davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09
The Army Question

l wish everybody in Birmingham could have heard Maj. Gen. Leonard Woods inspiring and instructive address Monday on "our military situation,' said Maj. Carl H. Seals, the well known pro- duce broker and National Guardsman.
 Everyone who is connected with the military or who has had war experience knows that the United States needs a larger military establishment than it has and civilians who have read President Wilson's speeches or who have given thought to the matter of the national defense, must be convinced by this time that America must have better navy and large force of men trained for any war enemy.
 The National Guard is thoroughly or- ganized and is in closer touch with the regular army than in former years, but it will not be as strong numerically as desired until it is federalized and the men paid by the government. Were Con- gress to adopt such a measure the Ma tional Guard could be increased from 125,0Oo, its present strength. to ovJ,ooo or 100000
 There is nothing in the continental army proposition. It is not workable. College students might enlist in their va cation period, but business men or wage workers could not be expected to offer for enlistment. I am no alarmist, neither do I wish to see militarism rampant in this country, but the time will come, and it should come, when compulsory military training will be in order.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09
The State Fair Association

Birmingham had great State Fan last year and it will have a still greater next fall.
 The State Fair association in re electing R. A. Brown president, acteo wisely. This popular and public spirited citizen has made an ideal eX- ecutiye. Under his administration the scope of the agricultural exhibits, es- pecially in the live stock section, has been broadened, and the amusement features have become more and more attractive.
 Mir. Brown is a man of foresight and tireless activity and nothing cal culated to increase the interest in the fair escapes his attention.
 It used to be that the fair assocla- tion did not start to get ready for the annual event until the date was drawing near. But i'll the recent years one fair is hardly over before the president and the executive com mittee begin to block out the work for the next one.
 Many of the free shows" for the coming fall have been secured and ar- engagements for the best of races have been made. The live stock catalogs will soon be in the hands of the prints and will be distributed early in the spring.
 This years fair promises to be not only the greatest ever held in Ala bama but by far the greatest in the entire south.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09
WINTER

By Coventry Patmore. l, singularly moved
 Tc love the lovely that are not beloved, Of all the Seasons, most Ie Love Winter. !" And the dim cloud that doth the world enfold f < Hath less the character of dark and cold Than warmth and light sleep !" Nor is in field or garden anything But, duly lool'd into contains serene " The substance of Summer not yet seen. On every chance-mild day That visits the moist shaw, The honeysuckle. 'Voids the times law With still increase Ae or leaflet new, and little, wandering spray; M Often, in shehering brakes,
 As one from rest disturb'd in the first hour,
 Primrose and violet bewilder'd wakes.
 And deems 'tis time to flower;
 Though not whisper to her voice he hear,
 The buried bulb does know
 The signals of the year,
 And halls far Summer with his lifted spear. s
 The gorse-fed dark. by sudden. gold caprices Turns here and there, into Jascn's fleece.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09
Birmingham's Public Economies

The authoritative announcement from the city hall printed in yester- days Age-Herald that the public
 schools would be kept open the full term of nine months was most wei
 come, althoug many people had felt,
 no doubt, that the city commission
 would find some way to avert the threatened curtailment of the term to seven months.
 If the liquor inspection ordinance produces the amount of revenue 1t IS expected to produce there will be enough to pay for the difference be- tween the proposed shortened term and the nine months schedule and something to spare for other depart ments of the city.
 A larger percentage of the popula- tion has to do with the schools than with any other branch of local govern ment, and despite the necessity of Bir- mingham living within it's limited means an abridgment of the school term would mean a serious set back to the city's material progress and would not be allowed even if it came to the point of raising money by public subscription.
 l Business-lille economy is now being practiced in all departments, but re- trenchment has not, as rule, caused any appreciable reduction in eff 1 ficiency. If, however, the schools had to close short of nine months, eff 1 ficiency would receive a blow that would be far-reaching in it's conse- Quences. But. Birmingham may now congratulate itself upon the fact that Commencement" exercises will not come earlier this year than usual. When the proposed service tax ordi- nance is adopted the city should be able to do more street work and do more for the health department. In Dr. R. M. Cunningham, Birmingham has health officer of priceless value, for to his experience and ability as physician are added uncommon indus try, fine enthusiasm and the altruistic spirit.
 But when the city treasury is less depleted than it is the health depart ment force should be restored to it's former strength. In the meantime this department, like some of the others, is marked by high achieve ment.
 A city that has aschool system such as Birmingham's and sanitary, police and fire service anything like so ef- ficient, is in class to be proud of.
 Birmingham needs more income-a good deal more. With it great inn provement could be undertaken, but certain it is that the best is being made of present conditions.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09
To William Winter

