davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-31
PROGRAMME AT COMMUNITY SING
 MUCH ENJOYED
Civic Association Honor Guests-Special Features Included Selections by
 Artilleryman

The Civics association was largely rep- resented at the community concert at the Bijou yesterday afternoon, the members occupying box seats reserved for them. Director Robert Lawrence in few fe- licitous remarks introduced the Civic guests and Secretary C. L. Harold re- sponded in a glowing speech, assuring the community management of the asso- ciation's appreciation of the work that was being done for Birmingham under MT. Lawrence's direction. It was stated that an invitation had been sent to the Rotary club to attend next Sundays sing in a body.
 Yesterdays programme was one of the best that has yet been presented and the audience was one of the most enthuslas- tic of the season.
 The Philharmonic orchestra, Philip Memoli, conductor, was in fine form. especially in Mozart's Magic Flute overture, the Largo from Dvoraks s New World symphony, and the two pieces by Grieg, Heart Wounds and The Last Spring." both of which were heard in Birmingham for the first time. The largo with it's sustained melody, de- livered plaintively and with musicianly pIiIdSiIS Dy LIS ODOcs dlio Ato PdStSi dA refrain for strings and wood-wind, ap- pealed to the finer emotions and caused many an eye to moisten. Few things at- tempted by the Philharmonic orchestra have been played so well.
 A female chorus composed of members of the Twenty club sang Smarts Queen of the Night" with charming effect, and Yelverton Cowherd past assistant band master of one of the best of the navy bands, was well received in his solo on the double E tuba, Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep" He produced wonder fully pure tone and his technique was that of an artist.
 The songs for everybody were more nu- merous than usual. All were beautiful, and MT. Lawrence infused high degree of spirit into the singers.
 The greatest hit of the afternoon was made by Archibald Ruggles of the 10th field artillery, in training at Camp Me- Clellan. He is the possessor of a tenor voice of rare lyric quality, and is musi- cally educated, being a graduate of the Peabody institute at Baltimore. MT. Ruggles was not on the programme, but once heard he became instantaneously a favorite. He sang "The Star by Rogers, and for an encore Because" by D 'Ardelot. In a second encore he was joined by Miss Elizabeth Cunningham. They gave the prison scene from I'll Trovatore." Not many grand opera stars could have sung it better The applause was tumultuoous. Mrs. Edward T. Rice was at the piano.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-31
THE BIRMINGHAM AGEHERAID, MONDAY, DECEMBER sl, 1917
Enlisted Men Sent to Camp
 Which Existed Only on
 Paper and Inquiry Starts

learned, call for the establishment of terminal depot for export ammunition on a 200O-acre tract of land near Raritan on which the government holds options The draft men ordered up were to be employed at that depot, where great storehouses are to be erected.
 The trouble appears to be that some one believed the depot to be already es- abolished and operating with quarters available for the forces, whereas press reports from Raritan say the project has not advanced as yet beyond the option stage. The adjutant general of New Jersey was promptly appealed to by Rar- itan officials when the homeless troops began to arrive. He got in touch with Provost Marshal General Crowder and was instructed to direct the local boards at Raritan to furnish the men with meals and quarter them at hotels or otherwise until the difficulty could be strengthened out.
 The order for the mobilization of the ordnance men was the first application of the new draft regulations which con stitute local boards mobilization agen- cies for men of draft age who desire to enter the military service immediately without regard to their draft status
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-31
Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood
 Arrives in France
 to Study Problems

Camp Funston, kans., December 30. Army officials here tonight confirmed a report that cablegram was received saying that Maj.-Gen. Leonard Wood, commander of the Eighty-ninth divis- ion at Camp Funston, had arrived safe- " in France. General Wood and his chief of staff, Lieut.-Col. c. F. Kill bourne, have gone to study war prob : lems at first hand, as is done by com manding officers of each division.
 General Wood and Colonel Kilbourne left here more than a month ago, but news of their trip was withheld from publication until word of their arrival in France was received.
 General Wood was transferred here from Charleston, S. C.. where he was in command of the southeastern de- pertinent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-31

