davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Benson signal., 1917-04-28

thing which to Abbott seemed useless
and unnecessary, and the fact that
subsequent events had more often than
not proved Meade's suggestions to be
worth while, had not put Abbott in al
together the best mood toward his
young colleague Abbott never forgot
that Meade had really no official con-
nection with the building of the bridge,
and that he was only there as special
representative of his father, and al
though he could not help liking the
younger man, Abbott would have been
better pleased If he had been left
alone.
Meade had not gone about it in the
right way to move a man of AbbOtt'S
temperament. He realized that as he
lay awake on the sleeper speeding to
New York. Abbott was a man who
could not be driven. He was tre-
mendous driver himself and naturally
he could not take his own medicine. If
Meade had received the announcement
more quietly and if he had by some
subtle suggestion put the idea Of dan
ger into Abbott's mind all would have
been well, for when he was not blind
ed by prejudice, or his authority or his
ability questioned, Abbott was a SEN
sible man thoroughly to be depended
upon. But the news had come to Meade
with such suddenness, Abbott had only
casually mentioned it at the close of a
lengthy conversation regarding the
progress of the work as if it were a
matter of no special moment, that the
sudden shock had thrown Meade off
his balance.
Therefore he could see nothing but
danger and the necessity for action.
How he should handle his superior, or
rather the bridges superior, was the
last thing in his mind. Aside from his
natural pride in his father and in the
bridge and his fear that lives would be
lost if it failed, unless he could get
the men withdrawn, there was the
complication of his engagement to
Helen Illingworth.
Meade could not close his eyes, he
could not sleep a moment on the train.
His mind was in turmoil. Prayers
that he would get to his father and the
bridge people in time to stop work and
prevent loss of life, schemes for taking
up the DETECTION, strengthening the
member, and completing the bridge,
and fears that he would lose the wom-
an, stayed with him through the night.
The Benson signal., 1917-04-28
e president, and Curtiss, the chief

vice president, and Curtiss, the chief
engineer.
MEADE, what Of the bridge?" he
burst out, with a quick nod to his
daughter. Colonel INlingworth had not
stopped to hunt for a wayside tele-
phone. The automobile driven madiyS
recklessly through the hills and over
the rough roads, had brought him di.
rectly to the Office in the shortest pos.
sible time.
'There is detection one inch and
three-quarters deep in one Of the COM
preston members, C-1O-R," was the
prompt and terrible answer.
Colonel IllingwOrth had not been
president of the Martlet Bridge COM
pany for so long without learning some
thing of practical construction. He
was easily enough Of an engineer to
realize instantly what that statement
meant.
"When did you discover it?" he
snapped out.
"Last night"
''Is the bridge gone?"e
"Not yet"
"Why didn't you let us know?"
II telegraphed father and, not hear
ing from him, came down on the mid.
The Benson signal., 1917-04-28

night train. 1t is holiday in New York
as well as here. / just happened to
meet father in the office. He sent
telegram to you and not hearing from
you, duplicated it an hour later.
tried half a dozen times to get you on
the telephone and finally, by happy
chance, got hold of young Johnson"
"Where are your fathers tele-
grams?"
"Here."
Colonel nlingworth tore the first
open with trembling fingers.
"Why didn't you tell Abbott?" asked
the chief engineer.
"You know Abbott. He said the
bridge would stand until the world
caved in. Said he could jack the men,
Der into line. He wouldn't do thing
except on direct orders from here"
"Your father wires, put no more
weight on the bridge What shall we
do?" interposed Colonel Illingworth.
Telegraph Abbott at once"
eff the bridge goes it means ruin to
the company" said the agitated vice
president, who was the financial men,
ber Of the firm and who could easily be
pardOned for a natural eXaggeration
under the terrible circumstances.
eyes, but if it goes with the men on,
it means-Johnson, are you telegraph
operator?"
"Yes, sir"
"Take the key" said the colonel,
who, having been a soldier, thought
first of the men,.
Johnson sat down at the table where
the direct wire ran from the bridge
company to the telegraph Office. He
reached his hand out and laid his
fingers on the key. Before he could
give the faintest pressure to the instru4
ment, it suddenly clicked of it's own
motion. Everybody in the room stood
silent.
'It is a message from Wilchings, the
chief of construction foreman Of"
Johnson paused a moment, listening to
the rapid click-"the InternatiOnal-S
he said in an awestruck whisper.
1t had come!
"Read it, man! Read it, for Gods
sake!' cried the chief engineer.
"The bridge is in the river" faltered
Johnson slowly. word by word, trans
lating the fearful message on the wire.
abbott and one hundred and fifty men
with it."
The Benson signal., 1917-04-28
(TO BE CONTINUED)
Beware the Loaded Gun.

