davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-18

our men just exactly what the Victoria Cross means to the British general noncommis issioned or private.
 True, there is not the glamor 10 the Medal of Honor that there is to the Victoria Cross. but it means just as much and the one Is as hard to get as the other. You never see it this way, Gen. Leonard Wood. M. H.. but one does see it, and always. Gen. John French, " C., which is one reason why the V. c. always seems to carry more distinc- tion.
 Medals of honor are not running around loose in our forces and the lucky man who wears the ribbon is the envy of his associates. The writer happened to be in the Philippines dur ing General Bells last tour of duty there and many a night at an Army and Navy club dance has seen young officers lately arrived who had never before served under General Bell. cast ing covetous glances toward and whis- pering about the "Old Mans" medal of honor ribbon.
 Furthermore. when there was talk in the war department a while back of giving an increase in pay to wear CTS of the Medal of Honor there was a storm of disapprovaI on the part of those who had them at the very men,
 tion Of q monetary consideration as a reward for valor on the field of action
 Your contemporary missed the real point at issue altogether. What Con
 gress should do is this: There is a need i in our service for some other decora-
 tion besides the Medal of Honor along 1 the lines of the British D. s. O. (dis- tinguished service order), for officers
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-18
MEDAL FOR HONOR" IS DISTINCTION TO
 UNCLE SAM'S BOYS
Army Men Resent Talk Which Would Tend to Belittle the Highly Prized Blue Ribbon With
 White Stars

To the Editor of The Age-Herald.
 A few days ago I noticed in the edi- torial columns of an afternoon paper some rather misleading references to the Medal of Honor as issued to the officers and men of the United States army. The editorial went on to say that Congress had from time to time granted medals of honor for dis tinguished service," but that that did mot cover the needs of the situation" Your contemporary said further: What is wanted is the creation of a special decoration and a general authorization of it's bestowal as occasion demands by the proper authorities-some distinc- tive bit of metal after the Victoria Cross fashion, or the Cross of the Legion of Honor"
 The writer has been in direct con- tact both in a social and a business way with our military service for the past 10 years, and knows the reception such a statement will get from the members of our service, especially those who wear the little blue ribb on with it's white stars, the emblem of the Medal of Honor. The above statement does no more nor less than belittle this highly prized decoration, the highest in our service, and one that means to
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-18

and the D. C. Nj. distinguished com duet medal). for noncoms and enlisted men. There have been many cases no doubt, where one of our men has been recommended for the Medal of Honor but upon investigation the facts did not merit the medal This has been the case in recommendations for the V. z. If the V C. is not given the D. $. O. or D. C. NJ. is issued, and officers and men in the British service are often given these where their gallant ser-
 vice did not warrant the recommenda- tiou for " C.
 The war department should also see that the medals issued for general ser vice in this war are on a par with those issued by Great Britain and France. General service medals issued to our
 men in the past have been anything but attractive. I spent the better part of two years with the British forces in South Africa during the Boer war and have both the Kings and Queens medals. The medals are of sterling sil- yer, handsomely engraved and stamped from five bars of clasps denoting the different campaigns. The clasps are the distinctive features of the British medals. There may be from one to eight. depending uopn the amount of service. 1 have worn one of these medals as a watch fob on several oc- casions and whenever It has been seen by members of or rervice it has brought forth the rculars tfst our gov ernment might do we'll 2{ts men. PERCY VAR SJET. frNAH Birmingham, DecsnL ar ts1f astS ] Rose avenue.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-18
ROADS ARE PROSPEROUS

