davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-03-09
Significance of the
 Cotton Convention

W. w. Morrison, in discussing the re- cent meeting of cotton men, says in part:
 In studying the force and meaning or the cotton convention, recently held in New Orleans, it will be Illuminating to differentiate sharply, between the polti- clans and the political element among the farmers who largely controlled such con ventions in the past, from the merchants, bankers and farmers, who now make up what is known as the cotton produc- ing interest, and who directed the de- Alterations of the convention and Will have charge of executing it's plans.
 The spirit which informed and domi- mated practically every movement of the kind heretofore, stressed the importance of securing outside aid of some kind; usu- ally through some sort of legislation, either state or national. The emphasis always given to this view by the element named had the direct effect of impair ing the morale of the farmers and po- tentially disqualifying them for making self-reliant fight which common sense indicated was the only direction in when lay any hopes of success.
 The recent convention was notable for just the opposite. It was made perfectly plain that the farmers must rely abso- lutely on themselves; that no outside ald of what was proposed by the convention was needed. nor could any be expected, legislative or otherwise Every tendency to appeal to the government was sup pressed and the convention was held, strictly, to the consideration of the im- portance of holding what was left or the present crop, and devising plans to reduce the next crop to where it would put the holding movement on a solid business basis.
 A spirit of self reliance and a confi- dent ability to take care of the Situa' tion unaided was evident on all side1 This was reflected in the attitude or the personnel of the convention towards some events that had greatly depressed the future market. For instance, it was generally felt that labor troubles at the mills, after all did not make the obvious need for cotton any less, and, since they could carry their cotton longer, by far. than the world could wait for it, delays caused by defective transportation faclll- ties and embargoes of various kinds were, really, matters over which the spinners and consumers should worry. not the farmers.
 It was the clearly defined opinion of the the convention that there was no cotton than was required to supply the desper- ate needs of the world, 1n- cIuding, it was emphasized, every bale of the low grades as well as the high The prevailing pessimism as to the out look for cotton and the low prices, were regarded, therefore, as wholly artificial The general conclusion being that thesn artificial conditions would pass, but the desperate needs of millions of destitute people would not Hence, it was plain that the most effective, in fact, the only remedy, was to wait until time removed the difficulties which, it was reasonable. the pressing needs of the world would certainly ultimately compel.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-03-09
\ Commissions Issued by
 Governor Announced

Montgomery, March S.-(SpeciaL) Announcement of the following com missions. issued from the governors office, was made Saturday:
 H. A. Young, jury commissioner, Cal houp county.
 James A. Price, notary public, Henry county.
 Miss Esther G. Wood, notary public, Jefferson county.
 P. M. Mayors, notary and justice of the peace, DeKalb county.
 C. I. Jones, notary and justice of
 w. D. Estes, notary and justice of peace, Walker county. peace, Cherokee county,
 c. w. Collins, notary and justice of peace, Houston county
 w. W, Best, notary and justice of peace. Houston county.
 I. T. E. Aubrey. notary and justice of peace Randolph county.
 c. R. Farmer, notary public, and S. o. Smith. notary, Houston county.
 o. K. Weed. notary public Dale county.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-03-09
United States Agent Appreciates Work of
 the City Detectives

George B. Lyons, chief of the Birming- ham detective department, is in receipt of the following letter from Raymond M. Hudson for the claims and property pro- lection section of the United States rail- road administration of Washington:
 My Dear Chief: As the United States grand jury has just completed it's work and has true billed quite a number of railroad cases, the direct results of work by members of your force, l am taking this opportunity to thank you for the splendid and unstinted service you and your men have rendered the United States railroad administration in the apprehen- sion and prosecution of railroad thieves and in recovering stolen shipments of goods from them.
 we have never yet asked anything of your department but that we received prompt and efficient action and service.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-03-09
DRAFT PROCESSES SAVE MORE LIVES
 THAN LOST IN WAR
Remarkable Facts Shown by Physical Examination of Millions of
 Men
By Associated Press


