davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-11
Elks' Christmas Tree.
By cHARLns Il. WINDY

In his forceful sermon last Sunday at the First Methodist church. Bishop Me Coy, to illustrate a point, commented on the annual Christmas tree given by the Elks, and commended their action in extending Christmas cheer to those children whom santa Claus might have f'overloolSed.''
 Blshcp MeSoy's remarks were much appreciated by the Elks, especially the older members, and some interesting facts were brought out in the discussion among them of the annual Christmas tree. 1t developed that the Birmingham lodge was one of the first lodges in the country, ir.not the very first, to inau- glrate the Christmas tree idea, The success of the first one given here was the subject of favorable comrpent by tho grand exalted ruler in his annual report to the grand slodse, and on returning Co their homes delegates from every sec ton of the country wrote to the local lodge as to the particulars and plans of the Christpas tree movement. This was nearly 3G years ago, and since the. time in almost every Elks lodss in the United states the Christmas tree for the poor children is an annual affair
 As was stated the first Eills Christmas tree was given nearly 20 years ago, and many of, those responsible for 1t have long since passed to the great beyond. There are a few~ members of the local order who assisted in the inauguration of the annual treat for the children and include Major Meglemery, E. ]. McCros- sin, Col. Henry E. Gray, Harry Jones and others Among those active in this movement who have passed away were the late Capt. Frank P. O'Brien, Pete Houppert Eli P smith and others.
 It might not be out of place to state that last Christmas, owing to war con ditions and desire to celebrate quietly,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-11
News of Bessemer
MRS. H. L. BANS, Correspondent

Bessemer, December 10.-(Special) Many Bessemer men in the uniform of the army and navy are circulating week, some of them on furloughs, but the larger portion have been mustered out of service and are entering civilian life again. A number of men found their former positions awaiting them and are taking up their duties.
 M. o. Crane, who made a second leu tenancy in short time at Camp Gordon. Savings bank. Bernard Gregory walked into his old position with Pegram X Patton. and is greeting his friends across the counter. Lieutenant Norman Lef- sevits has returned from Gettysburg anu will remain In Bessemer. Lieut.. W. D. Taylor is at home asa'n from Camp Cor don, where he made a splendid record Robert Lee, of the navy, is with his parents on Dartmouth avenue. Several men from Camp Sevier came in today after being mustered out of service, among them Fred Vines, Chester Tubb and others. The men are in splendid Physical condition and show a great i'm provement from mouths of training in the cantonments
 The Bessemer employment bureau is preparing to handle the placing of the returned men in the various industries, and Rush Randall, the examiner, states that he has had a number of calls from the men asking aid in seeking positions. The offices of the bureau will be moved to the Trotter building early next week where they will have more commodisus quarters and a larger force, and more
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-11
LETTERS TO EDITOR
Locomotive Engineers and Politics

TO the Editor of The Age Herald
 The name of the Brotherhood of Loco motive Engineers has been illegally and improperly used through the press and otherwise, in the Birm, district, on several occasions during the past two or three years by some individuals, who are not members of our brotherhood for the purpose of furthering their own sell fish interests, thereby weakening the in- fluence and standing of our brotherhood, which 1t has taken over half century to establish.
 As a protection to the press and the public, both of whom have been incor- rectly informed by these designing per- sons, and also our brotherhood, 1 think it necessary to state that; under the safe guarding laws of our organization only members of our brotherhood, who are actively engaged in running a loco motive or employed exclusively by our brotherhood can speak or act for or rep resent our brotherhood in any capacity whatever, and they only, after having been formally and officially selected and instructed so to act. The. laws of our brotherhood prohibit it's members indors- ing or opposing persons for public office
 in any way whatever, in the name of our brotherhood. It is not in keeping with the laws and policy of our brotherhood to apply brass band and spotlight tac- tics in performing it's work.
 1 am informed that in giving publicity to some of the stunts" put over by de- signing spotlight-seeking individuals the press was told by these persons that the railroad or4s snizations"--in some in stances-"the Four Train Brotherhoods' had indorsed and were supporting whatever it was these designing individ- uals were using for spotlight purposes, and to further their own selfish interests. If organized labor expects to retain the confidence and esteem of the public, and have any standing and influence in our community, I am of the opinion it is "high time,' in fact absolutely neces-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-11
The Thrift of Years

