davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-24
For Suppression of Lynching

The Rev. Dr. B. F. Riley. correspond ing secretary of the organization re- gently formed in Birmingham among prominent southern educators for the purpose of expressing lynching. is planning for a campaign in behalf of law and order. In discussing the sub ject he said:
 Tt is believed that the better senti- ment of the south. that which is over whelmingly dominant, can be so en- listed as to bring an end to outbreaks our people and have placed us in an
 unfavorable light before the rest of
 the world The infliction of death by
 mobs, once confined to a single crime
 as a reason, has come to include many
 others, some of which are minor of
 lenses. Once restricted to one race, it
 has come more and more to be inflict-
 ed on members of both races. Once done with secrecy, it has grown bolder. Once confined to tHc rural IcSioHS, il hdo come to invade the populous centers and to threaten officials themselves for not yielding to the demands of the mob.
 "The course of mobocracy is so fun damental in it's work as to become an occa sion of alarm It seeks to supplant law and to awe into obedience to it's will the executors of the law. This con dition with it's consequences transmit l ted to another, generation bodes no l good for the south. Hence the profound 1 interest of the whole subject to the l schools.
 i "The retort sometimes made that mob violence is not confined to the l south affords no relief to our section l What is desired and what will be 1 sought is the removal of the possibil | ity of this form of lawlessness from 1 the states of the south This is the more l important since at least 90 per cent ot l the lynchings occur in our southern l sections.
 | By laying under tribute every avail able means these Christian educator. believe that we can be relieved of lthl.
 social curse. So confident are they o
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-24
FRENCH IDEA OF EFFICIENCY

cessor Premier Briand himself was suS- gested, as well as a dozen other civil and military notables. But every guess was wide of the mark The new minis ter was to be one Roques, man un- known outside of a limited military circle. He was in command of corps on the battle front, but he had done nothing to distinguish himself. Why were the not ables passed over and the unknown Roques called to the most important post in the French republic?
 The reason was soon apparent. Roques is Joffres most confidential friend As Joffre thinks, so thinks Roques. The gov ernment reposing entire confidence in Joffre, determined to name minister with whom Joffre could work in complete harmony. The appointment of Roques was a tacit announcement that the gen. eral in the field is of more importance than the minister at ahis desk and better qualified to direct the destinies of the republic.
 A more striking contrast could not ho imagined than that between the French and English view. At the outbreak of the war England selected her ablest and most distinguished soldier but instead of sending him to fight, the nation caged him up in a little office in Whitehall. Far less able men were sent to lead the armies, while Kitchener, wholly un- trained in executive work, was kept at home While Joffre has been the real commander of the French, the generals in charge of the English have been little more than puppets under the direction of Kitchener
 Judging solely from results. the French method is superior to the English. Per haps the time will come when Kitchener will be sent out to fight while a lesser man will be placed in charge of the routine of the war office.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-24
From the Florida Metropolis.

From the Florida Metropolis.
 @NOAL for ordinary consumption in the Argentine is now $35 O gold per ton, and hard to pur- chase even at that figure. To prevent the reduction of the present meagre supply, the national government has ordered the principal steamship com panies not to put on board any out bound vessel more coal than necessary to carry it to the nearest Brazilian port of call. This coal is the property of the steamship companies stored here as precautionary measure, and the fact that the government has been obliged to place an embargo on this seriousness of the fuel problems in that country.
 The railroads likewise have been forced to economize by cutting down the summer time tables of trains, and in the meantime they have placed or ders for 1,500,000 tons of hard wood for fuel. But even wood has gone up
 $5 a ton within week, and is now quoted at $SS paper, or s14 gold. Char SOdB WHICH IS ldIStly uSCQ IOl NO-
 nestle purposes. is also $5 a ton dearer.
 The situation is such that even the
 ships of the Argentine navy are de- clared to be impotent owing to the lack of coal. The American built bat tleships Rivadavia and Moreno were constructed to burn oil, but appar- ently the oil problem is nearly as seri- ous as the coal situation. Crude petrol cum from the Argentine wells is be- ing offered in limited quantities at $50 paper, s34 gold, per ton. Although re- ported inferior orily to the best Rou- manian oil, the Argentine government and people have displayed a sceptical attitude toward the native oil.
 The deposits have been said to be unlimited, but despite this the output has been small and neither the navy nor manufacturers generally avail themselves of the native product The German Electric Light and Power com
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-24
ANCIENT SHIP RECOVERED

