davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1919-10-26
Germans Well Prepared

The machine guns had not been
completely destroyed anywhere by
artillery reparation, and precisely
this machine gun fire, after the first
hours, stopped the advance and
broke the spirit of the best fighting
forces of the French army. Some
thousands of these guns, we'll used
and well placed, thus proved suffi-
cient to check in full cry the for
ward sweep Of many thousands OF
veteran infantry soldiers confident
of victory, and Americans will find
food for reflection when they recall
that, little more than a year later,
in the great battle of the Meuse-
Argonne, their own soldiers, with
even less adequate artillery support,
wrestled with these same machine
gun problems and suffered casual
ties we'll in excess of those which
suff1ced to destroy the French of
fensive.
New-York tribune., 1919-10-26
ruth About the Failure of Nivele's 1917 Offensive
Successor of Petain Not Hand;
capped by Any Blunder :
of General Haig's ] ;

merable grottos and caverns of the
porous cliffs. The French armies
were compelled to halt after the
first hours, and the unforeseen
pause jammed and blocked every
thing behind-organNed for great
forward leap. This congestion and
confusion of every sort still further
aggravated the disappointment and
disillusionment consequent upon
sharp check. All official records of
the operations Of the 10th and 18th
of April in both French armies re-
veal with truly tragic monotony the
essential fact that the complete
check Of the French attack was
everywhere due to the multiplied
use of enemy machine guns which
Rad survived inadequate lombard
ment.
New-York tribune., 1919-10-26
Plans Crumble 10 Dust

On the morning of April II, when
Nivelle's victorious troops should
have arrived at dawn under the walls
Of Laon, they were actually only a
few hundred yards from their start
ing place, holding with difficulty the
second line of the Germans. All
the plans for later intensive exploi-
tation of Duchesne's army pressing
through the gap between Craonne
and Brimont had crumbled into dust.
Gains had been made, certainly not
negligible; yet, given the glowing
forecasts of the commander in chief,
it is easy to understand the extent
of the disillusionment alike of the
government and of the French peo-
pie. And public opinion held re-
sponsible for this disillusionment
that commander who had produced
it by the grandeur of his conception.
AS to the offensive itself: Having
failed to attain the expected rup-
ture, Nivelle on the 18th, although
he subsequently declared that he had
stopped it absolutely at noon, di-
rected Mangin and Mazel to Shift
their attack to the northeast and 20
on and in accordance with the orig
lnal plan Anthoine's Sixth Army was
launched against Moronvillers. Sc
we're fighting continued over the next
four days, fighting which increased
the casualties, already great, and re-
suited only in small notifications OF
the line, the most considerable of
which was the reduction of the
Nallly salient and the elimination
both OF the German ridgehead south
Of the Aisne and the position about
the dismantled fort of Conde, from
which the Germans had swept the
valley of the Aisne east and west
with enfilading fire.
On April 21 Micheler Informed
Nivelle that it was now necessary
to give up the fight. In this letter
Micheler pointed out that there We're
only four divisions Of infantry avail
able in the reserves of the three
armies coWbined to deliver the at
tack which would achieve that pros
pective rupture which Nivelle still
expected. This letter is an interest
ing document in view of the later
statement Of Nivelle's champions
that new French armies were ready
to enter the fight. Micheler in his
letter proposed also that local opera
tons should be resumed on April 30
which should include an attack upon
Brlmont still later on. In accord
ance with this suggestion of Mich
eler, on April % there was consid-
cred, and decided in principle the
question of an energetic resumption
OF the general battle in the form of
partial offensives-designed to gain
both the Craonne Plateau. in order
to uncover Laon, and the heights of
Moronvillers, to unlock Rheims.
In point of fact, despite the later
fighting, which included the taking
of the Moronvillers heights but was
marked by new failure at Brimont,
the battle of Craonne was over on
April 25.
In ten days of terrible struggle
the French army had been checked
after a slight advance, inconsider-
able by comparison with the British
progress before Arras; its fighting
spirit had been broken, the soldiers
New-York tribune., 1919-10-26
French Generals Plan to Crush
All West Front Known i'm
Advance by Foe
BY Frank n. Simonds