As to the carriers contention for addi- tional revenue we wish to state unqual- ifedly that the southern carriers. as a whole notwithstanding everything said to the contrary, in the newspapers and periodicals throughout the country are enjoying the greatest prosperity in their entire history. In spite of the increased cost of materials and supplies, in creased wages paid under the Adamson law, and other increased expenses due to the present war. the southern car- riers have not only held their own, but show a result from operation in the way of net earnings and surplus greater than ever before in the history of this coun- try. For instance, the annual report of the Southern Railway company to its stockholders for the fiscal year ended June 30. 1916. shows total operating in come (net after deducting operating ex- penses and tax accruals) of $21. .004. .005, an increase of s7,6o4 95o or 56 per cent ow1t 1915, and an increase of $i.S9S.047 or 2s per cent over 1914. The net income rse from s3,5S9,3S5 in 1879 to s9,33 ,S99 in 1sss, an increase of 26O per cent. The net it- come for 1916 exceeded that of 19lS hN S7676.217 or an increase of 463 per eeas The profit and loss surplus increaSA4 from $6,962.00S in 1909 to s2S. PAS. .595 "
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-18
PRESIDENT DENIES HE ASKED BRYAN
 10 QUIT CABINET
Chief Executive Writes Ne
 braskan Letter to Refute Statement in Book Just Published

Washington, December 17.-Presi- dent Wilson has written former Secre- tary Bryan a letter to refute the fre- quently published statement that he asked for the secretary's resignation because of the celebrated so-cal1ed Dumba conversations, in which MT. Bryan after the sending of the Lusi : tania note is said to have informed the former Austrian ambassador not to take it too seriously.
 The letter was given out today at the White House and follows: ''My Dear Mir. Bryan:
 My attention has been called to u book in which the author states by very clear implication that I demand ed your resignation as Secretary of States because of language used by you in an interview with Ambassador Dumba soon after the first Lusitania note.
 You may quote me as saying that did not ask for your resignation or desire 1t, as anyone can learn from my note accepting your resignation. And this statement ought also to be sufficient answer to the criticism of you based upon the Dumba inter- view, and I could not make 1t if I thought you responsible for the mis- representation placed upon the inter- view in Berlin
 But knowing at the time all the facts I did not give the matter seri- ous thought and may add in justice to you, that as you promptly correct ed the misrepresentation when, with in few days it was brought to your attention, it could not have affected the diplomatic situation. Cordially and sincerely yours,
 WOODROW WILSON"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-18
REPORTS MANY CASES OF RHEU-
 MATISM CURED
Says We Must Keep Feet Dry, Avoid Exposure and Eat
 Less Meat

Eugene Jacobs, the downtown drug gist reports a heavy sale On the pre- scription C-2223 for the relief and cure of the worst forms of rheumatism Ev- erybody who suffers from rheumatism should keep off the darnp ground, keep the feet dry. drink lots of pure water and take daily dose of Prescription C-2223 to keep down and expel the uric acid from the blood. Those ter rible aches and pains, swollen muscles. aching back and every form of rheu- nattsm can be easily cured by follow 7ing he few simple directions on every bottle of C-2223. So many remarka ble cures have been made by this wonder Jlt Prescription that any of our read eKS who suffer are urged and advised to ask Eugene Jacobs drug store for Prescription C-2223 and take it as di- reetad on the prescription pasted on each battle.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-18
They Claim Long and Short Haul Principle Should
 Not Be Adopted
DETAILED STATEMENT
 OF REASONS GIVEN OUT
Tremendous Contest Is Indicated Be- tween Payers of Freight Charges and Railroads of the State
 Before Commission
By FRED II. GoRMLEY

Montgomery, December 1z-(Special9 Charging that the railroads. which have requested the substitution of the long and short haul principle for all class and commodity rates in Alabama will reap a financial harvest if the Alabama public service commission grants the petition and that they, in recent advertisements, have indicated that they want the state commission to "become nothing more than a rubber stamp for the interstate commerce commission" the statistical committee of the Alabama Shippers as sociation Thursday afternoon made pub lie it's reasons for believing that the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-18
COMPARISONS MADE

