davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-17
w. H. Crane,s Start

T remember when w. H. Crane, the &C., tor, started out in his stage career," said L. T. Shadwell of Philadelphia. "It was at the time when 'Pinafore' was having it's first run.
 'I met MT. Crane socially in those days and we formed quite a strong friendship.
 Before he went on the stage he was bookkeeper in Boston and sang in a church choir. His premier appearance be- fore the footlights was in an amateur per formance of Pinafore.' His talent for comedy was clearly marked, and it was not long before he got professional en- gagement. He and the late Stuart Rob- son made a splendid hit in Henrietta, and another great hit in the two Dromios in the Comedy of Errors
 ''Of course everybody will want to see Crane in the all-star cast in The New Henrietta which I learn is coming to the Jefferson theatre here next week.
 MT. Crane is one of the greatest actors this country has produced, ranking with Jefferson, the elder Sothern, and other eminent comedians. He is an elegant, genial gentleman and is socially popular in every large city in the United States
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-17
JACK LONDON

From the Boston Herald.
 He is 40 years old and his career, with all deductions made, is one back upon which he may look with degree of the complacency which Mark Twain ac- knowledged when he drawled out to one of his last interviewers. q do contem- plate my personal past with a consid- erable degree of satisfaction" Jack Lon don fulfills well the dictum of Leon H. Vincent that good authors are they who having the gift of expression and indus try commensurate with the needs of au- thorship, have also a sufficient fund of experience upon which to draw"
 What fund of experience Jack Lon don has: The son of a nomadic frontiers man, fighting his own way as a boy on the streets of San Francisco, taking his chances as a salmon fisherman, an oyster patrolman and sailor before the mast as a tramp and hobo and street ortor, his college course cut short by lack of funds, his hurry to the Rlondil1e provid- ing him with the materials for the ven- ture into the field of writing over which he had brooded and dreamed It is all to his credit, whatever may be thought of his social philosophy, that his soul awcke early to the wrongs endured by the poor and the "down-and-out also that experience subsequently, tempered a little his radicalism Very few authors have come so quickly to fame as did he anG with so little preliminary trumpeting, and few have to an equal degree put their own lives irhtheir books. He has ideals, he hates sham and meanness, and he is only 40. His future will be an interesting study for his contemporaries.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-17
Should Increase Corn Acreape

A year ago a crop diversification campaign was organized and con- ducted with such success as to bring about new era in Alabama's agri- cultural activities. It was a cam paign of education and the results were far-reaching and permanent.
 The farmers, having realized the value of diversification, should strive to achieve even greater things this year. Only in the worst weevil- infected districts will the farmer be expected to reduce his cotton acreage below that of last year, but every en- terprising husbandman will increase his corn acreage and add to his live stock, regardless of cotton production or high prices.
 Alabama's 1915 corn crop totaled about 70,O00,O00 bushels-18 1000, ,O00 bushels more than the year before. With large increase in planting and with favorable weather conditions, Alabama's corn yield should reach the 100000, ,000-bushel mark this year.
 Now that the farmers have come to appreciate the importance of rais- ing all the foodstuff that is consumed
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-17
A Chattanooga Visitor

Birmingham has made WonderfulN pro- gress since I lived here about 10 years ago." said Dr. M. F.. Casey of Chatta- noga. "The city and district seem to have recovered from the depression inn mediatey following the European war. Birmingham is very prosperous looking now and the people here are confidently looking forward to even greater prosper ity in the spring.
 Chattanooga, like Birmingham aNd all other manufacturing centers felt the de- pression of 1914-15 acutely, but for six months past business there has been booming. We have some of the largest machine works to be found in the United States, and a great diversity of indus tries. Immense orders are being exc cuted in Chattanooga for the allies-not only shrapnel but harness and saddles and other army supplies
 pr. Casey stopped over in Birmingham on his return home from Dahlonega, Ga., and the resorts of the Nacoochee valley, where he had spent a month or more in search of health. He said he had been greatly benefited by the Georgia climate. He described the Nacoochee valley and the lofty mountains rising from it as surpassing in scenic beauty anything around Asheville, N. c.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-17
Capital for Local Industries

