davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-11
VAN BIrrNER
VAN LII NEH From the Selma Times-Journs

From the Selma Times-Journal
 One of the glories of our free in stitutions is the privilege of saying what one pleases-of "blowing off steam" whenever the occasion arises the limitation on freedom of speech being the peace and good order of the community. We are not allowed to in- dulge in inflammatory utterances that counsel violence, or provoke breaches of the peace. It is this barrier which Van Bittner. tho incendiary leader of the United Mine Workers of America, wantonly trampled down in his speech at West Blocton Tuesday. He told his hearers to go and get their jobs back any way they could, and to band to- gether to drive the ''scabs' out of Alabama. He declared he had no pa tience with any red -blooded miner who would sit supinely down and allow another to fill his Job while his wife and children were threatened with starvation.
 In the light of such an utterance the only thing that saves Van Bittner is the forbearance of the authorities, the quality of taking punishment without striking back, that prudence which is sometimes called the better part of valor. There can be no difference of opinion on Van Bittner's amenaNility to the law. He is a flaErant counse selor of violence, a defer of Authority ana his seditious advice to she snsnezs to use any meansNin their Powa7 so get rid of those who filled their IT ses ought to end his diabolcal career in this state, if it does not land hin, De. hind the bafs. What adds to his moral turpitude and brands his oonduSt with the stigma of perfidy and dishenor Is his wanton repudiation Of the settle- ment of the strike by the governor of the state, after having given his un- conditional assent to the proposal that the troublesome situation b. adiustedl ine this way Van Bittnera retention of leadership in this state. his foothold as a director of industrial disputes tnl Alabama can be understood only IS anI act of tolerance and lenity or f'1e parf of those who sit in seats of shority.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-11

emotions, especially pleasurabIe ones, ana when the strain passes the narrow margin of safety nature has allowed our cardiac organ a fiber snaps and it is Flowers and purple tulle on the door knob. We have not seen his explana- tion as to why joy is more deadly than sorrow or mirth more snappy than anger, but we might surmise that it is natures s little way of being kind to x>Aakind If we all had heartbreak every time the coal gave out or the gas bill came in, depopulation would go on too rapidly. As It is' come to think of it, we read of remarkably few cases of lives ending in that rnanner-joys of that intensity don't come around very frequently.
 Put, according to Dr. Goodall the dan7l ger is not quite as great as it otherwise would have been, because nature has placed an efficacious little safety valve on our human anatomy that blows off at the proper moment to save us many minor heartbreaks. This is what we call fainting. Often we are worried "hoA SoiHSouc we nOfu uedr ldlntS, whereas in many instances that is an indication that the danger has passed. Heartbreak was threatening and in or der to quickly relieve the endangered ftbers nature has brought on oblivion. The heart, no longer stimulated by the brain. quits racing and during the weak spell following recovery of con sciousness there is insufficient emotional strength to do harm.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-11
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
 AND ELSEWHERE
Aavertlsed Birmingham

We members of the Junior Chamber of Commerce are not too modest to feel some pride in the fact that we have kept Birmingham on the map almost since our organization four months ago" said Paoli Smith, secretary. First we made the entire country sit up and take notice when we asked for legisla- uon that would cause summary removal of sheriffs allowing mobs to take pris- oners from them. Then our campaign for lower restaurant prices attracted attention.
 First one thing and then another seems to have given us prestige, and the result Is that our organization has received requests from numbers of cities asking how we came about how we were organized, and the like. There are going to be junior chambers in other cities as the outcome of the Bir- mingham lead.
 '@The Bum idea has already travelled far afield and placed Birmingham on the map in a new place."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-11
Sava fhe Trees

When Fifth avenue, north, is lighted up with modern white way 1t is more than likely that new sidewalks will be put down and then the trees will prob ably be cut down." said Arthur Green wood yesterday. This would be a se- rious loss to Birmingham, for the idea is, as I understand it, tp light up Fifth avenue so as to make it the gate way to the heart of the city.
 What could be more beautiful or more impressing to stranger than to ride into the heart of city between two rows of beautiful trees. l would suggest. if I may, that when the white way and probably new sidewalks are placed up Fifth avenue that the people in charge be especially careful of the trees and if possible to plant a few more as they go along"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-11