The man who returns from hunting
and sets his loaded gun in the corner
or hangs it on the wall is, in reality,
setting a death-trap. Yet it is surpris-
ing how often this is done. The gun
we didn't know was loaded" is an
old, old story, says Farmers Guide.
You cannot be too cautious. The
loaded gun you may keep on the wall
to shoot crows with when they get In
the corn is liable to cause you more
loss than q million crows can. 1t takes
only a second to put cartridge in
gun when the time Is at hand. It
takes no longer to take it out.
The Benson signal., 1917-04-28

/
into touch with nation. He ought to
do something, but what was there to
do? Presently, doubtless, his mind
would clear. But on the instant all he
could think Of was the impending ruin.
The Uplift building, in which he had
his offices, was mainly deserted on ac-
count of the holiday. The banks were
closed and the offices and most Of the
shops and stores. It was very still in
the hall and, therefore, he heard dis
tinctly the door Of the single elevator
in service open with an unusual crash,
then the sound of rapid footsteps along
| the corridor as of someone running.
They stopped before the outer door Of
the suite which bore his name. In
Stantly he suspected messenger OF
disaster. The door was opened, the Of
| fee was crossed, a hand was on the
inner door. He sank back almost as
one dead waiting the shock, the blow.
"Father," exclaimed the newcomer.
"You got my telegram"
The other silently exhibited the
crumpled paper in his hand.
"What have you done"
'It's a holiday, don't you know? I
only got it few moments ago. The
bridgeW
"Still stands"
"But for how 1ong"
| 81 can't say. The Martlet's resident
engineer is mad. begged, threatened,
implored. I tried to get him to stop
work, to take the men off the bridge,
to withdraw the traveller, but he won't
do it. Said you designed it, you knew.
was only cub"
''But the camberw
"He said, I'll jack it into line again.
Like every other engineer who sees
big thing before him it looks to him as
If it would last forever. I tried to get
you on the telephone here and at the
house last night and failed. I wired
you. Then jumped on the midnight
express and"
"What is to be done?'' asked the old
man.
Meade, ST., was thankful that the
younger man had not said, "I told you
so," as well he might. But really his
fathers condition was so pitiful that
the son had not the heart.
Telegraph the Martlet Bridge COM
pany at once" he answered.
"What shall we say?" asked the old
man, uncertainty.
The young man shot quick look at
him, that question evidenced the vio-
lence of the shock. His father was
old, broken, helpless, dependent, at
last.
"Give me the blank" he answered,
''I'll wire in your name"
| He repeated the telegram that he
had sent to his father and added these
words as he signed the old mans
name to it:
| Put no more load on the bridge. With
| draw men and traveller.
81 can't understand why we don't
hear" said the young engineer two
hours later, walking up and down the
room in his agitation. 'Two kilograms
and now we can't get a telephone con-
nection, or at least any answer after
our repeated calls"
cts holiday there as well as here"
said the older man. "There is no one
in the Office at Martlet."
''I'll try the telephone again. Some
one may come in at any time"
He sat down at the desk, and after
five minutes Of feverish and excited
waiting he finally did get the Office of
the Martlet Bridge company. By a
happy fortune it appeared that some
one happened to come into the office
just at that moment.
''This is Meade" began the young
man, 'the consulting engineer of the
International bridge. Well, at ten
The Benson signal., 1917-04-28

thirty this morning I sent telegram
to Colonel Illingworth and an hour
later I sent another. What's that?
Both kilograms are on the desk? Give
me your name-Johnson-y one
Of the clerks there? Well, telephone
Colonel nlingworth at his home
what! He isn't at home? Is the vice
president there-tha superintendent
The Benson signal., 1917-04-28
YOUNG MEADE MAKES "A DISCOVERY WHICH TERRIFEs
HIM AND HE TRIES TO SAVE MANY LIVES