While Birmingham has many in- dustries besides those producing iron and steel, there is room for many more, especially manufactures of the smaller class; and to the work of promoting industrial diversification the reorganized Chamber of Con- merce is expected to bend it's energies
 Any industry that is found profita- ble elsewhere in the south should be equally profitable here, and by req son of local advantages certain com modities in general use could be man. ufactured here at less cost than in any other southern city.
 As to the capital necessary to pro- mote small industries there should be no difficulty in raising it here. If a community of Andalusia's size could raise S125,0 ,000 to build and operate a packing house-$1O0,00O for the building and $25,OO0 for operating capital-Birmingham should be able to raise enough money to build a hundred or more industrial plants.
 Local pride should assert itself, and with the true cooperative spirit in the Chamber of Commerce, the year 1916 should witness great strides 1T Birmingham's industrial field.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-17
CAPTURE OF LOVCEN

from Mount Lovcen, leaving the defense t. the Montenegrins in the exception of immediate aid from Italy. 4ssa4
 But Italy has never replaced these guns and has never done anything to strength en the important fortress. About a monte ago it was stated at Rome that an eu petition was on the way to Lovcen, but it never arrived.
 Meanwhile the Austrians, with vastlS superior guns on land and supported bS the fleet which now found Cattaro t, safe resting place, battered the Montere- grin position to pieces. For three days the attack, which is described as one of the heaviest bombardments of the whole war. continued without intermission. Sev- eral Austrian charges were repulsed, but finally a night attack succeeded, and Mount Lovcen is now in Austrian hands.
 So Montenegro must pay for Italian negligence; but Italy, too, must suffer. With Mount Lovcen guarded by the big guns of the Austrians, the Bay of Cat taro becomes an impregnable naval stronghold, and the Adriatic, which Italy promised to guard, can no longer be guarded. On all the Italian Adriatic coast there is no position approaching the strength of Cattaro under the protection of Lovcen.
 England neglected Servia, and Servia was crushed; but the crushing of Servia has made England vulnerable in Egypt Italy neglected Montenegro, and Monte negro must suffer extinction; but the an- utilization of the littlest kingdom will rem der Italy far more vulnerable than she has been at any time since the beginning of the war.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-17
WIFE PINE IN PERIL

From the Knicllerbocker Press.
 A fascinating story of vegetable vil- lainy is contained in bulletin issued by the interstate committee for the sup pression of the pine blister rust. Our native white pine, the most valuable tim Der tree in the middle northern and north eastern states, is the heroine in this drama. The white pine blister rust, fungus disease, native to Europe. IS the villain. Currants and gooseberries are the simpletons whose folloy aids the plot.
 Seriously, this disease pursues an inter esting course. It was imported into thls country on nursery stock of white pine. It cannot spreads from sone pine to an other, but only to entrants and gooseber- ries From these, however, it spreads back to the pines and destroys them. Wherever pines entrants and gooseber- ries are found in the same vicinity, the hines are doomed. The safe thing to do is to destroy all entrants and goose berries, wild or domestic, which are grow ing near pine trees
 This plague has driven our native white pine from England, Denmark, Holland and parts of Germany. Trees in this country, which will certainly be at tackled by it, are estimated by foresters to be worth more than 25,0OO,O00. Com parativeIy trifling sums, promptly appro- priated by Congress and the states, will save the trees. Let us not repeat the foolish skepticism which has made it inn possible for us ever to rid ourselves ot the gypsy and brown-tail moths.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-17

depths and tightwards are paying the
 Freeman firm who never had the.
 slightest ieda of doing so MT. Free
 mans letter lacked the literary style
 and flavor of the works of his dis wife, but it seems to have had the required punch" Putting the matter up to delinquents in new way is much more apt to get re- suits than the old fashioned and some- what monotonous method of dunning.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-17
Homer Croy in Leslie's.

