davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18
German Press Continues
to Forecast Offensive
on the Italian Front

Geneva. Switzerland, April H. The
latest German and Austro- Hungarian
newspaper received here continued to
speak of the coming Teuton offensive
against Italy. The most serious note
comes from the Vossiche Zeitung, of
Berlin, which says:
During the spring Switzerland will
see her neutrality exposed to the
greatest and hardest proof, especially
when Austro- German troops pass from
the defensive
Guardians in prison camps in the
Rhine towns have been SO reduced,
because every German is wanted in the
west, that escapes across the Rhine
river into Switzerland are becoming
more frequent daily. One American
and three English soldiers who es-
capped from German camps this week
have arrived at Berne, and yesterday
i19 Frenchmen, former prisoners, joy
ously mached through the streets of
Geneva. All the former captives say
the Germans are hiding their losses
in the offensive on the western front
and they add that Germany is on the
verge OF starvation. Chocolate, they
say cost two pounds sterling per kilo-
gram, while soap fetches 80 francs .
pound.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18
Maj. John M. Birkner
Tarred and Feathered
by Patriotic COnvicts

Santa Fe. N. NJ, April 17-Four hun
drcd convicts In the state penitentinry
this afternoon tarred and .feathercd
neck Mai. John M. Birkner of Camp
Cody, Deming, N. NJ, held in the pen
itentiary as federal prisoner. He is
charged with violation of the espion-
age net.
Major Bfrkner, who was born In
Nuremberg, Germany, but who had
been in the American military forces
for more than 80 years.. was arrested
last Friday at Camp Cody, where he
was an officer in the 127th field artiI-
lery. His home is in Lincoln, Ncb.
Birkner was allowed out in the
prison yard for exercise with 400 con-
victs. The warden knew nothing of
loud cheering and rushed out in the
yard to find Birkner stripped and COW
cred with tar and feathers. The pris-
oners with loud boots were leading
him around the yard by a rope around
his neck. -
Assistant Superintendent Dugan
rescued him. The prisoners, evidently
in accordance with a prearranged plot,
had secured the feathers from their
pillows, but where the tar came from
is a mystery.
Birkner is alleged to have made dis
loyal utterances such as:
"You can't beat the Dutch and
'The Germans will sink American
transports as fast as they are sent
over" Birkner claimed the charges
were spite work by subordinate Off
GERS whom he had disciplined
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18
AMERICA At WAR"
FILM AT JEFFERSON

Only one TO whom almost unlimited
privileges had been given could posi-
bly, obtain more than 1.-THE Of the
f1rst-hand information concerning the
governments war-making activities
over here-not to speak of those over
there-presented by the committee on
public information in the film, America
at War" which will be shown at the
jefferson theatre Monday, Tuesday
Wednesday, matinee daily. And to ac-
quire even that 1.-THE he would have to
travel uncounted miles and undergo in
finite inconvenience.
/ Philip Bartholomae, the farce writer,
is credited on the programme with hav-
ing conceived and written" the-well.
the STORY Mr.. Bartholomae would bs
quick to disclaim any intention of writ
ing anything like a story, for there isn't
any-except as it suggests itself. But
the idea itself is good and is we'll de-
signed to acquaint the American public
with the magnitude and scope of the ef-
fort being put forth by it's government
to the end that we may take our tull
part on what Mr. Baker happily calls
1.-THE frontiers Of freedom" For the
rest, Mr.. Bartholomae doubtless wrote
what the movie fans know as the sub
titles, that is, the explanatory lines
flashed on the screen. And that COM
prises his part.
Just before the reel begins to unwind,
Sapper John Boucher of the Canadians
and retired on account of his age
though he is only 70 years young-de.
livers spirited and intensely earnest
address on the barbarity and menace
of the Germans, adjuring America to
enter heart and soul into the fighting
and to deal ruthlessly with the enemy
at home.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18
.bESSEMER CITIZENS
CONDEMN ACTION OF
BOARD OF REVENUE
Strong Protest Is Made
Against Discontinuance Of
the Building of Besse-
mer Courthouse

