davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-27
DECISION LIKELY
 IN PHONE RATE CASE WEDNESDAY
Last Brief in Long Standing Controversy Between Bir- mingham and Southern
 Bell Filed Monday

Montgomery, August 26.-(SpeciaD Decision in the case of the city of Bir- mingham vs. the Southern Bell Tee phone and Telegraph company, involving the right of the company to charge its present rates for telephone service in Greater Birmingham, is expected to be rendered on Wednesday, September 1, by the Alabama public service commission. The case originated about year ago, of the commission has been rather varied one The city commissioners of P'rningham contend the rates are toe Aigh.
 ne ease originated during the admin istration Of George Ward. as president The principal officials behind the case, however. were Arlie Barber and James Weathefly, both of whom have left the service of the city. The last brief to De filed in the case came to the office of Atticus Mullin. commission secretary. Monday afternoon. This brief is frcm attorneys for the company. It is made up of 1S0 pages, the city's brief being of 40 pases. The testimony heard sev eral months ago. fills 3sOo pages, there being 22oO exhibits. One hundred wit nesses testified.
 At the September 4 hearing the com mission will hear the case of the Hunts vile Gas company, which petitions for permission to increase it's gas rates from $1.50 per 1000 cubic feet to $2.10 per 1000 cubic feet, the usual 10 per cent rednc- tion being given for payment before the tenth of each month. The company, in another retition, asks the commission to approve .he purchase of the Huntsville Consolidated Gas company.
 Another case of importance is the pe- tition of the Montgomery Traction com pany for the right to charge 10 cents for fares on it's Pickett Springs line. This line operates to Camp Sheridan. ara thousands of soldiers will be affect .d should the increase be granted. Citizens residing near Pickett Springs, which is outside of the city limits, are Opposing the petition.
 The Wise onsn~ Alabama Lumber com pany, with a plant at Sylacauga. is ask ing for permission to operate railroad through property belonging to w. F. Cooper ard wife. near Marble Valley. The condemnation proceedings were brought. the petition ayers. because the railrcat right of way is absolutely necessary Is it's plant
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-27
Steady Progress Continues

With the British Army in France. Au- gust B. (By the Associated Press)-With the battle front widened by surprise attack in the north so that it now ex- tends all the way to the River Scarpe, the British again made steady progress eastward all day long.
 The enemys resistance. offered on many sectors. has taken on more and moro the aspect of rear guard actions stubbornly fought but nevertheless rear guard actions.
 There arc rumors that counter att. tack has been developed by the enemy in An effort to gain the time which he badly needs, as his main roads, especial 7 ty In the center of the battle zone, which arc required for moving material to the rear, have been broken or are under hre} from the Bftish big guns. which have Been showed up so that they range lar behind the enemy's line.
 In many localities the retreating Ger QrN1 4oHe left strong posts of machine
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-27
German Counter Blows Smashed

seven miles of the high road going in the same direction. This high road joins the Chemin-Des-Dames eight miles away near Malmaison, the vest ern pillar of the celebrated Chemin- Des-Dames position.
 The first division of tho Prussian Guard was brought up yesterday, but it gained no success.
 The first rush of the Prussian, guard gAfned grcund between Mont St MAfd and Orms De Montecouve. north of Juvigny. They were obliged to aban- don the field soon after, however. leav- ing behind them considerable num- Der .i dead and 400 unwounded pris- oners
 Enemy troops between the Aisne river and the road from Soissons to Chauny are in the same danger as that which threatens General Won Hu- tiers men in the I.assigny salient un- less they are able to resist the pres sure from General Mangin's troops.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-27

