davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-24

reply. to the request Of the United States made last week through Ambassador Won Bernstorff for assurances that the notice of intention to sink armed mer- chantmen without warning after Feb ruary %, does not nullify previous pledges given in the Arabic and Lusitania ne- gotiations Official advices from Berlin have indicated that Germany will reply that previous assurances will not be af- fected, but that they applied only to unarmed ships. and probably will ask the American government for it's definition of defensive armament which may be carried by merchantman without sac rificing it's peaceful character.
 ARE AWAITING RESPONSE
 The state department will take no aca tion rendirg the receipt of this response, and officials also are awaiting with in- terest the arrival of certain appendices to Germanys most recent declaration which are coming from Berlin by maiI Only six days remain, however, before the new order to submarine commanders goes into effect. There have been strong intimations that before the end of that time, the United States will inform Ger many that merchant ships carrying arms for defense only are considered in tho same class as unarmed vessels, and that the right of American citizens to travel upon them cannot be questioned.
 The cabinet is expected to review the situatioA Friday, and, if 1t has arr rived. to consider the German reply.
 Democratic leaders will endeavor to prevent discussion of question from breaking out at the capitol tomorrow. Representative Foster of Illinois has prepared a resolution to authorize the President to issue a proclamation warning Americans against boarding armed vessels of belligerents, which it was said he may offer from the floor A similar resolution presented by Representative McLemore of Texas is before the foreign affairs committee.
 Senator Gore has announced his in tention of introducing bill tomorrow which is far more drastic than sug- gestions made in the House. and would prevent Americans from procuring passports without making oath that they would not travel on armed bel ligerent vessels.
 LEADERS IN CONFERENCE
 Republican Leader Mann and Major ity Leader Kitchin held an extended conference after the House adjourned tonight, but both insisted that they did not discuss proposed legislation on the subject.
 A tense feeling pervaded the capitol as members began to arrive during the morning and on all sides there were inquiries for a definition of the Pres ident's exact position. Soon Represen- tative Flood was being called upon for an answer Little groups gathered in
 Continued on Page seven>
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-24
To Canvass House on Resolutions Providing For Warning of Americans to Stay Off Armed Merchantmen Wilson Still UnaIterably Op- posed to Any Such Action and Grave POssibiI- ties Are Contained in Situation
DAY OF SURPRISES, TENSION
 AND AGITATION IN CAPITAL
Leaders Apprehensive Over Situ- atiOn in House While Deep Feeling Over Situa- ton is Manifested in Senate Still Confident They Can Control Situation and Prevent Inter- ference By Congress

Washington February 23Agtation in congress action warning Americans off armed ships of the European be suddenly grew such proportions today that the the foreign relations committee voted the of the house several pending resolutions nature
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-24
TROUBLE FOR ANNIsroN

Anniston. February 23-(Special) One thousand employees of four principal pipe shops in meeting here tonight listened to Moulders' union delegate urging action to as- sure adequate pay and change schedule for piece work in foun- dries here Hours and wages are satisfactory. but men object to making new patterns at the old scale, About 90 per cent of the employees are said to belong to a
 union. No definite action has yet been taken.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-11-29
STREET SCENES IN SALONIESI

fur and two striped silk aprons-one before and one behind. The latter is caught up on one side, some corner of it being apparently tucked into mys- terious pocket. But the crown and glory of the old lady is her headdress-a sort of flat frame, tightly wound about with stamped or embroidered handkerchief, and crowned with an oval gilt plaque set off by seed pearls. Whatever its color, this creation invariably ends In fringed tail of dark green silk, also or namented by a gilt or gold plaque of seed pearls, hanging halfway down the old lady's back. In this wonderful tail she keeps her hair, of which you see not a scrap, unless at the temples. And about her throat she wears strings and strings of more seed pearls
 She is, this decorative, this often ex- tremely handsome old lady, mother in Israel. The old gentleman in the garber- dine is her legitimate consort, while many of the modernized young people at the cafe tables are their descendenats- very many. A dozen different estimates of the population are given. varying &C., cording to the race of the informant; but they all agree on the point that Saloniki contains not far from 15O,OoO people, and that more than half of them are JeWS'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-11-29
LATEST BALLROOM SLOGAN