On July IS William Winter, the foremost dramatic critic this country has ever produced and man whose work in literature and in journalism is stamped with the individual mark of genius, will celebrate his eightieth birthday. A committee of men and women prominent in many walks of life has been formed to devise testi- nonial to MT. Winter on that occasion. The plans have not been completed yet, but will probably include Shake spearian pagent as one of the features. This will be particularly fitting in view of MT. Winters devotion to Shakespeare. A letter was addressed to the veteran critic asking for the privilege of so honoring him, which he has granted President Wilson and many other notables signed the letter.
 gNo other writer in America has labored more zealously for all that is best in the drama and in literature in it's relation to the stage than William Winter. He has enjoyed the intimate Friendship of practically all the great actors and actresses of his time and his career is noteworthy in the history of the American theatre, from early days down to the present. Singuarly gifted with powers of expression, a deep student of the drama, particular ly of Shakespeare, and man whose observations and experiences have been very wide in scope, there is no person living today who knows more about the theatric art and none who can write about it more illuminatingly and more entertainingly than William Winter. His devotion to high ideals and his impatience with certain mod ern tendencies developed by New York managers who care more for money than art, brought down upon him the ill will of these men, as well as that of host of cheap and shoddy perform CTS whose mediocre talents have been widely exploited.
 However, for all those who care for the better things of life William Win ter is still the supreme arbiter of the stage. Not only has he labored long and hard as newspaper critic, but he has written a number of books about
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09

mound nearby and marked the place by throwing a few rocks around it. And ever since these rocks multiplied until they constituted quite a good-sized heap. Now the tourists are all satisfied, and feel that they have been well paid for their mis- sion. As matter of fact Hamlet is not buried at Elsinore, and may have never visited the place. It is doubtful if ever any such person lived. George Brandes, the great Danish historian, still living, denies that Hamlet was a prince of Denmark, in the sense of belonging to the royal family. He may have been a country landowner in some remote dis trlct, who was called a prince, as is the custom in many parts of Europe.
 There will be no doubt about the reality of Walter Malone There will be no doubt as to the authenticity of his work Both are indestructibly established and will last throughout time, and the sooner that people realize the fact and begin to pay due homage to his memory the bet ter for them. Walter Malone is much bet ter known in England, by such men as Israel Zangwill and Poet Laureate Aus tin, and men of that class, than he is by many people of Memphis. This is perhaps eXplainable on the theory that prophet is not without honor save in his own country. more logical reason, how ever, may be found in the nearness in time and physical adjacency, which de- stroys entertainment as well as just sense of proportion. Those who stand near to the mountain see only sand and rocks and roots. When they remove themselves to 8 distance and look upon the mountain they see it clothed in imperial purple and garnisheo with all manner of beauty and sublirnity.
 It will require an effort for the present generation to open its eyes and see Wal ter Malone as posterity will sec him, but it can be done, and should be done
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09
"A CHEMICAL CARTRIDGE,