 Washington March S.-Vital statistics made available to the government as g result of the selective draft processes especially from the scientific physical examination of S,2oS,446 men-will be the means of saving a hundred times as many lives as were lost in the war, ir the opinion of Maj. Gen. Enoch Crowder provost marshal general.
 While no attempt has been made as Yet to study the information derived from the physical examination of regis trants a local board for division No. l29 in New York city, has made an auspi- cious start through the careful indeSins of the results obtained in 600 cases, with the view of turning these over to medi- cal authorities for analysis. Already the figures seem to indicate clearly that for eign born registrants were of lower phys teal standerd than native born.
 Of every 100 men called for service un- der the draft examining officials found s76 per cent were suffering from defects which could be remedied entirely if the applicants submitted to short and sim ple course The original plan of the draft euthorities-to induct these men and have their defects corrected at army hos pitals-was dropped because of the lack of facilities. but government officials have not abandoned entirely the idea of federal assistance in this reconstruction work under some future social better lnent programme.
 Registrants who possessed physical de fleets of such degree as to prevent them rendering military service of any kind totalled 52t, ,606 and constituted 1925 per cent of the total examined. These includ- ed organic diseases of internal organs, marked visual or aural defects mental La. nj ror elysis, disfguring and disabling deformi- ties and lastly, physical under develop nent.
 Study of this class. it is believed would show basic causes capable of be- ing eliminated from future generations through social hygiene campaigns, com potent medical supervision and advice and physical exercise, scientifically pre- scribed.
 Comparison of the age-groups of reg strants is said to have indicated ma terial deterioration in the average Amer tcan soon after he reaches his majority Of every 100 men aged 21 who were eX- amined 76S9 were found physically fit while in the 21-30 year class only 6917 were thus classified; while only a small Increase was noted in the remedialS, the disuualifed group rose from g. Il to 30.S2 per hundred.
 Analysis of the figures and percentages of men repected on account of deficient mentality and because of mental and nervous disorders afforded interesting data. Most of the southern states showed high figures for the mentally deficient probably, it was explained, because of the large negro population. Vermont was the only northern state in the first 10 states in this respect. On the other hand mental and nervous disorders were far more prevalent in the northern states.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-03-09
Export Trade to Boom

Paul Clay, a prominent writer on eco ncmics, predicts a foreign trade boom in Forbes:
 ''We may confidently look forward to such a boom in our export trade, be- cause 1t is based upon the necessities of Europe. Our exports to European coun- tries should increase after the foreign demobiliza ton is over even more rapidly than they did following the Napoleonic wars. At that time in our trade with Continental Europe we were in compe- titon with Great Britain; but this time Great Britain is one of the impoverished countries which will doubtless buy the most heavily from us. Of course, the British impoverishment, and the conse- quent need of materials and supplies, is not as great as that of Continental peo- ples; but it is still great enough so that we may expect to export to the British Isles millions of dollars of goods which ordinarily she would not buy from us at all.
 This is as far ahead as one need try to sec We need not begin to trouble ourselves as to what will happen after the end of the reconstruction boom; for that time is far away.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-03-09
Our Postal Savings

From the Thrift Magazine.
 It is a fact not generally understood among us that the United States has one of the best postal savings bank sys- tens in the world. although. considering our population. it's depositors represent a very small percentage of our money ing the final six months of the war, an mately 600,00O patrons of our postal saw ings bank system, carrying deposits that average $242
 This is high water mark for the size of average deposits, but there was. dur the final six months of the war, an actual falling off in the number of de- postors of more than 60000.
 The most popularly supported postal savings bank system in the world is III Switzerland, where one-half of the popu- lation are depositors In England one person in 70 is patron of postoffice bank, while in the United States only about one person out of TO saves money in this manner.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-03-09
Colonel Lewis Denoted

