davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-24
Reserve Board Statement

Washington, December 23-Total re- sources of federal reserve banks in- creased approximately S9,5O000o during tho week just ended. The reserve boards statement of, the banks condition Decem- Der 22 shows:
 Resources: Gold coin and certificates In vault s2e9, ,627 600; gold settlement fund, $178,Sl1 ,0O0 gold redemption fund with United States treasurer, $1,479,0O0; total gold reserve $449, 9,917,0O0; legal tender notes, silver etc, s6,025, 900; total reserve, S455,S42,O00; per cent redemption fund against federal reserve bank notes, $400,- coo
 Bills discounted and bought Maturi- tes within 10 days, S24, 34S, coo; from Il to 90 days, $47,SS1 GOO; from 31 to 60 days, A9,- Sl50oO; from 61 to 90 days, $34, 900; over 90 days, S1,0670OO. Total. $156, 6,930,00o.
 Investments: United States bonds, s43,- 504,ooo One year United States treasury notes, $11. .167000. Municipal warrants, S10,- 557,000 Total earning assets, $222, ,16S, 900. Federal reserve notes, net, A9, 9,2sS,00o. Due from federal reserve banks, net, $49,3lS,- 900. All other resources, 8, ,506, oo0 Tota resources, $750,56 900.
 Liabilities: Capital paid in $5S,765, 900. Government deposits, $29, ,472,00o Member bank deposits, net, $648, 7B7, 900. Federal reserve notes, net, $167 .O00 All other liabilities, $7S2,000. Total liabilities, $780, 560,000 Gold reserve against net deposit and note liabilities 69.8 per cent. Cash reserve against net deposit and note lia- bilities, TOT per cent. Cash reserve against net deposit liabilities after setting aside 40 per cent gold reserve against ag- gregate net liabilities on federal reserve notes in circulation, 71.3 per cent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-24
H;oh Prices a War Burden

Neutral nations cannot escape some or the burdens of world war The ln- creased cost of living is part of the load every neutral country is now carry ing. A compilation by the foreign trade department of the National City bank or New York shows that prices In the worlds markets have advanced in general from 50 to 100 per cent. Even the most back ward peoples are taking advantage or the war situation to exact enormous proi- it's. For example, the natives or Haiti and Jamaica are demanding and getting three times as muchs for their logwooo as before the war. while the indigo grow CTS and merchants of India, Java and san Salvador are even more grasping ana are getting 10 times the former price of indigo. It is in foodstuffs, however, the shoe pinches the tightest In the United States the high cost Of food is the most pressing problem of the hour. The New York Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor has found that the price of % staple foods shows an advance of 30 per cent from November, 1915, to November, 1916. There had been, of course. considerable advance prior to 1915. The National Association of Mas ter Bakers of America announces that of the 5000 bakeries in this country 20 per cent have been compelled to go out of business since the outbreak of the war on account of the high prices of grains. Flour at S20 per barrel is predicted before the winter is over. W
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-24
UNSETTLED VALUES
 OF COTTON GOODS
No Important Cancellation of Orders N0ted-Trans-
 portation Restricted

New York, December I.-Values of un- finished cotton goods have been greatly unsettled by the drop in cotton and the uncertainty of international develop ments. Resides of goods held in va- rious secondhand channels have been as frequent as a slow absorption would per init and because of the pressure to sell prices have dropped fast. The ssH-inch 64x6O print cloths that reached as high as S..c three weeks ago have been sold as low as 7c and are stilI offered at TIC, Mills have dropped the price to TAG. AS a rule, mills, and large users of goods. as distinguished from coverters and traders, have held values quite steady and they feel confident that after some readtustment of the floating stocks, the demand will strengthen. Branded cottons that are well sold ahead, have held their prices close to the top recently quoted The break in cotton came at a time when the annual inventorying was ap- preaching in many houses, and there would have been some readjustment of stocks through second hands in any event. There have been no important suggestions of cancellations of orders. and the shipping of goods continues as full as restricted transportation facilities will permit
 Prices quoted are as follows. Print cloths, 8-inch 64xsfs, Sc; 64x60s 5ssc; aS1s-inch 64xG4s, sAc; brown sheetings, southern standards, 12c; denims 22O in- digo, 21c; tickings, 8-ounce, 201kc prints, De- staple ginghams, 914c; dress ging- hams, 11hc.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-24
New York Futures
Port Cotton Market