From the Pittsburg Dispatch.
 The shooting of two aged people in Albany and wounding of others bv some unknown man who employed a noise- less weapon has aroused interest in the discovery by the police of cartridge loaded with a heavily compressed ful- minate and mercury. This at once started the police to weaving theories and 1t was given out that the chemical combustion made an explosive that was not only noiseless, but several times more powerful than gunpowder. A new terror was at once created, for the mind could hardly comprehend the awful ness that would attend the use of such ammunition, particularly in warfare. Smokeless powder added something to the horror of armed conflict that was not present in the old days of the mug zle-loading rifle and the black powder.
 But add silence and powerful impulse to the smokeless ammunition and the |nerve-racking horrors of the battle field would be magnified a thousand
 fold. To hear nothing, but to see one's companions dropping, drilled through by bullet that came noiseless from some unseen, unlocated weapon, or to feel the slap of leaden pellet and a reeling faintness would be the acme of mental suffering. The silencer promised to kill the sound of explosion, but it did it at some loss of explosive power and it was not generally accepted on large calibre guns or the ordinary mus ket. Meanwhile the police authorities kept up their efforts to discover the
 murderer. They were successful, and in the mans room they found a sawed off
 gun and a silencer and box of ordi- nary cartridges. Thus fine piece of imas' native work is reduced to the low
 degre, of "a fake"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09
AGAINST THE PROPOSITION
le Montgomery Times.

From the Montgomery Times.
 | Some of the leading prohibtionists of Birmingham are up in arms against the plan to make each shipper of liquor into that town pay an additional fee of 70 to 50 cents for the privilege of taking the booze out of the express office. If this is a movement of the prohibitionists to further curtail the use of liquor in Alabama, it is a mistake. If it is movement on the part of the city com missioners of Birmingham to raise more
 revenue, it will be failure.
 There is such a thing as going too far with most any proposition. The pro- hibitionists should be satisfied with the laws that they have on the statute books as to curtailing the liquor traffic make the. laws more stringent, they should bend all of their energies toward having the laws that have been passed enforced. But for the proposition of trying to enact constitutional prohibition ir 19O9 the great tidal wave that swept Governor O'Neal into office on local option platform never would have arisen on the political. horizon of Alabama. In other words, many prohibitionists are never satisfied with what they have, when they have nearly everything in sight but are constantly agitating the
 question of making it harder for those to get a drink who indulge in the ar dent. It is this constant desire on the
 part of many men that causes reaction to come and the laws that they have
 been years in getting on the statute
 books are done away with in the course
 of an election. Over-zeal is looked on
 by many men as persecution and after
 standing it for a long time, public sen- timent becomes aroused and a reaction sets in that sweeps reforms that have
 been years in forming from the statute
 books.
 The Times desires to commend those
 Birmingham prohibitionists who have pat
 the seal of their disapproval on the
 movement in Birmingham of having a
 tax placed on liquor shipped through the
 express office In the first place, it will
 not stand the test of the courts for it Is direct violation of the interstate shipping laws. Of course, the law can be put on the statute books of the city
 of Birmingham but the express com pany will enjoin them and a big sauab- ble will be the result. Birmingham will lose in the long run and the advocates of local option will claim it as a victory and the prohibition cause will be dam- aged that much.
 There are cranky prohibitionists and leve!-headed prohibitionists. The prom inent men in Birmingham of the prohi- bition oersuas sion, who have put their wits to work to defeat the proposed plan to tax each package of booze shipped to that point, have great deal more sense than the wild and wooley fellows. who would banish every drop of the ardent from the land.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09

the stage and kindred subjects. "Gray Days and Gold" and biography of Richard Mansfield are two of his most delightful volumes. He is also the author of some exquisite poetry.
 1t is fitting thai. some distinguished +honor be shown Mr. Winter on his eightieth birthday. The committee in charge of the arrangements may rest assured that the entire country will cordially indorse their plans.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09
HOTEL LOBBIES
Permanent Prosperity