Anniston, March S.-tSpecial. )-Lieut. Col J. II. Lewis, camp commander at Camp Mcclellan, has been denoted to his former rank of major of cavalry but will remain in command of all the departments at Mcclellan until the head quarters are moved away and the camp closed up next week.
 The order reducing the camp com mander to his regular grade in the reg ular army was published at the head quarters Friday, in keeping with the reorganization of the army and the de- mobilization of the national army units.
 Orders have been received at the local camp to terminate the existence of the headquarters at the local camp on Feb ruary II. and all of the headquarters officers and men will be gone by the following day.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-03-09
POLICE RAID "CRAPS"
 GAMES AND MANY
 ARRESTS ARE MADE

Thirty-four men were arrested and placed in the city jail last night on charges of gaming. The game played. according to arresting officers was shooting craps" Of this number, IS were white men, large portion of which were prominent men of the city.
 The first game raided was in the Rose well apartments, in which there were F participants. Another game in tho downtown section of the city was raided and six men arrested.
 There were 16 negroes arrested or the gaming charge. and 10 arrests of people on minor charges, a total of A arrests between the hours of o'clock and F.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-03-09
NEGRO SOLDIERS TO MEET
White Friends Invited to Assemble
 With Them Thursday Night

A meeting of honorably discharged ne gro soldiers has been called for next Thursday night by the following notice: All colored soldiers who have been honorably discharged are requested to meet next Thursday night, March 13, at the old Knights of Pythias hall, Second avenue, between Fifteenth and Sixteenth streets, at o'clock There will be busi- ness of vast importance. One of the most important things Is, we must meet and help bring down some of the unjust things that are brought against by gossip to which we object, and wish to prove to the public that we are law w-abiding citi- zens, and mean to walk in the right life. Our white and colored friends also invited. Yours for harmony and peace,
 LIEUT.. MOTION H. GRAY,
 President
 CORP. J. L, WALKER,
 Secretary.
 ''DR. F. w. WILLIAMS,
 Chaplain
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-03-09
CONSCIENCE MONEY
 AFTER 12 YEARS

Information regarding a unique case of conscience money" in Alabama has been called to the attention of The Age Herald.
 M. E. Bates. roadmaster of the Louis vile and Nashville railroad for the Pensacola district was the man to whom S1 9 was sent for a shovel stolen 12 years ago from R. H. Hatawag when MT. Hataway was section foreman at Ham mac The check was sent by a Flo maton, Ala. man with the notation that the check covered the approximate cost of such shovel as that stolen at the present time. Roadmaster Bates fo-- warded the check and letter to E. O. Saltmarsh, superintendent at Pensa- cola.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-03-09
Twin Babies Victims
 of Dread Influenza

Theresa and Dorothy Dyer, 1Smonth- old twin daughters of MT. and Mrs. H. G. Dyer, died yesterday within few hours of each other at the residence, 1908 Thirty-third avenue, north, as a result of protracted influenza. They had been i'll only a few days.
 The remains will be sent to Altoona today for funeral and interment by Shaw The children were well known in the community in which they re- sided despite their tender age and many friends in Birmin gham extend their sympathy to the bereaved parents.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-03-09
Origin of Castle Walk

In the January instalment of My Memories of Vernon Castle.' Every body's for January, Irene Castle writes:
 From one of our dances-the Castle Walk--we received a great deal of com pensation both in reputation and in money People wanted to learn it.. The dance that thus became a furore was an accident in the beginning. One night at Louis Martins, we had danced good deal and were rather tired. More as a rest than anything else we fell into a reverse of the usual proceeding. In all dances the weight is thrown down
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-03-09
Noted Photographer killed

