davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-11
EXPLORATION IN SOUTH AMERIC

 From the Rochester Democrat anu Chronicle.
 Since the war closed great areas m Africa and Asia to scientific lnvesuga- tors exnlorers have shifted the scene of their operations elsewhere. American geographers have been devoting good deal of attention to South America. This field is said to be a highly interesting one to trained observers, and one where much valuable work may be done Tn the way of compiling accurate data
 In December, 1914, Dr. C. Il. F. Lnin- mis headed anexpedition from Los An eeles which went to the west coast or South America for the purpose of talk inc films in the fields of geography, archa eology and natural science Last wear Prof. E. o. Hovey of the American l Museum in New York, undertook studies i of volcanic action in the West Indies.
 Tn 1915 the National Geographic Society," Vale university expedition visited Peru and gathered much new material. The Field museum of Chicago and the Amer
 ican museum of New York last year sent
 a joint expedition to Bolivia, whence the party crossed the Andes and descended
 to the tributaries of the Amazon. Amer jeans have discovered in Honduras, Gen. | tral America, the existence of an ancient city that at some remote time was the center of a high civilization.
 i It is undoubtedly true that the geogra-
 phy of South and Central America is toe l little known to the people in the United States. Moreover, maps of the territory
 in question appear to be more or less un-
 reliable. The new impetus given by the war to American exploration in the southern part of the continent Will prob ably lead to opening of new channels oi
 trade and travel. South America is oi course, very far from being wilderness as might be inferred from the reported lexertions of American investigators. But what the even we'll informed persons ir the United States don't know of oul southern neighbors would very likely fill several large volumes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-11
A JOYOuS EuNERAL

From the St. Louis Globe-Democrat.
 No doubt there are some who were shocked at the remarks of Bishop Quayle at the funeral of his beloved friend, Bishop Luccock. Death has always been considered such a solemn theme, and sor- row so universally it's accompaniment, ] that to speak of laughter in its associa- tion seems a sacri,ege. And yet II the Christian is sincere in his belief in a hereafter of eternal happines why should
 this be SO? Is not laughter the expression of happiness, and is it possible to con- ceive of anything sweeter and finer than the laughter which springs from joy? It is not a mere physical expression of a pIeasurable sensation, for pure laughter is spiritual. If it has not soul behind it it is a hollow mockery. And if it comes from the spirit, why should It De assumed that the spirit loses this power of manifesting delight when it sheds it's mortal tegument and enters into state or supernal happiness that surely must compel some form of expression?
 The angels will laugh with Naphtali Luccock, said Bishop Quayle at the fu- neraly ana among ms hearers lHelo " o' laughter amid the tears at his pictures of merry scenes in heaven. Children who have such a father,' he cried ought not to chant requiem, put should sing 'Hallelujah.' It was as one
 going on a long journey to a great ad- vancement; the friends crowding around him at the station to bid him good-by, re- gretting his departure, but rejoicing in his reward. There was grief that pr. Luccock was gone, but under the spell of the brilliant Bishop Quayle the minor note became a major chord that swelled into a paean of triumph. Why should not more funerals be celebrated in that spirit? It is true that the life and character of Bishop Luccock eminently justified this unusual attitude. But there are many, many lives just as conse-
 crated, just as cheering, just as heroic
 often so among the most humble and ob-
 scure whose departures might well be
 made an occasion for smiles rather than
 for tears The most comforting of all the
 beatitudes is that in which Jesus said,
 Blessed are ye that weep now, for ye
 shall laugh.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-11

