davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-07
The Last Straw

By his disastrous peace venture Henry Ford has undoubtedly created the impression among some people that he is an '.easy mark" who IS ouite insensible to ''touch,'' if made by the right sort of person-that IS, peace apostle. This idea evidently prevails among some of the peace "tourists' who are now enjoying a trip abroad at MT. Ford's expense. It was hinted sometime before the Oscar II sailed that many were going just for the trip," and recent events have made that surmise almost a certainty.
 The latest and most amazing de- velopment of the "Let-Henry-Pay' idea is cabled from Copenhagen, where Gaston Plaintiff, MT. Ford S representative with the party, politely but firmly told several women "cru- saders'' who asked him the question that there would be no money forth coming to buy them new hats, gowns snd gew-gaws so they can make a brave showing at the peace conference next week, at The Hague. If they failed to bring along suitable wear ing apparel they will have to stay in their hotels.
 MT. Plaintiff aa5o put a quietus on another happy suggestion made by some of the irrepressible tourists" who wanted to stay in Europe a while longer and asked if MT. Ford would pay their way home at any time they wished to go. They were told that delegates who failed to sail with the main party on the liner Rotterdam, January 12, would have to pay their own fares.
 It required just these additional evidences of selfishness, vanity and greed to cap the climax of absurdity so far as the Ford expedition is con cerned. They also show quite clearly what sort of people compose the frank and file" of the party how ever earnest and sincere their lead CTS may be-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-07
ITALY'S CAUTIOUS GAME

From the New Republic.
 According to Associated Press dis
 pa tches from Rome the total Italian
 losses from six months of war aggregate
 45 0G0 casualties. The same report gives
 the number of men now engaged at about
 100000. and it is a safe estimate that
 the ge number on the Austrian from
 tier since Italy entered the war has been about 750,000. Among 500,0O0 men em-
 ployed by the American railways in posi- tions involving risk of life--trainmen, switchmen, etc.-the annual casualties exceed 50,0OO. It seems to follow that war making conducted by Italian methods is little, if any, more dangerous than trans portation conducted by American meth- ods. War-making on the eastern side of the Adriatic is more serious business. Little Servia has endured more casual ties in a single week than great Italy reports for six months. With all due allowance for probable understatement in the Italian reports. the conclusion seems
 unavoidable that Italy is playing re- markably cautious game
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-07
-------fos------ AT A DRINKING FOUNTAIN

From the Youths Companion.
 The department of health of New York city calls attention to various fountains that make the new con- trivance greater menace to health than the common drinking cup. An in spector of the United States public health service recently watched to see how people used a bubbling fountain in railway station. Forty-seven diff ferent persons, of whom II were men, p were women and IA were children, used the fountain. In almost every case they placed their lips almost com pletely round the metal ball from which the water spurted. Of the AZ people, three looked as if they might have tuberculosis, and three had erup- tions upon their faces. Every person who uses a bubbling drinking foun- tain should bear in mind that the ob- ject of this sanitary instrument is to prevent unwhOlesome secretions from passing from mouth to mouth. When mucus or other matter becomes at tached to metal, it can often be re- moved only by the exercise of con- siderable force-a force that slow moving recurrent of water does not pos sess In drinking from bubbling fountain, you should "bite the bub- ble." Your lips should never touch any part of the fountain.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-07
From the Chicago Tribune.

From the Chicago Tribune The other day the editor of the Ohio State Journal, a gentleman with pleasant
 recolections of before the war custom, habit, and social usage in American life, wanted bootjack and tried to buy one,
 only to find that none could be bought It was a melancholy discovery for man whose memory of other customs was lively and loving and indicated that the whole picture of American life had changed If the bootjacks have gone, the then whole range of outdoor activities have disappeared.
 To see a bootjack would bring them all
 back, the rustic or semi-rustic activities of the little American communities in which the day was begun by getting up in {, the cold and building fire and was ended | by getting the bootjack and dragging tightly imprisoned feet out of stubborn boots.
 1 The bootjack is the symbol of bad roads, l faulty means of communication, commun- | ity and family isolation, narrowed but | healthy amusements, bad food, which we now recall sentimentally as ambrosial, bad 1 taste in all the material circumstances | of life which we now recall sentimentally as quaint
 1 The bootjack was one of the most highly complicated pieces of domestic mechan- ism, less than two generations from this l one, which lives by turning electric 1 switches and pressing buttons
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-07
The City's Affairs

