davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-17
DECREASE IN NEW
 CASES INFLUENZA SHOWN BY REPORT

Sixtyseven new cases of influenza were reported to the city health depart ment yesterday and II burial permits were issued for deaths resulting from influenza and pneumonia. This Is a notable decrease in the number of new leases reported daily last week, accord
 ing to the department, the average number per day having been about 100. IA statement regarding the num- Der of new cases made by Dr. Bowling Sunday was to the effect that those of last week were fewer than were re- ported the previous week, indicating that the influenza epidemic is on a gradual decline.
 Notwithstanding this fact health of |ficials urge the people not to slacken lthe precautionary measures necessary to keep the disease under control. They state that the extent and severity of
 the disease depends upon individual precautions, and ask that the public operate with them by using safe guards previously described through the
 press and other channels.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-17
LEGISLATIVE AID
OIL COMPANY HEAD PREDICTS OIL PRICES
 TO REMAIN HIGH
"Ships Will Be More and More Pro-
 pelled by Oil-Burning Engines" Says E. J. Engle

B. J. Engle of Salt Lake City presi- dent of the Wasatch Oil and Refining company, is in the city for few days confering with the local representa- tfves of his company here.
 The midcontinental field, of which section Montgomery county, Kansas, Is the heart and in which county our company owns a lease, supplied 46 per cent of the oil used during the war. This is a wonderfully rich oil and gas field It is estimated that there are 5000 producing oil wells in Montgom- cry county within a five-mile radius. our company has four producing wells at once This field Is also rich in gas. On. December 10 a well of 60,000. 900 feet a day capacity was brought in. The pressure was so great the tools and derrick were blown several hundred feet.
 'Oil prices are going to be high for years to come, I think. The fact is, we are entering into a petroleum age. Our ships are more and more going to be propelled by oil burning engines. Farm tractors require oil or gasoline and au- tomobiles are on the Increase. The fact is the worlds demand for oil is greater than the output.
 q am looking for great development in the midcontinenta1 field. Wells are shallow there and the cost of getting oil and gas out of the ground and to the markets is comparatively small
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-17
INTEREST GROWS IN
 AUTOMOBILE SCHOOL
First Real Demonstration to Take Place Tonight at Chamber
 Auditorium

The Birmingham automobile club school of instruction will have it's first real demonstration tonight at o'clock in the auditorium Of the Chamber of Commerce at which time Wilburn B, (Red) Smith, who knows automobiles, and w. D. Albright, local mechanic, will address the class.
 Interest is growing in this school which is being largely attended and indications are that tts largest class will be in attendance. The Hudson car has been set up and the workings of the motor will te fully explained by these instruc- tors, who will also answer any ques- tion that the members might ask. These classes are made most enjoyable by vari- GUS e1sons telling of the trouble they have had and having the instructors then tell them what they should have done to remedy this trouble.
 Arthur t. Crowder, chairman of the committee on arrangements for the school of instruction, will have charge of the meeting tonight and the general publid as well as members of the automobile club are invited to be present.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-17
SUITS FILED

Giles Lewis. minor. by Sam Crocker. vs. Sheffield Steel and Iron conn pany, s3O0O claimed for alleged personal injuries.
 Alonza Harvey. minor. by Fannie Har- vel. vs. Robinson Mining company, $5000 claimed for alleged personal injuries.
 Miles Sanders, Jr., by Miles Sanders ys. Harbison- Walker Refractories com pany. s10.0oO claimed Tor alleged per- sonal injuries.
 c. c. Nunnally vs. Birmingham Rail- way, Light and Power company, $5000 claimed for alleged persorei injuries.
 Mennie Pair vs. Birmingham Railway. Light and Power company, $5000 claimed for alleged personal injuries.
 James Glover vs. Western Union Tele- graph company, $2500 claimed. The plaintiff alleges that his brother left a message addressed to him at the Selma office of the defendant on November IA for transmission and it was not deliv- cred to him until November 27.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-17
s32,S20,S95.G1
Taylor Wants Branch Federal Reserve Banks
 Name to Be Correct