sCHwAB's SUDDEN CONVERSION From the New York World
 As an inducement to Congress to aban- don the bill establishing a government armor plate plant, the Bethlehem Steel company offers to manufacture armor for an indefinite period at any price which the federal trade commission shall decide to be fair"
 For 29 years the present owners of the Carnegie, Midvale and Bethlehem Steel companies have had an armor plate monopoly. During that time there has been complaint at intervals of exorbitant prices and inferior products. Frequently it has been shown that armor plate was sold abroad at figures considerably less than those exacted at home. On many occasions there have been threats of such action as now is under way.
 It was not until the 9th of the present month, however that the Bethlehem com pany offered to meet the public in a spirit of guaranteed fairness. The Senate had already pronounced in favor of mak- ing armor on public account. and the House had exhibited disposition to fol- low, when the Bethlehem proposition ap- peared. If the concession comes too late. the blame must rest with those who have exhausted public patience. There can be no doubt that had the terms suggested by MT. SCchwab been advanced a year ago they would have been gladly ac- cepted.
 In most cases in this country public ownership is last resort Monopolists who are inclined to push their advantages too far will do we'll to heed the storm signals displayed for their guidance.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-11
THE HANDICAPPED WOMAN
From the Louisville Courier-Journal. "HE idea that women are privileged
 to adopt the manly vices," so-

From the Louisville Courier-Journal. |"HE idea that women are privileged
 to adopt the manly vices." so-
 A called is comparatively new in America, and still is confined with in fairly narrow socials limits A series of meetings of Philadelphia social leaders, clergymen, physic- ans and educators, to oppose smok- ing and drinking among society girls calls attention to the effect of the ex- ample of women of the generation which inaugurated emancipation in this particu- lar The task which the participants in the meetings have set for themselves in- cludes the abolition of the custom of serv- ing alcoholic beverages of any kind'' at balls and dinners, and other customs which encourage the debutante to regard good sportship" as the sine qua non of social success and the enjoyment of life
 ''The young woman of certain social circles who smokes, drinks, swears, gam bles and is judge of her conduct" said a New York paper recently, "has well nigh ceased to provoke the comment she once feared"
 But to judge from the agitation in the Quaker City she has become problem demanding attention.
 ''The blase middle aged women of the world who support their flagging ener- gies with cocktails and soothe the passing hour with cigarettes are blamed by one of the speakers at the meeting for having established customs which contamrnate the young girl at the beginning of her social career.
 Miss Abby Sutherland. principal Of the Ogontz school for girls, read = meeting at the home of Mrs. Joseph M. Gazzam, described by the Philadelphia Press as Header in Philadelphia's exclusive social circles" paper which was in part as follows:
 'The old-fashioned. wholesome fear or Mrs. Grundy's tongue has passed away. The good sport requirement of society ignores all the old landmarks, and when
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-11
AN ARTISTS GIFT

From the Pittsburg Dispatch.
 Now and then appears an individual Tn whom lofty ideals are coupled with great talent and both go hand in hand with lowe of his fellow men. Such one is Auguste Rodin, the foremost modern sculptor who has given to his native France his collection of his own works, the other valuable art objects he has col lected during 40 years and the building III which they are gathered. There Will pc a Rodin museum in Paris, as it was urged years ago there should be, that his coun- trymen and those from other lands might have the inspiration of his work Not only in the benefit to artists, but in eieva- tion of popular taste will the gift or the great sculptor prove of unusual value, for daring as he is in the originality of many of his conceptions, impatient of those who seek to bury individuality, there has nevertheless always been an appeal in the man and his work that reached the high and low, the simplicity of greatness that is it's most striking characteristic.
 Rodin has ever had the courage of his convictions; he preached what he felt to be the truth; setting high ideals. he has worked bravely and consistently for their realization. The world has accorded him so much honor there need be no hint or egotism in his desire to have his country the recipient of his work and his co.lec- ton of the works of others. The gift will be the more valuable for his arrange ment and his presence among the treas ures during the remaining years of Ms life, That the works themselves will be an inspiration to the artists all admit; much greater will be the inspiration oi the masters daily going to and fro among them. And the inspiration will not be to the artists alone. for the sculptor mas laid down and followed some rules or lire that are pretty generally applicable and which, 1t cannot be doubted. many will De more ready to follow when they see the living evidence that they worked so well;
 "The artist must be man of science ol patience. He should never be baked by any hazard He must do everything wltn all his might. For 50 years have known all the bangs of poverty; have always been by force a toiler, but the joys ol ,abor enabled me to support everything If is to me odious not to produce. The man who seeks to please that million headed monster called the public forfeits his personality and his independence.' Not altogether a bad creed, either fol him gifted in art or for him condemned tc more prosaic walks.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-11
A coon PLAN
Beaumont Enterprise

