davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-23
Get Ready for
 Spring Gardening

e PRING is sometime off, but, as g c. L. Isbell, garden specialist of the Alabama extension service, re- minds us, now is the time to "get busy" on next years garden. "In fact" he says, "those who succeed to the greatest extent with the garden work always commence the prepara- tion of the soil in some way or other in midwinter."
 In addition to spreading fertilizer the fences should be prepared, mak- ing them "hog tight, bull strong, chicken high, and swing the gates so as to make them fool proof"
 Old stumps that may be found in the corners should be removed, as these are regular "dens for moles and ants" Winter is the best time, of course, to do this work.
 MT. Isbeu advises the makers of gardens to order seed catalogs right away and make study of them. These catalogs contain not only much about seeds and the prices of each variety, but great deal of in- formation of general character which can but interest the gardener.
 'Plant at least one new vegetable" says MT. Isbell. Those who have never grown carrots, eggplants, salsify and parsley should try one of these vege- tables. In this way the amateur gar dener will gradually increase the number raised in his or her plat and those that will be liked by the family.
 Above all, it is recommended that in providing garden plans for the year should be made to have a garden twelve months instead of three. It will pay to make it an all- year proposition.
 The war gardens added greatly to the country's food supply. Now that the war is ended, we still need the home garden, cultivated intelligently and diligently.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-23
ApuN1MM1AauelI
INTELLIGENCE OF THE ARMY

INTELLIGENCE OF THE ARMY From the Chicago, Herald and Exam- ! iner.
 According to tests made by psychol- orists of the medical department, less than 2h per cent of all enlisted men were below the standard of intelf- Ngence required for general military service. and more than 26 per cent are considered above average intelligence.
 or th@ officers. practically all were we'll above the average. and S3 per cent had the Superior intelligence which officers are supposed to pos- sess.
 These tests have nothing to do with loyalty, bravery, endurance, power to command or power to inspire enthusi- asm. On the other hand, the medical department is certain they do show whether a man can learn, can think quickly and accurately. can analyze a situation. can understand and follow instructions. They showed. too, that schooling had no necessary connection with natural intelligence.
 Some of the highest ratings were madc by men who had not gone as far as the eighth grade; and some
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-23

men stood well up who could neither read nor write.
 The tests were given to all men who were up for selection as candidates for officers training camps, and of those rated as above average intelligence, only g per cent failed to qualify for commissions.
 On the the side of mental ability only, therefore. it is obvious that at least one enlisted man in every five in the American army is fit to be trained as an officer
 Tests of this sort, to laymen, may seem not very convincing. One ex- planation. therefore, should be made. When the man who has been tested Is rated, the examining expert has no idea who he is. whether officer, non- com or private. black or white, even in many cases whether he is literate or illiterate.
 Nevertheless. the results ran every. where very evenly, and very reason- ably according to groups and tho medical department is convinced of their general accuracy. If the medical department is right. the standard of intelligence in tho American army is probably the highest in the world.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-23
LIKE MLIKE SAYS

The oldest animal in creation Is Q reformer who suddenly finds himself the subject of reform.
 It is wonderful how Sweet woman's voice can be when she is talking to some other woman she hates.
 Another remarkable thinssfs how a man is never anxious to stay married the way he is to get married.
 Nobel was a smart man. The only reason why he didn't offer Nobel prize to be awarded to the man who minded his own business for year was because he knew the prize would never be won.
 You wouldn't believe it possible to use up 11.47S words and not say a things would you Well, just listen to young fellow who is talking to his girl over the phone.
 The old fashioned girl who used to put her hair up in curl papers now has daughter who sends her hair to the dressers and has permanent wave put in it.
 Women can stand pain better than men. A tight brassiere would kill a man if he wore it for an hour but a woman can wear one all day and ap- pear comfortable.
 Why is it that man who is sensible enough in other ways will try to see how close to the danger line he can get without stepping gs over it?
 When the bride suddenly begins to realize that the wealth of his love won't pay the insta1lment collectors, the honeymoon is over. If they are out together and a mans wife sees a fat woman. she always asks him if "I' as as fat as "she' i5 And he always grunts something that she can't understand He would like to say: Platter" but he is afraid to- Another trouble with prohibition is that fellow will have to go all the way out to the zoo when he wants tn see snakes.
 The reason why girl is afraid cI a mouse is because she is wearing heI best stockings and there is man around.
 It is wonder the dear things dr not lose more things on the street. \ woman places as much confidence in s pin as man does in suspension bridge
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-23
HOTEL WONDERS SHOWN