Several hundred Bessemer citizens mee
last night in the circuit court room Of
the Bessemer court, and the rumored ac-
ton of the board of revenue in discon-
tinuing the work on the new courthouse.
and in the alleged proposal to purchase
the Realty building for court purposes,
was strongly condemned. The courtroom
was not near large enough to accom-
modate the crowd that assembled and a
large number was turned away.
Statements were made by Lee Moody,
Gardner Goodwin and others that in
their opinion the purposes Of the board
IN the alleged stoppage of work on the
courthouse was to gain time so that GER
tam interests might introduce bills at
the next legislature killing the bill call
ing for courthouse building at Besse-
Der and later abolishing the branch coun-
ty Offices
The meeting was called to order by
Judge Is. Clay Jones, who was elected
chairman. A permanent organization was
effected, Howe Price being named secre-
tary 1t was decided to hold an adj
| journed meeting on Friday night, at
which time members of the board of
lrevenue will be invited to attend and
present their side of the case.
The point was brought out that mem
bers of the beard of revenue had stated
to Bessener citizens that a deal was on
foot between the board and the Besse-
mer Realty company whereby the for
mer were to purchase the Realty build
ing. number of those present in their
talks urged that mandamus proceedings
be instituted at once to force the board
of revenue to complete the Bessemer
courthouse. Speeches were made by Will
| liam Fl. H. Judson, Lee Moody, George
Ross, Pinkney Scott Sam Stein Gardner
Goodwin. L. i. Lockwood, Willard
Drake, w. S. WEIGH, J. E. Rogers, J.
D. Powell, John McEniry and many 9TH
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18
REALTORS TO DISCUSS
VICE CONDITIONS AT
LUNCHEON TODAY

Commissioner John Taylor will ad-
dress the members of the Birmingha m
Real Estate exchange at the lunch
con at the Southern club today. The
movement to stamp out vice from the
city will be generally discussed. The
military police will be guests OF the
club. The following notice has been
sent out:
"Fellow Realtor:-Much has been
said of late anent social evils in Fir
mingham. Property owners have been
held responsible for the morals of
their tenants. Rental agents have re-
ceived publicity of an undesira BILE
kind because of alleged laxness in the
leasing OF boarding houses.
"All Of us want to do the right thing.
whether it hurts a little bit or not. The
rolice department tells us that we
can help them stamp out vice in this
city. Thursday at the Southern club
John Taylor will illustrate what our
cooperation means. We hope you will
get in on this for it's part of the win
the war programme.
"P. S.-rhe military police have
been invited"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18
W|LLARD-FULTON
FIGHT IS SETTLED
Big Bout to Be Staged in
Minnesota-Miller Is
NoncOmmittal

Minneapolis, April 1.-THE Jess Will
lard-Fred Fulton worlds heavyweight
boxing championship. scheduled for July
4, will be staged in an arena to be
erected in the midway district between
ST. Paul and Minneapolis, according to
an announcement made here today
Robert Seiberlich, state boxing commits
sioner made the announcement. In COM
pliance with the state law, the fight will
be limited to 10 rounds. The state COM
mission, however, will waive it's rule
against a decision and will permit nam
ing of the winner at the finish, Seiber-
Itch added.
Seiberlichs statement was made after
a telephone conversation with Col j. G..
Miller promoter of the boxing contest,
who is in Chicago.
Hundreds of circus seats, to be shipped
from Chicago, will necessitate an outlay
of approximately $4,000, for which Col
onel Miller has the assistance OF Twin
City business men. fund OIL SloWV
already has been pledged, 1T was SAID.
The seating capacity of the arena to be
constructed is expected to be Tor more
than 80, GOO persons. The match was made
by Colonel Miller and the articles signed
in Chicago a short time ago. BY the
terms of the articles Willard is to re-
ceice $4,000 and Fulton $4,000.
Chicago, April 17.-Col. ]. c. Miller,
promoter of the Willard-Fulton cham
pionship boxing match, when seen here
today, said:
1--WE have been in negotiation with the
Minneapolis men for several days put
no contract has yet been signed VIII
probably go to Minneapolis in rev
DAYS. Further than this, have nothing
to say just now.
Il am also negotiating with fight pro-
motors in several other cities who nave
submitted definite bids for the fight.
do not care to state what other cities
are under consideration. l expect to pc
in a position to make definite an
nouncement regarding where the 1lgnt
will be held in the near future SAID
Miller.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18
Steel Industry Is Engaged
NolU Almost 100 Per Cent
On Government War Work
Rigid Barrier Raised to All Non-War Consumption and
Many Orders of Indirect Nature Are Having to Wait
While the Mills Turn Out "Class A" Tonnage