New Orleans: Middling. r.25c; receipts, 4Se7; exports, 1181; sales, so: stock, 474,5S3 Galveston: Middling, TIC; receipts, 12,- e46; exports, 1s,0Oo; sales, 722; stock, ST,- 346.
 Mobile: Middling, 17c; receipts, 75s; stock, 1S,69S.
 Savannah: Middling, 1S.25c; receipts, 1714; stock, 20S,98.
 Charleston: Receipts. PA: stock, 7o.24s. Wilmington: Receipts, 2S; stock, 49,917. Norfolk: Middling. 16.50c; receipts. 163S; sales, 57; stock, 110.To6
 Baltimore: Exports, 4354; stock, 622s. Boston: Middling, 16.20c; receipts, 1S72; stock, S900.
 Philadelphia: Middling, 17c; stock, 1063. New York: Middling. 16.75c; receipts, '; exports. 9164; stock, 136,S57
 Minor ports: Stock. 51,25s.
 Total today: Receipts, 2s,sS3; exports, g, O,599; stock, 1,5i2,715. Total for week: Receipts, 2S9SS; exports. s05ss.
 Total for season: Receipts, 47s4,151; ex- ports, 3,013,474
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-24
Produce Market

New York. December 24.--Butter, un- settled; receipts. 5032; creamery. high CT than extras, Al F O 42c; creamery, extras, 92 score. Ale; firsts. 361s @ 40c.
 Eggs, firm; receipts. 4332; fresh gath cred extra firsts, 4S@49c; firsts, 46@ 47c; refrigerator, special marks, fancy, 33@34c: refrigerator, seconds to firsts, 31@32c.
 Cheese irregular; receipts, 24S5; state held specials. 24@241ss; state held average fancy, 231a @24c.
 Live poultry, strong; chickens, 200 21hc; turkeys, 27@2Sc dressed. firm chickens, 20@29c; fowls, 15S@23Hc; turkeys. 2o@34c.
 Chicago. December 23.-Butter. un- changed.
 Eggs receipts, 20S3 cases: unchanged.
 Potatoes, receipts, 22 cars; market, higher; Washington. Idaho, Oregon and Colorado, $1.65@1 80: Michigan white. s1.65@1.e5; Wisconsin white, $1.40@ 1.60.
 Poultry. alive, weak; fowls. 14@17c, springs, lie: turkeys, 22c.
 Kansas City, December 23. Butter. creamery 40hc; f1rsts, 39c; seconds, S7c: packing. 2Sc,
 Eggs, frsts. 36c.
 Poultry. hens. 16hc; roosters, 12hc; turkeys. 24c. St. Louis. December 23.-Poultry, butter and eggs. unchanged.
 Elgin. Ill., December 23.-Butter 15 tubs at 3S1sc.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-24
.STEAD|NESS RULED |. ON COTTON MARKET
Strong Demand in Several Sessions for Long Ac-
 counts and Prices Rise

New Orleans, December 3.-Extreme steadiness ruled in cotton on this market today and the price late in the session was forced 63 to 60 points over yester- days close by demand which was hard to satisfy. Much of the buying appeared to come from recent short sellers, who wanted to take profits over the double holidays, but they, were forced to buy in an oversold market.
 Supplementing this inquiry was the strongest demand in several sessions for long accounts; this was stimulated by the bullish features in the weekly sta- tistical statement.
 Much was made of the large mill talk ings, the heavy exports, the shrinkage in the movement of the crop, and the small increase in stocks in the interior and above everything the decrease in the wis., ible supply, an unheard of thing at this time of year. Bulls claimed the small movement into sight meant nothing short of crop exhaustion IF the interior.
 The market opened and closed at the advance and last prices for the day were at net gain of 64 to 59 points.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-24
STOCK MARKET WAS
 DULL AND INACTIVE
Dealing Limited to PrOfes- sional Traders With a
 Meagre Turnover

