davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-24
CHICAGO LIQUOR
 RING IS EXPOSED
Attorney Says Attempt Was Made to Bribe Federal
 Officer
By Associated Press

Chicago, December 2S.-Exposure of one of the most thoroughly organ ized liquor rings ever operated in Chicago was accomplished here to- day, according to federal prohibition agents following the arrest of three men and the confiscation of Fl bar rels of whisky.
 The ring was exposed, according to federal agents, after attempts had been made to bribe prohibition agents with a view to flooding Chicago with whisky during the holidays.
 The men under arrest are pr. I. Val Freedman, Samuel D. Freedman. his brother. and David Blumfield. all of Chicago. According to Edwin L Weis, assistant district attorney. warrants are being prepared for the arrest of several other persons in- cluding a number of prominent poli- ticians.
 The liquor ring was brought to light. according to federal authori- ties. when an attempt was made to bribe Col. A. c. Earnshaw, chief of the intelligence unit of the revenue department. A fund of $100,000 had been raised for bribery purposes and s300,0 for the purchase of the en- tire product of three distilleries in kentucky, Colonel Earnshaw said he was told. He said he was offered s65,000 to allow the plan to proceed. When arraigned charged with viola tion of the federal prohibition law today. pr. Freedman and Blnmfield were released in bonds of s5.000 eacn and Samuel Freedman's bond was fixed at s2.o00. Preliminary hearing was set for January 5.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-24
Cairo Is Scene of Disturbance Ouer
 Remoual of Pasha
By Associated Press

Carlo, Egypt, December 23.-Cairo bristled with police and troops to- night and airplanes circled over the delta of the Nile following disturb ances in connection with the forcible removal early today of Said Zagloul Pasha, a nationalist leader. by the authorities. His removal came as a result of his refusal to obey an or der issued by the military authorities that he and his chief followers cease all political activity and leave Cairo.
 Although much wanton destruction occurred during the disturbances. the authorities claim that the incident is relatively unimportant and that the situation need not be regarded with particular anxiety. The disturbances appear to have been confined to Cairo and reports tonight were that every thing was quiet in the eighboring provinces.
 Six of zaglouls supporters were ar rested on the charge of refusing to obey the same order to return to their home villages. Two demon strators were killed during the dis turbances by rifle shots.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-24
No Santa Claus for
 Children of Zion,
 But Plenty of Toys
By Assoelnted Press

Chicago, December 23.-Children of Zion. H.. home of Wilbur Glenn Vol iva's Catholic Apostolic church. will, sleep peacefully tomorrow night with no thought of lying awake in hope of hearing reindeers on the roof or Santa Claus coming down the chin ney.
 For Voliva has issued decree abolishing Santa Claus. The Kris Kringle myth has gone the way-in Zion-of the round world and the law of gravitation. Voliva says they don't exist.
 Zion children however. will not lack Christmas toys. The same de- cree which consigned the patron saint of Christmas to the limbo Of forgotten things also ordered tha, every child receive appropriate gifts Only they are to be told the gifts are sent down from above" to be dis tributed by fathers and mothers.
 Parents too poor to buy toys were instructed to notify Voliva's head quarters and their needs would be supplied.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-24
Second Trial of Fatty Arbuckle
 May Be Postponed
By Associated Press

San FranciscO, December B. Matthew A. Brady, district attor- ney. announced today that the police court hearing of the per- jury charge against Mrs. Minnie Neighbors of Los Angeles, grow Ing out of the first Roscoe C. tFatty) Arbuck1e trinI, might ne cessitate postponing the opening of the second trial of Arbuckle on a charge of granddaughter from January Q, although he was ready to proceed on that date if necessary.
 Gavin McNab, chief counsel for ArbuckIe, said he did not wish any delay.
 The charge against Mrs. Neigh bOrs resulted from contradictions by other witnesses of her testI- mony that Miss Virginia Rappe, whose death Arbuckle Is accused of having caused. visited Wheel CT Hot Springs In Ventura coun- ty, California, fin August. 1921.
 Rebutal testimony by the pros ecution in the Neighbors' hear ing will be resumed after the holidays.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-24