Homer Croy in Leslie 5.
 TWAS all tired and knocked out when 1 reached China, so I thought to my ~ self, "Fn just go to Chinese the atre and spend a quiet evening. wont understand anything, so I can doze OH when I want to and come out as re- freshed as a sprig of celery"
 The Chinese believe in noise; the atre isn't theatre to them unless 1t has a. ladies' annex to a boiler factory just off-stage. The hammering begins when the curtain goes up and continues unth it falls I soon found out that l erred seriously in coming to a Chinese theatre to sleep; a person might drop off for few minutes in car shop, but he could never get near the knitting up of the raveled sleeve in a Chinese theatre.
 Chinese acting consists of the actors coming out again in another outfit or clothes. They come on, whirl a baton a. couple of times and exeunt; while they are off another delegation of actors ar rive with another collection of clothes; they whirl their clubs a few times and file out Indian style as another lodge ar- rives. There is no more expression on the face of Chinese actor than on a punching bag in a penny arcade.
 When they want to show that the in trepid hero with handful of men is try ing fortification against vastly over whelming enemy, the property man hur- ries around in front of the hero with a black cloth stretched over a frame. This is the fortifcation, even though you can see his fingers gripping the breastworks. The dauntless hero marches across the stage stops before the impregnable bar
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-17
Vote for the Bond Amendment

No one is enough of a prohpet to tell us whether the state bond amend ment will be ratified or defeated at to- morrow's election, but all indications point to much larger vote than seemed a few weeks ago probable. A large majority of the prominent citizens of Alabama are earnest ad- vocates of the amendment and it IS hoped that majority of the people in general will be found on the side of the measure.
 The amendment proposition is easi- ly understood, and there will be no excuse for any voter casting a nega- tive ballot through ignorance.
 The Jefferson county campaign committee, in it's final appeal to the electorate, discusses the proposed amendment in all it's bearings and concludes by giving eight reasons why it should be adopted. These reasons have been published from time to time, but as they present the matter in a nutshell they are here repro duced:
 Remember: First, the voting of the bonds does not increase the states indebtedness.
 Second, it merely postpones the payment of a part to a more con- venient time. +-.'- Third, it does not permanently in- crease the indebtedness, because 1t provides for it's liquidation by 1880.
 Fourth, the debt was not created by the present legislature.
 Fifth, it was not created by the present chief executive.
 Sixth, it was inherited from former administrations.
 Seventh, it was incurred mainly for educational purposes, which the peo- pie approved and demanded.
 Eighth, defeat involves either the repudiation of a just debt or the re- duction of appropriations to objects which command and deserve our sym pathy and support.
 A ninth reason might have been added. If the amendment is defeated an extra session of the legislature will have to be called to deal with the states financial condition, and such contingency would be deplorable. It would add to the. states already heavy floating debt and, worse still, it's wrangling would seriously disturb the even tenor of Alabama's business and agricultural pursuits. Anything rather than an extra session.
 Vote for the state bond amendment and see that your neighbor votes for it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-17
From the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
 THE capture of Lovcen by the Aus
 E trians is probably the beginning of
 \ the end of Montenegro's resistance. It also marks the continuation of one more of the inexplicable blunders Which have marked the conduct of the war by the entente nations
 Mount Lovcen is a high peak which dominates the town of Cattaro, the south ernmost of Austrian possessions. Cat taro is at the head of a deep bay pro- tected by mountainous islands and rem dered safe from sea attack by mines and other artificial defenses. Yet, as long as Mount Lovcen remained in the hands or Austria's enecies Cattaro was of com paratively small value.
 Early in the autumn of 1914 bluejackets from the French fleet in the Adriatic dragged a number of powerful naval guns to the summit of Lovcen, and the French and Montenegrin gunners worked se sk1ll- fully that the Austrian fleet at Cattaro was compelled to take refuge at the mouth of Cattaro bay. It dared not re turn to it's natural anchorage, and 1t could not emerge into the open Adrlatc for fear of the French who were waiting outside. The Austrian ships were effec- lively bottled, and Cettinje, the Mon tenegrin capital which is only seven miles beyond Mount Lovcen, was safe.
 When Italy entered the war last May she announced to England and France that she would assume the task Of pa trolling the Adriatic. The British and French ships were withdrawn, and the French guns and gunners were removed
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-17
Musical Attractions