New York. December 23.-In striking contrast to the heavy and excited trad ing of the last few days, the two-hour session of the stock market today was dull. with the comparatively meagre turnover of but 5o0,0O0 shares.
 Dealings were curtailed largely in consequence of the approaching holi- days. Operations were almost entire ly limited to professional traders in- tent upon having 'clean slate" in the present juncture of uncertainty.
 Irregular changes al the opening were almost immediately followed by recessions of 1 to points, particular lv in stocks that figured importantly in tho previous day's rebound United States Steel fluctuated between 107A and 105A, closing at 1061s, a loss of 1 point. Bethlehem Steel made an ex- treme decline of IA points, with 1 to 3 for related issues
 Metals were more unsteady than oth- CT prominent shares, losing 1 to almost points, although Central Leather and American Hide and Leather yielded as much, with Motors and Oils, while In- dustrial Alcohol virtually made good it's extreme loss of over points
 Atlantic, Gulf and West Indies was about the only stock to display pro- nounced strength at a gross gain of al- most 10 points, the movement being the more noteworthy because of the irreg- clarity of Mercantile Marine Some utilities also were firm to strong, Peo- pies Gas of Chicago rising 2h points.
 The bank statement reflected only in a mild way the extraordinary money movements of the week, induced by the enormous liquidation
 The nominal increase fin actual loans and the slight cash loss were at utter variance with forecasts, but these items are likely to undergo further correc- tion next week The moderate con- traction of reserves leaves actual ex- cess reserves at about s90,00o,000.
 Mercantile conditions, according to trade reviews, are likely to show some modification and reduction from recent high pressure because of prevailing peace discussions.
 There was virtually no market in foreign exchange.
 Bonds were steady on limited trad- ing. Total sales, par value, $1,320, 900.
 United States bonds were unchanged on call during the week.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-24
Saint -Gaudens a Modest Man

From "Saint-Gaudens: Recollections of
 His Friend Maitland Armstrong;" by
 Hamilton Fish Armstrong. in scrib-
 ner's.
 In his younger days Saint -Gaudens was shy and avoided somewhat the company of the great. and he de- scrioed to me as one of his early trials his modelling of bust of a distin- guished diplomat. This gentleman,s doctor had ordered him to soak his feet so when he posed for my friend he sat wrapped up in a blanket on a high chair. his feet stuck in a tub of water which it was part of Saint Gaudens duty to keep hot. When the bust was well under way Saint-Gau- dens noticed that the distinguished diplomat kept bringing the conver- sation around to Socrates and Seneca. Marcus Aurelius and Plato The req son for this was not long obscure sT find" said the D. D., "after a careful examination. that all these great and distinguished men had very broad foreheads. Just broaden mine a bit" So Saint Gaudens, afraid to object meekly complied. Repeated urgings and the resultant broadenings brought the forehead finally to the point where 1t seemed to be affected with some dreadful swelling disease. But this did not bring complete satisfaction to the heart of the sitter. He suggested that these same great forerunners of his were also notable for having had very deep-set eyes. So poor Saint -Gaudens was forced to bore and bore, deeper and deeper until he almost pierced through to the bacf. He told me this story with great excitement. inter spersng in the narrative many un. complimentary remarks on celebrities in general and illustrating 1t all by putting out his checks and making violent boring gestures with his fore finger He said he'd give anything to get hold of that bust and smash it to atoms.
 By nature modest and retiring, noth- ing bored him more than to be thrust forward, especially If the particular kind of torture happened to be public speaking. His literary style was terse and vivid, and he showed it to ad- vantage in his letters, frequently illus trating them, too, with humorous scraps of drawings and using for sig nature a caricature of his own long profile. His manners were always most attractive. but he cared little for dress and despised all it's affectations. I remember that he bore particular grudge against the pointed shoes that used to be fashionable, and was con tinually making fun of mine.
 
