davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-08-28
RAIL LINES IN SPLENDID SHAPE
 STATES REPORT

Washington. August 27.-official reports to the war department show French rail- roads to be in splendid shape after three years of war. American engineers who inspected the lines have been amazed at what they found in this regard and no report has reached the department from any source tending to confirm rumors once widely current that the transporta- tion systems in France were badly run down and would have to be reorganized.
 Secretary Baker said today that the American railway engineer regiments al- ready organized and several of which are in Europe, are intended for work on mili- tary railroads only. It will be necessary to take over from the French or British engineers, as the case may be, such miii- tary lines as are needed to save the American bases. This will be done as soon as the American forces in Europe reach a strength to justify the action.
 From the bases to the American front it is probable that numerous additional feeder lines will have to be constructed, and this work, together with the opera tion and upkeep of the main supply lines will require the use of many rail- way engineer units. Nine regiments of this type have been organized with vol7 unteers. It is indicated that Il more will be formed next month from the men mo- biIized under the selective service act, supplemented by volunteers.
 Railway employees among the drafted men probably will be assigned to these special units The organization plans for the national army call for many separate training battalions at each divisional cantonment in addition to the fighting troons of the diVison.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-08-28
Loyalty of Catholics
 in America Reaffirmed

Kansas City, Mo, August 27.-The loy- atty of Catholics to America was re- affirmed today by President Whalen, in his address to the convention of the American Federation of Catholic socie- ties. All sacrifices demanded by the war must be met with cheerfuness, he said.
 The report of the committee on morals deplored what it characterized as .'the drift away from the church. and rec commended changes in American condi- tions of life.
 Reports of national officers and com mittees took up the session.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-08-28
PRESIDENT EXTENDS ALL ASSISTANCE ID
 SLAV GOVERNMENT

Washington, August 27-President Wilson sent to the members of the National Council assembly at Moscow today assurances that this government is willing to extend every material and moral assistance to the govern ment of Russia.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-08-28

Paris, August 27.-Ma1or General Per shing has just issued a general order creating general purchasing board in Paris, with general purchasing agent at the head. This purchasing agent is the representative of the commander-in- chief, acting with various allied purehas- ing agencies. and will coordinate and supervise all of the purchasing agents of the American force. The chief of each
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-08-28
Dutch Are Cutting Down
 Bread Ration Per Day

The Hague. August 27.-The Dutch min ister of agriculture has decided that the bread ration of 2S00 grammes per head must suffice for Il days after September T. When bread tickets were first ts- sued seven days was the period for this ration; later it was extended to nine days, but the increasing scarcity neces- sitates a further reduction in the con- snmntiOn.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-08-28
Pershing Establishes
 Board Of Purchase

supply department and of the Red Cross and the Young Mems Christian associa- tion will designate purchasing and dis bursing officers to report to the general purchasing agent. The senior officers of these services will form a board which will operate under the supervision of the general purchasing agent, and the members of this board will meet as fre- quently as necessary.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-08-28
MANY LOYAL SOUTHERN MEN
100 LATE ID CLASSIFY

furnished steam heated apartment, two blocks from Five Points, for rent September 1 to couple without children at attractive price; heat, wa ter and janitor service free. Call Main 3057-J.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-08-28
Georgia Man Succeeds
 Ewing as Patents Head

Washington, August 27-The nomina- tion of James T. Newton of Georgia, to be commissioner of patents, in place of Thomas Ewing. resigned, was confirmed by the Senate today
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-08-28
SOME FIGURES

Washington, August 27.-Iron, steel and woolen manufacturing workers, earning per capita for the two and a half-year period just ended increased more than the advance in the retail prices of foodstuffs for the three-year period July, 1914, to July, 1917 A statement by the department of labor today showed that iron and steel work CTS per capita earnings increased 5S per cent and woolen manufacturing workers 54 per cent, while the cost of foodstuffs increased 42 per cent
 Workers in other industries did not fare so we'll Per capita earnings of boot and shoe workers increased 31 per cent; cotton manufacturing employees and cotton finishing workers, 3S per cent; hosiery and underwear workers, 37 per cent, and silk workers, 25 per cent.
 Workers in the iron and steel in- dustry in the two and one-half year period increased 75 per cent in number and the pay rolls increased 167 per cent in the boot and shoe industry workers increased IT per cent and pay rolls 53 per cent; cotton manufacturing work CTS decreased 1 per cent and pay rolls increased 37 per cent; cotton finishing workers increased Il per cent and pay rolls increased 53 per cent; woolen manufacturing workers increased 19 per cent and pay rolls 73 per cent; hoisery and underwear workers in creased 21 per cent and pay rolls 66 per cent; silk workers increased per cent and pay rolls 2S per cent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-08-28

