davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-02-29

he fought bravely with his comrades
 through the years until 1861, meriting and receiving several promotions, until the
 battle of Franklin, in 1864 when, leading the regiment of which he was colonel. he was wounded, which resulted in the loss Of one of his legs.
 Governor Sims was born at Lexington, Ga, in 1887, the Son of Ir. James Saun- ders Sims, a noted physician in Georgia in those days. and during the early part of the last century.
 At the close of the Civil War Governor
 Sims returned to Columbus, Miss, and
 resumed the practice or law, in which
 profession he soon established himself as
 one of the ablest in that state of able
 men. He was among the leaders who
 wrested the control of his adopted state
 from the carpet bagge.s and restored It
 to the rule of the white man. Drafted into the service of his party, he was elected to the state senate. the first democratic
 senate Of the new democratic party, in 1876. of which he was elected president. following the election Of the negro lieu tenant governor. and later was elected lieutenant governor, serving in that office si vea
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-02-29
GOVERNOR W. H. SIMS CIVIL WAR VETERAN AND PATRIOT DIES
 AT TER LONG ILLNESS
Death Ends Long and Use full Career of Gallant Con- federate Soldier and
 Prominent Citizen.

Veteran of the Civil War. former lieu tenant governor of Mississippi, former as- sistant secretary of the United States de- partment of interior. ana for twenty-two years resident of Birming ham, William Henry Sims, s years of age. died at his late residence, 1929 Twelfth avenue, south, yesterday morning after an Illness ex- tending over period ot several months.
 Governor Sims, native of Gorgia, To- cated. at Columbus, Miss, following his graduation from the University of Geor- gia and Harvard College, where he prac- ticed law until the beginning of hostili- ties between the north and the south. Entering the service of the Confederacy,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-02-29
CHANGE SCHEDULE
 ON l.. & N. TRAINS

A slight change in the schedule of two
 of the Louisville and Nashville passenger in Birmingham at l2:i5 and depart at 1928. the time of arrival and departure
 being ten minutes earlier than at present.
 The train will arrive at Decatur at 3:Vs D. m., where 1t wDl connect with the Southern railway passenger train. east bound. enabling passengers to reach Huntsville at 4:0o D. m. instead of stop ping over in Decatur until the night train. Prior to government operation of the railroads connection was made at De- catur with the. SobtheEn. and this service l is now being restored. A The Tuscaioosa-Blocton passenger train now arriving here at ?. m will hsrs-
 after arrive at 5:35 D. m.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-02-29
REPUBLIC COMPANY FILES APPEAL FROM GOAL AND IRON TAX
Take Tonnage Feature of Revenue Bill to Supreme Court for Decision.
 Grounds Cited

Several grounds for reversal of the trial courts judgment in the case of the State of Ala bama against the Republic Iron and Steel Company are set out in the brief-filed in the supreme court yesterday by attorineys for the appellant. The case in- wolves the validity of the coal and iron ore tonnage tax en- acted by the legislature last summer as a part of the gen. eral revenue law of the state.
 The suit was brought against the Re- public Iron and Steel Company as B test case, pending the determination of which all tax payments made under the act are held in trust by the state treasurer.
 Tillman, Morrow & Bradley, John II. Bankhead. Jr.. and Percy Benners & Burr are attorneys for the Republic company.
 The case was originally instituted in the Montgomery circuit court and was there decided in favor of the state. the defendan t/taking an appeal to the supreme court. The facts were agreed upon in the trial court, the only queS- tion to be decided being that of the constitutionality of the tax.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-02-29

ticials are counting on the census enumeration being complete within the next week or two and the citys population being of such proportions that the way will be made easy for tho bonds.
 And another thing, Birmingham has two other mighty fine assets to rely on in addition to its number of citi- zens. Never has the city failed to nee. an obligation. never has 1t repudiated any financial obligation and Birmlng- ham has the backing of the richest de- veloped industry and commerce of the south.
 Birmingham has never yet failed to place any bonds 1t has offered. All the city fathers are after. anyway. is IT aking a nice. mutually profitabl bargain None of them seemed wor- red by the delay of the count
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-02-29
Report On the Population of
 Birmingham Is Not AUaiLabLe
Census Director Wires City Commission in Response to Query That All District Reports Not Received. Population Has Effect Placing
 of Municipal Bonds