Washington, December SO-Investiga- tion has been ordered by Secretary Ba- ker of circumstances surrounding the misunderstanding which caused enlisted men of the ordnance corps to be sent to Raritan, N. J., last week for mobiliza- ton at an ordnance base which appar- ently exists only on paper.
 The arrival of some two score of the force was reported to MT. Baker yester- day by the state authorities and officials of Raritan who are cooperating in talk ing care of the troops. Officers were sent promptly to straighten out the tan- gle and the soldiers probably will be housed temporarily at Camp Upton. N. Y.
 The troops are men of draft age in- ducted into military service at their own request since December 15 and assigned to the ordnance department under in structions issued to the local boards Nearly 1000 of them may be en route from different parts of the country.
 Plans of the ordnance bureau, it was
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-31
BERLIN REPORT

Berlin. December S0.-(Via London.) ''Western theatre: In the Ypres bend, south of the Scarpe and on the eastern bank of the Mouse, there was at times an increase in artillery activity. Small accommodating engagements took place on the British front and in the Ar NGonne.
 eEastern theatre: There is nothing new. On the Macedonian front, north west Of Monastir, and at Lake Dorain, the firing revived occasionally.
 'Italian theatre: On the front of Tonlba ridge and in the Piave sector on both sides of Pederobba, violent artil lery and mine throwing engagements developed in the afternoon"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-31
PRESBYTERIAN SERVICE Joint Meeting at First Church-C0l- lection Taken for Syrians

The joint services held at First Pres byterian church last night was well attended, despite the severe weather. All the Presbyterian churches of the city joined in the service and as the First church is looked upon as the mother church of the local Presby- terians, the meeting partook of the na- tnre ot a homecoming" service. Dr.. Harris preached the sermon and the other local pastors took part in the service. Communion was administered following a plea for the relief of the starving and destitute Syrians, made by pr. T. P. Hay. A collection was taken ard the sum of $3S was realized for the Syrian Relief fund.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-31
New Anthracite Wage Scale
 Increases the Production

Mount Carmel. Pa, December s0 The new wage scale for anthracite mine workers, authorized by presiden- tial proclamation. has resulted in un- precedented production and the highest wages in the history of the hard coal region.
 Miners yesterday received their first pay under the new scale and in many instances it ran as high as S150 for two weeks work, while some were sai dto have earned more than $200 from December 1 to December 15. The average throughout the region was about $70. Laborers heretofore receiv- ing from SIS to $2S for two weeks are new receiving from f25 to $40.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-31
ITALIAN STATEMENT

Rome, December So.-The war office communication issued today says:
 Along the whole front there have been only artillery actions. They were particularly intense on the Monte Tom ba sector.
 "At Pieve di Zoligo British airmen brought down one of the enemy cap- tive balloons. Yesterday evening ene- my aircraft repeated their raid on Padua. dropping over 20 explosive and incendiary bombs. Three persons werc killed. including one child, and three were wounded, including one woman. Much damage was done to monuments, private dwellings and other buildings and two hospitals. Fire broke out in the St. Valentino church, which was hit The fine Carmine church was par tiaIly burned"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-31
Theatrical Man Dies

tie. once a partner of the late Charles r. Kohl, and one of the most widely known theatrical men in the country, died Saturday night at Miami. Fla, according to word received in Chicago today. MT. Castle was born 67 years ago in Syracuse, N. '. He was pio- neer in vaudeville circles and was also widely known for his interest in trot- ting horses. He had been ill for some- time of bronchial trouble and this Is believed to have caused his death.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-31
FIRST OPEN MOVE

