davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-01
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LUKE M'LUKE SAYS

Anyway, it isn't any harder for a rich man to go through the needles eye than it Is for poor man to become an Amer ican ambassador. f Don't risk rap on the shoot by tell ing man that he isslswell-headed. Be a diplomat and merely remark that he is orgulous to an extreme degree. medical authority announces that bathing is unhealthy. Perhaps this ex- plains the splendid physique of some fel- lows you do not like. Everything else that they wear seems to be trimmed with fur, and it amazes us that the makers of envelope combinations have overlooked chance to edge the garments with the stun, A man likes to stand around and boast of his virtues because the, ,aw compels him to practice them. The wind may be tempered to the shorn lamb. But 1t isn't tempered to the
 man who is trying to get light from his last match.
 Some people give you the idea that they were put on earth merely to take up room and get into other peoples way. After reading war news for couple of years we have discovered that no- body is ever defeated but the enemy. Every now and then you will meet a
 man who gives you the impression that he is peeved because the Lord does't leave the management of the universe to him..
 When a woman tries on new pair of shoes and they fit her. she won't buy them because she knows that they are
 too big.
 The hobo may have his faults. But
 he doesn't waste your time by braggins that he takes a cold bath every morning in winter.
 Some men are satisfied to pl6d along
 and find the key to the situation, while others go ahead and pick the lock. Another fairy tale: Once upop time there was woman who was S5 years
 old who admitted that she was s5 years
 old.
 l Some of the cheap restaurants do not have menu cards. The reason for this | is that a man can look at the table,
 cloth and learn what is beinES served
 that day.
 l When a woman doesn't take any in terest in what the other women are
 wearing, it Is time to call in specialist
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-01
DISCORD TN INlINGHAM

Birminghams trouble. When the history of the present era is written by fair minded men 1t will probably be found that freight rates were also responsible for this war.
 Of one thing, the outside observer feels sure; there is too much controversy in Birmingham, too much pickering and strife, too much suspicion and distrust; yet these are only symptoms. What is the cause of all these ills?
 Birmingham is too important to be cursed with internal strife and it's friends over Alabama wish that 1t may soon find "a personality or g cause on which the warning elements of the Iron City may unite and forget their troubles. The bad public temper of Birmingham is attract ing considerable attention and comment throughout the state. and this does not help Birmingham any.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-01
Must Organize to
 Arouse Electorate

NNT HILE the 3-mill school tax
 w proposition carried in Jeffer- son county and Walker county by de- cisive majorities Tuesday, the total vote was light. In backward localities apathy might have been expected, but in two of the most progressive coun- ties in Alabama this lack of interest was not easy to account for.
 Assuming that the school tax will win in nearly every county that holds an election a full vote is highly de- sirable. It would be of great psy- chological value. When every citizen shows his concern in the public school question-enough concern to go to the polls and cast his ballot when a tax levy is propesed-then the er tire community as animated and edu- cation takes fresh movement for ward. On the other hand, when the voters take it for granted that the election will be favorable and do not bestir themselves individually, the effect on the school forces is natural ly discouraging@
 The state department of education at Montgomery is business-like and alert. It has a good grasp on the school situation and on local condi- tions affecting the public attitude to- ward the tax question. Superintendent Feagin is himself an able organizer. He is never officious and he never intrudes without the best of reasons. But under the circumstances it would be well for him to take part in future county campaigns for the tax levy, just as he did in the school amend ment campaign last fall. Every con- ner of the state was stirred up then and so should every county be when a vote on a tax levy is taken.
 Let's make this question one in which all the people feel vital touch. That's the only way we can get the best results.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-01
Germaany Wil Resurne Ner 'Frightfulness"