No report the population of Birmingham available yet
 In reply to the ciys telegram the bureau Wash ngon received yesterday afternoon stating enumerators returns from all of the Birmingham districts had not yet been received.
 Dr. N A. president of anxious that the Birmingham available The is that the public the greater the number of citizens shown the better the will be the of the bonds.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-02-29

Information of the cali received here yesterday by Matt II, Murphy. state commander of the American Legion for Alabama. It is announced that the pur- pose of the visit of MT. D'Olier is to talk over affairs connected with the organization in this section of the country and to outline plans for re- newed activity in extending the scope
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-02-29
SPECIAL EEATVrRE OF
 COMMUNITY SING

The feature of the community sing at the Jefferson thestre tomorrow afternoon at 3:s0 o'clock will he reading by Mrs, Howard I.pyejoyr She erjoys the. repu- tation Of being especially gifted in the recital of character sketches.
 A porular musical prosra mme. has been arranged. W. G. Walterm.re will direct.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-02-29
ESSAY CONTEST OF CIVITAN CLUB WILL
 CLOSE TOMORROW

The Civitan Clubs essay contest. in which students of high schools of both come to a close Monday afternoon, it was announced Saturday by President
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-02-29
4REPORT CHARGE" AND BESSEMER TOLL
 RATE ID BE AIRED
Civic Association Commit tee to Launch Statewide Campaign Against
 Charges

War upon the Bessemer toll charge and the so-called report charge added to long-distance phone conver- sations was declared yesterday by the public utilities committee of the Civic Association. A statewide movement against the report charge practice Of the telephone company will be insti- tuted by the Civic Association. The committee will call upon the board of city commissioners of Birmingham to Bessemer toll and the report charge system. which will be carried to the Alabama public service commission as soon as the petition can be properly prepared.
 Chairman Hugo l.. Black of the pub- lie utilities committee of the Civic As- sociation. acting under instructions of the board of directors, called the committee to meet for considerat ton of the two telephone matters, about which complaint had been made It was ascertained that the public serv- ice commission of Alabama is ready to receive any views or evidence from the people of the state bearing upon not only the toll and report charges, but the rates for actual long distance conversations. It is the purpose of Black, to, point out to the commission the serious and annoying hindrance to communication between various points in Alabama that has been brought about by both the Bessemer toll and the report charge regulations.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-02-29
BEssEMER AND BIRMINGHAM

Both the city authorities of Besse- mer and Birmingham will be urged to carry the protests to Montgomery, Sec retary Manager Charles L. Harold of the association has been directed to enlist the. public sentiment of the state. including civic bodies in other cities. behind the movement to abol ish the report charge.
 The report charge, about which the committee has received numerous con- plaints, was inaugurated during the operation of the telephone lines by the federal government. The charge is imposed in accordance with the follow ing rule:
 When a person to person call is made and the particular person de- sired is not in or will not talk, or when an exact telephone address of the particular person desired has not been given and he cannot be reached at a telephone within one hour, a re- port charge applies. Such a charge also applies if the calling party is absent when the connection Is com pleted within one hour or if he re- fuses to talk
 The report service charge is usually about one-fourth of the station to station" rate. the minimum charge be- ing 10 cents and the maximum g.
 According to Chairman Block, 1t is not alone the dollars and cents ina volyed In the war regulations, but the delays and annOyanceg
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-02-29

Courtney W. Shropshire of the club.
 This contest was announced the first of this month and the clubs secretary has been receiving numerous manu- scripts the past few weeks. Papers are limited to 800 words and the sub ject is Builders of Good Citizenship,H the slogan of the Ciyitan Club. The three best manuscripts submitted will win prizes of $25, sl5 and $1o, respec- lively.
 Those who haven't forwarded their essays are urged to lose no time In do ing so. as Monday is the last day on which they will receive consideration. Manuscripts should be sent to Secre tary John V Mix, First National Bank building, city.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-02-29
National Commander OF
 American Legion Coming
Franklin Offer Calls Conference of State Commanders of Legion in South to Meet in Birmingham Next Saturday-Murphy Calls Meeting of State
 Executive Committee for Same Time