New York Correspondence Pittsburg Dis
 patch.
 Historians are trying to discover the age of the old ship which was found in the subway excavations the other day. When the hulk was first discovered most of those who saw 1t believed it was either the Half Moon or the Tiger. Opin- ion facvors the Tiger, because some of the men had found skull and charred timbers about the boat. Now it is thought that the Tiger, manned by Adrian Black, was burned. But all the theories and guesses and proofs were shattered when the historians arrived today and began making an examination. One of the delivers dug up the boneof pig $ foot. 'I wonder if the old guy whose nut we found Saturday died chewing at a pigs foot?' asked one of the crowd. Then some one suggested that the old ship might have been Captain Kids. The learned men did net think much of this theory. The search for the name or the date of the boat is still being carried on. Among the things dug up were cannon balls, parts of cooking utensils, Dutch bricks and host of other things.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-24
Effects of War With Germany

"At last the storm which is ravaging
 Europe seems to be crossing the At lantic and threatenens to break upon
 these shores" says Henry Clews in his
 weekly financial review. President
 Wilson's note to Germany is in the nature of a polite ultimatum. Unless Germany modifies her submarine policy in a degree satisfactory to the United States, a severance of diplomatic re- lations is inevitable. We are possibly now on the verge of war with Germany, a catastrophe that only Germany can prevent.
 eff war comes, which heaven forbid, its consequences to the United States cannot be very serious. Owing to our geographic position we are less ex- posed to harm than any of the bellig- erents and are relatively safe from at tack. The German navy cannot reach our coasts, and our own navy can do little beyond aiding the allied navies. "A big bond issue would be one of the first accompaniments of war. Busi- ness relations between Germany and the United States, small as they are. would probably be placed under legal restrictions, if not prohibited. It is not likely, however. that hostilities would very seriously disturb our financial markets"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-24
A PARABLE
From an Exchange.

From an Exchange.
 This time Russia in place of Germany!
 Every month of the war has enriched
 the Russians" says Minister of Finance
 Bark, and gives as incontrovertible proof
 the fact that there is more money in the
 Russian savings banks than ever before. !"
 The story of the German soldiers, the
 beer keg and the 10-pfennig piece cannot
 have reached Petrograd. The soldiers
 had been detailed to carry the keg after
 their company and to sell drinks out of
 it for 10 pfennigs a drink. The heat of the day overcame the one with the money. He handed his 10 pfenngs to the keg bearer and took drink. He shoul- dered the keg. mile further along the road the other soldier was overcome with thirst He handed his friend the 10-pfen- nig piece and took a drink, They con tinued to exchange the 10-pfenng piece
 for drinks all day. When they reached camp they found that though every drink had been paid for and they had just as l much money as ever-there was no beer 1 In like manner Russia and Germany may have as much money as ever and every shell made within their borders may have been paid for, but every day the stock o beer and skittles runs lower. And wha availeth it man though his bank bt bursting with gold, if there be no balm
 in Gilead?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-24
Boosting Alabama University

Great good is going to come to the University of Alabama from the com ing commencement" said Maj. R. B. Steiner of Montgomery, member of the board of trustees of that institution. "The greatest number of the alumni which ever attended a commencement will be present next month and it will result in enthusng the old students and making them more interested in their alma mater.
 'T have been informed that plans have been perfected to take care of all the alumni who attend commencement and the centennial which Tuscaloosa is ar ranging in connection with the univer- sity closing will draw hundreds of the alumni.
 Some of these men have not been to the university in 20 or 90 years and they cannot realize what change has taken place. Every man who attends the com ing commencement will go away with determination to render more service to the university than he has in the past, and I think big increase in attendance next year can be expected"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-24
Enthusiasm for Local Bond Issues

Birmingham is already popular as an Alabama convention center and several national conventions of large scope, such as the hardware meeting, have been well entertained here, but we will never come into our own as the city of the south par excellence for great gatherings until we have an auditorium with a seating capacity of 5000 or 10000.
 With splendid hotel facilities all Birmingham needs to place 1t ahead of New Orleans, Atlanta or Richmond is great convention hall.
 The $2,000,O0O school bond proposl- tion has been presented to the people, and it will be ratified by an over whelming majority. The proposition for building $5OO,O0O electric plant is popular and will prevail.
 There is great enthusiasm for the schools, and there should be, and 1t is believed there would be just as much enthusiasm for an auditorium bond issue.
 It is hoped the commission will be able to submit an auditorium propo- sition in ample time to get it on the June 5 ticket"
 Let's make a record breaking stride on the fifth of June.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-24
Shortening Term of Enlistment

