davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-13
Advice to Literary Aspirants

Henry Mills Alden in Harper's Magazine.
 Doubtless many of our readers who solicitously desire to enter upon a literary career ask themselves why we do not directly give them leading suggestions in the line of their aspirations, but so un- kindly leave them to nurse their own solicitudes We have been far from in- different to this silent appeal but when have been confronted by the utter futil- ity of the attempt to give them practical form. Perhaps what we have just been saying affords an explanation since act ing in an editorial capacity where the appeal has become articulate in connec- ton with contributions actually submit ted, we have found 1t difficult to be more than negatively suggestive. How much more difficult out of the air to meet the unvoiced but felt appeal
 If the young writer attempting fiction wishes to contribute to periodicals, it might be of use to him if he could be shown what short stories seem especially desirable to different classes of weekly and monthly publications. The writer can best find out for himself by actual observation and by his own intuitive inn pressions rather than through any definite
 
 out for him. It is in published material apart from fiction that obvious variations are most discernible, owing to the differ ent audiences sought. When a publica- ton aims at a range of popularity in- consistent with. judicious selection, the fiction as we'll as other matter will be of a sensational character, and fail to ap- peal to the cultivated taste and intelli- gence of thoughtful readers. The stories will depend for their interest upon strik- ing incident and eccentricities of idiom and situation rather than upon fidelity to life or genuine characterization.
 In the comparatively few periodicals willing to sacrifice indscriminate popu- larity, not to academic standards neces- sarily, but at least to a natural scheme of excellence, and trusting to the ex- pansion of real culture for it's prosper ity, the variations in fiction are not fixed, but dependent upon the individual crea- tor. For the literary aspirant who cares more for the worth of his work than for merely commercial success, such period icals will best reward careful study He will at once see that writers of developed power do not aim at accommodation to publications or to audiences, but that sersibilities, and that they are ininit- able, save perhaps in certain unessential traits.
 It is worth the aspirant's while, also to read contemporary fiction and short stories of eminent writers collected in book form. The close attention to books has its perils in possibly too rigid seclu- sion or in the too ready adoption ofSpast models, but to flexible and expansive sensibility the advantages are incalcul- able.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-13

made public, although announcement was made in the British House of Commons that there was reason to believe two thirds of the Turkish artillery had been captured by the British or thrown into the Tigris, and that in addition large numbers of prisoners and quantities of materials of all kinds were taken.
 Again the Turks are reported by Pe- trograd to have made a further retreat in Persia, this time leaving a position near Bisitun, 20 miles northeast of Ker- manshah, and retiring toward Hadjiabad Bisitun was occupied by the Russians.
 In Macedonia there has been an in- crease in the artillery activity in the Presba lake and Cerna river sectors, probably presaging an early recommence- ment of hard fighting in this region.
 The possibility that Germany is to have another foe arrayed against her is indi- cated in an unofficial dispatch from Pe- king, which says the Chinese House of Representatives has approved the govern ment's diplomatic policy, which includes the severance of diplomatic relations with Germany.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-13
MA " TO HURR Y CONSTRUCTION OF
 PATROL BOA TS

Washington, March 12.-Preimnary steps were taken by the navy depart ment today toward contracting for the quick construction of 100 CT more high speed coast patrol boats of a new type for scouting against submarines. At a conference in which a score of builders were represented, assurances were given that deliveries could be begun within four months.
 There was no announcement, but it is understood that contracts will be award ed shortly.
 Plans prepared for the patrol boats call for crafts 110 feet long, propelled by powerful steam engines Details of their armament and equipment are now be- ing worked out but probably will not be made public. They will be more sea- worthy and have a much larger cruising radius than the standard submarine chaser' an S5-foot gasoline motorboat.
 Some of the companies represented in
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-13