Conklin Mann, in LeSl;e s.
 Lieut. Edwin Ralph Estep, Leslie g widely known war photographer, had his
 heart set on getting pictures of the hand to-hand fighting, and was particularly desirous of catching a bayonet charge by American doughboys at the moment of the shock as the Yankees hit the line. Tn one of his last letters referring to this picture he wrote:
 There is one war picture I am after you know the one-and I feel that l am going to get it.
 It is easy to fill in the rest. Knowing that the end of the war was near, and being desirous of obtaining many "ciose- up as possible, he took chance after chance, and his death in action is a strik ing testimony to his courage and de- votion to his duty.
 Jimmy. Hare says that war photo grapher is success in so far as ne doesn't know fear and knows photo graphy, and Jimmy. who knew Estep' work under fire, used to say, "Estep IS at his best at both.'
 A first lieutenant in the United States army signal corps photographic department. he had been at the front less than three months but during thas time had won an enduring name TOT bravery, and his exploits were commented upon up and down the line, for his work carried him wherever the fighting was
 most severe, regardless of division or
 army corps.
 When after two years brilliant success
 as a war correspondent-photo
 for Leslies he heard, of the army's need
 of experienced men to do photographic
 work under General Pershing's direction,
 he sacrificed recognition and remunera-
 tion as one of the worlds four greatest
 war photographers to serve as one of the
 unknown many whose pictures helped to
 win battles. His one request when he vol
 unteered was that he pc sent to the front
 lines as quickly as possible. T know
 it's a dangerous job. but it's the only
 place I can get real stuff he said. NC
 one took greater risks in the field. To
 date his is the only name in the photo
 graphic section of the signal corps bear ing the glorious words. killed in action.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-03-09

on the foot. For change we threw the weight up. It is difficult to describe but easy to do. Elsie Janis,. who was sit. ting at our table, told US when we came back that we couldn't get away with it. It was too ridiculous to consider doing again. It wasn't very graceful. to ba| sure, but it did provide a variation and, a great deal of amusement. In spite of Miss Janis discourage at the out-, set, we did keep up this dance, and in order that there might be something to it. we were forced to add to it little. It sounds silly and Is silly. That is the explanation of its popularity
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-03-09
COLUMBUS, MISS.

Columbus, Miss. March S.-(Special) The Mississippi Brick Manufacturers as- sociation will meet In this city next Thursday, March 13 The association was only recently formed having been organ ized at an informal meeting of brick manufacturers held in Meridian a short time ago. w. N. Puckett of this city was elected president, and will preside over the meeting, which will be held at the Gilmer hotel.
 Musical organizations representing varf- ous southern educational institutions are starting out on their annual spring tours, and two of them are announced for early appearances at the State Industrial In- stitute and college In this city, the Mis- sissippi Agricultural and Mechanical Col lege band being booked for concert there next Friday evening, w!!ile on the fol- lowing evening the University of Alabama Glee club will be heard.
 At a get-together luncheon held at the Bell cafe at noon today steps to- wards reviving and infusing new life into the Chamber of Commerce and Lowndes county were taken, and more than 50 leading business men who were present pledged themselves to do ev- erything in their power to further the undertaking.
 The local civic body, like many simi- lar organizations in various cities throughout the country. was in a quiescent state while the war was in progress, citizens generally having de- voted all their spare time to patriotic undertakings, but now that peace has been restored interest has been revived and the work of the organization will not only be resumed but will be more constant and more enthusiastic than ever before.
 The body of Mrs. Virginia Course, a former Columbian, who died recently at the home of her son, Hunter M. Course, in Biloxi, Miss, was brought here for burial Funeral services were held from the, First Church of Christ at 10:30 o'clock this morning and in torment in Friendship cemetery fol- lowed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-03-09
Mrs. Dohhins Better

Anniston, March S.-(Speciat) )-Mrs Oscar c. Dobbins, who has been under treatment at Sellers hospital for the past week, following serious opera tion was able to return to her home or Wilmer avenue Saturday.
 MT. Dobbins has been very sick also for a week or more, and the double affliction has worked an unusual hard ship on the family.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-03-09
Harry Ayers Refurns

