davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-06
THE VALUE OF A CHILD--By Frank Willis Barnett

do health. and we see strong men broken down in middle age because they have overworked themselves in scram- ble to get rich quick. We see young men in their mad pursuit of the phantom of pleasure prematurely old because they have gone the gait that kills. We see men mad with ambition who in their strivings in the political arena are nerv- ous wrecks. These are but few strik- ing instances in which men place the wrong value on the things of life Now, there is one thing the value Of the life of child. It is true that the worth of a boy or girl cannot be esti- mated in dollars and cents; and yet, from an economic standpoint, good case could be made to show that the saving of 35Oo,o00 children in Europe will in the end prove to be a commercial as well as a social asset; but this part of the argu- ment for giving relief does not make any appeal to me.
 Schumann-Heink comes and sings for sweet charity on Sunday afternoon and her magic tones are coined into thousands of dollars. Take her story as an illustration. Born and reared in Flu rope, what a catastrophe and loss, not only to the musical world, but to hu- manity, if her child life had been snuffed cut for lack of proper nourishment Nur- tured, she studies and worked hard, and after European successes came to the United States and is today true Amer ican.
 Who knows but among the girls stand ing in line for bread at one of the 17,oOo food stations established by our people abroad there may be one who will bless the world with her voice, her pen, her art, her life? Who knows but some boy with scarcely food enough to keep hts body alive may turn out to be a great preachers lawyer, doctor, merchant, man. ufacturer, inventor, statesman or what not? These things being within the bounds of possibility, let us put the proper value on their lives and save them first for their fathers and mothers. for their country and for what under God they may be if given chance to grow up into healthy men and women.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-06

keeping. The red line in wars ledger is blood.
 Did General Dawes or any other pur- chasing official pay too much for artil- lery horses, needed to draw our guns to the front to cover our infantry when they went to the attack? He did not and he could not. When men are fighting at the front there is no price too high for the things they must have if that price is necessary to get them.
 Postwar criticism is of two kinds: Constructive criticism aimed at improv- ing methods so that if need again arises better results will be obtained; destruc- tive criticism fomented for political or personal purposes. The American people may be tired of the war. We think they are; at least too tired to be interested in inquiries by men who were 5000 miles from the fighting into the prices paid in Europe for the urgent requirements of our fighting men. The Americans had to take what they could set in depleted Europe to save tonnage needed for car- rying men.
 The success of General Dawes and his
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-06

assistants was one of the most remark able achievements of tho war, aud an important factor in our contribution to victory. And it was a success because the principle which ruled was What the fighting front needs it shall have" No other principle is justifable in war. No other. policy would be tolerated by the American people, for when our mon are offering their lives for their country the value of money disappears
 We do not imply that money was vast ed, that it was spent unnecessarily. On the contrary, the conduct of our affairs in Europe will compare, we believe, fla yorably with that of any of the allied armies, considering tho tremendous diff ficulties under which VIC labored. But what the Tribune would emphasize is that peace standards cannot be applied to the emergencies of war simply be- cause the war is over.
 What the American people want now is not postmortems but reform of gov ernment business methods which will save us from waste and inefficiency m times of peace.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-06

One of the hardest problems in life IS to be able to properly evaluate men, women and things. There are so many standards of value that it is difficult to choose between the meretricious, the transient and the real and abiding.
 Some things appreciate in value while others appreciate. In the business world the man who is a good judge of values is on the highway to commercial suc- cess In the professional field, the doc tor lawyer or preacher who has the ability to specialize on the practice, the codes and the doctrines based on the en- during is sure of reward.
 Values are changed by time as well as environment. I have opened window into realm too broad to be caught and put into words within the limits of this column; and l only lifted the shade, in order that my readers might continue to look upon panorama and, if interested, take their own mental snapshot of the scene.
 II was the dDlllLy OI tHe great IedCHci to be always able to give to men, women and things their true value. I'm not going to open just now the discussion Of the blue laws" but it will be remem- bered that when Jesus was on earth, the Pharisees reproved Him for healing on the Sabbath day. It was a mighty live question with them, and His in fringement of their ceremonial custom was an offense.
 But looking into their minds and un- covering their hypocrisy. He paralyzed them by saying: And what man shall there be among you that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the Sabbath day, will he not lay hold on 1t, and lift it out. How much then is a man better than a sheep?" It was His joy in the presence of His critics to heal the withered hand of the man, and make it as sound as his other.
 When the lowly Nazarene walked through Palestine the life of the shep- herd was known to all and in the New as we'll ass4n the old Testament there are many beautiful stories woven around the men who with their crooks shep- herded the sheep. One of the most beau- tiful Psalms Is the one which begins,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-06
Reward of Effort

