davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-11

more exclusive decorators picked up rare old
bits of red or black Chinese lacquer for their
clients. When they came to place them IN a
setting of French or Italian or even English
furnishings, they simply didn't fit. The entire
room had to be done over to harmonic with
the lacquer, and behold, the Chinese craze was
on. 1t is exactly like Stocktons story of the
fire screen Then came the demand for
Chinese fabrics, for chintzes of Chinese de-
signs, for old Chinese prints and mirrors and
the quaint old Chinese pictures with inserts of
mother-of-pearl Chinese rugs have put the
Persian and Turkish carpets far in the back
ground They are lovely in color in the old
blues and Chinese pink. They are more ex-
pensive however, than the other Oriental rugs.
COSTLY CHINESE BRIC-A-BRAC
"All sorts of interesting bits of Chinese brio
a-brac are selling at fabulous prices. If you
had sea captain in the family three or four
generations back you still have the pagodas,
carved in soapstone with tiny bells on each
balcony, which he brought from China. There
were all sorts of weird carvings besides, in
mellow browns and grays and yeows as well
as the carved worries and lacquered boxes which
are still in the family-enormous prices those
things are bringing nowadays! And the mir
rorsl We are on our way now to see the
very loveest Chinese mirror that you ever
dreamed Of"
We turned into doorway, mounted a flight
Of stairs and we were in the ateiier-I couldn't
call such lovely place "shop'-of Mr.. Dun
can Fraser
found Mr.. Fraser an enthusiast on Chinese
decoraton indeed. he goes so far as to say that
all forms of decoration come directly or indi-
rectly from China. He showed US chintz after
chntz in the loveliest Chinese designs, with
pagodas and bridges and quaint little Chinese
figures on them, and others which showed quite
plainly the Chinese influence.
\ CHINESE MIRROR
The wall paper in his reception room, a
white background scantily covered with
struggling design Of huge shrubs and flowers
in bright coors, was decidedly Chinese. There
were also exquisite lacquer cabinets and
Chinese Chippendale furniture.
But the gem of the collection was the large
hexagonal mirror which hangs over the mantel
1t is a museum piece worth $1,000. 1t has
marvellous gold carved frame in which here
and there bits of mirror are inserted, and these
bits as well as the large glass itself are painted
from the back with Chinese scenes in wonder
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-11

full colorings. 1t was. indeed. as
Letitia promised, the loveliest
mirror | had ever seen.
From Mr.. Fraser's Letitia
carried me on to another dtelier.
Here there were more lacquer
cabinets, but here the piece dc
resistance was an old Chinese
leather wall covering which had
been purchased by Lord kltch-
ener for his country house. lie
was lost before it was put up
there. and so it was sold and
brought to this country. 1t was
a pattern which was first painted
in silver and then the other colors
were painted over this, so that
the silver shows through here
and there. The whole thing has
mellowed with age, and it is very
beautiful.
A certain expert in furnish
ings claims to have found a
method for preserving the old
Chinese lacquer, which has been
extremely difficult to keep from
cracking and peeling in our
steam heated rooms. He places
a dish of water inside the lovely
old red lacquer cabinet which ne
showed us and he says the damp
ness keeps it in good condition.
We examined it closely and could
3 see no evidences of its deterlora-
ton, though it has stood for
nearly a year in its present loca-
ton not far from steam radla-
tor.
And now," said Letitia, IL am
going to take you to one of the
most original of all the New
York decorators. You'll go crazy
about his house, but you are to
close your eyes to everything
that isn't Chinese, for this Is
Chinese Day. Some other morn
ing we'll call on him again for
quite another type of decoration.
Is my hat on straight"
It was a little bijOu of a house
in one of the East Fifties. Lett
tia rang the bell and inquired of
the maid who answered it if
Baron de Meyer was at home.
"Oh, | have heard Of him."
began.
"Shush." whispered Letitia,
pinching my arm, for the gentle
man in question stood before us.
I had only time to get a fleet
ing glimpse of the tiny entrance
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-11
Wonderful and Lovely Effects Obtained 71tb
Chinese Color Schemes and Furniture,
Cbntzes and Carvings