New York Correspondence Pittsburg
 Dispatch.
 Twenty thousand hotel men. repre- senting 224,000 hotels of the United States. yesterday opened their third annual Hotel Mems exposition at Mad ison Square Garden, where one may see almost everything that a hotel ca use-from an egg to a subliminated "automat." That new "automat" is a wonder. "an automat" de luxe, and if there are more walters strikes and not enough waitresses, the time may arrive presently when men and women in evening dress in fashionable hotels will serve themselves and perhaps tip themselves handsomely. All you have to do is write out what you want and slip it in a chute. then up comes waiter which is automatic but not autocratic
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-23

The German navy has no traditions worthy of the name. As for the U-boats. the less said the better.
 # x * Even when the world is made safe for democracy, the grand old ballot box will occasionally be stuffed.
 < + # The American eagle and the turkey bird are supreme in their respective spheres of usefulness.
 # * < Italy's ruler received cordial welcome in Paris, but after all, a King is only King, you know.
 x x # A diamond brooch for Mrs. Wilson and a doctors degree for the President Both are pleased. Little it avails father to shout "kam- erad." The Christmas drive must go on to the end.
 # :T The watch on the Rhine is being kept to the tune of "The Star-spangled Ban ner"
 # # < Historians should not overlook Admiral Beatty's tribute to the American navy.
 < # # The Eskimo is not clamoring for the right of self-determnation.
 Y. < < The flu and the world war kept Cha ron's ferry crowded.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-23
* * * Little German Band Is Gone for Good

ssJDoT Little s.Is,,,s cA1snaan nan. Band. .ss northern and eastern cities, has gone never to return. It was put out of business by the war, and even if the American people had no prejudice against all things German, a feeling that may last for a long time, it is pointed out that the disappearance of the saloon would have prevented the musicians from resuming their former occupation. This particular form of "frightfulness" was tolerated by an indulgent public, but it was by no means an unmixed blessing. "Heinie" and Fritz" and his com- rades had more lung power than musi- cal ability and their combined eff forts did great violence to sensitive ears.
 In the south the wandering min strel will continue to stroll from door to door, for he is good American citizen and has lost none of his popu- larity. Bands of colored musicians who are to be found in nearly all southern towns, have the gift of their race for playing on stringed instru-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-23
TO GENERAL pERsHING

By Amelia Josephine Burr You led our sons across the haunted flood
 Into the Canaan of their high desire No milk and honey there, but tears and
 blood
 Flowed where the hosts of evil trod in
 fire itsA And left worse than desert where they
 passed,
 Your eyes were clear to see the snares
 that lay Before those boyish feet that marched
 so fast Your heart and hands were strong to
 clean the way. Charged with great cares. your soul did
 not forget The anxious women here across the sea As might a father for his own, you met And fought an older foe than Germany Now, now at last, back from the silenced
 guns, Crowned by our blessings you shall led
 our sonsj
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-23
LAFAYETTE.s ASHES

From the Continental Edition of the Lon
 don Mail.
 A proposal has been laid before the French government by M. Lehey, soclal- ist deputy, of Seine-et-Oise, that the ashes of Lafayette be removed from the Plcpus cemetery, where he was buried, to the Pantheon. It is suggested that the cere- mony should take place during President Wilson's visit to Paris.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-23

demonstrated year after year during the commencement season at Howard college. for every one receives numbers of in- vitations to dinner.
 There are various ways of estimating success, but the older I get the more T. am convinced that the man who lives to see his sons and daughters happily married, with grandchildren Hooking around his knees, and wife to walk with him towards the sunset. is the man who has succeeded. It was heart warm ing to see the affection of his lovely daughters, the pride of his manly sons, and the joy of their children in honoring one whom they all loved.
 Give me such lot and I care not who wins the prizes according to the world way of awarding them-for to me no happier an end could come in the twi- light of life than to sit in the shade of ones children and watch the play of their little ones, while holding the hand of the woman who had been mother to them and wife to me-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-23
Last Day of the
 Red Cross Call

l the American Red Cross nation 4 wide membership campaign has been dragging in comparison with the wonderful campaign of last year, there has been a very marked speed ing up here in Jefferson county. Sat urday was an extremely inclement day, but notwithstanding the weather handicap the results of the can wasting were highly encouraging.
 The campaign closes this evening, and if the workers ere on their mettle and if the people who have failed to buy a button because they were not personally solicited will only re- spond to the appeal and voluntarily send dollar to headquarters this county may go over the top after all.
 Jefferson's membership totaled forty-two thousand in 1917. By in- tensive efforts from morning until night the enrolment will reach forty thousand or more.
 Birmingham has made a splendid irecord in all the money-raising cam Ipaigns connected with the war. It Ihas led the south. Let's not fall short lby single member this time. If the entire county puts it's shoulder to ! the wheel today there need be nc question about the result.
 If Marshal Foch has sense of humor he doubtless enjoyed the hubbub he cre-
 ated in Paris by calling on President VII. son in a much worn uniform. * E F
 That story of Germanys plan to create world of dope fiends sounds exaggerat'
 ed but the Hun seems capable of any
 thing.
 x
 The former Kaiser is said to have aged ], 10 years since he arrived in Holland
 That isn't the fault of the Dutch climate ! < E *
 Almost any doughboy can now sa,
 "oui" to a French girl, but that isn't
 strictly speaking. . convsrsation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-23
Enver Pasha Caused
 Armenian Massacres

