davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26
Since the Last Reunion

So brilliant was the Confederate re- union held here in 1908 that it gave the leading spirits of this community new consciousness of the latent potentialities of Birmingham, inviting development by the cooperative or get-together route.
 The Chamber of Commerce building came directly and immediately from the new movement. A modern, palatial hotel was needed and it came as an outgrowth of the progressive spirit dating from the reunion year. Since 1908 Birmingham has advanced to the very first rank of cities noted for the number and elegance of their hotels.
 Varied improvements have been made within these eight years, but Birmingham is still without peoples auditorium. Plans are a-foot that will make this the auditorium city par excellence, just as it is the best hotel city in the south. And while the forth
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26
THE TRANSPORTATION

painting of the transguanon carries the gospels the valley incident follows transguaon Luke putting It the occurring at the Jesus Tn ne ana the the demoniac boy struggling to be free actually been progress John and the cu descended But either this long continued simultaneous.
 between the thought of the transgua incomplete without this of waits the world with it's
  all the of life hills Relaxation nober work lakeside labor discover the make only the mask that electric of combinations coors must live in the to Gods melodies interpreted by birds grances spiritual exaltaon when seen to and with God
 
 Everything
  acting flowers that
 M
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26
Negro Up Against It

"A few days ago negro came to me and asked my advice in a matter in which I vas as much at a loss as the regro himsef,' said Judge Thomas R. Lea of the municipal court Judge, said the regro I wants yo' advice in little matter dats got me up against it bad. My wife tole me ef I didn't beat tt and leave home she wuz goin to have me put in jail, den she said if 1 did leave she wuz going to put me in jail anyhow. Now whut's I'm gonna do, Judge?
 After thinking few minutes I told the negro the only thing I could see for him to do would be to go down to the jail and ask to be put in on his own accord, but after considering the matter for a while he said, No, Judge, I won t do dat, but I'll leave my name and ad- dress so you will know where to get me when my wife swears ole de warrant"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26

the ten highest are considered and the first and second choice votes of each of the ten respective candidates are added together. The five candidates receiving the largest totals of first and second choice votes are then de- clared winners.
 In arriving at the total number of votes cast in this race the total first choice votes of all candidates are added together and divived by five the number to be nominated.
 The confident ones have made a thorough canvass of the county and are now as good as elected. They would feel safe in sitting still and waiting for the returns to come in, but in order to make assurance double sure" they will continue to shake hands and hand out cards.
 It will take these novices in office seeking a week or two to get over their disappointment and realize that all voters are not truthful. But they will have six weeks of joy in anticipa- tion of the result on the 9th of May; and after all, one of the greatest blessings of psychology is it's easy application of hope in the realm of politics.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26
DEATH OF COLE YOUNGER

From the Nashville Tennessean
 Cole Younger, the last to finger of the James band, lived through long life famously infamous-or infamously fla nous. With no claim to recognition ex- cept that of having been an outlaw, he has kept, in a measure, the center of the spotlight through several decades. He shared it, turing the greater part of the time, with Frank James, brother of Jesse James, the spectacular and somewhat he roic leader of the most active of border bands.
 The only explanation is that these out laws, if not of an unusual sort, operated, at least under unusual conditions In some sort. they were akin to Robin Hood, and the Missouri border took on some of the glamour of Sherwood forest. Their operations were conducted at time when the country was in uproar and portions of
 it in absolute chaos. No considerable portion of the public ever approved of their crimes, but there was in them an element of the heroic, of courageous even chivalrous, men driven into ways that the law-whatever there may have been of law-did not sanction. And some thing of that the public did admire.
 The adventuresN of Jesse James and his associates have been read, more or less by very great proportion of American boys during the past generation. Parents have tried to prevent 1t. But it is doubt full if the boys took any real injury from the reading. Also, it is doubtful, if the reading ends in this generation. Conceiv. ably, it may be as enduring in American literature as Robin Hood in England lit erature.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26
Confidence of Candidates