NPEAklNG in the French Cham
- ber the other day, M. Pain
~ leve, who preceded Clemen-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-09-05
CLUB . ORGANIZES CLASSES
Movement Started to Enable
 Employed Boys and Girls to Study at Night

"Get-Together club" has been or women of Birmingham, and is making arrangements to organize classes in sew ing, mathematics, salesmanship. self-ex- pression, physical training and other sub jects for the benefit of the employed girls and boys.
 Mrs H. H. Shell is temporary chair man of this club and a meeting will De held Tuesday night at which time the organization will be perfected. officers elected and the constitution and bylaws adopted These meetings are held in the headouarters of the war camp com- munity service, which has been turned into an unofficial community center, through the kindness of k. F. Smith, organizer for the war camp community service.
 A canvas of the business houses was made by a committee yesterday, and the plans were submitted to the proprie- tors whose cooperation was asked Tn this matter number of prominent men and women have volunteered their services to conduct these night classes where the girls and boys who are em- .ployed during the day may attend classes at night and thus increase their busi- ness ability and secure a better educa- ton.
 All of the merchants visited by the committee were heartily in favor or this movement by which the employed girl and hoy may fit herself or himself for better place Anyone interested is urged to attend the meeting Tuesday night and assist in this work for the betterment ol tbe young men and women of Birming ham.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-09-05
BOYS AND GIRLS USE STOLEN CAR FOR WEEK
Automobile Stolen From Naval Of-
 ficer Located at Athens

Lieutenant Commander J. F.. Mere dith. navy recruiting officer for Ala bama left yesterday afternoon for Athens to identify his automobile. which was stolen from in front of local moving picture theatre about 10 days ago. The theft was reported to the local police but no clue was found until he was notified that car fill ing the description of his had been found near Athens He stated that he had learned that the car was stolen by two boys, and following this clue 1t was soon discovered that two girls had left with the boys in the automo- bile, together with another couple. In the meantime the fathers of the girls were looking for them, and when they came home yesterday they told where the car was.
 According to Lieutenant Commander Meredith, who refused to give the names of the girls the boys met them and took them for ride the night the car was stolen. hiding the automobile in the woods that night. Friday the three girls and boys left Birmingham for Atlanta and were on their way back when they ran out of gasoline near Florence and the boys told the girls they would have to hobo with them This they refused to do and rex turned to their homes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-09-05
TWENTY-FIVE QUIT
 AT SEMET-S0LVAy
 STATE OFFICIALS
Deny That There Was Strike and Say Majority Have Expressed Desire to Re
 turn to Work

About 9 employees of the Semet Sol- way company at North Birmingham walked out yesterday, according to state ments made by officials of the company last night. Most of those quitting work were helpers in the pipe fitting depart ment, it was stated, although there were some pipe filters in the group.
 The North Birmingham plant of the Semet Coivay company is an open shop, where both union and nonunion men are employed. It is stated that there was no strike and that only few men, mostly helpers, quit work. It is stated that an increase in wages was demanded, but of- ficials of the company claim that a ma- jority of the men who quit have already expressed a desire to return to their jobs.
 Efforts were made last night to get some statement about the matter from union leaders here but none of those seen had any information about the matter. Nothing was known of any strike or any action taken by any of the employees, and it was stated that the men who quit doubtless acted individ- ually.
 Officials of the company stated that less than 2o men had walked out and half of them had already expressed a desire to resume their former positions. The report that there had been a strike and that 150 men had quit work was declared to be entirely erroneous.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-09-05
TALKS ID
 REAL ESTATE MEN
Federal District Attorney Discusses PrOfiteering. Turner Reports for Leg
 islative Committee