New York Correspondence Pittsburg
 Dispatch.
 "Watch your back" is the latest ballroom lingo. It applies especially to women, but there is an equally inn portant reason why men should keep an eye on the gleaming portions of their partners docolletege which she herself is unable to see without the aid of mirrors. For this is what may hap pen; The palm of your hand, the one pressed against. her back, may. absorb the color from the net or chiffon which serves as an excuse for bodice or belt. The other night, at one of the fashionable club dances, man fox trotting with a girl wearing a flame colored dress, discovered that in seek ing cooler portion of her back upon which to place his palm, had trans ferred the pattern of his hand to her skin. There was a brilliant red mark on his hand, with the fingers clearly defined, and the girl didn't know II until she got home. Meanwhile the man who had unconsciously tattooed her had left the same mark on several other women he had danced with. Its the dye" dress maker explained Since the European war has forced us to experiment ourselves in coloring chemicals we have had lots of trouble The heat and perpsiration from mans hand when dancing make the color run sometimes. That's all.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-11-29
 People Like Politics

Interest in state politics has assumed considerable proportions recently" said J. H. Craig, state examiner of public accounts. who is here checking up the DOCKS of the board of revenue. I'm mediately after the presidential campaign was over the people began to turn their attention to the candidates and the is- sues to be considered in the primary in 1918. There seems to be no lack of can didates. or rather prospective candidases, and it would not prove surprising If quite number did not announce for the governorship within the next few months.
 The people of Alabama, as in all the other states, are frequently heard to complain about too much politics, but it seems that most of them are never satisfied if there is not more or less political excitement all the time It af- lords kind of avocation for the aver age voter, which furnishes him with amusement for the greater part of the time. From the manner in which the campaign is starting it looks very much like the state races will be in full swing before next summer"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-11-29
THE INNER LIFE
Montaigne

MontalSne.
 Iris an exact life that maintains itself in due order in private. Everyone may juggle his part, and represent an honest man upon the stage; but within, and in his own bosom, where all may do as they list. where all is concealed, to be reg ular-there's the point. The next degree is to be so in his house, and in his or dinary actions, for which there is no study nor artifice. And therefore Bis, setting forth the excellent state of a private family. says: "Of which the master is the same within, by his own virtue and temper that he is abroad, for fear of the laws and report of men," And it was 8 worthy saying of Julius Drusus, to the masons who offered him for 5000 crowns to put his house in such a posture that his neighbors should no longer have the same inspection into 1t as before: T will give you" said he ''6O0O to make it so that everybody may see into every room.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-11-29
THE SUBWAY TALKERS

From the New York Tribune.
 one O the swelles' ladies I evva seen. An she come into the Shoes, an took pair O fourteen dolIa' boots ooh, elegant shoes. An she went up into the Flowehs n Feathehs an took two fifty dolla' aigrettes, an then the stoah- deetective got her an says wher she get them shoes an she says she bought 'em downstaihs an he says Bought 'em, didja?" and she says coi'n'y she bought 'ena, an he says well, she better put 'em back. an the aigrettes too so she did
 Did he arrest herr
 NO. He let her go I guess she must of struck his fancy or somethin'."
 Was you tired today?"
 "Oh. was IF"
 T did'n' feel very tired. What time dja get home?''
 "Oh, Soich me. I come in an went to bed an my motheh says What time is it? an I says I don know. Don't botheh me An I toined oveh an went to sleep If eveh let her staht talkin', it'd be good night shoit. Believe me, I'm goin' to bed oily tonight
 "B lieve me, I am too.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-11-29
LUKE M'LUKE SAYS