some people say that the wave of prosperity which came last fall is only temporary, but some of our best finan- clers and manufacturers regard it as permanent" said H. V. Seldon of New York With the sales books of iron and steel companies filled with orders for practically all of this year, I do not see how we can fail to have con- tlnuance of prosperity well into 1917. The stock market will have it's jolts now and then, but general trade is in good condition and look for great ac- tivity in all lines of business this spring."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09
As to the End of the War

q had thought the European wal would be over before this spring, but in- oications point to a great deal of des- perate fighting within the next six months,'' said Charles H. Blaisdeu of Pittsburg.
 Military critics predict that decisive battle will be fought early in the fall. But critics have been missing it right along. The average layman can guess as well as the military expert. And there is a consensus of opinion among busi ness men that when the war does end it will be by exhaustion"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09
The G.nnd Opera

"The sale of seats for the Boston Grand Opera company in conjunction with the Pavlowa Ballet Russe,'' said Edwin A. Bachelder, business manager of this biz organization, ''has been wonderful. have never been in any city which has responded more cordially or more gen. erously. The change of programme which we have agreed to. by request of hun dreds who want to hear Montemezzis S opera. L'Amore dei tre Re- instead ot 'Pagliacci,' has increased the demand for tickets remarkably. The great operatic novelty is, of course, in popular favor now with musicians all over the world and is considered one of the most beau tiful of all the operas. Luisa Valiant who created the role of Flora at the premiere performance of the opera al La Scala, Milan, will sing it here and Mardenes, the big basso, and Zenatella the great tenor will do full justice to the roles entrusted to them.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09
ALABAMA PRESS

Wilcox Progressive Era: The Jefferson closed it's doors. With a capital stock of $500, 900, and in a perfectly solvent condi- ton, according to reports, it was neces- sary to close it's doors. The one disturb ing factor was lack Of harmony among the directors. That factor, though, is a powerful one, and has broken up homes, churches schools and even nations. United we stand divided we fall"
 New Decatur Advertiser: When we brag about coming over on the Mayfiower, we forget that the immigration laws were not in force at that ttime.-Guntersville Democrat.
 Two other jokes about the Mayhower are hardy perennials and nearly always in bloom. One is that the Mayf1ower must have been as large vessel as the Titanic and the other is that her name should have been the Cauliflower.
 Montgomery Journal: Chairman Hilles of the national republican executive com mittee says that no one knows who will be the republican nonanee, that he will be born in the convention when it con venes in Chicago. But that doesn't pre- vent us from making pretty good guess.
 Talladega Home: Asking man to fight for his hearth and home is in rather poor taste when he happens to have neither Birmingham Age Herald. But if our his tories serve us right it is the poor and brave who have fought the battles of the world-in ether words the boys who wore "copperSs breeches.''
 Mobile Item: The Huntsville Times IS strong for Richmond Pearson Hobson, sometime captain in the United States navy and member of Congress and Of Merrimac and kissing fame. The Times says: 'An appreciative nation will yet sweet R. P. Hobson, wheE his time comes, into the White House" Mebbe so. Mebbe so. But there's strong suspicion that after Woodrow Wilson's second term and it's time for Alabama to furnish President, his name will be very similar to that of the man who beat Captain Hob- son for the United States Senate.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09
Convinced by Woods Eloouence

That was indeed a stirring speech de- livered Monday night by Gen. Leonard Wocd,'' remarked T. V. Johnston of Bir- mngham.
 'In fact, I don't remember to have ever heard a more forcible or convincing argument than that made by General Wood in his plea for preparedness. To be frank, I had not felt that policy Of preparedness on a large scale was for the best, though I had not had the lei sure to give the matter much thought. I had read numerous paragraphs on the subject, and seen one or two moving picture shows calculated to arouse the people to a sense of national peril but all were more or less incomplete.
 General Wood certainly handled his subject in a masterly manner; and at the close of his remarks if there were any among that attentive Birmingham au- dience who did not thoroughly realize the need for radical defense measures I was not among them.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09
MORE ITO RE DREADED