From the Thrift Magazine.
 American fried-egg f.nanciers ard pie plutocrats should take warning from abroad. The national restaurant of London, which was established to expose the profiteers. shows profit of s350 week or about 70 per cent on the investment. Lunches and suppers are sold for 25 cents and tea and breakfast for 15 cents. There is profit of about 3 cents on each meal. The cooperative restaurant idea also has taken root In Paris. where 10 pup- licly controlled restaurants, each seat ing 1000 persons, are selling good meals for about 30 cents each.
 In the average American restaurant today man has to play mean trick on his appetite if he expects to have much left out of a dollar after main- taining contact with a full meal.
 Statistics show that there are 9.00O,- 900 persons who subsist in American restaurants from day to day. Among this vast army of bacon and egg ex- perts there are many, no doubt, who would be glad to see the rally menu card speak in more conciliatory accents on the subject of hash and other lux Vries
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-11

the Elks' Christmas tree was not held hut in it's stead basket filled ssh every requisite for a Christmas dlnners was sent to q number of families whose Christmas might have been cheerless without it. The Elks of Ensley have done this for several years and last Christmas, owing to the severity of tie eather, added a half ton of coal to their Christmas donations.
 Bishop McCoy's remarks in this coE- nection were as follows:
 "A man in this life never attains that period where he can afford to get beyond the sessions of daily Bible read ias and prayer meetings. and 1 believe the records will bear me out Tn Che statement that people who do get away from these things fall away from God and become indifferent to religion. Worship feeds the fountains of char ity and benevolence, and as you will note the temple was the center of things in Jerusalem. In modern day it would have been termed the busy correr-a good stand
 "l have often noticed the wonderful work that is done every Christmas by the Elks of this city. As I go to Try hume on the car l pass the Elks' home and have seen these little fellows-a long procession. of them with their ex- press wagons full of toys and fruits and nuts, the expression of joy or their facese-and said God bless those men who did such things for the poor children who would not.otherwise have had such joys and pleasures. But dare say that there are many of those Elks who do not profess Christianity. and if you would close the churches it would not be long before the fountains of charity which prompt such actions as cause these men to make this Christi mas offering to the poor children, would dry vp.a
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-11
Farrell Resigns as
 President of League

New York, December 10--The resigna- ton of John H. Farrell, as president of the International league. was accepted by the club owners at their annual meet ing here today, but he consented to con tinue in the executive office until a sue cessor could be selected
 The name of David L. Fultz, local lawyer and former baseball and football player was consistently mentioned as the most likely to succeed MT. Farrell. The following were elected on the board of directors; C. H. Knapp, Baltimore; J. J.. McCaffery, Toronto; c. T. Chapin Rochester K. J. Moran, Jersey City, and J.. J. LaRpin, Buffalo. The meeting will he continued tomorrow.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-11

Anniston, December 10.-(SpeciaL)- lone of the most important developments growing out of the recent visit of Maj Robert E. Scott to Washington, is an nounced as the redesignation of Major Scott as chief construction auartermas- ter at Camp Mcclellan, and from this date he will be in charge of the con struction and utilities departments at the local cantonment.
 Major Scott has been the construction quartermaster at Mcclellan since the transfer of Col. Charles l.. Dulin to Newport News and served in that ca pacity during the most important part of the operations, eniargements and con struction of the permanent structures at the big camp.
 Maj H. w. Beers, who has been serv- ing in the capacity of construction auartermaster for the past month, will poets to report at his future station some time during the present week.
 No orders have been announced con corning a resumption of building on the reservation. and the utilities department, which will be under the direction of Major Scott, Is likely to be- the only avenues of actlvity on the cantonment until a definite decision is made on the question of making the local camp a permanent training point for troops.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-11
Back Stairs Diplomacy

H. c. Wells explains i nthe New Re- public that the F Eif6pean foreign of- rces, addicted to the competitive DOW CT policy, are the chief obstacles to the league of nations, He says:
 Ut is very like having suddenly to shake hands with someone when you are hiding a knife up the sleeve of one hand and concealing a bludgeon behind your back with the other. All Europe is in this fix. All the nations of Europe are coming to this business of rebuild ins ciyiliza ton without the proper tools, with wrong tools. and with no time now to make the proper tools You have a President who can speak plainly to the peoples of the earth The bare thought of speaking plainly to the peo- ples of the earth is enough to pro- duce an epidemic of epilepsy in the European foreign offices. -Four President goes by choice and necessity into the market place of the world andf talks A European foreign office gods by habit and instinct round to the back stairs When the back stairs break down. as they did in Russia, forei~n office :s left at a loss. We foozie about amidst the ruins of Russia looking for the re- mains of back stssrs or something coE or ably like back stairA
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-11
Russia Not to Be
 Represented at Peace.
 Conference, Is Belief

Washington. December 10.-Russia, in the opinion of officials here. will not be formally represented at the peace con ference. It was said today that there Is no government in Russia which the associated nations recognize as having the power to confer upon delegates the right to represent that country at the Paris assembly.
 One official said that undoubtedly in- fluential Russians would be in Paris during the sessions ofsthe peace congress-. but that thew would be present purely lin an advisory capacity and without any official standing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-11
JAP AND CHINESE DELEGATIONS TO PASS
 THROUGH THE U. S