Cleveland. o., April 17.-The Iron
Trade Review today says:
Sharp concentration of production
upon immediate war demands to the
exclusion of all other business is the
prompt response of mills to the more
clearly defined magnitude of the SOW
ernments requirements in iron and
Steel New policies put in effect this
week by leading producers in the
Pittsburg district and elsewhere rep.
resent actually the setting aside Of
all private obligations, temporarily at
least. The largest of these interests
now has closed its rolling schedules to
everything but Glass A tonnage Even
indirect war needs are being disre-
garded. Another large Independent
company from the valley has denied
itself to open market inquirers and
has notified the trade that promises
of delivery hereafter are not to be
expected. In this turn of affairs is to
be seen the most rigid barrier to nom
war consumption that yet has been
raised. In the east the government
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18
many MOTHERS AT
WELFARE EXHIBIT
Child Conservation Is Topic
of Speakers-Mrs. Sharpe
Chairman of Day

More than 200 mothers braved the
Indictment weather yesterday to learn
the lessons taught by the child well
fare exhibit now being held in the old
Saks building, corner Nineteenth street
and First avenue.
A ranel on midwives is receiving
considerable attention. 1t reads so
long as there is demand for nit
wives, the state should regulate their
training and practice. What does your
state do about it? Why should the
training and practice of physicians DO
under public scrutiny and the midwife
be allowed to practice without fegu-
lation?"
Another panel tells that measles,
mumps scarlet fever, diphther,a.
chickenpox and whooping cough are
the necessary gauntlet of children's
diseases 1t tells hoW many mothers
believed that it was as necessary Tor
their children to have these diseases
while growing as it was for them
to sleep at night. The lesson from
authorities expiodes this theory. These
diseases all pave the way for more
serious trouble. such as tuberculosis
deafness. blindness and kidney dis
eases, says the panel.
Above the exhibit panels on the
wall a number of phrases tells us
1--WE must not let the burden of war
lend the backs of our children
Child neglect means immediate in
crease of crime and dependency" THE
world will grow no better than We
make our children" THE most val
| liable crop-the children" Search the
bodies and hearts of our children col
| the clue to our destiny" ''He who
\ helps a child helps humanity"
| Dr. j. H. Phillips. superintendent Of
public schools, was the principa
speaker of the day. Children must no
| lie a war sacrifice" he said. do no
sacrifice their opportunities or ad
| vantages. We must sacrifice every
| thing possible to win the war-our.
selves if necessary-but we must draw
| the line of sacrifice with the welfar,
/ of our children. When you Sacrifices
/ the children, you are sacrificing thu
| raticn and the generation we arr
| fighting to preserve democracy for"
| Thursday is Child philanthrop.
| day" At 3:15 Mrs w. L. Murdoch will
speak on Child Welfare Legislation
! DR.. H. NJ; Edmonds will also tall.
Thursday night Rev. Dwight S. Bale.
will be the principal speaker. Mrs
Charles Sharpe will be chairman o
the day.
4 A feature of the exhibit is the edu
| cational moving pictures which ar
shown every day after the talks TIL
films to be shown Thursday are eth
Error of Omission" "The Visitin;
Nurse" "The Fly Pest" and "CIeal
| Milk,
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18
PauList Choir to Glue
7Wo Performances At
The Jefferson Theatre

The world famous Paulist choir of
Chicago, the Rev. Father Finn con-
ductor. will appear at the Jefferson
theatre under the auspices of the Mu-
sic Study club tomorrow afternoon and
night. They are on tour for the hene-
fit of French war sufferers.
The choristers were first booked for
only one concert, but by noon yes
terday the house was sold out for the
ment then decided to give matinee
70 accommodate the overflow, SO to
speak. But music lovers by hundreds
will endeavor to attend both concert is.
While it is called the boys choir,
Father Firms wonderful organization
embraces many basses and tenors as
well as Juvenile sopranos and altos.
1t is the only band of American
singers that has ever sung in Europe.
In chorus contest in Paris a few
years ago it took the grand prize and
when it visited Rome to sing for tho
pope and receive his blessing it made
a great Juror in musical and eccle-
siastica1 circles. Some critics said it
was even superior to the celebrated
choir of the Sistine Chapel.
LIS SHoflSteTS now HuHper IVU. 1Hey
usually appear vested in cassock and
Gotta, as if for a church service out
on this tour they wear blue uniform
somewhat after the style of the
French army.
The recent eastern tour of the choir
was a phenomenal success from every
point of view. In New York and Bos-
ten they drew capacity houses One
of the leading New York dailies had
this to say:
THE Paulist choir, who gave thei-
, frst New York concert in Carne gle
hall, proved to be an organization of
100 male voices and of unusual merit
and material. Not since the notable
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18

