davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-05
LORDS OF CREATION

I've are powerless." stated MT. Weath- erly. There Is nothing that we can do with the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company; they have us in
 their power; they are the lords of creas
 tion.'
 The every indication of yesterdays s
 meeting of the commission was toward
 bitter campaign against the Birming-
 ham Railway, Light and Power com
 pany and it seemed that the gist of the
 meeting was well blended with an acute
 attack of political anti-corporation sen timent, so far as the speakers were con cerned.
 After a speech from Dr. A. J. Dickin- son, pastor of the First Baptist church, and a former stockholder in the Tide water railroad, Commissioner Weatherly and City Attorney Ullman. the following resolution was adopted
 Be 1t resolved by the commission of the city of Birmingham, That the city att torney be, and he is hereby instructed to prepare an ordinance or resolution to l maintain whatever rights the city of Birmingham has in the franchise of the Tidewater Railroad company, under the decision of the federal court, or out side of that decision, touching such points as may not have been decided on. '
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-05

tributor, which will be mailed back from the soldier upon his receipt of the package.
 In this way every contributor gets a personal message from the trenches.
 The fund last night stood as follows: Amount previously acknowl-
The Washington herald., 1917-05-23
WIFE OF CONGRESSMAN
SUSPECTS POISON PLOT
Mrs. John J. Fitzgerald Charges At
tempt to Kill Self. Children and Maid.

(by the International News service.)
New York, May 22-Mrs. John J. Fitz-
gerald. wife of Congressman Fitzgerald,
declared tonight that she is confident
that an attempt was made last Thursday
to Kill her, her hve children, and a maid
oy poison. The family is now recovering
from what was first thought to be pto-
maine poisoning. They were stricken
last Thursday at their Brooklyn home
atter eating some pudding.
I believe there has been an attempt
on my life and that of my family" said
MRS: Fitzgerald tonight. Mr.. Fitzger-
AID mas been in the limelight a great deal
OF Iate. l believe this attempt was made
oy an enemy of my husbands. am
certain We did not suffer from ptomaine
poisoning
made the pudding myself Thurs.
Gay AFTERNOON. All the ingredients were
good, but l am little suspicious OF the
MIX because Thursday noon 1 gave q
glass OF it to my son, Paul, and later ne
suffered from headache"
A portion of the uneaten pudding ba,
been giving to the department of health
where a chemical analysis will be made
Arsenic poisoning is strongly suspected
Representative Fitzgerald is now IN
washington. He was there when hi,
family was stricken
The Washington herald., 1917-05-23
WILSON RAPS ATTEMPT
TO BECLOUD WAR ISSUE
President, in Letter. Alleges Effort to
Weaken Hands Of Government.

President Wilson, in letter 10 Repre-
sentative Hefin. Of Alabama. last night.
deprecated the efforts made IN certain
political quarters TO becloud the issue be-
tween this country and Germany. Rep
.resentative Henin had brought 20 the at
tention OF the President statements made
upon the floor Of the House based upon
a printed report which incorrectly quoted
the President as saying In his Red Cross
dedication speech that the United States
had no grievance against Germany. The
Presidents letter read
MY Dear Mr. Henin-It Is fncnmrr~-
hensible to me how any frank or honest
person could doubt or question nv posi-
ton with regard 10 the war and its OBJ
jects. have again and again stated the
very serious and louE-continued wrongs
which the imperial German government
has perpetrated against the rights the
commerce and the citizens Of the United
States. The list is long and oyerwhelm-
ing. No nation that respected itself or
the rights Of humanity could have borne
those wrongs any longer.
Our objects in going into the war have
been stated with equal clearness. The
whole OF the conception which ] take TO
be the conception Of our feIlow-country-
men with regard to the outcome OF tina
war and the terms of its settlement.
an address 10 the Senate OF the United
States on the I'd OF January last. Again
In my message 10 CongTess on the I'd OF
April last those objects were stated in
unmistC kable terms.
y can conceive no purpose in seeking
to beCloud this matter except the purpose
OF weakening the hands OF the govern
ment and making the part which tho
United States is to play in this great
struggle for human liberty an inefficient
and hesitating part We have entered
the war for our own reasons and with
our own objects clearly stated. and shall
forget neither the reasons nor the OBJ
iects. There is no hate IN our hearts for
the German people, but there is a resolve
which cannot be shaken even BY mis-
representation to overcome the preten-
siOns Of the BUtoCratic government which
acts upon purposes to which the German
people have never consented.
CSigned) WOODROW WILSON"
The Washington herald., 1917-05-23
ITALIAN WAR MISSION
ARRIVES HERE TODAY
State Department Representatives to
Welcome Envoys at Station.

