davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-03
TRUSS SAYS SEWER
 SYSTEM IS SOURCE
 OF DISEASE GERMS
Charges Typhoid in Certain Sections of the City to Overflowing of
 Carriers

Commissioner J. D. Truss has issued a sweeping indictment of the city's sew craze system. which he claims Is entirely inadenuate He even claims that the overfowing sewers are prolific source of disease and that the remedying of this condition is one of the most pressing problems before the city at this time.
 Last night the commissioner issued a formal signed statement which reads as follows:
 We are confronted with some difficult ties which should be surmounted at what ever cost Is necessary. We should not trifle with affairs which imperil the health of our community. Much has been said about the fly nuisance in connection with the dry closet, but the fy's principal ally
 is the sanitary sewer system which Is inadequate, and which. during ordinary rains becomes overtaxed and spouts filth and disease germs at numerous man. holes This fdlth is carried down the open streets and alleys to be breathed and swallowed by the refined and cul- tured as wt;ll as by the ignorant and supersttious of our community
 T would tall your attention to the fact that the St,uth Highlands had more ty- phold than any other section of our city and this is a common occurrence when we are afflicted with that disease. In- gienook, without water closet or sewer. did not retort single case of typhoid during the recent epidemic. East Birming- ham, with only a few water closets, had only two cases of typhoid. which were tnported From the facts stated above it would appear that the fly is not the chief sinner, as indicated by the doctor s report. There is some other cause for the typhoid ,,n the South Highlands.
 'The writer with his own eyes saw a sanitary sewer fill the basement of a South Highlands home and run out the back door
 With our inadequate sanitary sewerage system, filth and disease germs can be seen spouting from manholes during the rainy season at East Lake, Woodlawn, Avondale, East Birmingham. North Bir- mingham, West End, Ensley and Vivian. I mention just these places, where I have seen the disease-laden filth spout from manholes.
 From my observation I think an inad- equate sewer system is worse than no sewer at all. Birmingham's system is in- adequate and should be considered dis ease spreader instead of a filth carrier.
 We are also in need of storm sewers. These are urgently needed. as they will prevent in part the flood water from en- tering the sanitary sewers. This is too big a proposition to be undertaken all at once, but should begin at the lower edge of the proposed drainage area, and In localities where most needed and build annually as many miles of sewers as conditions will permit
 With open ditches and the sanitary sewerage system. like ours. to facilitate the spread of disease. we may expect epidemics. We should go back to primi- tive methods and use liberal amount of lime in dry closets rather than tol- crate the insanitary conditions which now exist in Birmingham. J. D. TRUSS"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-03
COMMUNITY CLUB BANQUETS MEMBERS
 HOME FROM BORDER
Events on the Border and Local Hap penings All Aired in Resume and
 Shown on Lantern Slides

The momentous events that took place in Birmingham while the batteries were m Montgomery and on the border were humorously reviewed last night when the Community club banqueted it's mem bers, who captured Francisco Villa in the war of 1916' on Mexican soil at the Southern club.
 The passing at quiet at the city hall, the Arlie Barber measure regulating the length of the chorus girls skirt, the threatened duel in the fourth estate, the newspaper story of the 'irresistible' pres ldent of the club, the health muddle-all were aired in the resume given by the distinguished lecturer. Burton Holmes, ' and illustrated with slides.
 Thke banquet was a lively one, for there were ballet dancers, singers and music to make the event given in honor of the returning guardsmen, an entertaining affair. Joe Mudd, the president, acted as toastmaster and nearly hundred par took of the eight courses.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-03
COMMITTEE PLANS A PREPARING V A IL E Y
 CREEK CANAL REPORT
City and County Officials and Busi- ness Men Will Meet With Chair man VanHOose and Discuss
 the Plans

Business men of Birmingham. members of the board of revenue and the city con- mission, will meet with J. A. VanHoose and his special Valley Creek canal com- mittee, this afternoon at 3 o'clock to dis cuss the proposed canalization of Valley creek.
 Plans for a rehearing on the feasibility of canalizing the creek from the Warrior river to Bessemer will be made. It is urged by MT. VanHoose that in order for the work to be done a favorable report must be returned to Congress by the en- gineers. The report will probably not come before Congress at the present ses- sion nor the next, but with an adverse report against it. it is felt that practically nothing could be done.
 In view of such conditions every ef- fort will be made to get a rehearing on the case.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-03
M'SPATTEN GIVEN
 15-YEAR SENTENCE
First Capital Docket of the Circuit Court About
 Completed