tually every bituminous field in the
United States show that during the first
quarter of this year mine operations
nave been so restricted by lack of rail-
road cars that the total production has
Iallen below the output Of the same period
in 1917 and 1916.
The bltuminous mines of the country
nave averaged only &C per cent of full
Tune production during the first quarter
Oh l1lS. They have produced in that time
according to the official figures of the
united States geological survey, lS2SS5.-
66e tons. The governments official fig
ures show that during the same period
last year the mines produced 1874. 76s. S12
tons, and that in the first quarter OF
1915 the production was 1876. 6o4,M 3 tons.
These figures show the curtailment
or production this year as. Compared
with 1917 to have been nearly 1000 ON
tons, and with 1916 to have been nearly
5VvoooO tons. 1t is clearly apparent that
unless way is found to remove the
restrictions now acting as a brake on
production, the output for 1915 will fail
below that of 1917. which was approxi-
mately eo.COO,000 tons less than the
amount necessary to meet the nation :
Wartime needs"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18

visit of the Mendelssohn choir of To-
rcnto, about 10 years ago, has New
York listened to such remarkable
choral singing.
The choir offered a programme thai
ranged from an intricate fugue by
Bach to a tuneful legend by TschaI-
kowsky, and from a stupendous chorus
from Handel's Messiah to a rare ar
rangement of The Mocking Bird.
Especially noteworthy is the num-
Der of boys voices. which have been
SO carefully trained by Father Finn
The 20 and odd sopranos have voices
as clear and silvery as bells. The
bright particular star of these is Mas
ter William Hallsey, who has been
name the Galli-Curcr of the choir.
The organization can boast of q
balance that is quite without parallel
And. as remarkable as the soprano
unit, is it's collection of boy altos.
Father Finn is master in discov-
ering and illustrating effects. In Arch
angelsky's Day of Judgment he OBJ
tanned some of the most beautiful and
bewildering examples of the choir S
capabilities. In one passage he ha1
the sopranos and BASES hold long.
sustained note, while tenors. altos and
baIitones woye bewitching harmonies.
I'm the fugue. he struck a tempo
that was heartbreaking, yet the vari-
Gus divisions of his company never
missed note in its tremendous speed.
Equally enhancing were works by
such moderns as Grieg, Rachmanioff
anG Brahms. to mention a few of the
long list of composers. And, of courss.
there were extra numbers in abund-
aLce.
"Those selected for special attention,
besides little Master Hallisey. were
Mr.. Dumford, bass. But as a matter
of fact. no solist could dim the great
success achieved by the entire COM
pany nor could the voice of any sim
gle member be more beautiful or fault
less than the ensembIe"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18
QUESTIONS ANSWERED

&sr. Eavanaugh answered "a number of
questions put to him by county chairmen,
He sad the Liberty Loan drive would
greatly accelerate the sale of War saw
ngs Stamps. He told the chairmen to
lay the emphasis on the words, War
savings He said the national War
Savings committee did not favor the d-
version of savings deposits to the pur-
chase of Savings Stamps. and told the
bankers present that the War Savings
campaign would build up instead of de-
creasing their savings deposits, as had
been proved both in England and in this
country. He advised the chairmen to get
merchants and bankers who were acting
as sales agents to put War Savings
stamps in their windows and to publish
the names OF sales agents who were
stacking as well as those who were
pushing sales. These and many other
pointed suggestions were made by Mr.
Kavanaugh, as he stood for nearly an
hour and answered the long list of ques-
tons which were propounded to him.
The round table, concluded at 4:aA and
as the meeting dispersed the remark Twas
heard ON all sides that it had be@n a
great day for War Savings in AlatAma.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18
R0tarians Abandon
Their Trip to Fairfield