DlScuSSlon Of the military committees work of fight amendment was in prog ress when the Senate adjourned. Other important questions in controversy left over for settlement tomorrow included several proposals for exempting or re- strictilg the service of youths under 2l.
 EDUCATION AMENDMENT
 Free education of pcys under 21 who enlist CT ar" drafted is provided for in an amendment by Senator Reed of Mis- souri, adopted during today's debate. Under it's terms youths would be permit ted to enter educational institutions at government expense for period equag- ing their military service. not to exceed two years.
 In discussing the Thomas work or fight amendment, which was added to the House draft of the bill by the Senate military committee, Senators Jones of Washington and Cummins of Iowa, both declared they believed the preesnt law covers all the exigencies which the amendment IS intended to touch the lat ter adding he believed some restrictions scch as through heavy taxation should
 
 conditions on their employees
 While admitting that the existing law T construed properly would have the se- sired effect Of meeting the present situa- ton ana make all persons within draft age engage in occupations essential to tl,s prosecution of the war. Senator Thomas of Colorado declared that, in view of interpretations made by Secra- tary Baker, the evil growing out of ex- A n ft,dt cfrfn increased instead of diminished unless some additional legislation is enacted,
 WANTS NO DISTINCTION
 Senator Thomas said he did not bo- lieve the duty of the soldier at the front, although in most cases more dangerous, is any different than that of the producer ai home. and that there should be no distinction He denied that there were any rights except those of fundamental origin, such as trial by jury, that should be allowed to continue when the destiay of a nation is at stake. Because the war is 3C00 miles away, Senator Thomas ,ie- clared the American people apparently eo not realize the stupendous task that is ahead.
 Senator McKellar of Tennessee inter- the amendment should apply alike both to the employer and the empioye.
 Senator Fall of New Mexico presented 9 substitute for the Thomas amendment providing for registration of all men up to 60 years of age who under regulations prescribed by the bill would be classified for military and industrial service. An other substitute, offered by Senator Hitchcock of Nebrasxa proposes that men shall be subject to reclassification in event the reasons for their exemptio:i CT deferred classification cease to exist
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-27
B VESSELS ADDED ID MERCHANT MARINE 10000 Tons of Shipping Launched During Week
 Ending August P

Washington. August 26.More than O. 900 deadweight tons of ships were added to the American merchant marine in the week ending August % by the com pletion of eight more vessels in Ameri- can shpyards. Seven of the ships were of steel and one of wood. Launchings in the week ending August A totaled 1s. nine steel and 10 wooden ships.
 The new deliveries brought the grand total of ships added to the merchant ma- rine in the last year to PSI with an az gregate deadweight tonnage of 1.72A731. The launchings total 535 vessels of 2.92S, ,973 tons.
 The largest vessel completed last weak was a tanker. built at Alameda, Cal. the tonnage being 10.47S. All the other vessels were cargo carriers of $500 tons, excepting one of $500 tons and another of S350 tons
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-27
German Retirement Continues

With the British Army in France, Au- gust 26.-(By the Associated Press.)-The German retirement is continuing along many parts of the battle front tonight The British are overwhelming the en- emy's rear guards in heavy fighting. ss Reports indicate that at least one counter attack has been broken up by the British artillery concentrating it's fire OF massed enemy troops.
 South of the Scarpe the Canadians driving along the Arras-Albert-C Cambral road, have gained more ground and added more than 1000 Germans to the British total of prisoners during today $ fighting.
 Many letters taken from prisoners and dead Germans indicate that hopeless de- spair is beginning to prevail on the Ger man side of the line. A letter writtes. homo by a German who was stationed in . town which has now been capture 1aid:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-27

guns supported by single fieid guns in an effort to delay the advancing Brit ish. These field guns have had no eff feet.
 cappy. the little town just south of the Somme, was lined with machine guns when the Australians. in the middle of the night and during a driving rain storm attacked it A lone field gun from the rear of the town threatened to do some damage until daring group cir cled around and crept upon it from the rear and hurled themselves on the gun ners. killing them. Then. with the as- sistance of tanks. Cappy was cleared of the live machine gunners and the Aug tralians pressed on AL put the same time Suzanne almost across the river from S~appy, fell in somewhat the same man ner.
 { To the north British patrols are now operating with more freedom. Combles an important position south of Bapaume, has been gradually encroached Npon ans the town. Through which pass many
 (ceatinned en Raxs Twpl
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-27

