davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-07
BITZBERGER CAUGHT
Alleged Robber Who Sawed Way tr
 Freedom Back In Jail
By Associated Prss.

New York. January 6-Harry L. Bitz- berger, alleged Milltown, N. J., bank robber, who sawed hrs way out of New York's West Side prison last Monday, was brought back tonight from Provi- dence, R. l., where he was captured while embracing his wife.
 =Mrs. Btzberger, who had been trailed by detectives from Boston to the Rhode Island city. accompanied her husband to police headquarters According to detec- tives who caught Bitzberger, he intended originally tc meet his wife at Boston, but noticing several men watching him. he decided to meet her in Providence. He knew the car seat Mrs. Bitzberger was in, and just bfore the train pulled out of the Providence union station sig nailed her. and she alighted.
 The detectives waited until Bitzberger kissed his wife, and then, with drawn revolver, one of them held him at bay and another slipped handcuffs on his wrists.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-07
HOOVER ASSA|[ED
 BY SENATOR REED
Used Portion of Relief Appro- priations for Polish Army,
 Is Charge
By Associated Press

Washington. January 6, Herbert Hoover's administration of food relief enterprises in Europe was criticized an hour of debate resulting from recent charges of Senator Reed, democrat, Missouri. that MT. Hoover had used a portion of Americas relief appropria- army.
 Senator Hitchcock, democrat, Neb- raska, and Kellogg, republican, Mime sota, defended the former food admin istrator. while Senator Reed renewed his criticism.
 MT. Hoover should be given credit for ''an accomplishment whose magni- tude the whole world wonders at" Senator Hitchcock decfared in present. ing matter to show that no American relief supplies had been turned over to the Polish army. American army of ficers, the senator said, were vtgilant iE their efforts to keep the supplies for civilian use
 Senator Reed declared that it did not matter whether the supplies went to the Polish civilians or army
 They were given to her for the pur- PoSe or oolsterlnS her up ana enabling her to carry on her war" the Missouri senator declared. indicating that he would speak later in the Senate and present further facts regarding the ex- penditure of European relief funds
 Senator Kellogg said that regardless of indirect efforts that he did not be- lieve any of the American funds was spent to maintain the Polish forces
 During the debate Senator Reed also criticized American policies which, he said, had prevented re-opening of American commerce with Russia and Germany. '~
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-07
Gist of the News
GENERAL

p.s,., accuses Britain of .semuiating the Hun." appointments.
 rir.t details of sea disaster given by survivor.
 Big slash made in salary apprePria- tion bill.
 Alabama will get new cengFessman under changed law.
 Houston will aid In making succU<s of new farm laws.
 wall street trading lively and bread, eotto. conditions improve.
 s STATE
 seIna industries are to invade new Citations c.use sta.apede of tax de- ' Date i. fixed for sids sA Nessle ter mlnaI. nisten.
 Youthful fugitive prefers warn Ass- pftal to cold cell.
 Trial of IAuderdale sAeriff nay be delayed.
 BfYninsham Pest. afterneea Daper. Radiator conpany euts prsee6 7e per cent.
 Enpire CsaI eom pany te build tewn if U. 5. builds lock.
 Martial law In Pratt City area ru- X Jack Adams to lead eanpaie. for ptarvluw children.
 YssAxest asthsr in Anerier en visit here.
 AdAItio.al j~dses ts hels eless ee~- sested dcckets.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-07
TELLS HOW HE ELUDED
 VIOLENCE OF BRITISH