 The starfish has no nose, but the whole
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-24
New York Clearing House

New York, December 23.-The statement of the actual condition of clearing house banks and trust companies for the week, shows that they hold $90064, ,260 reserve in excess of legal requirements. This Is decrease of $4, ,3s3,060 from last week. The statement follows:
 Actual Condition: Loan, discounts, etc, S, 344, 1S3 900; increase $1, 900; reserve Tn own vaults 's41s, ,992,0 900 (*of which s352,S ,S5l,- GOO is specie), decrease. $S,222,00 reserve in federal reserve bank, $1S5,s18,000; in- crease, S629 000 reserve in other deposit taries, 000, decrease, $1,040000; net demand deposits. $16S,OS2, GOO, decrease. s5- PAP, GOO; circulation, $2S, S3S, ,ooO decrease, $14,0o0; aggregate reserve, s65s, 1864, GOO; ex- cess reserve, s9o,064, ,260, decrease $4,3S3,0s0.
 Summary of state banks and trust com panies in Greater New York not included in clearing house statement:
 Loans discounts. etc., $75s, ,s45, 800, de crease $9,S5o 900; specie, s62 700, 300, increase $S6S, TOO; legal tenders. s1O,So5. 100 decrease, $142, 400; total deposits, $s24,s9000o. decrease s5,777 200; banks cash reserve in vault sl4,OS9,90o trust companies cash reserve in vault, $59,416,700.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-24
Atlanta Reserve Bank

Atlanta, December 23.--The weekly statement of resources and liabilities of the Atlanta reserve bank for De- ccmber g is as follows:
 Resources: Gold coin and certih- ates: Gold settlement fund, s5,939, 900; per cent redemption fund. $302,S7S29; held by the bank, $5,664. 4.001.02; total, s11,905,979.S1.
 Bills discounted; Commercial paper, sS.059.430.5S.
 Investments: United States bonds, $2 534,000; municipal warrants, $401, ,509; total, $2,935,509. Due from federal re- serve banks, net. $1,9SS, ,905.79; all oth- CT resources, $7ss,s6s.9e; total, s25, 673,963.64.
 Liabilities: Capital paid in, s2,4S0, 900; government deposits. $3,759,957.O9; ; reserve deposits, net, $15,7S0, ,S92.72; federal reserve note liability, $3.532.- 9S5; profit and loss. s12s5.59; all other liabilities, s11s,o63.24; total, s26,67S,- 6a3.64.
 Memorandum. Federal reserve notes issued, s25,s5S.7so; federal reserve notes on hand. s9ss, 115; federal reserve notes, outstanding, $24,970615; gold with federal reserve agent, $2l, $50; net liability federal reserve notes, s5,' 532,9S5.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-24
Hubbard Bros. & Co.'s Letter

New York, December 23.-(Special.) )-In the cotton market today many who had sold under the influence of the decline in the stock market on Wednesday, bought back what they had sold. As stated yes- terday. there Is little disposition to sell cotton for a decline from these prices. Therefore, the buyers were supplied by those who absorbed the offerings during the past few days. In short the reac- ton came in the stock market yesterday. and in the cotton market today. The traders think the reaction may go some what further, but express doubt as to the revival of speculation in any of the mar kets on the sale we have witnessed dur ing the past few months. This has been a wonderful year for the south with the exception of that section which suffered from the floods of July.
 We extend to all the greetings and best wishes of the season.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-24
Our Costly Pads
From Leslie's.