From the Philadelphia Telegraph.
 Bad enough, indeed, should the French and English bar Wagnerian music at the close of the war. but there are yet more direful possibilities What if they should likewise put a taboo on delectable sauer-Eraut?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09

BEGINNING THE DAY-Heip me, q nay God. not to dispair of myseit' Tell me over again that Thou hast nut me here for a purpose and that Thou art waiting to realize fhS glory in me. Thou wilt not forsaAe mo for I am Thine--a part of Thy soJf cannot suffer wreck if I cIeave to Thee. Amen.-H. Nj. E.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09
sT. CIR SAYS "NOv

From the Nashville Tennessean. No wonder George Bailey has let up on the charms of Houston widows when
 even the dry goods clerks from that state not only go to New York for their widow supply, but take them old as
 grandmother.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09
ELUSIVE VILLA

From the Savannah News.
 General Villa Again Located. As a flea is located-by the bite. But when the averaging finger descends upon the spot only the sting of the bite remains.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09

WORDS OF ADVICE. 'I have the worst luck.'' Whats the matter, son?' After I had taken the trouble to learn all the latest dance steps my girl began to skate.' "Umph! If you don't want to get left behind nowadays, my boy, you not only have to keep up with all the latest fads,
 but occasionally anticipate them''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09
LOOKING FORWARD.

When this cruel war is over And the battling nations cease, And the unrestricted tourist
 Roams abroad, his heart at peace, Starving guides and hotel keepers
 Snug once more and full of guile, Will resume their work of plunder With broad, complacent smile.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09
IN UPPER CIRCLES.

Was Mrs. Frittersby satisfied with the alimony awarded her?'
 ''No, indeed" Wasn't it large enough?' "She declares it wouldn't be sufficient
 to maintain her poodle in the style to
 which it is accustomed"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09
ONE IN A THOUSAND.

ONE IN A THOuSAND- I've just been reading about the dar- "Yes. Wonderful people, the French ' But you made the same remark yes- terday about the Germans when I was talking about the Moewe."
 Sure did. l not only preach neu- trality, but I practice it."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09

St. Louis and Chicago hotelkeepers are getting ready to receive delegates to the two national conventions and multitude of lookers-on. What do they care who's nominated?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09

A poet listened to the music of little German band in one of the eastern cities and wrote touching poem about it. He may be a poet but he hasn't much of an ear for instrumental music.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09

King Peter of servia is reputed to be fond of reading French novels. lie will have plenty of leisure now to indulge him. self in light fiction
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09

Has anybody found out yet who set the Canadian Parliament building on fire?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09

Huerta is said to have consumed more could drink in a month. Dropping into the vernacular, he had some / capac-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09

The Britons continue to explain that they are just beginning to fight. They'll have to hurry if they want to be in at the finish
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09

Diplomats would not indulge in so much circumlocution if they had to pay cable tolls out of their own pockets.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09
! RARE BIRD

From the Memphis Commercial Appeal Kansas got d carload of live quail from Mexico last week and not a peace bird among them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09
NOTHING TO IT.

''Rantz Roarer says he is going to retire from the stage"
 ''He who was welded to his art?" "Quite so. But just confidentially, I think it was a mock ceremony
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES

in one cabinet 1t spoiled his evening if he thought he was putting ragtime
 record on the machine and it turned out to be something classic.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09

Mrs. Mohr joins the increasing number of women who have proiited by the gall lantry of jury composed of men.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09

Life in the Mississippi valley is far from being monotonous when the rivers rise.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-09

Daily and Sunday Age-Herald. year $6.oO Daily without Sunday. 400 Daily and Sunday, per month";, .59
 Daily and Sunday, three monrhs.. l.5O Weekly Age-Herald. per annum. 50 Sunday Age-HeraId, per annum.. 2U0