M AMBASSADOR HENRY MOR- N GENTHAU says in the current issue of Worlds Work that Enver Pasha and his associate, Talaat, as- stunned full responsibility for the Ar menian massacres, as if they were matters of no great importance and did not call for an apology.
 The utterly heartless attitude En- yer Pasha, the Turkish minister of war, is revealed in a conversation Ambassador Morgenthau had with him regarding the unfortunate Ar menians.
 Tn protesting to Enver against these outrages I began by suggesting that the central government was prob ably not to blame for the massacres I thought this would not be dis pleasing to him.
 :" Of course. I know that the cabi-
 
 things as have taken place. I said. You and Talaat and the rest of the committee can hardly be held responsible. Undoubtedly your sub- ordinates have gone much further than you have ever intended. realize that it is not always easy to control your underlings'
 "Enver strengthened up at once. saw that my remarks, far from smoothing the way to a quiet and friendly discussion, had greatly of tended him. I had intimated that things could happen in Turkey for which he and his associates were not responsible.
 s'sYou are greatly mistaken he said. We have this country ab- selutely under our control have
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-23

no desire to shift the blame on our
 underlings and am entirely willing
 to accept the responsibility myself
 for everything that has taken place.
 The cabinet itself has ordered the
 deportations. I am convinced that
 we are completely justified in doing
 this, owing to the hostile attitude
 of the Armenians toward the Otto
 man government, but we are the
 real rulers of Turkey. and no under
 ling would dare proceed in matter
 of this kind without our orders.
 The astonishing coolness of Enver and his ready assumption of guilt for crimes that have shocked the civ ilized world show the Turk in his true colors. It is quite evident that he is the same today, yesterday and for ever. The peace conference at Yer sailles cannot afford to adjourn un- til the Turk is disposed of in such a way that he will never again be able to exert his cruel power over sub ject races. "In all my talks on the says Ambassador Mor- genthau, "the minister of war treated the whole matter more or less casual ly; he could discuss the fate of race in parenthesis, and refer ti the mas sacre of children as nonchalantly as we would speak of the weather"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-23
A USE FOR GOLF

From the Wall Street Journal
 The crowd around the ticker was discussing the operations of youth full speculator. who shall be name- less. Said one:
 T hear he was hit on the head with golf ball two years ago and has been rather stupid ever since"
 Maybe so," said the floor manager but he has cleaned up million or more in the same time.''
 Gee" said the first Then after a pause, Say, how do you go about learning to play golf?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-23
Heavy Traffic on Railroads

T was glad that MT. McAdoo urged those responsible for the handling of every means to try and provide ade- quate accommodations for the travel ing public.' said w. F. Marlborough. T have to be on the road a great deal and I find the travel very heavy. To the usual holiday travel is added the handling of the soldiers returning from abroad or being mustered out or absent on leave to visit their homes.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-23
Busy Hours at Banks

Tt Is bad enough to try and at- tend to one's banking after il o'clock on any of the days they are opened for business" said H. s. Limmer, but if one waits that long on Saturday he may just expect to be the tail-end of B long line. It's almost like try of the department stores The Hobbies of the various banks are scarcely able to hold the customers during rush hours, and some of the banks open extra windows to receive deposits ing checks cashed."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-23
Brisk Christmas Shopping

"The holiday spirit is in the very air." said Speedy Estes, "and even bad weather cannot kill it. I have never seen the streets more alive with pedestrians and the cars literally jam every parking place in the retail dis trict, and the stores can hardly hold the crowds seeking to do the shop ping which they were urged to do early.
 ''The early shopping campaign is a good one. as space filler, but mighty few people pay any attention to it.. I am sure the women look on it as a dead letter from the number of men l Sc coming from town loaded with packages'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-23
IN MOURNING

From the Stars and Stripes.
 The captain noticed that the picture on the tops" girl had crepe hanging on 1t as he entered the orderly room
 "Why. what's wrong?" he said. "has your girl died, sergeant"
 Nav" replied the sergeant, "she is just running around with darn slack or back home.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-23
OUGHT TO SETTLE DOWN