an American house somewhat preten- tiously built and well furnished-~- He did not sleep in it or use it in any way, but he cherished it as a sign of no- bility, very useful to him in impressing both his neighbors and visitors to Iliili plained. and he would like his divorce before another week was out. From this l gathered that he had run his Wife home,' after the custom of a na- tive with his eye to younger spouse Left you" said I; 'so she has left you after many years. This is sad, but if it be the case, then truly a divorce is in order. However, since I recall that it was your wifes family's gifts of money and cattle and fine mats that made it possible for you to own the American house, these things will the law give your wife on the day she is no longer your wife"
 The eager chief became meditatiye. He thought of the young girl with black hair flowing to her knees that he had chosen to share his matched hut. where they both might gaze at the American house. He hesitated. He did not want the divorce that morning. He went away. And in a few weeks he sent word that-was 1t not fortunate? his old wife had come back from her father.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-11

of the properties as a whole. The fact has been overlooked that the broad in
 terests of labor are served best by the
 the railroad investment and improve the railroad system. Conversely, what ever impairs the system is harmful to the interests of labor. Since the rate increase has proved an embarrassment to traffic, railroad rates should be re- duced at the earliest moment. The in terstate commerce commission no doubt will be reluctant to exercise it's au- thority to reduce the rate before a re- auction in the wage scale is made, on account of the fact that it is also charged with the responsibility under the transportation act of insuring 5 F ger cent return on railroad investments In the common interests of the rail- roads, the public and railroad labor it becomes prerequisite that the wage derstanding that the interstate com merce commission will immediately re- duce the rate in like proportion. This adjustment in the wage scale will make it possible for the railroads to main tain a normal volume of tonnage, ot- erating efficiency will be improved upon which the interests of labor can best be served. No doubt the railroad labor board realizes the acute situa tion confronting the roads and the ne- cessity for an early decision from the national adjustment boards, in order that the wage cases may be taken up.
 Senator Cummins has suggested that the railroad problem should be result mitited for investigation. The subject needs no further investigation. Both the interstate commerce commission ana the labor board have had the sub ject under continuous investigations and are apprized of the facts upon which to make all necessary adjust ments. Delay is the most serious men ace in the railroad crisis Prompt and decisive action by the labor board, fol- lowed by that of the interstate com merce commission, is required to pre-. vent further disintegration of the rail- road system.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-11
HEART-BREAK
From the N

From the New Orleans Times-Pcayune
 IT 0aARTBREAH is reality. After JD centuries during which that term
 2 has been employed merely as a metapnor and has become one of the sta pies of sentimental poetry and maudlin romance, it has been established by science that heartbreak exists and is a danger we should all beware of just as of measles or mumps-only we believe 1t is not catching, however often it Iasses from hero to heroine or heroine to hero in erotic literature
 Hut now we come to the surprising fact that heartbreak. the true emo- ticnal heartbreak, is rarely if ever due to sorrow. All those yarns you have read about the maiden who pined and died of a broken heart when her sweet heart proved false or the sentimental yolel who passed out by that convenient fiction when the beloved one vamped a fellow who owned an automobile and left kin in the lurch. are without sc4sN- tiHc basis of fact.
 On the other hand the real danger . in joy. The man who dies of broken heart is the fellow who wins the capital prize in the lottery. who breaks the bank at Monte Carlo or who is suddenly stopped on the street and paid the s10. owing for year, that he has given up for lost. These and innumerable other pleasurable sensations should be dread- ed, not welcomed, according to pr. J. Strickland Goodall an eminent heart specialist, who has been featuring before scientific bodies in England.
 fihers are put on a terrific strain by
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-11
A Younx Mans Town

'I have only been resident of Bir- mingham for a short time, but there is one thing that I noticed right from the start, and of which am indeed proud" said Lawrence Alderman, local insur- ance man, yesterday. And that is the large number of young men who take an active part and interest in the ad- vancement of Birmingham.
 "In other cities that have visited. and more so in other cities in the south, have noticed that the young men most always sit back and let the older men take the lead But not so in Birming ham, and I think that you will find that most every civic organization here or any public spirited movement will have several young men holding impor tant positions in connection with it."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-11
IN THE DELTA

William Alexander Percy, in the North
 American Review. The river country's wide and flat
 And blurred ash blue with suY, And there all work is dreams come
 All dreams are work begun. The silted river made for us
 The black and mellow soil And taught us as we conquered hin
 Courage and faith and toll. The river town that water oaks
 And myrt1es hide and bless Has broken every law except
 The law of kindliness. And north and south and east the fields
 Of cotton close It round, Where golden pillows of the sun
 Break with no shade or sound. Dear Is the town. but in the fields
 A little house could be. If built with care and aspice&
 A hearts felicity. o friend. who love not much indoors
 Or lamp-lit. people ways What of field and house to pase
 Our residue of days? We'd learn of fret and labor thAfg
 4 patience that we miss And be content content to Dc
 Nor wish nor hope for bliss With the immense untrammeled sun
 For brother in the fields And every night the stars oruss6s Flashing to us tfS'r ah.slds. Wed meet. perhaps, sonae dusk ae
 Turned homo to well<oassied rexk I Unhurried Wisdom, tendss-e eyeA
 4 pilgrim and our gusak
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-11
THE RAILROAD CRISIS
From the Mining Congress Journal.

