davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-14
Question of Fitness and Competency

1.-THE question which the voters of Birmingham are called upon to decide in the election of president of the city commission is after a the fitness the competency and the eligibility of the candidates who are offering.
 It is plain, common sense business proposition
 Does Birmingham want continuation of the chaotic, do nothing situation at city ha do the people of this city to get their affairs dignfied business baslsf
 Dr. Barrett of East Lake has lived quiet e lie has not sought limegh But he is student of municipal govern ment and those who him best esteemed him so highly that served as last mayor of East Lake without ever asking single man to vote for him.
 He is just kind of sod substantial conservative and able man that the people of Birmingham want to put Tn the city hall get their affairs strengthened out from the nope less ange that has developed during the present tion
 The people want change and they right n demanding
 Dr. Barrett out of the east with the rising sum- Ills election next month the dawning of day in Br mngham It getting Bnghams affairs on some sort of business basis basis where its commission meetings will not be weekly vaudeville show blended with ndecorum and unparotc utterance while presiding officer sits by in helpless lassitude.
 Let's be relieved of this intolerabe situation Let's put man at the of the c affairs who command respect the city redtaby and who has the business judgment and the industry handle issues promptly and periodically and effectively they arise
 Dr. Barrett of East Lake is the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-14
HARVEST IN FLANDERS

Louise Driscoll, in the New York Times. In Flanders fields the crosses stand Strange harvest for a fertile land!- Where once the wheat and bariey grew, With scarlet poppies running through This year the poppies bloom to greet Not oats nor barley nor white wheat But only crosses, row by row,
 Where stalWart reapers used to go. In Flanders fields no women sing, As once they sang. at harvesting. No men now come with scythes to mow The little crosses, row by row. The peoples wonder why the men And women do not come again!
 In Flanders, at the wind footfall The crosses do not bend at all,
 As wheat and barley used to do Whenever wind went running through The poppies wonder when they see The crosses stand so rigidly!
 o God, to whom all men must bring What they have done for reckoning, At harvest time what byre or bin
 Have you to put these crosses in?- What word, for men who marched to SOW Not wheat, but crosses, row by row? Alas! Our tears can never bring
 The men who came here harvesting
 And come no more! We do not know What way the singing women SO.
 Their songs all stiIl! But croases stand Row after row in Flanders lanai
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-14

, have been g very serious question whether we would have been able to
 prepare ourselves to join the allies In
 the war with Germany and Austria. We
 hear much, the senator said, about our
 abundant supplies of coal, iron and other
 mineral material needed for making mu-
 nitions of war, but we have heard very little about the importance of sulphur. Before an available method of secur-
 ing the sulphur deposits in Louisiana
 and Texas was discovered, not only the
 United States but other nations were
 Compelled to rely almost entirely upon
 Italy for sulphur. Yet the investment of comparatively small capital in the de- velopment of the Louisiana sulphur de- posits was looked upon by many busl-
 ness men as waste of money. It proved
 to be, on the contrary. one of the most
 fortunate and richest investments ever
 made in the United States, excepting in the case of two or three of our
 precious metal mines. The late H. Nick.
 Twombley shut his eyes, took a gam
 bler's chance. according to Senator De-
 pew, and invested 8 little over s100,o00 in
 the Louisiana project. Now that in- vestment yields to his family according to common understanding approximately
 $S00,00 year.
 But 1t was far richer investment 1 for the entire country, not only because
 1t made us independent of the world so far as sulphur is concerned but because 1 1t gives us an adequate supply of sul-
 phur for war purposes. The Manufactu- rers Record, in speaking of our recent
 development of sulphur says that it is
 an interesting fact that the whole power of the country to produce munitions, without which we would be helpless, de- pends absolutely upon these two sulphur
 plants in the south. which yield 9S per
 cent of the sulphur supply of the coun- try. Yet few years ago 1t was almost impossible to persuade capital to invest the small amount of money which was needed in order to begin the developA
 ment of the sulphur plant in Louisiana. Many are the uses to which sulphur and it's derivatives are put in order to secure vario0s forms of explosive material. Now also men of science are attempting to perfect plans by which sulphur in some form may be utilized to make good | the deficiency of potash for fertilizing purposes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-14
LUKE M,LUKE SAYS

