davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-02
PISTOL HAND OF MIR. QUATTRoNH

From the New York World.
 It Is related of Michael Quattrone that he could pick card from a handful. throw it toward the table and. with the same hand, draw his pistol and hit q mark on the wall before the card stopped falling. MT. Quattrone Is no longer so accomplished He had the misfortune to trip over chair as he advanced pistol in hand and the gunmen in his doorway 'got him"
 This, as 1t happens. Is no legend of a border city, The catastrophe of Mr. Quattrone took place in the back room of saloon in Mulberry street. New York. It was Sunday. Ten men were playing cards when the gunmen--three of them-appeared. The invaders did not come to enforce the Sunday law. They had merely dropped in to trump MT. Quattrones ace.
 Nor is it with any purpose of discussing Sunday observance that the affair of the Quattrone back room is reviewed here Present mention is due to the chance re- fection that Mulberry street. too. Is a part of the commonwealth covered by the Sullivan law with regard to the having and holding of firearms
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-02
LABOR SUNDAY Frank Willis Barnett

inequalities which he sees day by day in his pastoral rounds and that ssa%>> ject after subject will come to him when he stands to speak in the name of the Great Teacher.
 AS minister who must this day stand in the presence of a congregation in which there are miners and mine owners, I feel my deep responsibility to face the situation squarely and speak the truth to both as God gives me the power to do i. in the name and for the glory of His Blessed Son, whose mission was to preach the gospel to the poor and to heal the broken hearted.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-02
MANrrLL,s GHOST STORY

From Everybody's Magazine.
 Robert Mantell tells of a barnstorming company in the west in tho old days that made try at Shakespeare. Consid- erable complaint was heard relative to the efforts of tho man who cssayed to do the ghost in Hamlet
 One day dramatic man on local paper said to the leading man:
 That fellow who plays the ghoPt does not suggest the supernatural"
 T should say not assented the lead ing man with alacrity "but he does the natural super"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-02

and it may be that a large percentage of our surplus cotton will find it's way to England after all. If that should be so we would not only see 25-cent cotton again, but 30 cents would look cheap. As it all depends, however, many farmers will sell a portion of their crop at the market price as soon as it is ginned and wait for later de- velopments.
 Of the total crop Alabama's pro duction is about 100000 bales. That is doing remarkably well considering the activity of the weevil.
 Route From PeIl
 City to Leeds
 TIT HE only rough stretch of road
 < that the Bankhead highway scouts inspected last month was that over the mountain between Pell City and Leeds. The other links west of Atlanta that needed attention could be put in good condition at compara- lively small cost, but Horace c. AL ford, familiar with the St. Clair county roads, writes to The Age-Her- aid to point out the feasibility of the Elbow Gap route. He says it is the only one through which highway "can be built and maintained and, at the same time, serve the taxpayers of St. Clair to their best interest" It would enable the people to cross Backbone mountain at a point in the northern part of the county that could be reached without going a more dis tant route to accomplish the same purpose. There is already a fine road, MT. Afford says, leading from Leeds up the valley to Branchville, and from there, by turning eastwardly to the "Elbow" and crossing the mountain at that point, one may proceed to Pell City without encountering the rugged country on the longer route.
 The people of St. Clair are said to be deeply interested in the Bankhead highway proposition. As the two proposed routes have advocates, citi- zens have been called to meet at Riverside Saturday, September 15, for the purpose of discussing the sit uation and pushing the claims of the Elbow Gap line Addresses will be made by speakers we'll known in good roads circles-one or more of them of national reputation.
 The public all the way from Wash ington to Birmingham and on to Mem phis and Little Rock is taking a live ly interest in the Bankhead highway. It is promised that it will be finally located this fall and that the greater part of it will be connected up" early next spring. It is generally believed that the government will designate it as military road and lend it if nancial aid.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-02
HOTEL LOBBIEs
Stock of Pipe

We are carrying the largest stock of piping that we have ever carried, and perhaps the largest ever carried in Bir- mingham," stated J. E. Yam, vice pres ident of the Young & vann Supply Co.
 You see we had to get this stock when we could. and though we have thousands of dollars tied up in the immense piles of steel and iron, we are sure that every piece of 1t will be needed in order to supply our orders for the rest of the year't
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-02

were only ss prisoners, ten of whom were government prisoners and one held for another county. On that same date last year. there were 214 prison CTS in the county jail.
 In the city jail yesterday there were 45 prisoners. On the same date last year, there were 13O.
 This shows remarkable diminu- tion of crime. It shows that Instead of bad Birmingham, this has gotten to be good Birmingham.
 Now, why should not the good peo- pie of Birmingham live in peace and harmony with one another. Let them not inject extraneous issues in this city election. Let the men who are candidates make their contests on merit and ability to handle the citys affairs.
 The sensible people of this town arc looking carefully into the merits. and force. and the business ability of the men who are offering for city com missioners. Few people have yet pledged themselves. They will judge of the candidates by their utterances. their declarations and their past acts.
 nrnnoaa to vote for the men who
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-02
Russia Compared