When election time in Alabama comes round there is never lack of candidates. Some years, however, are more prolific than others, and this has been one of the exceptionally fruitful seasons for the propagation of worthy aspirants for political honors.
 In Jefferson county the list of can didates has reached new high record. The race for the board of revenue alone has brought out nearly seventy entrants, but the candidates for other positions, from the judiciary to that of beat constable, are remarkably nu- merous.
 The primary is only six weeks off from next Tuesday, and no man in the scramble, if he really covets the office he has announced for, is let ting the grass grow under his feet.
 One of the reasons why seat on the board of revenue is in greater demand now than in former years is because of the increased pay. When the sal ary of member of the board was only 5000 year there were not many candidates. A few years ago the salary ! was raised to $500, and in view of the more exacting responsibilities and the accumulation of work, the last legis- lature passed bill doubling the pay; and S36OO is not too much. The people who thought of membership on the board of revenue as a sinecure were ignorant of the duties to be per formed. Every faithful, capable mem Der earns every dollar of his salary. Many of the sixty-odd candidates for the board of revenue were per studded to run by friends who pointed out their special fitness. Others are running because they like politics and yearn to serve their county.
 There are five to be elected-the entire board-and under the new cleo ton law the results will be decided ir
 the first primary. The five men re-
 ceiving the highest number of votes will be declared winners only in case they receive majority of the votes
 cast.
 In the absence of such majorities
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26

Coosa River News: Wonder what sport ing editors did for synonym before they started to calling a wrestler "grap- pler?"-Birmingham Age-Herald. How would sqwezzer have done?
 Decaturs Daily: Over in Calhoun and Etowah counties they have been raising funds with which to fight illiteracy by the sale of buttons. Had it been safety first" campaign they would probably have sold pins.
 Centreville Press: Senator Underwood has written an open letter advising his friends to support E. D. Smith for the position of national committeeman from Alabama. He says that if the democratic party expects to carry the doubtful north ern states, the agitation of national pro- hibition at this time by the democratic party means defeat at the polls. We can ali differ in Alabama as we please, but when it comes to national issues. we must look at the matter from an unbiased attitude and plan ahead for success.
 Florence Herald: Hon. William F. Co8i StALC Ol cuuCd- ton, says there is a lack of trained teachers to properly carry on the school work in Alabama. Here is great field to do good for the ambitious young men and women of our country. There is a call for efficient workers and the field Is vast. Your qualifications are the test Don't be satisfied with less than the best Many of the best teachers of our state re- ceived their training in the Florence Nor nal school, and this institution Is crowd ed to the limit and is doing it's best to meet the demand for trained teachers.
 Mobile Register: Already we note that one Alabama daily paper has taken this position and others will follow. That ter ritory (Mexico) is immensely rich in nat ural wealth, such as gold, silver, iron. oil, timber, water power, etc, and for many years great financial interests have been longing for chance to delve into these riches and apply them to the pay ment of dividends. It has been hard to develop them under Mexican rule.- Opelika News. We do not think that many Alabama papers will let greed have more weight with them than justice.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26
Friction in Navy Department

The office of the Secretary of the Navy and the high officials of the seafighting establishment are not al ways on as pleasant terms as they should be.
 Some of the ablest officers have way of criticising the civilian branch of the navy. One of the first things an army or navy man was taught at the Academy or in entering the ser vice was respect for authority and the absolute necessity of discipline.
 As to the United States army the relations between the war depart ment and the officers have been unl- formly free from friction. Even when a Secretary of War was bit over bearing in his manner or disposition the officers who came in contact with him made allowances and kept on good terms with him.
 But it has happened in several ad- ministrations in the past fifty years that officers of the navy have been resentful of orders issued in the name of the head of the department. 1t too commonly happens that captains and rear admirals make faces at the Sec retary.
 Rear Admiral Fiske is thorn in Secretary Daniels flesh. In criticis- ing the administration of the navy the rear admiral doubtless says many things that should be needed. But he will not get the public to agree with him in his notion that the navy can never be made efficient so long as its policies are directed by new secre- tary every few years.
 Legislation creating general staff with statutory powers would make for greater efficiency in the navy, but if too much power were lodged in the staff, there would be danger of tyran- ny of rank.
 Let the navy learn lesson in "how to get along," from the army.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26
WAR AFFECTS LADIES
New York Correspondent Pittsburg Di patch.

New York Correspondent Pittsburg Dis
 patch.
 This darn old war is playing hob for the ladies. One by one their fancies are becoming scarcer, Now it is writing pa Fer that has been boosted and is becom- ing extremely scarce. Hardly a day passes in which the National Stationers' association does not send to it's members new statements of supply prices. The finer the note paper the higher is the rise in price. The main reason for the increase of the cost of the better qual- ties of writing paper is that it is made largely from rags that are imported from Egypt. Now the supply is prac- tically cut off. Another reason is that large share of the linen used in better grades came from Irish factories. Now these factories are selling their linen for use among the hospitals of the British army.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26

part aircraft are playing in the Flu ropean war show the remarkable adaptability of man. In compara- lively new field of science, foreign to his nature and contrary to all previous habits of life, he reveals skill and daring, as we'll as indifference to the most frightful dangers, that are truly amazing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26
B.rminsham,. Greatest Problem