today's conference have turned out large numbers of 'chasers" for the British gov ernment. They will have to make changes in their plants in order to build the larg- CT boats wanted by the American gov ernment.
 Representatives of the major shipbuld- CTS also appeared at the department during the day, bringing data concern- ing their corporations and plants for which Secretary Daniels recently asked. The information is for use in determn- ing the allotment of new construction and also is desired for the guidance of the government in the event it becomes necessary to exercise the authority to commander private establishments.
 Secretary Daniels announced that bids for six scout cruisers of the 35-knot type designed last year would be opened Wednesday. Contracts for battle cruisers will be awarded soon on the basis of cost and 10 per cent net profit already agreed upon with the builders.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-13

day that a country wide strike would re- suit if a satisfactory agreement is not reached at the conference on the ques tion of the eight-hour working day to be held here Thursday between the rail- road managers and representatives of the four brotherhoods of trainmen. It was learned that reports were sent to the railroad presidents by agents of the managers stating that plans had l,~en laid by the brotherhoods to begin such strike Saturday night in the event their demands are not met at the con- ference.
 Inquiry at railroad headquarters failed to bring out the source of the reports, although it was learned definitely that such information had been sent them. This information stated that the broth erhood leaders consider they have wait ed a reasonable time for the supreme court decision on the Adamson law and they are going to begin hostilities in a few days" as one railroad representa- tive put it.
 The plans of the union leaders, the re- port said, called for a progressive strike, beginning Saturday night and looking to complete tie-up by the following Wednesday night.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-13
SHEESLEY SHOWS AT
 VETERANS CARNIVAL
 SCORE BIG SUCCESS
Organization Showing on Second Avenue Under Auspices of Camp
 Wilcox Has Fine Attractions

Promptly at o'clock last night the several different attractions of the Great CT Sheesley Shows opened their doors to the people of this city and the Mardi Gras of Camp Wilcox, United Confederate Veterans had begun. This is the initial appearance of this amusement organiza- tion in Birmingham and an exceptionally large crowd was on hand for the opening performance.
 The shows and attractions are located on Second avenue, commencing at Sew enteenth street and continuing to Four, teenth street, occupying three blocks.
 It is rather difficult problem for one to solve as to just which one of the at tractions-there are 14 in all-proved the most popular. The trained wild animal arena, located at Seventeenth street, seemed to be getting at least it's share four acts in this show that are deserving of special mention, viz. Mile Lola and her group of trained leopards; Frank Lavine and his African lions; Charles Schwartz, in his fight for life with the mad lioness "Sheba,' and Jack Phillips and his giant pachyderm, Queen Victoria The is new addition to MT Sheesleys show. only recently having been pur- chased from the Bostock interests.
 The Royal Midget theatre was not open last night, owing to slight illness of one of the tiny mites, but this performance will be in running order this afternoon
 The autodrome seemed to draw it's share of the crowds and those who visited this if far SllnpriOr to similar performances seen here. Three daring riders are employed, chief of which is Miss Olive Hager claimed to be Amer ica S foremost lady motorcycist. She gives a splendid performance. Riding mo- torcycle on a perpendicular wooden track with her hands off the handlebars is only one of the many things done by her.
 The circus side show was favored with crowded houses the entire even ing Cleopatra and illusions mysteria were also liberally patronized.
 The monkey speedway, where mon- keys drive miniature automobiles, seemed to catch on" at once and screams of laughter could be heard coming from this enclosure during the entire evening.
 The old plantation show and "The West That Was" are both located at Fourteenth street and Second avenue and kept the crowds at that end of the midway in a good humor. The merry go-round and ferris wheel are the two riding devices carried by MT. Sheesley and were popular with last nights crowd
 Many who visited the shows last night proclaim it the largest and best carnival company that has visited Bir- mingham in sometime and if the open ing nights business is any criterion the enlargement here will be a profit able one for both MT. Sheesley and the members of Camp Wilcox.
 An exceptionally good concert band is carried by this company and two uptown concerts were given yesterday.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-13
Ayiators Got Training From Girl