A man never has any trouble in finding friends who are willing to impose on him.
 A married woman can regard the fact that her husband refuses to argue with her as incompatibility and grounds for divorce.
 If every girl remained faithful to her ideals there would be mighty few mar riages.
 The way of the transgressor isn't SC hard if he steals enough to afford pneu- matic-tirsd joy bus.
 In small town a man who slaves every day Is regarded as 8 dude.
 Isn't 1t strange. how 2 married woman never knows when there is a hole in her husbands sock and how she always knows when there Is hole in his pocket Many an indulgent husband is that way only when he has his foot on the rail in front of a bar
 The man who brags that he isn't in business for his health means that he isn't in it for anybody eses. Too many married women imagine thal the way to test a husbands devotion is to develop a testy dispositions It gets man highly peeved when his 10-year-old son asks him which Is lati, tude and which is longitude and he can, remember which Is which. No matter how 1t looks. q smart hus- band will always admire the hat that hi. wife trims for herself. Some men are overambitious, while others are satisfied to jet their wiye.
 take In boarders and give them a dim. day for tobaco. We may be wrong, but our belief f 1 that by the time Germany feels lik' starting another war there will be { 1 bridge across the Atlantic.
 And just because. a man does the thing | his wife wants him to do is no sign tha he wants to do them. The June brides are not the only per sons who are getting their eyes open thi time of year. A lot of June grooms ar,
 now under the impression that the foo
 killer must take his vacation In June.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-14
Great Pianist s
 Rare Patriotism

A RTHUR SHATTUCK, world 6A famed pianist, is one of the few musical artists who inherited wealth. He is philanthropist and a patriot withal.
 When the United States became in- volved in war with Germany Shat tuck placed his fine yacht at the dis posal of the government, and when he appeared in Birmingham as one of the soloists at the musical biennial last April he was known to have given away money, generously in aid of needy musicians-Europe col leagues who had enlisted on the side of the allies. Being modest gentle man he shrunk from letting the public know of his good deeds, but a few facts have recently leaked out" through an official of trust com pany which handles his business af- fairs.
 MT. Shattuck has relinquished for the duration of the war large income (about $50,000 year) for the benefit of his "hapless colleagues abroad" and has determined to live upon his earnings as pianist and teacher. As the Musical Leader of Chicago says, this action shows that the man has a profound sense of duty and that with him it is case of genuine approval of the war and what it means eventu- ally to humanity.
 "He finds there is no equity in life," remarks the Leader, "when he can have the best that life can afford, while his fellow students of other days in any of the attacked countries are suffering for necessaries in con- sequence of &he awful holocaust which has affected Europe" Except for the hours given to practicing and teach ing MT. Shattuck is devoting his time to the service of his country. A nota- ble example of patriotism.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-14

King Alfonso fig broadly, despite tht fact that the wealthy and powerful class In Spain favors Germany. Nowadays Il isn't every king who has the courage oi his convictions Twenty years ago the ''tin Lizzie" wal unknown, says the Pike County QlL) Re publican. Yet, somehow or other, few conductors of joke columns contrived te keep going.
 A New York man married his step. mother to keep out of the army. He was even more desperate than the Ala. bama man who chopped of finger.
 
 Here's hoping the Liberty motor will be as successful in helping to make the world safe for democracy as the liberty bond.
 While old John Barleycorn Is construc- lively down and out, there are millions oi gallons of whisky stored up for future usa
 A cartoonist suggests that the old straw hat be consumed as breakfast food. II should be given thorough cleaning first.
 & If the Kaiser decorates Count Luxburs on his return to Germany, 1t will be in the nature of consolation prize.
 $ Y A Corncob pipes have gone up in price but the government doesn't seem to be the least bit concerned over that.
 < The German agent continues to get in his nifty work while Russia's strong men battle for supremacy. Emma Goldman is now making tame speeches in English. Has Emma at last seen a great ilght7
 Tho ultimate consumer is stiil waiting to find out what he'll have to pay for his winter coal
 Y Y If Baron Lowen believes everything told him, he Is clearly unfitted for diplo- macy.
 In the meantime. does anybody know what Is the exact political situation in China7
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-14
EVERY MAN TO DO HIS DUTY

 From the Kansas City Times.
 When Nelson flung out the signal at Trafalgar. England expects every man to do his duty!' a thrill went through the whole British fleet and the men re- sponded to the call. The world, learning of the incident, felt the same thrill that always comes from a lofty appeal for a noble cause.
 Today this nation has sent out simi- lar appeal in selecting the national army. .'America expects every man to do his dutyr'
 Is 1t hard to give up a good position to go into the service? Is it distressing to leave home and friends? Yes. but that is the obligation that falls on the citizen ship of a nation that is prepared te save itself and to help save the world America expects every man to do his duty!' Richard Lovelace, going to war wrote to the sorrowing Lucasta: "I could not love. thee.@ dear, so much Loved I hot honor more.' The man who is not willing when thu necessity comes to give his all to hi country is not worthy to have a iivins in that country.
 "America expects every man to do hi' duty!'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-14
TWENTY YEARS AGO