The Rotary club was forced to abandon
its proposed trip to Fairfield yesterday
on account of the Indictment weather, and
as the ballroom of the Tutwiler hotel
was being used by the Medical associa-
ton of Alabama Secretary Lloyd an
nounced shortly before noon that there
would not be a luncheon
Rotarians had accepted the invitation
of the Fairfield Land company to be theil
guests yesterday and their hosts ha6
planned picnic dinner at the Model City
and a sight seeing trip over the new
plant of the Tennessee Coal, Iron and
Railroad company, the new hospital anf
several additions
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18

has been insisting that practically 100
per cent of production shall be apple
to its requirements and severe rebuke
has been administered to mills which
Rave shipped even small tonnages.
Why such sweeping measures are be-
ing brought to bear continues to be
drawn from the freshly presented de-
tails of government needs. Mills are
being squared away so as to supply
the enormous quantity of shell steel
wanted for this year, which, as stated
last week. is estimated to exceed A.
100000 tons. The statement OF the
steel director to the Senate commit
tee on commerce shows that in plates
alone there is now on order for the
government and it's allies a total OF
2,374.711 tons.
Much more tonnage for ships to &c
built this year is in sight. AS it is
inquired it will require approximate;
10000 tons monthly as the govern
ment delays action on it's car and loco
motive orders
Some apprehension is beins
expressed that this equipment may Of
De completed in time to serve as safe
guard against recurring freight CON
sest1on next winter
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18
DEATHS

MAI. Max Won Binxer-Who for the
past "a years had been military in
structor in the Western Military acad
envy, and who had been travelling in
Florida for the past few months, died
in Birmingham at 2030 Park avenue
Yesterday afternoon at 3 O'Clock.
Major Won Binzer is survived by his
widow, Mrs. Lutte Won Binzer, and one
son. Werner Won Binzer of Cornell
university, Utica. ". Y. The remains
will be shipped to Davenport. Ia. for
interment.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18
Mcdowell Gets Out an
Injunction Against League

Atlanta, April 17.-(Special)-To fore
stall any action by the Chattanooga club
or the Southern league, Ward McDow-
ell, Cracker second sacker, today Sc
cured an injunction in the local superior
court restraining them from interfering
with his playing with the Crackers and
citing them and any other contestants to
appear at the hearing April 20. Several
unique contentious are made by the local
player and if the case is fought the
league and the Lookouts are going to be
sadder but wiser.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18
QUOTA TOO HEAVY

one OF the county chairmen said Ala
bama's quota OF $4,000 coo was too heavy
on account OF our large negro popula-
ton. ut can't be did," he said half
humorously."
This brought Crawford johnson to his
feet with the remark: IT don't know
whether it can be did or can't be
did but 7 do know that it must be
did,. And there was a hearty laugh
In emphasizing the fact that negroes
in Alabama were more prosperous thar
they had ever dreamed they would be
Mr. Johnson told the story of an Ala.
hama negro who had bought sl4oO auto
mobile and subscribed for $4,000 worth OF
Liberty Bonds. The story was substan
tiated by Chairman Drakeford OF Macon
county, who said he witnessed the sale
OF the automobile and he himself had in
duced the negro. whose name is William
B. Chambless, to buy the $4,000 OF
Liberty Bonds ''Chambless said he
would buy the bonds if they did no.
weld cent of interest," added Mr.
DrakefOri
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18
KILLIFER NOT TO
LEAVE TEAM NOW

St. Louis. April 17.-Reports mat VIII
liam Killifer intended to follow the lead
of his battery mate, Alexander, and seek
permission to join the navy, were denied
by the Chicago Nationals catcher here
today. He stated he had received in
formation that he had been placed in
class one in the army draft, but that ne
intended to wait for the call and would
make no effort to get in any special
branch of service.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-18
KilIifer Drafted

Kalamazoo, Mich, April 16.-William Kill
lifer, battery mate of Grover Cleveland
Alexander of the Chicago Cubs, who was
drafted recently, was placed in class Ia,
subject to immediate call by the district
draft board here late today Kilifer
was originally placed in class A by the
local board at Pawpaw. The government
appealed the case and upon Investigation
the board found that Killifer was a man
Of property, tht he had been employed
for At least 10 years as baseball star
at 5000 a year, and that his wife was
able to care for herself. Killifer was mar
ried last October.