 The German note received the state department yesterday aught with grave significance to this country It the unrestricted of the submarine and all other agencies at the command of the central powers regardless of what effect such may have neutral nations It that the protests and solemn warnings contained in President Wilson former notes will be ignored The inevitable tendency will be to draw the United States into the European war; for adro Mr. Wilson will not be able to avoid serious complications which will immediately develop if Germany per sists in her determination to disregard every rule of civilized warfare and fight to finish.
 In the latter part of its note the imperial government After the attempts to to understanding with the entente powers have been answered by the latter with the nouncemen of intensified continuation of the the i'm pera in order to the welfare of mankind higher and wrong its people, is peed to continue the fight for existence again forced with the full employment of all the weapons which has at its disposal Sincerely trusting that the people and government of the United States will understand the motives for this de cson and its necessity the imperial government hopes that the United States may view the situation from the lofty heights of imparaty and assist their part to prevent further misery and unavoidable sacrifice of human lfe'
 Taking the attitude that they have tried to bring about peace and failed lowing to the lust of conquest o their enemy who desired dictate the conditions of peace the central powers apparently alternative but to continue the war They may think that the President purrd to activity by the
 dire threat Germany makes to resume her of ghtfu ne will step in at the eleventh hour and by another heroic attempt alter the uncompromsng attitude of the entente If this bluff it is certainly most audacious and will neutral nations into taking the German of the situation in Europe
 In particulars the note endeavors to pacae the United States by pecou compliments but there much that does ring true and aty coDadcs of the statements made in categorical terms by the allies their comprehensive reply to President Wilson's inquiry to the basis which they would be willing discuss peace Germany still contends that the allies seek the annlaon of herself and her allies The that Germany will gladly cooperate in all efforts prevent future wars nothing at present
 Summed up few words Germany would have made peace had she been permitted to dictate her erms conditions which made clear but has concealed behind high sounding phrases The allies would have entered negotiations succncty stated what terms they would do Ger many interprets this determination to destroy her.
 The in the fire Developments will be swift and alarm ing would that Providence alone keep the United States conflict that has for nearly three years drenched half the world with blood
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-01
FIELD FLOWERS

By Thomas Campbell. Ye field flowers the gardens eclipse
 you, 'tis true, Yet, wildings of nature. I dote upon you, For ye wait me to summers of old, When the earth teemed around me with
 faery delight, And when daisies and buttercups glad-
 dened my sight, Like treasures of silver and gold. I love you for lulling me back into \ dreams or the blue highland mountains and
 echoing streams And of birchen glades breathing their
 balm. While the deer were seen glancing Tn
 sunshine remote. And the deep mellow rush of the wood
 pigeons note
 Made music that sweetened the calm Not a pastoral song has pleasanter
 tune
 ings of June;
 Of old ruinous castles ye tell, Where I thought II delightful your
 beauties to lind When the magic of n&(nre first breathed And your M blossoms were part of her
 spell Even now what affections the violet awakes; What loved little islands, twice seen in their lakes, . Can the wtI1 water lily restore; What landscapes read in the primrose's looks. And what pictures of pebbled and nain- 'sAl noWy brooks s.,. is.s ~ X s.4' M In the vetches that tanele their shore.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-01
HENRY BIREVOORT

age, from which this extract is made: deep; no whales, nor mermaids, nor even a wave as high as the steeple uf St. Paurs church, and I confess myself guilty of no other sentimental emotions than slight twinge of pleasure on dis covering the Lizard"
 In another letter he tells Washington Irving that superfine shirts cost s5C0 apiece abroad. This was in 1872; and yet, notwithstanding the high cost of su- perfne shirts in those days, he sent Irv- ing dozen of those garments In Paris Brevoort found the French language rather difficult proposition, describing his progress in acquiring it "as impercep- tibe as the perforations of rock by the daily droppings of water" But he saw Napoleon and Marie Louise at the opera, and, speaking of the worlds greatest militarist Of g century aga. says:
 His couftenance did not disappoint me, for l never thought that it an- nounced the greatness of his character; it bears a most striking likeness to the ldtt pIlillS, except lHdt IL ndS mora saturnine and thoughtful expression. The Empress has perfect high Dutch physiognomy, and of course, no beauty; she has become extremely thin of late.
 Brevoort journeyed from Paris to Ed inburg, where he met Sir Walter Scott and other notables, His intimacy with Irving opened all doors to him. He also visited London, where he met Kemble, Jeffrey, and Kean, and on a second visit to the United Kingdom he was introduced by Irving to many celebrities But he was mere at home in New York than anywhere else. for there he w4e social leader of consequences It does not appear that he ever exceeded the bounds of pro- priety, in a city that was still dominated largely by conservative knickerhpcker- ism, but, nevertheless, he was regarded as one of the "gay young men" of the period. That Washington Irving was fond of him proves that he must have possessed some amiable and estimable qualities. That he was fond of dress, and parties, and all that, would not have made any difference to his friend, for Irving himself. in his younger days, was something of figure in society.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-01

