davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-14

mainly to the seed and dairy supply
 business, and will certainly be missed
 by his hundreds and thousands of
 friends and customers.
 Before going to war Mir. Gammill dis
 posed of his business interests to his
 partners, but both concerns will be con
 tinued under their present names.
 MT. Gammll left Birmingham Decem-
 Der 10 for Fort Ogethorpe, where he
 ter's department, where his past busi-
 ness training should prove of splendid
 worth to the government.
 George B. McVay, Jr., is strictly a
 Birmingham product, born at 1516 Sew enth avenue, in October, 1893 He was educated in the public schools of Br- mingham. short time at Howard, and
 afterwards took two years at Auburn, where he specialized in agriculture. He
 then went to work for his father, who at that time was president of the Amzi- Golden Seed company. He stuck to the seed business for a tine but took the "cowboy" fever, went to the prairies of Kansas and punched cattle for a year. On, his return to Birmingham he en- ga ged in the seed business with his father under the style of McNay Seed company After two seasons he went to Philadelphia, where he remained for two years with W. A. Burpee & Co.,. one of the largest seed houses in America. After finishing two-year course with Burpee and at Fordhooll Farm, the largest experiment farm in the country, owned and operated by the Burpee seed house, he removed to Birmingham, and the past January established at 2125 Sec ond avenue the seed establishment of l. G. B. McVay & Son Seed company, of which he became the president and gen. eral manager.
 The business will be continued in the absence of MT. McVay, who left Birming- ham Wednesday for Camp Wheeler, Ma con, Ga, where he goes into training to better enable him to serve the gov ernment in the quartermaster' depart ment. It is to be hoped that George B., Jr. also will return safe and sound
 after the war to his legion of friends and especially to those who seek his
 knowledge and help so often when seed problems arise.
 George is some man" physically, a hard one to handle in boxing or wrest- ling bout, an all around athlete, and the enemy that comes into personal com bat with him will certainly have his hands full.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-14

Der of leading colored women of the city present. and much enthusiasm was shown It is the wish of the chairman that every negro woman in Birming ham shall have part in the Red Cross work and they will be welcomed at head quarters anytime during the day, while systematic campaign in the various religious and fraternal societies will be made and volunteers will be well coaled.
 Oscar W. Adams, editor of the Bir- mingham Reporter, has been asked to serve as campaign manager in the Christ mas drive for membership and he will have associated with him some of the leading pastors, physicians lawyers and laymen in the Birmingham district. He wants every colored man who loves his country and desires to show his patriot-
 ism by enrolling himself as member and a worker in the Red Cross to phone him or send in his name. as he has a lot of literature which he wishes to get into the hands of those willing to use it for the good of the cause.
 General Barnett is sending a letter to all colored preachers whose names he has been able to get asking them to have a special part in the membership cam paign and to make mention of it from their pulpits Sunday morning, with view of holding great mass meeting on Sunday afternoon to give the colored people chance to have their share in the big Christmas drive. The hour and place will be announced later. Any pas tor who fails to receive letter will take this as an invitation to have part in the work.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-14
PROTECTIVE LIFE ID PAY DIVIDEND
 OF ID PER CENT Handsome Sum Passed to Surplus and Officers Com mended by Directors
 for Fine Year

The directors of the Protective Life insurance company, at meeting at the
 home office of the company, PIP First avenue yesterday, authorized and di- rected the payment of 10 per cent div
 dend to the stockholders of the com pany, check for which dividend will be immediately issued and sent out.
 There were present at the meeting the following: William D. JelSs, president; Dr. w. G. Harrison, John l.. Kaul, E. H. Cabaniss, S. J. Bowie, J. II. Wilson. M NJ Baldwin, w. w. Crawford, R. A. Mitchell G. R. Harsh, Robert Jemison, Richard w Massey, Clarence J. Palmer. The president reported to the board that the year had been very successful one for the company; that the company has made money continuously. In ad- dition to the dividend, a handsome sum will be left for the surplus. showing that the company has been conducted in a most conservative fashion from the be- kinning The board was very much pleased with the report of the officers and considered that the year was one of the best the company has ever experi- enced. The company expects to wind up the year happily, and is getting ready for a great drive in 1918.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-14
School Children Are Showing Wide Interest
 in Red Cross Seals
Pennant Race Enlivens Sales Follow.
 ing Speech of Dr. Eaves at Central High

