davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-05

otEer American soldiers have started for France. Then the old mans eyes are opened. Believing his son dead, he bunrs the kaisers picture and his German news papers and gladly joins his friend, Block
 in a scheme to trap the arch-conspirator Lieutenant Pfeiffer was saved and the young man returns just in time to aid in the capture of Muller.
 The tenacity with which Karl Pfeiffer clings to his pro-German ideas is happily contrasted> with the sterling patriotism of Henry Block, who left Germany with Pfeiffer to grow rich along with his friend in America. The constant clash ing and pickering of the two cronies, the one contending for Germany and the other for America form the basis of the comedy in the play, and every point scored by Block against Pfeffer is an argument for the condemnation of mili- taristic Germany and the vindication of America Laughter is frequent but un- der it lie the incontrovertible truths which many German-Americans did not learn soon enough to sponsor the land of their adoption.
 Although the war is over it is never too late to preach the doctrine of Amer
 canism so ably set forth in this play. Everyone in Birmingham should see "Friendly Enemies
 As for the company it could hardly be proved Al Shean as Henry Block and Harry J. Hooper as Karl Pfeiffer give vivid portrayals of the two types of German-Americans with which we are familiar the one an American citi Q T in every sense of the word and credit to his adopted country and the other-until he is converted a citizen in name only. Joseph Sterling has a soldierly appear ance and plays the part of William Pfeif- fer with manly sincerity. Augusta Bur meister as Mrs. Pfeiffer presents a fine character study and Ferne Doubleday makes of June Block the sort of girl who is well worthy to become the bride Of hero in khaki. In the thankless role of the German spy, Leonard Ide was all that the past required, cool, cal culating, merciless and utterly Prussian person.
 There will be a matinee this afternoon and another performance tonight.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-05
Three Road Employes
 Die in Train Wreck
By Associated Presi

Altoona, Pa, February 4.-Three rail road employees were killed when Chi- cago mail train No. IS, eastbound, O the Pennsylvania railroad was wrecke at Shoenberger. IS miles east of thi city tonight The locomotive topplet over an embankment into the Juniati river and nine of the IA cars in the train were derailed One day coach at the rear carried the only passengers, none of whom was hurt. Severai postal clerks and express messengers suffered minor injuries.
 The accident resulted in dual wreck three empty cars of west bound freight train being wrecked at the same point. Officials here are tn- vestigating the cause of the accident.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-05
Covington Commissioners Named

Montgomerq, February 4-(SpeciaD After signing senate bill No. 27, which abolished the board of commissioners of Covington county and created the court of county commissioners, Cover nor Thomas E. Klby named several men to serve as commissioners for per.
 iod of 50 days, when Covington county will hold an election for the purpose of choosing the members. The governor named the following: J. E. Wright, president Andalusia; Henry King, Opp. :: Pollard Can't, Andalusia, rural route; W. w. Kinsan, Lockhart; R. E. Lee, Red Level. The bill abolishing the board of revenue met with little opposi ton in either house.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-05
At the New Majestic

The Maddocks- Park players continue to pack the New Majestic at every perform ance with "The Barrier a play adapted from the great book by Rex Beach' Americas foremost author.
 Next week the style of shows will change. farce comedy entitled "Pair of Sixes,' holding the stages for the en- tire week. Playgoers will remember this as one of the big road shows last season and that it played Birmingham at tive dollars a seat. In the hands of the Mad. docksPark players, there is no doup' but it will be one of the best plays seer here this season. "A Pair of Si.Ses'. also had long run in New York at the Longacre theatre last season.
 On account of the many people who could not obtain seats last week the man agement requests that those who can dc so, make their seat reservations in ad- vance, phone orders will receive the same attention as those given at the box-office Matinee time has been changed from o clock to 2:30
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-05
Friendly Enemies" One
 Of the Best Of fhe Season