The man who will solve the problem or bringing more small industries to Bir- mingham will be the greatest benefactor this city has ever had" said Sol Caheen yesterday.
 Tt is a man s-size job, and whole lot of adverse factors must be met and over come, but it is the subject of most vital interest to this district.
 In the first place, freight rates must be such as to give proper encouragement. Then some plan must be devised of help ing new industries financially until they get a good start. Furthermore, living con- ditions for the skilled labor required for such industries must be made attractive. This will include readjustment of rent and living conditions, so that man can rent desirable home in a desirable com munity at reasonable figure. The public schools must be kept up to a high stand ard. and made attractive for newcomers, and we must uproot this idea that has gone abroad that we are too straight faced, that we think we are better than other people and put quietus on the i'm pression that we are submerging every mans personal liberties in wave of fanaticism and reform which threatens to become so overwhelming that it will drown us a1l''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26
Shock-Proof Airmen

According to correspondence of the Associated Press, applicants for ad- mission into the French aircraft ser vice are subjected to the most com- prehensive tests, designed to show that in addition to mechanical knowledge of flying they are literally 1'shock- proof" The brilliant exploits of French aviators in the war seem to indicate that majority of them passed these examinations satisfac- torily.
 Among the curious and interesting experiments which an applicant must undergo is continuous movement of both hands, the regularity and power being registered on paper drum. Next he is seated before clock, of which the needle moves around the face every second. The moment he sees the needle start he stops it by pressing a button and the time re- ouired for him to do this is accurately measured. The interval between the starting of the needle and the pressing of the button should vary between 15-1OO and 2-100 of second. He is next given recording instrument to hold. Other instruments are attached to his chest and pulse to register the slightest variation from the normal when he is suddenly subjected to a binding flash of magnesium light, a loud report, or a dash of cold water. Outwardly he might be able to control his muscles and appear perfectly calm, but the instruments reveal any accel- eration of heart and pulse.
 It can readily be seen that a man who is able to pass these tests is well equipped for the dangerous calling of an army aviator, in which his mind must work with lightning like rapid ity and his muscles must respond in stantly to any demand made on them His life may be the forfeit for the slightest error of judgment.
 The advancement of aviation ano the important and intensely thrilling
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26

TAT F. farmers may sometimes abuse
 W the banker for the rate of in
 terest he charges us But. after
 all, there are but few excep- tions among bankers who charge more than a proportionats rate for the risk-they incur The banker don't charge nearly so much for the risk as does the insurance man.
 I have been very much impressed with the broad -guaged qualities and the genu- inc development spirit of the Alabama bankers-during the past week.
 I attended the meetings of three divis- ions of the Alabama Bankers association during the past week The first was in Birmingham on Tuesday. in Montgomery on Wednesday and in Mobile on Thurs day. At each place, Mrs. Mathis, the fa- nous diversified farm lecturer they are fina ncially backing to teach modern methods of agriculture in Alabama, spoke to them. She told of what she was doing and the bankers were en- thusiastic in their indorsement of her work. Every one was proud of himself for paying part of the expense of the good work she is doing. They all look upon her as the greatest practical asset this state has today They believe her work in developing practical farming in Alabama will make future bank &C., counts more prosperous class of peo- pie, and people it will pay them as bankers, to encourage.
 The banker, when he gets outside the four walls of his usual jail-like enclosure and stands upon the horizon of nature, is big, broad-suaged, generous fellow, whose pleasure is to help his fellow man when that man shows an adaptability. And these very bankers of Alabama are today paying the expenses for work which is making tbis state prosperous and plentiful.
 Alabama's iron business goes up and down One year the furnaces and rail mills and steel plants and coal mines are closed down or run on half time. The next year they are running on dou- ble time with prices high work plenti-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26
HOTEL LOBBIES
Packing Plant. in Birmingham

Few people realize the volume of busi- ness done by our local packing house com panies," said W. J. Rushton. We have two up-to-date companies of this kind, one with a capacity of 15Oo hogs and 500 cattle per week and the other a'cspacity of 500 hogs and 600 cattle in the same period. They manufacture sugar-cured hams, breakfast bacon, salted meats, all kinds of sausage, etc, and the waste is made into fertilizer.
 These companies are encouraging the raising of hogs and cattle in Alabama, and sellers who have bought their live stock to this market state that they get better re- suits here than on shipments to the larger cities There is no reason why the pack ing industry of Birmingham should not continue to expand indefinitely, as the stimulus which the raising of live stock is receiving in this section of the south should supply our local companies with an abundance of the raw material.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26
NED BRACE TALKS ABOUT THE GOOD WORK
 THE ALABAMA COUNTRY BANKER IS DOING