It is the first open move in opposition to the amendment, and Oscar L. Lewis, who led the signatories of the call, de- clared that he is assured that the meet ing will be representative one and that there will be persons from every section of the state.
 Shall we proclaim to the world that states rights have perished in the state, the home of the cradle of the Confed- eracy, that gave them birth?" said the call "The great democratic statesmen from the south in the past have invoked
 the doctrine of states rights to shield and protect our people from humiliation and
 oppression. Shall We as democrats per-
 init that divine d-bought thing, the
 Night of local self-government, to perish?
 "The next move will be the abolition
 of the electoral college; after that, will come a measure providing for equal suf-
 frage and a literal construction at the
 ballot box of the terms of the four-
 teenth and fifteenth amendments"
 sTNVISIBLE' GOVERNMENT
 Sigpers of the call declared that the
 same invisible government that domi-
 
 ing to select the next legislature and
 that Brooks Lawrence and his cohorts are alert and active in their efforts to
 fasten upon the people of Alabama meas
 ures hostile to>the wishes of a great ma
 iolity of our citizens
 And it continued: "The democrats Of the state must first elect a legislature, the members of which will reflect their will; they must take charge of their own house, place it in order, throw off the scourge of alien domination by the Anti-saloon league, corporation operat- ing from Westerville, O., before any constructive legislation can. be had that will relieve the state of it's present dis dressing financial embarrassment"
 The call was signed by the following: Oscar s. Lewis of Dothan, Tracy W. Pratt of Huntsville, Gregory L. Smith of Mobile William A. Gunter, Jr, of Mont gomery, John B. Rosenstihl of Birming- ham, Tom M, Espy of Dothan, ". G. Me Corvey of Monroeville, John J. Pruet of Ashland, B. F. Weathers of Roanoke, Ben F. Reid of Dothan, Abner J. Smith Of Bay Minette, John c. O'Connell of Mobile, J. M. Loflin of Enterprise, David A. Grayson of Huntsville, R. l.. Hud dleston of Speigner. A. S. Lyons of Mo- bile. Walter U. Acree of Dothan, D. S. Hausman of Montgomery, John F. Beyer of Cullman, R. B. Evins of Greensboro, Robert Campbell of Gadsden, F. L. Ad- ans of Huntsville, w. V. Mayhall of Ha- leyville, J. G. Mason of Montgomery, tO B. Roper of Gadsden, Thomas A. Curry of Clanton, L. w. Morgan of Fair ford, J. P. Banks of Enterprise Smile Smith of Montgomery, Baily c. McClel- Ian of Alexandria, J. G. Bedsole of Grove Hill. Cooper Whiteside of Anniston. Nor man D. Godbold of Camden, A. E. Going of Gordo, I. N. Wilcoxson of Arkdell
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-31
PETROGRAD PEOPLE
 CELEBRATE PEACE
 NEGOTIATIONS
General Kaledines Said to Have Been Elected Again as Hetman of the
 Don COssacks

London, December 30. Dispatches from Petrograd say that the city was given over today to a celebration of the peace negotiations. The watchwords were: Down with international imperialism" and Hong live the third internationale."
 A telegram received in Petrograd from Novo Tcherkack, capital of the territory of the Don Cossacks, an- nounces that General Kaledines, who recently resigned as hetman of the Cossacks on the ground that there was opposition to him at the front, has been reelected by 562 out of a total of 638 votes.
 Moscow reports that railway communi- cation with the south has been stopped, sections of the tracks having been de- stroyed and that no food supplies are arriving.
 The Petrograd Den states that the Cos sack leader Karauloff, former member of the Duma, and his brother, have been murdered while journeying from Vlad1k- aykaz, in Ciscausia to Yekaterinodar to attend Cossack military gathering.
 TEACHERS JON STRIKE
 All teachers, male and female, in the municipal schools of Petrograd have gone on strike as a protest against the pro ceedings of the bolsheviki and intend to remain away from the schools pending the opening of the constituent assem- bly,.
 It is reported that an autonomous gov ernment has been formed in Turkeptan with M. Tvnyssavaiff, a member of the second Duma, as premier. The Siberian district Congress at Tomsk has elected a provisional government, headed by President Potanin, With a coalition cabi- net which includes constitutional demo- crats
 ARMY IS NOTIFIED
 Ensign Krylenko, the bolshevik com mander-in-chief, has sent telegrams to all army committees regarding the Brest- Litovsk negotiations and the Russian conditions of peace.
 He also has issued an order of the day calling on the troops to turn their arms against those who are standing in the way of the conclusion of peace.
 NEW ELECTION WANTED The bolshevik organ. Izvestia, insists on new elections Of delegates to the con- stituent assembly in districts where those chosen do not express popular will. such as constituencies where social revo- Iutionaries and members of tie right have been returned.
 The Petrograd council of peoples com missaries has issued statement sup porting the council of soldiers and work mems delegates of Ukraine. which has been established in opposition to the Uk- rainian Rada. as ''the truly popular power" and the real government of this territory. It promises the new govern ment it's fraternal support in ''all works of peace" such as the handing over oi land, factories, workshops and banks te the working classes.
 I
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-31
SELMA CHURCHES ARE
 CLOSED ON ACCOUNT OF COAL FA MIN E
Agreement Is Reached to Hold One Union Service Each Sunday Until
 Situation Improves