The lessons of the great war, in it's effect on the German-American point of view when that view inclines more to Germany than America, are impreSsively illustrated in Friendly Enemies, pre- scented at the Jefferson theatre last night. The play is rather late in reaching Bir- mingham The war is over now, but the same qualities of this forceful and grip ping drama which made it acclaimed in the east last year can still be driven home.
 Unquestionably Friendly enemies is one of the most powerful dramas pre- serted at the Jefferson in recent years and as done by the present company IS one of the best acted ever. seen in that playhouse. This is strong praise, but it is deserved. Had it not been for the fact that the American people and all other people. are trying to forget the war, the performance would have created tremend- ous enthusiasm last night. As it was there was no one in the theatre who was not deeply moved by it, even though it is plentifully endowed with comedy
 Briefly, Karl Pfeiffer is a German American of the old-fashioned type, one who left his heart in the fatherland and believes that the German people and their masters can do no wrong. Ills son and his wife have seen the light. They are AmerlcaHS, anu So are HIS friend, Henry Block and Henry Block s daughter, June, who is betrothed to William Pfeiffer. When Amerca declares war on Germany William Pfeiffer enters the officers training camp at Platts- burg and wins a commission. lie IS on the eve of his departure to France ana comes home to pay his farewell v1slt, his father believing that he has spent the previous nine months at college Tears and arguments are unavailing to change the old mans stubborn belief m the righteousness of German cause and hls son, after hasty wedding ceremony sails for France without his father blessing, or even the clasp of his hand.
 In the meantime Karl Pfeiffer mas been induced to donate $5O000 to the master sry" Muller, alias Walter Stuart, to "hefp end the war" His money is used to TO- ment a conspiracy to sink the transport or which Lieutenant. Pfeiffer and oVN
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-05
DIE FAMILY ! USES LUNG-V|T Wonderful Medicine es Relief From Coughs
 and Colds
 of Whooping Cough ost Remarkable Medi- For Bronchial Troubles, Says Mrs. Davis

e have found Lung Vita the most erful medicine of the day for bron- troubies," says Mrs. II. l.. Davis, Place, Memphis, Tenn, recent letter.
 IF 9-year-old boy (who. by the Is our only child, and believe me. ,uard his health) takes Lung Vita tho vne as we and it has proved
 curing him of a severe case cough, deep chest colds and he lungs and throat from a
 ssTSken two bottles of Lung bone smal and one large size wrote those few words of praise r medicine. These bottles were fter severe chest colds and re- he of all soreness and pain. My
 is also strong for Lung-Vita. have seen it's wonderful healing md know what it can be expected druggist. or dealer should handle Fita, but if he won't supply you Nashville Medicine Co.,, Nashville, for free booklet.-Adv.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-05
Business Boys Win
 From the AcipcO Five

The business boys team of the Y. M. c. A. easily defeated the Acipco bunch last night in one-sided bas- ketbal game by the score of 26 to l.. At no time after the first few minut es of play was the result in doubt. so evident was the superiority of the husi- ness boys in. every department of the game All of Acipco's points were scored on fouls. The contest was played under the City league schedule and had been moved up night by special agreement Lineup:
 Business boys T. McHenry, forward; :; Howell, forward; Afford, center; Trent, guard; Miller, guard.
 Acipco: Meyer. forward; Walker, for ward; Fuaua, center; Dean guard; Hem dricks, guard.
 Referee: Shores, Birmingham col
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-05
COLDS INTERFERE
 WITH BUSINESS
Dr.. Kings New Discovery re- lieves them and keep you
 going on the job

Fifty continuous years of almost un- failing checking and relieving coughs. colds and kindred sufferings is the proud achievement of Dr. Kings New Discovery.
 Grandparents, fathers. mothers. the kiddies-all have used and are using it as the safest. surest, most pleasant Lo-take remedy they know of
 Sold by druggists everywhere Gee and s1.20
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-05
ELLARD IS FREED CHARGE \ JURY YESTERDAY
ry Selected for Trial of Jeff Jenkins, Which Will Begin This Morning

