davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-18
COMMODORE FIVE
 IS GETTING READY
 FOR SOUTHERN TOUR
Manager ZerfOss Has Ar ranged Strong Schedule.
 To Play Birmingham

Nashville, December 17-Basketball oi the best brand will be required by the Commodore tossers this year for them te come successfully through the strenuous schedule which Manager Zerfoss is ar ranging for them The schedule IS no' yet completed, but enough games have already been arranged to keep the Golo and Black men from having to hold thelr hands.
 The season will open in Nashville Wlln a practice game of some kind. Efforts have been. made to bring some middle Tennessee prep team here for the tlrs' game, but as yet they have been uhsuc- cessfuI. Manager Zerfoss says that the probability is that the first game Will De played next week with the Boys club or some other local team.
 On December 26 the team plays the first game of it's holiday trip in Birmingham with the Y. M c. A. On the following day it meets the Mobile Y. M c. A. in Mobile Both of these teams are strong, and are expected to give the Commodores a good deal to do as starters. On De- cember 2S, the Commodores will meet elLDeT Ine NeLulilphd <a5IiCulluid di oCiioOl team in Wetumpka, Ala, or the strong Mems club team of Pensacola, Fla, de- pending on which team offers them the best inducements. The Columbus, Ga, Y. M. c. A. team will be the next foe, the game being played on December 20 This five shares, with the Nashville Rambers, the distinction of being the only team to defeat the Commodores last winter. On January 1, the Birmingham Athletic club will be played.
 The Commodores will wind up their tour with a game with the Athletic club oI Atlanta. Although all these teams are proven to be of considerable strength, the Commodores expect to return to Nashville with big end of the victories, and they hope to come back with an absolutely clean slate.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-18
HOW Dirie Scribes VieWed
 The Presidential Election

The election of President Robert H. Baugh for term of two years as boss of the Southern league was the cause Of much surprise It had been expected that a dark horse would be offered at the meeting as candidate against the local mogul, but it failed to develop.
 When this failed and Charley Frank was instrumental in the two-year term. surprise was even greater This is how the scr1pes in Dixie viewed the happen ing:
 Blinky Horn, in the Nashville Tennes- sean: Up until Friday Charley Frank. the cracker chief and Robert H. Baugh, president of the Southern league, never traveled as the baseball Damon and Py- thias. And yet MT. Baugh was swept into tWo-year term of office yesterday by the southern league moguls held at the hermitage hotel, through a coup engi- neered by the Atlanta magnate. The move on the part of Charley Frank marked the climax of most remarkable meeting by the Dixie baseball powers one Tn which surprises were the order of the day. Fireworks had been predicted. And peace regned supreme throughout both the executive meeting in the morn- Ing and the open meeting in the after noon.
 Opposition was looked for against MT. Baugh. He himself intimated as much, after his unanimous election had oc- cured. For the Dixie leader referred to his doubts as to his return to office. The action of Charley Frank, regarded as the strongest ally of the anti-Baugh faction, in swinging the move by which MT. Baugh was honored with-a two-year term, will set baseball throughout Dixie by the ears.
 But the Cracker chief turned the trick in order that the undermining influences of politics in the Southern league might be effectively stamped out"
 G. w. Foster, in Chattanooga Times: One of the most remarkable sessions in the history of the Southern league came to startling climax when Charles Frank, Atlanta's pugnacious manager. nominated for reelection for three years the man whose defeat he has tried to bring about in every thinlsable way.
 The proposal of the Atlantan was ac- cepted except that the term was cut
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-18
BESSEMER NEWS

An increase in wages will be given a number of skilled craftsmen of the plant of the Bessemer Foundry and Machine shop, it is stated, and will be effective Monday morning. It is understood that the raise affects the machinists, molders and pattern makers and will be about 10 per cent. This step was voluntary on the part of the company. It is under stood that on the first of the year there will be number of raises announced ty local corporations. All industries are booked ahead and as rule products are bringing record prices on the market
 The United Saving bank has mailed out checks in the amount of approximately $15,000 to the members of the Christmas Saving club, which had large member ship.
 Liza Cribbs, a negro woman, was ar rested today by Chief of Police Thomas Benton and Detective Thomas on charge of violating the prohibition law. Six merchants were arrested on charges of violating the Sunday law
 The various committees arranging the programme for the White Christmas" which will be observed by the First Methodist church next Sunday afternoon, at O oclock are hard al work. An in teresting musical programme is being ar
 