Norfolk, Va, January 6.-D oual Buckingham. youthful lord may,r of Cork; tonight dropped the veil of se- crecy which has shrouded his .noye- ments. and told how he had eluded the vigilance of the British soldiers, board ed the West Canon and made his way to America. where he is now seakine an opportunity to submit Erin's brief before the committee of 100 in Wash, ington.
 How he boarded the ship, remained hidden seven days in bunker unfu driven out by seasickness, was told. tersely by Mayor O'Callaghan. Eondi- tions in his blood-stained city were also told although he remained firm in his determination to say nothine that would anticipate his evidence oe> fore the committee at whose invitation he made the journey.
 Patrick MacSwiney. brother of his predecessor in office, was also stow away on board the West Canon ,hres days. the mayor stated. MacSwiney, three days after the ship sailed. .ame out of hiding and was put to work in the forecastle Through him, Mayor Buckingham received food for four days. when the bangs of seasickness caused by the excessive rolling If the ship, which was in ballast, drove him
 <Csntinuea n Psss Twsl
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-07
MANY CITIES WANT
 ALLEGED GRAFT TERS
Had Leased Brokerage" 0f- flee in Memphis to Fleece
 Victims, Charge
By Associated Press

Memphis, Tenn, January 6.-Tele grams were received by the police de- partment here from a number of cities the gang of alleged confidence men arrested in a raid on a local hotel be held until officers can be sent for them. Further investigation of the records of the men held, police as- sert. indicate that they have operated confidence games in a number of cities
 Sheriff C. W. Bluett of Grand R s- ids, Mich. telegraphed that Georgt w.. Williams is wanted there for forgery. Solicitor General John A. Boyk,n of Atlanta has asked that Ralph J Will son be held for operating confidence game in that city, according to the telegram. Wilson was recently ar- rested in Little Rock police say, giv- ing his residence as Fort Worth. Viii liam Fletcher was also arrested in I,tt- tie Rock short time ago and police say he will probably be returned there. Wilson and Williams are charged with being fugitives. No charges have been Ilaced against the others
 Police learned today that the gang had leased brokerage" offices in a downtown building and in their rooms were found quantities of the stock cer- tiflcates and bonds of an alleged ficti- tious company
 w. R. Manning, ranch owner of DaI- las rex, who was recently fleeced of $s'I00 in confidence game in Atlanta ana who has since spent much of his tune In an effort to run down the members of the gang by which he was vlctimized. visited the prisoners today them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-07
PRISONERS START FIRE
 NV EFFORT TO ESCAPE

der control. The damage to the tailor shop was slight.
 When the prison lights went out, a number of guards rushed to the engine room to ascertain the trou- bie. Here they found two pxis- oners who had been working om the power engines, lying on the floor suffering from cuts and bruises. The big belt. attached to the engine. was found dangling from . wheel. It had been cut.
 Warden Terri1l said that the two prisoners who had been attacked in the engine room reported that two other convicts had entered the department. s1ashed the belt and cut them with knives.
 After the prisoners had been rounded -up nnd placed in their cells, the guards were ordered to call the roll. They found at onee that a copvict,A man named Grif- fiths, from Brnxton county. West Virginia, serving a life term for murder. was missing. Griffiths has been mn inmate of the prison for nine years. As soon ms word of his escape reached the warden, he or dercd out guards to search the surrounding country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-07
DON'T STINT TOTS
Relief Funds Wanted Only From
 Those Able to Give
By Associated fress

New York, January 6.-Money for relief of European children is wanted only from American communities where children are provided with the necessities of life, Herbert Hoover de- clared today in answering objections raised by city officials at a mee-ing to organize the local campaign in be- half of the European relief council.
 Charity begins at home,' said MT. Hoover, after Bird s. Coler, commis- sioner of the department of public well fare, said he. was mot sure" that he should appeal for European children while New York institutions caring for unfortunate youngsters "were on the verge of bankruptcy"
 MT. Hoover said it was disgrace If any child in New York is in want He pointed out that this city is the chs est in the world, and has an 1s> months supply of foodstuffs in stor- age. A suggestion by MT. Coler that part of the money raised here be do- mated to local charity was not ap- proved by MT. Hoover
 After the meeting. it was announced that the campaign for funds will be started soon, with Mayor Hylan acting as chairman of the local committeee.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-07
MYSTERIOUS BLAST
 IN HOME CAUSES
 LOSS 0F EVOLVES
Explosion Occurs While Family Grouped Around Supper TabIe-TWo Others
 Badly Injured
Bx Associated Press