Marte Construction is putting
by Bertam Meade engineer
resident
nngworh daughter Colonel ningworh pres
they
bridge complete
grders
desperate
to stop construction fearing great loss of life
The Benson signal., 1917-04-28
Blossom Remains.

Bacon-"Crimsonbeak says his wife
keeps his nose to the grindstone." Egg
bert-"Wel, it doesn't seem to wear
the red off of it."
The Benson signal., 1917-04-28

What happens after the crash
is told in the next instalIment.
What happens to the Meades
and IIIingworths, and the vast
trouble stirred up, makes thrill
ing chapters.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-16
KRAMER WINS CASE
 IN APPEALS COURT
Cullman Bank Man Will Now Stand Another Trial
 on Charges Made

Montgomery. May 5.-tSpeciaD-Effo of the state to keep Joseph IT. Kramer, former assistant cashier of the German Bank of Cullman. in prison for embez- clement Of funds of the bank before 1t failed, were defeated in the court of ap- peals Tuesday when the court overruIed the states application for rehearing. Manners case was reversed and remand ed to the Cuiman circuit court for an- other trial last month and he immediately returned 10 his home at Cullman to await further efforts of the state.
 Kramer came to the penitentiary after his conviction and served on his sem tence during the time the case was being considered by the court of appeals.
 In another case the court of appeals granted a new trial to Rufe Newell of Dallas county, who was convicted of mur- der in the second degree on circumstan- tial evidence and sentenced to 10 years. The court held that the trial judge erred in permitting certain evidence to go be- fore the jury which may have explained satisfactorily the web of evidence wound about Newell. Newell was charged with the murder of Minnie Miller. a girl with whom he was seen a short time before she was killed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-16

will have more money to spend than ever before and they will not find the things they want disappearing from the market.
 There is an abnormai demand for ev- erything the workers of this country can grow or manufacture. There is work at high wages for every man and woman who wants work
 q consider the present the most auspi- cious period from the standpoint of na- tiCnal prosperity in my memory There is not one good reason why the business of this country should not proceed in it's normal course on an everincreasing line. The percapita wealth of Americans today is greater than ever before-greater than that of the people of nation at any time in the past or in the present. Our national wealth is past the widest drea ms of few years back.
 Labor is satisfactorily employed and at record wages Every day that the war lasts will find a great demand for the la bor and the brains of the wage and salary earners of the United States.
 Whether the war ends tomorrow, or whether it lasts indefinitely this much is certain: The United States having posses sion of approximately 70 per cent of the worlds supply of gold, the greatest natu- ral resource sand geographic isolation, is certain to suffer less than any other nation in the war or in the whole world
 The future of our nation is secure; our business prosperity is founded on safe grounds. our labor situation is remark ably. good and I cannot conceive of a sane or justifiable reason why the peo- pie of the United States should become alarmed over any phase of the martial business or industrial situation
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-16
Business Of Country
 WiU Continue Good,
 Says /. Ogden Armour

Chicago, May 15.-Continuation of the prosperity of the country in spite of the war and continuation without experiencing any temporary depression will follow the adoption of a business as usual' pro- gramme in the opinion of J. ogden Ar mour, Chicago meat packer and member of the Illinois State Council of Defense, and of the advisory committee of the Council of National Defense
 The prompt adoption by the American people Of the business as usual idea is going to enable this nation to prosecute war without experiencing a temporary de- pression such as England and France have recently recovered from" Mir Ar motr said today.
 Modern war;" he said requires the expenditure of huge sums of money and means maximum employment and high wages for all workers. Other conditions peculiar to this war make 1t certain that this nation will enjoy a period of business and industrial activity the like of which has never been seen, and which is assured whether the war lasts several months or several years"
 Speaking of the possibility that over cautiousness might result from war economy suggestions, MT. Armour said :: There Is some reason to believe that economy rules will be misapplied for awhile, but conditions are such that the pubic will soon see if they have not all ready, that there is no occasion what ever for them to become alarmed. They
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-16
WAR LEGISLATION
 ID BE SPEEDED UP
 ON WILSON'S ORDER