Selma, December S0.-Practically ev cry church in the city was closed today as the supply of coal is almost ex- hausted and it is doubtful whether there will be any improvement in the situation during January. During the coal famine an agreement has been reached by the ministers to hold one union service each Sunday.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-31
PALESTINE GAINS

London, December 30.-The forces under General Allenby in Palestine { have advanced another three miles along the Nablus road, according to the official statement issued tonight. and after stubborn resistance, have occupied Birch, the ancient name of which Is Beeroth. East of the road Hizmehgereh was taken; west of the road the ridge of Rawllah and Kher- tireh was occupied
 In the center of the line mounted troops advanced on Khurnetha, Ibu- harith and Dierelkuddis.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-31
Laboratory and Operating Room at Camp Greene
 Hospital Are Burned

Charlotte, N C., December 3o.-Fire to- day destroyed the laboratory and operat- ing room buildings of the Camp Green base hospital while Charlotte firemenI and camp volunteers were thawing out the water mains. A defective flue is sup I posed to have caused the blaze. Both the buildings were temporary frames structures, but probably s75,o00 worth of apparatus was lost.
 United States regulars and New EngI land federalzed national guard troops. are stationed at Camp Greene
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-31
Plants of Russo-Belgium
 Company Are Seized

Petrograd, Saturday, December 299.l The council of peoples commissairesI has ordered the confiscation of the| factories and all other properties of tho Russo Belgium company becausa it's directors on December IS declared the company to be in state of liqui-l dation, and declined to submit to the control of the employees All the work ; men have been ordered to continue the discharge of their duties. Any one guilty of acts of sabotage will be brought before the revolutionary court.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-31
AT LEAST SIX OF
 MEXICAN BANDITS
 KILLED IN FIGHT
Military Headquarters Re ceiyes Official Statement From Pursuers of
 Cattle Thieves

Eagle Pass, Tex, December 30. At least six Mexican bandits were killed in a, fight between bandits and unitea States troops and Texas rangers Satur- day at San Jose, Mexico, opposite the Indio ranch, which is 20 miles south Q. Eagle Iass, according to an offieial statement received here today at mill- tary headquarters. The Americans mad crossed into Mexico on the trail of Mex ican cattle thieves. There were no American casualties.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-31
FRENCH REPORT

Paris, December 3o.--"There was in- termittent cannonading at several points on the front" the war office re- ports. "The Germans made raids on our small posts south of St. Quentin and in the region of Bezonvaux and vauquois. We took prisoners, includ- ing an officer.
 Three German airplanes were brought down yesterday by the fire of our special cannon"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-31
Death at Camp Sheridan

Montgomery, December So.-Private Leo Hawk of Cincinnati, O., headquar- ters company, 146th Unites States in fantry. died of pneumonia at the base hospital at 3:30 o'clock Sunday after noon. The body will be shipped to his home in Ohio tomorrow.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-31
PERSONAL

Archibald Ruggles of the field artillery, who has made a. fine impression in mu- sical circles here as singer, sang at the Southside Baptist church yesterday. his solo selection being If With All Your Hearts," from Elijah"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-31
|296 FOREIGN-BORN
 MEN HAVE SERVED
 IN U. s. CONGRESS
Ireland Has Long Lead On All Other Lands in Furnishing American
 Legislators