From IeSlle s.
 Pads! Food fads and needless waste are responsible for good part of the increased cost of living. The rise in flour to prices unexampled in this gen. eration comes at time when we have a law that foolishly forbids mllers to blend a small portion of flour made from corn with flour made from wheat. This would make flour cheaper and add
 to its nutritive value. yet the law for bids it, just as 1t forbids the manu- fracture of oleomargarine even when made of the most wholesome materials,
 unless it pays a high tax which, of couse. is a burden upon the consumer. An edible and. very digestable butter is now being made in part from the oil of cocoanuts and we presume that this will also be taxed to death at the behests of the butter makers. Drastic cold storage regulations have inter fered seriously with the storage of food products in times when they are
 plentiful for times when they are
 scarce. and this has added to the cost of living. Pure fgood laws are needed. but when we carry them to ridiculous
 extremes somebody must foot the bill and that somebody Is always the dear. long-suffering, patient, shoulder-bent public
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-24
Flour and Feedstuff

Michigan patent flour. s10.15: Idaho patent flour, ss.35; Tennessee patent nour ss.10; high grade self-rising flour. s9.50; medium grade self-rising flour. s9.S0; hard winter wheat flour. ss. spring wheat flour. ss.65; corn meal, g. 90: per s6.lbs. sack: hen feed, s2.s5 a sack: mixed horse and mule feed, $as to $44; 7h per cent c. s. meal, $40; Creamo feed meal. $3o; prime c. S. hulls, s2l: intless hulls, $17; gray shorts, $44: brown shorts, H2; wheat bran. $3s: velvet bean meal. $32; corn, per bushel, $1.23: corn chops, s2.35; No. white oats, per bushel, 73c; wheat. per 10o-fb. sack, S3.00; Kaffir corn and Milo maize Der 100 lb. sack, 2.75; choice fancy pea green alfalfa, per ton, $S1; southern alfalfa, per ton, s25; mixed alfalfa and Johnson grass, per ton, $21: choice fancy timothy hay. per ton, S26: No. l timothy hay, per ton, s22; light clover mixed hay. per ton, s21; No. Johnson grass, per ton, N5.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-24
live Stock


 Chicago. December 2S.-Hogs: Receipts. 2, GOO; mostly strong at Fridays average; extreme late top, 10c higher at 1oO Bulk, $9 90a10s0; light. $9.50Q10.20; mixed, $9s @do45; heavy, s9 90910.6o; rough, 9.9Wg' 1925; pigs. s7.5o9s25.
 Cattle: Receipts, 15o0; steady. Native beef cattle, s7.O0011.75 western steers, s7Ood100o; stockers and feeders, $oI5@ S1O; cows and heifers, $400910Oo; calves, SS.25G1175.
 Sheep: Receipts, 4ooO; steady. Sheep wethers, $9.OO@1Q00; ewes, sS.2SqsVo; lambs, $11.25@1S. 45.
 St Louis, December 2S.-Hogs: Receipts, 5000; steady. Light. s10.00@10.5O; pigs, T1S @9.25; heavy, s104091055; bulk, S1o.l0@1o.0o Cattle: Receipts, 1900; steady. Native beef steers, $7.5O @11.50; yearling steers and heifers, sS50@11. 40; COWS, s5.5odS5o; stockers, $53o@7.75; calves. s6.0o@1150.
 Sheep: Receipts, S50 steady. Lambs, ss. .OOa13 25; ewes $50cdS.75; yearlings, $s.oo @1125.
 Kansas City, December 23-Hogs: Re ceipts, O00; steady. Bulk, s9.SO1lO.2o heavy. s1o.15@1o.ao; light, ss.5o@1o.5o; pigs sS.0O@9.00.
 Cattle Receipts, 1oo steady. Prime fed steers, s10.50@11.25; dressed beef steers, S7 5oa1025: southern steers se.Ooas.25 cows. s5. .25@S. .25; heifers, $6.O0010.50; stock CTS, $575@s.OO; bulls, $550q7.23 calves $500 @11.0o.
 Sheep: Receipts, HOO; steady. Lambs, H2. 5od71s.15 yearlings, s10.5cq11.5O; weth- CTS. sS.50@9. .50; ewes, $S00Q9.00.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-24
Fruits and Produce

