davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-08

will swell the throng to vast propor- tions.
 The local camps and the Chamber of Commerce will make ample prepar- ations for entertaining the crowd, no matter how large it may be; the larger the better.
 Arrangements should be made for mobilizing the entire National Guard of Alabama here for the reunion. There are enough companies in and near Birmingham to form an impos- ing escort to the veterans, but the splendor of the parade would be greatly enhanced if all branches of the service in the state were in line in their full numerical strength. As the commands stationed some distance from Birmingham would need time to prepare for mobilization, it would be well if this matter were taken up just as soon as the reunion committees are appointed.
 The 1908 reunion was a splendid af- fair and the one in May will be like unto it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-08
Bryan and the Convention

Tt looks as if there might possibly be some strange tactics at the democratic convention" said H. M. Burton. propr1e- tor of the Florence hotel T understand that MT. Bryan's recent visit here was for the purpose of lining up with the local prohibitionists in order to get their SUD- port on the plea of prohibition.
 "One who espouses the cause of pro- hibition through sincerity is all right and should not be censured for his stand, but one who takes up the prohibition cause for nothing but political reasons and per sonal greed should be looked upon with suspicion. These days so many trades are made in favor of the big interests, II a legislator will throw his vote in favor of prohibitionists, and vice versa, until it is hard to tell what one thinks when he votes either way. William Jennings Bryan is still fox and should be watched by all loyal democrats"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-08
A Mobile Visitor

Robert Leslie Cherry, publicity man ager of the New BattleNHouse hotel, of Mobile, is in Birmingham on business. He is an old newspaper man and has scores of friends throughout the United States who are connected with various dailies
 q am delighted to be able to visit Bir- mingham for a few days,' said Mir. Cher ry ''This city looks as good as usual and everyone seems to be optimistic over the outlook in this district for the com ing year. The announcement of the Steel corporations increase in wages among the employees of the subsidiary compa- nies was received with enthusiasm in Bir- mingham. I have had numbers of people to tell me what a benefit this would be to the community and I am as glad to hear it as any of the residents here.
 ''The New Battle House hotel has changed hands and is now owned by James Peck, formerly of Michigan More than $50,000 has been spent on the build ing during the past few months and we anticipate a big tourist business. Thus far we have been fortunate in receiving our share of the winter tourists, but in the future we will cater to the tourist trade especially. Mobile is progressing and the outlook there is equally as bright a it is here in Birming ham,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-08
As Seen in ClubdOm

There is, indeed, most congenial bunch of fellows, both at the Birming- ham Athletic club and at the Central Young Mems Christian association build ing across the way" remarked l.. Speig- Ter, who chances to be identified with the two organizations.
 Members of both organizations have excellent advantages, and by participa- ton in the activities of the two institu- tions one may certainly enjoy a rare combination. The Athletic club natural ly affords superior social attractions, as ladies are given special privileges and are welcomed with open arms so to speak, at the club dances and entertain ments. There are also, of course swim ming classes for the ladies, which are highly popular The club, with it's excel lent organization and staff of well trained body servants, is, let me assure you, haven of rest and Ncomfort for the tired business man in search of recrea- tion and pleasure.
 ''Then over at the association building with it's spacious lobby, subway and cozy sleeping apartments for men are peculiar advantages which one cannot we'll afford to overlook Down in the subway is the cafeteria, now familiar, per, to prac- tically all of the younger men of the city. Here at the noon hour and at eventide representatives of all clubdom may be seen engaged in lively tete-a-tete across the festal board, enjoying to the utmost the well cooked feast spread before | them.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-08
From the New York Sun.