The State Department yesterday COM
pleted arrangements for greeting the
royal Italian mission which will reach
the Capital at noon today. Third Assis-
tant Secretary OF State Breckinrfdge
Long left the city yesterday TO meet the
visitors en- route. At the station to greet
them on their arrival will be Secretary Of
State Lansing, Counselor Frank L. Polk
Assistant Secretary William Phillips
Warren Robbins, who has been ds,dg-
mated as personal aide TO Prince Udine
head of the mission, and Lieut.. Col. John
c. Gilmore. U. s. A, and Lieut.. Com.
mander Jeffers, L. S. n, who will serve
as military and naval aids to the prince
Two troops OF cavalry will serve as a
guard and escort TO the visitors as they
pass through the streets to the residence
of Joseph Letter, Of Chicago, on Dupont
Circle. which Mr.. Letter has offersf as
their headquarters during there 3tay
here.
The Italian mission is headed by II. r
II. Ferdinando di Sayoja, prince Of Udine
and includes Enrico Arlotta, minister OF
transportation, who preceded his com.
patriots to Washington; Marquis Luig
di Rio Freddo. nder-secretary Of state
for foreign affairs; GuElielmo Marcbnl
wireless inventor and a member OF tn,
Italian senate; Augusta CiufelM former
minister OF public works: Francesca Sa,
verio Nitti. former minister OF agricul
ture. and numerous aids.
The Washington herald., 1917-05-23
DON'T HALT ATHLETICS
FOR WAR, SAYS WILSON
College Sports Needed to Prepare Men
for Service, President Declares.

President Wilson yesterday, in a letter
advocating the continuance of sports in
colleges rather than the substitution of
military training. said:
Our young men must be made ply
sically Mt in order that later they may
take the place of those now of military
age"
The Presidents letter was written to
Lawrence Perry, of New York, in reply
TO a question as to whether some new
method OF training should be introduced
In universities. He wrote:
My dear Mr.. Perry: / entirely agree
with the conclusions contained in your
letter Of May Is. l would be sincerely
sorry to see the men and boys in our col
leges and schools give up their athletic
sports, and 1 hope most sincerely that
the normal course Of college sports will
be continued so far as possible, not to
anord diversion to the American peo-
pie In the days to come when we shall
no doubt have our share of mental de-
precision, but as a real contribution to
the national defense, for our young men
must be made physically fit in order that
later they may take the place of those
who now are of military age and ex-
hibit the vigor and alertness which we
are proud to believe to be characteristic
OF our young men.
Cordially and sincerely yours,
WOODROW WILSON"
The Washington herald., 1917-05-23
Still FOR CENSORSHIP,
WILSON INFORMS WEBB
President Tells Congressman He Deems
Press Gag Essential to Public Safety.

President Wilson, in a letter sent to
Edwin Y. Webb, chairman of the House
Committee on Judiciary. last night, reit-
crates his desire for a censorship. He
says:
MY Dear Mr.. Webb:
IT have been much surprised to find
several of the public prints stating that
the administration had abandoned the
position which it so distinctly took, and
still holds, that authority to exercise a
censorship over the press to the extent
that that censorship is embodied in the
recent action of the House OF Represent
atives is absolutely necessary to the pub
lie safety. 1t, OF course, has not been
abandoned, because the reasons still ex-
list why such authority is necessary foI
the protection OF the nation.
It have every confidence that the
great majority OF the newspapers Of the
country will observe a patriotic reticence
about everything whose publication could
be OF injury, but in every country there
are some persons in a position to do mis-
chief in this field who cannot be relied
upon and whose interests or desires will
lead to actions on their part highly dan
gerous to the nation in the midst OF war.
want to say again that it seems to me
imperative that powers of this sort
should be granted.
Cordially and sincerely yours,
WOODROW WILSON"
The Washington herald., 1917-05-23
Make the War Popular.
By GOUVERNEUR MORRIS.

