skill and judgment the democratic party is facing a foe
 man worthy of it's steel.
 In the nomination of Justice Charles E. Hughes the republicans have un- 1 doubtedly named their strongest man While he is not man who arouses the enthusiasm of Roosevelt or a Bryan, he is yet known to be man of calm judgment, great ability and splendid poise. AS governor of New York his record of achievement was excellent. The politicians do not enthuse for him because they do not believe he will recognize in all appointments state organizations or machines. As gov ernor of New York he was indepen- dent in his acts and accepted no dic- tation from the machine politicians. Like President Wilson as governor of New Jersey, he pursued the course he believed to be correct and left the gov ernorship with record which put him upon the supreme bench of the United States.
 Charles E. Hughes is undoubtedly a man who has the confidence of the people and the business interests of ciAO SO0ueiys
 It is important to the democratic party that the St. Louis convention adopt a platform of such ringing tone that the people throughout the coun- try will applaud it. The great masses of the people, particularly of the mid- dle west, regardless of party, have confidence in President Wilson's abil- ity and do not believe in changing horses in midstream. The interna- tional situation is in such a state at present that President Wilson can get all the democrat votes and a large part of the independent vote. With proper skill in the management of his campaign he can probably be re- elected, but it is incumbent upon the democrat leaders who meet in St. Louis this week that the very best and strongest men in the party shall be selected as his campaign managers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-12
The Reunion Fund

The fact that $7667.79 was left from the reunion fund after Birming- ham had entertained the Confederate veterans at what was conceded to be one of the most enjoyable and sue cessful reunions ever held, is a fine testimonial to the philosophical cit izens of Birmingham who financed the affair, and is striking evidence of the liberality with which donations were made.
 A total of $21, ,658.72 was donated, and of this amount $14,967.14 was expended. Although the surplus is surprisingly large, considering the mismanagement that sometimes char Rcterizes public entertainments on an elaborate scale, the reunion visitors were practically unanimous in saying that they had never had better time and Birmingham gained new laurels as hostess. The veterans were gen. erously provided for and all their wants were anticipated. Many of them who have been attending re- unions every year since the first was held expressed themselves in glowing terms and declared that the Birming-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-12
KITCHENER'S SCHOOL

thus their hearts are inclined: For Allah created the English mad-th maddest of all mankind!
 They do not consider the meaning a
 things; they consult not creed no clan,
 Behold. they clap the slave on the bacl and behold he ariseth man! They terribly carpet the earth witt
 dead, and before their cannon cool They walk unarmed by twos and three
 to call the living to school. How is this reason (which is their red
 son) to judge a scholars worth, By casting ball at three straigt| sticks, and defending the same witt a fourth? spelD and other matters mor| strange, Until. by the operation of years, tt]
 hearts of their scholars change: Till these make come and go great boa} or engines upon the rail (But always the English watch near h@ to prop them when they faiD; Till these make laws of their own choids and Judges of their own blood; And all the mad English obey tlS judges and say that the law is goo& Certainly they were made from of old
 but l think one new thing, That the magic whereby they work theN
 magic-where from 7 their fortuna
 spring Maybe that they show all peoples the magic and ask no price in return Wherefore, since ye are bound to tn !
 magic. o Hubshe$ make haste al
 learn! Certainly also is Kitchener mad. But ON
 sure thing know
 If he who broke ou be minded to tea4 you. to his MAdrissa go. Go, and carry your shoes in your had and bow our Mead on your breast, For he who did not slay you in sport, ! will not teach you in jest.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-12

