davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-10-10
u. s. STEEL CASE
TO COME BEFORE
COURT THIS TERM
Question of Whether Cor
poration Is Trust Will
Be Decided
ONLY BAR is GREAT
HOLDING OF COMPANY
Government Does Not AlIege Smaller
Concerns Have "Been Squeezed"
Southern Ry. Shows Greater Ex-
penditures Than Earnings

:
Washington, October Especial. 1.-THE
supreme court, which reconvened today.
will before another recess determine
whether or not the United States Steel
corporation is trust, and if SO, whether
or not it should be dissolved Inasmuch
as the court is year behind in its work.
no early decision may be expected.
1t is regarded as probable that the
most delicate question in connection with
the suit In which Birmingham is SO
deeply interested will not concern the
commercial actions of the corporation,
but the extensive holdings of the cor
poration. 1t is said to be tentatively ad-
mitted by the government that the Unit
ed States Steel corporation has never
attempted to prevent competition or to
squeeze smaller and less powerfu
rivals. But the government, it is indi-
Gated, will insist that a corporation SO
extensively possessed of the mineral and
ore properties of the United States must
OF necessity be trust irrespective OF
it's beneficent trade activities.
Another important case before the SUI
preme court involves the constitutional
ity of Alabamas domestic corporation
tax laws.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-10-10

Mr.. Gerard is making his first visit
to America in three years to report to
President Wilson in person on mat
ter vastly more important to America
than the subject of peace, important
as that is. He came to describe the
heavy black cloud hanging over Ger
ma i merican relations in TIE form of
the submarine menace, which is grow
ing day by day, and which even the
most friendly German statesmen
agree, will break open after election
unless the unexpected occurs and
peace intervenes.
Mr.. Gerard will report that Germany
is nurturing no false hopes or delu-
sions on this point She does not be-
lieve peace is. a likelihood or will be
a probability for a long time. So she
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-10-10
RUTHLESS WARFARE PLANNED
AND GERARD BRINGING REPORT
IS NOW RUMORED IN NEW YORK
~ HoeERT eAvARp swopE

World Copyright New York WORLDLY
New York, October 9.-(Specal Jon Board Steamship
Friedrk WILL via Sasconse Mass, October 9-The World
can state positively that Ambassador Gerard who is board
the Fredrk Will arriving New York Tuesday, does not
carry message from Germany to President Wilson requesting
his good offices to make peace.
Such reports are wholly false and probably the out
growth of stock obbng party having its origin IN Copen
hagen and being imposed upon the United States The am
bassador resen the effort to the President and mse
esnecay as his visit is fraught with such seriousness that
isconsrucon may add to the gravity Of an already delicate
situation
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-10-10
Warden Osborne RESIGN.

Buffalo, October 9.-Thomas Mott
Osborne's resignation as warden OF
Sing Sing was announced by James NJ
Carter. state superintendent OF pris-
ons. here today.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-24

thousand" "a hundred Six hum
bred"
Whalley took all the bets up to twenty
thousand pounds, and the conditions
agreed upon were that he was to walk
to Jerusalem and back (barrlng. OF
course. the water passages) within
wear. and that he was to finish his out
ward journey by playing ball against
the walls of the Holy City.
Whalley started on his hike IN Sep
TENDER and got back to Dublin and
collected" the following June. That ne
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-24

of course, won. At the pace young
Fox was going the winner was betting
on a sure thing. Fox's father, Lord
Holland, an indulgent and unwise par
ent. paid 140, 900 pounds for Charles.
but even this could not stave off the
financial crash that overlook the latter
in 1774. He had given notes for enor-
nous sums to the Jews who had ad-
vanced him money on his expectations
of inheriting his fathers great fortune,
but Fox's elder brothers wife bore a
son. This put Charles down and out,
and the Jews refused to wait any longer.
Even after this, however, FoX's name
occurs very frequently in the betting
book. for on March II, 1875, to give
one instance out of many, we find
Mr.. Sheldon belts Mr.. Charles Fox
fifty guineas that Peace is made with
America before this day two years"
Another:
"Mr. W. Hanger belts (this is the way
it is generally spelled) Mr.. Fox fifty
guineas Mr.. Fox has the govt before Mr..
Hanger"
One more example of FoX's passion
for play is noteworthy. At three
o'clock one afternoon Fox sat down to
play hazard. The game continued with
out a break till five the next afternoon,
when Fox, as fresh and debonair as
ever, repaired to the House of Commons
and delivered one of the most brilliant
speeches he ever made. We have mod
ern parallels of play of even greater
duration, but very few-if any-of
similar brilliant finish.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-24
THE GENTLEMEN WHOWAGERED
ON OTHER FOLKS LIVES,
THEN TOOK THEIR OWN.