Some fellows seem to imagine that they do not have to put their best foot forward as long as they have the left hind foot of a rabbit in their possession.
 Her crowning glory used to be her hair. But nowadays it is her hat.
 Once in awhile you will meet a man who would rather keep right on drinking than go to the trouble of swearing off once month
 Before she gets him she thinks he is a dear After she gets him she finds he is a bear.
 A man is willing to tell you what ought to be done. but he isn't willing to get busy and do 1t.
 Old nature is said to be all-wise in her provisions. But what the hek does she expect to gain by putting pair of bow legs on girl?
 You can get a box containing 100 matches for penny. But the way some men mooch them you would imagine that matches cost about $1 each.
 Let two men meet on the street and talk a few minutes and 1t is almost a cinch bet that one of the men is going to ask the other to have a drink. Unless it is something that needs to be done you can safely trust janitor to do it.
 When a man seems to enjoy the old Joe Miller you have just sprung, look out. He expects you to laugh at the one he IS about to tell. When you hate man you expect everybody in town to hate him, and It amazes you that other men will even speak to him. When theatrical man marrles he signs up a contract with leading lady. Don't go around worrying about what the world thinks of you. The fact of the matter is that the world isn't giving you . thought.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-11-29
ONLY A BEGINNING

From Everybodys Magazine.
 An old farmer was driving along a lane near golf course and stopped for a moment to watch the game. ~
 What's that?" he demanded curl ously.
 Golf" was the reply. Want to try your hand, uncle?''
 Don't mind if I do,' declared the farmer, wrapping the lines around the dashboard and climbing down.
 The players gave him few points about hazards and bogies and finally one pointed to a flag on a hill 250 yards away. "At the foot of that pole," he said, 'is little hole. The object is to put this ball in the hole with the small est number of strokes
 The farmer took the club, sighted for sometime, and then let go a whale of a stroke. The ball scared with a mighty swish into the air. and fled unerringly toward the flag. It fell short, bounced, rolled and wound up hands breadth from the objective-a phenomenal shot that made the experienced players gasp.
 By golly. I missed 1t" the farmer exclaimed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-11-29
HOTEL. LOBBIES
. He Turned rhem Down,

No one has any idea how many people come into this office each day and ask unusual requests, many of which are not only unusual but absurd" said George 5. Ward. T just had several people in to see me about permit to let the loser on the Alabama Georgia game pa- rade the streets in barrel. The bar rel is to consist of most Of the cloth ing.
 It sems that two freshmen, one from Alabama and one from Georgia, made bet that the loser should do this barrel stunt after the game l turned down the request flat. This might be all right for some town, but in. my estimation Birmingham is too large to let this sort of burlesque be pulled off. There are fully 40 people day coming into this office for something Every mendicant in the city comes here for a permit. If people have any novel scheme they want to try out they come here first. It has taken me 8 long while 70 get on to all the turns of these people, yet learn something new about them each day"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-11-29
ALEXANDER SELkIRk