Washington, May 15.-President Wilson tonight began an effort to have Congress speed up war legislation. At a White House conference with members of Sen ate and House agriculture committeeJ he emphasized the imperative necessity for prompt action upon the food control leg islation the administration believes is essential to the conduct of the war
 The conference was general in charac- ter and no specific agreement were reached, but there were indications that the committeeman went away prepared to undertake early enactment of laws to prevent speculation in roods and to as sure an equitable return to the producer and fair price to the consumer
 The President stated emphatically to those gathered about him that it would be difficult to express in parliamentary language what should be done with any enc who speculates in food products in situation like the present.
 The various bills now before Congress probably will be revised into three meas ures to express definitely the ideas of the administration as to food control. The two t1OuSe DtilS very nearly pFONlQe now what the administration believes is the
 best programme.
 The first Lever bill to provide a food survey and to stimulate production prob ably will be left as it is. The second measure, the so-calleu regulatory bill probably will be changed to include the provisions of the Gore resolution calling for a controller general of food sup plies.
 The third measure will provide preferen- tjal shipments for fooastuffs This is provided in the regulatory bill, but both the President and Secretary Houston, who was called into the conference, thought preferential shipments are of vital importance and that this provision should be rushed through with all possi- ble haste.
 Secretary Houston made clear the ad- ministration's intentions concerning price control 1t is not intended, he pointed out, to fix maximum prices generally, but only in specific instances before the un- loading of hoarded stocks of food Mini
 mum prices would be fixed generally to producers if necessary to encourage pro duction.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-16

this day and by so doing will say in effect: Here I am. Take me
 Not only has the individual citizenry of the country made S remarkable re- sponse to the registration call but the states through their official heads have indicated such zeal that there is great rivalry among some of the common wealths for the honor of making the first complete registration returns.
 Many questions asked daily at the war department concerning the regis tration of travelling men and other absen- tees. On the sixth day after the date of the Presidents proclamation, any one subject to registration who expects to be absent from his home on registration day, should go to the clerk of the county where he may be staying. If he is in a city of over 5000 popula tion the city clerk is the official to whom to apply. The absentee will be told how to register and a registration card will be filled out. This card must be mailed by the absen- tee so as to reach the registrar of his home precinct by registration day. The clerk to whom the absentee applies is not empowered to issue the absentee a registration certificate. This is issued by the registrar in his home precinct.
 Persons too sick to present themselves for registration must send a competent person to the county or city clerk on the sixth day after the date of the President s proclams tion The clerk will give instruc- tions for registration.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-16
REGISTRATION IS TOPIC OF INTEREST
 ALL OVER NATION

Washington, May 15.-(Speciall 1.-The war department Is eratifed by the spontaneous offers of uncompensated as sistance in carrying out the work of registration.
 One father, in offering to serve as reg lstrar. writes: T have two sons in the guard and one in the regular army. but want to do my own little bit" This is typical of hundreds of letters. All such offers properly should be made to the governors, who are the heads of the registration machinery in their respective states.
 The war department wishes to impress upon the people that there is only one day for registra tion. All males between the ages must register on the day set The fact that five days are allowed for the placing of the necessary blank forms in the hands of the registrars appears to have misled some headline writers One day only-the day fixed in the President S proclamation-will be devoted to registra- tion
 It should be clearly understood that no male resident of the United States between the designated ages is excused from registration unless he is already in the military or naval service of the United States; that is, a member of the regular army or navy, the marine corps, coast guard service, or that part of the National Guard now actually in the fed eral service. Registration is distinct from selective service. Registration is a necessary preliminary to the later pro- cess of selection.
 It is useless to ask registrars to excuse any one from registration. The registrar has no such power. No one can suspend the law requiring all to register
 It is important that all shall understand the significance of registration and it is hoped that the day will be approached in the spirit with which the government has appointed it. Democracy is its es- sence. No one can absent himself nor can the well-to-do man hire another to represent him on the occasion. The countrys manhood will present itself on
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-16
COMPLETE PERSONNEL