Franklin DOler, national commander of the American Legion will be in Birmingham next Saturday, March 6.
 MT. DOier has called conference of all the manders of the American Legion the southern held at the Tutwler Hotel next Saturday morning. at 10 o'clock.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-02-29

of the legion until it takes into it's membership all the men who were in the service of their country during the war,
 State Commander Murphy has also fs- sued a call for a meeting of the state executive committee to be held in Bir- mingham the same date. it being his opinion that the best interests of the state meeting immediately after the southern conference.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-02-29
WANTS CHARGE ABOLISHED

"My own personal experience in talking to Bessemer and in the use of the long distance telephone, as well as the experience of others with these obstacles to communication. convinces ne that the public interest will be best served by abolishing both taxes,v said Mir. Black yesterday. "One can not tell in advance of a phone con- versation to either Bessemer or any other city of the state just what 1t is going to cost him. You realize that you are not permitted to put in per son to person call to Bessemer
 You must call the station number or phone number of tho other end of the line and take your chances on the desired party being there ready to talk. sIf he is absent. another dime must be forthcoming Nor can you get any more satisfaction out of the long dis tance calls proper. You cannot place a call without being subject to an extra charge for some service that you do not want. If one does not want a report about the other party being out on the street somewhere. one should not be required to pay for it. And yet the operator is not allowed to proceed with your call unless you pav for the report charge
 The public service commission is considering the general revision of telephone rates in Alabama, in addi- tion to the toll to Bessemer and the report charge regulations, all on ap- plication of the Southern Bell Tele- phone and Telegraph Company to con- tinue in effect in this state the same schedule of rates and the same regula- lions that were put into effect by the federal government.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-02-29
QUESTION OF LAW

In their brief riled in the supreme court yesterday attorneys for the ap- pellant set out number of grounds for reversal, based solely on questions of law. In their, argument, which is di- vided into fifteen sections. they con tend that:
 Until they are mined coal and iron are are property only in theoretical sense. Being incapable of use until they are mined, they do not become property until they are mined. whether they be mined now or a thousands years hence, The tax, being not only meas ured by but predlcated on the act of converting minerals as they lay in the ground Into usable property is in- eyita bly on property. The tax Is on nothing but the act of conversion, mak ing personality realty.
 The right to own things without tho right to use them is conception un- known to and therefore without name in law. The word property includes not only the thing but the right to use and enjoy the thing.
 Coal and ore in place, whether owned separately from the fee or at part of it have been the subject oi property taxes in this state since 1SS5 or earlier To tax minerals through years as they lay in the ground ano then to tax the act of taking them out l is to tax them twice.
 The. taxes levied by schedules 6' l and CT are taxes on property. Ther' | is no distinction in law, there beinl none in fact, between taxing thint | and taking the enjoyment of tha 1 thing. Tf9@ t''~"~
 The nature of the tax is to be de l termined by it's effect. The name giveI | by the legislature is of no consequence
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-02-29
DISCRIMINATORY TAX

"A discriminatory excise tax is of fensive both to the state and federal constitutions
 "In levying the tax on those who mine coal and load it into railroad cars and not on those who. mine coal and load it, into wagons, schedule 66 is ar bitrary and void.
 'The words of the statute, business of operating a coal Cor ore) mine are mere redundancy for mining. since the tax lis based on the number of tons mined
 "The right to own and enjoy prop erty is not a privilege conferred by or derived from constitutions or the statutes but is fundamental right existing at common law as a part of our free institutions.
 "A tax on property. or on taxable property, is aftax assessable and pay able solely on account of the owner ship, use or disposition of property (the essential attributes of the right of property). which leaves no oppor- tunity election on the part of the owner or possessor of property to avoid the tax except upon the abandonmen ent of the property as such. and which is not levied in the exercise of the police power.y Section 211 of the constitution permits no tax on property of any kind with reference to it's yield or by any standard or measure except it's value. The exemption of wagon mines de-
 1 stroys the tax under schedule 6. The
 statute is highly penal and as such will
 ! be strictly construed. In addition as a
 | tax measure it will be construed
 l against the state.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-02-29
MINING INCIDENT TO BUSINESS

Mining coal or ore is an incident
 to the business of mining and dispos- ing of coal and ore. and patently min
 ing coal and ore is merely one feature
 of defendants principal business of
 making pig iron. Defendant Is taxed without reference to it's property taxes on It's franchises and by other excise taxes. Occupation taxes cannot be levied on business as whole and then on it's incidents. The mining of its own coal and ore by defendant for use in its business of making and selling pig iron is not an occupation or business. Not more so than Is defendants transportation of these raw materials to the furnace nor more so than any of it's furnace o2- erations.N An occupation, within the meaning of statutes levying ocupation taxes, involves the element of receipt of moneys as the result of which the activity is taxed"
 Numerous decisions of the supreme court of Alabama. the United States supreme court, and the court of last resort of a number of other states, arl cited in support of the grounds set out l and the arguments made by the at ] torneys in their brief
Gilpin observer., 1920-07-08
Mars Wife's Beauty.