The name of the Birmingham branch of the federal reserve bank will be changed if the proposition made the city fathers by Commits sioner John H. Taylor Is adopted.
 Commissioner Taylor wants to know why the two big bronze signs in front of the building do not read 'eThe Birmingham Branch of the Sixth Federal Reserve Dis- trict," instead of sThe Birming- ham Branch of the Federal District Bank of Atlanta.o In his conten- tiOn Commissioner Taylor points out the fact that there is no fed- eraI district bank of Atlanta, ac- cording to the law, and for strang- ers to read the sign they would think Birmingham was a suburb of Atlanta. He states he will take the matter to Washington to have that sign changed, if necessary, as it is a constant source of misleading the public. and is m absolute misrep- resentati0n.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-17
ROBERT JEMISON, JR., MADE ASSISTANT TO
 DEPARTMENT HEAD
Local Mans Ability Recognized by
 Emergency Fleet Corporation, Transportation and Hous- ing Department

Information comes from Washington that Robert Jemison. Jr., of BirminS- ham has been designated as assistant to the manager of the transportation and housing division of the emergency fleet corporation, with authority to ex- ecute all official documents pertain ing to the work of the division in the absence of A. Merritt Taylor, the man ager.
 Mr Jemison has been connected with the housing division of the emergency fleet corporation during the past year and in this work has made an enviable record for himself by his intelligent and efficient handling of the matters coming before him.
 He has been stationed at Hog Island the greater part of the time. but his duties took him to other cities where shipbuilding was in progress.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-17
TICKET SELLERS
 VERY BUSY PEOPL|
Passenger Traffic Is Heavier Tn for Any Previous
 Years

Passenger traffic on the railrosl entering Birmingham is reported be heavier than usual at this seas| of the year. despite the fact that costs more to travel now than it ( a year ago, and as the holidys approa it continues to increase. The Unit States railroad administration has . authorized reduced rates for holid travel this year, but notwithstandi that fact, the number of people leavi, or coming to the city is just as gre as in former years, if not greater.
 The consolidated ticket office 2010 First avenue and the offices the Terminal and the Louisville q Nashville stations are busy pla throughout the day and the ticket st CTS have about all they can do in han ling the business of the offices.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-17
Salvation Army
 to Furnish Needy
 Families With Dinner
Entertainment for Children Will Be Held at Salvation Hall on
 Christmas Night

The local branch of the Salvation Army will make their annual Christ mas gift to the needy families of the city, which will consist of generously filled basket containing chicken, po- tatoes, turnips, cabbage, apples, milk coffee, bread. candy, oranges and g few other things. There will also be a free Christmas entertainment for the "kiddies" with gifts of various kinds.
 The baskets will be given out at o'clock Tuesday afternoon, December 24, to holders of tickets whose needs have been investigated by Salvation Army officials. The entertainment will be held on Christmas night at the Sai- vation hall. North Twentieth street, and will commence at o'clock.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-17
MARTINS DECISION AWAITED BY CITY;
 ACTION HELD UP
No Further Action Against B. R. l.. & P. Go. Until Result of Cases Tried
 Is Known

