davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-10-11
mfIuenza Continues to Spread Despite Efforts
 Of Health Authorities
Citizens Urged to Take All Precautionary Measures to Check Ravages of Disease-Gauze Masks and Anti
 septic Solutions Great Aid States Health Officer

The epidemic of Spanish influenza in proportions despite the utmost efforts of local health authorities to check it's spread. Two thousand and seventy-six new cases were reported in thee ity proper on Thursday, as against 1052 cases for Wednesday and 475 for Tues mingham is showing an even greater percentage of increase, reporting 9S4 cases yesterday, or more than nine times as many as were turned in dur ing the previous 24 hours
 pr. J. D. Bowling, health officer, stated last night that it would proba- bly be two or three days before the number of cases reported daily began to show decrease. .It is not known definitely how long after contact a per son becomes i'll with influenza" said Dr. Bowling, but I believe that after our public meeting places have been closed for a week, the epidemic will pass it's height. In the meantime we are warning the public to avoid crowds, especially crowded elevators. An of ficer from the department will visit the large buildings this morning for the purpose of regulating this phase of hu- man contact The capacity of eleva- tors will be arbitrarily limited in such manner as to make them reasonably safe.''
 In answer to a query regarding medi- cines reputed to have preventive powers. Dr. Bowling stated that no drug or vaccine has been discovered that will prevent Spanish influenza Careful hygiene of the mouth and the use of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-10-11
COAL PRODUCTION SHOWS INCREASE
 OVER LAST WEEK
Propaganda Seeks to Dis credit Work or Fight" Order-Selheimer Will
 Make Investigation

Contrary to expectations coal produc- tion in the Birmingham district last week was 25,OO0 tons greater than ir the preceding week. It had been pre- dicted that there would be no material increase in tonnage until after the mid dle of this month, and when the totals were shown in the office of the district representative F. A. Holmes of the fuel administration. they had to be checked two or three times before they could be believed.
 The figures given out by the district representative are 409,02 an increase of 5,955 tons over the preceding week when the output was 3SS,067 tons.
 In view of the fact that a circus was here during the first of the week, and that many of the miners lost time While filling in their questionnaires 1t was believed that the output would approX- innate that of the two or three preced- ing weeks 1t is reported that a great many of the miners are laid up with the influenza this week, but just what ef- feet that will have on production can not now be estimated.
 There seems to be cars enough to move all the coal that is mined, and with tho exception of sickness there IS nothing apparent in the way of full tlm0 prouuctlOn.
 Reports reached District Represents tive Holmes yesterday to the effect, that certain parties were industriously ctrcu- lating propaganda" against the produc- tion committees at several of the mines. These parties were telling the miners, so the report goes, that the production committees are without authority. and that there is no law by which miners can be compelled to work unless they want to.
 MT. Holmes referred the matter to Production Manager H. c. Selheimer who will make an investigation. In the meantime he conveyed the informa ton to the miners that under the work or fight order, recently promulgated by Provost Marshal General Crowder, miners who are within the draft age, and that applies to all between the ages of IS and f5, who fail or refuse to work without good cause. will be auto. matically transferred to Class All and then inducted into the army.
 The parties who have been preaching this doctrine to the miners. upon ths establishment of their guilt, will be han dled by the department'of justice.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-10-11
CAPT. RAVEE NORRIS PROMOTED ID MAJOR
Major Carroll of Ozark and Major Smith of Opelika
 En Route to America

