davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-06
GENTLEMANLY SOLDIERS

From the Orange Leader.
 If our punitive expedition into Mexico continues to be that and nothing more if the Mexican people do not flare up and precipitate war, making it necessary for us to raise big army to subdue them the credit will be due very largely to the personal qualities of the American sol der.
 Ore of the most significant things that have happened in connection with this un- pleasant business was the celebration in Vera Cruz when news arrived that our army and the constitutional army were going to cooperate in hunting down Villa. There was big parade. and much praise of Trio Sam'--the Spanish for Uncle Sam
 It is not accident that the one city in Mexico most friendly toward our enter prise is the city that was occupied by our troops for a long period last year. The Vera Cruzans resented the occupation at first, but when the intruders departed they had won the profound respect of the local population. The citizens of Vera Cruz knew from experience that our sol- ders would take no life without provoca- ton, would destroy no property wantonly, would perpetrate no cruelty, would show no arrogance And the Mexicans of Chi huahua are learning the same wholesome truth.
 Much has been said of the intelligence, energy and capacity of the American sol- dier He has never been given full credit for what is perhaps his most admirable trait. Whether officer or private, he is 8 gentleman, and may be trusted with his countrys honor anywhere.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-06
To Save the Asters

'Devotees of flower gardening will do well to keep close watch on their asters just at this time of the year." said Mrs. H. c. Cannon. "Of late years many fail ures have resulted from the attack of a black beetle, which comes from no one knows where-comes so suddenly and does such deadly work in so short time that the plants are often ruined before the presence of the pest is suspected. There is but one way of get ting rid of this pest and that is to make use of nicoticide, the standard remedy for all plant troubles of this kind. A small quantity of this extract of tobacco di- luted with water and sprayed over ali portions of each plant will effectually rout the enemy if applied promptly and thor oughly Unless something is done as soon as the beetle is discovered, it will destroy every plant Be on the lookout for it con- stantly, acting on the supposition that it will be sure to put in an appearance some time during the summer. Get ready in advance for prompt action against it by laying in a supply of insecticide at the be- ginning of the summer
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-06
Why Holland Arms

q believe that the statement of M Colyn, former Dutch minister of war of fers the real exploitation of Hollands re- cent activity in massing troops,' said Arch l.. Cameron. '"The Dutch know that they have little to fear from Great Britain and that they must strengthen against Germany If you will remember the ac- ton of Belgium in having all her forts on the German frontier was eminently justi- fed and Holland does not intend to make a mistake
 Tt is quite probable, too, that Dutch statesmen have not forgotten the state ment by German high officials that it would be impossible to annex Belgium without taking Holland also. Belgium has already been annexed and the next step in the German programme is directed toward Holland, which The Netherlands are now preparing to meet.
 "The arming of Holland against Ger many is one of the first fruits of her cyni- cal disregard of treaties and the invasion of Belgium, which will continue to haunt her as long as she is a nation
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-06

ried away food for thought, the lntei- lectual quickening is far greater now.
 The Alabama Educational assocla- ton is taking a lively interest, as might be supposed, in the campaign to remove illiteracy from the state' ana not only so, but many of the mem bers have given a portion of thelr time to the work of teaching adult illiterates without expectation Of re- ward.
 It is splendid organizatlon-thlS educational association-and the 50Oo members who will be enrolled in at tendance today will meet with DIT most hospitable attentloh from East Lake to Ensley.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-06
FROM NAVY SECRETARIES DIARY

From Life.
 Orderly announced Admiral Robinson and Coal-trimmer Jones to see me. Saw the coal-trimmer first. I will show these gold lace officials that l am not to be bound by the petty rigamaroles of dis cipline. Jones complained that his com manding officer has sworn at him. He shall be rebuked. I will not have bad language in the navy. Admiral Smith complained that I had sent the assistant secretary to review the Atlantic fleet in the uniform of Sunday school superin- tendent. I explained that this was by special request of Henry Ford. to encour- age pacific tendencies. In the aftetrnoon I excused myself from inspection of new submarines am nervous of those things. Went to the dansant at Senator Grapes s. Heary rain came up, so I countermanded fleet maneuvers; don't want the men to catch cold In the evening l delivered an address at the Naval academy on 'The Conversion of Battleships into Movie The atres."
 Question of building 10 more dread naughts postponed until next week, De- cided to add courses of instruction in cooking and needle work ;- the Naval academy
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-06
HOTEL LOBBIES
Hide County Jail