Fifteen years in the penitentiary was the sentence imposed by the jury in the case of Cain McSpatten, negro charged with murder. The case was tried yesterday in the special criminal division of the circuit court before Judge Charles w. Ferguson and went to the jury late yesterday afternoon McSpatten was accused of killing Ad- die Elston at Adger during the Christ mas week of 1912. He was a fugitive from justice for several years and re- gently captured. Assistant Solicitor Ben F. Ray represented the prosecu- tion-
 The case of Charles Wilkins. charged with murder. is on trial in the first division of the court before Judge H P. Heflin.
 Judge w. E. Fort took up the case of Dan Dean, charged with murder. but owing to the absence of several of the defendants witnesses the case was continued until April l.
 The prisoners convicted In the crim- inal court this week will be sentenced this morning.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-03
WHITE PLAGUE IS NO RESPECTER0F YOUTH
Anti-TubercuIosis Ass0cia- tion Report for February
 Shows Much Activity

More than 40 people are attempting to combat the white plague at the Red mountain sanatorium of the Anti Tuberculosis association. The report of Secretary Georges Eaves for Feb ruary shows that 42 patients were taken care of during February.
 The plague has been no respecter of youth, for there are seven under Is years and 20 under 30 years of age at the camp. Nine of the patients have been at the sanatorium less than a month. The greater majority are free patients. inasmuch as 2s were on the free list and nine paid approximate ly one-half the cost of the treatment
 The association has found it neces- sary to purchase an automobile truck for the carrying of supplies and for other work. A series of notes will be paid for this auto.
 The medical work of inspection and diagnosis continues with unabated energy. The nurses have paid 314 visits and reported II new cases to the board of health and also II houses for dis infection Seven died in the out de- partment and in the sanatorium.
 The following gifts have been ae- knowledsed:
 Clothing. Mrs. K. P. Aldrich and Mrs c. A. Moffett; magazines. Avon dale Missionary society NJ. F. church; wheel chair. Miss Lucy Stark Williams; ice cream. Jersey Ice Cream company; one mirror. T. F. Healey; $5 coupon gasoline book. G. T. Wofford.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-03
NITRATE BOARD ID
 HEAR CLAIMS FOR
 LOCATION 0F PLANT
Muscle Shoals and Coosa River Claims Will Be Pre- sented byWell Informed
 Committees

Claims of Muscle Shoals for the location of the nitrate plant will be heard in Bir- mingham Saturday, March 10 by the in- terdepartmental nitrate board, composed of Secretary of War N. R. Baker, Secre- tary of the Interior Franklin K. Lane. and Secretary of Agriculture D. R. Hous- ton.
 The claims of the Coosa river delega- tion for the location of the plant, headed by delegation from Rome, will be pre- sented in the evening. Announcement of the hearing in Birmingham was received from Government Engineer Sturdivant at Montgomery yesterday afternoon by Blanks Everett. general manager of the Chamber of Commerce.
 After visit to Tuscaloosa on Sunday. March Il, to look into the Warrior river situation the board will return to Bir- mingham that night and leave for De- catur. From Decatur 2 trip will be taken down the Tennessee to Muscle Shoals and Sheffield. The night of Monday, March 22 will be spent in Sheffield and on the following day the board will leave for Nashville where Cumberland river claims will be heard.
 The board will arrive in Birmingham the morning of the tenth. and the Muscle Shoals claims will be presented from g o clock to l2. In the afternoon the board will be taken for visit to the by- product plants of the district. Request for arrangement for such trip was made by MT. Sturdivant in hfs wire to MT. Ev- erett The Coosa river claims will be presented from to 10 in the evening. In addition to the members of the board, eight or nine other experts from Wash ington will be in the party.
 Col A. M. Shook. president of the Muscle Shoals association, will present the Muscle Shoals claim. The commit tee of 100 appointed to prepare the claims of this location will be at the hearing in a body. In addition. between 100 and 201
 interested persons from Nashville and the Tennessee valley are expected to be in attendance.
 Secretary Manier of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce notified Mir. EV- erett over long distance yesterday after noon that he would make arrangements to have a large delegation present. The formal brief containing the claims of Muscle Shoals has already been submits ted to the war department. At the hear
 ing additional information in regard to the location at Muscle Shoals will be fur nished.
 special committee will be named by President Charles F. DeBardeleben of the Chamber of Commerce to accompany the board on its trip over the industrial district, and if the visit of the board will permit. some form of entertainment will be provided. The hearings will be held in the Chamber of Commerce auditorium. Governor Emmet ONeal is one of the vice presidents of the Muscle Shoals as- socation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-03
ROTARY PAGEANT
Birmingham Club Will Advertise the
 State at Annual Meeting