Washington. December s0.-(SpeciaL) A statistician has prepared table of foreigners who have served in the Con- gross of the United States. Of the total number. Ireland leads, England is sec ond and Germany third in furnishing members.
 The total number of senators and rep resentatives who have served from the first to the present Congress is 1865. Those of foreign birch number 2s6. They
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-31

disrupted ferry boat schedules and tugboats were kept busy during the day breaking the ice in the slips.
 Hundreds of men, women and chil- dren, driven from their homes when their coal supplies ran out, took refuge in police stations. Many stations were crowded throughout the day.
 FEW OUT OF WORK
 Missions and lodgin-. ghouses were kept busy providing shelter for the homeless, but it was stated that the demands were not near so heavy as in past years, due to the comparative ly small number out of work.
 Fire Commissioner Adamson an- nounced tonight that all daily rec ords for fire alarms were broken. Many of them were false alarms, caused by frozen valves and stand pipes, which disrupted the signal mechanism, he said but most of them were due to overloaded furnaces and accidents with oil stoves.
 COLD CONTINUES
 The downward course of the mercury continued up until late hour and at Il o'clock it had fallen to six below zero. The weather bureau issued a revised forecast in which it was pre- dicted it would not be quite so cold" by tomorrow night, with 'vari- able winds, becoming gentle south"
 The 12 Keith theatres in New York and Brooklyn were thrown open to- night to the poor in search of warmth.
 Two men were frozen to death in Brooklyn during the day, making q total of five to succumb because Of the cold
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-31
One of the Forts at
 KrOnstadt Naval Base,
 Near Petrograd, Blown Up

London. December so.-One of the forts at Kronstadt. the naval base near Petrograd. has been blown tip by an extremely violent explosion, ac- cording to a Petrograd dispatch to the Times. There are no details.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-31
GERMAN ATTACKS ON BRITISH FRONT REFUSED BY HA|G Heavy Fighting Is Reported From Cambrai and
 Ypres Sectors
GENERAL ALLENBY IS
 STILL DRIVING TURKS
Local Raids on the French Line Fail-Only Artillery Action Reported From the
 Italian Front

London, December 3O.-There was heavy fighting today south of Cam brai. The Germans made strong att tack on 8 front of about two miles, ac- cording to Field Marshal Haig's report from headquarters tonight. They suc- cecded in gaining a foothold at two points, but Inter were elected In part by British counter attacks.
 London, December S0.-An attack was made by the Germans last night northeast of Ypres, it is announced of ficialiy. The enemy was repulsed com- pleteIy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-31
THE WEATHER
Weather Forecast

Washington, December 30.-Alabana and Mississippi: Partly cloudy Monday, with slowly rising temperature; Tues. day probably rain and warmer.
 Georgia: Fair Monday, Tuesday partly cloudy with rising temperature.
 Tennessee: Fair Monday with slowly rising temperature; Tuesday probably snow or rain.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-31
LOCAL OPT|ON|STS ISSUE CALL FOR
 STATE CONVENTION
Supporters of Wallace Want Meeting Held in Montgomery
 January P
BY FRED Fl. GoRMLEY

Montgomery, December 3o-(Special) Aroused by the submission of the federal prohibition amendment which they termed ian obnoxious invasion of the sovereignty of the states" 35 supporters of John H. Wallace, Jr.. candidate for governor, Sunday afternoon issued call for a statewide meeting in Montgomery January p at p. m., for the planning of a general campaign against the ratifi- cation of the amendment and in favor of the election of MT. Wallace and a leg islature which will oppose any indorse- ment of the federal amendment by Ala ha
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-31
LOWEST IN HISTORY
FIVE DEATHS REPORTED

Five deaths due to the cold were re- ported. A taxicab driver was found frozen to death in his machine in a garage in Jersey City. A baby found dead in it's crib this morning is said to have succumbed to the severe c$ld and q traction employe was kiHed when he became numb and fell to the pavement in front of street car.
 Scores of persons suffering from ex- posture and frost bite were treated at Itarinils h0Snitals