The conmonest subjects for bets at
Whites and Brooks's were deaths,
births, and marriages, especially deaths.
There was scarcely a prominent man
upon whose life large wagers were not
made. Lord Mountford laid a wager
of twenty guineas with Sir John Bland
that Beau Nash would outlive Colley
Cibber. The bet was never settled, tor
both bettors blew out their brains IN
1775, two years before either OF the
men whose lives they bet on died. A
good example of this form of wager was
a bet that the courts were called upon
to decide during the life of the Emperor
Napoleon. who was exposed TO so many
chances that he was considered a poor
risk An English nobleman, Sir Mark
Sykes. at a dinner which he gave 10
some prominent persons, offered for
hundred guineas to pay one guinea per
dav for as long as Napoleon remained
alive.
"Ill take that" said the Reverend b.
Gilbert. a Church of England clergy
man. Here are your hundred guineas
For three years the reverend gentle
man collected his guinea day-a nice
little increase to his income; and when
Sir John. growing tired. stopped pay
ment, Gilbert brought suit against nm
to recover. Of course he lost the suit.
In 1888 there lived in Dublin high
flyer named Whalley, very popular
among his fellows, gay, generous, dar-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-24

shore. Instantly a chorus Of yells
arose from the men on the bridge and
along the banks.
"A guinea he browns
ART a crown he reaches shore.
Two to one in ponies he don't make
it."
Hardly a person there but had some
wager up on the wretched victims life
from the penny of the gamin to the
pony" of the aristocrat. No one stirred
10 90 10 the swimmers assistance.
Finally Vieuxtemps rushed down to
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-24

Italian, Signore Sporeogambl, who bet
that he could eat more macaronl than
his rival. The macaroni was served IN
dishes. each of which contained thirty
FIVE yards of macaroni. At the end OF
the first mile-time twenty-five MIN
utes@Sporeogambi was pa yards
ahead. He rested on his fork until his
opponent came up within forty yards
of him. then with a magnificent squirt
of four hundred yards, in which he
nearly choked to death, he won.
The famous Dean Swift was an &c
centric parsonage, but it is hard TO
credit even him with this remarkable
and undignifed conduct. One Sunday
evening the Dean was entertaining at
dinner a neighboring clergyman, the
Reverend DR.. Raymond. They had Just
finished dining when the bell of the
church, two hundred yards distant. be-
gan TO toll for evening service. Ray
mond," said the Dean, jumping up. iii
lay you a crown that I'll read the
prayers in the church before you" 'I'll
take you" said DR.. Raymond, and off
they started, pell-mell. Raymond, be-
ing the younger man, beat Swift in the
sprint to the church door by several
yards. where he paused a moment 70
collect himself and get little breath.
Not so the Dean. He rushed headlong
past his rival. up the aisle, and without
stopping to put on his robes or open
the service book began 10 read the
prayers, gasping and gurgling.
Some years ago the papers were full
of accounts of enormous sums lost al
Canfeld's by certain wealthy men in
New York society. The fact that this
news made such stir shows that such
gambling is to-day rather the exception
than the rule, or at least that people
now have different attitude toward it.
Il would have excited little comment in
the days Of Fox. A notorious gamester
was once playing picquet with Lord
Lorn. The luck had been running
steadily against the former and he was
several thousands of pounds loser.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-24
FOR QUICK ACTION IN THE GAM
BLING LINE A PUNCHBOWL
is RECOMMENDED.