News has reached Birmingham to the effect that Capt. Ravee Norris, for merly commander of Company NJ, 167th infantry, has been made major The promotion came as a reward for the splendid skill he displayed in handling his men during the fighting north of the Marne. Major Norris is well known in Birmingham and his many friends are most gratified over his promotion. Among the other captains of the 167th regiment who were made majors were Capt. Everett H. Jackson of Mont gomery, formerly in command of Com pany E, and Capt. Robert Joerg of Co., lumbus, Ga, who was formerly regl- mental adjutant. Major Joerg will be succeeded by Lieut.. Herbert May oi Montgomery, who has been made cap- tain.
 Several weeks ago Maj. Hartley A. Moon of Birmingham, senior battalion commander, who was severely wounded in action, returned to the United States to recuperate. His left arm was shat tered by a German bullet and he was wounded another time.
 Mai. John w. Carroll of Ozark and Mai Dallas B. Smith of Opeiika, who were severely wounded, are now en route to the United States, according to in- formation received here. It is stated that Major Smith will come to Alabama immediately to take up the fight for gubernatorial honors, being the repup- lican candidate for the governorship. He has been incapacitated for war service in future. As yet it is not known when Major Smith and Major Carroll will reach America, but they are expected by the first of November,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-10-11
LINEN SHOWER FOR
 !. RED CROSS WILL BE URGED FOR QUOTA
300 Sheets and 400 Towels Loaned to Emergency Hos- pital for Influenza Epi-
 demic Patients

The linen shower being conducted by the Birmingham chapter of the Ameri- can Red Cross will continue until Bir- mingham secures her allotment of 1000 sheets and 15.000 towels for American hospitals in the United States and in France
 The Red Cross offered all assistance to the health officials in comating the epidemic of Spanish influenza and have loaned them 300 sheets and 400 towels to be used in the emergency hospital for the influenza cases. This movement is heartily approved by the national headquarters and all Red Cross work CTS. When the city health department has succeeded in checking the spread of the disease and no longer has use for the sheets and towels they will be laundered and fumigated and returned to the Red Cross.
 Birmingham has never failed to do what she was asked to do and Mrs. Os- car R. Hundley and Mrs. T. P. O'Byrne, who have charge of the linen shower, are most anxious that the quota be se- cured this time and all housewives are urged to bring their donations in and help secure these articles so badly need ed to care for the American boys in hospitals.
 An appeal has also been made to the churches, Sunday schools, schools, so- cieties, clubs and Red Cross units to assist in this work, and this appeal is being responded to in a most gratifying manner. Persons wishing to make cash donations may do so by sending the check to the central workroom on the balcony of Loyeman, Joseph & Loeb.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-10-11

simple antiseptic solutions as gargies and nose sprays will help" he said Tobacco, which has been reported by some laymen as a germ killer, is ab- soluteiy worthless in warding off in- fluenza according to the department. Quinine pills, asafetida rags around the neck and other similar alleged prevent i've measures are also tabooed. The
 department recommends the use of gauge masks, made by tying six layers of ordinary gauge over the mouth and nose of all persons whose duties re- quire contact with crowds. No medi- cinal solution is needed to add to the effectiveness of these masks, which are used by physicians iu the all day long sick room
 Splendid cooperation by the Red Cross, the Salvation Army and other relief agencies have been offered the health department in the present crisis. However, said pr. Bowling, so far as is human1y possible it is our purpose to take acre of our needs at home with out resorting to the Red Cross for as- sistance further than to accept and utilize materials for which there will be constant need in connection with the normal activities of the Red Cross. Yesterday 1900 blankets, 400 pillows and 400 sheets were turned over to the de- partment by the Red Cross"
 President J. $. Pevear of the Birming- ham Railway, Light and Power com pany has issued an order to his men asking them to see that all street car windows are open at all times. Other large corporations are expected to vol- unteer their assistance by also taking steps to increase the volume of fresh air passing through their buildings.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-10-11
REV. ROBERT ECHOLS SUCCEEDS JOHNSON AS PRESIDING ELDER
Pastor of WOodlawn Church to Represent District in Cabinet at North Ala
 bama Conference