For the nine months ended with Sep tember of this year, the Southern Rail- way company's net operating income was s16, ,O61, ,6O6, and for the same period in
 1910, S13, 3,682 2SS, or an increase in 1911 over 1916 of between $2,000,000 and s. COG. .000.
 It is a fact, therefore, that the South ern Railway company in 1917 will show greater net earnings than in 1916, their peak year up to that time The Southern Railway company Is the largest system operating in the south, and while it's net earnings are not as great as some other systems, mileage considered, it is, nevertheless, thought to be fairly representative of the con
 ditions of the other carriers. As illustrative of the extent to which the carriers wish to increase the rates l in Alabama, we cite the following as 1 typical ex amp1es:
 | Cattle. Carloads: Present rate for 25
 miles is $9 per car; proposed rates, SPA; 1 increase, 166 per cent. Present rate for | 50 miles is $14 per car; proposed rate $94; increase IA per cent. Present rate
 for 100 miles is s20 per car; proposed rate 1 $44; increase 120 per cent.
 1 Lumber, carloads: Present rate for 25
 miles is $S per car; proposed rate, $20;
 increase 50 per cent. Present rate for l 50 miles is s1o per car; proposed rate. 1 $15; increase, 56 per cent. Present rate
 for 100 miles is $14 per car; proposed
 rate, $21; increase, 50 per cent. 1 Fertilizer, carloads Present rate for 25 miles is S6c per ton; proposed rate, $1.20; increase, 40 per cent. Present rate for
 50 miles is $1.O8 per ton; proposed rate. $1.55; increase, A per cent Present rate
 for 100 miles Is S1.53 per ton; proposed
 rate, $2; increase, 40 per cent. ! Molasses and syrup, any quantity Present rate for 9 miles Is 6.5c per l 100 pounds; proposed rate, 13c; increase, /, 100 per cent. Present rate for 50 miles ] is Sc per 100; proposed rate, lie; increase, ] 90 per cent. Present rate for 100 miles 1 is 14c per 100; proposed rate, 200; in- 1 crease 43 per cent
 1 Empty tight cooperage barrels, car l loads: Present rate for 9 miles is $8 per I car; proposed rate $16; increase, 100 per cent. Present rate for 50 miles is S100
 per car; proposed rate, $22; increase, 120
 per cent. Present rate for 100 miles is
 $l4 per car; proposed rate. $32; increase
 130 per cent.
 l Cotton shirts, and overalls, any duan- per 100 pounds; proposed rate, 31c: in- crease, 94 per cent. Present rate for 50
 miles Is 23c per 100; proposed rate, 42c; l increase, 'S1 per cent. Present rate for
 100 miles is 29c per 100; proposed rate, l 61c; increase no per cent.
 1 The above comparisons, were collected
 at random and are though. to be fairly representative of the situation as a whole with respect to the rates proposed l by the carriers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-18

1916, an increase of more than 300 per cent. The profit and loss surplus for the year ended June 30, 1916, was s9561. .69o or more than 50 per cent greater than that reported for the year ended June 30 19l4-some months prior to the be- ginning of the European war. MT. Fair fax Harrison, president of the Southern Railway company, stated before the in- terstate commerce commission last spring that while the earnings for the year ending June 30, 1916, Were greater than ever before, his goal for 1917 was $lo,- 400, GOO in net income. His reports to his stockholders for the year ended June 30, 1917 shows that he not only reached his goal of $1O,O00 600, but actually earned 20 per cent more, or $12000, ,0O0,000. and this was accomplished notwithstanding all the increased costs of operation above re- ferred to. That this increased prosperity is continuing in 1917 is shown by the fol- lowing cOmDariSOn:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-18
For Indigestion. Constipation or Bill

roUS'Hefss TyF Just try one 50-cent bottle of LAX-FOS WITH PEPSIN A Liquid Digestive Laxative pleasant to take. Made and recommended to the public by Paris Med icine Co.,, manufacturers of Laxative Promo Quinine and Groves Tasteless chill Tonic.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-18