4N91SSAa OOII0P@T@a
 T toNUmiGed States
 lG67THERE'S no use knocking Rus H sia-she's merely in the fix we would be in now if we were at war with first-class power alone, with but allies,7 says the Boston Trans cript.
 This paragraph was intended more in jest than earnest, although no one familiar with conditions in America one year ago could fail to realize what our predicament would be if we were opposing Germany unaided and 2unprepared.
 The stay-at-home patriots who in sist that they would fight to the last drop of their blood-on American soil-would have an opportunity to do so. What war has meant to ravaged Belgium would be brought home to the people of our Atlantic coast cities and towns. We would have cut sorry figure, although those sublime quail ties which have made America free and independent would have shown forth in undiminished splendor and we would have equaled the heroic record of the Belgians, probably with much the same disastrous results.
 But there is a great difference be- tween the American people and the Russians. Despite sporadic outbursts here and there, we have learned to distinguish between liberty and license, between individual rights and anarchy. We have been a free people long enough to know how to make the best use of freedom, while the Rus sians are for the most part dazed and bewildered by it. They are learning their first lessons in democracy, and they are not proving apt pupils.
 Facing Germany single-handed might have cost us bitter defeat and national humiliation, but we would have stuck together considerably bet ter than the Russians are doing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-02
Crop Larger Than
Had Been Expected


 x COTTON crop of 12,499,000 &A bales--the governments last estimate lis larger than had been expected very large for these days of diversification and boil weevil. There was a 10 per cent improvement over conditions of a month ago, but as growing weather is about ended there will be little change in the fig ures just announced.
 Allowing for slumps in the market &his years crop will sell for huge Sum. The market is now on 20- mt basis. If that price could be V .intained the 1917 crop, with the F d added, would bring to the south Approximately $500, 100000. It is afe to say that in any circumstances she totAl should be well above a bil- ,n dollars.
 England needs all the fleecy staple Fl can spare, and more. But our ex-
 Tt cotton trade depends entirely on number of ships available for Iansporting this commodity. Food oSbiies and munitions will have the sht of way as long as the war lasts. Hut in all departments of wartime |SSxvice there is wonderful efficiency,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-02
NOT YET THE HOUR

NO1 Fl 1f1E E1OUh Alas, alaok. the gentle dove
 Of peace Is on the wing, And seeks in vain place to light, Though courier and king Her restless course still follow close, While turning here and there, For we'll they know she isn't out, Simply to take the air. But much we fear the hapless bird Will have a weary quest, Before at last, on friendly ground, She settles down to rest For there can be no lasting peace That does not guarantee The doom of ruthless autocrats, And worldwide liberty.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-02
Prussia to Assail
 Presidert's Motives

Il II " S4SANS40& a 3V0V V&0VS0
 A TRACKING President Wilson's GA motives was the only way in which German autocracy could meet the Presidents reply tc the pope's peace proposals. A campaign to poison still further the minds of the German people is already under way.
 It is not hard to imagine the feel ing of rage and resentment with which the Prussian rulers of Ger many again see sharp distinction drawn between themselves and the people whom they have deluded into cruel and senseless war. The in- dictment of the German government made by MT. Wilson was as pitiless as it was true, yet he but stated In his own words conclusions that had already been reached throughout large part of the world.
 What success will attend the latest propaganda, conducted by a venal press, remains to be seen, but there are indications that the German peo- pie are beginning to think more for themselves. There is growing unrest.
 It is question now of how much longer Prussia will be able to impose it's will on the federation of German states. If the German people would assert themselves peace might be made without another battle being fought, but while autocracy is in the saddle America and her allies will fight on, sure that in the end their cause will triumph.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-02

It Is well for the churches once year the laboring man, for some of the work CTS misled by atheistical propagandists are continually striving to prejudice the workers against religion.
 
 For this and other good reasons Labor Sunday has grown to be an important anniversary in an increasingly large number of churches without regard to sect or denomination. This year. as no other heretofore. there is need for it's careful and conscientious observance. "
 It would be a strange confession of weakness and unpreparedness if the churches had no special message for labor in time of war; The mere fact that the country Is at war, the need that rests upon us to conserve every energy, the responsibility that we have as an in- dustrial nation to serve the interests of mankind, all demand that we leave no effort untried which might make us an efficient nation
 It is highly appropriate that the churches in this district observe today in a spirit of appreciation of the patriotism shown by the miners in putting aside some of their claims in order not to em- barrass the President in his conduct of the war. It is not for me here to go into the merits of the controversy but 1t is entirely appropriate rnat labor should be credited with it's desire to do it's bit to help win the war against German au- tocracy.
 If we arc to have world democracy, such as we believe is inherent in the spirit of the kingdom which we pray to have come on this earth. 1t Is necessary to do as much as possible to hasten the development of an industrial democ- racy which shall be dominated by tho same Christian principles which we de- social order.
 