 NUR army and navy strategists, in formulating their national defense O plans, are taking into considera- tion the possibility of an attack upon the United States in the future by two or more allied foreign powers By so dolhs they call renewed attention to the fact that predatory nations today hunt Ill packs. Frederick the Great and Napol- con, throughout most of their careers as super-bandits, fought without the assist ance of allies But times have changed and any nation in the twentieth century that seriously contemplates war or con- quest must persuade other nations 10 join in the adventure.
 In connection with this it is worth while to call attention to the imperma- hence of so-called historic friendships among nations. Our orators, dlplomatlsts and editors are constantly referring to the ancient ties that bind this country to France or Russia or Japan. or to our blood relationship to the English. It IS assumed by many too optimistic Amer jeans that if the United States were in real peril from a foreign foe France would be well disposed toward us through memories of Washington, Japan through memories of Perry, Russia through mem ories of Seward, and England through memories of our Anglo-Saxon origin
 The incontrovertible fact is, however that under present world conditions the most sacred historic ties between two given nations succumb quickly to the dls- integrating influence of new strains caused by contemporary events few wears ago Russia was fighting Japan. Today they are allies in the great cor
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-08

The late Thomas M Shevlin of Minne- apolis had his life insured for sl,525,0O0, of which S1,OOO,OOO was made payable by the terms of his will to the Shevlin com pany and the Shevln-Hixo company. It is said that few men who die young leave their business affairs in such good shape as Mir Shevlin did. He took out S1 ,O0000O of his life insurance last fall and had paid only one premium on it at the time of his death He was one of the most heavily insured men in the country. There are but seven other men with poli- cies as large The largest death claid paid in recent years was $1,OOO,00O, which went to the heirs of George w. Wander biIt who was the first man to take out a $1,0OO,000 policy through a single com- pany. The total life and accident insur- ance paid out as a result of the Titanic disaster was less than the Shevlin poli- cies However the insurance men hope to profit indirectly by payment of the Shevlin insurance, as they believe other business men will follow his example of guarding against financial loss to their enterprises in case of their untimely death
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-08
POE,s BIRTHPLACE

From the Montgomery Advertiser.
 It seems to have been definitely settled that Edgar Allan Poe was born in Boston, The Baltimore Sun now admits as much. We quote from an editorial in the Sun:
 .'The evidence marshaled in the Sunday sun yesterday by Col. Richard H. Spencer, corresponding secretary of the Maryland Historical society, seems to settle conclu- sively the question as to the birthplace of Edgar Allan Poe. We hate to have to admit that he was born in Boston and not in Baltimore but it seems impossible to make headway against the facts fur nished by Colonel Spencer. After all, however, this does not invalidate Balti- more's superior claim to Poe. One birthplace is more or less a matter of ac- cident. Poe's life was more closely as- sociated with Baltimore than with Boston, and it may be said of him, as of another, that he was a tropical flower born in a region of snow. He belonged to Maryland and the south by the birthright of his pc culiar genius and by an individual temper ament which had nothing in common with New England character. He was long d peTSOld iiOl Sidld tO tiiS iitCidly ShSSt of the north, and his recognition there was slow and grudging, and accompanied at first by malicious msrepresentations. Baltimore long since adopted him as her son, and we trust the time will come when we shall have here memorial to him worthy of his fame.'
 The south may justly lay claim to Poe, as much so as the south claims Sargent S. Prentiss, the Mississippi stateman who
 was born in Maine. But whether Poe was southerner or northerner is of far less importance than the fact that he was an American. No other American literary genius has struggled harder against American prejudice, American indiffer- ence and lack of appreciation than Edgar Allan Poe When he was in the flesh he was not generally respected. He was a badly dissipated man, loving liquor quite as much as literature, but the fact re- l mains that we have had no other Amer ican poet who reached greater heights and depths than Poe and we have pro-
 duced no other short story writer whose work may rank with Poe s-only O. Henry i even approXimating him. He stands out 1 today as one of the great figures of mod ! ern literature and as time goes on tht | old prejudice against Poe's personality will disappear.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-08