No further action toward swearing out additional complaints against the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company will be taken by the city off cials, notwithstanding the fact that they have been swamped with com plaints against the service of the com pany, until the decision of Judge Henry l.. Martin is announced in the cases tried in his court last week.
 Judge Martin will not render a de- cision until the court stenographer' 5 transcript of all evidence in the 14 charges against the company is com pleted. It is the concensus of opinion of officials who have been keeping up with every phase of the cases that the company will be fined in a majority of the cases.
 The majority of the complaints be- ing received are regarding the skip stop system, which was to have been abolished the first week in December Many citizens state they have been passed by street cars while waiting at the skip-stops and that on many lines the cars are skipping stops just as much as they did when the rule was in full swing.
 The Birmingham Railway, Right and Power company at present has in op- eration 149 motor cars and 66 trailers to care for the traffic in a widely sep arated city of 100000 people. With this condition prevailing it is pointed out that the fight between the city and the company will last for several months or at least until more cars are put in operation.
 There is apparently no way for the city to bring suit against the Birming- ham Railway, Light and Power com pany for alleged poor gas service, as the tests which are made three times daily show that more than the required number of units are being consistently supplied since the new testing machine has been in operation. II is said thai are made frequently of over charging by the company.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-17
|U. c. T. COUNCILS
 PLAN BIG JOINT
 MEETING DEC. 2l
Elaborate Luncheon and Smoker to Be Held in the Council
 Hall

Birmingham United Commercial Travellers are planning a big time at q Joint meeting of the two local coun- cils here, Nos 172 and 5s2. on Satur- day evening, December 21. review of the past years work will be made to see how much was done and how much more will be done the coming year.
 Notwithstanding the strenuous con diticns in the commercial world this nassing year, the organization has shown fine growth and the local bodies have had their share of new members added to their ranks.
 An elaborate luncheon will be served at the council hail. which will satis- fly any appetite. Of course, the smokes will be good ones, too. The arrange ments are in the hands of two strong committees who will see that every thing is pulled off in proper style. The committees through their general chairmen, Bob Kennedy and Charlie Abrams. invite all members of the or ganization in Birmingham at this time to come up and mix in with the local good fellows. .
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-17

the city of Birmingham and Jefferson county to lend their credit to the ter minal and transportation facilities prop osition They will not ask authority for the city and the county to appropri- ate money for their construction, but merely to issue bonds with the faith and credit of the city and the county back of the tangible security in the way of the improvements built with the pro- ceeds of the bonds.
 A special committee will be appointed at the next meeting to investigate this matter and report on the character of legislation needed to give the city and county the necessary authority to back up the Warrior river proposition.
 In support of their contention that the city and the county should lend their credit to this enterprise members of the committee pointed out the direct anc enormous benefit flowing to the entire western half of the state from the devel- opment of the Warrior river. They say that not only will the towns and cities on the banks of the river secure advan- tages through it's development but the country for 30 to 40 miles on either side will be equally benefited in that they will be given sure and cheap access to the richest mineral district in the south and an open water route to the Gulf Of Mexico and the outside world.
 The government will provide the vessels for carrying the freight and (COntfnued on Page Nine)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-17

Among the things that must be done by Birmingham before her business interests can profit by the development of the Warrior are terminal facilities and means of transporting freight be- tween Birmingham and the river. These facilities may be secured in one of two ways; by private enterprise or through the credit of the city or the county, or both jointly.
 As the development is for the benefit of the whole district, including Birming- ham, and not for any particular indi- vidual or interest, the county and the city should lend their credit towards the en- terprse, members of the committee who discussed the matter yesterday con tend. They say that the expense of building terminals at the river and trans- portaton facilities between Birmingham and the river would be expensive for any one or several interests to under take their construction and operation, and as the whole community will bene- fit through the development of the War rior river navigation the whole commun- ity should at least guarantee their cost
 LEGISLATIVE AID
 After a genera. discussion of ways and means the committee took under con sideration a suggestion that appropri- ate legislation be asked of the legisla- ture which meets in January authorizing
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-17

Give lem books and the convalescent soldiers will be happy.
 A constant stream of sick and wound- ed men Is pouring into America from France. They will have many hours or dreary monotony unless they are well supplied with books.
 Every person who contributes book is making a Christmas present to many sick soldiers And no gifts could pos sibly be as welcome.
 The Birmingham public library, CO., operating with the war service of the American Library association, is making Christmas appeal for books Tor use in military hospitals and camps for con. valescents.
 Every book donated for this cause should have a happy ending. Books that
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-17
Treat in Store for
 Local Music Love