Greater interest and excitement is being manifested among the schools of
 Greater Birmingham in the sale of Red Cross seals than ever before in the history of the seals. Every school is sending in for more seals and the Henley school has sent the fourth time for seals already.
 A pennant race is promised to add greater zest to the work and the par ticulars will be announced later. The various schools are getting first aid work this year and are aiming at the 10-cent mark.
 Following an address by Dr. George
 f1aves, secretary Of the Jefferson Coun- ty Anti-Tuberculosis association, Gen. tral High school organized. and plans
 are being made to break all records on the sale of Red Cross seals this year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-14

Under a recent ruling men actively en-
 gagged exclusively in the business of sup
 plying the American farmer with neces-
 sary. seeds to promote agriculture and
 increase food crops were exempt from
 the draft in the first class; their busi
 ness being considered a necessary and
 CO ordinate branch of the national agri-
 cultural department or at least of the
 commission, to promote greater food crops.
 But the Birmingham seedsmen subject to the draft made no effort at claiming exemptions for any cause. They have volunteered their services as fighting men and are now at various training
 camps, fitting themselves if need be ito go over the top" with the best of the American soldiers.
 R. V. Harris, president of McVay Seed
 and Floral company at 2olS First avenue, left for Fort Oglethrope December Il, ] where he goes into training to perfect himself for some important position in the ordnance department, and that he is
 sure to make good is confidentially ex- pected by his many business friends and more intimate associates.
 MT. Harris, although born at Thomas vile, is strictly Birmingham product, having removed to the city when a year old. He is now just in his prime, being only 26 years of age, and will give a good account of himself when his trials are presented.
 J. B. Gammill is another native Ala baman, born in Chambers county, near Lafayette, on May 2S, 1887, but he re- moved to Birmingham in 1903, and for the past 14 years has been actively en- gagged in the drug and seed business as secretary and treasurer of Gorman-Ga
 mill Drug company, as well as secretary and treasurer of German Gammill Seed and Dairy Supply company.
 Mir. Gammill was a thorough pharma- cst, being a graduate of the class of 1912 of the Max Norris School of Phar- ] macy and was the holder of registration certificates to practice in both the state of Georgia and Alabama. John" as everybody called him, devoted himself
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-14
REHEARSAL DAY" |. AT LOEW'S SUNDAY
Community Singers to Prac- tiec Carols for Christmas
 Sunday" Concert

Next Sunday afternoon Director Lawrence will have all who attend tho concerts at Loew's Bijou practice sew eral Christmas carols to be sung on the special programme to be given the following Sunday. These carols, to- gether with other special music, will constitute the Christmas Sunday com munity concert.
 Mir Lawrence will sing Noel" ac- companied by the Philharmonic or chestra( and a special chorus of 10 voices will sing King, All Glorious y by Barnby. This special chorus is to be formed by uniting the Twenty club and the Arion club
 The programme for the coming Sun day will be one that should be partic- ularly interesting to all who care for mass singing. Joan of Arc'' will be sung by special request and the sing CTS will have their second lesson on Keep the Home Fires Burning"
 Two performances will be given next Sunday with the first one beginning at o'clock and the second at 4:30.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-14
Semi-Annual Joint Debate
 Today of the Central
 High Literary Societies
Unusual Interest in This Affair, Which Takes Place Today at
 12:30 O'Clock