One of the best amendments to the Senate army reorganization bill was
 that providing for shortening the term of enlistment-from seven years
 to five years.
 With a small army seven years did
 not seem too long-four with the colors and three in the reserve corps.
 Recruiting is slow at best, but when the enlisted strength of the regular establishment was only 85,000 the
 ranks could be kept full. Beyond that number, however, it is difficult to ex- pedite the work of recruiting. This has been seen in the recent effort to add 10000 men to the army. After five weeks less than 5000 have been accepted.
 In time of war large volunteer force can be mustered into service in short order, because patriotism is then the motive. But in the regular army it is different. Only those men as a rule offer for enlistment who have a disposition for the military life and who see prospect of promotion. The pay-S15 a month-while small for a young man who could command a good salary or earn large wages, is, nevertheless, liberal when the fact that the government provides the sol- diers' clothing and food is taken into account. No private or noncommis- stoned officer need spend a dollar. But those who enlist as regulars sell dom consider patriotism, although they are as patriotic as the average worthy citizen. The chief appeal is that the strict discipline which sol dier in the regular army undergoes, helps to build character and makes manlier man of him when he returns to civil life.
 Many young man has been de- tered from joining the army under the present terms of enlistment be- cause he is afraid that in case "sol- diering" as a regular might prove irksome, that he would have to re- main in active duty four years, whether he liked the discipline or not. But with only two years, his attitude would be different. It would be an experiment. If military activity ap- pealed to him, he would re-enlist, otherwise he would doff his uniform; and two years fly past.
 Under reorganization enactment
 calling for only two years with the
 colors and three years on furlough
 as reservist, recruiting would gain
 very materially.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-24
EASY TO WRITE NOVELS

down to brass tacks we find that young women are not always beautiful nor young men handsome" MT. Nicholson said. Some day am going to write story about young woman who is not beautiful
 I've all like a love story, and most of the great novels are love stories. Keep in mind when you write a novel that if the young woman throws hef- self into the arms of the young man at once it kills the story. That could all be told on the first page. Let the angry father keep them apart. Abuse the father. He is always abused any way. Have the young man come to the girls home and ring the door bell. Have the father answer the door, of course, and then, on seeing who Is calling, have him slam the door Tn the young mans face. But don't Tall to have the end happy.
 "The American authors excel Tn the short stories. In these the main line or interest develops fast and IS qulckly over. In the novel you must have variety of characters and a multiplica- ton of incident.
 ''The novel of adventure is very easy thing to do. Physical encounters, where men shoot at each other or young men almost hurl each other oiI the cliff. but not quite. l am not speak ing in derision. I have written that type and I may do so again. Dumas and Scott had a great deal of horse back riding at night, but that was be- fore the advent of gasoline.
 Truth is the most essential thing in the novel The most dangerous thing is the story that pretends to deal With life as it is, but presents it falsely. believe that our American life is clean life and we don't achieve any purpose by copying the French and Russian styles"
 MT. Nicholsin adivsed reading in lieu of college education for those who couldn't get the latter. He said he left school when he was 15 years old. When he waspone year older 1t oc- cured to him that he didn't know any thing. he said He then studied short hand and worked in 8 law office. He later studied Latin and law
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-24
From the Cleveland Plain Dealer. K | NINETEEN years ago an energe'
 N French officer was sent to Mad x gascar to build railroads

' NINETEEN years dSO dii chSi oS-
 M French officer was sent to Mada- x gascar to build railroads. In building her colonial empire France mas always felt the necessity of railroads The importance of the steel highway Tn remote places was recognized by France before it was acknowledged by England or Germany and a score of years ago she was sending her best men to the ends of the earth to solidify her possessions. That was why Major Roques then SS years old, was sent to Madagascar.
 In that remote land Major Roques made the acquaintance of an older offlcer' one Joseph Joffre, who was in Madagascar for the purpose of building forts. The two builders became intimate friends, and their cordial understanding has never waned. Perhaps their friendship was strengthened by common dislike TOT the governor, General Gallieni whose ar bitrary methods were not to the liking of the constructive experts.
 The outbreak of the world war found Joseph Joffre in commlld Of the armies of France Gallieni first military gover- nor of Paris, soon became minister of war. and Joffre was again theoretically superior in Madagascar
 But the French have an Idea that the general in the field is best qualified to conduct French military affairs. Gal lieni found himself practically without au- thority, and soon resigned on account of ill health"
 Snaculation was rife as to Gallienis s Suc-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-24
PROFANITY ON THE STAGE rom the Youngstown Telegram.

From the fOuHeStoWu IeleSrdH.
 The w. c. T. U., Women's Club league and several mems organizations have pro- tested numerous times against indecency in it's various phases. particularly where it is Haunted in public. Billboards, shows and other agencies have come in for condemnation.
 There is another abuse against which they might direct their efforts. It is a work also for the Holy Name society. which has a branch here. This abuse that needs correction is the practice of using profanity on the theatre stage It is a practice altogether too common here. It is not confined to low class shows. It is permitted in theatrical productions that appeal to refined theatre-goers and family patronage. It is an insult to pa- i irons. Profanity on the stage Is never used in expressing anger. It is resorted to to force a laugh and it's use is con- fession on the part of a comedian that he is a poor comedian. The man who is really amusing doesn't have to use pro- fanity.
 Stage people who want to depart from the strictly clean usually inquire before. hand what goes" in a city. Here 1T Youngstown they are allowed the unneces sary privilege of profanity.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-24
,sMATTER POPE