New York Correspondent Cincinnati
 Times-Star.
 Nellie Revell, the peerless princess of the pen, the official and auriferous oracle of the Orpheum circuit, stood, with sol emn mien, beside the post-box at the bottom of the eleven-story drop in the Palace theater building. T am waiting for the postman who collects in this dio- cese," she said, land if I drop remarks that you can't print I have reference to the unfinished product of an inefficient civilization which has been unloaded on me and called an office boy. He is the one living example of the possible futility of the coffee Haag process. If there is move it."
 After pause, during which emotion shook her. Miss Revell continued. T told him. she said, that if he left let ters lying around unmailed, I'd stick
 lO-cent stamp on him and tag him for some public institution for incompetents.
 This morning had eighty dollars to add to the seven million I have on deposit. I put it in an envelope and wrote Gotham National bank on it. intending to send it up by messenger. It doesn't even say | New York on it, and the address is in lead pencil Along comes this untaught | imbecile, while I aint lookin', slaps a
 stamp on the envelope and chucks it into i the mail chute. Now Pm waitin to ex- plain to the mail man. l hope he thinks
 I'm a respectable woman and stands for
 my story. And, if otherwise, stick around
 and you'll have somethin' to write about Cruel fate and red tape shall not separate
 me from that eighty, if I have to go te 1 the mat with the heavyweight champion of the Mail Carriers union. What am goin' to do? I'm goin' to make this post man let me complete the address ant put a special delivery stamp on the en-
 velope. Then I'm going to personally fol How that letter until the cashier at the | bank joyfully receives it. I hope it don't go through any pneumatic tubes that art 'very na rrow-"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-08

captivate his hearers and cement more firmly than ever the fraternal relations between the different Amer ican nations.
 The war now drenching the old world in blood will, unfortunately, not be the last terrible conflict, as lovers of peace would like to believe. But it now seems certain that the United States will never engage in war with any American nation as long as this republic stands. And President Wilson's share in develop ing and strengthening the Pan American idea and visualizing the the Pan-American ideal, will not be forgot.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-08
Deaths Toll of Sportsmen

During the past year death took heavy toll from the ranks of Amerl- can sportsmen. Practically every branch of sport lost some noted figure and a number of those who died en- loved international fame. Baseball and yachting were the hardest hit. The death of Albert G. Spalding was a great loss to the national game. He was a player, manager, rule maker and a patron who IS credited with having done much to raise base ball to its present popularity. Other baseball notables who died in 1915 were Andrew Freeman, once owner of the New York Giants; Robert B. Ward. a leading factor in the Federal league and owner of the Brooklyn club; Tim Hurst, an all-around sport ing man and umpire in the National league. and Wallace L. Hogan, Cali fornia magnate.
 Among yachtsmen perhaps the most famous who died during the year was John B. Herreshoff, widely known as a designer and builder Of cup defenders and other fast craft. Another noted yacht builder who passed away during the year was George Lawley. The turf suffered the loss of "Blind John" Condon, one of the greatest race track promoters who ever lived. In the palmy days of horse racing Condon was powerful figure in and around Chicago, enjoy ing great prestige among the sport ing fraternity and welding much political power. Chrales L. Littlefield, who died recently, was prominent jockey, trainer and owner many years ago.
 Devotees of tennis mourn the loss of Anthony F. Wilding, killed in the European war. He was extremely popular among sportsmen. Lincoln Beachey, the aviator; Thomas Ander- son, golfer; William Carson and Joseph Cooper, automobile racers; William Reidy and Otis Johnson, baseball club owners, and many oth- CT sportsmen died in 1915.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-08
Sundays Age-Herald

Tomorrows Age-Herald will be lm- menselv rich in features ot general interest. The Rotogravure oectloh contains page of new pictures or European rulers, thsir families aho the men who are helping t1 maks hlS- tory in the great war. Some "close up' views of big guns In acton are also shown and there is a fine collec- tion of photographs of Birmingham people.
 Bill Vines, regular contributor, Is doing some excellent work now ana
 rev Alaska articles by Frank U. Carpenter are the best he has ever written.
 Special features of the Sunday Age-Herald cov,r an infinite variety of topices.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-08
Strength of Pan-Americanism