Washington, December 10.-DelegatiQns from China and Japan to the peace con- ference will pass through this country on their way to Paris. The state de- partment announced today that both parties are now en route and that while in the United States they will be ac- corded formal diplomatic courtesies. It is understood the Chinese delegation is composed of the minister of foreign af- fairs. the ambassadors to France and England and the ambassador to the United States, pr. Wellington Koo Former Premier Saionji heads the Japan ese delegation.~
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-11
THURSDAY NIGHT EVENTS

Anniston December 10.-(Special) The Thursday night events to be staged lat the Knights of Columbus building at Camp Mcclellan will range all the way from a three-round preliminary between lightweights to batt], royal between five negro soldiers, the best man of the quintet staying longest on his feet.
 The programme will consist of meets between some of the most skilled hstic artists on the cantonment and the friends of the mitt wielders will turn out in full force to witpess the en- counters.
 The presence of Al Reach, the noted New York boxing expert who Is giv-
 ing instruction on the cantonment, will be a distinct feature of the pro gramme to be put on Thursday evening. One of the bands from the artillery brigade will be on hand to cheer the hundreds who gather there each Thurs day evening.
 Jimmy Campbell the athletic direc- tor at the Knights of Columbus build ing, is completing the programme for Thursday plight, and he promises to spring several great surprises for his audience on that occasion.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-11

chair politicians, who are holding honor ary membership in some labor organiza- tion, and are using the name of organized labor to further their own selfish inter- ests.
 I respectfully request, in the name of our brotherhood, that the press and the public not accept anything presented in the name of the Brotherhood of Loco motive Engineers unless by member of our organization who has been author ized aud instructed in accordance with the above quoted laws of our brother hood.
 CHARLES K. HALL,
 Chairman, Brotherhood of Loco motive Engineers, Alabama State
 Legislative board. Birmingham, December 10, 1918.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-11
LIEUT.. GARDNER HERE

Anniston December 10--(Special. )-Sec- ond Lieutenant James T. Gardner, Jr., who has been stationed at Camp John ston,i Jacksonville, Fla, for the past few months, is spending few days evith his relatives and friends in Annis' ton. Lieutenant Gardner has recently been commissioned in the quartermaster department and his early promotion from the ranks has been gratifying to his local friends
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-11
RED CROSS WORK

The gauge workers of the Bessemer Red Cross branch are devoting q great deal of time to the making of army pads, and the special order of 100 pads recently given them has been completed, and q second order Is being rapidly filled. The women are at the office in the Realty building daily and the small band are working faithfully with Miss Hettie Faull in charge. Mrs. G. ID. Waller, the chair man of the branch, requests all women who have taken out knitting to please return the knitted articles as rapidly as possible as there is great demand for them.
 J B. Rutherford, who was formerly connected with the Bessemer National bank, was in the city today from Los Angeles where he now resides.
 MT and Mrs E. B. Henson and son, Jamts, of Bigelow, Ark, are the guests Of John Henson, and have decided to make their home in Bessenler.
 Roland Lewis, who recently went to Camp Sevier, has been promoted to cor poral
 Mrs R. E. Clayton and her two daugh- ters are i'll of influenza at their home in South Bessemer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-11
SOLDIERS FORGET WOUNDS IN JOY
 AT BEING HOME
Caps, Crutches and Canes Thrown Into Air as Well coming Band Strikes Up
 Home, Sweet Home

New York, December 1o.-Wounded American soldiers arriving here today from overseas on the steamer Kroonland, forgot their injuries in their joy at the reception New York accorded them.
 When the police band on the patrol boat bearing the mayors welcoming com mittee struck up Keep the Home Fires Burning and Home, Sweet Home as it came alongside the Kroonland, caps, crutches and canes were thrown into the air and the maimed and wounded, wing with the we'll and strong, danced ana cheered
 The Kroonland brought 63 officers, 11So enlisted men and 106 civilians The Elm press of Britain, which also arrived to- day brought 2450 soldiers. The Empress of Britain docked in din of cheers and footing sirens. The Kroonland, because of it's late arrival. anchored down the bay. The men will be debarked tomor- row.
 The passenger list of the Kroonland in cludes nurses, Civilians and members of French mission. Among the soldiers arriving were casuals. the 394th Aaibu- lance company, headquarters detachment and headquarters troops.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-11
EIGHT OFFICERS REAssIGNEp