 It Is a tr,lism that the social condi- ton of the people Is the dominating question of the age. Nearly every religious denomination in It's conferences, con- ventions. presbyteries or synods, has made some pronouncement on social mat ters And as has been it's custom dur ing previous years, the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America, representing practically all of the evan gelical churches. has prepared special message for Labor Sunday. In all the industrial countries of the world the problems of labor and capital, of poverty and wealth. and of the in- numerable issues which arise out of the ling themselves upon the attention of tie statesmen moralists. religious teachers and all who have any regard for their own interests or for the welfare of their fellows.
 The Federal Council or the Churches of Christ in America has declared that l! "the Christian ideal of the state cannot be realized until the principles of democ- racy are applied to industry. Therefore. must the churches support all measures that really make for industrial democ- racy." I have been a student of social questions for years, sitting at the feet of some of the worlds greatest thinkers, and I am fairly well read in the litera- : | ture of the subject, and 1t Is my candid opinion that the only way to put an end to industrial wars between labor and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-02

fall has fully come the community ac- tivities must have suitable quarters.
 Community singing has been in vogue recently in New York and sew eral other cities, but in none of them has there been such wholehearted demonstration of the possibilities of this new cultural and social service movement as may be found here in Birmingham. Community Leader Robert Lawrence is a marvel of en- ergy and tact, and as an organizer he has displayed exceptional ability. He has the qualities of successful revivalist. He draws the people to his community music and he man ages to hold them.
 A week ago something like ten thousand people assembled in the park to enjoy the music. There will be even larger crowd this afternoon unless the weather should be in element.
 With interest in the community music keyed up to the top notch of enthusiasP winter quarters must be found that will assure a continuance of the song service in which 50 many people participate.
 We know to certain extent the preparations being made by the French to receive American troops. but 1t would help considerably if we knew what preparations are being made by the Teutons to receive them.
 *
 Over a thousand gallons of liquor was destroyed in a Birmingham alley the other day. Yet bibulous persons would have been quite willing to pay s5 quart for it.
 *
 Madame Bernhardt has started an- other tour of America. And. further more, she Is apt to be on hand when a triumphant peace is celebrated in Paris.
 Mir Gerard says the German crown prince is not as bad as he is painted. Still, that Is not exactly what you would call compliment
 
 Old Father Noah sailed the watery waste with a tranquil mind. He voy- aged considerably in advance of the U-boats.
 It may be some time yet before the price of a loaf tumbles enough 10 gladden. the heart of the ultimate con sulner
  As soon as he gets one speech out of his system he begins work on an- other.
 A contemporary says China has not 1,a+ fo,,,d larsa1F mbara (. bo1. o, long as she continues to make the effort
 Birmingham's wide streets enable Messrs. 'strangler" Lewis and Zby- szko to pass each other without jost- ling.
 The pacifists are having almost as hard a time finding a place to light as the justly renowned dove of peace. The average vaudeville performer has evidently never heard that pun is the lowest form of wit.
 At any rate, the German government knows now exactly what President Wilson thinks of It.
 The price of face powder has gone up and shiny noses may yet add to the horrors of war.
 The Italians have at last reached a point where they can do little down. hill work.
 It's a reflection on Napoleon to sug gest that the Kaiser be sent to St. Helena
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-02
Spending Large Sum.

T was surprised to see what attractive depots the Alabama Great Southern had in Bessemer," said Colman B,ach. T was struck with the amount of work being and Tuscaloosa It shows that the men behind 1t are expecting to take care of 2 great volume of business. The railroads are spending vast sums to meet the re- quirements of the territories which they serve"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-02
SEEMS QUEER

"Gnthery is an oid-fashioned man." "In what partlcuIar?"
 He says he'd rather hear mocking bird sing than listen to photograph"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-02

BEGINNING THE DAY-Grant, o Lord, that I shall not fall vic tim to self-ptty. Take all whine out of me. Give me to stand up straight, to walk right on, to deal my blows in the Open.s to take my punish ment like a man. For Christ's sake. Amen.-H. M. F.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-02
Praises Wilson's Reply