From the Beaumont Enterprise.
 Over in Birmingham. Ala. the city commissioners and the directors of the Chamber of Commerce have decided to come together at stated times for the purpose of ipterchanging views on mat ters of publf interest. Conferences of this nature can be made to produce valu- able results. There are many things for the good of the community that can easily be accomplished when city author ities and civic organizations work to- gether for them. This Birmingham idea is bright. It should be pushed along.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-11
The Peanut Oil Industry

When crop diversification In the cotton states was first urged by bank CTS and others who were in close touch with agricultural conditions the neanut was not reckoned with as a conspicuous factor, but that was be- cause the peanut oil industry had not made it's way to the front as 1t IS do- ing now.
 W. R. Beattie, agricultural com missioner of the St. Louis Southwest ern railway, contributes an informa- tive article to the Baltimore Manu- facturers' Record in which he shows that peanut oil can be commercially established and that the raising of peanuts can be made more profitable, as a rule. than the cultivation of cot ton. He credits the enforcement of the pure food laws with bringing peanut oil to the attention of the trade, and of turning failure in previous years into success insofar as the oil industry is concerned. And this industry, once on a firm business basis as it is fast coming to be, the growing of pea nuts looms up as a large asset in farm activities.
 Mir. Beattie points out that peanut oil has been for many years standard commodity as salad dressing and in cooking in European countries, and that the oil mills of Marseilles and other cities have been for a century or more manufacturing the oil and cake from African grown peanuts. "The European war;" it is said, "has not only curtailed the production of this oil, but increased the demand for it, and as a result shipments to the United States have practically closed. This condition has opened to the oil interests of this country wonderful opportunity for the establishment of the industry"
 As MT. Beattie shows, the peanut oil proposition fits well into the business scheme, because the peanuts, when properly cured and handled, can be stored indefinitely and the crushing of the peanuts need not begin until the cotton seed is entirely out of the way.
 The average yield of peanuts is about forty bushels to the acre, and on the same acre can be grown three quarters of ton of hay. The maxium value of peanuts, for oil production according to MT. Beattie, is, under present conditions, 60 cents bushel The value of the hay is SIP ton, ol $8 for the yield per acre, making g total of $32 an acre. The cost of culti. vating peanuts is no greater thar than of cultivating cotton; less 1T many sections.
 The return, or net profit, from al acre of peanuts is approximately $1( more than the profit from an acre o1 cotton under normal conditions. Ane as for peanut oil cake, MT. Beattit says it can be utilized to great ad vantage in fattening hogs. He bases his calculations on Texas farming, bu what can be done with the peanut il Texas can be done to large exten in Alabama
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-11
HE WAS AN AMERICAN

From the Baltimore Sun.
 All this talk of hyphenated citizenship
 evidently has had it's effect uopn a San
 Francisco youngster. American born. who recently rebelled fiercely when his Italian father whipped him for some misde- meanor. But, Thomasso, your father has a right to whip you when you are bad" some one of the family said. Tomasso's eyes flashed. q am a citizen of the United States" he declared, Do you think l am going to let any foreigner lick me?'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-11
Has Ideas on Pool Rooms