Tuscumbia, February 4.-tSpe- lict of not guilty was rendered by Ihe jury i'm the Colbert county cir 'uft court which heard the case of e'rank billiard, charged with being sae of the principals in the lynch |ig of Bill Byrd. negro, in shelf kcid on November 10, last. The tste wns unable to make out pod case against billiard and the kerdict rendered was not unex- cted.
 ne trial proper of billiard was be- Monday and when court adjourned this morning the state had pre- ed it's testimony. Following the oduction Of a number of witnesses the defense today both sides rested after arguments had been made by .itcS's Thompson and Jones, repre- ing the state, and A. H. Carmichael isel for the defendant, the court Fged the jury, which retired and afterward agreed upon the verdict tated above.
 hank Dillard, widely known res anter of Sheffield, and Jeff Jen-
 also of Sheffield, were arrested ediately following the lynch1ng oi Byrd. charged with being the ring ers of a mob that stormed the Shef- city jail from which the negro taken and hanged. Subsequently,
 were indicted. together with a
 Or more of other men, by a spe- ession of the grand jury. The trial enkins will begin Wednesday. the having been selected this after
 Unless Jenkins is convicted il ,nsidered certain that the cases lst the other men will be mol ed
 ese cases growing out of the lynch f two negroes in Sheffield last No ger, one of whom was alleged tC killed a Sheffield policeman, and other with having gone on a wild age of shooting in the lower sec of the business part of town, per
 have attracted more attention
 any trials of a similar nature held in the south.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-05
Keller Asked to Read Paper

Montgomery, February 4.-(SpecaD w. S. Keller, state highway engineer, has been asked to read paper on Sand Clay Roads in Alabama" where the. annual meeting Of the Short Course in Highway Engineering is heil at Bat tie Creek, Mich, on February 2e The course is under the auspices of the Univel sity of Michigan and tho Michi- gGn state highway department Be- cause of important business matters in Montgomery Mr Keller will be unable | to attend.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-05
New York Police
 Search for Bandits
Bv Associated Press

New York. February 4.-The police were still searching tonight for band of automobile bandits who held up three surface cars in Brooklyn early this morning, robbed their crews and one lone passenger at the points of revolv- CTS, and fled in a green touring car
 Immediately on learning of the hold ups the authorities ordered the gate lowered at various railroad crossing in the vicinity, hoping to block the passage of the green car but it slipped out of the net and vanished.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-05
Lieut.. Converse Discharged

Montgomery, February 4. - Especially Lieut.. J. B. Converse former assistant state highway engineer, Tuesday was given his discharge papers from the United States army He will again take up his duties with the state highway department. There will be no changes in the personnel of the staff because of the assistant. Lieut. Converse has been stationed at Camp Sheridan, Montgom cry, several months. ell was in charge of road building squadron.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-05
Destroyers Leave February 12


 Norfolk, Va, February 1.-The an nouncement was made today at the navy yard that the destroyer division of the Atlantic fleet would leave for Guantanamo on February 12 to partici- pate in the midwinter maneuvers and target. practice.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-05
COMPLETE REORGANIZATION

T have considered, and so advised you
 that temporary conditions which might be explained by war or other extraordi- nary conditions constituted insufficient ground for proceedings to forfeit charter or franchises The facts now in hand seem to point so clearly to a permanent impossbility of securing adequate ser
 vice through the, present organization that I think the commission is jutified in insisting upon a complete reorganiza- . ton on a basis that will insure service; but this conclusion has been definitely Justified only by the investigation which was not completed at the time of the re- ceivership:
 | "As stated above, your procedure is not prejudiced by the recevership. The contrary is true You now have the op- portunity of extending to the owners of | this property the option of a reorganiza- I tion on a sound basis with the active CO., | operation of the city and on terms which i the owners should be glad to accept. l have definite suggestions in this regard wkch I will be glad to lay before you,
 If the owners of the property are will ing to agree on a fair basis for the fu-
 ture the Birmingham public will have finally solved it's traction, light and gas pr oblem and if the advocates of munich pal ownership desire to commit the city to that doubtful expedient they will have sound property basis on which to pro ceed.
 If the owners are unwilling to agree
 or proper terms and conditions for reorganization with the city's CO., operation and support, there can be no just cause for complaint if the city | takes advantage of it's full legal rights. "The forfeiture of franchises is not the whole fight, as some of our citi- zens, desirous merely of municipal ownership, seem to think. Forfeiture of franchise strikes down the five cent limitation and leaves the city with two alternatives: (a) The right to require the owners to remove their tracks and poles, as was done with cue line in Cleveland, and with the certainty that they will never be re- laid under present traction condi- tions: or (b, Permit them to operate the property for a fair return on the
 property at it's going value. without,
 any cent fare limits and at such
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-05
At Loew,s Biiou