With tho French Army on the Disc Front. August 1e.-(By the Associated Press )-Violent counter attacks launched by tho Germans this morn ing between the River Ailette. at Mont St Mard and Juvigny. north of Sois- sons, were completely smashed by the French General Mangin's army is still menacing tho German communications Between the River Aisne and tho Sois- sons and I4aon region
 The French troops arc still stoutly holding the position they have won in this sector and further gains on the plateau to the eastward in the direc- ton of the Chemin-Des-Dames would put tho enemy in another dangerous pocket.
 The French at Juvigny are within four miles of the railroad running to- wards Laon and they also are within
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-27
Spain Planning for Air
 Service to United States

Madrid. August 26,-Captain Herera. chief of the Spanish military air force. has had number of interviews with King Alfonso on the subject of an. aerial postal and passenger service be- tween Spain and the United States. The scheme also has been discussed at cabinet meeting, and 1t is said that a leading shipping company is willing to finance it.
 large airships, capable of carrying 70 passengers, besides the mails. The rates charged passengers, If the scheme ia carried out will ne. 1000 resetas and letters will l.e charged at the rate of five pesetas per 100 erammes weight.
 It is estimated the journey would take two md half days.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-27
SENA TIE VOTE ONlNANPOWERB BILL BY 4 O'CLOCK THIS AFTERNOON
British Lose Seuen Airplanes Ln the Bombing of Mannheim

odds were all on the German side, but the British aviators reached Mann helm and did their Job.
 newspaper editorials point out that the bombing was we'll worth the risk, for Mannheim is the center of the great chemical industry, and the raid lis believed to have done damage which will compel the German armies, for a time at least. to do without supplies of war chemicals from that quarter.
 The British aviators did not suffer without hitting back. the newspapers also point out, for three German fight ing planes were beaten down.
 Officially it is noted that the Ger mans are now making most determined efforts to protect their towns by con- centrating large numbers of fiEhting machines and anti-aircraft guns. Com menting on the raid, British air of- ficer said today:
 We suffered losses, but we won a splendid victory. We set out tc bomb Mannheim and no German efforts could frustrate our intentlon"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-27

London. August -(Reuter. )-The British independent air force. operat- ing on the west front, lost seven air planes ip the bombing of Mannheim last Thursday. The frank report of this loss has caught the public inagi- nation here. The outstanding feature of the exploit was the heroic deter imitation of the British squadrons. They were heavily attacked as they flew to their objectives; they knew that equally stern fighting would await them on their way back, but nothing daunted them. 'It takes more than the risk of danger to halt British air men when they have made up their minds to reach an objective," says one newspaper.
 It is pointed out that the Germans were in largely superior numbers md had only to think of the fighting, whereas the British had Loth fight ing and bombing to attend to- The
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-27
Heroic Fighting By Canadians

With the Canadian Forces in France. August z6.-(Canadian Press )-Nu- merous stories are coming to hand of individual gallantry and initiative on the field in the recent fighting east of Amiens. A Manitoba battalion was held up in an attack on Foquescourt, which lies within the old Somme de- fenses. and was very strongly held by an elaborate trench system of ma- chine guns and wire
 Realizing that the capture of ,the stronghold was essential to success of the entire operations the commanding officer collected all the men available and personally led a dashing assault in- to the heart of the enemy positions A tank coming up the officer led this through the streets. His example so in spired all ranks that their advance was
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-27

Creel. chairman of the committee on public information, a proof of this ar ticie. It was turned over to an investie gator and sent back to Rumely charac- terized as a 'specious bit of German pleading.
 This article, 1t was explained by the government authority, "falsifies dates in order to make the submarine war Oh commerce consequence of the Bri.isn blockade"
 'The only honest thing for American purposes in the whole article is the par agraph in which the author warns the father!ani rarty of the canger of a gen eral strike and revolution to which they are driving" was the official comment. The article had previously appeared in the Deutsche Politik in October 1917.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-27
Summary of the News

1--zlritixh and French continue 10 press forward. snatching many strOnxhOlds from enemy. House-trensury differences may
 hold up vote on revenue blll. Senate y&ste on man power bill by o'clock this afternoon. Bone-dry nation beginning July |, appears likely. 4Man power biii gets Alahamians' support. 3-Day's easuaity list.
 He'd Cr0an news. 4-EdltOrtal comment. 5-a50 scIcctmen go to Camp Gordon to enter service.
 Bexnrm~r nurNc in France Is meet inK Alabana bOys. G-society. 5-Sp0rts. s-Aldrich to tour Tennessee fer var induAtFie6. 0Lhpt. Edith HasFl speaks en sn~tor eerps of vonep~
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-27
Republicans Will Not
 IndOrse War Record
 of President Wilson