so furiously two or three years
ago. This is as dead and forgot
ten now as the whatnot and the
antimacassar of the 1905 or the
hobble skirt of few years back.
Gust as the dressmakers 90
back to the days of the Empire
or the early years of Victoria's
reign for the fashions of the
present time, so the interior dec
orators study the various periods
and nations for ideas in house
furnishings, m odi flying and
adapting them to our way of liv-
ing. There!" she finished, that's
quite a lecture, and not so bad,
from Des Moines, Iowa-but
think it over, and you'll find Pm
right"
"And all this changing is due
to the prevalence of the interior
decorator, said. Before there
were so many of you we were
allowed to live in peace with COM
Portable chairs and sofas of no
particular style or period, but
mighty soothing to drop into after
a hard days work. The cover
ings wore out and We're replaced
by others as nearly like the old
ones as possible, and that was all
the interior decoration that was
ever done.
But you have changed all that.
Do you realize how the tribe of
interior decorators has increased
in the last ten or fifteen years?
Why, twenty years ago there
weren't more than a dozen to be
found and only the very rich con-
sidered it necessary to employ
them; but now even those of mod
est means consult a decorator be-
fore doing over the suburban cot
tage or the city apartment"
Good gracious, girl, we must
live and styles must change to
give us work. And look at the
improvement in the homes of our
nation! Good color schemes, in
teresting chintzes, artistic ar
rangement Of the furniture
Think of the phases through
which we have passed from the
haircloth furniture of our grand
mothers through the garnet plush
parlor set and macrame lambre-
ouins of our mothers to the ORR
entail cosey corner craze, which
is the first of which | have a
definite recollection. You must
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-11

CAS- adequate illustration Of the ioreIy old
Chinese furniture, chmtzcs, cmbroidcrics and
ornaments described here 1ooVid require d
ichoie page of pictures, ne hare giVen the"
the page. Look tor It in The Tribune Graphic
These pictures cU make you realize just rhy
the Chinese craze crists.)
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-11
THREE RIVAL STYLES TO-DAY

AS nearly as | can CLEAN from the whispers
that have reached the West, there are at pres
ent three fads or fashions which vie with one
another for first place-the Chinese, which has
been mucn in evidence for two or three years;
the Italian, featuring particularly the Venetian
painted furniture, and the Early Victorian,
which is rapidly pushing its way to the fore
and which predict will be the next craze. OF
course, there are other styles and periods which
are always popular; the French style-preier-
ably Louis XVI-is very much in favor for
salon, boudoir or dainty bedroom furnishings,
and the Jacobean, William and Mary or Queen
Anne periods Of English furniture, which will
always be used by the more conservative for
library, dining room or hall.
"But, as say, the Chinese seems TO be head
ing the procession. Let's start out this morn
ing on the Chinese trail and see if I'm right"
As we walked up Fifth Avenue, | asked
Letitia if she could explain how the Chinese
IDEAS had become so popular.
Il figure it out this way she replied; "the
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-11

remember that, too, the couch covered with
Bagdad rug, and surmounted by canopy of
Eastern draperies caught up in the middle with
a Moorish spear, the bronze incense burner,
the Moorish chairs, the Persian rugs and the
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-11

hall before we were conducted up staircase
carpeted in turquoise blue, with a rose pink
velvet hand rail- into a room which fairly
took my breath away.
1t was a Chinese room. The walls were IN
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-11

Oriental lantern shedding a red glow over
it all!
From this people went to the other extreme
and japanese ideas came into vogue. You must
remember that stage when everybody went IN
for japanese grasscloth on the walls There
was also the William Morris idea, carried to
extremes by the manufacturers of Mission fur
nture and of burlap. This had great vogue
with the general public, but the decorators IN
this country did little with it. In England
much more decorative and, so to speak, more
elegant variation of this style was used by
Baltic Scott and his followers Indeed, its
influence can still be seen in many of the mod
ern English furnishings.
"Then there was the hideous black and white
craze which was interesting when executed by
an artist who knew just how far to carry 1t,
but which became positive atrocity when it
reached the department store stage. This,
thank goodness, soon burned itself out, and
was followed in the West by craze for CO.
lonal furniture In the East, where Colonial
furniture has never gone out of fashion and
never will. there was no such period, but re-
vival of the oak and walnut periods. The
Jacobean, William and Mary and Early Vic
torian came in. The latter has been tried
ever and anon, whenever decorators were
searching for new ideas; but it has never been
successful until recently, when-but that is an
other story!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-01-31
Still Deporting Belgians