Fort Wayne, Ind, January G.
 Two persons are dead and two
 others arc injured, one probably fa-
 tally, as . result of a mysterious
 explosion which destroyed the home
 of J. w. Sheffer, nationally known
 fancy stock rniser at Auburn, Ind.
 20 miles north of Fort Wayne. at
 o'clock this evening.
 The dead: Ebber Sheffer, 24, and
 Ellen Sheffer. IF, son and daughter
 of MT. sheffcr.
 Mrs. Shelter is believed to be in a lying condition, suffering from internal injuries. The extent of MT, Shelters I IT. iuries have not yet been determined. The explosion occurred while the fam fly was grouped about the. table after supper The blast shattered windows for several blocks and was heard several niles away.
 Mir Sheffer, on being questioned by declared he had no known enemies and secuted the idea that. a bomb had been planted under the house. An investigation of the explosion by the ocal gas company is said to have shown that their mains were intact and could not have caused the blast. Local au- .horities are at a loss to account for the % use of the explosion.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-07
WAR APARTMENT
 OVERCHARGEDEOR
 COAL IS CLAIMED
Paid Over $7 a Ton While Bu- reau of Mines Buying Fuel for $4.70 a Ton, Senate
 Committee Is Told
Bx Associated Press

Washington, January 6-The Senate committee inquiring into the high cost or coal last year was informed at resump- tion of it's hearings today that while the bureau of mines was buying coal at N.7v a ton through an arrangement with the National Coal association, which required no fees. the war department was buying coal at over r a ton through Col D. B. Wentz, president of the association, on commission basis.
 The statement concerning the arrange ments of the bureau of mines was made by Chairman Calder of New York, when Colonel Wentz was testifying as to his services for the war department during the shortage of last summer and early fall. The latter said he had purchased and delivered to the department 7O.WU tons of coal at slightly above 2 a ton, for which he had received commissions aggregating s31,000. His contract, he added, would have allowed him to pur- chase zBO0O tons and earn additional com missions of $l01, ,00O but he had refused to do so because of the falling markee.
 CONDUCT FAIR
 Senator Edge. republican, New Jersey, told the witness that his conduct had been fair to rte government, much better than>you contract required"
 Senator Kenyon, republican, Iowa. brought out specific items in Coionei Wentz' sales schedule under which. on September g and 27, seven cars of coal was sold by the Watkins Coal company to the department for $9.B ton. That company reported to the coal association, he said, that it's September mining costs were 8. s ton.
 What became of this $ profitT Sen ator Kenyon demanded. "Who got IL? Isn't 1t, in your opinion, more than fair proht?s'
 Colonel Wentz answered that his re- sponsibilfty ended in getting the coal at the market price prevailing, but said the profit indicated was "rnore than 1 should allow at mines under my control
 T realize it's not your business, but it might be the Attorney Generals" Sena- tor Kenyon retorted.
 ADMITS PROFIT TOO HIGH
 Colonel Wentz denied in reply to question by Chairman Calder that the coal association directors had discussed prices at meetings"
 Interstate commerce commission prl- ority orders, wagon mines and the policy of the association were touched upon.
 You hold the theory that the coal business is a private concern with which Congress and the public has no concern, < senator Kenyon asked, but don't you think that the lack of coal, with hign prices, is a factor in making discontent?'
 'sYes, but not more so than with food, clothing. other industries of the kind, Colonel Wentz said. for which no policy of regulation is being advanced.
 The committee sessig is will not be re- sumed for several days.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-07
REAPPORT|ONMENT MEASURE ID BE
 REPORTED TODAY
Bill Would Increase House Membership to 483 and Ala bama Would Gain
 One Seat =
By Associated rresv