Frances, have returned from Montgom- cry, where they were the guests of rela- tives
 Miss Rosalie Goldberg and Miss Dora Barr have returned from a 10-week stay with relatives in New York.
 Mrs Wilena Dodd and children have returned from Double Springs, where they visited relatives.
 Mr. and Mrs J. H. D. Smith have returned from Nashville, where they were the guests of their daughter, Mrs. F. N. Caton.
 Mr and Mrs. Ike Marks and Mir. and Mrs Heinberg have returned from De- troit, Chicago, New York and Washing ton, where they visited relatives and friends.
 Miss Lizzie Dalrymple of Jackson. Miss, is the guest of Mrs. w. E. Sur ratt.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-08-28
Corporal Is Killed

Camp Doniphan, Fort Sill, okia., Au- gust 27.-Corporal Charles F. Hummell, 2 years old, of Medicine Lake. Mo. gun ner in Battery B. Fourteenth Field ar tillery, was killed late today when shell exploded prematurely, blowing out two- foot section of a three-inch gun.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-08-28
BILL SYKES FINDS WOMEN ACTIVE IN
 SELMA'S AFT AIRS Visitor Impressed With the Uses That Might Be Made
 of Alabama River SOUTHERN ROAD HAS DEVOTED EMPLOYES The Crop Outlook Points to Big Business in Dallas and the
 Surrounding Counties 4 This Fall

Selma August 27.-(Special.)- )-Men may make history but my observation has been that movements to preserve it come from the good women of the land. I had this borne in upon me today as I walked down to the Louisville and Nashville sta ton and observed a monument of stone in which was set tablet of bronze which emblazoned to all who stopped to read that it was erected by the Daughters of the Confederacy to commemorate the gallant deeds of the men who made of Selma point of considerable naval prom thence in 1860.
 On this tablet one can see the names of men whose sons are prominent in the business and social life of Selma, and likewise the names of men like General Hooper, who yet lives to make society better for their present on the field of business action of today. Napoleon de- clared that ''the hand that rocks the cradle rules the fate of nations and thought that he might have added that the hand deserves more prominence in history than Is sometimes accorded it. When I looked on the tablet of bronze and read the names of men thereon l felt that back of those men there must have been some noble women to rock the cradles and instill in them those mo- tives that lowered into action when Sel- ma made munitions and cannons for For rest and Lee
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-08-28
LOOKS LIKE BIG BUSINESS

Everything points to big business out of Selma this fall The cotton crop is very promising and opening rapidly. Oil mills are cleaning up and arranging to crush cotton seed once more while a large acreage in peanuts will add to any shortage that may be felt in cotton seed. Business men are looking to the future with great confidence, but just where they are going to find an outlet for so much corn is not clear to me just now. Along the river bottoms the crops have suf- fered a little from too much rain, but on the whole yields will be far in excess of last year. Here as elsewhere through out the state, the colored people are beginning to return, but not in as great volume as may be necessary for the suc- cessful harvesting of the crops. Good weather has been prevailing for the past few days and the cutting of hay is pro2 ceeding rapidly. Prices for the same are better than fair and everything looks good for Selma.
 There is another crop coming on that will mean a lot for the city and that is the girls who are blossoming into long dresses and looking as<ance at the boys who, have discarded knee trousers. l have one such little lady friend, whose name is Mary, but who is anything but contrary, and in whose garden grows many beau- tiful thoughts that find expression in tactful acts. That in the year to come many suitors will appear for her hand is the opinion of BILL SYKES.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-08-28
FIELD FOR WATER TRAFFIC