tion of S22000, and the cattle tick eradication from sS2,000 last year to S1S,000, a reduction of $64,000
 Action of the board yesterday fol- lows several weeks of conferences at ent financial condition of the county required material reductions in the expenditures to be authorized for the new year in order to bring the coun- ty operating expenses as nearly as possible within its income and to reduce as much IS possible the float ing debt of approximately S760,000 on the amount to be cut from each of the departments affected was based on figures compiled by the members of the board after careful examinations Of the receipts and dis bursements of the various depart ments covering period of several years, it is stated.
 According to board members. the slashing process recently inaugu- rated by the board is merely begin ming, and will be repeated from time to time as deemed necessary until the floating debt of the county is wiped out and the county is on its feet financially. Figures fixed for the departments named will be al lowed to stand for the coming year, but the pruning process will be used in other departments whenever found necessary, 1t Is stated.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-24
SERIES OF DARING HOLDUPS CAUSE THE DEATH OF TWO MEN
Restaurant Keeper and Bandit Are KiIIed-TWo Police Detectives Serious
 Iy Wounded
By Associated Press

New York, December 23.-Two men, one of them a bandit, were killed, and two police detectives were seriously wounded as the result of a series of holdups here tonight.
 Leon Sotille. wealthy cafe owner, was shot to death by a fusillade of bullets fired by three masked ban dits who were holding up the patrons of his cafe Sotille was behind the bar when the bandits entered and or dered all persons in the place to hold up their hands The cafe proprietor made a dash for the door and all bandits fired. He dropped dead. The bandits made their escape in an au- tomobile from which the license plate had been removed.
 A short time later two bandits en-. tered United Cigar store and at tempted to hold up the clerk. They were caught at the act by Detectives Timothy J. Cornell and Randall J. Mccarthy. who immediately opened fire, killing one of them; the other. returning the fire, shot both detec- tives in the face and escaped in an automobile. the number of which was obtained by the police. The deteo- tives were taken to a hospital where their condition was reported as seri- ous.
 Another attempted holdup in the Bowery was frustrated when Abra- ham Edson. 27. put to flight two holpup men who ordered him to hand over a tray of diamonds in his fl1h- CTS jewelry store. They had asked to look at some diamonds. Edson bent down to pull a tray from a show case and when he stood up he was looking into the muzzles of two re- volvers.
 Hand over the tray, quickw one of the bandits commanded. Instead the young man tucked under the counter. grabbed a revolver and opened fire on the robbers. who ran out of the store and escaped by mingling with q large crowd of holi- day shoppers. Edson fired four shots at the fleeing men but none of them took effect.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-24

Cuts amounting to approximately $l7o,00 in the annual appropriations for the Hillman hospital, the county health department. the cattle tick eradication service. the almshouse and the pesthouse, the engineering department and the juvenile court were made by the board at it's meet ing yesterday. A cut of approximate ly S110.000 had already been made by the board at a previous meeting by at clifton of the free labor road camps of the county. No cuts in sal aries in any of the offices in the courthouse proper were made, al- though 1t is possible that reduce tons along those lines may be made later.
 The cuts made were from operat- ing expenses of the institutions af- fected during the year just past. Op- erating expenses of the juvenile court were reduced from S33600 last year to $24,000 for 1922, reduction of $9,6o0; the county health depart ment from $71,0oo last year to $4S,- 900, a reduction of $23.000; the aims house from S30.0 last year to $24,- O0O, q reduction of s6.000; the Hill- man hospital from $110,000 last year to $72,00o, a reduction of $3S, ,000; the pesthouse from $5,000 last year to s1,200, a reduction of $3,S00; the county engineering department rom S5S, ,000 last year to S36,000. reduc-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-24
SIMPLE SERVICES
 HELD FOR ''MARSE"
 HENRY PATTERSON
Only Immediate Members of Family and Jacksonville NeWspapermen Attend
 Last Rites of Editor