 children of the Sunday school will bring pr esents which will be sent to the or phanage at Selma.
 George Shaw, sanitary inspector, has been making an inspection of the condi- tion of the dry closets in this city and in all probability this much discussed oues- tion will be taken up again at the meeting of the aldermanic body. N1r. Shaw has sOna very intarastino ia ta Nof nnly fl "a condition of the premises was looked into but a list of the places where sewer con- nections have not been made was secured. The Bessemer public schools will close for the Christmas holiday next Friday, and will reopen on January l.
 Plans are being made by the men of the First Baptist church to entertain in honor of the women of the church.
 Miss Annie We've Thornton, who has been attending school at the Judson is the guest of her parents, the Rev. and Mrs. M. K. Thornton for the holidays. The many friends of Hamilton Simms will be pleased to learn that he is able to be out after recent illness.
 Mrs. Ralph Burke has been quite i'll for the past week at her home at Roberts town.
 Pat Hammond, Jr., of Virginia, was the guest of relatives in Bessemer the past week.
 Miss Lila Mae Moorer is able to be out after recent illness.
 Harry Faull, who has been attending school in Pennsylvania will arrive Wednesday to spend the holidays with relatives.
 Miss Minnie Park will leave in a few days for Tuscaloosa to be the guest of relatives during the holidays.
 Lee Moody has returned from Montgon- cry, where he has been acting as one of the judges in the field, trials held near there.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-18
FOREIGN BUYING IN STEEL MARKET
 CONTINUES BRISK
Peace Overtures Cause Quieter DemeanOr in En- tire SituatiOn-DOmes-
 tic Demand Grows

New York, December 1.-The whole steel market has assumed quieter de- meanor since the Teutonic peace over lures were made. At the same time sew eral important contracts for shell steel have been closed recently and the entente allies are still vigorously in the market for billets, bars and forgings. Sales that have come to the surface since the Berlin note was published have been in excess Of 90, GOO tons and inquiries for more finished shells and for shell forgings are now in the market It is significant also that Canadian manufacturers of war munitions have been instructed to rush rather than to relax work in the shops.
 The most impressive feature Of the in- dustry is the large tonnage of steel re- ouired in the manufacture Of railroad equipment. For cars alone nearly 5oo'Vt tons of bars, plates and shapes are needed to cover contracts now pending, following the placing of orders for more than l. OOGOO0 tons for such construction in the past 90 days. Railroads today are ne- gotiating for fully 20,00O cars. The buying of motive power, too, is active. Domestic roads have just placed orders for lO0
  has consummated contracts for $50 engines to be built by American shops. The build- ing of this motive power will require 70000 tons of steel.
 Several more rail orders were placed in the central west for 1918 delivery. The Chicago and Colorado mills already are understood to have booked orders for more than 100000 tons for 1918 shipment, Eastern and southern mill commitments md Urit Peppsylvania railroad orders on the point of being distributed the rail sales for 1918 will amount to 100000 tons.
 The traffic situation seriously menaces the industrial progress in the central west. Shortage of coke is causing the banking of blast furnaces and some may be compelled to blow out Output of steel appears likely to be further cur tailed this month
 The pig iron trade is quiet after two months of excitement and unprecedented sales, the rise in prices has halted.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-18
GERMAN NEWSPAPER DISCUSSES w H A T
 GERMANY MEANS
tcontinued from Page One,

international conflicts and guarantee in ternational peace" Referring to the possibility of allevat- ing the burden of armaments, the Zei- tung expresses the belief that an agree ment to this effect is possible owing to the sufferngs caused by war and adds:
 But Germany must not be asked to precede the others in reducing her forces. Moreover Germany does not believe in abrogatng general military service, al- though there are many objections against such
 Tt would be abrogated if there were common organization of nations in which Germany would have an impor- tant place."
 Discussing the naval question, the paper explains that GermanXs fleet has been built only for defensive purposes, and continues:
 'If German shipbuilding continues to be enlarged in the future, other naval powers, including the United States must do likewise. Great Britain must recog- nize the sea as a free route for all na- tions and must renounce domination and the British idea that Great Brit ain has the sole right of policing the seas. The regulation of sea traffic might properly be under international organiza- tion."
 The Zeitung concludes: "If the peace offer is not accepted and Germany is forced to fight until her victory is com rlete then the peace will be of quite a different kind"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-18