Anniston, March S.-(Special.) )-Har- " M. Ayers, editor of the Anniston Star. has returned to his home here
 after short business trip to Montgom- = cry
 MT. Ayers recently was discharged
 from the military service after serving in the chemical warfare branch with the grade of captain.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-03-09
County Board Of Education Carries on Building Plans
 Despite Lack Of Funds
Though Funds About Exhausted, Board Strains Point to Meet Demands of Localities for School Build ngs-Superintendent Baker Summar-
 izes Building Expenditures

as Center High. The building will cost when completed and equipped, about $7000, it is estimated. Bids for the construction of the building and fur nishing the equipment have been asked for. It will have four rooms and d hall. principals office and library.
 Maxine: A four-room building sim liar to the Center high Is under con structon at Maxine. The Pratt Con- solidated Coal company advanced the money for this building, the board td repay it in installments It will cost about $7000, and be equipped with mod ern school facilities
 Lacey's chapel: A one-room addition to the Lacey's chapel building is being erected at a cost of about $1700, mak- ing it 9 two-room school. Sardis: The building at Sardis, begun last year, has just been completed, in- spected and accepted by the board. It cost about s3500.
 REPAIRS CONTEMPLATED
 In addition to the new buildings mentioned. repairs to cost about S605 each are being made, or will be made during the year to the following build- ings: Mt Pisgah, Kimberly, Powderiy, Alliance. Wilks, Lovicl, Pine Grove, Alton, Crumley's Chapel. Corner, New Bethel. Coaldale, Gurley, Fairview, Dell, Odh GrOVe, Pleasant I11It, Snow Rogers, Boyles, Mud Creek, Me- Donalds Chapel, Mt. Hebron, Union and Union Grove.
 New equipment, desks, wells and pumps are also being provided at these and other places. Wells are being drilled at several of the schools which will furnish water for the teachers and pupils, this being the first time the board has undertaken this kind of work
 '"rhe large increase in salaries which had not been anticipated" said Mir Baker, "cut down our building fund and made it impossible for us to put up as many new schoolhouses as vel had hoped to do this year. On account of the great need, however, ws stretched a point and are borrowing money to pay for some of those we are building"
 There are 206 public schools in Jef- ferson county, 75 of which are for col ored children and 131 for white chil- dren. These do not include the schools in Birmingham and Bessemer
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-03-09

Without saying much about if, the Jef- ferson county board of education is carrying out a very pretentious bufld- ing programme this year despite the fact that it has a very small fund for that purpose. Compared with other years in the recent past the money expended during 1919 looks rather small, but dis tributed among large number of build ngs it makes a very creditable show ing.
 Superintendent N. R. Baker stated yes- terday that the board has about ex- hausted the funds available for new buildings. but as the need of these in several localities is urgent the board is straining a point to meet the demands upon it. The total expenditures for this purpose during the year. he said. will approximate S70,OO0, which is about $40,OO0 less than was used for the same purpose last year. To show what is being done in the way of new buildings MT. Baker submitted the following list:
 BOYLES HIGH SCHOOL
 High school at Boyles: Now nearing completion, $22,O00 of this years funds used. The building is under roof and plasterers will begin work this week The county board of revenue contributed s2O,OOO of the s70,000 total cost of this building and equipment. The main build- ing is two stories high, with basement. and one wing, already built, is one story with basement. A second wing will be built when funds are available. The building will be ready for use when the school term begins in the fall.
 Shades-Cahaba high school, at Shades mountain: This building. with equip ment, will cost about s50,000. The board has arranged to borrow the money to pay for this building and equipment. the loan to be repaid out of taxes collected annually under the g. mill law, the citizens of that vicinity having recently voted in favor of this levy. The building will be one story and basement, steam heated, and equipped with the latest and best fur niture and other essentials.
 CENTER HIGH SCHOOL
 Center High school: The Center Point and Chalkville schools have been com
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-03-09
Dr. Marlborough Here

Anniston, March S.-(Special)- )-Dr. w. F. Yarbrough for many years pastor of the Parker Memorial Baptist church here, but who is .now secretary of the state board of missions, is spending a few days among his friends and former parishioners in the city. pr. Yarbrough makes his headquarters in Montgomery.