T have been watching with interest the action of the grand jury in regard to the county jail,' said James R. Daily. T sim eerely hope that the jury will make re- port that will cause the county to erect new structure. The present jail is en- tirely too shabby to occupy such prom inent place on the streets of Birmingham.
 T think it would be a good idea to hide the county jail from the sight of the cit izens as the local city jail is hidden. The ordinary citizen never sees the city jail, although it is more in the center of the business section than the county jail is. Although I have no personal knowledge of the condition of the jail, from the report of the federal grand jury last week it seems to me that it would do the city of and Jefferson county good to erect new structure that will at least avoid gaining the reputation of a filthy hole I hope that some action for the gocd of the city will be taken"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-06
Lookout Mountain

The Chattanooga Times says; Aoa;n rumors are afloat that there ;s to be hotel on Lookout mountain, to be built in the near future Citizens of Chattanooga have Deel made so many promises of this sort since Lookout Inn was destroyed by fire without anything being done, that they are feeling somewhat dls- couraged. Perhaps it is because they are all waiting for the "other fellow to make the first move that one of +ba most attractive resorts in the country is neglected and an asset which should be worth millions oI dollars to Chattanooga is undevel- oped.
 It is said that Lookout Inn was never profitable, but there IS no req son why competent management should not make hotel on the noun tain a most desirable investment Tor those directly concerned, while It would draw thousands of visitors to Chattanooga. In it's time Lookout Inn, although not modern by any means, was one of the most delightful places imaginable in which to spend few days or even a few weeks. From it's broad verandas vistas of magnificent scenery were unfolded, and at various points near the hotel there were other impressive views not surpassed anywhere else in the United States. The elevation was sufficient to make the air, particu- larly in the morning, wonderfully bracing and at all times no more de- sirable spot could be found for rest and recreation.
 Extensive improvements have been made on Signal mountain. It now mas a QOCol WHICH IS IdIIlOuS pldCC for tourists, but Lookout mountain possesses greater historical interest and is perhaps better adapted for a summer resort. The people of Chat tanooga cannot afford to ignore the possibilities which it presents. The entire south would rejoice to see a fine hotel on Lookout mountain and visitors from other parts of the coun- try would be drawn there in large numbers.
 A prominent banker of Atlanta said if Lookout mountain were as near to Atlanta as it is to Chattanooga the Georgia city wo:ild have a population of 400, 900 in a week, the sort of state ment that is characteristic of Atlanta people, but showing, nevertheless, that Chattanooga is not awake to her op- portunities.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-06
OLD TIME COMEDIANS
m Answers, London.

From Answers, London.
 The comedians of yesterday were great deal more irrespressible both off and on the stage than those of today.
 J. l.. Toole. for instance, went into a postoffice and asked for penny stamp The demure maiden behind the counter brought out big, fresh sheet of them.
 Toole regarded it critically for mo- ment and then stid: "Il take that one" and pointed to stamp in the very middle of the sheet.
 Toole, however, was once very nearly 'hoist with him own petard.' He was playing in "The Waterman with Sims Reeves, who took the part of Tom Tug. When Toole asked, What's the meaning of all this?" Sims Reeves yielded to an overwhelming temptation and replied: '"rhe meaning of it is that you've been made a tool of and I'm a happy fel- low."
 Toole racked his brain for a retort So it Sims.'' he said.
 Harry Kemble and Charles Broolzfeld once spoiled one of Ellen Terry's tragic moments. The famous actress was ap- bearing in 'The Vicar of Wakefield" in which Kemble and Brookfield who were in the company. did not take part.
 Just as the famous actress was work ing up her great scene of renunciation she looked up and saw Brookfield and Kemble being wheeled into the theatre in invalid chairs, like gouty patients. The chairs were drawn up close to the stage, and the "invalids' began to wag their heads and applaud. This was too much for Ellen Terry, who broke down and laughed until the tears came.
 P. T. Barnum once made an excellent advertisement out of a joke When his show reached San Francisco on one oc- cason, Keene, the great American actor, was playing Richard III'' in the town.
 One night Keene had just mouthed the words: "A horse. A horse! My king dom for horse!" when out of the wings came a strange quadruped-a living skele- ton, with broken knees and striped all the colors of the rainbow.
 Round the horses neck was placard, with the legend in huge letter: How this sonny?-P. T. Barnum."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-06
CURSE OF THE COLLAR BUTTON