At the meeting of the Real Estate ex- change yesterday afternoon at the South ern club, Erie Pettus was the principal speaker. Several members of the ex- change also made interesting talks. MT. Pettus told the members of the exchange in an interesting manner the meaning of the word "profiteering" 7" l This word," he said, has been wrongly used so much of late that the meaning has become clouded. The real meaning of the word is not so much charging a good price for commodities or even charging a little more than the other man is, but hoarding necessities or buy ing a larger supply of anything than is necessary for the present. This is wrong and the man who is guilty of doing such Ia thing should certainly be held up to ridcule before his associates. MT. Pet tus said.
 A vote of thanks was given John Tur- ner and George w Yancey for the eff ficient way in which they led the fight against dividing Jefferson county before the legislature in Montgomery.
 MT. Turner explained the methods used
 in opposing Pettus county. He also told some interesting facts about legislative matters and the manner of doing things in Montgomery.
 Mir. Pettus in closing, said he thought the real estate men of Birmingham as fair minded and as upright as any men of the city. He wanted their support in fighting high prices on everything.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-09-05
POSTPONE HEARING
 IN INJUNCTION SUIT

Hearing on the injunction proceedings brought against the city commission by torney R. F. Perkins seeking to restrain them from granting the Birmingham Railway Light and Power company an increase in car fare which was set for yesterday morning was passed until Sep tember 15 The compliments claim that such authority can he granted only by the Alabama Public Service commission and that the city commissioners had no right to grant the increase.
 Since the filing of the injunction the Public Service commission granted the increase to six cent car fare which is in vogue.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-09-05
COUNTY TAX VALUATIONS
 SHOW INCREASE
Assessors Report Shows Over $170,000,000 in Real and Personal
 Property

Taxable property in Jefferson county is valued at s17o,62S,14s according to the annual report compiled yesterday afternoon by J. H. McLendon. tax as- sessor which will be submitted to the state auditor. This is an increase of s5.115,o74 in assessments over last years vA ation for Jefferson county, the valuation of 1918 being approxi- mately s165. 100000. Birmingham and Bessemer made separate districts in the report. Real estate in the Birming- ham division is valued at s112.o24,9SS while real estate in the Bessemer divi- sion is valued at s13.724,641 making a total of s125,74s,57S.
 The valuation for personal property in the Birmingham division is $3S,Ss0.- 7oS, Bessemer s5,997.S64, making total of s44.s7S.567. The county total is s17o,- 62S,14S. Combining the valuation of the two divisions they are: Birming- ham. s15o.so5.ssS, Bessemer division, sls,7a2,5o5 making a total of $17o,s2S,- 14s.
 The amounts to be collected in the form of taxes are also given by divi- sions. In the Birmingham division ex- elusive of the city limits of Brmng- ham, the amount S S2,716.302.59. The Bessemer division will contribute $S55,- oo5.69 to the expenses of the govern ment, making a total of $S,o71,S0S.cS to be collected outside of Birmingham. The amount of taxes to be collected in the city will be added to this amount later.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-09-05
|RJJnDING PERMITS
 SHOWING INCREASE

Building in the city is again brisk and the permits being issued at the city hall are steadily on the increase las figures in the building inspectors office will show. Only four permits for dwellings were issued yesterday. but many small per Units of $250 to $1,0oo were issued. Permits for buildings issued yester- day were as follows: 5000, erection of frame residence. lat intersection of Twenty-ninth ,Thirtieth and Thirty-first street, by ;C. E. Blackman.
 $3,500, erection of frame residence, at Holev street and Bradley avenue, by J. A. Elafn. $3,400, erection of frame residence, Thirtieth street and Twentieth avenue, north, by T. La Webster. $s,400, erection of frame residence,
 between Twenty-ninth and Thirtiet tn
 street, by H. c. Higgins
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-09-05
War on City Dumps

From the Thrift Magazine.
 American cities annually send to the dump 13 tons of valuable waste material for every 1000 persons liv- ing in community. Twenty per cent of this tonnage is made up of waste paper, as this is the first item tha. .s destroyed. Based upon the present ap- proximation of the population of our urban centers about 150,000 tons of paper are sent to the dump annually
 Great Britain. under the stress of war, increased her collection of waste papes from 1000 tons to about 60oo tons of paper a week. America An- nually sends to the dump about twice as much paper as was collected in all of Great Britain in 1914. Great Britain increased her collection of paper sp- proximately 500 per cent in four years. This tremendous increase in volume was effected through the efforts Of the controller of paper The War Savings and Thrift Stamp can become the paper controller for this country The waste reclamation service has re- Guested the local waste reclamation councils in centers advantageously situated to the markets to utilize the stamp in an effort to check the move ment of waste material dumpward. The councils have been advised to dis trict their communities. assign a waste dealer to each district and to have the housewife sell her waste for Thrift Stamps.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-09-05
CORONER'S INQUEST ON SOLDIERS DEATH
 ORDERED FOR TODAY
Drinking Denatured Alcohol Assigned as Cause of Rainbow Division
 Mans End