In delightful little playiet called "The Crisis" H. Guy Woodward, for
 merly of the Woodward-Warre1 stock company and a favorite movie actor plays the leading part of the headline /act at Loew's for the first part of he week.
 clifford Nelson and Jane Castle offer a little comedy skit which is we'll re- ceived. Ben Linn. "The Weighty Come
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-05
Bonds of Honor"-Alcazar

Sessue Hayakwa, the famous Japanese actor, has certainly scored hit in Br- mingham through his latest success Bonds of Honor," he having played to well filled houses since Monday. despite the bad weather. Bonds of Honor will be at the Alcazar for the lastA time today.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-05
CAPITAL TALKING ABOUT PROPOSED NEW GOVERNMENT
Voters of Montgomery Are Much Interested in Bill to Change City's Form of
 Government

Montgomery. February 4.-(Special) Montgomery had something to talk about Tuesday while, the legislature was having a day off.
 The voters, who have long been pledged to a programme Of retrench- ment in municipal affairs. were talking much about the house bill of Wal;er E. Jones of Montgomery. this bill being aimed at the present form of govern ment for Montgomery city. The bill would amend the present law, whicn provides for the commission and board of public works.
 The people were talk, lg about the increase in salary, which MT Jones would pay the head of the city com mission under his bill. The house bill, known as No. 2S3, was introduced Mon- day. It is the intention of Senator c dn- ter of Montgomery to introduce simi lar bill in the senate in a short time.
 The present law provides for mayor at salary of S3000. The new bill will pay the mayor $4500. Associate mefn- = bers now get 5000; the associate ,hem- Jers under the new bill wolIl 1raw s3600.
 The present law provides that one of the commissioners shall serve as po- Ice judge without salary. MT. Jones' bIll would create another office, that of police judge. This bill would also abol- ish the board of public safety, which has charge of the fire and police deparc- mentS.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-05
GRANTED HEARING

Montgomery, February 4.-(Spccial) Opponents of the workmen's compensa-
 tion bill, which is now before the legis- = lature of Alabama. will be given an-
 other public hearing the day before
 the fifteenth legislative day Those who
 favor the bill also are permitted to at
 tend the hearing. The hearing will be held by joint house and senate com mittee.
 Tie compensation bill now is before the senate for action at noon cn the
 fifteenth legislative day and the author
 and sponsors of the bill have given away to the appeals of large manufac- turers and others who claim the opera tion of the law would cause serious re- suits at this time. Mobile and Bir- lmlngham are anxious to get a postpone
 ment of the enactment of tte meas ule, and it was agreed to give the op- ponents of the measure anotner oppor- tunity to state their cause for opposi- tion.
 It is known that the majority of both house and senate members fav ,r com pensation law, one that will not work an injustice to the corporations and . large concerns, but one that will give some protection to the workmen. And judging from expressions of the law makers. the measure, as at present formed, is a good one.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-05

dian" has a good voice and oHereu
 some of the latest song hits. Jack and Tommy Weir and couple of singers and comedians who offer some good entertainment as well as comedy. Jack appears in the role of blackface CO., median The Aronty Brothers offer some
 daring aerial acrobatic stunts which gs
 we'll '"rhe Girl With No Regrets req turing Peggy Hyland, is an interest'hs photoplay, in which Miss Hyland IS a' her hest.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-05
JOHNSTON GOES INTO DETAIL ON STATUS
 OF B. R., l.. & P. co.
(Continued from Page Five)