By William Cowper. I am monarch of all I survey;
 My right there is none to dispute; From the center all around to the sea am lord of the fowl and the brute o solitude! where are the charms
 That sages have seen in thy face? Better dwell in the midst of alarms
 Than reign in this horrible place. l am out of humanity's reach
 l must finish my journey alone; Never hear the sweet music of speech start at the sound of my own. The beasts that roam over the plain
 My form with indifference see; They are so unacquainted with man.
 Their tameness is shocking to me Society, Friendship and Love,
 Divinely bestowed upon man, Oh, had l the wings of dove,
 How soon would I taste you again! My sorrows I then might assuage
 Tn the ways of religion and truth, Might learn from the wisdom of age,
 And be cheered by the sallies of youth. Religion! what treasures untold
 Reside in that heavenly word! More precious than silver and gold,
 Or all that this earth can anoru, But the sound of the church going bell These valleys and rocks never heard; Never sighd at the sound of kneii.
 Or smiled when Sabbath appeard. Ye winds that have made mo your sport. Convey to this desolate shore Some cordial endearing report
 Of a land I shall visit no more: My friends, do they now and then send
 A wish or a thought after me! Oh tell me yet have friend,
 Though a friend I am never to see. How fleet is the glance of the mlnd!
 Compared with the speed or It's Tight The tempest itself lags behind,
 And the swlft-winged arrows or hgnI When think of my own native land.
 Tn q moment seem to be there; But. alas! recollection at hand
 Soon hurries me back to despair. Rut the sea fowl is gone to her nest,
 The beast is laid down in his lairi Even here is season of rest,
 And to my cabin repair. There's mercy in every place, And mercy--encouraging thought Gives even affliction grace,
 And reconciles man to his lot.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-11-29
Praise for CandIer

Business conditions in the south are so much better at the present that it would be unfair for one to say anything about the past" said Harry H. Jarrett of Whitman Jar rett, manufacturers agents, with head quarters in Atlanta. Conditions in ev- cry line of business are infinitely bet ter than they have been in the past Is months. Our firm handles to- tai of 31 lines of goods, mostly used In the manufacturing industries. If business were better in one line than another l feel that I should be cog nizant of this fact
 Birmingham is easily 40 per cent better than it was six months ago. l may be optimistic over the present conditions, but business with our con rern justifies this feeling of prosper ity. With iron and steel selling at
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-11-29

hitherto unheard of prices and with the southern farmer receiving 20 cents per pound for cotton there is no ex- cuse for the wall of hard times.
 Atlanta is looking forward to the time when Asa Candler will take the reins of government in that city. He Is one of the most conservative and squarest men that has ever sat in the mayors chair of any city. He is not an agitator, but construction ist and believes in fostering and en- couraging business"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-11-29
FREEDOMS TRUE FRIEND

By Emerson.
 The true friend of freedom does not wish to be insulted by the supposition that he believes each human individ ual an erring man, and that never theless the united clamor of erring men has a character of divinity about it; nor does he desire to be told that the voice of the people, though legiti- mately and institutionally proclaimed and justly commanding respect and obedience, is divine on that account. He knows that the majority may err, and that he has the right and often the duty to use his whole energy to convince them of their error, and law fully to bring about a different set of laws. The true and stanch republican wants liberty. but no deification either of himself or others.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-11-29
Library Well Patronized

Not quite everybody went to the woods Sunday afternoon" said Miss Lila May Chapman, vice director of the Birming- the central library from 3 to and never worked so hard in my life. Every chair in the library was filled from 3 to 5:30, and there were many persons standing most of the time. Children were there by the dozens and I handed out ute, to be carried home. There were lots Of reference questions, too but didn't have time to do them justice."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-11-29
Token of Peace

John Altman was at his best when he presented the olive branch to Com missioner Ward this afternoon" said Phil Painter yesterday after the con- clusion of the commission meeting. 1T happened to know that he did not expect to have the honor thrust upon him. As it was he made a speech that was singularly appropriate.
 "The interest that has been mani fested in the simple little olive branch as token of peace has been re- markab1e. All of this merely exempli- fies the power of the press. There is no doubt but what some sentiment was connected with the presentation of the olive branch and all this was brought out by MT. Altman. I enjoyed it thor ughly and I believe all the rest of the spectators felt the same way"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-11-29
Overtoh Trial
 Finds in Conviction