Jacksonville, Fla, December 23.- In marked contrast to the journal istic turbulence through which the man lived simple funeral rites were held today over the body of Col. Hen " Watterson, a soldier-journalist of the southland.
 Only immediate members of the family and few intimate friends at tended the services held at local mortuarys chapel. The ordeal was not to be borne by Mrs. watterson. a companion of more than half cen- tury. and she remained at her hotel apartment. Tomorrow the body will be placed in a vault at Evergreen cemetery, to remain at rest until spring, when 1t will be taken to 'NIarse Henry's" Kentucky home.
 The services today were impress sjve in their simplicity Out of def erence for the aged widow and to in- sure the quietness which the colonel himself had desired, the time had not been made public. A few minutes be- fore the funeral party entered the chapel an invitation was extended to local newspapermen.
 Small Crowd
 The small assembly clustered around the casket on which four flor al wreaths rested, as Rev. J. T. Boone, pastor of the First Christian church. and an intimate friend of the Watterson family, opened the serv- ices. Tn his. eulogy MT. Boone told of virile pen now forever stilled, of life as open as a book.
 The final tributes paid. the serv- ices were over and the body was again left to the vigil of the nor tician. There was no music; the services lasted less than 20 minutes. yhus were the obseQutes of Colonel RnkfnRao8
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-24
CYST OF THE NEWS
GENERAL,

 Cabinet is being formed at TOkiO. Burch trial is adjourned until after the holidays. Spain to release Americans in its foreign legion. Carroll weeps during argument Of lawyers.
 STATE Montgomery bank closes its doors. Tax collector of Marengo county ts found not guilty. Camp is appointed sheriff of De- Kalb.
 LOCAL No formal action on Dunn contract taken by board. Sheriff HnrtfieId withddaws depu- ties from city. Municipal Christmas tree for chil- dren of city. Election called for road bond issue. Professional to ring chinles at H1ghlAnds church.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-24
STORM STRIKES ARKANSAS TOWN
 STORE WRECKED
Eugene Debs to Be Gjuen Freedom Christmas 2m 2ma9n
Twelve Injured Are Brought to Memphis Hospitals. Many Persons Are
 Reported Missing
By AsrocIated Press

Memphis. Penn., December 23. Eight negroes md one white man are reported to have been killed and between 4O and 5O Injured in storm which struck thS town
 of Ciarkdnle, Ark, r miles
 day and swept through several nearby farming settlements, ac- cOrding to fragmentary reports renchiag here tonight by mes
 senEer and over crippled teIe-
 phone wires.
 Payne Harrison, clerk in the
 general merchandise store of Banks & Dana at CInrks. which was demolished, WIS the only white person known to have been killed. Mrs. II. B. Booker, whose home six miles north of ClarkS-
 dnle yyns blown from its fOunda- tion, was among the injured.
 Twelve of the injured all negroes, were brought to Memphis hospitals tonight. All were caught under fall- ing timbers and masonry when the Banks & Dana store. in which they had taken refuge from a rainstorm, collapsed.
 Telephone and telegraph wires throughout the area swept by the reports have been received from out |, lying sections.
 In addition to the eight persons re- ported killed in the immediate vi- cinity of Clarksdale, unconfirmed re- ports were that several persons were missing and believed to be dead on the Kennedy. Willard and Booker plantations, west of ClarksdaIe.
 Mrs. Ed Kennedy and her four chill dren are among those reported as un- accounted for on the Kennedy plant ation
 At Glarksdale. small village, the Banks & Dana store suffered the greatest damage The building "a substantial brick structure. was wrecked. Other buildings were re- ported to have been only slightly damaged.
 Heavy Rain
 The storm, which followed heavy rain, cut swath about eight miles long and about a mile wide, between clarksdale and the Mississippi river, according to reports received here A number of plantation buildings were destroyed and telephone wires were torn down.
 At Clarksdale, where the force of the wind was most severely felt, be- tween 50 and 75 negroes, who had come in from the nelghboring planta- tions for Christmas shopping. were driven into the Banks and Dana store by the rain. According to reports,
 Ccontinued on Page EIghteeDD
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-24
LIQUOR IS FOUND
 ON CHRISTMAS TREES

New York, December 23.-Christ- mas tree dealers were surprised to- day to find bottles of liquor nestling in the branches of frs shipped from a point near the Canadian border.
 This discovery. the retailers said, may explain why wholesalers showed reluctance to distribute the trees when they arrived last night and doled them out after loud clamor by the dealers.
 prohibition headquarters had heard nothing of the new bootleg scheme late today.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-24