A curse on such luckv he cried.
Here, for once III have bet where
the chances are even.'
A large punch bowl was standing on
q table beside the card table, and in
the course of the play had been drained
to the dregs.
odd or ever, for fifteen thousand
guineas"
"Oh. Odd" answered the peer with
yawn. The gambler dashed the bowl
to the ground. Count the pieces" he
cried to an impartial bystander.
Seventeen was the answer after
the broken bits were counted. you
win, my Lord
The loser walked out of the club
ruined. He ultimately paid, but had to
sell everything he owned to do it.
Betting like this is on the wane. but it
is idle for reformers to think that they
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-24

the water side, Jumped into a boat, and
ordered the boatman, who had Just come
out of public house and did not know
the real cause of the excitement, to pull
to the aid of the now helpless man. They
we're at last within few yards of the
gasping and struggling swimmer, when
the crowd, divining their intention.
yelled:
Let him alone"
Don't touch him.
There's bet on
The boatman at once stopped rowing
and in spite of Vieuxtemps' pleadings
made no further effort. The miserable
man drowned before their eyes.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-24
The RED LEATHER VOLUME AND
ITS TALE OF PROFIT
AND LOSS.

Life is a gamble" said John W.
Gates. Certainly man is gambling
animal and always will be, but it is
probably true that the passion for bet
ing and high play was greater and
more universal in England in the eigh-
tenth century than it has been
since; il was surely greater among wits
and statesmen. The betting book at
Brooks's Club could tell many
strange tale and show many name
famous in English politics and state
craft. The book is still there, hand
somely bound in red leather, with
rough paper and gilt edges and makes
yey interesting reading-ln TACT, II
might almost be called an historical doc
gnent, for it throws valuable side
light on the history Of the times. Inc
first bet is recorded in III, and from
then on, during the period of the Amer
can Revolutionary War down to 1900
ne bets are very numerous and on all
subjects conceivable and inconceivable.
General Burgoyne, who played such an
Inlucky part in the war against the
Colonies, figures in many Of them; but
me noblest gamester Of them all, the
np-notcher Of the lot, was Charles
James Fox, the brilliant Speaker OF the
House Of Commons, and the consistent
Importer Of the American cause. Botn
N Parliament and in his wagers FOX
Imported the Colonies, and this sup
port was lucky thing for him finan-
s'aly, for it enabled him TO recoup IN
small way some of his enormous
uses al cards. Here is an interesting
VI entered on the club betting book:
March q, l774. Almacks. Lord
Oernont has given Mr.. Crawford zen
.llneas upon the condition Of receiving
~ pounds from him, whenever Mr.
Nhzrles Fox shall be worth 1OO,OOo
"ands clear of debts" Lord Clermont'
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-24
AN EIGHTEENTH CENTURY NO
TON OF FIRST AID TO
THE DROWNING

The mania for betting developed an
almost incredible callousness on the part
of the public. Here is thing that hap
pened. One day the violinist Vieuxtemps
was strolling along the London Bridge
when Splash" heavy body pumped
into the water. Vieuxtemps looked over
the parapet in time to see a mans head
emerge from the river. He was evil
IDENTIFY poor swimmer, and it seemed
doubtful whether he could reach the
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-24
THERE WAS NOTHING SO SCRU-
PULOUSLY NICE AS A
GAMBLERS SENSE
OF FAIRNESS.