Washington, January 6.-1 cH er- ship of the House of Repa W eatives would be increased to 4s3 under a bill which will be reported tomorrow by Chairman Siegel Of the census com mittee to fix the reapportionment for the next 10 years under the 1920 census. The bill would mean an increase of IS over the present membership of &s5. No state would lose any representation.
 At the same time Representative Siegef will introduce constitutional amend ment limiting the size of future houses to 500 members.
 Adoption or the reapportionth5nt meas Ire would result in an increase in the total vote of the electoral college to 57a. making 20 necessary for the election of a President ana Vice President of the United States.
 California would make the largest gain of new members-five-unde the bill, bringing her total to t6. Michigan, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania would gain four each: Illinois and Texas, three; Massachusetts, New Jersey and North Carolina, two each, while Alabama, Ar kansas, Connecticut. Georgia, Maryland. Minnesota, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Ore gon, South Carolina, Tennessee. Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wiscon- sin would gain one each.
 No action was taken by the commit tee on the demand of Representative Tinkham, republican, Massachusetts for the application of the fourteenth amend ment and reduction of representation to those states which disfranchise the negro on principally literacy tests and poll tax requirements.
 The basis of representation is fixed by the committees bill at one member for each 21S979 inhabitants as compared to 211 SIT as at present.
 Members of the committee were said to have been practically unanimous in support of the bill after an effort to fix the membership at 460 had failed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-07
By Associated Press


 MoundsViIle, W. Va, January t. A tailor shop in the Wess Virginia pcnitentfary here was set on fire tonight by several convicts who tried to escape. The prisoners cut a big belt in the engine room and when il snapped the lights in all sections of the penitentiary went out. They then attacked several other prisoners on duty In the en- zine room.
 Ons of the men. Henry Ducas of i>anawha couRty. died from knife wounds shortly after the attack. Warden TerrilI announced that one prisoner, n man serving life term. had escaped during the trou- hle.,
 | few minutes after the fire was discovered in the tailor shop, which Is located inside the prison walls, the lights went out. Armed guards started a roundup of the prison CTS, escorting them to their cells, and Warden Tcrrill reported that there was little trouble expe- rieneed in this work.
 The M0undsville fire departmept was summoned, and the firemen, assisted by guards and q few "trusties" soon hnd the blaze un-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-07
Greasers Lay Down Barrage
 To Protect Booze SmuggLers
By Associated Press

Fl Paso Tex January eshelded by fire
 
 full of quia the side. N E immigration Fl Paso be Officer O. A. Perkins N The Gertrude Mntaa seriously f. reported where snug
 
 river liquor Charges without transporting liquor have filed against the %
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-07
HARDING HASOWN REASONS FOR HIS
 SILENCE ON LEAGUE
His Plan Is Still In Formative Stage and He Wants to Consult Foreign Gov
 ernmentS First
By RoBEr T T. SMALL

Marion, O., January G. Special.)-- Senator Harding is not unmindfuI of the criticism which has been leveIed at him from certnin quarters for his course in not taking the public into his con- fidence to the plan he has in mind for mn association of nations to replace the so-calIed WiIso nleague.
 He has spoken of this criticism to several of his callers of late and has characterized it as inconsistent and un- just. President Wilson, it is pointed out here. was bitterly attack ed for pre- senting to the Senate fixed plan and declaring 1t could not be modified in any material way.
 Senator Harding is not striving for what might etermed a Harding as- sociation of nations" While he is said to hold some very definite views on tho to keep both the plan and his mind flexible He will not attempt arbi- trariiy to dictate to the Senate what 1t shall do or shall not do. Tho whole situation as to the proposed association of nations is fluid 50 far as the Presi- dent-elect is concerned. He is willing that every one should lend a hand in the formation of the plan just as he ex- poets these same people to lend hand in the adoption of the plan once it is worked out
 IN FORMATIVE STAGE
 The principal reason Senator Hard ing has made no public statements re- specting his plan is that he regards it, as only in a formative stage. There may, and probably will be. material changes in it from time to time, and if any of the best minds" which remain to be heard can offer a better plan, the
 COntinued on Page Two)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-07
FUGITIVE IS CAPTURED Man Wanted In Mississippi Arrested
 at Bay Minette