The action was taken after the de- partment of justice had studied sep arately the cases of 197 persons serv- ing sentences for violating wartime laws ana arrer Attorney General Daugherty had discussed the situa- tion at length with President Hard ing who was said to be desirous if possible of granting some pardons for Christmas. The communications. it was explained, do not operate to re- store citizenship lost by the felony convictions but the pardons do. Sew eral of the civilian offenders will be deported to the European countries of their nativity, two are under ob- servation at hospitals for insane, and others are now out on paroles which were granted by President Wilson.
 Announcement of the action taken was made personally by President Harding late today.
 Other Prisoners
 The other prisoners released i'm cluded Orville Anderson, convicted at Deadwood, S. D., October 5, 1918, un- der the espionage law, and sentenced to four years; Giovanni Baldazzi, sen- tenced to 10 years under espionage act, conviction at Chicago; David T. blOuS6ll, COANlCICd dl OCS hASAhSS, Iowa, and serving 20 years on charges of opposing the selective service act, who is now in St. Elizabeths hospi- tai for the insane for observation.
 Others given communications were J. T. Cumbie, convicted at Oklahoma City and sentenced to six years for violation of the espionage act; Thom- as Carey, convicted at San Francisco for violation of the espionage act serving a two year sentence; Joseph M. Caldwell, convicted at Providence, R. L, for violating the espionage act, serving three years; Mojick Fieron' convicted at Detroit under the es- pionage act and sentenced for 20 years but already given commuta- tion of sentence to five years by Pres ident Wilson.
 Claude Freeze, who was sentenced at Fl Paso, Texas. to five years at Leavenworth, for departing from the United States unlawfully in time Of war, in an attempt to sell the Ger man consulate in Mexico plans of new gun, similar to those designed for use by the United States army; Ed Hamilton, convicted at Chicago, August 30, 1918. and sentenced to 10 years under the espionage act; William J. Head, sentenced at Sioux Falls, N. D.. 1917 for violating the espionage act.
 Woman Freed
 Gustav H. Jacobsen, convicted at Chicago and sentenced to three years for attempting to set on foot mili- tary enterprise in India against Great Britain during the war; Mrs. Idell Kennedy of Los Angeles, sentenced to 10 years for attempting to cause insubordination and refusal of duty among relatives of servicemen.
 The five soldiers given full pardons are: Carl J. Bryan, James A. O'Dell, Roy Youngblood, George VanGilder and J. B. Richardson, all serving life terms to which they were sentenced while with the American Army on the Rhine for the alleged killing or
 fConfinued on Page Eighteenl
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-24
CHURCH PLANS PROGRAM

Ashland. December 23-tSpecial) sunday night at the Methodist church the program vii be in the hands of the Junior league Christ mas will pervade the entire perform ance. The offering at this hour will go to the Orphans home at Selma.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-24
CHANGE OF POLICY
 IN RUSSIA MEANS
 END OF SOCIALISM
Commerce Department Issues Statement Concerning So- Viet Government-Len-
 inc Recognizes Defeat
By Associated Press