The Hague, January 30.-The depor- tations of Belgian workmen continue.
 but at slightly lower rate than pre- viously. according to information from an unquestionable source. It is said the deportations from Brussels are now being made at the rate of about l250 men daily. Many of these men. it lis alleged are not idlers but skilled workmen who have been engaged for at least a part of their time in their trade. In some provinces the Belgians, lit is said, are adopting methods of passive resistance in order to escape deportation. Out of 1700 called in five commues near Malines not more than one-half presented themselves. There upon, the German military authorities arrested three prominent men in each commune, holding them as hostages until the appearance of the absentees- 1 In Brussels many of the summoned
 men are now in hiding. About 1000 Belgians connected with the work of
 the American relief commission have been deported over the strong protest 1 of the commission. As result of vigor-
 ous protests, however, few of these
 men have been returned to their homes ] and no others are being taken.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-01-31
Heflin Welcomes Democratic
 Women 10 National Capital Tn Characteristic Speech
Alabamian Represents President and Congress When He Tells Them They Really Rule Nation Whether They Have the Vote or Not
 Splendid Tribute is Paid

Washing ton, January 30.-(Special) Today Representative Heflin of Ala bama delivered the welcome address on behalf of the President and demo- cratic Congress to the democratic women of the United States assembled in national convention. Hon. Champ Clark also delivered an address to them. MT. Heflins speech is as fol- lows:
 Ladies to the Democratic National Conventions: I come from the heart of Dixie, where democracy dies not and her beneficent principles live forever. The south, God bless her, is loyal to democracy She has kept the faith since Jefferson first kindled the altar fires in the Old Dominion state. and today with head erect and light upon her face, she reconsecrates her heart, her strength and her all to the ever lasting principles of democracy. And in doing so she feels that she is mak : ing the best contribution possible to the strength and perpetuity of the re- public. For not in socialism or boss ridden republication is the solution of the problems that confront us. but the right solution lies in the multitude of counsel. fin the peaceful plans and in the humane principles of the demo- cratic party.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-01-31

Tn the last presidential election, when the aristocracy of the dollar and the democracy of the human race were contending for supremacy in the re- public and when sinister interests were corrupting the voter and making bar ter of the ballot, you democratic women rendered signal service in saw ing the nation from the dangers that threatened 1t. I am glad of the op- portunity to address this splendid body of democratic women-the sweethearts and the wives, the sister and the moth CTS of the finest race of men in all the world. I appreciate the honor that is mine to welcome you, the real gov of the national government. Some of you vote and some of you do not. Some of you oppose woman suffrage and some of you are in favor of it. All of you have voice in the conduct of the government, for really and truly you are the inspiring power behind every movement of value in the coun-. try You are the dearest task mas-' ters that ever enslaved a man. You control us in everything. but you do it so sweetly and so adroitly that you make us men think that we are having our way. when you are really having yours. You are the greatest diplomats
 tcontinued on Page Tenl
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-01-31
Summary of the News
GENERAL NEWS

GENERAL NEWS 1-Brokers had actual news of peace note, says witness. ss President Wilson may have to force rail legislatiOn. Independents in Congress to hold meeting. Recognition of Carranxa made sure Germans hurled back by French. Heflin welcomes democratic women Earnings of steel break record. Spanelfs fate to be decided soon 2-Bessemer votes for school tax. Southern club plans campaign. 3EMuscle Shoals to be given aid by Huntsville. make bitter attack on revenue bill.
 LOCAL NEWS 5-School tax voted by big majority Dr. Richards to test Alabama ore Daredevil scorns death and scales building.
 Corner says liquor will be issue fn campaign.
 Time limit for paying poll tax drawing near.
 Birmingham will buy ambulance to aid allies.
 FEATURES ENews of the movies. 4-EditOrial comment. e-Society and Dolly Dalrympie. 0-Markets.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-01-31
RECOGNITION OF
 CARRANzA MADE
 ABSOLUTELY SURE
Ambassador Fletcher Will Be Sent to Mexico City at Once, Is Washing
 ton Decision