Acting Coroner R. E. Askew yester-
 day began investigation of the death |of Gordon Lawrence Johnson, an ex-sol
 division, who died at local infirmary
 yesterday from the effects of internal
 poisoning. Preliminary investigation led
 the coroner to believe that Johnson
 came to his death by drinking denatur- ed alcohol, bottle containing few
 drops of this liquid having been found in the room formerly occupied by J Johnson at Second avenue and Twenty fourth street.
 Occupants of the rooming house stat ed to the coroner yesterday that they
 knew nothing of the affair until Charles Hurde. who resides near the rooming house. told them that there was man dying in one of the up- stairs rooms" Officer Richardson who
 was on the beat was notified and the 1 ex- soldier was rushed to a local in- firmary. He never regained conscious ness. a4 MA4W Ge 4,. | Johnston's discharge papers signed | by Col William F. Screws, commanding l officer of the 167th infantry show that | service rendered in the army was ex- cellent. He enlisted in the army in | 1917 at the age of 31 and was a me chanic by trade. He was member of i Company K, 167th infantry. The coro- 1 ner has summoned a number of witnes- l ses to the inquest which will be held i this morning. Former members of the l67th infantry in Birmingham are asked 1 to appear at Johns undertaking estab- | lishment and give their names as pall- bearers. Funeral services will be held from the home of the deceased, 1911 Forty eight street, north. this afternoon at o'clock, with interment in Forest Hill.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-09-05
POSTPONE OPENING OF FALL TERM OF LAW
 DIVISION OF COURTS
Wadrop Says Witnesses in Law Cases Set for September Should Disregard Summonses-Wil Be Called Again When New Docket Is Prepared-Bill
 Changing Date Signed Yesterday

been signed by the governor. Judge Wilkinson and Judge Dan Greene went to Montgomery to get the governor to sign the bill without delay as all jurors and witnesses had already been summoned for the opening of court set for Monday and the dockets had also been printed.
 As the Benners bill provides for the opening of the fall term in the law division of the circuit court on the first Monday in October instead of the sec ond Monday in September" said MT. Waldrop yesterday, witnesses sum moned to appeaR in law cases prior 10 the first Monday in October should disregard their summons and not ap- pear They will be summoned again prior to the onening of the fall term when the cases are docketed again according to the changed date. Jurors probably will he used m the criminal dvi- sion, the fall term of which begins next Monday"
 The Benners bill provides for the summer recess in the law division in July. August and September instead of June, July and August as here tOfOre
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-09-05
PASSENGERS ACCEPT
 SIX CENT CAR FARE ASMATTER OFCOURSl
Expected Shortage of Pennies Failed to Materiazed- ditional Supply Received From Atlanta Only Half Used-Conductors Tell Interesting Inci-
 dents of the Increased Rate

fare and all took the change soO .fa- turedly. and so far as could be learned not single passenger on any of the cars refused to pay the additional penny.
 Many interesting incidents were told by members of the operating depart-- ment on the first day of the increased rate One conductor stated that he had started out with 300 pennies and that in stead of the number decreasing it jn7 creased and he was afraid he would neet a basket to carry them in before nigh Another conductor stated that severaD negroes had boai 1ed his car and had given him transfer and penny He told them that the penny was not neces- sary with the transfer. and they said they paid an additional penny on the other car so thought they would have to pay one on each car.
 Yesterday was the test of the increased rates, and the officials of the Hrming- ham Railway, Light and Power company and the Birmingham- Tldewater Railway company were most gratifed at the splen- did manner in which the people met the situation and assisted the employees of the company in enforcing this new order.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-09-05
DIR. HARRIS TO SPEAK AT THE CIVITAN CLUB
 ON BOYS MOVEMENT
Regular Weekly Luncheon at South. ern Club to Be Featured by Sev-
 eral Addresses