Washington, December 23.- Abandonment of socialism in Rus sia is predicted by recent changes in the economic policy of the soviet gov ernment, according to a review of the situation in that country on the ba- sis of statements in the soviet con- trolled press issued tonight by the commerce department.
 new economic policy, the depart ment said, is being evolved by the bolshevist leaders Tightening the re- strictions or communism and aiming at the partial establishment of pri- vate trade and industry and at in- creasing the incentive to production. Communistic management of industry In Russia, 1t added, had resulted in great decline of production and a general Reorganization of economic life which has been commented upon emphatically by soviet newspapers while the decline is admitted by bol- shevist leaders.
 Lenine, in speech In October. rec ognizes the defeat of communism, ac- cording to the department, and is quoted as saying, that the substance of our new economic policy is dictated by the recognition of the fact that we have suffered a powerful defeat and commenced a systematic strate- gic retreat. There can be no doubt in the minds of communists that we have suffered defeat on the economic front, and a mighty crushing defeat, and thus we are facing consciously and deliberately the new economic policy"
 New Policy
 The main features of this new poll icy, the department reported, include the partial restoration of freedom of trade in agricultural products; aband- onment of the practice of unrestrict- ed requisftion of labor and the substi- tuition of a fixed labor tax, abandon ment of uniform wages for employees of the same grade In enterprises op- erated by the state. and the substi- tuition of compensatfng according to the services rendered.; leasing to pri- vate individuals of certain industrial establishments hitherto controlled by state; and enterprises still operated by the state are to adopt commercial principles, paying private producers and other state enterprises market value for materials and selling their products at market value.
 Beneficial Results
 Bolshevist newspapers claim, the department continued, that bener- cial effects have already followed the compensation of labor and while com paratively few important industrial plants have yet been leased, good many smaller establishments have been leased to former owners and to associations of working men.
 Ut is too early" the department said, Ito form a judgment as to the economic and still less the politicai effects of these new policies. Ihe bolshevist leaders themselves express uncertainty as to how far these new tendencies may lead. Taking 1t al together. 1t would appear that Russia is in a state of fluctuation, and eco- homie changes may possibly result. It | Is too early. however, to forecast the exact direction of these changes, the ultimate extent or the rapidity with which they will come about"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-24
STATEMENT ISSUED BY PRESIDENT ON PACT DIFFERENCES
Declares Unjustified Effort Made to Magnify His Dif- ference of View With the
 American Delegates
By Associated Press

Washington, December 23.- President Harding, in formal statement today, declared that the differences of interpretation which ave arisen over the four-power Pa cific treaty are to his mind "unim- portant."
 Declaring that an unjustified ef- fort had been made to magnify his difference of view with the Ameri- can delegates regarding the treaty the President asserted that he was more than satisfied" with the work of the delegates and that they had his full confidence.
 He also asserted that an unjustified charge had been made that the Amer ican delegation Is withholding in- formation" and that he could not per init such a charge to be unchal- lenged.
 Reverting to another feature of the fight that is being made against the treaty in the Senate, MT. Hard Ing asserted that the pact contem- plated no alliance or entangle- ments." It Is in full accord. he said. with cherished American traditions
 The President asked that unim- portant" controversies as to inter- pretation should not be permitted to obscure the major purpose of the treaty which. he said. was to pre- serve peace and to provide for a means of consultation when peace is threatened
 President Harding, it was said at the White House today, will not object if the Senate considers it nec- essary to attach reservations to the four-power Pacific treaty provided the Senate considers them necessary, but he does not himself consider there is need for them at this time. It is inconceivable in his view that any President would employ the military power of the United States to make war without the direction and au- thorty of Congress.
 The Presidents statement as de- livered orally and then formally given out follows:
 Text of statenfent
 The President will offer no com ment on the disputes which attempt to magnify the differing construc- tions on the four-party treaty. To him these are unimportant. The big things aimed at are understandings for peace and an agreement to meet and discuss the preservation of peace whenever 1t Is threatened.
 No alliance or entanglement is thought of, none will be negotiated. It would be better to rejoice over things accomplished than to dwell on differing views which can be of no Preat copaaonapra
 The President is unwilling that the unjustified charge that the United States delegates are withholding in- formation shall go unehallenged He had full confidence. else he had not chosen them and he has full confl- dence now and is more than gratified over their efforts because they are working out the greatest contribu- tion to peace and good will which has ever marked the Christmas time in all the Christian era
 Tt Is one thing to talk about the ideals of peace, but the bigger thing Is to seek the actuafity This the conference is doing, in harmony with an overwhelming American senti ment. and world settlement, too, tContinued on Page Eighteen)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-24
-------s---------------- STATE BANK ROBBED BY BANDITS OF $12,O0O
By Associated Press

East St. LOuis, December 23.-- The State Bank of Dupo, at Dupo, near here, was robbed of $12,0OO by five bandits today. They sa- caped In an autOmObila.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-24
FiUe Ex-SerUice Men Are GiUen Pardons
 By the President
Cases of 197 Persons Had Been Investigated by the De- partment of Iustice-Commutations Do N
 Restore Citizenship of Offende~ sssassa
By Associated Press

Washington, December 2a.-Eugene P v date for President, % tary for violating the rious charges hndng the during Germany received today from President Harding
 
 soldiers life military officer while serving on Rhine received full pardons effective day