Whether a war is just or unjust,
fought well or stupidly, that which
contributes most to its success or fail
ure is its popularity or its unpopular
ity. The causes for which We are en-
gaging in the present war are suffi-
ciently Just and reasonable to make
1t an extremely popular war. The
secrecy and mystery with which il
is being conducted. not to mention the
grossly punitive quality of the taxa
ton advocated by the Congress, will.
II persisted in, make 1t one of the
most unpopular wars that was ever
fought.
When the people realize that they
are being asked to raise, during the
course Of two or three years, a sum of
money the raising of which could
with perfect justice be spread over
thirty or forty years, there will be
trouble. and those who are the most
hurt will begin to think that the hor-
rors of autoCratiC tyranny have been
greatly exaggerated and that, for
stark bullying and injustice, there is
nothing like a group of theorists in
control OF a democracy.
The people have not yet thought the
matter out, but from the cold looks
with which the liberty loan has been
received, II seems as though they
were beginning to.
The present scheme OF taxation is
punitive, and added to the blood
which will have to be spent, may
make the war so unpopular that the
people will be unwilling to fight it to
a finish. 1t is proposed that out Of
current earnings the people shall pay
cash for the war, month by month
and year by year. No nation has
ever before attempted anything so
short-sighted. Because il the war
lasts long enough. and no man can
say how long it will last, it is a thing
which simply cannot be done. There
is a usual safe and satisfactory way
to finance wars. 1t is just to the peo-
pie who fight the war and to their
CONTINUED on PAGE TWO
The Washington herald., 1917-05-23
CITIZENS OF u.s..
HELD PRISONERS.
State Department Demands
That Berlin Explain Deten-
ton of Americans.

The State Department announoed 49,
terday that Il had received positive in
formation Americans were being de-
tained as prisoners Of war by the Ger
man government both in Germany and
Belgium.
As result a demand has been made
upon Germany for a complete and dsol
mite statement of her attitude concern-
ing the departure OF American citizens.
This demand has been made through ths
Spanish Ambassador at Berlin, who rep
resents American interests in Germany.
The action Of the German government
is in complete violatio sp0f the old Prus-
sisn-AmeTican treaties OF l7ss and uzS,
which provide certain rights for nation
ais Of either nation in the other IN time
Of war. One Of these rights Is permiS-
sion to depart at will for nine months
after the war declaration. The .-nited
States has sCrupulOUsly observed - OBJ
legations. having acted promptly On all
applications OF Germans TO leave the
United States.
Among the Americans detained are said
to be a number Of relief workers in Bel
gium who stayed behind 70 gather up
the loose ends OF the work al the time
Brand WhitloCk and the majority Of the
Belgian Relief Commission were with
drawn. The work at that time was turn
ed over TO Spanish and Dutch workers
see that the newcomers had proper in
strUction.
500 Left Germany.
At the outbreak OF the war there were
some 900 Americans in Germany. in
GLIDING several consular officials. These
later reached Switzerland. with the ev-
ception Of one who was ill., About SO
Americans left Germany or the re-
naming 200. a number were Of German
birth, naturalized in the United States
state Department officials yesterday eT-
pressed the belief that the majority OF
these hyphenated Americans had prob
ably renewed their German allegiance
The other bona-fide Americans how
ever. apparently have been unable "a
! leave Germany, despite their efforts 10
( 30 so. German inspired dispatches had
tried TO make It appear Americans were
being held under no restraint in Germany
other than the usual police surveiIlancs
10 which all aliens are subjected
II was strongly intimated at the stats
! Department yesterday that II Germany
does not Immediately reverse her post
ton and allow any Americans who wish
TO TO depart. immediate reprisals will be
adopted by the United States Not only
will no Germans he allowed to leave this
country. but further means. going as far
as Imprisonment, may be adopted
The State Department has made no
concealment Of its belief that Germany
has violated the Prussian-Americaa
: treaties. but so far this government has
made no effort 10 derounce the inst ru-
ments and has lived by its own pledge&
The Washington herald., 1917-05-23
RUSS WAR MINISTER
WOULD CALM FINLAND
Kerensh Leaves for Helsingfors to
Suppress SePara6st Movement.
CBy the international News Service