 Back in those days the people had a keener appreciation of water transporta- ton than they do today. Situated on the river 1t seems to me that there should be vast tonnage moving by water into and out of Selma. I found by inquiry that all the coal consumed by the city, and the railways entering the city, moved wholly by rail, and yet it seems entirely feasible to me to move coal by water from Maxine or Cordova into Selma. All that l saw was a small steamer that seemed to be engaged in the transporta- tion of stave material to a mill located near the banks of the river
 Again there seems to be a golden op- portunity for some enterprising young man to put in a feed mixing plant, use velvet beans as a base. get his alfalfa from around Marion Junction, his corn from along the river and manufacture a dairy product that could find its way into Norway and Sweden by an all water route. Until one rubs shoulders with cot ton seed oil men he does not know just what the dairy interests of these coun- tries amount to, but with the advent of the war that market has been mea surably eliminated. And yet there is bound to be a great domestic demand for dairy feeds that could be supplied from Selma on an all water rate to Atlantic coast points that would keep the energetic young man who embarked on the manu- facture very busy man. Today they are having big pow WOW over the utili- zation of the river, but very much fear that there will be much more of talking than acting.
 However, the Red Cross ladies utilized the river by having an excursion for the lads and lassies in the afternoon, and the grown-ups in the evening, by the good steamboat Peerless. From this they hope to realize a sufficient sum to ma terially aid in the fight to make the world free for democracy. In the Red Cross headquarters down here the la- dies actually work and I noted today several running sewing machines and producing those articles that may not contribute so very much to the comfort oI our boys over in France, but which will bind them as with hooks of steel to the folks back home. And then, too, it affords 8 sasety valve for our young ladies whose sweethearts may travel from some battlefield in France to that bourne from which no traveller returns to let them make some article for their king to carry with him.
 MANY LOYAL SOUTHERN MEN
 MT. Fairfax Harrison ought to make at least one trip to Selma and spend a couple of days. I daresay he has more men wearing loyalty medals here than in any city on the entire Southern sys- tenn. You meet them everywhere, from the lowly car cleaner to the master car builder, and from the engineer to the master mechanic. It ought to give him great pleasure to meet the men who have helped to make the Southern what it is.
 He has one young fellow that I pre- dict will make his mark in the railway world. Right now he is chief clerk 10 the superintendent. He has all the affa- bility of the candidate seeking office, but
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-08-28
'M|LLAN IS NOT CONTENT WITH HIS
 NORTHERN WORK

Sydney, N. s. w, August 27-Donald B. McMillan, who arrived here yester- day after four years spent in the Arctic, is not content with his achievements.
 T have work to do yet" he said to- day, about 150 miles of coast to ex- plore, and I hope to go back soon"
 Speaking enthusiastically of the far north, he said:
 'It Is the land of men up there"
 Mir. McMillan, who, with Jonathan c. Small, his mechanic and general aide, was brought here by the sealing steam CT Neptune, in command of Capt. Ro3 e1t Bartlett, will leave tomorrow for his home in Freeport, Me, whence he will go to New York to give full re- reports have been discovered in the Museum of Natural History. The out standing achievement was the estab- fishing of the fact that the so-called Crockerland, which Rear Admiral Peary reports, have been discovered in the Arctic, did not exist. MT. McMillan said that he and his companions were de- ceived several days by the same mirage which mislead Peary.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-08-28

they would oppose Secretary McAdoo' s plan of taxing bonds after he appears be- fore the committee tomorrow to explain the measure. There was no indication, however, of opposition to the general terms of the bill and both democratic and republican committeeman are ex- pected to support it once it reaches the floor
 Opponents of the Secretary's plan which would make the ponds subject to super taxes, war profits and excess profits taxes vary in their views, some favoring no taxes and others the application or the straight income tax levy.
 The proposal to create definite bond issuance policy during consideration of the present bill was barely touched upon today. Representative Hull of Tennessee suggested his plan of making the bonds subject to termination at the discretion of the secretary. after brief period of possibly five years. He also plans to suggest abandoning the convertiblllty feature on all bonds drawing more than f per cent.
 Reports that the war savings certffi- cate intended primarily as poor man investment would be issued ln denom- nations as low as $1 and be placed on sale at all postoffices aroused interest. Details of disposing of these certificates would be left by the bill to Secretary McAdoo, save that single sales to one person would be limited to $100 and total sales to an individual to $1,0O0,O00. The amount of interest to be borne by the certificates, as well as by the war cer- tificates also would be left to the sec retary. Both would be liable under the bill to the same taxes as the bonds.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-08-28
HIGHER TAX MOVES

Advocates of higher taxation made fur ther definite moves just before the Sen ate adjourned tonight. Senator Johnson of California introduced an amendment designed to levy 80 per cent on war taxes and Senator LaFollette offered an- other substitute for the income tax sec tion proposing to obtain $643, ,651, ,000 from incomes instead of the s4S5,oO0, oo00 pro- vided in the bill. Senator Johnson pro posed to levy 73 per cent additional on war profits, estimating the present levy at [ per cent
 While debate proceeded on the postal tax sections, private conferences were held by leaders opposing drastic war profits tax raises The majority of the finance committee held two meetings ana considered abandoning the pre-war prof it's system of the bill and substituting new basis.
 "We have to take action which will unite all the real friends of the bill, said Senator Simmons later.
 Because of criticisms the majority com mttee are considering substitution of tho House excess profits scheme of calcu- lating war profits, based upon capitali- zation instead of net profits and allow ing an exemption of s per cent plus s50O0 definite decision, however, has not been reached. Such a change would raise more revenue, IL mas peeH drSueu and remove many alleged injustices of the pre-war calculation system of the bill.
 In today's debate on the postage taxes Senators Hardwick, Pomerene and Me Kelar led the attack on the bills pro- visions advocating higher postal rates for newspapers and magazines Senators Harding, Smoot, McCumber and others opposed higher postage rates, while Sen ators Borah, Townsend and others urged entire elimination of postage taxes from the bill Senator Weeks of Massachu- setts expects to speak tomorrow for his plan to eliminate the publishers postage and income tax provisions.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-08-28