ing, developing in true western style and are preparing to become the rich est city per capita in the south It prom ises in a few years to go ahead of Lynchburg, Va, heretofore containing more wealth per capita than any other city in the south.
 The Mobile people have thrown out unite with them and become their chief commercial ally in development of trade relations, improvements and the accumu- lation of wealth. We should grasp the hands of these people-join with them and pull with them. They are of the right honest as the Chinaman and as progress sive as the Jap-a good combination.
 ob serve that the Birmingham commits sion minstrel show continues to give two performances a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays. and that admission is still free. '.Bones' Barber continue to rattle his worries and is making a reputation as a funny end man that will soon oblterate the memories of Cal Wagner, -Mlt Barlow and Billy B. Vann. He rattles the bones in his head in concert with those in his hands and makes sweet music for the showgoing public. That fellow is a great find He has put Birmingham on the map and he is finding things here that none of us knew anything about. He don't have to buy space in the news papers to tell about himself. He knows so many interesting things and tells them with such keen sense of humor that the newspapers dress him up every day and vaudeville him to the queens taste What an attraction he would make to fill in with the Sunday movies. He is really losing valuable time and is de- prving the public of much pleasure laughter and joyousness. Why should he not put in thirty minutes of time in each of the movies on Sunday?
 Here $ to "Bones" Barber the man Bir- mingham needed most. He is with us today and promises to continue. Go it "Bones,'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26
Series of Meetings

"Congregationalists do not give place to those of any other church in loyalty to the fundamental gospel as taught in the New Testament said the Rev. Dwight s. Bayley, pastor of the Pilgrim Congregational church, "but they do teach it and try to live it with freedom of individual judgment and conscience which many others fail to recognize.
 ''The Pilgrim Congregational church will begin series of special meetings next Wednesday evening and we would be pleased to welcome all who would like to hear for themselves the broader and freer interpretation of the gospel as gen. erally held by Congrega tionalists. The Rev. J. M. Graham will be in charge of our services '
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26

KNOWLEDGE EASY TO ACQUIRE.
 Nowadays 1t is not uncommon to meet people who are familiar with the most out -of-the- places in the world
 Quite true. And unless you listen to their conversation closely you can't tell whether they have really been there or got their information from moving pie tures,"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26
HOW RUSSIANS WON SHAH


 London, March -(Correspondence Of the Associated Press)-The French min ister at Teheran, Persia, has written let- ter just received in diplomatic quarters here which throws a sidelight on some of the novel phases of warfare at that remote scene of action. The minister has the reputation of being a wit, and he sees the humorous as well as the serious side of the scene about him.
 The Persians were greatly exercised when they first heard the Russians were sweeping down from the north. The ter TOT of the -Cossacks spread ahead of them, and the people looked forward to having their throats cut in a general era of mas sacre. The coming of the Russians was awaited with gravest apprehension.
 The first Russians to arrive at Teheran were 8 large party of officers on their way farther forward to the rfont. They were in fine automobiles, strikingiy dressed and we'll equipped. They went to the best hotels, spent money freely, paid in full and a little extra for their elab- crate demands, and then proceeded leaV- ing the people to think that the coming or the Russians might not be so bad for the dropping finances of Teheran.
 The next Russians were headed by the commander-in-c1 chief operating in that sec ton. He was a typical Cossack, born on the steppes north of the Caspian; huge man in furs with a bear skin hat. Back Of his automobile was line of huge auto vans. These vans excited the wonder
 ;l-aIx t0 lat loose some new devise of Russian terror. The commander -in-chief proceeded direct to the palace of the Shah, where he had ar audience.
 With the greetings concluded, the com mander-n-chief ordered the morton vans to enter the royal court. and as the Shah looked on he saw the vans bring forth a great assemblage of Russian dancers, male and female, but chiefly female, in gay dresses and spangles. and female acrohats and snake charmers, all in the picturesque garb of the east. These, the commander-in-chief made known. were a present to the Persian ruler, to be incor- porated into the royal seraglio. It was a novel and welcome present, the dancers soon displayed their charms. and everyone from the ruler down to the plain people ere enthusa stic over the coming of the Russians.
 This good impression at the start had much to do with the later development, and the diplomatic observers concluded that the Russians had succeeded in re- newing some of the war amenities of the middle ages, when the victorious general $ distributed presents along their way to disslpate fears and assure welcome.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-26

coming reunion gathering will be en- tertained as it was the last time, with out an adequate convention hall, it is hoped that it will witness the per- fected plans of magnificent city hall, public library and auditorium com- bined.
 As great as were the strides dating from 1908, still greater should be the strides dating from 1916.