From the Pitsburg Dispatch.
 The comic artists and paragraphers have had their need of fun from time imme- morial with the lowly collar button, but it is serious thing, for all that as many an unfortunate of the male species is aware Turned out originally with proc lamations that it was a friend of man, it has proved his obsession, differing from an Old Man of the Sea only in that II persists in falling off his neck instead of sticking to it, a veritable black man from Egypt" driving him to deeds of des- peration he never would have dreamed of but for it. In elusiveness Villa, 1t can be as omni-present and as mocking as the menagerie leering over the foot of the bed in periods of stress; made up in form attractive and given with a guarantee to show itself a mans real friend, experi- ence proves it's proper name is pest.
 Which is by way of introducing bit of expert testimony on the subject by Howard Trusdell Fish of New York and tlis wife, Minnie T. Fish, both qualified to speak about the collar button and all it's evil ways. For, according to papers filed in a separation suit. it drove the husband to drugs and the wife to seek relief in the courts. Many man reading this little homily will rise up and call the aforesaid Fish and the commentator blessed for he knows the agonies that must have been endured by the defendant to the suit and he would call the atten- tion of friend wife to the fact that all the heroes and martyrs are not dead and she can see a pretty fair working model any morning she cares to glance at him struggling in front of the mir TOT.
 Fish is something of a hero himself. for he stands up bravely to the charge and even asks what can poor man do when the collar button starts out to get him ? He admits the chase for the collar button made him nervous and he took medicine with cocaine in it. His exciting experi- ences, coming regularly every morning, drove her to nervousness. his wife says, and nervousness became fear. She didn't feel safe with a man about the house who, seeking the collar button, would "give way to ungovernable fits of temper, tear up and down the room and curse and swear He was a motion picture man. too, and while she likes the movies, she didn't feel very keen about having a scenario acted every morning before breakfast, with the chances good that she would be the victim of a husbands rage.
 In view of which some of the things said about the sport shirt must be modi- fled, at least, and there may be justifica- tion for even the claim of Cyclone" Davis that collars, to say nothing of collar buttons, are curse.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-06
coLONEL DoDD Is ca

Washington Dispatch in New York Sun.
 Col. George A. Dodd, who defeated the villistas at Guerrero after a spectacular dash of 55 miles in F hours, is regarded as one of the most efficient officers in the cavalry, He is 63 years old, and will be retired on July 26 next, when he reaches the age of GA. He is known throughout the army as the man who in- is himself one of the best horsemen in the service.
 At the time he started the monkey drills" as the fancy riding exercises are called, he commanded Troop F of the Third cavalry, which was regarded as the prize troop in the service.
 He is a native of Pennsylvania and was appointed to the Military academy from that state on July 1, 1872. He received his commission as second lieutenant in the Third cavalry in June, 1876, became first lieutenant in February. 1Sso and captain in August, 1889.
 He was made major in the Four teenth cavalry in February, 1901, having served in the Philippines during the Span- sh-American war. In 1903 he was trans ferred back to the Third cavalry and a year later was made colonel of the Tenth. He commanded the Fourth in 1907 and the Twelfth in 19OS He was member of the general staff of the army from March, 1907 to April. 190S
 In view of the fact that Dodd on his 55-mile march to reach the Villistas had to cary along mule train of supplies and machine guns, army officers here regard the feat as one of teh most nos table in the records of the army.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-06

From the Springfield Republican.
 TN circulars of protest against a gov
 ernment armor plate plant, some of U which are reaching this office, the Bethlehem Steel company admits that this question should, of course, be considered in the broadest way; not with special regard for the Bethlehem Steel company or any other private interest, but with supreme regard for adeuuate national defense and sound public policy" It is better to talk that way, MT. Schwab, than to empha- size so strongly as in the past the fact that "existing armor plants represent an actual investment of upward of S2o,- 900, OOO"-which will be rendered "valueless" if the government plant is established
 The question should indeed be con- sidered with no special regard for the Bethlehem company, or the Carnegie company, or the Midvale company. There are more important things to think about than their interests in making armor plate. And this is true notwithstanding that, in a crisis long deferred by clever political manage ment, the private companies now show their extraordinary patriotism by an offer to supply the navy with armor for five years "at whatever price the government itself shall name as fair. Why they make such an offer now, and have never made it before, is in itself elouuent testimony to- the financial ad- vantage to the government of main taining at least a potential competition of it's own.
 All of the arguments against gov ernment armor plate factory are fla miliar; the same arguments logically used would put every government small arms and artillery plant out of busi- ness. The making of munitions of all sorts, according to this reasoning, should be left absolutely to private manufacturers. Government arsenals should be dismantled. The govern ment should never make a rifle or cannon, or build warship. How diff ferent has been government policy is well known. From the days of George Washington it has dared to make army rifles in it's armories and to build cruisers and battleships in its navy yards; and very excellent reason has been that it was wise national safe- guard to prevent the manufacture of munitions from becoming exclusively private industry.
 If such a reason has controlled gov ernment policy for more than 100 years, the reason gains enormously in con vincing power in this period of relatively great expansion in the gov ernment's equipment for national de- fense. The issues of war and peace are most clearly political in the last analy sis; they are not business questions The American people should control the settlement of these issues without hav- ing to contend against the selfish in- trigues of private capitalism whose vast investment in munitions plants makes it hunger for war profits. The
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-06
Greeting to Alabama Educators