By Rudyard Kipling.
 Being a translation of the song that was made by Mohammedan schoolmas- ter of Bengal infantry (sometime in service at Suakim), when he heard that Kitchener was taking money from the English to build a Madrissa for Hub shees-or college for the Sudanese. Oh Hubshee, carry your shoes in your
 hand and bow your head on your
 breast!
 This is the message of Kitchener. who
 did not break you in jest. It was permitted to him to fulfill the
 long appointed years; Reaching the end ordained of old over
 your dead Emirs. He stamped only before your walls, and
 the tomb ye knew was dust He gathered up under his armpits all the
 swords of your trust: He set guard on your granaries, secur-
 ing the weak from the strong: He said: "Go work the waterwheels that
 were abolished so long, He said: "Go safely, being abased. I
 have accomplished my vow" That was the mercy of Kitchener.
 Cometh his madness now! He does not desire as ye desire, nor de-
 wise as ye devise: He is preparing second host-an army
 to make you wise. Not at the mouth of his clean tipped
 guns shall ye learn his name again, But letter by letter, from Kaf to Kaf, at
 the mouth of his chosen nven. He has gone back to his own city, not
 seeking presents or bribes But openly asking the English for money
 to buy. you Hakims and scribes. Knowing that ye are forfeit by battle
 and have no right to live, He begs for money to bring you learn
 ing-and all the English give. It is their treasure-it is their. pleasure
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-12

ham reunion last month was the greatest in the history of the United Confederate veterans.
 Even had there been decided de- ficit in the treasury, considering the praises received from visitors, Bir- mingham would have felt that any monetary loss was more than com pensated for, but there is substan- tial surplus on hand, which is being refunded to donors. It has been sug- gested that the Boy Scouts, whose services during the reunion were in- valuable, and earned them well nler- tied commendation from citizens of Birmingham and visitors alike, should be given a substantial donation from the surplus fund, and this will proba- bly, be done. The Boy Scouts earned the lasting gratitude of the veterans bly, be done. The Boy Scouts earned department of all responsibility. No single factor of the reunion elicited more favorable comment than the work of these youngsters who served day and night without any recom- pense except the heartfelt thanks of everyone they assisted.
 Birmingham may well feel proud of the showing made during the reunion and the executive committee is to be congratulated on having managed so we'll that there was enough money left over to make a contribution to the Boy Scouts.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-12
HOTEL LOBBIES
Uses of Ray Rum

Commissioner Barber's recent agita- ton against the selling of bay rum threatened to cause some real distress" :" said James Patterson manager of Par kers drug store. When it got into the papers that some of the drug clerks had been arrested for selling bay rum lady called up our store and wanted to know II 1t were no longer possible to get bay rum. The man who answered the phone told her that he could probably arrange to get her some. Q, l am so relieved, she said, you know I use it in my dog s bath
 Incidentally, it seems strange that it should be necessary to invoke the law to stop man from drinking bay rum. It is subtle poison, which no one with the least regard for his constitution would take into his system. It will work on the Things of his stomach, and as a final result he will probably land in the asylum at Tuscaloosa if something even worse don't happen to him."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-12
Chamber of Commerce Activities

The Chamber of Commerce, wltl it's thorough organization, IS no" more than ever appreciated as cen ter of influence, and what it has ac' complished within the last three months is only an example ot the larger achievements that may be ex- pected of it during the summer ana fall.
 It is endeavoring to secure the gov ernment armor plate plant for the blr- mingham district, with promise ot suc- cess. It will make strong effort to secure for Birmingham one of the farm loan banks to be established under the rural credits act. The coun- trv will be divided into twelve regions and the general scheme of the farm credit system will be modelled some what after the federal reserve sys- tenn.
 Birmingham was logical point for the location of the reserve bank m the southeastern region, but the gov ernment's locating committee decided in favor of Atlanta. Birmingham of fers many advantages for one of the twelve regional farm loan institutions and if the Chamber of Commerce mobilizes all the influences easily available political, agricultural and commercial-Birmingham should win.
 The Chamber of Commerce is CO., operating with various interests to secure the governments nitrate plant for Muscle Shoals with good chance of succeeding.
 These are some of the large prof ects inviting the attention of the Chamber of Commerce, but one of the most important questions affecting the city of Birmingham and the entire county of Jefferson is the proposed highway to the Warrior. The Cham Der of Commerce has an active con- mittee working for a Warrior river road. It has had many conferences with the boad of revenue and is ready and willing to assist the board in any practical way to finance the road con- struction.
 Two attractive and desirable routes have been surveyed, and estimates of cost made. The thing for the board of revenue to do is to start the work without further delay. If the Cham Der of Commerce did no more during the summer than induce the board to complete at least one road to the Warrior speedily it would be entitled to the lasting gratitude of the people of Birmingham. But it is hoped there will be no Tagging on the part of the chamber in pushing all the big tasks mapped out for it's activities.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-12
In a Reminiscent Mood