Harry Goldstein, one of the best known of the local city detectives and an of ficer who has made an especial study or the pool room problem, stated yesterday that the cure was not in closing up the billiard parlors, but in the proper regu- lation under the police power of the city. He suggested the following mode Of regulations:
 There are two classes that frequent pool rocms,' said Detective Goldstein; "one of them is the tin horn brigade or betty gambler and the other the young clerks and business men who really go into a pool room to enjoy game of bill lizards or pool. Now the pool rooms should be closed to the vagrants and tin horns,' but they should be opened to the legitimate patronage, and there is no | harm in playing pool. So I make the fol lowing suggestions after a careful study of the situation as to it's criminal possl- | bilities:
 "The city commission should pass an ordinance which would call for all pool and billiard parlors to be on the first i floor of any building and with windows 1 open to the street so that pedestrians could see easily all persons playing or the inside. As the conditions are now all pool rooms are operated under
 blind. In other words. they are located either in basements or on the second floors or are in the rear of cigar stores l and barber shops, and thus cannot be regulated by the police through the fact
 that the word that the dicks are coming is pa ssed before the police can enter. l Now another regulation is to remove
 all chairs from within a pool room There is no excuse for chairs in bill
 I Hard parlor. Remove all the chairs ant
 you remove the vagrants and hangers l on. And then the hours should be regu
 lated so that a pool room could only bt
 opened between g o'clock in the morn
 ing and 9 o'clock at night.
 | If these suggestions are enforced
 can guarantee that there will be n'
 trouble with the pool rooms in the flu
 ture.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-11
PLUGGING THE POILU

From the New Orleans States.
 T want to embrace the brave soldiers of France says Crown Prince Alexan- der of servia. We'll. if he does there will be a big mixing of whiskers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-11
LIFE

John Mansfield in Atlantic Monthly. What am I, Life? A thing of watery salt Held in cohesion by unresting cells Which work they know not why, which
 never halt; Myself unwilling where their Master
 dWellS, I do not bid them, yet they toll, they
 spin A world which uses me as use them. Nor do l know which end or which begin, Nor which to praise which pamper.
 which condemn So. like marvel in marvel set, I answer to the vast, as wave by wave The sea of air goes over, dry or wet, Or the full moon comes swimming from
 her cave, Or the great sun comes north; this my-
 riad l Tingles. not knowing how. yet wondering
 why.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-11
ANALOGOUS CASES

we lose them all chaos is come again. "The light, trifling intercourse of young men and women of the social smart set is already a black shadow on the horizon of many a mother Much of the laxness of conduct comes from the freedom with which young people are allowed to in- dulge in intoxicants."
 The New York American publishes a cartoon of two women stripped to the waist and mauling each other in a prize ring while woman In an evening gown presides as referee and thousands of men watch the fight, asking if 'it will come to this?" The man-made newspaper char acterizes the Moran-Willard fight as a brutalizing exhibition calculated to injure the morals of the city, and publishes a poem including the following stanzas:
 '"The girls are all fighting fans lately. Just go to the Garden some night. You'll see 'em in punches appiauding the
 punches
 And shouting 'Aw! Stand up and fight!" It's an outlet for innocent spirits
 A way to let youth have it's fling, And a slam on the shoot is just perfectly
 cute
 Since the ladies uplifted the ring. "They all are just crazy about it!
 It's a sport that they simply adore With rapture they're thrilled when the
 claret is spilled
 And loose teeth spat around on tho
 floor.
 Let father object all he wants to-
 He's just a dull, horrid old thing. There's no joy like the crunch of punch
 to the lunch
 Since the ladies uplifted the ring!' More than 1000 women were present at the heavyweight championship fight!
 The emancipated woman appears in our social history at time when there Is g tendency among men to assume the bond- age of temperance for hygienic reasons or in preference to the bondage of vices, and to turn a cold shoulder to pugilists and bookmakers because the excitement they provide is in sundry ways enervat- ing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-11

self to vocational practice can be spared from military duty as mry as two and a fraction hours a day. President Wilson has given his hearty approval to the amendment.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-11
NOTHING TO LOSE

T suppose you are planning to go to Europe. like everybody else, after the war is over?"
 We'll no. I haven't made any such announcement to my friends" why don't you? It won't cost you any more than it will two-thirds of the other people who say they are going to Europe after the war is over"
 WHERE HIS MONEY WENT His garments are shabby,
 He wears an old hat,
 But the neighbors, who're gabby,
 Say he's furnished a flat Or so they suppose If
 Iris true twill explain
 Why it won't hurt his clothes if
 He's caught In the rain.
 ASSURED OF AN AUDIENCE 'The high cost of living is actually a source of pleasure to Dubwaite.' ''Is he such a rare optimist?" "Oh no. He's an amateur economist. If the cost of living were not 80 high nobody would listen to his theories"
 ANALOGOUS CASES "One of the most persuasive men have ever met" remarked MT. Jagsby. "Yes," replied his friend. 'I hadn't been with him two minutes before he persuaded me to take a drink 'Umph!"
 Why the cynicism?"
 q was just thinking that it doesn't require much coaxing to make a hum srv wolf bounce on a piece of raw meat"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-11
Will Have to Tighten Up