Following are the principal musical at fractions offered to the Birmingham pub lie during the remainder of the season:
 Mrs. William Gussen ill piano recital at Cable hall tonight from S:9O to 9:S0 o'clock. Tho programme will be made up of Rus sian and Polish composers. There will be no admission charge, and the public is invited without cards.
 The Arion club concert at the Jefferson theatre next Friday night
 Edward Brigham, dramatic reader and basso profundo, in a recital at the Tut wiler Sunday afternoon, January 30.
 Harold Bauer the world-famous plan ist, in a recital at the Jefferson Monday afternoon, January 31.
 The Minneapolis Symphony orchestra of S5 men in two concerts-afternoon and night-at the tBijou Wednesday, February 16.
 Kreisler, the worlds great violinist, at the Jefferson March l.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-17
BELLA GARDA

Clinton Scollard in "Italy at Arms" Over Riva La Rochetta rises with it's
 craggy crown, On the quiet mountain village from it's
 summit sheer looks down, Filings the sunlight, filings the moonlight
 back from climbing cliffs of brown. At it's base the olives silver, and the fleet
 barks come and go. With their sails of tawny saffron, with
 their slanted sails of snow, Straining in the winds of morning, droop-
 ing in the even glow. All along the blue lakes borders toss
 the red buoys with the tide, E,y CT shifting, ever changing through the
 turing hues that hide In the bosom of the sapphire. in the tur-
 quOisa glorified. oleanders in the gardens with the bland
 blush roses vie, And the palm trees throw their shadows,
 and the lizards laze and lie In the sun whose golden scepter rules an
 arc of stainless sky. You may hear the boatmen calling, you
 may hear the boatmen sing Songs of love and songs of longing as
 the swallows wing and wing, And the air that breathes about you is
 the air of endless spring. And that Titan, Monte Baldo, with it's
 heights of shine and shade, Looms beyond the fair lakes bosom. in
 it's majesty arrayed. Crests and bastions ehaer ahvsses, and
 the furrows God H Hadc Bella Garda! Bella CAfsaN! Ass For ever-
 more apart In that temple we ali heaniy.i far be-
 yond the reach at While I tread the art4 Df 14rtals you
 will hold in thr 'i. N hso
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-17
A THEATRE TN CHINA

rier, casts his eagle eye over it, draws his long sword and rips it asunder with one fell blow, the property man holding the swaying corner, while the hero marches through to victory. The intrepid hero stops to explain to his subordinates how he was able to accomplish the feat, while the property man drags the ram parts into the wings and begins pinning them up for the attack in the next act
 In a Chinese play there are no girls their parts being taken by boys, speaking in a high, quivering voice as if something were too tight. When an actor wants to show that he is old he ties on a beard that comes to his waist The beard works off to one corner and hangs grimly by one string but the audience doesn't worry about that-they know that he is an old man because he has beard.
 I was constantly alert to figure out what kind of show it was. When I first got there and saw the constant change of costume I thought that it must be a musi- cal comedy, but after studying it more closely I saw that it was a farce. When they began to kill people I came to the conclusion that it was an operetta; later when the hero found his wife in another mans arms I decided that it was a problem play
 The most important person in Chinese show is the property man; alongside him the lead sinks into insignificance. He has charge of the show The show opens when he says and closes when he wants to go out to tea. house. He keeps his properties where they are handy-down stage by the proscen1m arch--right out where the audience can lean over and almost touch them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-17
Testing Human Nature

