davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22

Judge Zell Gaston defends the commits sion and he wrote out his statement yes terday. It reads:
 Please allow me space to refer to your editorial entitled, Recall the Commis- sion, and I promise to be as brief as possible.
 T sincerely regret to take issue with you on any matter of public policy, for, he it said, during the 5 years I have subscribed for The Age-Herald, there have been few instances when I could not indorse it's course.
 "On mature deliberation, I do not be- lieve you would repeat that editorial Let's see: You say recent events culmi- hating in yesterdays disgraceful scene have proved the commission sadly in competent? At the time that editorial was written had you stopped to think that on this commission were some of the very best, the ablest, and the most pa- triotic citizens of this city-men who are respected and admired by all who know them: men who have repeatedly been honored and trusted by the people of this community? No, do not believe you stopped to consider this, but smart ing under those unnecessary 'fusses' down there, you made these statements without thinking of the reflections you were casting on men there who have never been in any of the recent events that made you write as you did. To these wrangles I will refer later.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
HOW ABOUT SUCCESSORS?

Now, these men were elected by the voters of this city. Suppose you recall the commssion,' as you suggest Who will elect their successors? The same voters who elected these. Suppose you change the government back to the alder manic form, who will elect the aldermen? :? The same voters who elected the commis- sioners. If those voters did not act wisely in electing these men, can you trust them to elect others? No, you would have to go elsewhere for the se- lection of your rulers, and are you will ing to give up local self government?
 "Then, suppose, again, you return to the aldermanic system. Are we more apt to get the best men to serve for glory or those who serve for pay? You can argue until doom s day that glory the ory, but in this practical age no intell- gent man will ever be convinced. I do not say we did not have some good men or our old board of aldermen. Some of my most esteemed friends were on that board but well do remember the storms of protest, the public meetings of protest. the dual governments times when the chief of police was called upon to pre- serve order in the aldermanic meetings, the calls on the same chief to remove one of rival presiding officers, etc. Have you forgotten?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
WOULD VOTE FOR CHANGE

If the question of abolshing the com- mission form of government and going back to the aldermanic form should be put to vote, l would cast my ballot in favor of the aldermanic form" said John E. Shelby last night. q did not favor the commission plan when it was fiA5t proposed, because did not think it practical and democratic. The commis- sion plan is all right in theory, but it does not work out when put to the actual test. When the plan was first presented, many of my best friends and some of those in whose judgment I had the greatest confidence. favored the new system, but I could never be con- vinced that 1t was the proper thing and believe that experience has demon- strated that it was not.
 '"We have had too much horse play at the city hall. Many scenes enacted at the commission meetings have been little short of disgraceful. For George Ward and his ability, I have the most profound respect, but I think some mis- takes have been made in the personnel of the commission I think if MT. Ward had asserted himself sooner, things might have been in better shape today. I favor a change to the aldermanic sys- tom
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22