T think President Wilson's reply to the pope is one of the finest state papers ever read" said Dr. J. H. Finder. Tt is courteous. yet forceful. and makes the against one another stand out In bold re- lief. His indictment of kaiserism Is the most terrific bit> of writing that I know anything about. It must have It's effect on the German people if they get a chance to read it.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-02
Open Air Season
 NIas Ha @1

Nearing Its Close
 1THE community singers and the U new Philharmonic orchestra will be heard at Capitol park this aft ernoon in a varied programme, weather permitting. And speaking of weather, it is, noteworthy fact that this years Sundays have been ideal. Only once has rain fallen during the time scheduled for the programme. If thunderstorm early this afternoon should be in order, the rain probably would cease before the concert hour
 This has been remarkably pleas ant summer indeed. Birmingham will have many delightful days yet before the equinoxial storms, but when the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-02
Interesting Trip to Bessemer

''The ride from Birmingham to Besse- mer is a most interesting one,'' said Bert Jacobs. The hills on both sides, with the great iron developments with the grad ings, entrances, and trackage, look ike good idea of the manner In which the entente and the central powers are lined up against one another.s We ought, however. to be thankful that they stand for peace, and mean that this district is using the wealth stored within its noun tain ranges"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-02
Day of the Cartoonist

T want to congratulate The Age-Her- aid on its cartoons" said Perry Fowlkes. T see a number of papers, but I think Walter Blackman stands at the very top among the cartoonists.
 Its getting so that the public looks more and more to the cartoonists to catch the moods and fancies of the people and give them shape. Some are humorous gift to be able to get an idea and put 1t into a picture that carries 8 lesson.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-02
AN IRRITATED NEIGHBoR

I'm afraid the Grabcoins are ostenta- tious."
 II haven't noticed that particularly
 Maybe I ought not to criticize them, but I'm getting tired of hearing them say how gladly they will turn over their seven automobiles to the government whenever 1t needs them"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-02
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
SCIENTIFIC ABSTRACTION
>Aes63o-oeo

SCIENTIFIC ADS ItxAV1 lN7tV
 I've been invited to deliver lecture at Umps college" said the first savant.
 "Umps college" murmured the second savapt. What do I know about that institution? Oh, yes. Umps college con ferred an honorary degree on me once. but I'm blest if remember what 1t was"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-02

can best serve tho city, regardless of their friends or their relations. I be- lieve there are thousands of other voters who feel as do. would not select a man to conduct my business who I did not believe was competent to do so. Nor would I vote for a man for city commissioner who did not believe to be competent to conduct the city's affairs in business-like manner.
 It is a known fact that changes ara necessary in the government of this city. But we should know in detail what the men who offer for places on the commission propose to do.
 There may or there may not be oth- CT candidates who shall offer before the Sth day of September. In the meantime, let us all inquire into the merits of the men offering and select the competent ones to govern our city
 Likewise, let us exercise common sense in helping to build up the small and the largo industries here. Put aside jea1ousies, help one another de- velop the Birmingham spirit and make 1t the great southern industrial center
 l..AR,-zeo
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-02
sQuELcHED

A poor press scribe has lost his mind
 You ask me what deranged it? Whene'er he used a fancy word
 The blooming printer changed it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-02
pr. stuart Lectures

There are a good many people in Bir- mingham who do not know what big nlan we have as our pastor up at the First Methodist church." stated Russell Hunt, treasurer of the First Methodist church.
 "Dr. Stuart has recently lectured through Indiana and Illinois and a part |of Kentucky under the auspices of a lyceum course. and spoke along with Bry- an and Taft, and wherever they had a Taft or Bryan day the programme there was also g. Stuart day. The beauty about these trips will be fully realized, as Dr. Stuart tells about them from his pulpit That Is what he travels for, in order to bring to his auditors something new, something interesting. He Is a close student of human nature and never loses an opportunity for an apt comparison
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-02
Washington Bureau. ao7 Hibbs Build

Washington Bureau. POT Hibbs Build ing
 European bureau. Henrietta street, Covent Garden. London.
 Eastern business office. Rooms 4S 10 30, inclusive. Tribune Building, New York city; western business office, Tribune Building, Chicago. The $. c. Beckwith Special Agency, agents for foreign advertising.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-02

word. Comedy of Errors.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-02
Member of the Associated Press

Member of the Associated Press
 The Age-Hera1d Is the only morning and Sunday newspaper in Birmingham carrying the Associated Press dis patches.
 The Associated Press Is exclusively entitled to the use for republication of all news credited to 1t or not other wise credited In this paper and also f the local news published herein,
 All rights of republication of spe- cial dispatches herein are also re- served.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-02
PROGRESS

These days we talk of billions,~ As if but trifling sums; We may get up to trillions Before the showdown comes.
 PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-02

TELEPHONE Bell (nrivate exchange connecting all departmental Main 4000.