The Rev Robert Echols. pastor of the Woodlawn Methodist church, has been appointed presiding elder of the Birmingham district to fill out the bal ance of the term of the Rev. J. w.. Johnson, who has entered the service of the United States as an army chaplain.
 pr. Echols will represent in cabinet, the Birmingham district at the annual session of the North Alabama Method- ist conference, which meets at Albany on October 3o He has been pastor of the Woodlawn church for the past three years and is recognized as one of the leading ministers in the conference He will take up the unfinished work of Dr. Johnson and will assist in the mak ing of assignments for the next year
 Chaplain Johnson left yesterday for a military station in the north prepara- tory to sailing for somewhere in France"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-10-11
EARLY INVASION OF GERMANY THROUGH
 RHINE VALLEY IS
 CONSIDERED LIKELY
(continued from Page one>

on a scale that would more than delay the advance at any point.
 The spearhead of the British advance was reported at LeCateau today. That would mean that the Anglo American efforts have forced ahead until the northern end of the great railway sys- tenn behind the Germans is only 13 miles distant. This lateral trunk line passes through Valencinnes. Avesnes and Hirson, reaches the Mouse at Charleyille and runs thence through Sedan and on to the southeast
 General March, chief of staff, indi- cated last Saturday that the cutting of this greatest single communication sys- tenn of the enemy was the main ob- jective of the American thrust west of the Mouse. The Americans are within less than Is miles of the road now at a point nearly 100 miles in an air line from the point where the British threat en 1t in the north. It may be race to cut the road, but the strategic ef- fort would be different in each case.
 should this line he broken by the
 Americans now moving forward on
 both sides of the Mouse it would
 cut the German western front in
 half. Such . move might be con-
 sidered vitally necessary to the
 launching of blow at the Rhine
 valley. The German troops in the
 north could offer little help if that
 lateral rail system that has stood
 like . wall behind the whole Ger
 man front in France be lost to
 them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-10-11
WOMEN ID REPLACE MEN IN INDUSTRIES
 NOT ESSENT|
State Director Tarrant Asks Employers Not on Pref erential List to Secure
 Female Help

Manufacturing and commercial estab- lishments in Birmingham and Jefferson county not engaged in essential work
 have been called upon by the United States employment service to replace their male employees with women and
 girls insofar as they can do so without
 crippling their business. At conference
 in the Chamber of Commerce auditorium
 last Tuesday some 200 of them agreed
 to do this and many others have since
 then agreed to do so.
 Yesterday State Director George 5.
 Tarrant of the United States employment
 service made the following appeal to all
 employers who are not on the preferen-
 tial list of the war industries board of
 the department Of labor:
 ITO all Employers of Labor:
 All employers of labor who are not
 on the preference list of the war indus tries board of the department of labor are requested to make arrangements to release employees for essential war work.
 It is suggested that arrangements be made to secure women for a large part Of the work now being done by men, so
 that there will be no cessation of work
 when the call by the federal community labor board is made for men for essen- tial work.
 "The shortage of labor, both skilled and common, in this state is serious,
 and everything possible must be done to relieve this shortage as soon as possible While no injustice will be done any em-
 ployer of labor. it is thought that steps should be taken at the earliest possible date looking to the replacement of men by women for certain work. No effort will be made by the federal community labor boards to cripple any industry which may now be operating, but small number of men will be withdrawn from each industry, and in this way it is be- lieved that the necessary number of men needed to carry on the important govf ernment work can be secured"
 Calling attention to the work or fight order and the determination of the gov ernment to see that every man capable of working in essential industries does so Examiner B. E. Samuels of the local office of tho United States employment
 service, issued a statement in which be advises all men to volunteer their ser vices for such labor as they mayo be capable of doing before they are com mandeered by the government.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-10-11
Corporal Sabiston
 Wounded in Action

Mir. and Mrs. L. R. Sabiston, Of 3Ol Forty-first street north. have been of ficially notified that their son. Corp. Robert J. Sabiston,, has been severely wounded in action. No details were given as to the nature of his injuries or where received.
 Corp. Sabiston, who was supply clerk for the Sloss- Sheffield Steel and Iron company of this city, enlisted in the regular army June 9, 1917, and was as- signed to Company B. Eleventh infantry regiment. He went overseas after a few months training and took part in fights in which the American troops were en- gagged during the early part of Septem- ber when he received his wounds. He is well known in the city and his many friends wish for him a speedy recovery. The telegram announcing his Injuries follows:
 Mrs Stella Sabiston. Birmingham, Ala. Regret to inform that it has been of- ficially reported that Corp Robert J. Sabiston, infantry has been severely wounded in action on September 12. De- tails are not available.
 HARRIS,
 "Acting Adjutant General"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-10-11
ROY KAY REACHES
 FRANCE IN SAFETY