St Louis. August 26.-Republican leaders have decided there will be no indorsement of the war record of Presl- dent Wilson's administration in the re- publican state platform to be adopted to- morrow by the republican state conven- ton, it became known today. Instead. it is said, the draft of the platform will contain a strong indorsement of the war andgits vigorous prosecution to . sW cessful termination.
 It was also, learned the platform win contain nothing in the nature of critic ism of President Wilson or the mannsS of conducting the war, but there woul& be -'a strong plea for a nonpartisa7 conduct of the war in the futpre.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-27

irresistible. and after the village had been mopped up the battalion consoli- dated a position to the east and held it against all counter attacks for two days
 central Ontario battalion did good work in front of Beaucourt. The cavalry had been held up here by converging machine gun fire from the south of the Rove road and the woods to the north and east. The battalion was similarly held up. but it's commanding officer real ized that the key to the position was a small wood to the northeast, which was alive with machine guns.
 Taking advantage of the smoke screen afforded by a burning tank, he led in hastily collected party and rushed the wood, capturing Is machine guns The battalion then took the town with a dash, the enemy retiring routed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-27

"The war has been lost for sometime only those high up are failing to ad- init it''
 The letter added:
 "Oh, poor Germany, only the dead at the front have forgotten this swindle.' ''
 Another letter said:
 This cannot last much longer" while another German wrote, Our losses greatly exceed all the drafts. Germany is sure to lose very soon''
 It is fact that many letters taken from prisoners. wheth-. written by them to be posted home or received by them from civilians in the interior of Ger many. are in the same vein. One Ger man in Berlin chided his brother it the front about making rapid progress to She rear. He then predicted that the war was surely coming to an end and that with the allies then making an economic war. Germany would be ruined
 Many of these letters were written be fore the British began their drive
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-27
AMERICANS ENCAMPED

yladivostok Wednesday,, August 21. (By the Associated Press. )--American forces which have been landed here are in camp at the assembling plant of the big American locomotive works in the outskirts of the city. They chose this place rather than the Rus sian barracks, which require much renovation. A large building formerly used for housing employees of Ger man Russian merchandising firm has been transformed into headquarters.
 The Japanese are established in the commercial school. which is located on the bluff, overlooking the harbor. The first hostile engagement in which the troops had been involved, occurred four miles beyond Razdolny, suburb, where an American railway guard assisted by the Japanese drove back organized Chinese bandits. The bandit force numbered about 400 and was strongly armed with machine guns and trench mortars. They had threatened to loot Razdolny.
 Persons arriving recently from Kha. barovsk report that the boisheviki since voluntary enlistments have ceased, are augmenting their strength by drafting peasants from the Ussuri country. Cossacks and prisoners of war also have been placed in the ranks
 pr. R. B. Teusler, E. N. Frazar and Dr. Hdii, ok lhe. HHefiSdh Rcu CTOSs, are finding that their resources are seriously taxed in caring for the wounded Czecho-Sloyaks and the sick and destitute refugees. There are 2G.- GOO refugees. 4000 of whom are chil- dren. between here and Manchuria sta- ton. Bishop Henry St. Georg, Tuck CT. of the Protestant Episcopal church in Japan, is Investigating conditions at Harbin and Hailar. He is accom- panied by four American doctors and has enough supplies for the present Other doctors and nurses are mobiliz- ing at Chang -Chun.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-27
Public Information Committee Askedto Circulate Propaganda