When the Rotarians from the United States, Canada, England and Cuba as- semble in Atlanta next June for the annual meeting, the Alabama clubs will advertise this state with a pageant.
 June 19 has been set as the day upon which the Alabama clubs will eX- ploit the resources and bounties of Alabama. To make the pageant a sue cess. the state Roary clubs have raised a substantial fund to guarantee tha; the onlookers will be impressed by the pomp and flourish of the pageant
 The Birmingham Rotarians are pre- pairing to attend the meeting in large numbers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-03
GERMAN AND JAP SPIES SOUGHT BY SECRET SERVICE
 MEN IN DISTRICT Federal Chief Here and Arrests Are Expected
 at Any Moment JAP WAS TRYING TO GAIN ENTRANCE TO CHEMICAL PLANT Is Known to Have Sample of Ores, Maps and Other Data About Birming-
 ham District

\. Bruce BefIaski, chief of the in- vestiratfon department of the depart ment of justice at Washington, Is In Birmingham working with local fed eraI agents in the investigation Of q proposed plot among pro-German fnc- tions to blow up steel plants in this district.
 Mir Beilaski, who arrived in Bir- mingham night before last. has en deavored to keep his visit to BirminS- ham secret Consequently he has re- fused to disclose the object of his visit here, but according to federal authori- ties he is here winding up prelim mary investigations which have been in operation for weeks by local agents
 Although no official information has been given out as to the implication of Japanese subjects in the plot. It is known that certain Japanese citi- zens have been in Birmingham With in the past few days. endeavoring to get admittance to the chemical plants arOund the district
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-03
WARD WILL EXPLODE BIG BOMB
 BEFORE LIGHTS ARE FLASHED
Windows Will Blaze Light O'Clock To- Usherng Formally Birmngham Annual Fashion
 Week Display

new and oriental spring attire.
 To handle the crowds that are expected to be downtown 10 view the window opening display. Boy Scouts will be on duty Already many visitors for the fashion show have arrived in the city. and the registers of local hotels arc more or less filled with the names of Alabama women who have come here 10 shop.
 Although the automobile show will not open until Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock. there are lots of automobile dealers in the city. who have come in a little ahead Of time tc make arrangements for their stay of a week in Birmingham
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-03

Tonight at o'clock Birminsham's great spring fashion carnival will be for mally opened
 Today behind heavy curtains the dis play men of the various shops are busy putting the finishing touches 10 the win dows, which have been especially deco rated for Fashion Week. And. although 1t hasn't been possible to get the slightest little look-in. the window display men say that the windows are going to sur pass anything ever shown in Birmingham.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-03
Kidnapped Girl Is
 Found in New Orleans

Word was received in Birmingham yes terday that Grace Grubbs, the Swear -old girl who was kidnapped in Jacksonville. Fla, last Saturday afternoon. mad been located in New Orleans According to John Grubbs brother or the girl, who has been in Birmingham since Monday she told detectives of the Crescent City all details of the Kidnapping and a stren- uous effort is now being made to locate parties who will be connected with the affair. She is being brought to Birming- ham by New Orleans authorities to be turned over to her brother.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-03