Roy Kay, the well-known baseball fan cigar clerk and later manager of the Miller Tire company, wno was drafted last June. is now in France. A letter was received from him yesterday by Jeff Bailey of The Age Herald, and If one has ever known Roy. and there .lre few people in Birmingham who do not know him. these few lines from the let ter will be easily recalled as an echo from the voice of one of the most pop ular young men who ever talked base ball in Birmingham:
 France, Sept. 10, 1919.-Just saw where Babe Ruth took the boys in with a screaming three e-bagger; and 1t remind- ed me I haven't had an Age Herald m several days.
 T think my subscription runs out this month. Look into it for me and renew it, for l can't get by without 1t, and l may not get by with it.
 This is a great country over here. and I am feeling fine. Have gained 10 pounds already. Remember me to all the bunch and take care of yourself
 Tn haste, ROY KAY, eHq. Det 306 Eng, A. P. O. 791, Amer
 ican Exp. Forces.
 Special regards to Wash Griffin"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-10-11
EXEMPTION BOARD OFFICES CLOSED
 TO ALL VISITORS

The offices of all selective service boards will be closed to visitors until after October 21. This action was taken on the recommendation of Dr. J. D. Bowling. city and county health officer, in an effort to check the influenza epI- demic. It was pointed out by. Dr. Dowl- ing that the offices of the board, corri- dors and elevators were crowded with visitors with the consequent danger aris- ing from such congestion during the present epidemic.
 F. H. Cabaniss is general chairman of the local boards, who stated yesterday that questionnaires should be answered and mailed in promptly. Where there is any good reason for extension of time it will be granted and no penalty will be imposed, and if it is necessary mem bers of the boards may be communi- cated with by letter, addressed to the proper board by it's number, giving in every case the serial number of the reg istrant. and If such number is not known reference should be made to the public building where registration was had, as we'll as the residence address.
 As usual the work Of the boards will go on with the usual routine, the only difference being admission to the office of the boards will be denied the public.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-10-11
Corbett's Daily Letter
 On Great Sport Topics
ny JAMES U. CoRBETr


 I was first to enter the ring that night arriving about one minute before Jeff. With me were Gus Ruhlin, George ana Johnny Considine, John German and Leo Pardello. who served as my seconds. Jeil had in his corner Billy Brady, Billy De- laney. Jack Jeffries, his brother; ho Dunkhorst and Tommy Ryan. The tmekeepers were Joe Dunn TOT the club. Dan ORourl<e for Jeffries, and Teddy Foley serving for me Charley White. "Old Eagle Eye who died just few months ago, was the referee. As Jeff and I faced each other in the ring the crowd emitted something of gasp because of the disparity in our sizes Jeff, built like a world s cham pion strong man, was picture ol strength. And he looked to weigh even more than the 230 pounds which he of- ficially beamed On the other hand, sealed only 1S2-4S pounds less than JeIt. One writer described the comparison as that "of a greyhound meeting mas tiff"
 As I looked over into Jeff's corner, waiting for the gong to send us into ac- ton and saw the central figures there, peculiar sensation came over me. It was one that a man feels who is in house divided against itself, for there l was ready to battle against the strength, the brains and the advice of three men who had been my assoclaetS oHiy while before
 There I was, ready to fight Jim Jef- fries-the man I had put into the fight ing game; the husky who came to me as a novice in 1897 and who leaped to worlds championship in 1899 His tram CT was DelaneS-the same Billy Delaney who had trained me for more than decade: who all through my other fight ing years had been my friend and my advisor.
 And the man who was guiding the des- tiny of my foe that night-the man upon whom Jeff would depend for guidance in critical moments-was William A. Brady, who had been my manager ana my friend from the days before pe- came q champion-and all through the years that l was king of the heaVs- weight division.
 It surely was a, strange picture that was placed before my eyes that nlghs.
 (To be continued tomorrow)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-10-11
NEW RULING GIVEN
 E ON RETAIL SALESOF FLOUR AND SUGAR
Advertising of Commodities Permissible = Ruling of Interest to Hotels
 and Restaurants