The President, returning to the White House from his morning golf game in a limousine, smiled his admiration and doffed his cap to the "suff'' pickets, who had been drenched by heavy rain Thus encouraged, the "suffs" will stick it. out while longer.
 A cartoenist pictures carranza step ping on Villa, who is represented as a cactus. A mere flight of fancy. Car ranza isn't going to get close enough to Villa to step on him, for fear the roles might be reversed Between thought and action there is an impossible barricade of parliamen- tary piffle," says Representative Randall. Alas. piffle will always predominate, as long as there are Congresses and Parlia- ments
 It costs s2o0eo year to maintain John Jacob Astor, four years old. There is no telling what 1t will cost when he gets old enough to invest in motor cars, pr- vate yachts and things of that sort. a k The official recognition of Carranza will be completed by sending Ambassador at f0H tn ;-lk F. for Ambassador Fletcher to buy re- turn ticket.
 Utah has decided to retain capital pun ishment on its statute books There may be few more International Workers of the World that Utah wants to work off,"
 A certain poet, fighting in the trenches, kept his ''rendezvous with death but none of the Kaiser's sons seem to have had that kind of engagement. k * One thing Is certain. The armor plant oooAN VIII pC rCCclNcu WltH true SOutu- ern hospitality. although the motive will
 not be entirely disinterested. * A St. Louis man tried to settle an ar gument about the war while in saloon
 He is now in the hospital and Is cured of one form of foolshness. I A Y |
 Barney Baruch says the Jap specula.
 tors are not permitted to sell short
 There's lesson we might learn from
 the Japs
 The man who built Egypt's irrigation
 system is dead. ~-The men who built
 the pyramids passed on great many
 years ago.
 l + 1 Representative Heflin scars to empy,
 rean heights when he makes speech
 to the ladies.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-01

committees of the two other indus trial cities is to make a good show ing first for Alabama, and this will be done without a doubt.
 With the governments armor works located in Birmingham, Gads- den or Tuscaloosa this entire min eral range will receive an impetus that cannot be overestimated in it's industrial value.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-01
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES

THE MUNITIONS MILLIONAIRE. The light and airy manner s
 With which he strolls along, man of ample leisure, Amid the busy throng, ts Doth prove to all observers Whose eyes upon him fall That the high cost of living
 Concerns him not at all. The making of munitions
 Has brought him wondrous wealth, He's not yet dissipated
 Enough to wreck his health. And yet, don't call him lucky,
 For that steel stock he owns; I'd rather not be haunted
 By Europe's dying groans.
 A SHARP REBUKE. Its pity all fathers are not as sem sible as MT. Twobble." "Yes?"
 Every time .Asphodelia Twobble be- gins to put on what he considers unnec- essary airs the old gentleman reverts to eating with his knife, just to remind her that he is self-made man with a family to match"
 NO TIME TO WASTE. Look at that old man of 90 years try ing to learn the new dance steps" What of it?'
 Consider his age" That's probably what he considers himself. He knows if he doesn't learn them now, 1t will soon be too late"
 A PRIMITIVE METHOD. "An astute newspaper writer says self defense Is not miiitarism." "of course not-especially when you fight with your fists''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-01
WHY NOTs
pm the Qdell (Ill.) News.