President c. Ward of the city comris- sion is priming himself for the bomb shooting stunt" which is to be pulled off' at o'clock The Boy Scouts are getting ready to do duty on the downtown streets. At exactly five minutes of eight, all the lights In the downtown section will be extlnguished and then c. Ward will officially touch the match 10 the bomb. and the bomb will officially announce to Birmingham that Birminghams greatest Fashion Week is on.
 And @ehile the bomb is being exploded all the shop windows will he unveiled. and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-03
ALL ID GIVE AID
 ID BIENNIAL HERE Mrs. Hundley Says Tusca- lOOsa Is Enthusiastic Over
 Coming Convention

Indications from over the state are that the biennial of the National Federation of Musical Clubs will be a wonderful success. according to Mrs oscar Hundley, who has just returned from Tuscaloosa.
 While in that city. Mrs. Hundley spoke before the Tuscaloosa Music Study Club, and as result the club has become af- filiated with the state federation. Mrs. Hundley says that there is much enthu- siasm in Tuscaloosa over the biennial.
 We feel assured that the biennial will be great success said Mrs Hundley. There is musical atmosphere per mea ting not only Birmingham but the entire state. and Ala abama Is going to assist Birmingham to give the national federation the kind of biennial to which it is entitled. The committees are all at work and I do not believe there will be any cessation of work from now until the convention opens April 15.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-03
TRUE AMERICANISM Capt. Frank s. White to Speak at
 the Y. M. C.. A.

Senator Frank S. White Is announced as the speaker at the mems meeting at the Young Mems Christian association Sunday al 3:@ D. m Senator Whites subject will be True Americanism''
 This is to be patriotic service In which the duties and responsibilities of Amer ican citizenship will be discussed. At this time of crisis every citizen is inter- ested in this subject, and, it is expected that large crowd will be on hand.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-03
At the Photoplay Houses

Rialto Mrs. Vernon Castle in Pat ria"
 Princess: Francis Bushman in The Great Secret"
 Triangle: Douglas Fairbanks in "The Americana"
 Colonial: Henry Walthall in "The Truant Soul"
 Strand: Blanche Sweet in Those Without Sin"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-03
TODAY'S EVENTS
At the Theatres

Lyric: Keith vaudeville. Matinee at 2:3o. Night performance at 7:SO and o'clock.
 Majestic: Gardner and Lawson, Iii Hello Southland Revue musical com edy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-03
LOOKING FOR JAP

Local special agents are looking for a certain Japanese representing him. self as a chemist from Tokio, who was in Birmingham Thursday endeavorin6 to obtain information about Birming- hams industries. her ores and the like. He was in communication with mem bers of local civic bodies and it IS understood has in his possession com plete maps of Birmingham, samples of her ore and other data which might help in the execution of plot.
 That official Washington has her eyes on Birmingham as a military centre was evidenced yesterday when an order was received by the Southern Bell Telephone company to put into perfect order all tell ephones in military and naval stations. Immediately all phones in the federal building were inspected and put in order. This is the first order of the kind that has ever been received by the local office, according to telephone officials. It is in keeping with the recent offer of Pres- dent Vail of the American Telephone company offering the services of the com pany in case of war.
 ARRESTS EXPECTED SOON
 Although no warrants have been issued for the arrest of alleged spies, it is be- lieved that arrests will be made within the next few days.
 United States marshals deny that any arrests have been made They admit, however. that arrests may be made at any time.
 In addition to special agents of the government stationed in Birmingham m, agents from the department of justice a t Washington have been investiga ting the situation, and it is understood that MT Beilaski called to Birmingham when the investigation had practically been completed.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-09-11
BARREL.
IN YOUR STORE?
John c. StadIer and Seibert's Have
Given Their Stores to Com
mite to Put RECEIPT
aces in.
Two of Keokuk's cigar

I WU UT N6UhUh 5 CISdT
! stores, John G.. Stadler's
a and Seibert's, have given
"a tho cn1nmittea nernissinn To
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-09-11
Northeastern Agricultural Associa-
ton Will Arrive From Hannibal
and Spend Twelve
Hours in Keokuk.
ON WAY TO WATERLOO
They VIII Visit Numerous Farms and
Agricultural Centers in the
State on Their
Route.