J. H. Johns, one of Birmngham's pio-
 neer citizens, was out at Edgewood yes
 terday and was in a reminiscent mood. "All of this timber which you see
 around here is second growth he said,
 flor many years ago the timber along this creek for seven or eight miles was cut to make charcoal to De used in mak- ing charcoal iron at the old Irondale fur mace. This old furnace was doing it's
 best work 45 years ago.
 Tt was in the days when there was
 no railroad closer than the Cahaba river.
 All of the machinery of the plant was
 hauled over land from the Cahaba and the finished iron was hauled to market in the same way. I remember when a load of stuff required 16 mules to bring il to Irondale from the Cahaba and 1, took IS days to make the journey. Some of that old machinery is now in the plant of the Linn Ironworks in Birming- ham.
 By the way, that Caroonist Blackmar of yours has become great man and g fine fellow. That boy used to work fol me when he was in knee brooches He used to wrap bolts in paper containers have watched his career with lot oi interest, but do you know it has beer several years since I have seen him?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-12
PREPAREDNESS
From the New York Globe.

From the New York Globe.
 Pardon me, my friend.'' said the beg gar to a well-dressed, pompous looking man, but I am in need of a square meal Will
 Here, my good man. said the pomp- ous one, with a flourish, extracting a nickel from his pocket. take this"
 Thanks said the man, as he took the nickel but you don't happen to have a dyspepsia tablet about you. do you?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-12
CHAPLIN FORTUNE GONE

From the New York Herald.
 At a private hearing in the offices o1 Charles O. Maas John Claflin recently told of the manner in which he parted with his entire fortune, estimated at mil lions of dollars, with the exception of s0oo in cash and 5000 in personal ef- fects. His explanation was made to show the United States Realty and Improve ment company that he had no assets to satisfy it's judgment of sSs,54 under guaranty of the rent of the O'Neill-Ad- ans store in Sixth avenue. R. G. Bab- bage, vice president and secretary of the company, conducted the examination.
 MT. Claflin, who was at the head of a great chain of department stores which failed about two years ago. said that his only place sof residence was now in Nor ristown, N. J., and that he had no busi- ness now of any kind and no office in New York. He is not interested, he said. in any partnership. After explaining that he had s2oo in the American Ex- change bank, he said:
 'I own no other personal property ex- cept my personal effects, worth not more than 5000, and certain stocks that have no market value."
 By personal effects you mean your wearing apparel jewelry and such things?"
 "Yes, l am sure 5000 would cover all of it."
 ITO the best of my knowledge" he said, mo person or corporation owes me money with the exception of my balance in the bank.
 Asked what assignments. deeds of sales of real estate or personal property amounting to more than 5000 he had made since June 1. 1914. he said he had transferred to the receivers of the H. B. Claflin company the corporate securities of some 26 dry goods stores, practically all of which were wholly owned by me and were primary debtors on a series of promissory notes indorsed and negotiated through the H B> C1aflin cOmpany"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-12
LEBEL RIFLE FOR RUSSIANS