CBy the International News SeryIcel
Petrograd, May 22-War Minister Ker-
enski left for Finland today. After a
brief stay at Helsingfors he will go
TO the front to inspire the troops to re-
establish the offensive spirit and fight to
the finish. Late today the reason for
kerenskrs hurried trip to HeIsingfors
became apparent. Finland. the ireland
OF Russia" has begun a strong fight for
absolute independence
a resolution favorinE complete separa-
tion was adopted at congress Of the
Swedish political party at HelsinCfors
yesterday. This party is composed OF
the wealthiest and strongest clements
in Finlahd's population
The government views the Finnish sep
aratist movement with unconcealed
alarm. II it yields to il now it fears that
other provinces and prinCipalities will
follow with like demands That would
mean the beginning of Russia's deterior-
alton into numerous small republics. On
the other hand. refusal of Finland's de-
mands at this time might be answered by
Finnish defiance. The Germans might
take advantage OF this and on the pre-
text of freeing Finland" carry out the
lonE-expected drive in the north
kerenski is believed to have hastened
to Hencingfors to plead with the Finnish
leaders to let stters rest for the pres
ent as they are, pending rcstorati ton Of
national order and unity.
A general congress of the Council of
Workingmen's and Soldiers Delegates
was called today for June Il Representa-
tives of the council in all parts OF Russia
will attend
The Washington herald., 1917-05-23
Big LOAN To PANAMA
Under NEGOTIATION
Nearly $5O.OOO.OOO to Be Spent by
Two Governments for Roads
and Rail Lines.

Approximately $4OOOO,OOO or $4,000 900
government and the government of Pan
ANA for the first military roads ever con-
structed for the protection OF American
territory there and for a network of rail-
roads which are expected to open up the
vast agricultural resources of Panama
and prove of immense strategival value
as a measure of defense
Preliminary arrangements for the
project are being negotiated by a war
commission sent to this country by the
government OF Panama. The first step
in the work will be an advance to the
Republic OF Panama Of S10,0O0O00 by this
government, which, with s. .O0O, 900 already
available in the republics treasury, will
be used to start the work.
The United States is expected to share
jointly in the expense of making the
improvements. and for the first $15, ,OOO.
900 put into the work by the govern
ment OF Panama. this government will
put in an equal amount. 1t Is expected
that about $3O.OOO.OOO will be Immediately
available for the work. and more will be
expended as the project takes more
definite shape.
Eusebio A Morales. prime minister OF
Panama and former president of the
republic, heads the commission which
will conduct the negotiations in this
country.
Other members OF the body are Bel
isariO Porras, minister from Panama,
and Julio Arizona, a member Of the
Panaman congress, and slated for as
sistant SECRETARY of state of the re-
public.
The plan under consideration is for
the money to be expended under the
direction Of joint commission appoint
ed by the United States and the goyern
ment Of Panama. The actual work of
construction will be done by United
States army engineers.
The Washington herald., 1917-05-23
$4,000, 900 COAL DEAL

Uniontown, Pa, May 22-Thousands of
acres Of coal lands figure in a deal an
Hill interests of the Northern Pacific
Railroad secure the equities in the enor-
nous ]. V. Thompson coal holdings in
Western Pennsylvania and West Yir-
ginia-
The Western syndicate has agreed 10
pay S5,OOO,OOO or 40 per cent of the ga :
100000 in unsecured claims against the
Thompson holdings. They will also nay
the taxes and interest on secured claims
amounting to 100000 upon the extension
of these claims for a period of three
years.
The Washington herald., 1917-05-23
Hudson Maxim Designs
Torpedo-Proof Ships

New York. May 22.-Hudson Maxim,
the inventor, declared tonight that he
Is working with good results on a de-
vice which he hopes will make ships
torpedo-proof.
II am not ready just yet to give out
any of the details Of the invention"
said Mr.. Maxim. II might say, how
ever, that it is of such a character
that il can be installed on ships al
ready built by widening their beam.
While the device has not been tested
yet, I believe it will be effective in
protecting a ship absolutely from u
boat attacks"
The Washington herald., 1917-05-23
MOB, GATHERED At EMBERS OF NEGROS PYRE,
FINALLY RELEASES MEN NAMED BY VICTIM
Harvard Medical Unit
Arrives in England

The Harvard Medical School Unit.
ofhcially known as Red Cross Base
Hospital No. 5, arrived in England
yesterday. according to a cablegram
received yesterday afternoon by Henry
P. Dawson, chairman OF the Red
Cross War Council.
1t is the second Of the six base hos
pitfalls ordered abroad for service In
France TO arrive in England.
This unit Is in command II Major
Robert L. Patterson. Of the Medical
Corps Of the United States army.
formerly director of the Bureau OF
Medical Service of the American Red
Cross.
The Washington herald., 1917-05-23
Bows Held for Murder
Of Wealthy Recluse

Chardon. Ohio, May 22.-Forest Joiner,
p, and his brother, Ray, l6' today are
held for the murder of Myron Raymond,
n wealthy reCluse. whose body was
found sunday in his shack near Middle
field.
In a written confession the youths are
said IN have admitted beating Raymond
with a club, but stated that they
batbed his face and that he was alive
when they left.
The lads got only Sis, they said, al
though Raymond is thought to have
buried a fortune in gold somewhere
about his shack. He was one OF the
richest men in the county.
The Washington herald., 1917-05-23
EDDIE'S MIDGETS
Win FOR tech"
Competitive Drill Honors Cap
tured by Capt. Ellis
COMPANY.