Within the last fifty years South America has been the scene of many wars, often over boundary disputes, but such conflicts will be numbered soon among the things that are ended. Petty uprisings there may be, but with Latin-America' progress along modern lines all turbulent ten dencies will eventually be outgrown, but of inter-republic warfare there will be none.
 The United States government has been fostering Pan-Americanism for many years past, and today there is an abiding sense of community inter- est that makes for peace and content and material prosperity. The second Pan-American Scientific congress, which closes it's session in Washing ton today, has been notable in its per- sonnel and fruitful in learned discus sion.
 Much was accomplished for science, but the greatest features of the gath ering were incidental, yet of trans cendent importance. They were ad- dresses of welcome and responses that stressed the political amity mutually existent between all the nations of this western hemisphere.
 President Wilson made the crown. ing hit of the congress in his speech Thursday night. In laying down the programme upon which all the Ameri can republics are to agree-a guar antee of absolute political inde pendence and territorial integrity disputes to be settled by arbitration no revolutionary expedition to b, "outfitted" against or supplies fol revolutionists shipped to neighborinf states, and so on--the Presiden spoke with such good will, such earn estness and such compelling appea for Pan-American solidarity as t.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-08
Republicans and Democrats

''The republicans will probably noml- nate Roosevelt-that is the talk in New York and New Jersey-but in my opinion it will be mistake from republican point of view said R. S. Fry, of New ark.
 'I was in New York last week and met several republicans who told me it would be Roosevelt. If the ex-President IS nominated several standpat republicans have declared to me they would not vote for him.
 President Wilson is stronger today than ever. A year ago I used to hear him criticized in New York, but now one hears chiefly praise. He has made great President and he will be reelected by a big majority"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-08
HISTORIC FRIENDSHIPS

fict now being waged. Sentiment counts for nothing, consistency is non- existent, when the course of events im- pels nation to make friend of power recently it's foe. or foe of power historically it's friend.
 It behooves the people of the United States to realize that there is no na- tion in the world actually well disposed toward us at present Belgium and Ser via may be grateful to us for our char itable assistance, but the dominant pow CTS of Europe and the Orient look upon us with jealousy, distrust and half con- cealed antagonism. The soft, gentle phrases of diplomacy are words used by nations to conceal their thoughts If dark times are ahead of us, if fate or dains that the United States must de- fend herself, as the board of strategy seems to intimate. from powers combined in the future to our 1ndoing. it seems at this moment as if we should be obliged to fight our fight alone and un- aided How the most extreme pacifst can fail to perceive the necessity for im- mediate and complete preparedness upon the part of the United States passes com prehension. Let him consider the fact that this is today the richest country in the world and from a military standpoint, one of the weakest, and that we cannot rely for assistance at crisis upon any one of our so-called historic friends among the nations. Then he will per- ceive, perhaps, through a sudden flash of common sense, that in preaching na- tional disarmament he is pernicious wis., ionary imperillng the existence of the one country on earth that claims his al- legiance.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-08
Enthusiastic Over New Orleans

B. Steiner and Mrs Steiner of New York, who spent a week or more as the guests of their married son in New Orleans, re- turned to Birmingham Thursday. They will complete their visit here next week and then leave for home, although Mr. Steiner says Birmingham will always seem like home to him.
 q was delighted with New Orleans" said MT Steiner. q have been there fre- quently, but I was impressed on this re- cent visit with the handsome improve ments that have been made recently.
 New Orleans Is highly prosperous more so than it has ever been. In every line of business activity is the rule The races are in progress and the city is filled with visitors. The hotels are crowded and everything indicates that this season will be the best in the history of New Orleans"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-08
soTHERN's ECCENTRIC UNCLE