Chicago.-Because she was so beau
tiful that men turned and looked at
her second time, Antonio Laconi
waited until Nellie, his child-wife, was
asleep and then planned 10 mar her
features so that the question of beauty
would never give her or any one else
any concern. "She Is too beautiful to
live" he muttered, as he leaned over
her with razor in his hand. Some in
tuition caused the pretty sleeper to
turn her head just as the razor touched
her throat and she threw up one hand.
knocking the weapon to the floor. She
saved her life, but her beauty is
ruined, for the keen razor cut terrible
furrow entirely across her left cheek
from her ear to her mouth. Her arm
and hand were also badly cut.
Gilpin observer., 1920-07-08

Franklin ID. Roosevelt of New York,
assistant secretary of the navy, was
nominated for vice president by the
Democratic national convention and
became the running mate of Governor
James NJ. Cox of Ohio, the Democra-
cy's choice for the presidential nOmina-
ton. The first cries of "Cox and Roose-
welt" rang through the convention hall
and We're mixed with shouts Of the
vote of acclamation by which he was
nominated without ballot.
Despite the disinclination of the
Tammany organization to accept him,
Roosevelt's name went over with a
band wagon movement during which
all other candidates We're withdrawn.
James Hamilton Lewis of Illinois
was withdrawn early by former Gov
ernor Dunno; Governor Stewart of
Montana announced his own withdraw
al; Edward L. Doheny of California
and former Governor Hawley of Idaho
were withdrawn, and Maj. Gen. L. D.
Tyson of Tennessee in person an
nOunced that he would not be con-
tender, IS did David r. Francis Of Mis-
souri,.
Gilpin observer., 1920-07-08
ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE
NAVY NOMINATED FOR VICE
PRESIDENT AT FRISCO.
'COX AND ROOSEVELT"
ALL CANDIDATES WITHDRAW
AND NOMINATION WAS BY
AccLAMATloN.
Western Newspaper Union News Service.

Western Newspaper Union News Service.
San Francisco, July S.-Franklin D.
Roosevelt of New York, assistant Sec
retary of the navy, was nominated for
vice president by the Democratic ma
tional convention and became the rum
ming mate of Governor James M. Cox
Of Ohio, the Democracy's choice for
the presidential nomination. The first
cries of "CoX and Roosevelt" rang
through the convention hall and were
mixed with shouts of the vote of ac-
clamation by which he was nominated
without a ballot.
Despite the disinclination of the
Tammany organization to accept him,
ROOsevelt'S name went over with
band wagon movement, during which
all other candidates We're withdrawn.
James Hamilton Lewis OF Illinois
was withdrawn early by former Gov
ernor Dunno; Governor Stewart OF
Montana announced his own withdraw
al; Edward L. Doheny of California.
and former Governor Hawley of Idaho
were withdrawn, and Maj. Gen. L. D.
Tyson of Tennessee in person an
nounced that he would not be a con-
tender, as did David r. Francis of
Missouri.
Nomination of w. Il. Vaughn Of Ore
gon, who had received state primary
Endorsement, was changed into sec
ond for the successful nominee.
Bainbridge Colby, secretary Of state.
who was considered as candidate,
and refused to allow his name to be
used, finally was urged to consent II
he should be drafted" AS it fell out,
the Tammany crowd decided to accept
Roosevelt, who brought to the ticket
the participation of an administration
man, and Mr.. Colby's name was not
considered further.
Mr.. Roosevelt was placed in nomi-
nation by Timothy l.. Ansberry, for
mer representative from Ohio, who sat
as Cox delegate in the District Of
Columbia delegation.
Seconds sprang from all parts of the
convention hall, and although ROose-
welt was not formally nominated until
well after the business of nominations
was taken up, there was never any
doubt about it and never at any time
was there any opposition.
The seconding of his nomination BY
Governor Smith of New York from the
Tammany delegation clinched 1t.
Senator Robinson of Arkansas, per-
manent chairman Of the convention,
was appointed chairman Of the COM
mittee to notify Governor Cox Of his
nomination, end Chairman Homer 8.
Cummings of the Democratic national
committee was appointed chairman Of
the committee to notify Mr.. Roosevelt.
Gilpin observer., 1920-07-08
Fail. in Attempt at Robbery.