The three days annual meeting of
 the Alabama Educational association,
 which will be formally opened in Bir-
 mingham today, promises to be the
 most largely attended gathering of
 teachers, trustees and others identified
 with school work ever assembled in this state.
 When the association was much younger than it is now the annual xmeeuings were full of interest and the discussions were animating and helpful gin every way, But very naturally the sinterest has increased year by year; sand with the increased interest has scome largely increased enrolment. : The pedagogical profession has progressed steadily along practical slines and it is now recognized as not sonly the most useful of the intellectual callings, but as one of the most ap- spealing to younger generation 7 syearning for career combining at Eonce the province of teaching the ru- ailments of knowledge, developing spe- -cial talent in the young and character Building.
 :. These annual meetings have grown to be more and more inspirational. If, in the years past, teachers found their wits sharpened and if they car
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-06
The Military Measures

l The plan to federallze the NaVioiiei 1 Guard, upon which the military com mittees of both houses in Congress have spent much time, will have hard road to travel, judging from the attacks made on it in the Senate.
 Theoretically the liberalization proposition was attractive. It was ln- tended as a substitute for former Sec retarv Garrison's continental army measure. It is understood that the war college. while not enthusiastic over the National Guard section of the Senate bill, agreed to it; but some of the ln- fluential senators are opposing It on constitutional grounds, and also on the grounds of state rights eXpe- diency.
 If the liberalization feature of the military preparedness measure has to be dropped the regular army should be increased to not less than 100000. It had been thought that the maxi mum of enlisted strength proposed ln the House bill-134,000 men-would be accepted by the Senate, but II Uncle Sam has to depend entirely upon the regulars in the matter ot preparedness it will be reasonable to assume that an army of fully 200, ,0O0 will be insisted upon.
 Regarding the regular establish ment, however, one difficulty that has to be reckoned with in time of peace when industrial prosperity is in full swing, as it is now, is the small num- Der of desirable candidates for en- listment that offer at recruiting sta tions. When it was decided that the United States must send punitive ex- petition into Mexico in pursuit of Villa and his band Congress, by a practically unanimous vote, adopted joint resolution authorizing the war department to recruit the army up to 100 ,OOO, which meant 10000 additional men. Although recruiting stations were opened in nearly every city of considerable size, not more than one tenth of the number of men sought had been.secured up to the end of the second week of extraordinary effort.
 The United States pays its soldiers far better than any other country pays, but as the enlistment is for seven years-four years with the colors on active duty and three years on fur tough without pay-a man earning good wages in mill or factory or on the farm, to say nothing of the man in commercial employment, is not dis posed to join the army unless he hap pens to have predilection for mili- tary life.
 If the National Guard scheme falls through, it will be we'll for the gov ernment to pay more attention to sum- mer training camps for business men and college boys who can be induced to spend a few weeks in drilling and playing soldier.
 This country may need a pretty good sized army to operate in Mexico before that republic returns to the arts of peace. It is hardly thinkable that a large standing army will be needed in the near future to fight back a threatened invasion from the old world, but true economy calls for definite military policy that will begin now to prepare slowly but surely and strongly for any eventual ity.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-06
Shelby Politics Warm

Politics is warming up in Shelby county" said J. H. Fulton who is the only democratic sheriff elected in Shelby scounty for a number of years. The places are all being warmly contested for, and the fact that we have two parties in the county so nearly on the par always insures a boiling political pot. The race for nomination in the demo- cratic primary for the various offices is the most interesting at present, but after both parties have nominated is when the zeal fight begins.''
 MT. Fulton was elected to the office of sheriff, and after serving about half of his term was busted by the republic ans who contested the vote.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-06
CRUCIFIXION
By John Masefield.

y of the
 n Jerusaen)
 We nailed him there in the bright air readers mocked With oatns, hangm his clothes him. Then 1t grew dark dwindled the mocking mouths Tell sli alone accursed hill the dice clicked, gouts dropped- and licked Onto the stOne he Andn and hen a Up in the dark hree with outspread blooddr how slow they bled up against the ghasly sky, to make de A Man. a beget men Thenth would of those cameleers those two) Would CUTS he lips bitten through bid him let the Teacher be- have stoodm this thing daunted The lvd light. and long, long Oneo on another. coming from their bones nd i gotd began ne burning above the Man. And he between his the robber The grim; it seemed about Hours had they ke The like fiery the the air, there calling God; it calling listened Gods Minister. For he called. fire tore the in The sick earth shook earthquake bones Broke, the falling
  Once and dropped, that had
  The thought of t shakes sick. dim.