The Civitan club, having indorsed the movement to finance the Boys club and Boy Scout organization, the regular meeting today will be known as Boys Day" and pr Grady Harris will speak on this subject at the lunch con to be held at o'clock at the South ern club. There will be other features and all Civilians are expected to be present.
 The following notice has been sent out by Secretary John A. Nix:
 Fellow Civitans-This weeks meet ing is to be known as Boys Day" Consequently every Civitan who is able to get to the Southern club is going to be there; those not present will be classed with the old men.
 Rev A. Grady Harris is going to talk to us and what he says will be mighty interesting to boys, young and old.
 Make your plans to be on hand, at 1 o'clock. Friday, September ,, and bring another boy with you. Civitanly yours,
 JOHN V. MIX,
 Secretary" 'P S-This is the last day of the grand attendance contest. There's like ly to be fireworks, n pink lemonade n ever'thin'. Don't miss it!'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-09-05
NEW INFANTRY COMPANY

At meeting of Company c, Fourth infantry of the Alabama National Guard, at the Elks' club last evening the enlistment of the minimum number of the Ensley company was practically completed. Tuesday evening Mai. Lu- cien c. Brown and Capt. Lacy Edmund son will be present at the meeting of the company and speak to the men.
 Capt Ira D. Davis, who is com manding officer of this company, is working enthusiastically for the sue cess of the undertaking, which will mean so much to the Ensley district.
 Captain Davis stated last night that all of the business men of Ensley were giving the movement their hearty sup port.
 The company not only offers the men an opportunity for means of assisting the district from military standpoint, but is an excellent opportunity for physical training for the large number of men who are confined to offices during the day.
 Those desiring to communicate with Captain Davis can do so through the tlks' club.
 The EnsIey kpublic is urged to give this civic and state movement its sup port.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-09-05
POSITIONS SECURED FOR 100 IN AUGUST

Over hundred men and women were placed in positions by the city employ ment bureau during the month of Au- nounced yesterday.
 A total of s5s<applied to the bureau for positions, but large per cent or these were transients passing through the city and were not placed. A total of 1855 firms applied to the bureau for help, but only hundred applicants were fitted for the places.
 "The trouble in securing places for the men and women who come here for employment is that most of them claim to be qualified for positions when they are not" Mr. Oliver said. This is shown by the fact that we sent to firms 192 men. Of that number only hundred were accepted because of in ability to fill the positions.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-09-05

Birmingham accepted the 6-cent car fare yesterday as matter of course, just as 1t has other advances that have been made during the past few years on the high cost of living. Pennies were in evidence everywhere and the nickel, which used to look so big to the chil, dren, has rapidly been relegated to the background until at the present time it is useless without the assistance of pen nies. t-,
 Although an additional supply of pen nies was sent from Atlanta to meet the increased demand here, only 50 per cent of the stock the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company had on hand was distributed yesterday, so no shortage in Indian heads is expected here.
 Penny merchants were located at Sec ond avenue and Nineteenth street, First avenue and Twentieth street and Fifth avenue and Twentieth street to exchange pennies for silver with the conductors on the various cars, The people of Birmng- ham had been prepared for the increased d
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-09-05
STEELE TO ADDRESS
 MINE WORKERS HERE
Big Delegation Leaves Tomorrow for
 International Convention

Andrew Steel, 4 member of the in- terna tionai boasd of United Mine Workers of America, will address th, miners of Pratt City tonight at o'clock and the meeting will be open to the public, Mir. Steel Is said to he one of the strongest speakers amonIg the organizations of the mine worksAA and is working along the line pf or-\ ganization and trade union educasionl while in the Alabama field
 This meeting will be open to the public.'' said ]. R. Kennamer, pres:- dent of District No. 20, under whose direction the meetings are being held, "and we especially invite the ladies .a be present. Everyone interested Is urged to be on hanu and learn the aims and ideals of the trade unioa movement
 Mir Steel and MT. Kennamer accom- panied by large local deleg ation, will leave tomorrow for Cleveland Ohio where thes will attend the interra- tionai convention which meets there on September 2 From there Mir. Steel will return to his home in Missouri. /.