Anniston, December 10.-tSpecial) Maj. William H. Kong, Capts Ernest Wood. Claude E. Powell, Wirley w Barring and J. E. Nolan, and Second Lieuts. Walter Leo Curtis. John W, Me Pherson and William H. Harris have been relieved of their assignments with the l57th depot brigade and the Ninety eighth division, and are assigned to the 43Tth reserve labor battalion for duty with that organization
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-11
RELIEF WORK


 The relief work that is being done for the influenza sufferers by group of Bessemer women operating from the Hoover kitchen was given a decided stimulus today when Miss Marion Walk CT, county demonstrator, took charge of the prepara ton of the various articles of food that were sent out by the motor corps. Miss Walker has been the prin- cipal demonstrator at the Bessemer Hoov- CT kitchen, and naturally feels an inter est in the work being done there so when she read of the relief work under taken by some of her pupils, she offered Ter sexpert services, and will be at the kitchen daily as long as the work is considered necessary Between 15 and 20 families are being reached every day, and Miss Walker is preparing greater val riety of tempting invalid dishes, that are suited to the patients needs. These are rushedS out to the patients, and an ex- pression of appreciation meets every de- livery.
 Miss Ida Ford, aged 13 years, died Tues day morning at Jonesboro. Funeral ser vices will be held from the residence of her uncle, J. s. Hawkins, Wednesday lat o'clock. Burial will follow in Sad dler's cemetery
 Funeral services for Mrs. Carrie NJ Harris, aged 57 years. were held from the residence, 1915 Eighth avenue, the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-11
ANsEL ROBSON RETURNS

Anniston, December 10.-(Special. )-Cor- poral Ansel T. Jobson. who has been m the military service at Camp Jackson, accompanied by Mrs. Jobson, arrived at horne Tuesday afternoon from the South Carolina camp
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-11
Quarrel Leads to
 Serious Cutting Affray

Robert Smith, negro, was serious ly, if not fatally, Injured late last night when he was slashed about the face and body with a knife in the hand of Walter Johnson, another negro at 112O Thirty-second avenue. II is al- legged that the negroes were quarreling when Johnson drew large knife and cut the other negro. smith was car ried to the Hillman hospital, where he is reported to be in a serious con- dition. Johnson was lodged in the ely jail charged with attempt to murder by Officer Sherrod.
 British engineering and shipbuilding trades unions have asked for an advance in wages of 100 per cent above pre- war ra teS.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-11
FRYE ASSISTANT MANAGER

Anniston, December 1O,-(SpeciaL)-C. w. Frye of Birmingham, has been ap- pointed assistant manager for the local offices of the Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph company, succeeding R. B. Centerfit, recently transferred to the managership of the Tuscaloosa office. q
 MT. Frye has been connected with th& Birmingham office for a humber of yeafs and his transfer to the local office was made several days ago.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-11
NoLEN AWAITS DISCHARGE

Anniston, December 10.-tSpecial. )-ser. geanf Ed Nolen, Company M, 16th in fantry has returned to Anniston from Washington and will remain here with his relatives until he Is discharged from the service of the United States.
 Sergeant Nolen will enter a govern nent training school after his final dis charge from the army and will h. taught some useful trade or profession. The local soldier left his right hand on the 1elds of France. and while he was in
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-11
BESSEMER BUREAU PHONE BESSEMER 612-J

Rev. I. r. Swallow offieiating Burial took place at Brighton cemetery with Huey & Mcconnell in charge She is survived by her husband, J. s. Harris. and several children.
 Edith Landahl, aged 12 years, died at the residence of her parents of pneu- monia Monday night at s o'clock. Flu neral services will be conducted from the residence at S;s0 Tuesday, afternoon and burial will follow at Pleasant Valley cemetery
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-11

German Austrian territory Thus far the government appears to have mace no concessions desired by the Czechs, who are considered in a position to furnish coal and limited amount of food.
 Trains are running irregularly par ticularly in the direction of Triest. If those should stop. the food supplies would be cut off
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-11
NEWS OF ANlVIS7ON
 AND CAMP MCCLELLAN

the national capital the authorities equipped him with an artificial hand
 Sergeant Nolen is among the first wounded soldiers from this county re- turned to America, and he is the center of interest among his old friends since his return home
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-11
CAMP ROADS REPAIRED

Anniston, December 10.-tSpecial) All of the. roads through Camp Me Cellan are now in the best possible shape, and the Utilities department is coming in for full measure of praise for the splendid condition of the drive ways.
 The recent order calling for the oil- ing of all thee amp thoroughfares has been followed by the blowing up and rolling of nearly every road in the camp, and this work in connection with the completion of the new brick high way makes travelling to the north a pleasure after the city streets are left behind
 The American Net and Irvine com pany at Blue Mountain Is having some needed repairs made on the dirt road near Edgmont cemetery this week, and many of the bad places there have been filled in with slag from them iil