Washington, January 3o.-Ful diplo- matic relations with Mexico are to be resumed immediately in an effort by the United States to solve through formal channels the troublesome questions pend ing with the Carranza government and for it's moral effect in aiding the first chief to restore order. It was an- nounced after today's cabinet meeting that Henry P. Fletcher, confirmed as
 amba assador to Mexico months ago, would leave for his post in few days.
 There has been no American ambas- sa dor at Mexico City since Henry Lane Wilson was recalled after the murder of Nadero and Huertas assumption oi power and formal diplomatic intercourse
 has not existed since Huerta iial.des Charles Nelson O'Shaughnessy his pass ports April 9, 1914. upon the landing oi American marines at Vera Cruz. Tn; Brazilian minister cared for the interests of the United States for long time Various unofficial agents have been sent to Mexico on special missions. and since the recognition of the de facto const:tu- tionalist government, subordinate off cials have been in charge of the em- bassy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-01-31
IN CONGRESS ID HOLD
 MEETING ON 9TH
Five Men and One Woman to Decide How Next Congress Is to Be
 Organized

Washington, January 30.--A call to
 independent members elect of the six
 tv-fifth Congress for conference
 here on February was issued today
 bv Representative Charles H. Randall,
 prohibitionist, of California. MT. Ran
 dall said the meeting was to be pre-
 liminary one for discussion of the form
 and purposes of an Independent con
 ference which may act uiiitedly
 throughout the sessions of the sixty
 fifth Congress-
 we shall undoubtedly insist upon
 progressive control and progressive
 Legislation in the next Congress" he
 said
 It is understood the call was issued to Representatives Martin, Louisiana schall, Minnesota; London, New York and Representatives. es-elect Miss Jean cite Rankin, Montana; M. Clyde Kelly Pennsylvania, and Alvan T. Fuller Massachusetts.
 With democrats and republicans about equal in numbers, the attitude of the independents is expected largely to decide the political organization oi the House The latest classification shows 215 democrats, 215 republicans 3 progressives, independent, prohi- bitionist and 1 socialist Leaders o1 both the elder parties are watching closely the plans of the small inde- pendent group.
 q do not in any way wish to sug- gest at this time what course such a conference should adopt" said Repre- sentative Randall in the call. "Bu' inasmuch as the six or seven members who have been elected by an inde- pendent constituency are all progres- sive, it may not be amiss to indicate that we shall undoubtedly insist upor progressive control and progressive Legislation in the next Congress. I've will doubtless use our good of fices to place the majority of every committee in the hands of real pro gressives from both sides of the House We may have the temeritys to sug gest some changes in the rules. Be tween thought and action there is ar in:passable barricade of parliamentary piffle. This is canned Congress l needs a can opener. I would rather control the rules committee than b, President
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-01-31
SPANIEL FATE ID BE DECIDED SOON Jury Will Take Case Late Today, It Is Now
 Indicated

San Angelo, Tex, January 30.-Indica- J. Spanell, on trial for the killing of his wife. Mrs Crystal Holland Spanell. would go to the jury late tomorrow. The pre- sentation of testimony was completed at the morning session of court today and argument was begun after the noon re- cess. Four of the six attorneys remained to be heard when court adjourned for the day.
 It was said tonight that an effort would be made to have the case against Spanell in connection with the killing of Lieut.. Col. M. c. Butler of the United States army, who, with Mrs. Spanell, was shot and killed during an automo- bile ride with spanell near Alpine, Tex. last July, transferred to another county for trial. The contention will be made that the publicity given the present trial would preclude the securing of a jury in this county, was stated. Both cases against Spanell were transferred here from Brewster county and his trial for tho killing of Butler had been set for February 1.
 In his charge to the jury today Judge DuBoise told the jurors if they found that Spanell was acting under imme- diate influence of sudden passion as a result of insulting words, conduct or as- sault from Butler" he could be found guilty only of manslaughter. Judge Du- holse also pointed out that Spanell was rot being tried for the killing of But Ter. and if it was found that he fired at Butler in self defense and accidentally killed his wife, he should be acquitted. To be found guilty of first degree mur- der, said Fudge DuBoise. it would have to be shown that he fired with malice aforethought.
 Spanell. testifying in his own behalf last week. declared that Mrs Spanell was killed by bullet fired by Butler during fight between the two men over an insult spanell charged Butler had of fered Mrs. Spanell.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-01-31