was Charles Greer of Vernon. He gave an imitation of a cornet solo and rem dered as an encore an imitation of the various denizens of the wildwood the screech owl, the mocking bird and other fowl This novelty added to the concert The famous bottle chorus opening the second part, received remarkable ovation.
 Four Birmingham men sang solos and each was forced to give an en- core. Robert Gillespy, in a rich tenor voice, sang Nevin's Little Boy Blue" Edwyn Morris offered Roat's How I Love a Summer Day." Charner Batsor rendered "The Sunshine of Your Smile." J. Fred Johnson. now an alum nus, was given a striking ovation when he was induced by a persistent demand to sing two encores after his first selection
 Lehman Mayer proved a big hit when he offered The Fountain of Youth" and other humorous ditties The quartet, composed of Robert Gil- lespy, Chappell Cory, Jr.. Lehman Mayer and Vance Wier, was well up to the standard. The voices blended well and were ably modulated.
 The members of the club are:
 First Tenor--Chappell Cory, Jr., IT., Birmingham; Charles c. Greer, IS, Vernon; William Jewell Whatley, '1S. Birmingham; Jete G. Dickinson, Jr.. TT, Evergreen: Robert R. Gillespy, 20, Birmingham; G. B. Frierson, Jr., '19, Tuscaloosa
 Second Tenor-John Foscue, law, lS. Grove Hill: Orville M. Coston, IT, Birmingham: Lehman M. Mayer, '1S, Demopolis; Charles R. Dickinson, post, 1T, Birmingham; I. Edwyn Morris, 70. Birmingham; Leslie c. Longshore, '19; Columbiana H. A. Fellows. '1S, K. $, Laurel, Miss: A. G. Scarborough, '19' Tuscaloosa: Donald H. Thornpury, l9' Birmingham: c. B. Galloway. '19 Appe- vile; J. R. Oden, '19, Birmingham
 First Bass-George Charner Batson' TT. Bessemer: James Asbury Downey' Jr., IS, Birmingham; James E. DoWe' Jr.. '19 Montgomery; Harry C. Rlodie' ,19, Madison; Joseph E. Hirsch, i9' Rirnnin gham; Arthur StovaH law, 1o' Sardis, Miss; Louis B Brasweil, Jr'' IS, Demopolis.
 Second Bass-William Frantz liar ner 1T. Selma James Thomns Rowell' IT Selma; Clyde D. Nelson, '19, Co 1,mbiana: w. Vance Wier, law, IS, cadsden. T. N. Johnson, '19. Florence; Massey c Griffin, 20, Thomasville; Zach bowling, 20, Ozark; William C' Kennon, '20 Birmingham.
 Tom Garner, 'S8, Director. Tusca- loosa. ..4 ,,aar tba auspices of the Volunteer ReileI as sociation and was largely attenoeo'
 A dance followed the concert.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
Statement of Lansing IS
 Cause Of COnSterndtlOn
 Until Further Explained

a clearing house at least for views and probably for terms.
 PURPOSE OF EXPLANATION
 The general understanding was that the purpose of this explanation was to enable the envoys to communicate to their own governments the under lying purpose of the Presidents action a this time.
 Further, the opinion prevailed that the United States expects to be fully informed of all terms, including those relating to territory.
 It is felt in various diplomatic quar- ters that while statements regarding terms, especially those concerning ter ritory might readily be passed along by the United States. they must not, if the negotiations are to have the slightest chance of success. be con veyed 10 the public generally. Should definite territorial terms be made pub lie it is feared certain section of public opinion in the countries affect ed would foment additional embar- rassment.
 The world diplomatic crisis seemed temporarily moved to Washington dur ing the day because of the Presidents note. Secretary Lansngs comment and the anxiety of the diplomatic corps to understand the American purpose
 DELICATE SITUATION
 By noon all the ranking diplomats from the belligetent countries had called at the state department, neces- sitating for the first time in months extreme care to prevent meetings be- tween representatives from hostile states.
 The Presidents note was declared today to be a Init around the whole circle" without intention of favoring or condeming either belligerent group to the prejudice of the other. Never theless. certain facts are cited as in- dicating beyond doubt where the chief tension lies at present in the relations of this country as between the two groups.
 With the entente. apart from little trouble over Count Tarnowski, it was pointed out. there has been no pub- lished diplomatic correspondence for months. This country owes replies on both the blacklist and the mail seizures. Trade matters have been very vexing, but have largely been settled out of court without publicity. Is Toward. the central powers how ever, and particularly in the past month decided feeling of tension has been evident in the sending of about a dozen inauiries on submarine sinkings. followed by publication of the details and also by the correspond ence on the Belgian deportations. It became evident that it Is on the sea. it is feared, this country may be caught between conflicting belligerent interests Lloyd Georges statements that all British ships will be nation alized. together with the apparently official German decision to treat such ships as liable to sinking on sight, has led to the growing conviction that it will be essential for the safety of Americans, both passengers and sail ors. to lay down sofe flat distinc- tions as to what are private ships and what are naval auXiliaries
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
OLD PLAN DEMOCRATIC