In the American Magazine is an ao- count of Miss Katherine Stinson. a giH aviator. who has done the most difficult aerial feats in the profession and has be- come the head of a successful flying school that hase more than 100 graduates serving as aviators with the allies.
 "In Miss Stinson's flying school at San Antonio. hundreds of students are being trained. She goes up in the machine with each student and shows what should be done. This is most dangerous work but Miss Stinson thrives on it.
 She has duplicated every stunt in the air that man has ever done. She has flown upside down numerous times. She has looped the loop and spiraled unnum- bered spirals. She has dived and dropped and flown by night
 And despite her nerve racking exper- fences, she has sense of humor, for, when I asked her to what she attributed her success, she said, with a twinkle in her eye:
 Why, never fell down on my job "
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-13
Tuscaloosa Is Proud of
 Showing Made for Plant

Tuscaloosa, March -(Special.)- caloosa is enthused over the showing that was made before the interdepartmental commission of cabinet officers Sunday, and almost to the man citizens believe that a most favorable impression was made and that there Is strong liklihood of nitrate plant being located on the Warrior river One of the strong points that was brought out by Dr. Eugene Smith in the hearing was the fact that the government already owns the mineral rights of 10000 acres of coal lands in Tus- calooSa county and the borings showed that coal from three feet to more than six feet is to be found on this land
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-13
NEW APPORTIONMENT OF SCHOOL FUNDS BY
 THE COUNTY BOARD
City of Birmingham to Receive Over $500,000 as Against S240,000
 in the Past

According to the plan of distributing school funds adopted at a meeting of the county board of education held yesterday morning the city of Birmingham will re- ceive for school purposes $520,OOo. This distribution was made under the new per capita basis and includes the funds to be derived from the special 3-mill tax voted for short time ago.
 Under the plan of distribution formerly in vogue Birmingham obtained .$240,000 Bessemer $2o.000 and the country $215, GOO Under the new arrangement Birmingham will get s520.000 Bessemer $S0,000 and the county S400,0 000
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-13
THE WAR SITUATION

Again the French and British war of- fees record gains against the Germans on the line in France. Striking in the Champagne region on front of 15O0 me tres west of Maisons de Champagne, the French recaptured all the positions pre- viously taken by the Germans on ridge 1855 and also invaded a German fortified work. One hundred prisoners were taken in the operation. In the Woevre region near Seicheprey a raid on a German trench was successfully carried out, while and Rheims were repulsed.
 The British on their part of the front in France entered German trenches in the vicinity of Bouchavesnes, north of Peronne and also carried out raids sue cessfully toward the south. Many cas- ualties were inflicted on the Germans.
 Heavy artillery activity Is due to the progress in the Ancre and Somme sec tors, according to Berlin. The German war office reports the stopping of a French attack south of Ripont, in Cham pagne, and also the destruction of Is entente airplanes and two captive bal looms in attacks by the Germans. The war office announces that nine German airplanes were brought down or driven down damaged and admits five British machines are missing.
 On the other fronts, except in Meso- potamia and Persia, where it is assumed that .both the British and Russians are still harassing the Turks, only minor operations have been reported.
 As yet the full details of the capture of Bagdad by the British have not been
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-13
ANOTHER EXCHANGE
 ID BE CONSTRUCTED
Company Has Already Pur- chased Site and Adver-
 tised for Bids