The Northwestern Missouri Agricul-
tural association will spend twelve
hours in Keokuk enroute from Han.
nibal to Waterloo, Ia, the latter part
Of the month. The schedule for their
trip calls for a stop at Keokuk at 6
Up. NJ, September 80, and leaving Keo-
kuk the next morning at O'Clock on
the way to Cedar Rapids.
The agricultural association will
travel by automobile, about twenty
five cars making the trip, according to
the plans as arranged now. They will
leave Hannibal Sunday afternoon, Sep
TENDER 80 at 1870 o'clock and make a
short stop at Canton. They will ar
rive at keokuk at o'clock, and will
have supper and spend the night here.
The visitors will leave Keokuk at 7
o'clock Monday morning. On the way
to Waterloo to visit the famous dairy
congress, they will stop at several
Iowa towns and will visit the state
institution farms and a number Of the
leading agricultural centers of the
Hawkeye state.
The Missourians are going to be
shown" a good time and have a
hearty welcome waiting them from
practically every Iowa town through
which they will pass. The visitors
have been deluged with invitations to
stop, over on their way and are hav-
ing a time to include all Of these in
their trip schedules.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-09-11
STATE CENTRAL
BANK MEETING
Stockholders Held Annual Session
Yesterday and Elected o.
ficers for Coming
Year.

The annual meeting Of the stock
holders of the State Central Savings
bank was held yesterday. All Of the
former officers and directors were re.
elected as follows:
Officers-William Logan, president:
Geo. p Rix, vice president; L. J.
Montgomery. vice president: Wells
M. Irwin, vice president: C. J. Bode,
cashier; II. T. Graham. assistant
cashier; H. Boyden Blood, assistant
cashier.
Directors-Wm. Logan, Geo. E. Rix,
Wells M. Irwin, l.. J. Montgomery, H.
w. Huiskamp, w. N. Sage, James
Huiskamp, H. Boyden Blood, c. j.
Bode.
The affairs Of the bank were found
to be In most satisfactory condition
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-09-11
MADE
TO ENTER STORE
Thief Tried to Force Way Into lmmo.
CART Grocery Through Rear
Window Early This
Morning..

An attempt was made to enter the
George w. Immegart grocery at 7O6
Main street from the rear, about I
o'clock this morning, but the thief
was frightened away before he could
force his way into the building. He
had cut out two panes of window
and the noise attracted the attention
Of William Immegart who lives on
the second floor and the thief beat
a hasty retreat when he found out
that he had been discovered.
The local authorities have been
asked to look out for Studebaker
automobile stolen last night at
Quincy. The car is seven passen-
ger machine Of four cylinders and the
license number is 126234 Illinois.
The Quincy authorities have also
notified the Keokuk police of a
dope" robbery which occurred in
Quincy Saturday night or early Sun
day morning. A large quantity of
heroin, morphine and opium, as well
as many pints of whiskey and wine
were stolen from the Sommers Drug
store. The goods were valued at be-
tween $500 and $500. It is believed
that dope fiends were responsible.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-09-11
Shot Dead by His wife.

UNITED Press Leased Wire Service. ]
CHICAGO, Sept. 11.-Dr. George
Eisenbrand, AZ, failed to go home last
night.
His wife today went to his Office in
the Republic building and shot him
dead. She gave herself up.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-09-11
SHIPPERS TO
AID T. P. & w.
Burlington Men Will Try to Keep
Road From Cutting Opera
tons Into That
City.

Burlington shippers at meeting
Yesterday decided to make special
efforts to give sufficient business to
the T., P. & w. railroad to discour-
age any talk on the part of that
road over disseminating it's operation
into Burlington. E. N. Armstrong of
Peoria, receiver for the road, was
present, also w. B. Hadfield, travel
ing freight agent Mr.. Armstrong
said the road had been losing 900
per month in operating between La
Harpe and Burlington. He said more
revenue must be forthcoming to over
come this loss. The fact was re-
called that the road has once before
quit operating into Burlington.
Mr.. Armstrong was asked If the
T., P. & w. was not owned by the
Burlington and Pennsylvania. He
said these two roads owned 81 per
cent of the bonds, but that they were
worth about a cent a pound and no
interest had been paid since 1910
1--WE owe about fourteen hundred
thousand dollars to these two roads,"
he is quoted as saying.