case was not proper in this state at this time and that rates and charges
 now do not warrant a general rearrange- ment of all scales of rates.
 The statistical committee has been in session here this week, those attending
 being R. G. Cobb, traffic manager of
 the Mobile Chamber of Commerce; o. l. Bum, secretary of the Birmingham Traf- fic association; M. M. CaslSie. secretary
 of the Montgomery bureau of transpor-
 tation, and Morgan Richards, secretary of the Selma Chamber of Commerce. It
 charged that the railroads have pro- claimed that this case is similar to the one in Georgia and that the proposed changes are about the same and fol- lowed with the declaration that in the
 trial of the Georgia case Tit developed that the proposed rates in Georgia would increase the revenue of the carriers to
 the extent of $1,OOO,000 per annum from q points alone"
 The committee maintained that there is no reason for the consideration of such 8 case in Alabama at this time and maintained that conditions are not simi- lar to those in states where the rail- roads have attempted to establish the long and short haul principle. It stated that the railroads claim to desire the
 removal of injustices, inconsistencies and determinations, but that the granting Of
 the petition would mean a general ad- vance in rates It mentioned number of rates to show that the increases on staple articles, such cattle, lumber, fertilizer, molasses and syrup, empty tight cooperage barrels and cotton shirts and overalls would range from 30 per cent to 166 per cent
 M. M. Caskie, secretary of the Mont gomery bureau of transportation said he believed the average increase in freight rates, if the petition were grant ed, would be about 30 per cent.
 STATEMENT OF SHIPPERS
 The statement follows:
 The following railroads--Alabama Great Southern, Atlanta, Birmingham and At lantic, Atlantic Coast Line, Central of Georgia Mobile and Ohio, Northern Ala bama, Seaboard Air Line, Southern rail- way and the Western Railway of Ala bama-have filed with the Alabama pub lie service commission petition for a general revision of rates within this state which is to be heard January 16, 1918. These companies predicate their request for the revision principally upon the fol-
The evening leader. (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) 191?-19??, 1917-10-05
THE GIRL WHO
FUSES

The fussy girl sat next us in the car
this morning. And she fused and she
fused and she fused. She settled her
self three times, hunched up her right
choulder, took off her right glove and
patted her hair, pulled the back of her
collar into shape, shrugged up her left
shoulder, pulled off her left glove and
patted her hair, pushed her hat little
more to one side and put on both
gloves, patted her hair and crossed her
right ankle over her left, squared both
shoulders and patted her hair, settled
herself in a new position and pulled
her coat down at the waist, patted her
hair, surveyed her nose in the tiny
glass at the bottom of her bag and
patted her hair, pulled her hat wee
bit more to one side and reversed her
ankles, then begar-at the top of her
program and repeated it.-Worcester
Post.
The evening leader. (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) 191?-19??, 1917-10-05
GIRL FINDS HER FIANJE
BLIND IN WAR HOSPITAL
Turned Nurse After Quarrel-Attends
Her Stricken Lover.

London.-One of the bits of romance
on the battle front, whose name is le-
gion, came to light the other day. A
society girl quarreled with her soldier
fance, and he rushed to the front, de-
termined to throw away his life. She,
heart broken, became a nurse and
soon was sent to France. There she
was assigned to care for an officer
who had been blinded by fragment
Of shell. 1t was her fiance.
She did not reveal her identity, but
did everything she could to mitigate
his suffering. One day he asked her
to write a love letter for him at his
dictation. It proved to be to his fan
Gee in England-herself. She began
taking the dictation, but broke down
and revealed herself.
A complete reconciliation folded, al
though it was believed that he as
hopelessly blind. A few days later
however, surgeon made re-exam-
nation and found the soldiers sight
could be restored. The wedding will
follow when the bandages are remov-
ed from his eyes.
The evening leader. (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) 191?-19??, 1917-10-05
ACTRESS SLABS PRISONER
SHE ACCUSES IN TOMBS
May Ward Attacks DR.. Edwards as
Man Who Stole Her $1,000
Worth of Gems.