From the Bulletin des Armees.
 The soldiers sent to us by Russia are big, robust men of martial appearance, many being veterans. Their uniform is of a khaki shade. They wear a short blouse. buttoning on the side and held in by belt. Their trousers are fairly tight and their boots black. The regiment number and rank are marked on the shoulder strap. As the men land our Lebel rifle is handed at once to them. A notable little detail was the fact that the landing accidentally took place close by numerous gangs of German prison CTS, at work on the docks, who appeared absolutely astounded.
 The Lebei rifle is a fraction of an inch shorter than the ''three-line'' Nagant used by the Russians. but the French bayonet is longer than that of any of the belligerents. and more than three inches longer than the Russian weapon.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-12
Dog Show at East Lake

| T hope the doggy folks of Birmingham will take an interest in the coming one day show at East Lake next Sunday
 June 1S," said John c. Moses, a lover | of our dumb fhend, and one well versed
 on the 'ins' and outs of the pedi- greed class.
 Manager G. J. Breing of the park is te be congratulated on his hustling ability to give the public something new all the time. The coming dog show, of course, will not be held under the sanction of the American Kennel club, as 1t will be only a 'one-day stunt as MT. Breinig stated, but the rules will conform with a regular licensed bench show. Tt is the intention of the park man.
 agement to have the dogs at the park the ribbons and prizes placed, and when the crowd arrives soon afterward every thing will be running nicely and the patrons of the park can see Birmingham 8 best of the canine family.
 MT. Breinig Is sending out blanks and invitations to all owners of dogs, and l hope he will be encouraged, as 1t will give a little mid-season rivalry among the fans. Anyone not receiving an entry blank or invitation can call up the park management and be supplied It is every body's show. 7o
 Birmingham is fast lining up in the way of good dogs, and with this small affair the fanciers can get an outline of what they must compete against at the regular fall show later.
 Let everyone shine up the coats and toenails of their favorite bowwow and make an early entry this week. as the affair is just six days off,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-12

Discussing the question as to whether or not Colonel Roosevelt can pussyfoot Colonel Watterson asks Gan Mrs Cas- tie dance the one-step? Can a duck swim?' The inference seems to be that the colonel is not only pussyfooter, but one of the best in the business
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-12

Kavala is the commercial center O.
 northeast Macedonia and has a popula ton of 5000 The town has recently fig
 ured in war dispatches from abroad. Ii lies 30 miles northeast of Saloniki as the crow flies and is about 250 miles west of Constantinople. Cargoes of the finest Turkish tobacco in the world are shipped l from Kavala and the towns population is more than doubled in the summer time when peasants come in to find employ ment in curing and packing this tobacco for shipment. Before the war America and Europe paid more than $6,00O,000 an- nually for tobacco exported from Kavala. The town has a secure place in history as the birthplace of Mehemet Ali, son vceroy of Egypt during the first half of the nineteenth century came near to plunging all Europe into war. He was oorn in 1769 in narrow crooked street of Kavala, near the Turkish school he founded Mehemet Ali himself never learned to read and write. kavala was known in Roman days as Neapolis St. Paul landed here on his way from Samothrace to Philppi, home of thriv- ing colony of Christians, to whom the Epistle to the Philippians was addressed. Before the Christian era Neapolis was the seaport of Philippi, whose ruins are about 10 miles from shore on the road from Kavala to Thessaly. The fleet of Brutus and Cassius anchored here dur ing the famous battle on the field of Philippi in fl B. C., when the two con- spirators who helped to slay Julius Cae- sar were defeated by the legions of An thony and Octavius. Practically the only relic of Roman days at kavala is an ac- queduct which is still used to convey water to the town and citadel.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-12

At any rate, the 'favorite sons" were permitted to get their names be- fore the country, although their initials and nicknames will remain unknown to nine-tenths of the country's population.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-12

Charles Hughes and Charles Fair banks are to be running mates, but the voters will hesitate long time before speaking of either one as Charley"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-12

The Britons are unwilling to give up their luxuries. but they have already lost one great luxury and that is a cock sure belief in their own invincibleness.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-12

Whether the absence of vodka is re- sponsible or not. the Russian troops are showing surprisingly better form than
 they did in the Russo-Japanese war.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-12

King George has to worry along on a salary of only s25oe,O 900 a year, but he is a careful man and contrives to make both ends meet.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-12

The French bayonets are trifle longer than Russian bayonets. but the efficiency of a bayonet depends a great deal on
 the man behind it.