From the Kansas City Star.
 A Confederate veteran living in Ar kansas has just been married for the twelfth time. He is now getting along towards 75 years old. and it's time he was settling down and taking seri- ous view of life.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-23
Fir Tree Has Tragedy

T was sorry to see the beautiful and shapely fir tree on the lawn of ground" said Robert c. Redus. 'It seems it has a hard time to stay put. as it was blown down once before. T hope it can be strengthened up again, as 1t is really a splendid specimen. So many of it's kind grow to g. cer- begin to die at the top, but the one of which I speak is perfect in every way save that it seems to be weak on roots"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-23
Richard HI.
# * *

BEGINNING THE DAY-A bless ing for food. We thank Thee, our Father, for this food, which, as we ent it. makes us of one flesh; and for the faith, which, as we live it, makes us of one spirit. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.-H. NJ. E.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-23
ALL OFF!

From the New York Herald.
 And just when we were becoming reconciled to those "A points," along comes Rosika Schwimmer female skipper of H. Fords famous peace ship, and gives them her indorse- mentt
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-23
coNsoLING THOUGHT

From the Atlanta Journal
 We can see no cause to worry about the peace conference. Senator Lodge and Roosevelt are not there.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-23
A RANK nursIuER

From the Kansas City Times.
 There is talk of running Herr Ho- henzollern for president of Germany. But is he available" geographically?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-23
Copyright. 1918, by the Bell Syndicate. Incl
 STRANGE STORY FROM ICELAND

tury ago socialism was invented in Ger many; and the rulers of the empire, fore seeing it's vast possibilities in breaking down national morale. fostered its propa- gation abroad while they did their best to stamp out the habit at home. Mean while the inventive scientists were busy. Those whose systems were becoming im- assaulted by neosocialism of the Lenine brand; and when the proper moment ar- rived the German armies walked through Russia as through a nation of exhausted drug addicts. But In several important details the plan went wrong. The drugs would not work everywhere. Among the American people, for instance, whose systems had been toughened by their own homemade social panaceas no less than by their own patent medicines, the German philtres made but little impress sion. And presently there came reac- tion. Morphine and cocaine and their like gain a hold on their victims because they offer great initial attractions; the addict becomes lost in magnificently im- possible dreams whose splendor for . long time seems worth the pain of awak- ering. Socialism could not be stamped out in Germany. Just as workmen in the tooth paste factories might have sur- reptitiously sampled the brands made for export only and found attractions not present in the products for the home market so the Germans took to social ism and neosocialism. It is a rare poison that will not act on the system of it's own inventor.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-23
From the New York Times.

From the New York Times.
 N BLOOD-CURDLING tale of Ger
 A\ man fiendishness contemplated S = but never carried out is reported by Axel Aabel. an Icelandic engineer. It seems that German scientist in Rey- kjavik, whose stay in that city must have been viewed with alarm by those who were in his confidence, told Mr Aabel that in few years more Germany would have been irresistible in war, for she would have made drug fiends of all the other nations of the world. Into we'll known German brands of tooth paste and patent medicines-naturally for export only--habit-forming drugs were to be in troduced; at first little, then more, as the habit grew on the non-German vic tim and his system craved ever greater quantities. Already the test had been made on natives in Africa. who re- sponded readily; if the general staff had ists would have made their task an easy one, for in few years Germany would have fallen upon a world which cried for it's German tooth paste and sooth- ing syrup-a world of "cokeys' and "hop fiends' which would have been abso- lutely helpless when a German embargo shut off the supply of its pet poison.
 But although the tale of this Teuton- all-too-Teuton schemes is probably mere invention, Germany did concoct and snread through the world a habt-forr,- ing drug, and her leaders in this war have made good use of its ravages in other countries. More than half cen
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-23
SUBSCRIPTION RATE
Washington, bureau, sO7 HiDDs puiia-

Washing ton, bureau, zUI 11IUUS ing.
 European bureau. 6 Henrietta street, Covent Garden. London.
 Eastern business office. w O. lo bulldina, New York city; western pusl- ness office, Tribune building, Chicaso' The $. c. Beckwith Special Aseh0'' agents for foreign advertising.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-23
Membcr of the Associated Pres.

The Age-Herald is the only 'mornlhe and Sunday newspaper in Birmingham carrying the Associated Press o's patches.
 The Associated Press is exclusiVeiy entitled to the use for publication eA all news dispatches credited 10 II U. not otherwise credited in this papsl and also the local news puphsheo herein.
 All rights of republication Of speciai dispatches herein are also reserved.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-23

Entered at the blrmlng nam Ala, postoffice as second-class matter, un ger act of Congress. March $, 1879.