The semi-annual joint debate of the literary societies of Central High school will be held this afternoon at 12:30 o'clock in the auditorium. The subject for debate will be: Resolved. That the Abolition of the Commissary Would Result for the Best Interests Of Jefferson County
 The affirmative will be upheld by Ebert Israel and Clyde Kennedy of the Hlliard, and Miss Rosalee 1ng,e and Miss Lillis Rockett of the Clio. The negative will be represented by Virgil Wilder and James Jackson of the Cur ry. and Miss Sarah McCarty and Miss Hatherin Williams of the Astreae.
 The semi annual joint debate at Central is always one of the leading features of the society's work. Unu- sual interest Is displayed. The entire student body attends as we'll as many visitors.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-14
EVERETT RETURNS TO
 CITY OPTIMISTIC
Believes Birmingham Will Secure Location of Reconstruction
 Hospital

Blanks Everett, general manager of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, has returned from Washington. where he went for a conference with Surgeon General Gorgas regarding the proposed location of reconstruction hospital in this city. Mir Everett thinks Birming- ham has very good chances for the hos pital. The matter is now in the hands of Secretary Baker and the consensus of opinion is that the unused jail will be turned into a hospital. It is expected that the announcements will be made very soon. as these hospitals must be ready by early spring.
 A story with several pictures of the unused jail appeared in the magazine section of last Sundays New York Times. It has been estimated that the jail can take care of 50O patients.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-14
Arthur Stanley Riggs at
 CentrQlHiqh School T0nigM

Arthur Stanley Riggs, prominent speaker and world traveller, will be presented tonight by the Lyceum course at Central High school, when he will deliver a lecture entitled, France, the Country and the People" illustrating with stereoptcon slides.
 Sailing for France last August, the ship on which MT. Riggs travelled. was torpedoed, and barely escaped sinking. However, MT. Riggs reached port in France, where he immediately com menced sightseeing tour through France, Belgium and all of the west front.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-14
Must Appear Before
 Board of Jurisdiction

The Age-Herald yesterday received a communication signed by 27 negroes at Palos, stating that they had regis tered for draft in Tennessee last June. had been called before their boards and and exempted and now inquiring whether it will be necessary for them to go to the expense of returning to Tennessee on December 15 to appear before their own local boards.
 The Age Herald is inform ed that it is not necessary for them to make this trip. but they must appear before the board in whose Jurisdiction they noW reside and procure the duestionnaires in order that they can answer all the questions fully,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-14
MAKES
 YOU FEEL OL )
Pains and Aches Yield to Sloan's Liniment, the
 Family Friend


 When your joints become stiff, your circulation poor, and your sufferinS makes you irritable, an application of Sloans Liniment gives you quick re- lief--kills pain. starts up a good cir culation, relieves congestion It is cas- ie- and cleaner to use than mussy plas ters or ointments, acts quickly and does not clog the pres 1t does not stain the skin.
 You don't need to rub-it penetrates. Certainly fine for rheumatism. st,tL neck, sciatica, lame back, toothachs. etc.
 For sprains. strains, bruises, black and blue spots. Sloans Liniment re-' duces the pain and eases the soreness. Its use Is so universal that you'll consider Sloan's Liniment friend of the whole family. Generous size bottles at druggists everywhere. 25c, Soc, $1.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-14
McAdory to Attend
 Explosives Conference

Walter K. McAdory. who was re- gently appointed explosives inspector for Alabama, will leave today for Washington, where conference has been called of all the state inspectors of the country
 The conference will be for the pur- pose of getting the inspectors thor oughly familiar with the new laws re- garding the handling and sale of ex- plosives and to decide on definite plans for enforcement where there are different interpretations of the provis- ions of the law.
 Under the new law great safeguards are thrown around the sale of explo- sives to insure their teaching only those who will use them for lawful purposes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-14
c. A. Lass to Attend
 Zionist Conference

Charles A. Lass, one of the prominent workers in the Zionist movement, has re- ceived a telegram inviting him to at tend an extraordinary Zionist conference this week at the Hotel Belvedore, Balti- more, to be held under the auspices of the national committee on general Zion ist affairs. The session will be executive and thep rincipal topic to be discussed will be the declaration of Great Britain in reference 10 nome land for the Jewish people in Palestine. Other mat ters of importance to the Zionist move ment will be discussed. MT. Lass will leave today for Baltimore to attend the conference.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-14
Salesmen Increase
 Membership Rapidly
Bowie Nominated for Second Term as President-Other Officers
 Elected