From the Qdell tIiIJ NeWs'
 It is quite surprising to an editor sometimes to have patron come into the onice and give an item of news and apologize as though his visit might be considered as an intrusion. Nobody is more welcome than man who brings in items Of news. even though 1t con cerns himself. We naturally consider every one who furnishes an item to make our news columns more newsy and in, teresting as a benefactor. We hope that none of our readers will feel the least hesitancy in visitinG the offiaq or stop ping us on the street with request ro publish such an Item
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-01
HOTEL LOBBIES
Ready to Aaiust Claims

"It Is indeed sensible of the offieArs of the traffic bureau to be careful in the selection of manager for that bureau" said Alfred S. Lucas last night. T understand that they are seeking a manager who is well in- formed. a high-class man acceptable both to the railroads and the ship pers.
 Tn my relations with the railroads l have found if one knows what he is talking about and will convince them that some rate is too high or ought to be adjusted. that the railroads will re- spond gladly in nine eases out of ten
 Tt is my opinion that no good will come from the antagonistic bowling that railroads are robbing the public. The railroads are generally glad to cooperate, if they feel that the claim is just and equita ble."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-01
HER JEWELS

From the London Chronicle,
 There was a reminiscence in an incl dent at Willesden police court yesterday of the story of the Roman matron who. when asked to produce her jewels. brought forward her family of young children, A boy of 10 was sent to a home, having been found guilty of theft. and his mother informed the magistrate that he was one of II children.
 Without meaning to be in the least un- kind. the magistrate remarked, You will not miss one among 50 many"
 The woman's reply sounded almost like febuke.
 "I have not one to spare, sir" she said as she left the court.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-01
PERISH THE THOUGHT.

From the Talladega Home.
 The Birmingham Age-Herald wants to know what has become of the Honor able Miss Rankin. On to her job, we European war should not cause the press of the country to keep the congress- woman from Montana from getting in the spot light.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-01
Diversified Crops
 and Good Markets

ITs7 VERY farmer in Alabama is in A terested in the crop diversifi- cation movement which was organ ized in Birmingham two years ago and which was carried on actively in every section of the state. There was no trouble about producing an abund- ance of foodstuffs or cattle, swine and other live stock. But marketing con- ditions made serious problem.
 Alabama soils will grow anything, and the industry of the Alabama farmer makes big crops possible. Cot ton was always the one great money crop, but in order to beat the boil weevil and be independent of a sin gle crop diversified production has been urged, and will be until this state is on the road to the highest degree of agricultural prosperity. If food market conditions were lacking last year it should not be so this year, and it will not be so wherever business men and farmers cooperate. The modern packing house at Andalusia will be duplicated in many live towns, end peanut and velvet bean crushers about to be es- tablished in Calhoun county will be found in many other progressive com munities.
 Birmingham has packing plants and this and other business centers will have canneries and other indus tri, $ that will make market for everything the farmer raises. The new movement will prove a blessing to the tillers of the soil and will add at wealth to the state.
 The representative who said, This is canned Congress- may have had the thought suggested to him by the fact that Congress recently sprang . Teak" H
 | Coal is selling for so ton in France and to make matters worse, Frenchmen are no longer permitted to warm up their systems by drinking absinthe. The fact that the price of gasoline has | been raised again is not causing much complaint among the people who crowd the trolley cars at quitting time.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-01
Briefly myself remember.

BEGINNING THE DAY--Lerd, at Thy risht hand are pleasures fer- evermore. Witha Thee fraEranees are sweeter, cOlors are loveifer-- all being Is fairer and all harmsnies noblcr and deeper. Life Is strange and wondrous country when Thou, God, art guide. Amen.-H. M. Is.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-01
From the Montgomery Advertiser
 HRN52 THAT is the matter with

 sWi a,ass.a 's sss "s'''' $ v'ss sss.'ss s'.,
 which the thoughtful citi- zens of that esteemed city are endeavor- ing to answer. It is generally known that something is the matter with Birmng- ham. The public temper of that city is very bad. The city commission is in a snarl; the county board of revenue of Jefferson county is in snarl; the com mercial organizations of the city num- Der four, and there appears to be little sympathy or disposition to cooperate among any of them; one commercial club is enough for any city that is in good humor. Then, too, Birmingham is the home of a goodly band of reformers of the Godfrey impulse.
 Former Governor Conner says: Freight rates is the thing at the bottom of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-01
THE LAWS DELAY From the Chicago Herald.