Oranses-Florida oranges, $2.75@a. Florida Grapefruit-s5.1a 1ap4 Lemons-Imported, box, $450. Limes-Per 1O0 $L25g1.50 Apples-Virginia. barrel, 359s. Grapes-California Empire, $2.75. Pears-California Bartlett, crate. s3. Sweet Potatoes-White stock, bu., N.1O. Sweet Potatoes-Yams. bbl.. $2.5o. Onions-California yellows, h., Sc. Onions-Spanish. crate, $2 Cabbage-Colorado, 4%c. Grapes-Pony baskets. 23c.
 Celery-Colorado, crate. $s: dozen. ] .2a
 Cranberries-Bbl, s9.so; box, $2So. Rutabaga Turnips-2%@Sc.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-24
POULTRY REMAINS HIGH ON AVENUE
Consuming Public Seems We'll Supplied With
 Money

The merchants on Morris avenue find themselves in good shape after heavy weeks business. Some will carry over a number of fowls into next week, but will be able to dispose of them before New Years. Turkeys held at 26 and 27 cents per pound on foot. Wholesalers claim to be paying 21 to p cents on foot plus expenses. Geese were firm at IS cents on foot. New Orleans commission houses were wiring Friday for turkeys, offering 2s cents f. O. b. Birmingham. Some retailers were asking as high as 36 cents for dressed turkeys.
 The final rush was on at the retail stalls, with buyers fighting to be waited upon. The public evidently had money to spend and was turning it loose.
 Quotations follow.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-24
AMERICAN MONEY WILL BUILD RAIL
 LINE IN CHINA
Work of Construction of Great Improvement in the Yellow Republic Will
 Soon Be Under Way

Picking, December 1.-(Correspond- ence of the Associated Press.)-worix will begin at once upon the railway which the American International cor poration is to finance in Human and Kwangsi provinces. Through an agree ment between the Chinese government and the American contractors a route originally agreed upon for this line Is to be somewhat modified. The ralI- way will start from Chuchow in Hu- nan province. Chuchow is the southcrs terminus of a railway which now ex- tends south from Chang Sha, the oap- ital of Human province. The line to be built by Americans will extend south, through Hengchowfu, and from that point will run southwest to Kweilin. then southwest to Ranking on the West river. spur of the rail- road will extend to Yanchow, in kwangtung province, a port of con- siderable commercial importance on the Gulf of Tongking
 The extension of this railway to tha sea makes it of far greater importance than the original line, which was to have Ranking as its terminus
 At Chuchow the railway will connect with an important line the English have partially constructed toward ths east, which will eventually be ex- tended to Ranking. The British line taps a very rich mineral section and the line which the Americans are to build also runs through territory in Human province. which is heavily min eralized. In Kwangsi province the new line will traverse very rich agricul- tural country, giving railway connes- ton to many important districts which are now served chiefly by water trans portation on small streams incapable of accommodating steam craft.
 The proposed line will form link in an all-rail route from Peking di- rectly south to the sea by way Of Hankow.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-24
Free Trip for Him
 nlsY >A~A.

.
 .'The best thing about this trip" said the retired merchant as he lay back lux urionsly in the comfortable chair on th.. porch of a $12-a-day hotel, lis that 1t is not costing me a cent!'
 'Hows that?' asked an envious spec tator.
 "It's all coming out of what I'm going te leave to my helrs,'' said the man, smiling happily
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-24
New Orleans Futures
New Orleans Cotton

New Orleans, December 23.-Spot cot ton quiet and unchanged; sales on the spot, 300; to arrive. 330. Good ordinary, 15.75c; strict good ordinary. 1625c; low middling, 16.75c; strict low mid ding, 17c middling, 17.25c; strict mid- ding, 17.44c; good middling, 1762c; strict good middling, 17.S7c.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-24

The Dominical republic has an acra of about 2O.00O square miles and Is larger tran Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark Switzerland. or Turkey in Europe. or than the combined areas of Massachusetts. Connecticut. Delaware and Rhode Island. The population is estimated at about 100000. which Is about 35 people a square mile. while Haiti. it's neighbor on the west. has about 200 square miles ana Puerto Rico has more than 300. Most of the fertile land of the country is sti' virgin.