The earnings for the quarter amounting to s1o5,sss,s47, brought the years total earnings to sass,e25oss, which more than doubled those or 1907. which showed earnings amount ing to s16o, ,s64.e74, stood as the rec ord until the close of 1916.
 ALL RECORDS BROKEN
 The total earnings for the quarter covered in todays statement compare with the total of $s5,s17.o67 for the third quarter of 1s16 sum Which then constituted a<record.
 The total 1916 earnings compare with $140,250.066 in 1sl5 and are larger by more than 45o per cent than those of 1904. the lowest year, when they were $7S,176,522
 LARGER DIVIDEND EXPECTED
 Wfaes, today's extra disbursement of 1Nh eent the total dividends on the comm N 6hares for 1916 amount to 8 4 per cent, The extra common disburse- ment call llafor an outlay of $S,Ss5,2sA
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-01-31

This makes the total dividend dis bursements for the fourth quarter in- clrding the regular h hA per cent com mon dividend and the usual 1N per cent on the preferred stock amount to $21,533.996. Some surprise was ex- pressed in financial quarters because the directors did not declare a larger dividend in the face of the enormous earnings of the fourth quarter.
 NOT HANDICAPPED
 Analysis of this final period shows that the corporation was not materi- ally handicapped by the shortage of coal and labor, although December earnings of $34.34L411 were less by about s2.ooo,Ooo than those of Novem- ber..
 The latter exceeded the October earnings by approximately $1.250. 900. Decembers reduction was attributed in part to the holiday period.
 Unfilled orders of 11,547,286 tons re- ported at the close of 1916 compare (Continuea on raas Tenl
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-01-31
Committee Investigating Leak" of Information On Presidential Paper, Discovers There Was General Knowledge of Move Several
 Hours Before Publication Released
CONFIDENTIAL MESSAGE IS
 SHOWN TO THE PROBERS
This Communication Received By Wall Street Firm From Company of Which Presidents Brother-in-L Law is Member, Gave Pre-
 else Forecast of News

New York January 30-From the files of Wall street brokerage congressional nquors today brought to light private and confidential teegrams regarded guar definitely indicating that there leak Presi dent Wilson's peace note.
 The sensational telegram containing brief but remark ably accurate forecast the noe sent by E F. Hutton Co., the largest brokerage houses Wall street it's private of brokers throughout the country the afternoon December than three hours before the first copies the note handed to by Secre
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-01-31
Hill BOA Is Again Scene of Fighting in Vest
 ern Area
ATTEMPT ALSO MADE TO REGAIN GROUND
 LOST TO TEUTONS
Russian and Rumanian Fronts, Where Great Part of Fighting Has Been in Progress, Are Reported
 Quiet at Present

Paris, January 30.-rhe Germans last night made another offensive movement in the region of Hili 3O4, northwest of yerdun, attacking French trench. The attack, says to- days wnr office announcement, was stopped by sunfire, with considerable losses to the Germans.
 Berlin, January S0.-(vis Sayville) French trops last night opened four fresh attacks on German lines at Hill BOA northwest of verdun, army head quarters announced today. The at tacks failed of success.
 Berlin, January 30.-(Via Sayville) Quiet prevailed during the last 24 hours all along the Russian and Ru- manian fronts, from the Baltic to the Black sea, the war office announced today. Only In Macedonia. in the Cerna and in the Struma regions, has there been any activity in the Balkans and this only in the nature of scout ing operations. The statement reads
 Eastern front: Between the Baltic and the Black seas there have been no important events.
 Macedonian front: In the bend of the Cerna and on the lowlands of the Struma clashes occurred between re- connoitering detaehments."
 Berhn. January 50.-(via Sayville) Fighting was renewed today in the River Aa sector or the northern Rus sian front and reported favorably to the German troops, said the supple mental war office announcement to- night. The statement reads:
 "On the western front there has been only the usual trench fighting. "On the eastern front new engage ments on the River Aa took a course 1 favorable to us"
 l London, January 3o--The report from i British headquarters ir France tonight reads
 1 "A successful raid was carried out | last night on the Somme front in the 1 neighborhood of Butte De Warlen- l court Many of the enemy's dugouts were bombed"