T THE jury's verdict in the Overton
 trial at Huntsville was not un- expected. The defendant was ad- judged guilty of murder in the first degree because the evidence seems to have been overwhelmingly against him. One of the ablest criminal law yers in the south fought over every inch of ground in trying to save Over ton from the extreme penalty, but al- most from the start the case took a course which pointed to conviction.
 Had Overton given himself up as soon as he got safely away from Huntsville and no longer had the ex- cuse to offer that he feared mob vio- lence, instead of leaving his friend, Sheriff Phillips, in the lurch, and flee ing from one place to another until finally captured, it is possible that he might have fared better in his trial. No doubt more credence would have been placed in his plea of self defense, despite the fact that it was not sub. stantiated.
 Overton- seems to have had a fair trial, conducted in an orderly manner and, considering the sensation created by the death of Judge Lawler, with little attendant excitement. There was probably no danger of mob violence at any time, not even when excitement was at it's height, immediately follow ing the discovery of Judge Lawler's body.
 Always tremendously impressive, a verdict of murder irCthe first degree, involving the death penalty, is almost unheard of in Huntsville. It is said that no white man has been executed
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-11-29
ALABAMA PRESS

Piedmont Journal. The President has told US when we may expect to find Thanksgiving, but failed to say anything about where we might find the turkey.
 Sheffield Standard: The muscles of the human jaw exert a force of 534 pounds. This Is the reason why we speak of our congressman and legislators as being "forceful."
 Selma Times No biennial sessions of the legislature; at least not until we have new constitution. And amendment to abolish the legislature altogether would also carry. Legislatures seem to have sunk so low in popular esteem that there are none so poor as to do them reverence.
 Montgomery Advertiser: The newspa- pers who are critical of President Will sons cabinet and who are offering gratui- tous advice as to overhauling, it should remember that the cabinet was made an issue In the campaign and that the result indorsed the cabinet as well as the Pres ident. President Wilson has every right to follow his own decisions as to the continuance of the cabinet.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-11-29
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
THE NEW HEROINE.

THE NEW HEROINE. The fair aviatrix
 Ascends to the skies, And's loudly applauded
 As long as she flies. And when she alights from Her trusty machine, Her "story" is published Tn some magazine, Discomforting greatly
 The star of the stage Who's pained to discover She's pushed from the page By one who has beauty And daring and skill, And knows how to give us A genuine thrill.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-11-29

of the south no applicant presented such business-like claims as this city. Whether or not Birmingham is se- lected as the place for the establish ment of loan bank all Alabama will rejoice when the new system is ready for operation. Certain it is that Uncle Sam could do nothing which would so brighten the cotton belt farmers Christmas.
 The disastrous floods of 1916 will hardly be repeated for many years to come. Next year may be one of the best, but as cotton will have to be grown without fertilizer again noth- ing like normal crop will be ex- pected. But to make up for small production the price will probably continue high. At any rate, with the coming of the farm loan bank and other favorable things concurring agricultural Alabama can look for ward to 1917 with buoyant spirits.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-11-29
Good Barometer

"The insurance business is a good ba ro9eter of business conditions, and it shows that Alabama is moving forward slowly, but surely, despite the backsets we have experienced said w. F. Fitts, Sr., prominent insurance man of Tus- caloosa, who was at the Burt hotel yes terday. While much of our business is in the agricultural sections of the state which suffered severely from the floods and the boil weevil, steady gains are being shown over the same periods last year.
 'It seems that the people are finding many ways to make up for the losses they have experienced and the diversifi- cation of crops is proving to be a big aid in recovering the losses. With the req sonable probability of high prices next year for our crops and the continuance of the wonderful activity of the industrial districts we are on our way to much better times in Alabama. After the war, I look for the greatest era of prosperity We have ever experienced"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-11-29

BEGINNING THE DAY-Man, for nIl his inexpressibIe insignifieanee and fraiIty, may still aPprehend the Idea of perfection, may help forward the supreme will, and die with HO- sanna on his lips. Amen.-H. M. E.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-11-29
NOT IN ACCORD.

T sent you a thought wave just now" said the temperamental young man. Did you receive it?'
 T don't know" answered the practical young woman. T felt something blowing on the back of my neck, but supposed it was draught."