T.. Owen Gillespie, couty auditor. is m favor of the aldermanc form of gov- ernment. T am in favor of the old plan of government said MT. Gillespie. I believe the consensus of opinion is in favor of some form other than the one now in vogue. The aldermanic form is essentially democratic. Every ward or precinct Is represented and all the peo- pie have voice in the city's affairs The sentiment in this community is in favor of a change and the trend of the times points strongly toward some ac- ton on this issue.
 Harry White, of Odum, Bowers and White, is another who prefers some other form of government instead of the com mission plan.
 "I am strongly in favor of the alder manic plan of government" he said. q
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
vn.,,LnSITY GLEE CLUB ECL|PSED ALL PREVIOUS RECORDS Local Members Show Up Well on PrOgramme-Leh- man Mayors Humorous
 Ditties Made Hit

There was a finesse to the concert that the University of Alabama Glee club presented at the Tutwiler hotel last night In the rendition of chorus numbers the Glee club eclipsed all previous efforts The musical medleys of the guitar, mandolin and banjo were gems of harmony. The soloists, many of whom were Birmingham men, re- ceived warm responses.
 Under the direction of Tom Garner the University of Alabama Glee club was pronounced to be the best ever produced.
 There was diversity to the pro- gramme that endowed the concert with a sprightliness and an airy tone. The light, joviaI numbers, with Lehman Mayer as the leading comedian, were heartily applauded by the large au- dience.
 Perhaps the most unusual figure among the 92 members of the club
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
uRGES MANAGER PLAN

q was keenly interested in the edl- torial in The Age-Herald advocating the recall of the commissioners" said J. D. Stevenson, of the American Cities bureau of New York
 .'I believe that Birmingham is not the only city that has tried commission form of government and found it wanting. For my part, I am very much in favor of the city manager plan, and in every city where I have seen it tried out it worked wonderfully. Dayton, Ohio, IS llke oll- ferent city since the city manager plan was instituted. In Fredericksburg, Va, where we put on a municipal campaign and established the city manager plan, conditions are entirely different to what they were before.
 'The manager has been able to get the city out of debt to pave the main streets and make many other improvements without issuing bonds. Birmingham seems to be in a pretty bad way municipality, and I should certainly suggest change of government of some kind
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
FRIENDLINEss IS ADVISED

It is indicated, therefore, that the allied diplomats will advise their gov ernments to view the note in a friend ly spirit and go as far as possible to- ward meeting the wishes of the Uni ted States. No indication was vouch- safed, however, as to whether the re- plies will be identical or individual ture.
 Secretary Lansing in calling in the diplomatic representatives of the bel ligerents is understood to have made it clear to them individually that the United States expected the replies of their governments to be absolutely frank in all details. The idea was gathered that the United States was looking forward to forming itself into
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
FAvORS CITY MANAGER

Lon Baker is in favor of the city man.
 ager plan. '"fhe city manager plan has
 been successful in many cities throughout
 the country" said MT. Baker. q think
 a city should be run on the lines of a
 big business house. The head of any
 corporation has the power to hire or fire
 any one of his department heads that
 does not come up to the mark. If the
 business fails, the manager, or head of
 the company, is blamed for the failure
 and another is placed in his stead. The
 sentiment in Birmingham today is fo-
 a change of government I hope to see
 this change come as soon as it is possi-
 ble under the existing laws"
 Dr. Howell Heflin is in favor of the city
 manager plan or the old aldermanic form instead of the commission form of gov ernment. "A mayor with a board of
 aldermen who are paid each time they meet to consider the city business seems to be the plan,' he said. "I do not be- lieve in a man taking public job for
 honor. There should be some remuner- ation for his services. The city manager plan seems to be finding favor with many students of municipal government I am in favor of change
 w. G. Patterson says he Is in favor of an executive head to all business projects whether it be a municipality or a tobacco business. When I hire a man as the head of one of my stores, look to him for results he said. If he does
 not get them. I don't go to one of my clerks and tell him he is at fault for the showing. I hold the head of the department responsible, It is so with the city government city manager is the ideal form of government. If he makes a failure, fire him and get another. I do not believe in too many people talk ing part in anything. I am greatly in favor of change and I prefer the city manager plan."
 Harry New says the aldermanic form is the kind the people want. T hope to see the aldermanic form of government take the place of the commission plan, fle said. "It is the representative form and that suits the people"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22