Sixty million times during 1916 the cheery little query, Number, please? was heard in Birmingham.
 At least, the annual report of the local exchange of the American Telephone and Telegraph company showed that the daily average was 9O4 calls.
 Announcement was made yesterday by George R. Knox, district manager of the Birmingham exchange, that plans had been perfected to build new branch, to be known as the Highland exchange. The company has already purchased a site near Tenth avenue and Twentieth street, and has advertised for bids to have the present structure-a two-story frame house-torn down.
 Upon this lot the telephone company will construct a modern exchange, which will be completed within the next eight months. It is not planned to put this into operation as soon as it is completed, but the telephone company is anticipat- ing enlargement in this district and espe- cially in the residential district. It was not stated how much would be involved in this new investment although it is known that it will exceed $l0O,e00.
 The annual report of the Bell system and it's subsidiary companies for 1916 was made yesterday morning.
 Some of the outstanding facts are: There is one telephone to every 10 peo- pie in the United States; it is estimated that the Bell system will spend 900 in 1917 for development; the total oper- atng revenues of the Bell system for 1916 were s264, 6000 600; the total gross in come,'' using the term as officially pro- vided by the interstate commerce com mission. was s7e 953000; the net earnings exceeded s44, GOO, 900.
 The telephone companies stood by the boys on the Mexican border as it sent more than $2S4,000 to those in the military service, paying full time for the first three months. and full time minus the amount received from the government for the other months
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-13
HATFIELD SPEAKS ON
 TUBERCULOSIS WORK
Tells How Private Physicians Can
 Help in Fight on Disease

c. J. Hatfield, executive secretary of the National Association for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis, was the principal speaker at a joint meeting of the Alabama Anti-Tuberculosis associa- ton and the Jefferson County Medical society last night. His subject was What the Private Physician Can Doin the Field of Tuberculosis Work
 pr. Cabot Lull presided and the sub ject was discussed by Dr. J. s. McLester, Dr. B. L. Wyman, Dr. s. w. Welch, state health officer; Dr. F. E. Harring- ton, county health officer; pr. R. M Cunningham and pr. George Eaves. In addition to members of the medical pro- fession there was representative at tendance of laymen. The meeting was held at the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian church
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-13
Jury Sitting to Decide
 Sanity of Harry K. Thaw

Philadelphia, March 12.-The jury of six drawn by the sheriff of Philadelphia tuted by Mrs. Mary Copely Thaw against her son, Harry K. Thaw, had its first sitting today. The proceedings were secret. Thaw was not present, nor was District Attorney Swann of New York represented.
 Thaw cut his throat January Il after his indictment in New York on cri1n- inal charge. While the New York au- thorties were pressing for his extradi- tion Mrs. Thaw instituted the lunacy pro- ceedings. It is understood here that the New York authorities are not taking any part in the lunacy proceedings on the ground that to do so would be to admit there is some question as to Thaw's sanity.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-13
PRICE OF
 FOOD ADVANCED
 THIRD M YEAR

Some of the advances were sirloin, [ per cent; round steak, 8 per cent; rib roast, per cent; chuck roast, per cent; pork chops, 10 per cent; bacon, 8 per cent; ham, per cent; lard, 22 per cent; hens, Is per cent; salmon, ' per cent; eggs, g per cent; butter, IS per cent; cheese, H per cent; milk, Il per cent; bread, 13 per cents flour, 3s per cent; cornmeal, 23 per cent; potatoes, 57 per cent; onions, 5S per cent beans, 39 per cent; prunes, 5 per cent; raisins. Is per cent; sugar, Is per cent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-13

Washington, March 12.-Retail food prices in the United States advanced g per cent in the year ending with January b, as shown in statistics prepared to- day by the bureau of labor statistics. The increase was greater than for the three years previous combined. The four years gain was 30 per cent
 Every food staple except coffee and tea advanced during the year. Onions and potatoes led with increases of more than 90 per cent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-13

proved severance of relations by vote of 431 to ST. The Senate will vote to- morrow It Is expected to support the cabinet.
 The premier said the cabinet would not make a declaration of war with out submitting its decision to Parlia- ment.
 Washington, March 12.-Develop- ments looking to a severance of rela. tions with Germany by China were re- ported to the state department today by Minister Reinsch at Peking, with the prediction that a final rupture might be expected at any time.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-13
Consider Car Shortage