It appears that Scott Chesnutt is finding the role of Beau Brummer' a costly one for he complained yesterday that the laundries and haberdasherles were getting all of his surplus currency Scotty also stated that next winter ne will be more demure and retiring In the exploitation of male styles.
 Do you know,' said Scotty yesterday afternoon, Fit is about time I went back to work as my funds will all be eater up by these laundries and dry cleaning shops. What with my multitudinous ties and other sartorial knickknacks in which I indulge myself I find it very costly hobby. Believe me, next winter I am going to tighten up and save my money In fact, I am going out in the country and wear out my old suits. This being all dressed up is awful on the pocketoook.
 Scott Chesnutt is leaving the city this week for the north, where he will um- pire in the International league.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-11

Turkish participation in the war so tai hoe not extended the domain of the prophet.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-11

BEGINNING THE DAY-I shall need patience today. Men will dis- ,rree with me and find fault with me; they will misundeFstaho "Ae and he unreasonable and intoIera- bIe Even things will seem pos .exsed of demons. I shall need pa- tience, Hut let me remember thar miners will need patience also in dealing with me. Amen.-H. M' N.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-11
ADRIF'T WITH THE TIMES
A FOE TO sLUMBER

A FOE TO SLUMBER I'm not averse to singing
 A joyous song of praise When April suns are bringing
 Her soft, sweet-scented days I'd like to see my neighbor
 A little garden make, I he'd not start to labor
 Before I'm half awake. His early morning solo
 Is doubtless sweet to hear. But falls like any bolo
 Upon my dreaming ear.
 EXPENSIVE TREATMENT Did the doctor give you any encour- agement?"
 "Oh, yes. He said he would have me feeling like prize fighter in a few weeks"
 'PI wouldn't be at all surprised if he did so."
 "No?"
 Most of the prize fighters nowadays seem to be desperately hard up.'
 NOT AT ALL BELLIGERENT 50 you are the editor of western newspaper
 "Yes," replied the unobtrusive looking man.
 q suppose you have your private ceme. tery, filled with persons who have dif- fered with you in the past?" "Oh, no. American humorists have given you the wrong impression of jour nalism in the west. While keep a six shooter on my desk. I merely use it as a paperweight."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-11

The man who introduced quinine to the world is dead, but the man who sent the price up to prohibitive figure is still at the head of the German empire.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-11

Congressman Burnett does not look like d heavyweight champion, but he recently demonstrated to a Wilson detractor that he has the punch
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-11

The pool rooms of Birmingham Will not be closed. The trouble with reform in this country is that 1t is nearly always carried to absurd lengths.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-11

Holland may be a welterweight coun- try, but she's a champion in her class, fact it might be well for England, as well as Germany, to remember.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-11

Absenteeism has become the bete noire of congressmen who are standing for re- election.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-11

A recent picture of Winston Churchill shows him wearing steel helmet of the newest design. Some of his London crit ics think a fools cap would be more ap- proprate.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-11

The prudent person continues to take the reports of German atrocities, re- ceived via London, with grain of salt.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-11

A Birmingham candidate for office re- sents being called 'wop." That's casus belli, if there ever was one.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-11
ASKING TOO MUCH

From the Kansas City Star.
 motion to abolish salaries of mem- bers of Parliament was voted down over- whelmingly, the M. P.'s being human.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-11

The shortage of dyes may not be an un- mitigsted evil. Maybe it will do away with red flannel undershirts.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-11

The aviators in Mexico seem to have all the best of it. They seldom or never gel blistered feet.