New York, Oct. 5.--Dr. Karl Ed
wards, who has just returned from
Detroit to face charge of stealing
$4,000 worth of jewelry from Mrs.
Mary Strangman, widow of a Buffalo
brewer, was visited in the Tombs on
Tuesday by May Ward, vaudeville
player, who was seeking man to
whom she says she gave permission
last November to open her purse to
take out some change. He took two
pins and diamond ring worth $1,000.
When she. arrived at the prison Ed
wards was placed in line with fifteen
other men.
"If you see the man who took your
rings" said Deputy Warden Brummel,
walk up and place your hand on his
shoulder"
Miss Ward stepped forward until
she came in front of Edwards. Then
she drew back her hand, and before
Mr.. Brummel could interfere slapped
Edwards in the face.
"That was the man." she told War
den Hanley few minutes later, after
which the warden read her a lecture
on prison etiquette.
The evening leader. (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) 191?-19??, 1917-10-05
ELEPHANT RACE DOOMED
Pachyderm on the Way to Extinction
Same as Bison.

1t is yet a long time, no doubt, be-
fore the race of elephants will pass,
but the mighty pachyderm is none the
less following the way of the Ameri-
can bison toward extinction.
From Cape Town comes a story that
is hard to believe of the death of the
last elephant in Zululand. He died in
captivity; the rest Of the great herds
that once roamed that country have
been killed or driven away. They have
been victims chiefly to the lust of mcr
for sport. In other parts of Africs
there are still great numbers of them
but they are constantly being driver
back as the white man advances from
the frontiers, and at length will be ex-
terminated or domesticated.
The African elephant has less
chance of salvation than the Indian
because the latter is used for many
domestic and industrial services, while
in Africa there has been less dispo-
sition to use the elephant as beast Of
burden, and indeed there is less use
for him. Africa is distinctly the cam
el's country; the elephant will hardly
survive the extension of railroads
through the continent.
The evening leader. (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) 191?-19??, 1917-10-05
HARRY LAUDER TO
TALK IN THE j. S.
ON PATR|AT|sM
SCOTCH COMEDIAN ENTERS
NATIONAL SECURITY LEAGUE
CAMPAIGN OF EDUCATION

New York, Oct. 5.-Harry Louder.
the famous Scotch comedian, who has
for the past year been devoting his
entire time to appearances before the
troops on the Western fighting front
and patriotic speech-making in Eng
land, viii arrive in this country on
about Oct. FL for similar tour of our
training camps and principal cities
the National Security league announc
es today. The majority of Mr.. LADDERS
time while here will be devoted tc
the meetings held in the Security
Leagues Patriotism Through Educa-
ton campaign. He will make no pro-
fessional appearances.
The evening leader. (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) 191?-19??, 1917-10-05
Government Seizes
Plant Of a German
Paper at Newark /!

Newark, N. j., Oct. 5.-Agents of
the Federal government have seized
the publishing plant of the New Jer-
sey Freie Zeitung and arrested its
two proprietors and three editors on
charges of publishing seditious and
reasonable articles. The five, men.
Benedict and Edwin S. Prieth, pu-
fishers, and William Won Katzler,
Frederick ]. Hartmann, and Henry
Waechter, were arraigned in $1,000
bail each for hearing October 1G,
Agents of the government are in
charge of the plant.
The Freie Zeitung has been under
surveillance of the government for
several months and September &c the
publishers were notified by the post
office department to show cause VIII
this paper should not be barred from
the mails. eBnedict Prieth is to APP
pear in Washington today, and it is
not known what effect this action viii;
have on this phase of the case.
After their release on bail the pub
fishers issued statement in which
they said they had always been Loyal
to the United States and denied hay
ing published reasonable articles.
The evening leader. (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) 191?-19??, 1917-10-05
Americas Ships Patrol
The Mediterranean Sea

Washington, Oct. 5.-American de-
stroyers and other naval vessels ii
European waters are conveying mel
chant ships through the submarine
zones of the mediterranean as we.
as in the vicinity of British and
French Atlantic ports. Secretary Of
the Navy Daniels made this an
nouncement today.
The secretary declined to say
whether American gunners wait for
Austrian submarines to fire on mer-
chant ships which they are conveying
before attempting to put the submer-
sibles out of action.
1t may be stated as certainty that
Admiral Sims while not fighting Aus
tria, is doing all he can to curb hos