There is hope for the human race as long as it is capable of feeling shame for it's frailties and misdeeds. The "honor system" is development of this idea and owes it's success in the prisons of the United States to the appeal that is made by it to convict's better self. Experience has taught that even the most hopeless specimens of humanity can be moved, if they are approached in the right way and this has been found true, even in the case of people who don't pay their bills promptly.
 Charles M Freeman is probably best known to fame as the husband of Mary E. Wilkins-Freeman, the novelist, but MT. Freeman is self supporting, even if he did happen to marry genius, and conducts a coal and lumber business under the firm name of Manning Freeman & Son. The citizens of Metuchin, N. J., have been good patrons of the firm, but they got behind with their bills,. so much be- hind that the books showed them to be $67, ,653.88 in debt. Collections were bad, and while the spirit of Metuch- enians-if that is what they call themselves-was apparently strong, there was an appalling weakness of the purse.
 A short time ago Mir. Freeman con- ceived an idea which he put into prac- tice. Metuchen residents were amazed one morning to see line of 24-point type on the front page of the weekly Metuchen Recorder, containing the figures $67, 7,653.SS Above and below the figures MT. Freeman published m open letter to the public stating in effect that while his firm hac treated it's customers with the great est generosity in the matter of ex- tending credit, it was painful anc disheartening to see how many de linquents were on the books, and he was anxious to collect the amount: due as soon as possible.
 It is stated that the civic pride oi all Metuchen has been stirred to the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-17
In the Financial World

Henry Clew, in his Saturday review, says in part:
 This week two developments have con- tributed to impede stock exchange ac-
 tivities. First continued liquidation in the fancy industrials, and, second, the somewhat ominous outbreak in Mexico.
 The latter, it must be admitted, contains rather serious possibilities owing to the difficulty which Carranza may have in
 suppressing the insurrectionary ten
 dencies in Mexico. It is to be hoped that occasion for American intervention will be avoided and at this writing there is no occasion for serious excitement The fact of trouble with Mexico may stimulate the preparedness movement and might provoke undesirable agitation at Washington. But Congress thus far this session has been remarkably conserva- tive, and there has wisely been little or no disposition to embarrass the adminiS- tration in it's foreign policies, which have been full of pitfalls and dangerous possi- bilties. President Wilson, ably seconded ! by Secretary Lansing, has so far suc- ceeded in keeping the country out Of I trouble with either Mexico or any of the l EuTOpedn D6lllSeFeutS. TIC Has peSIl Ilot- ably fortunate in securing satisfaction 1 from Germany and Austria for the loss of American lives also in securing a mod l ification of submarine warfare in behalf of humanity at large. He has also in- duced rGeat Britain to modify her or
 ders-in-council on several occasions when these pressed too hard upon American in- l terests.
 1 Trade throughout the country is fair Fly active and profitable. The railroads
 are taxed to the utmost with the east
 ward rush of traffic. the great bulk of
 which is on domestic and not foreign ac- count. Good traffic reports are to be ex- pected for sometime to come, the basis 1 of this having been the rich harvest and 1 a great revival of domestic prosperity in which the railroads must share. Our for eign trade at the same time continues lphenomenally active because of heavy ex- ports of food products and war munitions Confidence has been further restored by sterling exchange, which has shown g continued rising tendency owing to sue | ceSSful operation of the new schemes de- signed to finance trade betyeen the allies and the United Stats. Foreign securities are coming here in liberal quantities ir payment of foreign debts, and have thus far been absorbed with remarkable read Iiness by American buyers. Money con- Itinues easy and abundant to good buyers lalthough the banks have been prudently
 discriminating against highly inflated col
 lateral"