L. R. Plosser, head of the Alabama Storage and Demurrage bureau, is in Atlanta. where the traffic managers of the southeast are assembled to de- wise means to relieve the car situa- tion. He hopes to aid in movement to get equipment of the southern lines returned from the congested eastern ports.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-13

Cold rains and wet feet make a good family cough medicine necessity Ev- cry sensible person knows that coughs and colds should not be neglected. A slight cold quickly turns to a bad cold, then too often is followed by grippe bronchitis or pneumonia M. F. Noe.. Jr.. Monticello. Minn., writes: T had an awful cough for about six weeks and could find no remedy until I tried Foley's Honey and Tar compound. A few doses completely relieved and cured me-" No opiates-Sold every where.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-13
GERARD IS AGAIN
 ON AMERICAN SOIL
Recalled Ambassador Ar rives in Key West, and
 Is Still Silent

Key West, Fla, March 12.-James w. Gerard, former American ambassador to Germany reached here late today from Havana, and after a brief rest took a train for Washington. The former ann bassador was accompanied by his wife and a party of about 40 Americans from Germany. He seemed to be in the best of spirits and held an informal reception to citizens who crowded the railroad sta tion to see. him depart.
 The former ambassador and his party are due to arrive in Washington at F: :33 o'clock Wednesday afternoon.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-13
Ohio Regiment Enjoys
 Stroll Through the City

The Second infantry regiment Ohio federalized militia, spent several hours in the city yesterday while Nen route from the Mexican border to Fort Sheridan. O., where it will be mustered out of active service. Led by the regimental band. the regiment paraded the principal streets of the city and, like the other organiza- tions that have passed through the city en route home, the boys seemed none the worse for their service on the border.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-13
CHINA WILL ADD
 ANOTHER MA ATION
 AGAINST GERMANY

Peking. March 1.-The Senate to- day approved the severance of rela- tions with Germany by vote of 152 to 37. It is expected that the gov ernment will take action to this end tomorrow (Monday).
 Picking, Saturday, March 10.--CDe- layed. )-Premier Tuan Chi Kui, ac- companied by the entire cabinet, ap- peared before the House and the Sem ate today and stated that the cabinet and the President had decided that China should sever diplomatic rela- tions with Germany The House ap-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-13
Aiken Here Today

E. N. Aiken. general passenger agent of the lines west of the south ern Railway system, will be in Bir- today. He will arrive on the Lake Superior Mining Institute special train. L., Sevier, general agent for the Southern Railway system. spent yes- terday in Atlanta, but returned last night.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-13
Camp Wilcox to Have
 Tag Day on April IA

Camp Wilcox, United Confederate Vet erans, will have Tag Day Aprl 14 for the purpose of raising funds to help send large delegation of the local veterans to the reunion at Washington The local chapters United Daughters of the Con- federacy will have charge of the sale and a liberal response is anticipated.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-13
TIE WEATHER
Weather Forecast

Washington, March 12.-Forecast for Alabama: Local rains Tuesday; Wednes- day rain.
 Mississippi Local rains Tuesday; Wednesday rain and somewhat colder.
 Tennessee: Rain Tuesday and probably Wednesday,; colder Wednesday west DOT ton.
 Georgia: Local rains Tuesday and prob ably Wednesday.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-13
Tag Day Nets s12O2

The tag day Saturday held for the benefit of Camp Hardee netted $1202. The funds will be used to provide rail- road fare for some of the members to the reunion in Washington in June.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-13
GREATRAHROAD STRIKE MA v
 COME NV VERY NEAR FUTURE
While Government Will Allowed to Eba Government International Crisis Yet There Are Many Indications
 That WakOut Train Near Possibility

Washington March 12-Talk of a railroad strike gen era among local labor union officials from the southeast gathered here tonight but national officials of the four big brotherhoos refused confirm deny that definite strike plans actually under consideration.