fCOnt1nued from rage E1ve) have been permitted to expand and pro- ceed to the breakdown in service in 19lS It seems quite clear from the data in hand that the burden of watered values resulting from the consolidation of 19Ul has been radically increased since that date and that in the effort to carry the burden successive arrangements have de- clared in dividends or discussed in pay which should have been actually eX- pended for maintenance or actually set apart for reserves.
 fInstead of adequate maintenance and reserves the company has paid full div idends on it's preferred stock during 1918, with disaster confronting it and with it's equipment in abominable condi- tion, actually set up monthly reserves for preferred dividends, not yet declar ed.
 Tt also seems probable that the ac- count set up from time to time as a reserve for renewals and replacements was not employed for that purpose. Beginning in 1917 appears systematic reduction in the item of maintenance, continued throughout 1918 and accom- panied by a clearly defined reduction in the quality and quantity of service. The result of this programme is seen in the
 
 changes required by the withdrawal of disabled cars. This figure increased to 3750 for 1918 and alone demonstrates a demoralized and brolzen-down service. The car hours operated in 1918 were 1895 less than in 1916 and 10000 less than in 1917, being about 15,000 less in September, 191S than in September, 19l7- and 13,000 less than in September, 1916. In October, 1918, the company operated pA nna thA, fAIaa 1917, and 29,000 less than in October, 1916. This was the month in which the car service was undoubtedly diminished by the epidemic, but the figures show that the systematic reduction of expenses to meet interest and dividends had reducet. the organization to the point where any disturbances could not be met by emer- gency methods. In line with this show ing in the railway department is the gaa l cit t11a
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-05
TWO ALTERNAT ATIVES

the franchise limitations.
 TWO ALTERNATIVES
 These two alternatives have been so repeatedly and recently announced by the supreme court that they are not debata- ble-as late as the Detroit case decided on January 13, 1919.
 Tt must also be borne in mind that a quo warranto proceeding instituted against the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company alone would not be binding on the trustees under it's three mortgages: and in the Omaha case a
 decree of custer against the company was expressly repudiated by the supreme court in favor of the mortgage trustee. The gentlemen who are urging the city to ill-advised speed in this matter are not giving due consideration to the legali- ties of the matter or to the necessity for treating this as a careful and con-
 structive effort to work out result that will reflect credit on the municipality ard secure adequate service at reasonable rates to it's citizens. Of course, for feture of franchise would leave the own CTS of the property in position where, sooner or later, they must agree to just tel ms or junk their investment; but with an opportune reorganization in. process just as the city was on the point of pro-
 ceeding with litigation which would necessarily be long and expensive, it is due the situation that we ascertain from the bond holders committees who own this property if they want peace or war. This can be done without delay.
 INSIST ON REORGANIZATION 'If the owners of the property are not willing to recognize the city's direct and essential interest in this matter and to agree upon a reorganization on just yxyit hn o. tive cooperation and good will, every defensble effort must be employed to force that result, and with the informa- ton we have now assembled and are rapidly completing, 1 am of the opinion that the breakdown in the service can be shown to be due to causes Just1fylng | forfeiture both of charter and franchises rather than solely to the difficulties Of | operation in 1918, and, as stated, that the city is fully justified in insisting ! upon a radical and comprehensive plan 1 for the future management of the prop | erty on a proper basis.
 q am encouraged to hope that this will result in a direct community of interest that will assure a reasonable return on the property investment, a high stand ard of maintenance and service, an incen- tive to efficient operation, the recapture of excess earnings for expenditure in the public interest or by way of reduc- 1 ton in rates and a just basis for pur-
 chase by the municipality if public own ership shall ever become desirable. If not, the city may freely pursue any 1 course that has heretofore been open to l it in the effort to force proper service
 and proper recognition of the obligations
 owed by the utility to the public.
 "Ihe data which the commission called l for is being rapidly compiled and will be
 laid before you with more detailed sug-
 gestions as early as possible.
 | "FORNEY JOHNSTON"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-05
Keep Bowels On Schedule

Late. retarded func,ionng throws the whole days duties out of gear k ,e, the system cleansed, the appetite livel.. he stomach staunch with Dr. King's New Life Pills Mild and tonic in action Sold everywhere. 25c.