, down to two years and Robert H. Baugh of Birmingham will pilot the Southern league through the seasons of 1917 and 1918. The election was made without a dissenting voice, amid 8 storm of ap- plause and wound up perfect day wherein absolute harmony and good fel- lowship regned instead of the fire, brlm- stone and abuse that was expected. From early morn till late at eventide, there was not one sign of ill feeling; there were many disagreements, one side wanting one thing and another the oppo- site, but compromise was always reached without friction
 Bob Pigue, in Nashville Banner: "The mysterious dark horse so frequently mentioned as an entry in the presidential race remained placidly in his stall munch- ing his oats. Not only was MT. Baugh unopposed, but the magnates honored him with a twin term in office. Charley , Frank, the Atlanta mogul, wanted to make it three years, but objections were offered by both T. R. Watkins, secretary of the Memphis club and Robert Allen of Little Rock, and the Atlanta magnate finally agreed to the amputation of year. Then MT. Baugh was swept into office unanimously
 "A desire to completely eliminate petty politics as a disturbing element in the machinery of the Southern league, which prompted Charley Frank, long regarded as hostile to the present dynasty. to launch his fight for long term presi- dential career for the league executive presages a highly cooperative baseball regime in Dixie Nfor years to come. It marks the first milestone in a path which is expected to be studded with baseball progress in the Baugh circuit"
 George Butler, in Chattanooga News "If any one man is responsible for the brilliant outlook which exists today for the Southern league, it is Cholly Frank the same Cholly who had been expected to tear the constitution and bylaws of the league into shreds, assassinate Pres ident Baugh and chase all magnates who opposed him into the Cumberland river. It was Frank who proposed that Baugh should be reelected for more than one, year; it was Frank who paved the way for satisfactory compromises of every is- sue which arose, and it was Frank who led the fight for harmony and co-opera- ton. The Atlanta mogul might have de- sired other things, but if he did DO one else but himself was aware of It. Say what you will about the Dutchman, you must admit that he is the gamest loser in the world and willing loser when he is convinced that the general interests of the league and his own do not coin eide.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-18
COTTON MARKET IS
 VERY UNCER BRITAIN !. THROUGHOUT WEEK
Tremendous Declines of First Period Are Offset Later. No Depression From
 Peace Talk

New Orleans December 1.-The widest price changes in recent years were regis tered in the local cotton market last week, with the most violent fluctuations on Monday. following the governments esti- mate of the crop of II ,511, ,000 bales Trad ing months, at one time, were down for a. net loss of 132 to 161 points, and the January position stood almost f cents a pound, or s20 bale, under the highest levels of the season. From the highest to the lowest, Monday, there was a fall of 129 to 151 points. The market was unsettled during the remainder of the week, but made some show of recovery. closing at net loss for the week of 62 to I72 points.
 Late in the week the market was helped by the census bureau figures. showing consumption by mills in this country dur ing November, 643, ,7O4 bales of cotton and linters against 622. .O57 in October and 596, 912 ill November last year.
 While few looked for such large crop estimate from the government. still not many expected consumption during Mo- vember to exceed that of October.
 Both breaks and bulges resulted follow ing the peace proposals by Germany, but the market was lifted, rather than de- pressed, by the peace talk, although it caused a feeling of great uncertainty.
 The weeks peace news will be largely looked for because some expression will be expected from tn entente allies. The general idea appears to be that the mar ket will be unsettled until the situation is more definitely shaped.
 Trading will be affected more or less by the holidays and probably most traders will refrain from large operations The census bureau Wednesday will issue a report on cotton ginned to December 13 but it is not generally thought that this report will contain anything not already discounted.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-18

done to interfere with their progress for the present.
 MUCH ARGUMENT EXPECTED
 Mir. Adamson will make an attempt in the House tomorrow to get unan- imous consent for action on his resolu- ton designed to provide for con- tinuance of the life of the Newlands commission, Investigating all phases of the transportation problems until January. 1918. This may provoke a storm of argument, as friends of the state regulation of railroads are ex :. pected to oppose the resolution. As- surance of the Presidents desire ta have the resolution adopted is ex- pected to be sufficient to carry it through the House.
 The Chamber of Commerce of the United States announced tonight that a referendum vote of member organi- zations had been ordered on a report of it's railroad committee recommend ing legislation to prevent strikes or lock -outs pending investigation of dis putes between railroads and their em- ployees The committee proposes that the interest of the public in such con. troyersies be recognized as paramount and that representatives of the public constitute the majority of any board of cancellation or arbitration.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-18
QUESTIONS ARE ASKED

Some fellow representing probably one of the Metropolitan papers will begin firing questions at the President
 touching on international affairs-or maybe, he vii ask some trival one and gradually--like the shrewd lawyer.
 lead up to the crux of the matter. But
 does this work? Does the President
 answer everything that is asked him ?
 Is he caught mapping? We'll, mo- He is going to answer just what questions he wants to answer and to those to
 which he does not wish to reply he will
 very soon let you know,
 There are many things, however, such as the executive programme for Con- gress and international affairs-when
 not of strictly secret nature, that the President will discuss at these confer- ences. He not only will give the news paper men the benefit of what he knows about these matters when it is proper to do, but he expects to gain a consid erable amount of valuable information
 from them. For instance there is the
 fellow from New York and the one from New Orleans. one from Washing ton state--in the far west and one from the east. The PresidenAwill ask them questions tending to bring out an- swers which will show the trend of
 mind of the people in these different sections and to indicate their differ
 ent viewpoints on important matters.
 In this way better and much more reliable method of ascertaining what
 the people think may be secured than by reading three or four dozen news papers or endeavoring to get the drift of sentiment from White House call CTS.
 These conferences are decidedly in- teresting and are, in their way. impor- tant. The President sizes up with his keen insight the Washington writers who are for the time being his guests, and they too, leave the White House frequently better informed on cer- tain phases of international affairs and present-day economic conditions, pro- vided the President has talked, and if he has not, then they fully realize his
 ability to say nothing when put to the
 "acid' test of 800 rabid. news-hun- gry fellows, each trying to "schoop' the
 other, and trying his level bent to keep
 his friend from "scooping" him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-18
DOWNWARD TURN OF SECURITIES
 WAS INEVITABLE
Peace Talk Only Hurried Readjustment Due in Market Which Had
 Gone Too High