At $50 O'Clock yesterday afternoon.
captain boy named Eddie Ellis, who
stood exactly five feet, one inch, in
his regimentals. lined up his company
in front of Gen. George Barnett, COM
mandant OF the Marine Corps, came to
stlff attention, and tnen grinned like
a kid.
He couldn't help IT. He had won the
annual high school competitive drill
he and his baby" c company, OF
Tech" whose rank and file are not
an inch in height or weight over their
captain.
He won it in the face Of the hercest
competition that ever featured a high
school cadet drill, he won 1t from nine
teen other captains and over 1000
other cadets and he won ii purely on
inutive privates. But the glory came
in the winning.
The evening sun was throwing the
shadow of the American League Park
grandstand almost back to the right field
fence and the squadrons of robins were
imperitently grabbing a hasty supper
from the sod when Company D. OF
Central, the last company OF the day 10
drill, finished its maneuYers and made
way for the regiment review that pre-
ceded the awarding OF the trophy.
Out from the lower tier of the
grandstand filed the military and
civilian dignitaries OF the occasion
Gen. Barnett, who was to present the
drill trophy; Superintendent of Schools
Thurston. Capt. Norman B. Briscoe, the
army cadet instructor; Capt. James F
Oyster. more than half the Board OF
Education. including DR.. Van Schaick
the president. and Maj. Pullman
simultaneously from the south gate
streamed the files of blue, company after
company, until lined against the south
fence stood twenty companies, 1,loO men
in all. Capt. Briscoe politely swore al
one captains maneuyering, put on his
CONTINUED on PAGE Two.
The Washington herald., 1917-05-23
Atlanta Declines Offers
OF Aid for Fire Sufferers

Atlanta, Ga, MAY 22.-No outside aid
will be needed for those made homeless
by yesterdays fires. This was the city
answer to all offers of relief which poured
in on officials since the flames destroyed
over 1900 buildings and rendered 10,0OC
homeless.
With the relief measures going on raL.-
idly. steps were taken today to rebuild the
section destroyed. All of the homeless
are being cared for by public safety
committees Churches were kept open
tonight and will be used as dormitories
to house the homeless.
The estimate of the loss was placed by
insurance underwriters today at 5000, oOO
Nearly 10000 was raised today at 4
mass meeting of the Chamber of Com
merce. This relief subscription will be
supplemented by city appropriations and
newspaper subscriptions.
The Washington herald., 1917-05-23
TEUTONS HAMMER HARD
BUT French Hold Line
Allies Content Selves With Consolidat-
ing Ground Gained in Past Week.


CBy the International News ServIce.)
London. May 22.-Fighting in the west
again has subsidized considerably. The
French and British are contenting them
selves for the time being with consolidat-
ing the ground gained in the past week.
The Germans are still hitting back furi-
ousIy against the French, without, how
ever, making any impression on the
borison-blue lines.
The French took 900 prisoners in their
advance in the Champagne yesterday.
Twenty-eight officers were among these.
Considerable losses" were inflicted on
the Teutons, Paris reports, when the
crown prince vainly tried in three separ-
ate counter-olows to regain his former
positions.
Unofficial figures sent by front cor
respondents and credited to headquar-
ters give the German losses in killed
wounded, and missing on the French
front alone since Saturday a. $4,000
The French now hold the DOMINATING
points of the Morenvilliers Heights
and are q half mile from the town of
that name. They are making slow
but steady headway toward forcing a
Teuton withdrawal from the whole
front between Auberive and Rheims.
British headquarters reported only
successful raids northeast of EpeheJ
and east of BuIlecourt The German
var office announced She repulse OF
N French and British assaults and
he capture of more than 24o prisoners
n the French front.
Today's report from the Rome wal
.iice Indicated q slackening of the
italian offensive. II was stated, how
ever. that Austrian counter attackl
we're beaten on with heavy losses.