From the Pike County qll) Republican. Ladies wore bustles.
 Operations were rare.
 Nobody swatted fly.
 Nobody had seen slo.
 Nobody had appendicitis.
 Nobody wore white shoes
 Nobody sprayed orchards
 Cream was cents pint
 Most young men had livery bills.'' Cantaloupes were muskmelons
 You never heard of 'tin Lizzie.'' Doctors wanted to see your tongue. Mike shake was favorite drink. Advertisers did not tell the truth. Nobody cared for the price of gasolinA Farmers came to town for their mail. The hired girl drew S1.50 8 week. The butcher threw in'' a chunk of liver
 Folks said pneumatic tires were A joke. Nobody listened in" on telephone. There were no sane Fourths or electric meters.
 strawstacks were burned instead of baled. Publishing country newspaper was not a business.
 People thought English sparrows were birds" Jules Verne was the only convert to the submarine
 You stuck tubes in your ears to hear . photograph, and 1t cost dime.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-14
Korniloff Surrenders
 to Premier Kerensky

THE gravest crisis Russia has
 ls faced since the downfall of the Czar was ended by the surrender of General Korniloff to the provisional government. This makes Premier Kerensky the dominant figure in Rus- sia and is personal triumph which will strengthen his hand against the enemies of the country, both within and without. The victory seems to have been due partly to General Alexieff, a great military leader and former commar der-in-chief, who threw in his lot with the provisional government at the last moment.
 Kerensky will assume supreme command of the army and is once more in a position to turn the forces of Russia against the Germans who menace Petrograd. We shall know in . few days what are his chances for success in welding together the con- flicting interests which have thrown Russia into chaos, situation that appeared no later than two days ago as quite hopeless.
 While there is disposition to cen sure General Korniloff in some quar- ters, the preponderance of newspaper opinion is to the effect that he is not
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-14
PIGS DRUGGED WITH OPIUM From the Philadelphia Record.

Jersey Shore, Pa--Ashur Tomb of Oriole, nearby village. thought his pigs had some kind of a sleeping sickness when, not without prodding, they came They were too drowsy to eat, leaving their corn half finished. quite contrary to hog usages. They remained in this condition three days. and then got well.
 The explanation came when 1t was re- membersd the pigs had been fed the stalks from bed of peoples which had been moved down. The poppy Is the origin of opium.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-14
THE UNENDURABLE FoRrIEs

From~the New York Sun.
 Time was when the middle forties seemed an admirable age. One was old enough to have learned a little of con teEtment, young enough to undertake new things. It was an age to take UP golf seriously without giving up tennis. It was an age to reread Dickens, even to undertake Trollope, and stil to watch the outcoming magazines.
 Now it's a sad age; too old to be or real use, too old even to be wanted. but young enough to feel the pull The gov ernment doesn't ask you, or if it does it rejects you.
 Blessed and burdened with wife and family, the man of the middle forties can't even ask to do the things he dreams of doing. Single he learns of a glood pressure he never even knew he had. Too old to march with the parade, too young to stand contyntedly on the sidewalk and watch, he l3gs along, hope ful that he will be let dhrry water and ashamed to be seen doi/g 1t. T. Days like these. one hould be 20 and well in 1t or 10 and aftainly out of It.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-14

BEGINNING THE DAY--Grant me, o Lord, to know that my field loverlaps no other mans. Teach me how distinct are our IabOrs. And
 may I rejoice fin the success of my
 fellow, since we work together in the common cause of light. Teach
 nc how his glory adds to my own. Cor Jesus sake. Amen.-H. M. k.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-14
cAanlEzMsGd49aaseSE1,

F. s.: It is easier to stir up hornets nest than it is to kill all of the hor- nets. Those who do it run the risk of getting stung.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-14
soPoRIFIc ADDRESS

SOPORIFIC ADDRESS
 "You say the orators speech didn't tire you in the least7"
 "No"
 I'm surprised to hear you say that. V thought 1t a dreary lot of platitudes And no doubt 1t was, but when he began by saying. Honesty is the best policy I fell into refreshing slumber which lasted until an usher told me the meeting was over" PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-14
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
FOOD COMES HIGH

FOOD COMES HIGH Whats the trouble?" 'Ive lost my appetite" "congratulationsl "Fd like to know what for77 'Tf you're not in position to save money now, you never will be-"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-14

a traitor, but that both he and Ker- ensky were working for what they conceived to be the best interests of Russia at this critical time. We should also remember that strict censorship was enforced at Petrograd and only one side-the Kerensky side-has been given out. General Korniloff ap- parently had patriotic motives, al though the differences which caused the break between the. commander-in- chief and the premier threatened de- plorable consequences.
 Late developments have shown that Kerensky is indeed a man of destiny, who seems to have been born to work out Russia's salvation. With the aid of General Alexieff, he should be able to put the demoralized Russian army into fighting trim, but he cannot af- ford to indulge in any more tempor- izing. The policy of "blood and iron" must be put into effect. The fate of General Korniloff is problematical, but the. premier will have to carry out some of the policies advocated by Gen eral Korniloff if he hopes to restore the morale of the Russian army.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-14
PERT1NNNr ouEsTIoN