New York, December 17.-The radical downward revision of market quota tions which accompanied last weeks enormous selling movements derived it's chief impetus from Germany's un- expected peace proposals, but seemed inevitable, apart from foreign or do- nestle political developments Tn the judgment of dsinterested observers. the bull market had grown stale" and required drastic readiustment
 Prices rebounded five to 10 points and even more in the latter part of the week. when advices from abroad threw damper on the prospects of an early truce
 There was much conjecture dealing with this country's economic condition after the war. but the consensus of opinion in high financial circles was that the demands of peace would fully offset those occasioned by the titanic struggle still raging.
 All branches of the foreign ex- change market were strengthened by the news from abroad. particularly rates to the Teutonic countries, but the movement was sentimental. Inter- national war bonds also hardened per ceptibly, with an increased inquiry for the loans issued by Great Britain.
 The strength of railway issues indi- cated steady accumulation of those shares from investment quarters. The cheaper issues rose three to five points. southern southwestern lines be- ing most favored
 Monetary conditions were relatively easy. at no time approaching the rates of previous fortnight. The overhauling of the stock market is expected to make for further reduction of loans. Excess reserves of local banks have in creased substantially
 Industrial and mercantile conditions were unaffected by the change wrought in prices of securities. Steel and iron mills are booking orders into 1918 and holiday trade, almost without exception. far exceeds any previous year in the country history.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-18
SMITH CONFIRMS
 ROBERTSON SALE

The sale of Dick Robertson to the New Orleans Pelicans was confirmed by Presi- dent W. D. Smithssof the Birmingham club upon his return from Nashville last night. It was learned on Saturday from very reliable source that Robertson had been sold to the New Orleans club, but it was not stamped as truthful until yesterday.
 President Smith stated the Nashville meeting was one of the most harmonious he had eves attended In place of the rows and quabbles over questions the club owners agreed, but with little dffi- culty and as result the meeting was com- pleted in one day. It was thought that the meeting would consume at least two days.
 But little of the schedule was framed
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-18

scheduled game with the nissouri Schoo, ol ostephathy promises to be an excel lent early season battle
 Practice at the Athletic club has haan In progress for the past three weeks bpt ilttie improvement has been noted in the leahn Work There is a general cast of gloom over the members who believe tba club five will experience a disasterous year.
 Material is plentiful and practice is pelng held regularly. The game tomorrow night will start at S:30 o'clock and will DC Followed by the customary dance.
 The next game on the schedule of the A. c. quintet is with Vanderbilt on New Years night.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-18

according to the Baron ''pESxy" Birming- nam will have the opening game, Nasn- vile being their opponent, while the Fourth of July game will also be played at Redwood. Labor Day will find the Barons playing on foreign fields for the first time in number of years.
 President Smith also said that all of the magnates were of the opinion that the 1917 season would be one of the most successful in the history of the organiza- tlon. All of the clubs are making plans for big season.
 In regard to the report that practically every member of the last years team would be sold. President Smith would make no comment The sale4of Robert son, 1t is predicted by many, as the fore runner or a general house-cleaning by the Birmingham club.
 Presldent R. IT. Baugh and Secretary Harold McDermott of the Southern league also returned yesterday
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-18

The Congregational Union of Scot- land has decided to pay a war bonus to certain of it's ministers and to be- gin after the war a central fund of $150,000 or $2O0,O00 to augment sti- pends.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-18
Semi Weekly Conferences With Correspondents Are
 Resumed By the President
tcontinucd from Page One,

from the White House. Without it-well that's another story Inside the White House, and what happens as the long line of correspond
 ents pass by the President, each in
 turn shaking his hand just like they
 want to let him know he is thereon the job.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-18

From thirds to three -fourths of women workers in American factor ies stores, laundries and in industrial occupations generally work at wages of less than $S a week.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-18
REPEAL OF ADAMSON LAW TO BE FOUGHT
 TO BITTER END IS
 GEORGIAN'S WORD

Continued from Page one)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-18

done to interfere with their progress for the present.
 MICH APARTMENT EYpECvTEn