all the nations now at war an avowal
 of their respective views as to the terms upon which the war might be concluded and the arrangements which would be deemed satisfactory as a guaranty against it's renewal. of the kindling of any similar conflict in the future. as would make it possible frankly to compare
 them. He is indifferent as to the means
 taken to accomplish this. He would be
 happy himself to serve, or even to take
 the initiative in it's accomplishment, In any way that might prove acceptable. but
 he has no desire to determine the method
 or the instrumentality. One way will be
 as acceptable to him as any other if only
 the great object he has in mind be at-
 tained.
 OBJECTS ARE THE SAME
 He takes the liberty of calling at
 tention to the fact that the objects
 which the statesmen of the belligerents
 on both sides have in mind in this
 war are virtually the same as stated
 in general terms to their own people
 and to the world Each side desires
 to make the rights and privileges of
 weak peoples and small states as se-
 cure against aggression or denial in the future as the rights and privileges of
 the great and powerful states now at
 war. Each wishes itself to be made se-
 cure in the future, along with all other
 nations and peoples, against the recur- renee of wars like this and against ag- gression or selfish interference of any kind. Each would be jealous of the for
 nation of any more rival leagues to pre- Serve an uncertain balance of power amidst multiplying suspicious; but each | is ready to consider the formation of a league of nations to insure peace and justice throughout the world. Before that final step can be taken, however, each deems it necessary first to settle the is- sues of the present war upon terms which will ordinarily safeguard the independ- ence, the territorial integrity and the po- litical and commercial freedom of the nations involved.
 AMERICA VITALLY INTERESTED
 Tn the measure to be taken to secure the future peace of the world the people and government of the United States are as vitally and as directly interested as the governments now at war Their interest, moreover, in the means to be adopted to relieve the smaller and weaker people of the world of the peril of wrong and violence is as quick and ardent as that of any other people or government. They stand ready, and even eager, to CO., operate in the accomplishment of these ends when the war is over with every influence and resource at their command.
 But the war must first be concluded. The terms upon which it is to be concluded they are not at liberty to suggest but the President does feel that it is his right and his duty to point out their intimate interest in its conclusion lest it should presently be too late to accomplish the
 greater things which lie beyond it's con- | clnslon, lest the situation of neutral na- | ticns, now exceedingly hard to endure l be rendered altogether 'intolerable ano 1 lest more than all an injury be done l civilization itself which can never be atoned for or repaired
 SEES JUSTIFICATION
 | "The President, therefore, feels alto. get heI. inStiGad
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
UNJUST TO SOME

What is the wise thing to do? Simply weed out those we elect who do not serve us as they should. Do not let our dis taste for their ways cause us to treat those unjustly who do serve us as they what we would do as to our employees in our private affairs. If you have an en- ploye up there who is not true to his trust discharge the incompetent one and put good man in his place. If we have commissioners who are not true to our best interests do not blame the whole board Just do not re-elect the unwor- thy one. That is also common sense.
 Now word to our friends on the commission. I claim every member as my personal friend. I am responsible by one vote for every one of you. l am not ashamed of it, nor do I regret it. There fore I feel I can, in a friendly spirit, ad- wise you little. The people are dissat- isfied with unseemy wrangles down there on the part of some of the com missioners Every man who has told me he wanted to change the government, has given as a reason the very wrangles l have mentioned. Some were inclined to make all suffer on account of the wrang- ling of some of you. Now, gentlemen of the commission, this wrangling should stop, and right where it is, at that I notice good deal said about my de- partment,' etc. You have no department. They all belong to the voters and tax payers of this city.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22