PERTINENT QUESTION Are you doing your bit, Or must you admit You are secretly stacking? You join in the cheers When the old flag appears Do you give 1t your backing?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-14
Out for First Honors

"We are going to Cincinnati with the full iitention of scoring a few more wins said w. D. Gresham, president of the local amateur baseball board, before departing yesterday. ''The Pratt City team won the southern championship easily and now we have our aims placed on the national honors
 Last year. when we played Cincinnati and they swamped us, 1t was generally thought that a southern team was nor in the class of the northern and eastern outfits. And we are going to Cincinnati this year with the one object in view show them we have the goods.
 "The Pratt City team is one of the best amateur or semi-professional outfits ever to represent the south, and I firmly be- lieve they have an excellent chance to defeat the Norwoods. Two games will be played, one Saturday and one Sunday
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-14
alR SHOWN

1aAR SHOWING HOW is your boy getting along in the armyf''
 First rate," replied MT. Dopplss. "con- sidering his limitations"
 "Yesq'
 Henry hates to get up In the morn ing, dislikes all forms of physical ex- ercise and never was known to obey an order while he stayed around home, yet understand he hasn't been in the guardhouse but twice since he enlisted. 7
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-14
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
 AND ELSEWHERE
The OId Kno,r NothinE Party


 George B. Ward in recent card made reference to the old know noth- ing party which was organized and died In the early ffties," said Frank V. Ev- ans. "He compared the True Amer lean party of this day with that de- funct secret party.
 T am not quite old enough to re- member the activities of the know noth- Ing party. but if read history alright its tenets were not antagonistic to the catholic church. but its opposition was directed against all aliens, whether or not they were Catholics, Baptists, Meth odists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians or or any other religious denomination. They opposed foreign born citizens for American officers, national, state and municipal. They demanded that Amer ica be ruled by Americans. regardless of religious creed or inclination.
 The know nothings were matched in lS52, and the know something's squelched them in about 1s59 History shows that no political cabal or secret political organization ever survived any considerable length of time, nor ever ac- complished It's purpose"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-14
A FAIR DIVISION

"who is this distinguished looking gentlemanT'
 That's pr. Pliers, the discoverer of new disease. Half dozen universities have conferred honorary degrees on him."
 without finding out whether or not he had also discovered 2 cure for the new disease2"
 Certainly. pr. Pillers Is quite willing to rest on his laurels and let some other member of the medical profession have the honor of discovering a cure"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-14
ssAFEGUARDED

SAFEGUARDED Once again the new chorus maidens Trip before us on the stage, With light and airy manner That attention doth engage. While their clothes are next to nothing, If the solemn truth be told, They take exercise so briskly, There's no risk of catching cold.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-14

A MODERN ANANIAs What is Gabson's reputation for truth and veracity?"
 "oh, the same kind Of reputation you have as toe dancer" The ideal I'm no toe dancer" "of course not. Neither is Gabson a George Washington
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-14
Cold in Connecticut

T have just received a letter from my wife. who Is up at Danbury, Conn., said pr. William H. Smith, land she writes that 1t is uncomfortably cold, de- spite the fact that she is wearing her winter clothes. am not surprised, how ever, for I have had to take trips out into the country recently and found that in the early morning and at night an overcoat was mighty comfortable"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-14
M Dr. BIaIke aetn Can

Tt is true. ELS announced in the Bap- tist World, published at Louisville, that have been called to the First Bap- tist church of Newport News. va.." said pr. Preston Blake, pastor of the South side Baptist, Birmingham.
 Tt came as such 8 surprise to me that I have hardly had time to realize 1t, let alone give 1t the consideration which 1t deserves. I have learned to love Birmingham and Alabama In the 10 years in which I have been living here. feel almost like native but Virginia IS my home"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-14
HARD TO PLEASE

"Are the prisoners here well satis- fied?"
 Most of them are." replied the warden of a model penitentiary.
 However. we have one, gentleman burglar who gives us great deal of trouble"
 "IndeedT'
 ''Yes. He says if he stayed here ss years, he never could get used to doing without his valet"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-14

He lives in fame, that died fin yirtue's cause. Titus Andronicus.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-14
Good Things to bad

T had great trip out to the Coosa River Baptist association which met at Cropwell said Rev John w. Inzer, and when I got a peep at the over loaded table that was built out under the shade of the oaks felt sorry for all the poor city fellows who had to sit on a stool in Greek restaurant and get a quick lunch.
 Times may be hard, and Hoover may preach economy in foodstuffs, but there is no way to keep southern people out in the country from giving you the best they have in the way of something to eat"