Under a new ruling of the United States food administration merchants may now include sugar and flour in their advertisements, but they are cautioned not to do anything that would tend to increase the consumption of either. In order that a clear understanding of the new rule might be had, County Food Administrator Paul H. Earle requested the state food administrator to make a definite statement with regard to the matter. After receiving letter from the state administrator yesterday. Mr Earle said:
 ''rhe advertising of flour and sugar is now permissible, provided there is nothing in such advertisements that will stimulate increased consumption. In other words, as an illustration. a mer- chant may advertise the brand and price of his flour, but must not put in his advertisement any comparison unfavor- able to flour substitutes
 MT. Earle announced the following new ruling. which is of especial interest to proprietors of hotels, restaurants and other public eating places:
 "All corn starch actually purchased by dealers on or before September 16 may be sold to bakers and used by bakers as substitute. Corn starch purchased by dealers since September Is cannot be sold or used as wheat flour sub stitute
 The food administration has further ruled that all hotels. clubs, institutions and public eating p,s ces, as well as con- sumers, must purchase substitutes at the time wheat flour is purchased. This in- cludes public eating places holding ba- kers license. No certificate that sub stitutes have been purchased elsewhere are acceptable
 Bakers and retail dealers may pur- chase wheat flour without substitutes, but bakers and retail dealers must use and sell substitutes in accordance with the food administration regulations. Very truly yours,
 "IINITED STATES FOOD ADMINS
 TAXATION, by A. N. Merritt"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-10-11
ACETYLENE WELDING
 PLANT NOW UNDER
 CONSTRUCTION HERE

The Everett Moses company has begun the construction of an acetylene weld ing plant at Tenth avenue and Twenty eighth street, on a lot 90x225 feet, re gently purchased from the Birmingham Realty company.
 It is stated that all kinds of welding work, by the Oxwell acetylene process will be done at this plant, and that the company has already completed arrange ments with the emergency fleet corpora ton and other big builders for work on tanks, separators, condensers and siml- lar machinery and apparatus.
 The new plant is expected to be in operation within the next three or four weeks. It will employ about 20 expert welders at the beginning, but this num- Der is expected to be increased before very long.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-10-11
DISTRICT SALES
MUST NOT FAIL NATION

New York, October 10.-"Wlth virtually two-thirds of the Fourth Liberty Loan campaign gone and $445. .124. .750 of the New York federal reserve districts quota of $I, 800, 900 900 subscribed. the central Lib erty Loan committee tonight issued a solemn call to the people of the district not to fail the nation "in this greatest of all moments in the worlds history
 Recalling that New York never has failed the. nation in great emergency, the appeal continues:
 ..The loan is dragging beyond the point of slowness. The present rate of sub scription. unless radily improved, spells failure
 Face frankly what the failure of this loan will mean to those boys over there who rely solely upon us for their sup port.
 Face frankly the effect on the Pres ident's position which will be brought about by the failure of our people to provide him with tho necessary means of continuing the war;
 New York city's total subscription to- night was reported as oe.sn $50. or 23.2 per cent of it's quota
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-10-11
NINE DEATHS IN
 PAST A HOURS Hundreds of New Cases of Influenza Are Developing
 Daily in Huntsville

Huntsville, October 0.-(Special )-Dur- ing the last 24 hours there have been nine deaths from influenza and the com plications following it. The total num- Der of deaths since the epidemic began IS S1, according to the figures of the health board. The board has found 1t impossible to keep recotd of the number of cases and no efforts are now being made to do so. There have been hun dreds of new cases each day and the spread of the disease continues. The situation is not expected to grow any worse, but improvement will be gradual and the epidemic is expected to last at least 10 days longer.
 So Tar nine outside doctors have been brought in here to help attend the pa tients. The nurses promised by the gov ernment have not yet arrived