The Junior Music Study club in pI 'enting Beryl Rubinstein. the fameI young pianist in a recital at the Majhsi theatre tomorrow night. expects the I operation of all music lovers here making the event successful from evs1 point of view. The seat sale is now progress at the Gable piano store.
 Rubinstein was heard often in Birmir ham several years ago. He was k prodigy and now that he is matured ranks as one of the foremost virtuo: in this country. He has created furor' New York and all the critics give h unstinted praise
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-17
Women Convicted in AnnistOn Court Taken
 to Federal Prison

Thirty women prisoners convicted in the federal court at Anniston recently were taken to Anamosa, Iowa, yester- day by United States Marshal H. A. Skeggs and Deputy George Brown. Chief Deputy Robert Morris left yesterday morning with two prisoners to Industrial. w. Va. and five boys for National Training school at Washington. D. O., and Deputy w. E. Garner took two pris- oners to Tipton. Mo.
 Deputies Divas and Cashion were left in charge of the marshars office during the absence of Mir. Skeggs and Chief Deputy Morris. The officers expect to return the latter part of the week.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-17
Glue Conualescent Soldiers
 Books and Make 'em Hupp,|

delve too deeply into life's problems leave the reader feeling sad would ! 8' disastrous effect on the nerves l soldier who Is all too anxious to N the grim things about life.
 Stories of western life with plenty action, fresh air, romance and hopefi ness to them will be read eagerly by t convalescents. Such soldiers like Za Greys stories of the western plains great deal more than they do a no' which concerns war They are fond, tt of Booth Tarkingtons books. Any ho that Is wholesome, vigorous and en happily would please these soldiers
 Bring the books as soon as possil to the Birmingham Public library. If y can give more than you can carry, pho the library and ask that a Boy Scout sent for them
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-17
Warrior Riuer Committee
 ResoLues Itself Into q
 Permanent Organization
Question of Terminal Facilities Will Be Pushed By Com mttee-Brent Announces He Is Ready to Publish
 Warrior River Freight Tariffs

Having finished which originally created the Warrior
 yesterday resolved itself into permanent
 
 confront Birmingham the Birmingham district be equipped for to but under the provisions of resolution the will be to 2 chair chairman w. D. Nesbitt he authorized employ will be elected will be held within the next few days
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-17
Staff Captain Halpin to
 Make Addresses Here
Returned Salvation Army Worker Has Special Message for Birming-
 ham Parents

Staff Captain William Halpin, who has been doing Salvation Army work in France for the past Is months. li expected to be in Birmingham next Saturday and Sunday and will make several addresses while here. under the auspices of the Salvation Army.
 Staff Captain Malpin is an able speaker and has special message for the Birmingham parents of boys in France. He is we'll known In the city. having been in charge of the gulf di- vision of Salvation Army work, with headquarters here. about five years ago. and his many Birmingham friends will welcome him back.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-17
Solicitor J. R. Tate to Investigate Negro
 Lynching at Sheffield

At the request of Acting Attorney General Thigpen, Solicitor Joseph fl. Tate has gone to Tuscumbia to wait on the grand jury in session there and to investigate the recent negro lynchinss at Sheffield. Solicitor Ttate will not prosecute any cases at Tuscumbia, but will only act in the aforementioned ca- pacity, during the illness of the Col bert county solicitor.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-17

Simmons, he mentions the fact that Col. William P. Screws, former commander of the 167th regiment is now in command of the brigade and that Lieut-C Walter E. Bare of Gadsden is in direct command of the famous Alabama regiment.
 In addition to his assignment as cap tain of Company K, Captain Webb is also serving at present as regimental adju- tant.
 Captain Webb's advancement is espe- cially striking as showing how man in the American army was able to go rom private to his present rank while in ac- tive service. Captain Webb was 26 years old November 15 and as he was commits stoned captain on November 14, he con sidered it birthday present
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-17
ROtarians to Attend
 Allied Armies Luncheon