The completed personnel of the mis- sion was announced today by the state department as follows:
 Elihu Root, ambassador extraordinary ot the United States of Amerlca on spe- cial mission; John R. Mott, Charles R. Crane, Cyrus H. Mccormick, Samuel R Bertron, James Duncan and Charles Ed ward Russell, envoy extraordinary on special mission.
 Maj.-Gen. Hugh L. Scott, chief of staff Of the army, military representative of the President on special diplomatic mis- sion; Rear Admiral James H. Glennon; naval representative of the President: Col. R. F. l.. Michie, aid to the chief if staff; Col William V. Judson, military tttache; Lieut. -Col. T. Bentley Mott, mili- -ary aide to MT. Root; Surgeon General Holton c. Curl, U. s. N. on special diplo- .natic mission; Lieut.. Ava D. Bernhard, de to Admiral Glennon
 Basil Miles, secretary to the mission; Maj. Stanley Washburn, U. s. A., assist ant secretary; Eugene Prince. civilian aide and interpreter; James E McKenna (clerk in state department, chief clerk and disbursing officer; Clyde s. Stilwell, clerk; James F. ORourke (secretary to Senator Pomerene); James Keeghan (sec- retary to Representative Ferris), clerk Duane E. Washburn (clerk in state de- partment) Walter w. King (secretary to Representative Baker,, clerk; George D. Gregory (clerk Carnegie peace founda- tion); Sergeant Paul z. Randolph, U. S. A., orderly to General Scott, and George E, Long, messenger.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-16
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Giants Lose Lead

New York. May 15.-New York was de- prived of its lead in the National league race here today, St. Louis taking it's sec ond straight 10-inning game from the locals, 5 to f. After New York went into the lead In the seventh inning, scoring three runs, the visitors scored four in the eighth Hornsby hit home run with two men on base. New York tied the score in its half on pass to Robertson, two in- field outs and Kilduff's single. St. Louis won on hits by its substitute battery. when Gonzales singled and took second on r. Smiths infield out and scored on a single by Ames, the former New York pitcher. Score: R. H. E. St. Louis ........... .OO0 GOO 040 1-5 Il 1 New York ...... 900 900 BIO O-4 9 ?
 Batteries: Meadows, Ames and Snyder, Gonzales; Tesreau, Perritt and McCarty.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-16
To Get Cheap Phones

Montgomery, May 15.-(Special.) )-Or- ganizations interested in the various campaigns for the advancement of the war against Germany, including the American Red Cross, agricultural conl- mittees, safety committees and National Guard, will receive a reduction of 8 1-3 ger cent in the rates on telephones. This announcement was made to the Alabama public service commission Tuesday by the main office of the Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph company. No charge will be made to the Red Cross when in active service, provided the company has facilities for handling the telephones or the service can be of value to the company fh it's business after the end of the war.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-16
War Army Bill WiH Pass Before End or
 Week, Now Forecast

Washington, May 15-The war army bill probably will become a law within the next few days and before the end of the week the comprehensive plans of the war department for raising force to fight Germany will be in motion
 Conferees of Senate and House agreed upon the bill today deciding to retain the Senate amendment under which Colonel Roosevelt may be authorized to raise not more than four divisions of infantry for service in France. The report will be taken up by the House probably to-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-16
Dodgers Rally and Win

Brooklyn, May 15-Brooklyn jumped on Schneider today in the fifth inning for five runs and won by to ?, after having lost seven straight. Stengel hit home run with two on bases after Roush's huff of Daubert's fly in the high wind pre- vented Cincinnati from retiring the side. A hit and a tumble let in the last Brooklyn run in the seventh. Cheney was wild and