"It strikes me that it is time for the commissioners to take up the more se- rious problems confronting the city gov ernment and forget these frivolous pro- tests as presented by political prohibl- tionsts and overzealous reformers, salo Charles K. Hall. T have never heard or so many unreasonable protests ln regaro to the keeping of the Sabbath-the clos ing of garages and other places signify nothing for the good of the man who earns his bread by the sweat Of ms brow.
 CT dislike to be one of the pessimists in judging the acts O. our commlssion- ers hut I must confess their continual tolerance of certain ractions that care nothing for the voter and the taxpayer has made me weary. All you read about these days is the delegation of protectors calling on the commissioners to tell them how to run the government of the city It strikes me that those ofncers were awarded the confidence of the vot- CTS when they were put in office to run the city's affairs in business like man ner. If this is true they should take a stand and do as they think best ln- stead or taking up the cltizens .iihc and money that is coming out of their pockets for paying of the commissioners salaries How about the streets, the schools, the police department, the fire department, the health department and hundreds of other things not to mention the financial matters that need immedi- ate attention? I would like to see them pat busv and hold a session in their own way without the interference or a pro- testing delegation. I believe this would work to the advantage of every one"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-07
Paving Bills Promptly Helps

Merchants are patient with their customers of the wage working class who get behind in settling their bills in times of depression, but they have right to expect those persons who are able to pay promptly when the month rolls around to do so, Of course, many persons are scrupulous in this respect, but merchants are sometimes heard to complain of poor collections among prosperous people. l If only few customers were delin- quent in monthly settlement, the total would be negligible in large volume i of business, but some merchants op- erating on comparatively small capital have to carry heavy burden because considerable percentage of well-to-do purchasers are "slow pay" Such conditions are not peculiar to Birmingham. They occur in many cities.
 During the acute depression of a year and more ago thousands of men in this district were out of employ ment But for several months past many industrial plants have been op- erating at full capacity. Labor is in demand at high wages, and able bod i jed workmen, as a rule, find employ ment. Those who owe the grocer and the butcher and other merchants for family supplies bought during en- forced idleness are paying up now as fast as circumstances will allow. They will soon get even, and so long as they are doing their best the mer- chants do not press them.
 But the accounts of a large per centage of retailers who do credit business show arrearages on the part of those who fail to pay simply l through carelessness or a habit of procrastination amounting to a big total.
 Merchants will certainly appreciate reform in this matter, and the new year is good time to begin. Prompt pay puts money in circulation, and that helps the entire community.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-07
The Years BenefactiOns

Notwithstanding the business de- pression in the first half of 1915 the benefactions for the year, according to the New York World Almanac, just issued, amounted to $512,000,000 as against $31O,000,000 in 1914.
 The benefactions, as usual, were widely distributed. Colleges, churches art and humane institutions were well remembered. The European war opened a new field for philanthrophy Early in the progress of the conflict Henry Ford made gift of S1 ,000, ,000 for "world peace' and later added 5000 ,OOO for the same object. Mrs Ford sent Jane Addams $10,000 to be used in instituting a national movement seeking "just settlement of the European war.
 Andrew Carnegie, in addition to the benefactions through the Car negie foundation, gave millions fol educational and civic purposes, in cluding $10O,OO0 to the New York Association for the Blind.
 John D. Rockefeller, through his foundation, sent ship loaded witf 43,50O tons of food to the war suf- ferers, the cargo having been valued at about $275, ,00O. His other bene factions included $25,000 to the Rec Cross society to fight disease il Serbia, and many large gifts to Bap- tist causes.
 Jacob Schiff gave $500,000 to Bar nard college to build students hall which will serve as center for the social and religious activities of all
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-07
ASTOR A BARON