Reminded by his wife. Squire Porter recessed court in Asthabulav O., cranked his flivver and raced home, where he hoisted the rear end of his car, attached . belt and started the butter churn-gone from court sevsn minutes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-01


 We're told is on the wane.
 Pish, tushl Hast e'er frequented
 A Smoker" on a train?
 RAY OF HOPE. Have you noticed how many war terms are being appropriated by the sporting writers?"
 ''No, but that's an encouraging sign" why so?"
 If they use expressions that appear frequently in other parts of newspapers, there is some hope that the ordinary reader may be able to understand what they are writing about"
 SOMETHING MISSING. T used to think the scenery along this route was strikingly picturesque but for some reason or other it now appears dreary and monotonous." You are not the only person have heard make a remark like that" "Indeed?"
 Since this railroad company quit serv- ing liquor on its trains any number of men have said exactly the same thing" LONG DISTANCE HERoIsM. T see where vaudeville performer bills himself as the Lusitania Singing Fireman"
 q presume he sang while the Lusitania was sinking?"
 That is what he wishes the public to infer, but he may have been singing in theatre 4cco or 5000 miles away"
 PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-01
Exponent. of Dancing

There are no people in the world who so perfectly understand the art of danc- ing from every standpoint as the Rus sians, which will be exemplified during the engagement here of the Ballet Russo on February r. said c. Harry Miles. "In the first place the Russian children are sent to dancing school as soon as they can walk, and they are thoroughly trained. both from an aesthetic point of view and physical point of view, in the art of dancing. And look at the result! Have you ever seen such perfect speci- mems of manhood and womanhood? Their physical development is the most beauti- full imaginable, and their grace and rhythm is perfect. It would be great advantage if children could see the Ballet Russe, for it would be an inspiration to them to enjoy dancing and to make a more serious study of it. One of the things that Americans are greatly de- ficient in is the lack of appreciation along aesthetic lines, as well as physical development
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-01

STILL FLoURISHEs THDP The art of conversation,
 We're told, is on the wane. Pish, tushl Hast e'er frequented A Smoker" on a train?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-01
The President Knew

"The recent speech which President Wilson delivered before the Senate re- garding the war situation and the terms of peace, followed by the Ger man reply tonight, seems to me to be conclusive proof that the Presi- dent knew exactly what he was, about when he made his startling address, said Ben F. Ray, assistant county so- lioitor, last night.
 These two recent occurrences, coupled with the trip of Colonel House to Europe sometime ago and the tenn porary return of Ambassador Gerard, all seem to have direct bearing on each other. The President, in the course he has pursued for the past several weeks, has really been trying desperate means in an effort to keep the United States out of war, He simp- ly knew things that the general pub lie did not know.
 "This reminds me that the American people should not be so ready to criti- cize their officials, especially those who have charge of our foreign af- fairs and must keep most of their information confidential, no matter how bitter their political enemies may criticize them. We are too ready some times to talk about things concerning which we are in position to know lit- tie OF nothing"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-01
Another Mine Inspector

Judging from the reports of the out put of the coal mines of the state for the last year. issued by the state mine inspector, there is, or soon will be, place for an additional assistant mine in- spector," said Harry Brown. While it has not been officially announced that there would be a vacancy, understand several well known mine formene of this and other districts are grooming them- selves for the place. The position is one several well known mine foremen of this ciency rather than politics should be the basis upon which the appointment is made. I look for lively race when the plafe is declared open.''