New York.-Armed with a tin imita-
ton automatic pistol, cheap flash
light and a homemade mask, Raymond
Weir of Paterson, N. j., arrested by
the police, is alleged to have attempted
to burglarize the Andrew Carnegie
mansion in Fifth avenue. Weir, who
has been lame since childhood, the po-
lice say, climbed high spiked fence
and had crawled to the ledge on the
second floor of the house when he fell
Detectives picked him up in stunned
condition.
Gilpin observer., 1920-07-08
Villa Signs ArmlstIce,

El Paso, Tex.-A dispatch to the El
Paso Times from Its correspondent in
Torreon, Mexico, says Francisco villa
mas signed nm armistice and agreed to
cease attacks on trains, garrsons or
towns. The rebel chieftaln also has
agreed to surrender under certain con-
ditions to be approved by provisional
President de ln Huerta.
The nrmistice was negotiated BY
Elias L. Torres, who left El Paso two
weeks ago for Villas camp In the
mountains in Northwest Mexico.
Gilpin observer., 1920-07-08
JAMES M. cox, THE NOMINEE.

anu ultcuuiuS SCuOOl. his par
ents were not even comfortably sup
piled with money and young Cox had
to work for all he got"
While still boy he became printers
devil on Cincinnati newspaper and
then after short season teaching
school, became reporter on the Gin
cinnati Enquirer
His shrewd appraisal of men and
things won him favor in the sight Of
Paul Sorg, millionaire tobacco man,
and, when Sorg was elected to Con-
gress in the '90s, Cox became his prI-
vate secretary. That was the Ohio
governors real entry into politics. His
acuteness as Il secretary caused Sorg
to bick him financially In buying the
Dayton News i'm 1898.
Within two years the News, from
liability, became one of Daytons best
paying enterprises. 1t was Cox's un-
canny perception of public opinion that
made him successful editor. At that
time he showed no signs of becoming a
reformer.
AS the paper grew and earned more
money, Cox bought the Springfield
Press-Republlc in 1908 and formed the
News League Of Ohio with himself as
owner and editorial director.
1t was In 1909 that Cox, who had
had his "eye on" Ohio politics since his
season In Washington, made formal en-.
try into state politics. He served the
Third Ohio district in Congress from
that year until 1913. Then he was
elected governor. Republicans said
that his election as Democrat was an
accident.
He was defeated for reelection by
Frank B. Willis, Republican, but in
1917 Cox "came back" defeating VII.
lis with big plurality. He was elect.
ed for two-year term in 1919, and had
hardly assumed office before the great
floods swept Dayton and the Miami
and Scloto valleys.
Cox won nationwide recognition by
his quick realization of flood condi-
tions and his prompt and energetic ac-
ton. For three days and nights he
did not leave his office. He became
the supreme authority in the deyastat-
ed region. Martial law was established.
He directed life-saving expeditions,
food and clothing was gathered and
shipped by his direction. He brought
some semblnnce of order out Of chaos
within short time.
Gilpin observer., 1920-07-08
AN EP|TOME OF
LATE LIVE NEWS
CONDENSED RECORD OF THE
PROGRESS OF EVENTS At
HOME AND ABROAD
FROM ALL SOURCES
sAYINes, DoiNos, ACHIEVE.
MENTs, sUFFERINos, HOPES
AND FEARS OF MANKIND.
WESTERN

Western Newspaper Union News Service.
Gilpin observer., 1920-07-08
Six Die In Celebration.

Chicago.-Six dead and twenty-four
injured is the toll in this city from ac-
cidents which occurred Indirectly from
Fourth of July celebrations. The acci-
dents varied from automobile COLI
sions to airplane mishaps. No fatali-
ties are attributed by the police reports
to fireworks,