From the New York World Consistent with his career is William Waldorf Astor's manner of acquiring his baronage
 As chief heir of the wealthier Astor
 pranch, he had great resources from his
 earliest days. He had ambitions. Made minister in Rome by a political deal of President Arthur, he dispensed his money with lavish hand. In New York city he conducted an unsuccessful campaien for representative in Congress which holds the record for profuse corruption by money of vote then less carefully guarded by law. A combination of social pontlcal and taxation reasons caused him to shake the dust of the republic from his feet.
 The original Astor, trader and American patriot claimed but humble lineage-if he ever thought about the matter. In one of the Tory publications which MT. Astor founded in London he set forth at length his supposed descent from the great Span- lsh family of Astorga. By lavish gifts to charities and to Tory funds he early es- abolished claim for titled recognition which in an Englishman would have been ample His American birth was less of an obstacle than a certain lack of tact in appreciating the British point of view Which betrayed him into unpopular acts. But now, giving lavishly to the supreme cause of the great war, he stands where no loyal Briton can criticize his accolade.
 A press dispatch curiously suggests that Baron Astor's former compatriots will be pleased by his peerage. Probably they will neither be pleased nor displeased. The resentment many of them cherished against him for using the unearned incre- ment of New York rent rolls to uphold political reaction in the old world has les sehed With time And bigger events claim attention,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-07
The Iron and Steel Industry

Rogers, Brown &z Co.,. in their an- nual review just issued say, among ether things:
 "The gradual but persistent unfold ing of prosperity in the iron and steel industry during 1915 was like the breaking of a clear day after dark and murky night. First, the dim grey light in the east expressed by one of the leading steel producers in the fol lowing terms: This is the first time in three years that l have felt opti- mistic over the business outlook fol the United States. Legislation seems to have improved to an extent now where capital has more confidence and this is certain to stimulate business I look for 10 years of unequaled pros perity in this country
 "Prices of Birmin gham and southern Ohio iron remained almost station ary during the first half, but m- creased gradually $5 per ton during the last six months of the year. There was at no time great scarcity of iron and. therefore, the year closed without recording exorbitant prices.
 "The first week of the new veal shows no break in the strong tendency of the market Iron is advancing III several districts, notably at Chicago and Buffalo, and in the valleys Ihe demand continues active"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-07

women in Columbia university, and $25, 1000 for the relief of Jews in Palestine.
 Emory college of Georgia, a well known Methodist institution, received S1,OOO,OOO from Asa G. Candler of Atlanta, and Delaware college, situ- ated at Newark, Del, received from an anonymous donor $1,000,000.
 Miss Cora Dow of Cincinnati willed $700,000 to the Cincinnati Symphony orchestra as a permanent endowment.
 As large as was the total of bene- factions in 1915 it will not be sur prising if the 1916 total far ex- ceeds it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-07
grom the Louisville courier-Journal.