This story seems unbelievable in
these days, but it is of record, and there
are other instances of the same thing.
On September l, 1850, Sir Horace Wal
pole wrote to Sir Horace Mann:
They are telling a good story Of
something that happened at Whites.
\ man dropped dead at the door of the
club. Instantly bets were made as to
whether he was really dead or not, and
the bettors wouldn't let the doctors
bleed him because it would affect the
fairness of the bet"
Surely the world is getting better
certainly more humane.
That notorious profligate, the Earl Of
March. made a bet he could dispatch 4
message a certain distance more quickly
than any horse could convey it. 1t was
in the days when the telegraph, tele-
phone and railway were unknown.
There were many takers. for the bet
tors Jumped at what they considered
easy money.
The Earl laid his plans carefully and
spent some money to win. The distance
TO be covered was about ten miles and
at intervals along the route he posted
relays of professional cricketers. hired
Tor the purpose. Then the message,
written on a small sheet of paper, was
put into a cricket ball and the ball was
thrown from hand to hand. The Earl
won easily.
This same peer figured also in an
amusing eating bet some years later,
when he became the Duke Of Queens
berry.
"Damme. John" he said to Sir John
Lade, Il know a man who can eat more
than any one ever saw
Your grace" answered Sir John,
I've got a champion that can beat
yours, and I'll back him against your
man for thousand guineas."
Done" said the Duke.
The contest came off in the absence
of the duke, but his representative an
nounced his graces victory in the fol-
lowing bulletin
My lord. have not time TO state
particulars, but merely to acquaint your
Grace that your man beat his antago-
mist by an apple pie.
One of the most amusing eating con-
tests ever decided was engaged in by an
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-24
THE RED-BOUND BOOI
4 Ramble Through It's Pages viii Con-
vince the Most Prejudiced That Modern
Gambling Is but a Pliers Pastime.
BY F. n. LEE
Illustrated By L. VI. GiackenS

ing; a macaroni. in fact, of the extreme
type. An Irishman never does things
by halves.
Where are you going, Buck said
one of crowd of young fellows who
happened to emerge from the Club as
Whalley was passing along the street.
ITO hell, if you like; to Jerusalem
anywhere
Bet you DON'T
BET | don't what? Go to Jerusa-
lem ~
Certainly. I'm not laying anything
on your first proposition. l don't bet on
a sure thing
"All right. What's your bet?
I'll bet you don't go to Jerusalem
or rather that you don't walk there and
back inside of year
How much ?"
Five thousand pounds
Done. Any more want to come in?'
Yes. Five hundred guineas." 1.-TWO
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-24

fTHE right hand rain-drop
against the left for a thou
- sand pounds, my Lord?'
Done. my dear Charles
The place was the famous gambling
club known as Brooks's, the time the
asst quarter of the eighteenth century,
and the men Lord Ossory and Mr..
Charles James Fox. After dinner and
before play at hazard or faro began
this was a common amusement, betting
on particular drop of water on the
window pane to reach the bottom be-
fore some other drop. Thousands of
pounds were won and lost at this little
zane by some of the most eminent
statesmen and highest fiers that ever
lived. On one occasion, when two
drops remained stationary for long
time and thus had given all the bucks
IN the crowd a chance to place their
money on one or the other drop-when
many thousands of pounds hung in the
balance and the excitement was in
tense-the two drops finally started and
when they got halfway down ran to-
rether to the intense disgust of the on
boxers, and all bets were off.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-24

was not arrested in the Holy Land was
due to his curious appearance and huge
shillelah, for the people thought him
lunatic and let him severely alone, even
when he was batting a ball up against
their walls. Ever after this exploit he
was known as Jerusalem Whalley."
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-06-26

with the merits of labor employed IN
the production of his machines.
Since Mr.. Ford has recognized the
right of all mankind, and particularly
his own men, there has been per-
siStent effort to repudiate him in the
minds of the American people, and the
statement sent out from Detroit that
he had informed his workmen belong
ing to the Michigan national guard that
they would lose their places II they
went to the front, is on par with
some of the other falsehoods.
The labored effort to do harm to
Mr. Tavenner in this connection is on
a par with some of the other attacks
that have been made upon the Rock
Island congressman.
Mr.. Tavenner has said that he would
prefer to take his stand by Henry
Ford as an American patriot to that Of
being known as a friend of Morgan tor
Rockefeller, and for this he has been
condemned by the interests as mat
ter OF course, but the great mass of
the people in general and the great
mass of labor in particular, are rather
inclined to Tavenner's view than 9TH
erwise-and petty attempts to preju-
dice labor against him will fall short
OF their purpose.
The laboring men know Clyde
Tavenner.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-06-26
HUGHES DRAWBACK.