From the Mining Congress Journal.
 DNHE railroads are unable to obtain u adequate capital. Never in the
 history of the country has it been so difficult to secure new funds, without which the entire system must become seriously impaired Primarily, this is due to the unprofitsble condi- ton of the industry, with it's deficiency of earnings to meet operating expenses. The 36 per cent rate increase allowed the railroads was calculated to insure earnings on the present capital invest ment which would attract new capital to the industry. Under the pressure to which all industry has been subjected in this period of deflation, the last rate increase has proved to be more than the traffic can bear. Approximately 5S per cent of the tonnage is supplied by raw mine products, which are derived from operations on large tonnage scale, but usually with very narrow margin of profit. An extensive con traction of the tonnage movement. has consequently been recorded. with 400,- 900 freight cars idle. The high cost of freight transportation has probably di- verted more tonnage to the motor truck in the short-haul districts of the east. Freight emanating on the Pacific coast for eastern delivery has also been di verted from rail to boat via the Panama canal What was calculated in the rate increase to be an asset to the railroads has under existing circumstances be- come liability. On account of the op erating deficit sustained by the roads during the first two months in the year. it must be evident that not only is the present rate more than the traf- fife can bear, but that the wage scale itself is more than the traffic can bear.
 Under government control, a deficit was created by making the wage in- crease retroactive The rate increase could not be made retroactive, and when made was not sufficient even with the heavier tonnage movement to produce adequate revenue. The diffi-. culty has been due largely to the con- sideration of the labor constituent i'm dependently from that of, the welfare
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-11
Bean Bur in Evidence

'If any one doubts that the bean bug is going to get in its work this season they might as well dissolve them, as the pests are already on the job," says Jack Phillips. T noticed that some thing was perforating my beans and made an investigation and found that looks the lady bug was responsible.
 T had hoped by an early start to get ahead of them, as I was warned that it would be useless to plant late. I tried various remedies last spring, but none did any good, I am now trying wood ashes in the hope that by an early application I may save at least part of the crop"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-11
LUKE M'LUKE SAYS

Appendicitis can happen to a man but once. But it is different with mar riage.
 We have so many reformers with us nowadays that list of the most dis pensable men in this country would number>about 10000 names.
 You may have noticed that the man who isn't satisfied with this world isn't overanxious to leave it and try the next one.
 We may not be shapely, and we may not be handsome. But. bless Pat, we are thankful that he haven't snake shape and sea lion head like the lads pictured in the clothing ads.
 All we know about salesm anship is to let customer alone, don't worry him, and don't hurry him. He'll buy if he looks long enough
 There are exceptions to every rule. But hospitality is an unpleasant duty to most men.
 When you consider the unlimited op- portunities millionaires have to make fools of themselves. millionaires are mighty decent fellows.
 The young fellow who Is sowing his wild oats is enough of an optimist to believe that there is going to be a crop failure.
 What has become of the old fash toned boy who had to fight churn for two hours before he went to school?
 The trouble with having your wife lose her temper Is that she always manages to find 1t again.
 We have often wondered what peo- pie did for underwear before the mag azines started carrying 100 pages of ad vertising.
 All of the show girls are not on the stage. lot of them work in depart nanrt storessa
 Eopyright. 1s21.)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-11
SAFETY FIRST

From the New York Evening Post.
 A prominent New York debutante re- gently ordered four seats on the aisle al the theatre. When her party ar rived at the performance they were surprised to find themselves arranged in q column instead Of A row. Nothing daunted. the debutante turned to bored middle-aged man next to her. Surely he would not mind changing with her friend in front.
 T beg your pardon" she said po- litely.
 No reply. He must be deaf.
 'T beg your pardon" she repeated louder.
 Still no reply.
 T beg your pardon" she said, pumping his elbow.
 He took out. as pencil and wrote on his programmes:
 That's my wife on the other side os me. Safety first"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-11
.sDoEs PIANO PLAYING PAYsv