From the Louisville Courier-Journal
 MF there is one subject above others
 concerning which the public gets q false accounts it is the physical con- dition of monarchs. The news that it IS declared'' asserted" believed, etc. that the German Emperor is suffering from a "deep-seated affliction Of when the eruption and throat trouble are put symptoms is typical.
 The habit of representing crowned heads as so suffering is old. For p or SC years both Edward VII of Great Brit ain and Leopold of Belgium were con stantly represented in public prints as being walking exhibits of the results or immoral lives. The English monarch lived as long as a majority of men whose situation, with regard to financial ability to secure good nourishment and medical attendance, is in favor of longevity The Belgian monarch enjoyed an exceptionally long life and had good health for many years after he had been widely depicted as being in a frightful condition. It has been the fashion among writers for English magazines and for newspapers of
  cuss the Kaiser as the inheritor of con- stitutonal disease He was described al least 20 years ago in British pupllca- tions as being in precarious state or physical health, and as being actuaily insane, a sufferer from type of mental affliction, we'll known and clearly de- fined, which would soon put him in madhouse or the grave. But the last year and half of hard work-Wilhelm has perhaps been the hardest worked ruler on earth since August, 1914-has in dicated to observers at a distance his possession of a good deal of physical sta nina. No matter what his present ill., ness or indsposition may be- there IS nc means of finding out the truth by read l ing the ''it is said'' and lit is rumored dispatches attributing his need of medical attention to the cause to which illnesses of royalty habitually are attributed.
 A good deal of atten ion is paid to the promotion of the health of princes now adays. the average of life and health in royal families seeming to be about as good as it is in obscure families whcf possess at once the means to lead inds l
 medical attention. The average 'gildee
 youth' in America is much less safe guarded prior to reaching his majority l than the heir apparent to a European
 throne And because his adult life out side of the white light that beats upor
 a throne" the rich man who is not un
 der the responsibilities and the critica observation that are part of the lives of modern monarchs, is perhaps not more correct in his habits than royalty.
 The day when every person was a rak' surrounded by procuresses and mistresse' has passed. The dissipated monarch il by no means the rule, if not actually tho exception. The stock from which thu royal grafters are bred sometimes il worse, and sometimes better than tha from which the interiors of wealth ar' isprung in republican countries. But i
 remains the established custom to attyib
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-07
THE SOFT ANSWER

From Tit-Bits.
 The drill sergeant was real mustard, and the recruits were having a bad time. The weather had been very wet, and the pa rade ground was still slippery. In doing movement smartly, as an example to his men, the sergeant slipped and fell full sprawl, and naturally the rockies could hardly repress their mirth Getting up with all the dignity he could muster the sergeant's eye fell on Mur- phys grinning face.
 Well. you grinning hyena"' he roared Whats hurting you? oD you see any thing funny?'
 NO, SOFT" gurgled Murphy, tactfully But shure, Oi was just thinlSin what a laugh we cud have had if 1t had been anywan else save yersilf, ssgSeant'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-07
NOTEWORTHY
NC From Tit-Bits.

From Tit-BItS.
 King George was once enjoying the hos try seat near the scene of one of Crom- wells historic battles. Strolling out one day by himself, the King met the village blacksmith returning from shoeing ex- petition.
 'I say my good fe!low,'' said his majes- ty genially, T understand there was big battle fought somewhere about here.'' '.Well-er," stammered the blacksmith, recognizing and saluting the king, T did ave a round or two with Bill the Potman, of it.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-07
Regarding the Worries of Life

Col W. B. Leedy thinks he has found panacea for all the worries and discom- forts of this life.
 ''The other day." he said, "a bunch oi us were at the Country club golf links and just ready to begin a foursome which had been planned several days before Imagine our disappointment and chagnn when deputy appeared and served one of our party with an instanter summons to serve as juror. The judge was ob- durate and our foursome was broken up
 One of the party in an inspired mo- ment however, said, Well, here is an- other annoyance that we will have to get Commissioner BaAoer to prevent in future'" "
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-07
A Good Nenr

"The year just gone was a good year from my point of view" said James Patterson, manager of the Parker store.
 Especially brisk was the latter part of the year. The volume of business has steadily increased and collections have been satisfactory for sometime past
 "The new year is certainly full of promise. I believe it will be a red letter year for Birmingham"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-07
A sIcKLY BURIAL LOT

From the Baltimore American.
 Whitelaw Reid used to tell an inter- esting story about two friends of his who removed from New York and pur- chased a home in Massachusetts vil- lage.
 "One of their visits was to the ceme- tery.
 We must select a burial lot the husband remarked. Life is uncertain, and we had better attend to it at once.'
 ''The wife agreed. and chose site on hill overlooking beautiful lake. but the husband objected.
 :" No, Ann; it's too much of hill to climb. Let's look down toward the lake
 These lots pleased Ann even better than those more elevated. Here, Fred erick, she said, let's decide upon one of these.
 "'Why, Ann, he replied, I did think you had better judgment. I shouldn't think of being buried in this low, marshy place. It's the unhealthiest spot in the whole cemetery!"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-07
THE HEALTH OF KINGS

ute every indisposition of king to his i'll living, or inheritance of the results of the ill living of ancestors. Sometimes right, and sometimes wrong the writing on the subject always is guessworlS. Speaking generally, the effort of the scandal mongers to prod rulers into early graves as a punishment for immortality fails signally It would not be surprising to see Wilhelm live to be as old as Franz Josef whose longevity proves the tough ness of Tapsburg stock as well as the temperateness of an Austrian Emperor.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-07
APPLYING HUMAN STANDARDS