H. c. Bowie has been nominated for reelection to the presidency of the Bir- mingham Commercial Salesmen's asso- ciation and in accepting the nomination MT. Bowie made an interesting speech outlining his policy for the new term, and promised that he would increase the organization membership to 150.
 The organization has at present more than 50 local salesmen enrolled, and the membership is increasing daily. The oth- CT officers for the organization are: D. c. vahadi vice president Walter A. Herman. secretary, and w. A. Brown, treasurer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-14

While there he was in the midst of several battles that began the British push and ended with the capture Of many places which were formerly held by the Germans. Once he was under fire, but he got away safely. On the battlefield of the Somme, he crawled inside an abandoned British tank that had done it's task and had died fight ing in the great conflict.
 J. R. Bond, of the Lyceum bureau of New York, says of MT. Riggs: He is one of Americas foremost lecturers, a man who has developed the art of lec- turing to the highest degree, and he should be heard by every one''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-14
Anti Tuberculosis Association
 Institutes Race Among Schools In
 Sale of Red Cross Christmas Seals

The school selling the largest num- Der of seals in proportion to it's enroll ment will receive the class pennant Tor the county
 The school selling actually the great est number of seals will receive the county pennant.
 A modern health crusade pennant will be given by the league to each crusader legion, or local organization of health crusaders.
 All citizens are asked to make this known among all schools.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-14

The Alabama Anti Tuberculosis league has instituted race among the schools in the sale of Red Cross Christmas seals.
 Three pennants will be given in each county as follows:
 Class A. Schools with enrolment Of less than 50 pupils.
 Class B. Schools with enrolment of more than 50. but less than 100.
 Class c. Schools with enrolment of 100 or more.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-14
International Health
 Board May Come Here

The Birmingham Chamber of Com merce is inviting the International Health board to meet in Birmingham on January 10 to 15 inclusive.
 This will bring 75 prominent physicians e. and the board Is Considering Bir- mingham seriously. In all probability they will decide on this city on account of it's ra.irCad and hotel facilities
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-14

This membership drive will not be for money purposes primarily, but for mem- bers, the slogan being, "Ten Million New Members to the Red Cross by Christ mas"
 Field Marshal Rushton has his forces hard at work, the artillery IS all IF splendid shape for the attack and the air forces have been scouting about ard from reports brought in by them, several big bombs will be dropped during tie campaign.
 The local headquarters are just about the busiest place in town at present, and Field Marshal Rushton is being assisted by several stenographers, Robert Jeini- son, Jr., chairman of the Birmingham Red Cross, General Chalifoux and Con eral John Sparrow The business end or the drive has been placed on a sys- tematic basis, and at the end of each day, the amount turned in for that day will be available.
 DINNER LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN The campaign will be launched Men day. December F, and at dinner, which will he given at the Tutwiler hotel, at
 
 this drive An interesting feature of this occasion will be the presence ot several prominent officers from Camp Mcclellan. A message has been received by Mr. Jemison, which states that Cen eral Morton will be unable to be present on account of illness, but that Colonel Goodau, chief of his staff. Maj. F. J. Thompson, of the British army, and Capt Rene J. Decernewitiz of the French army, will be present and address the local Red Cross armies. The dinner will cony has been reserved for the women of Birmingham who wish to come out and hear these visitors.
 Attractive Red Cross booths have been designed and will be stationed in --.i ho- tel lohhies and department stores where the women of Birmingham will solicit rrerlbers.
 Ii speaking of the Red Cross, MT. Henry P. Davison, chairman of ne American Red Cross, on his recent Fisit to Birmingham, stated: ''The Red Cross is being run as an open book; 1t has no secrets; it is making sincere e1- fort to serve mankind, and is doing II as carefully and economically as IL knows how"
 The American Red Cross must have 1 1oO00,000 new members, for without them, it cannot do all that the world from out of the agony of the war, ia crying uron it to do, and to quickly. 1t is believed that the people Of Amer ca will respond to this call, especiatiy at this time-Christmas-as this season has always been devoted to thoughttul' 1 good will, to works of love and mercy. 1 An urgent appeal is being made to ev- 1 cry citizen to Let greater Red Cross 1 be your Christmas gift to Our Boys and to suffering humanity" BARNETT LEADS NEGROES l Gen Frank Willis Barnett, leader of l the negro forces, met with the Booker lT. Washington Auxiliary Red Cross so- | ciety of Birmingham, with headquarters | in the Penny Savings bank, yesterday, and made them talk setting odt the l details of the car.paign for member |
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-14
BELL BEGINS INVESTIGATION