From the Argonaut.
 Josef Hofmann was born in Cracow and he started in concert work when he was years old. When Hofmann was years old he appeared in concert in New York and afterward he re- turned to Europe, where he studied piano with Moszkowsky and Rubin stein. Since then Hofmann has con tinuously appeared in concert before the public-in fact he las been before the public for 40 years.
 To his intimates Hofmann still is the boy bright, witty and lovabie He has good word to say about every one of his colleagues. People often ask, Does piano playing pay?" Well, Mr. Hofmann owns 10 apartment houses in Berlin, Germany which-be- fore the late war--cost more than ss,- 100000. Hofmann maintains a winter residence at Aiken. s. C.; a summer residence in Bar Harbor, Me.;a chateau in Switzerland; a hous> in Potsdam, near Berlin, and house in New York city. He has four speed launches in Bar Harbor and a dozen motor cars. In 1906 Mir. Hofmann married Miss Eus- ton of New York. The Hofmanns have one daughter, Josefa, who is IA years old and the apple of her fathers eye. Miss Josefa is being brought up in the country and her father says she rides horseback like an Indian.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-11
A Set of Happy Boys

There was certainly a happy bunch of boys in Birmingham Friday" said H. L. Brown, county demonstration agent and secretary of the agricultural department of the Chamber of Com merce. When the "A freckled- faced boys of Jefferson county each led his Jersey calf from the Donohoo barnes each wore an almost sublime expression of pride and satisfaction. It was fine investment on the part of the Chamber of Commerce in raising the $20oo to. purchase the calves.
 Tt will be an inspiration to the boys to care for the calves so that the diff ference between the cost and sales price this fall will attest their ability as cattlemen. A boy is going to be busy about something; why not busy caring for useful animal?e
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-11
GREAT CITIES OF TOMORROW

UNAAAAA OAAAhC OE AOMAOE@AbOV W From the New York World.
 Census figures nearly complete show that the population of Paris disappoints those who expected a 5000 900 total. The suburbs have. grown rapidly to about 1,5o0.00O. but Paris itself, with 2,SSS.110 inhabitants, shares the fate of London, of Manhattan and Lower Brooklyn. Business takes over resi- dence areas and population is driven into the suburbs
 but below it all is confusion caused by the war. Petrograd has dropped en- tirely out of the list of great cities to a place below Detroit, below Newark. If suburbs are included. Vienna, hither- to following Chicago in fifth place, must share Petrograd's fate. Berlin. like Paris, has almost stationary num- bers. Moscow, Warsaw and Prague have gained in size by their new im- portance as capitals.
 Leaving Vienna with capital rank for the present, the great cities are New York. London-or London, New York, if suburbs are added in one case but not in the other-Paris Chicago. Tokio, Vienna Berlin. Philadelphia Buenos Ayres, Osaka Moscow, Calcutta, Rio, Glasgow. Two or three Chinese cities would find their way into this list if they had census, and Detroit, Con stantinople. Hamburg, Warsaw. Bir- mingham and Mexico City follow as rivals.
 The censuses of 1sz0-21 will reveal even greater surprises Ancient cen ters of civilization will drop second rank. replaced by mushroom capitals. The United States will almost certainly have more than three cities among the first fifteen. The factory is making among other products, great cities of tomorrow
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-11
V Home Building and Soil Filling Promise We'll

c7F1HE first note sounding the pass
 U ing of the industrial crisis and the harbinger of better times was the revival of home building. On it's heels the first crop report of the season is a healthful one.
 Building of homes is nationwide. It is reported by the highest authori- ties to be as omnipresent as the housing shortage. The best of it con- sists of the building of homes of mod est character, showing that the work aday citizen loves home as much as his forefathers and that family altars are still sacred in the land.
 The report of the American Steel and Wire company with regard to crops is reassuring. In brief, wheat and oats are both doing we'll, pas lures are unusually rich and luxuriant and the season is from two to three weeks early. The south is particu- larly interested in the general agree ment that cotton acreage has been reduced. This will serve to render the large surplus from last season less of burden.
 Building homes and raising crops are fundamental. The crops come first, because that is where life starts, where life depends. We can live without the wares turned out by the mills and factories, but the soil must be cultivated if we are to exist. When the soil is being titled and men are founding new roof-trees, a nation may call itself blessed, whether the exchange rates are right or wrong.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-11

The opening of the baseball season will bring a temporary forgetfulness of the readjustment period.
 F < F A circus giraffe sneezed and a smart press agent got the story pu blished in a New York newspaper.
 4 # # People dream of getting rich by striking oil, but selling gasoline to tired motorists is a surer way.
 R x # By swatting the Creeks the Turks may be helping to restore Venizelos to power.
 % $ % The usual bumper crop of brides is predicted for June.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-11
COULDN'T MEET THE TEST

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
 A Jersey City applicant for citizen : ship sang The Star -spangied Banner from beginning to end If such se- were test as that were to be insisted on. ,he majority cf us would bs disfran- chised.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-11

United States to be again hidden un- der a bushel measure.
 Ships on the big waters and barges on the inland waters are here to stay. The Warror has already shown that what was done with the Rhine and the Rhone in Europe can be dupli- cated here.