Hughes fatal drawback, considered
as a candidate for the presidency, is
his party. That he is a good man, with
a good record. no ore has questioned.
His total separation from politics for
SIX years Is, in the present condition of
republican politics, an asset instead of
liability. The memory of his cour-
age and resourcefulness as an investi-
gator Of insurance abuses and the i'm
preston produced by his stubbornness
a governor in face of the demand OF
the New York bosses for pork" still
remain clear in the minds OF the Amer
lean people. The unknown factors of
his availability many progressive citi-
Zens whose traditional associations are
republican might well persuade them
selves to chance. But Hughes party
is fact that cannot be ignored or rea-
soned away, says the St. Louis Re-
public
We are told that the New Yorker is
progressive candidate. He is GER
tainly not the candidate of progress
sives. He was, in the convention, the
candidate of Frank Hitchcock, Nicholas
Murray Butler, Boies Penrese. Reed
Smoot, Henry Cabot Lodge. all arch
priests of the God of Things as They
Are. No one of them has ever had
even bowling acquaintance with lib
eral movement in American politics.
Behind each Fs a carefully erected and
well-oiled political machine. And they
are the head and front OF the party
which is trying to elect Hughes.
The justice was not forced upon All
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-06-26
Britain Has Increase in Insanity.

London, - Correspondence of The
Associated Press 1.-The report of the
board OF lunacy control reviewing con-
ditions in Great Britain since the year
1859, shows steady and alarming in
crease of insane persons in all classes,
but especially among paupers.
In 1859 there were $4,000 persons
under control for lunacy; in 1899, 100,-
600; in 1915, 100000.
AS compared to the total population
the ratio of lunatics in 1859 was 1S5
per 10000. In 1915 the proportion had
risen to 37.7
We may at once reduce these COM
parative figures" says the report, by
recognizing that the diagnosis of lun-
acy has improved, and that therefore
more cases are recognized and cared
for than in 1859 Yet this does not ex-
plain all the increase Other factors
must be considered 1t is at this point
that each theorist advances his claims,
and we are asked to regard alcohol,
syphllls, tobacco. over strain, and 9TH
er similar factors as the prime cause
OF the increase in insanity.
The truth is that the cause OF lun-
acy is not known, The factors enuu-
Grated above may play part, but they
also play their part in the lives of men
and women who die sane Quite re
Gently 1t has been suggested that diet
may have some Importance. and atten-
tlon has been called to the fact that
many persons of insane tendency ex-
nloit strong dietetic preferences - a
love OF sugar and so on"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-06-26
ABoUT LIGHTNING

The fear of being struck by light
ming is both a very real and very
sensible fear. But lightning can be
avoided, like all other evils, says the
Philadelphia Inquirer. 1t will strike
in certain place and it will not strike
in other places, There are reasons
for it's behavior in both cases, for ma
ture never operates by chance.
| A steam engine or a railroad coach
| is as safe as any place in the world
as far as lightning is concerned. No
one has ever been struck by light
/ ming while he was aboard train.
The business part of city likewise
is never struck by lightning. Neither
are tall skyscrapers ever hit 1t is a
matter of record that insurance COM
panies never have any losses from
lightning striking any building with
metallic sides and framework of iron
and steel
A steel battleship is also safe from
the bolt from the clouds, as is a steel
windmill tower. This is because every
one of these objects is its own light
ming rod and needs no further protec-
! ton than they can give themselves.
There is,another list of things which
lightning will surely strike. 1t will
strike a country house or house in
the outskirts of a town. 1t likes to
hit a barn, church, school house, tree,
stack or animal, especially if it is near
wire fence.
AS for a house, the safest place in
a lightning storm is your iron or brass
bed 1t is very dangerous to stand
near the bed because you are taller
than the bed. The reason why you
are safe when lying on it is that the
bed head and foot extend above your
head. The current will not leave the
bed to pass through your body. The
walls and the floor of the room may
be ripped to pieces. but you will be
safe as long as you lie still in your
bed.
Feather beds offer no protection
whatever unless they lie on a metal
bed. If the bed is of wood and the
springs are steel the wood of the bed
may be split to pieces, but you will
nevertheless, remain unframed.
During the day the safest place in
a house is in the center of room pro-
vided there is no stove near
Contrary to popular opinion, il
makes no difference whether doors or
| windows are open or closed. Light
ming can get in under any circum-
stances if it wants to.