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
 After five years of infinite painstaking Professor Furness has taught his pet ourang -outang to call him papa" It strikes us as a doubtful compliment, but the proud professor-with pardonable pa ternal pride, shall we say?-reports it to the American Philosophical society as triumph of anthropoidal orthoepy and al- most human intelligence
 Science will congratulate him on his great labor of love, and sympathize with regret that Mimi (such is the ourang- outang's name) has not been able to learn more. The professor is forced to the sad conclusion that anthropoids cannot be taught connected language, or taught to reason progressively Their conversa- tional gifts are limited.
 For our part we are glad of 1t. If "Iimi' could talk glibly she would prob ably gossip and lie and backbite and be a pibbering scandalmonger If the male anthropoids were lowered with fluency they would probably be blatherskite poli- ticians, or jackleg lawyers, or auctioneers of "phony" goods, or "spielers'' for nos- trums, or sawdust trail exhorters and hip podrome evangelists, or candidates for governor, or something else.
 Because it is morality rather than To- quacity that counts, and the ape is lack ing in that fundamental integrity of char acter is a sine qua non. There is enough loose talk, there are enough loose morals, without dragging the urang-outang and the chimpanzee back into human society.
 We are taught that we should not be ashamed of our ancestors, so long as we ourselves are good, honest men. On the other hand, there is something to be said for an honest desire to get as far away as possible from ancestors whose char acter, habits and regulations were noth- ing to brag on. Creditable to us descen- dants are the sentiments expressed by the poet of the Darwinian school:
 Children, behold the chimpanzee;
 He sits on the ancestral tree
 From which we sprung
 I'm glad we sprang-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-24
THE SOLDIERS DREAM

Campbell. Our bugles truce for the night had lowerd
 And the stars. their watch in the sky; And thousands the ground overpoWerd The to and the wounded to die When reposng that night palet of straw
 3v the wolff soaring faggot that guarded the slain At the dead of a sweet Vision
 And thrice morning dreamt it again. Methought batefelds dreadful
 Ear far. I had a Twas autumn-and sunshine
 To the home of my fathers that welcomed back. flew to the field so
 In ifes morning when young; hea ard my beating
 And knew sung. Then pledged the wine and fondly I swore
 From m home and weeping to part; My a thousand times [ And my wife fitness of heart say-say with us!-rest.-rest-thou and worn! nd their waf-broken soldier to stay; But
 And my dreaming melted away.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-24
COAL AT S35 A TON

pany, which supplies this city and suburbs, and which formerly used coal exclusively, began to use the Argen- tine oil after the outbreak of the war, but has lately discontinued that and is now burning the Mexican product. This notwithstanding the recent grant by the government of $15,000,000 to develop the Argentine oil regions.
 An official report of conditions pre- vailing in and around the Comodoro- Rivadavia oil area shows some inef- ficient conditions under which the de- velopment of the field is being under taken, Water is lacking in that region and has to be brought from place more than 30 miles away, and labor is also scarce. Being government mo- nopoly, and heavily fiscalized, the op- erations have been elaborate and cost ly, but it is charged, extremely inef- ficient It is said to be doubtful wheth- CT the oil fields will ever respond to the elaborate hopes based upon the casual discovery of them in 1907 A government inspector, just returned from the district, expresses ais sur prise that the locomotives plying to and from the petroleum zone are still being fired with costly coal.
 The peat deposits of Tierra del Fuego are declared to contain inex- haustible supplies of that fuel, but with scarcity of coasting vessels and the difficulty of securing labor for that bleak region, it is more than doubtful whether it will ever pay. or wood there is an enormous supply, but it grows in the remote and generally insalubrious regions.
 As for American coal, the freight charged, 90 shillings per ton, rules it out of consideration, in view of the fact that the British product is shipped at $50 ton. This can be done because freighters are sure of picking up prof itable cargoes in the River Platte for England or France.
 To give an idea of the manifold ways in which the lack of fuel affects the currents of commerce, it is suf- ficient to note that the great hotel proprietors have met and deliberated upon the best course of action in view of the increased kitchen and laundry expenses, which are nearly double what they were.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-24
Stationery Prices Advancing

Many things are concurring to send up the price of stationery" said R. W. Ewing. "but of course the war is pri- marilv responsible. Irish linens, used to make the finer grades of note paper, are now being used for bandages in European hospitals. Even the cheap grades are affected by the demand for labor, especially in New England where the munitions plants hold out such tempting offers to labor that the paper men have had to advance wages.
 Leather >oods of course are up be- cause of wars demands for shoes and harness. It seems as though there is nothing that is not affected by the war"