Jackson, Miss, January 6.-Word re- ceived at the office of the internal reve- nue collector of Mississippi today of the arrest at Bay Minette, Ala. of F. A. Lynn, alias W. c. Berry, Jr, wanted here on the charge of impersonating federal officer. and attempting to obtain money under forged checks Lynn is charged with representing himself as special agent of the internal revenue coi- lector. It is also charged that two let ters of introduction he carried did not bear genuine signatures of Maj. George l.. Donald, collector. With these alleged improper credentials it is charged that Lynn attempted an examination of the Bank of Wiggins. where bank officials said he made effort to secure $500 cash on a draft which was declared not to be genuine."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-07
nTAlnncT m HOT 1ENkUO[ lU UN
 INFLUENCE FOR
 TARIFF MEASURE
Assures Republican Colleagues He Will Join Them In Push ing Legislation Through
 at This Session
By Associated rre.s

Washington, January 6.-Supporters cf the Fordney emergency tariff were given encouragement today by the announce rnent of Chairman Penrose of the Senate finance committee that he would use his
 influence to obtain passage of the bill
 The Pennsylvania senator, in formal
 statement, issued after his committee opened hearings on the measure, assured his republican colleagues that he would join them in pushing the Legislation through at this session, but declared for modification of the rates carried by the bill as it passed the House.
 Senate opponents to the Fordney bill, however, were not disheartened by she Penrose announcement They were in- clined to accept the public definition If his attitude as political move, while democratic senators mum mbercd among the opponents asserted the statement was 's- sued as reply to republican senator's on the committee who had demanded that
 Mir. Penrose say in effect whether he
 would stand with or against them.
 HOPE FOR DEFEAT
 Democratic opponents of the bill polnt- pd out that they, with the aid of Senator Penrose, had succeeded in getting open
 hearings, and expressed confidence that
 the story of .'the other side" would
 carry sufficient weight to make passage difficult, if possible at all. They added that they hoped to annex so many House would reject it in conference, thereby defeating any tariff legislation until the extra session.
 While the Senate committee was hold ing its initial hearings, and while sena- tors were attempting to assess the cf- feet of Senator Penrose's statement, the House ways and means committee heard
 more than 70 witnesses on revision of the present Underwood tariff. Tho
 House committee took Schedule and herewith discussed questions of higher import duties on chemicals, paints and oils, which are included under the first division of the Underwood law.
 HEARINGS CONTINUE Hearings before the House committee will continue indefinitely, but the Sem ate committee plans to complete its work on the emergency tariff early next week.
 Conditions in the agricultural industry described as deplorable, and for which a rem.dy was declared to exist in the l Fordney bill. were portrayed in testi- mony before the Senate committe by F. U. Hagenbarth, president of the National Wool Growers association, and W. F. schilling, St. Paul, president of the Twin City Milk Producers association. The last witness before the committee. MT SchiIling asked that duty on butter 1 and cheese be included in the bill. He proposed that committee fix rate be- tween and 10 cents pound on butter and between cents and IS cents a pound on cheese.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-07
Seek Huge Damages
Bx Aaeociated Pree

Boston, January 6.-Four suits to re- cover total of $370,oo0 on contracts to deliver Java white granuiated sugar at l7iLc and 1874 a pound have been started in the superior court by the Interna- tional Mercantile corporation of New York. The plaintiff seeks to recover sa0 -0n from the Eldredge Baker com nanv s1o.oOO from the s. S. Pierce con- rsnv s10O 900 from the Loose-Wiles Bis cu;t company and si50.C00 from the Ginter comnany. The contracts were made in April, 1sSo. and in each instance the plaintiff says the sugar was oliered last November. ort that the defendants re- fused to accept it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-07
RIDDLED BODY OF NEGRO
 IS FOUND TIED TO TREE
By Associated Press

Talbotton. Ca, January 6.--The body of sam Williams, . negro, was found tied to . tree and rid dled with pallets near here today. Williams recently moved from raI- bot county to Meriwether county. A coroner's jury held that the me- gro camc to his desth fro mEun- shet wOunds. Dr. Carson, however. held that the negro had been choked to death by being tightly tied to the tree before he was shot. No arrests have. been made.
 County officers who have been Investigating the lynchinE have failed thus far to find . motive. Apparently the negro had enemies here. and when he returned to this county they killed him.