The regular meeting of the Rotary club will be omitted tomorrow and the club will join the allied armies in the regular lunch to be held at o'clock in the dining room of the Tut wiler hotel Membership attendance will count on this occasion just as 1t does on club days. and all Rotarians are urged to be on hand.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-17

The many Alabama friends of Capt. James A. Webb, a popular Birmingham man, will be glad to learn of his pro- motion from adjutant of the first battal- ion, 167th infantry, to captain, and that he has been put in command of Com pany K, the Birmingham unit which was formerly under the command of Capt. Mortimer Jordan.
 Captain Webb was born and reared in Birmingham and has been in the 42d or Rainbow division from the beginning. He enlisted as private in June, 1916, and served with his regiment on the Mex ican border from October to March, His
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-17
RAINBOW DIVISION

The luncheon at the Rainbow division
 lat the Southern club yesterday was on~
 of the most enjoyable meetings this sec ton of the allied armies has ever at tended. Frederick Warde, the famous English actor. made a highly interesting address, outlining the value of Red Cross work His talk was one of the most i'm
 pressive heard here in a long time.
 Before adjourning Gen. (Mrs. w. D.
 Smith gave out the orders of the day.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-17
MASONIC NOTICE

A special communication of King Solomon lodge No. 460. A. F. t& A. M.. is called for 9:30 a. m., Tuesday, De- cember IF, to attend the funeral of our deceased brother, E. A. Wright. All Master Mas0ns requested to be present.
 J. L. HAGY, w. M. J. S. WHITE, Secretary.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-17

Tn tho year ending with April there was an increase of nearly 1.100.000 sheep in New Zealand. notwithstanding exports of almost 100000 carcasses.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-17
EVERY CITIZEN |. URGED ID WEAR RED CROSS BUTTON
Christmas Roll Call Drive for Greatest Mother on Earth" Is on and Allied
 Armies Take Field

The allied armies, after a rousing meeting at the Tut wiler last night, will take the field this morning with but one objective-to get every man, woman and child in lief ferson county to join the Red Cross this week. Every in habitant of this community who doesn't wear a Red Cross button will be challenged by sentries on every corner and i'll every part of the district.
 "Wear your button, you're not safe from attack without it," said Field Marshal Bush last night. What we want to do is get all of our last years members to renew their memberships and then to initiate new members. Jefferson county's quota in this drive is limited only by her population"
 The meeting last night was featured by an address from Andre LaFargue, a member of the New Orleans mission to France in 1916. He spoke interestingly of conditions as he found them while travelling over the devastated country and plead for support of the Red Cross as the greatest rehabilitatng force ill the world.
 "Columbia has discarded her coat of mail and laid aside her sword to garb herself in the celestial uniform of the Red Cross" he said He pictured graph ically the heroic exploits of the Amerl- cans and declared that they had proven themselves worthy sons of those gall lant warriors of 1776 and of 1872 and of 1Se3
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-17
CAPT. JAMES A. WE'RE

CAPT. JAMES A. WEBB
 Of Birmingham, who, on November IT, was placed in command of Con- pany K, 167th infantry, the company which went to France under command of Capt. Mortimer Jordan.
 advancement has, been steady since his enlistment. At one time he was sergeant major of the second battalion, Major Moon of Birmingham commanding. He was then made second lieutenant in Com pany F, the Gadsden unit of the 167th and later first lieutenant of the same com pany. He was selected by Major Carroll in March to be his adjutant in which capacity he served through all the battles of Chateau Thierry, second Marne, St. Mfhiel and Sedan from February until the armistice was signed. Although hav- ing many narrow escapes he came through without an injury.
 It was on November 1T that he was placed in command of Company K In a recent letter to his mother, Mrs. w. T.