Edward H. Sothern in Scribners Mag
 azine.
 All the furniture and ornaments, and other necessary belongings in Uncle Hughs room at the top of the house could be seized with the greatest sud- denness and in the most unexpected manner could be gathered into pack ages and chests and prepared, in wink, for any kind of an expedition to any place on the planet. I saw it done. There was a dado which looked like oak-it was really tin; all the chairs and tables and chests, the bed -everything-were either recep- tables or could be collapsed rapidly. Like a conjurer, Uncle Hugh would at tack these things and literally in five minutes every article would be packed in it's exact place, ready to start any where.
 People (grown-up people) used to think this was the mania of a mad per son. Uncle Hugh always seemed to have an idea that he would be called upon one day to undertake an expedition which would necessitate this aston ishing activity and dispatch in pack ing up To me. as a child, it was the most natural and reasonable way to pack things. Why take days and days over it if it could be done in mo- ment?
 Uncle Hugh was a sailor, naval ot- ficer of distinction. At about 45 years of age he had retired with the rank or captain His room was decked with trophies of the sea-sharks' teeth, har- poons, cannon, many kinds of firearms, charts, telescopes nautical instruments. sword over the mantel piece, pistols, all the things that children adore.
 When Uncle Hugh would favor us with an exhibition of his dexterity in preparing for "the expedition,' he would lock the door, so as to shut out intruders, and with much seriousness he would begin: "You see I am prepared to go anywhere at moments notice, at the Queens command. Now, we inn agine that a messenger is approaching with my commission. He is at the door below, He is coming up the stairs, two steps at time (we were on the edge of our chairs by this and could as- suredly hear the steps on the stone stairs without). He knocks at the door, He enters. I take the blue envelope ana open it. On her majestys serVlce! l read my instructions. I don't lose mo- ment I say Go!" And with bound Uncle Hugh would seize the tin dado, rush around the room as he detached 1t from the wall, fold it up in sections, throw it into one chest; the tables, tho chairs folded into each other, lamps, rugs. books, instruments, firearms, coal scuttles, clothes, boots, decanters, silver 8 travelling cook stove-everything Q man needs to go anywhere. In three minutes all had disappeared and Uncle Hugh, panting, triumphant, stood amid his seachests, overcoat on, hat on, sticks and umbrella in hand-"Ready! at the Queens command" would say Uncle Hugh.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-08
Significance of Wage Advance

The United States Steel corpora tion's 10 per cent advance in wages is not only a boon to the great army of workmen on the pay rolls of the subsidiary companies, including the Tennessee company and American Steel and Wire company's branch, operating in the Birmingham district, but as other iron and steel concerns will follow the corporatlon'S lead in wage increase mercantile interests in nearly every section of the country will be benefited by the added volume of money that will find it's way into circulation.
 Looked at from wider point of view, however, the chief significance of the Steel corporations action is found in the feeling of prosperity's s permanance that such course inn plies.
 Following the depression caused by the European war business recovery began to assert itself several months ago, and with the last quarter of the year came high record activity in mills, furnaces and factories. Enor- nous exports and enormous trade balances in this country's favor, and rapid improvement in domestic trade all concurred to stimulate the spirit of enterprise. A new era of commercial activity had set in. Business men, enthusiastically in clined as rule, predicted a long period of good times. But some there were who doubted. These skep- tics felt that industrial operations at full capacity might be only tenn porary.
 But the new year brought it's mes sage of cheer and all indications pointed to a continuance of pros perity; not only so, but pointed to a climbing for higher levels.
 The executive committee of the Steel corporation, being especially broad-visioned when it comes to a survey of business conditions, saw that the time was ripe for sharing profits with their employees by pay ing higher wages for labor. Had the corporation leaders entertained doubt about the permanence of prosperity, wages would have remained where they were.
 Trade statistics, no matter how fla vorable, and bulletins issued by the United States department of con- merce, no matter how roseate, are nothing like so convincing as an ad- vance in wages. Hence the signifi- canoe of the Steel corporation s action.