The coyote was on trial for cowardice. II admit l am coward at heart" said the defendant to the jury, but you must remember that my cry has struck terror to the hearts of more tenderfeet than the cries of all your brave animals. There fore, according to the human doctrine of getting results, l am the bravest animal in the world
 The other animals were so much im- pressed with the coyotes line of reasoning that, instead of executing him, they es- tablished him at the head of corre- spondence school in bluffip~
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-07

BEGINNING THE DAY-i thank Tbee. mv Father, for the calm with which Thou hast invested the great woods; inland lakes, the seas, when ii rests, the everlasting hills. Let me drink more of it into my soui- May feel myself immovabie Tn Thee. o Thou mighty sustainer or worlds and men. In Chrisfs name' Amen.-H. M. E.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-07
DUBIOUS HONOR.

Did understand you to say that Gads- worth has made name for himself in politics?'
 Yes"
 That's fine"
 ''Not at all. It's the sort of name that makes Gadsworth squirm every time he sees it in newspaper
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-07
------------------s Ss---------------------- THE FORTUNATE ISLES

By Joaquin Miller. You sail and yoa seek for the Fortunate
 Isles, The old Greek Isles of the yellow birds
 song? Then steer straight on through the watery
 miles, Straight on, straight on, and you can't
 go wrong. Nay; not to the left; nay, not to the right; But on, straight on, and the isles are in
 sight, The Fortunate Isles, where the yellow
 birds sing And life lies girt with a golden ring. These Fortunate Isles, they are not far; They lie within reach of the lowlest
 door, You can see them gleam by the twilight
 star, You can hear them sing by the moons
 white shore. Nay never look back. Those leveled
 gravestones They were landing steps; they were
 steps unto thrones or glory for souls that have sailed be-
 fore And have set white feet on the fortu-
 nate shore. And what are the names of the Fortunate
 Isles? Why Duty and Love and large Con-
 tent. Lo! these are the isles of the watery
 miles That God let down from the frmamentt. Lo' Duty and Love. and a true mans trust, Your forehead to God and your feet in
 the dust; To! Duty and Love, and sweet babes
 smiles, And there,s Oh. friend. are the Fortunate
 Isles.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-07
ACCORDING TO PRECEDENT.

There goes Dubson. He considers him. self a war expert
 Not now.'
 Whats happened to him?' ''All his predictions failed" Does he blame himsef?"
 Certainly not. Being a war expert, he naturally planes England and Russia"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-07

VAIN REGRETS. "Could I but live my life once more, We hear so many people say, "I'd add more nickels to my store And soak them in the bank away"
 Youngstown Telegram Could I but live my life once more, I'd save the dollar, dime by dime, And not with the foolish try to soar Forgetting of the gray-hair time.
 -Ashtabula Star.
  Could I but live my life once more. I'd never tip the porters, I'd let the other fellows soar While I built winter quarters.
 Geneva Free Press-Timess Could but live my life once more, l wouldn't go away to college; I'd work in someone's grocery store And thus acquire some useful knowl- edge.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-07
HOTEL TO BBIEs
Pro 1-r.ts he West

The grah JN, est is now one of the richest Ions . ne country, but I can remembr 1H as plastered with mortgages" a Winslow of St. Louis
 Tn December I made trip through the west and northwest and never have I seen evidences of greater prosperity.
 Missouri is enjoying a large measure of thrift at this time and all branches of business in St. Louis seem to be four ishing."