Washington, December 21.-(Spe- cial. .)-President Wilson's notes to the belligerent powers are regarded as among the nations greatest state pa pers. Each note was prefaced with this instruction by Secretary Lansing to the American ambassadors present. ing them:
 "The President directs me to send you the following communication to be pre- sented immediately to the minister of for eign affairs of the government to which you are accredited"
 The texts of the notes themselves then begin as follows:
 "The President of the United States has instructed me to suggest to the (here is inserted a designation of the government addressed) a course of action with re- gard to the present war, which he hopes that the government will take under con- sideration, as suggested, in most friendly spirit as coming not only from a friend, but also as coming from the representa- tive of neutral nation whose interests have been most seriously affected by the war, and whose concern for it's early con- clusion arises out of a manifest neces- sity to determine how best to safeguard those interests if the war is to continue"
 THE CENTRAL POWERS
 In the notes to the central powers this paragraph follows next
 'The suggestion which I am instructed to make, the President has long had it in mind to offer. He is somewhat em- barrassed to offer it at this particular time because it may now seem to have been prompted by desire to play part in connection with the recent overtures of the central powers It has, in fact been in no way suggested by them in it's origin and the President would have delayed offering it until those overtures had been independently answered, but for the fact that it also concerns the question of peace and may be best be con- sidered in connection with other proposals would have the same end in view. The President can only beg that his sugges- tion be considered entirely on it's own merits and as if it had been made in other circumstances.
 TO THE ENTENTE ALLIES
 In the note to the entente allies the following paragraph takes the place of the one just quoted:
 "The suggestion which I am instructed to make, the President has long had it in mind to offer. He is, somewhat embar- rassed to offer it at this particular time because it may now seem to have been prompted by the recent overtures of the central powers. It is, in fact. no way as sociated with them in it's origin and the President would have delayed offer ing it if those overtures had been an- swered but for the fact that it also con- cerns the question of peace and may best be considered in connection with other proposals which have the same end in view The President can only beg that his suggestion be considered entirely on it's own merits and as if it had been made in other circumstances
 THE TEXT IDENTICAL
 Then all the notes proceed identically as follows:
 ''The President suggests that at an early occasion he sought to call out from
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
WANTS TO GO BACK

q thoroughly agree with The Age Herald that we have had enough of the commission form of government" said John Dunn. 'and think it is high time we had a change.
 50 far as I am concerned, l am for going back to the old aldermanic govern ment. There may be those who say that this is taking a backward step, but there's such a thing as backward step being better than a forward step, If it's the right kind of step. The commissioners have given us enough of their side shows. and I think it's time we got down to bus. mess and strengthened out the muddle.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
CITY MANAGER GOOD

Naturally the people of Birmingham are not satisfied with the present form of government" said Dr. Howell Heflin. And you can hardly blame them. What we want is a real government, and one that will get results for the city. l am not in position to say how this can be accomplished, but I think perhaps the city manager would be better form than
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
H. GRADY WEBB IS
 STILL FREE MAN

Henry Grady Webb is still a free man.
 Announcement to this effect was made yesterday by Postoffice Inspector T w. Naylor, upon his return from West Vis- ginia, where he went upon information that Webb was under arrest there. The man who gave his name as John shan non, proved not to be the alleged leader of the Harrison band of train robbers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-22
STILL FAyoRs COMMISSION

John B. Bethea, who was vice char man of the city democratic eXecutlNe committee under the aldermanlc system, bu+ who was a strong advocate and worker for the commission plan. still con- tends that the change from the alder manic system was not a bad one.
 We used to have just as bad ana Just as frequent wrangles under the alder manic system as we rave had since the commission was established, said MT Rethea. 'The people, if they stop to think, will recall some of the scenes which used to be pulled off every tinie tbe council met. I would not want to qo hack to the aldermanic system"