New Ycrk. August 2e-Inl order to make 1t appear that Great Britain was resp on
 sible for the submarine war on American shipping. Dr. Edward Rumely not only tried to put out German propaganda through George T. odell, Evening Mail correspondent in Germany. but en : deavored to distribute through the com mittee on public information an article by Gerhardt von Schutx Gaevernitz, member of the ReIchstag. designed to al leviate growing feeling against Germany. according to statement made today by
 Deputy Attorney General Alfred L.. Becker. In January, 1918, MT. Becker de- clares. pr. Rumely submitted to George
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-27
LOSE IN STIFF BATTLE
 WITH THE CzECHS
Americans in Camp in Out skirts of Vladivosto Bol- shevik Leaders Have Left
 Petrograd and Moscow

Picking, Friday. Au9ust 23-Gen- eral semenoff. in command of force of CsechO-Slovaks number ing several thousand, has attacked and defeated Maxyar-bolshevik force at Motsievsl<aia, siberia. The town was taken and many prison ers, including . large number of wounded were taken. The work of the Japanesc in strenxthening the Chinese frontier made the at tack possible.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-27

the regions og Newport, Dixmude. Merckem and Langemarck We were successful, on the other hand, in a sur prise attack in the vicinity of Kippe, capturing 20 German soldiers and an Of ficer. The usual artillery activity of. average intensity is reported from the front as a whole. An enemy balloon was destroyed in the course of this week by one of our aviators"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-27
Belgians Repulse Five Attacks

Washington, August 26-Repulse of five enemy attacks and a successful sur prise raid against the enemy lines are noted in the weekly communique of the Belgian army made public here today by the Belgian legation. The com- muniQue follows:
 During the past week we have re- pulsed by infantry and artillery fire five German attacks on our advanced posts ir
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-27
Ford Assembling Plants
 Offered to GOvernmen;

Detroit. August 2s.The Ford Motor company has offered it's Sl assembling and service plants in various parts of the country to the government. it was announced here today. One of the east ern plants already has been accepted by the government, it is stated. and is masks
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-27

August z6Cheicl Frankfort 
 the nnachine returned dsaey to base
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-27
Debate Will Be Limited After 1 P. M-Regula- tions Covering Registration, as Soon as Law
 Is Enacted Already Sent to Draft Boards
REGULATIONS FORWARDED

Washington, August 26--Copes of unofficial advance regulations covering the registration which will take place when the power b with it's age imits enacted have been sent to local draft board officials by the provost marshal general Nearly 30 printed incorporate the details of the by which 1300000O will en- rolled In the main the regulations similar previous rules.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-27

In Albania the Austrians on two different occasions attacked the Franco-Italian positions near the confluence of tho DevoN and To morica rivers- Our troops repulsed these attacks, then conferming with orders, Withdrew slightly on tho left wing in order to maintain Na- son with the Italian troop~- Brit isA aviators bombed enemy biv- osacs in the region of Demir-His- sar.. A Serbian aviator brought down an enemy machine in tho region of DobrOpOIie.,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-27

@On both sides of the Avrc we carried cut two local operations. which enabled us to occapy Fres- noy-Les-Roye and St. Mard. Ae- spite sptritea resistance offered by the enemy. Prisoners counted up to the prevent exceed co.
 ~IA the Vssxes we repalsed sev- eral attempts at surprise attacks.
 ~Eastern theatre. August 2Ss There was Increased artillery ac- tivity in the region of Lake Der nan, sn AotA banks of the vardnr and iA the neixhberAeoA of Huma.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-27

Washington, August 26By unanimous the Senate agreed tonight to vote not later than o'clock after noon on the administration bill extending the draft to Is and 45 Debate will be
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-27
LEAVE PETROGRAD

Washington. August 26--Nearly all the bolshevik leaders have left Petro- grad and Moscow, and it is almost 'm- possible to see those who are left. ac- cording to information reaching the state department today from Stock holm from a man who left Petrograd August IS. He reported Lcnire, the bolshevik premier. on battleship at Kronstadt. and Trotzky aboard the former Emperor Nicholas yacht, q short distance below Petrograa
 This report is denied by the Swed- ish press, but the imparter of the in- formation said it was current when he left Petrograd. Ills message told also of meeting held at Krnndstadt in an endeavor to get the so.diers therc to agree to fight against the Czecho- Slovaks. There were about 7000 20. 'diers present to hear an address by rrotzky, but 1t was intImatod that most of them could not be persuaded to move agaiast the czecha