District Attorney Robert N. Bell Is in vestigating the situation and it is stated that there is 8 large amount of coal on the railroad tracks and sidings in Birmingham. Whether this coal belongs to customers with waybills made out or is coal ready for delivery to any buyer, is not stated.
 The congested condition of traffic, the shortage of cars and the lack Of motive power of the roads on account of the demand of the government is given as a reason coal is not delivered more quickly. The fuel board is doing ev- erything possible to relieve the present coal situation and it is expected that some action will be taken at the meet ing today.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-14
COAL SITUATION IS STILL ACUTE WITH SHORTAGE GENERAL Alabama County Fuel Board Chairmen Will Meet Here Today to Plan Relief ONE DAY HOLIDAY
 URGED ON MINERS Effort Will Be Made to Induce Them Not to Take Usual
 Time Off for the
 Holidays

The coal situation remained about the same yesterday, and as yet there is no relief. When the coal dealers have coal they claim they have no wagons to haul it, and itdis practically impossible to secure drays for the purpose of haul ing coal.
 The county chairmen of the fuel boards of Alabama will meet in Birmingham with the local fuel board and Robert Jemison, Sr., chairman of the advisory board of the state fuel administration, this morning at 10 o'clock, at which time some plans will be worked out by to take only one holiday at Christmas time, and thus assist the country in meeting the scarcity.
 It is stated that the men in mines have heretofore been accustomed to talk ing a vacation of from a week to two weeks at Christmas time. It is felt that if this is done this year, it will still further demoralize the coal situa- tion, and on this account every effort will be made to induce the men to take Christmas day only as a holiday. GOOD POLICY IN ANY BUSINESS
 Attention was called to the fact yes terday that this would be the best poli- cy to pursue in every other line of bus mess also, because every mans work counts at this time.
 The phone at the local office of the fuel board rang yesterday with com plaints from residents in various sec tions of the city, stating they were un- able to get any coal as the retail deal CTS could not deliver it for some time, owing to the large number of orders already on hand, and 1t seemed almost impossible to secure drays to haul it.
 Mir. Duncan, secretary of the board, stated that one call had come in from woman who had a sick baby in the house and no coal and that he had pre- vailed upon a friend of his to help her out by hauling some coal for her.
 Yesterday afternoon MT. Donough from Boyles came into the office and told Secretary Duncan that he had ordered ton of coal Monday and that he had been told at the time there were F orders in ahead of him, and he had not yet re- ceived his coal, and asked that something be done to remedy this condition.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-14
Dissolution

The Southern Stock Yards company, incorporated recorded the dissolution of the firm by unanimous consent of the stockholders yesterday.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-14
Birmingham NoW Under
 Sign of Red Cross Getting
 Ready For Big DriDe Dec.l7
Champaign Launched With Big Dinner at Tutwier Monday Night-Prominent Visitors From Camp Mcclellan Ex- pected-Genera Barnett to Lead Negro Forces.
 All Negroes Invited to Participate in Work

sign the Red Cross in other words these signs very
  Monday will be decorated Birmingham working
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-14
BARNETT LEADS NEGROES

Gen, Frank Willis Barnett leader of the negro forces, met With the Booker T.. Washington Auxiliary Red Cross so- ciety of Birmingham, with headanarters in the Penny Savings bank, yesterday. and made them a talk setting odt the details of the car.paign for member ship Mrs. R. E. Maclin is chairman of this unit and there were quite num-