also that keen business wit that our poli- ticfans do not always possess. l had a few moments business with him and came away understanding why the superintend- ent can always wear the smile that he does. His chief clerk makes the wheels 20 round and leaves to his chief only the bigger problems. From the number of ladies employed in the office I am com ing to think that the Southern has hopes of leading the Baltimore and Ohio in the number of ladies employed You see them everywhere and holding down desks that a few years ago we would have con- sidered as essentially within the domain of men to hold.
 However, they have not gotten as far along as the Pennsylvania, which road think employs a woman brakeman by the name of Miss Alice Mangan, who is alleged to have said that "braking on train is much easier than breaking ones back over a washtub." Speaking of rail- way officials I do not crave the job of either the master mechanic or my good friend Zimmerman, who looks after the upkeep of cars. This efficiency board that is making such fine showing in in- creasing the tonnage handled per car Is also making some problems for master mechanics and master car builders to solve It is an axiom in railroad opera tion that the heavier the car is loaded the greater the draw bar pressure and strain on draw heads, and the heavier the load the harder the locomotive has to pound to drag the long lumber and coal loads over some of the grades that must be contended with between here and Mobile. Taking off the passenger trains did not help the situation much from a motive power standpoint because the passenger engines were of light type and could not be used to much advan- tage in freight service. The establish ment of a shipbuilding plant at Mobile has greatly added to the transportation problems of the Southern for a great deal of both timber and steel must travel over that route.
 I heard quite a good story about new stenographer that recently went to work for railroad in Selma. In the division to which she was assigned certain mate rial is charged up to other divisions and to train conductors. One day dictatiou was given as to a certain number of lair hose for a certain train. Now this young lady thought she had some knowl- edge of hosiery, she had heard of the 'des bas de soe of Paris, the Wunder hose, the Black Cat, and vraious other brands, but anything manufactured of so light substance as air was beyond her ken, so she proceeded to bill the train crew with a certain number of lair holes" But she is getting by, as the say ing goes, and learning that there is no language so idiomat tic as our own Eng fish.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-08-28

Mrs. ". K. Couch and little daughter,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-08-28

The announcement that the play, 'The Stolen Princess" will be presented again for the benefit of the children s 100000 penny war fund, is of much in -erest to the children of Bessemer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-08-28

Waters Brothers, who for several years past have operated garage and auto mobile sales agency here, have filed proceedings in bankruptcy. Both the assets and liabilities are small, being somewhat around $2000.
Evening journal., 1917-05-08
A SNAKE oE A MAN

(From the Skaneateles DemOcraD.
Somebody poisoned my dog today,
Though he never did any one i'll,
And so he is through with his canine
play
And his wagglety tail is still.
No more shall ! walk in the fields with
him
Along at my side to jog,
And don't care If my eyes are dim,
Somebody poisoned my dog!
He was homely, know, asa dog could
be,
And only a mongrel, too;
But / loved the old fellow, and he
loved me,
As people and dogs may do.
Nothing on earth could disturb his
trust
Or his love and his faith befog.
And. now he lies here, at my feet, In
the dust
Somebody poisoned my dog!
He crawled to my side and licked my
hand,
And then. with gasp. he died;
And-though some people can't under.
stand
patted his head-and criedi
For it isn't funny TO lose a friend
From off of this earthly cog,
And he was loyal unto the end
Somebody poisoned my dog!
wonder how any one could have
done
This poor little fellow harm;
Put here he lies-his race is run
Though his bodys still soft and
warm
My life is lived on a peaceful plan,
My pace is a quiet jog,
Butt wish could find the snake of
a man
Who poisoned my little dogl
Evening journal., 1917-05-08
SPIRIT OF THE
DELMARVIA PRESS
sOLDlERs SHOULD HAVE al VOTE

From the Snow Hill Messenger
The coming session Of the Legisla-
ture should not fail TO enact a law
giving soldiers a right while in the
field to cast their votes.
While a man is in the service Of his
country he should be entitled TO every
privilege he had while at home and
more. At the last election a number
of States sent messengers to the Mex
lean borders with ballot boxes and
ballots for their soldier vote. OF
course this will not be very practical
for those soldiers who are scattered
all over the world but some plan can
be devised that will give them the
right of franchise at home As most
every voter in the country is a mem
Der of one of the two leading political
parties, it might be arranged that each
soldier. before he left home, could
make a declaration that he wanted the
election supervisors Of his county to
cast his vote on the day of election
for his party candidate.