The longer a fellow lives the more convinced he ought to be tha tworthy
 effort meets with it's reward" said James P. Dobbins, secretary of the Bir- mingham Automobile club
 Three weeks ago we started out to
 get membership Of 5000. We placed live solicitors in the field. The first
 week we took in 151 new members, the next 16S, and this past week 175. That is going some, but we would not have gotten the new material if we had not
 made the effort.
 We now have just 1000 more mem bers than we had last September. Our present total is 1,400, but that is noth- ing to what it will be in the very near future. judging by the very recent past"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-06
ADDING TO THE LANGUAGE rom the Houston Post.

New words appear now and then. The oldtime real estate agent is now a "rsaltor." and the one time under taker is q '.mortician.- The other day a son of rest came in to get dime and said he was leisurist. And 10 it voes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-06
A DELAYED VISITOR

Old Mister Winter, we've waited long To hear you sing your blizzard song And clothe the hills and vales in white When coldly gleam the stars at night. No touch of frost is in the air, The skies are soft, the days are fair, And we who go about the street, Or sit at home, complain of heat. Old Mister Winter say, don't you Know that you are overdue? Hurry along with your sleet and hail, Send blustry flaws to shriek and wall And where the hearthfire's blazing we'll sit and harken to the storm; Despite the roar of wind and rain, We know that spring will come again.
 AN OLD GRUDGE
 T was not intoxicated. your honor"
 But the officer who arrested you says you were addressing profane re- marks to fire plug"
 That's true. your honor. once wrecked my motor car on that particu- lar fire plug and I just happened to re- member it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-06
INSURED AGAINST OBESITY

From the St. Louis Globe-Democrat
 Insurance brokers have issued policy to widely known musical comedy actress which provides her with competence if she continues ts grow stout.
 She has been. and Is now, very s,sc- cessful; but obesity may prove her downfall.
 In fear of it., she has taken out the policy and will keep up the fight to keep down her weight; but if she fails she will have the satisfaction of knowing that she. will not go to some charitable institution, N
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-06

The Atlanta woman who adopted Il children and made her husband think they were her own stands pretty good chance to lose him.
 In naming the fish found in Florida waters, correspondents do not mention the 'wymph." monster as strange as it IS ferocious.
 Wood carving, says a contemporary. comes from Egypt. America has pro- duced some of the most contented whit tiers in the world.
 An enthusiastic owner of Ford car offers to collect $1Oo from each flivverite to help Henry Ford. We do not believe he needs that much money. More hospitals should be provided for our war veterans. As long as there is 2 single soldier in an almshouse the nation should hang it's head in shame.
 < * .
 Of course it is a waste of money to tuild battleships if they are going to be at the mercy of aircraft. but that will have to be proved first.
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 Florida robbers who tried to loot de- funct bank must have uttered some pie turesque language when they found the safety deposit boxes empty.
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 Mrs. "Strangler' Lewis" who is a doc tor, says the "strangler's'' headlock is not dangerous. Boy, page Prof. Stecher.
 x F
 Charley Schwab has sailed for Eu- rope, where it is safe assumption that nobody will make him cry.
 X x F If General Dawes would consent to be- come a member of the Harding cabinet there would be some lively sessions.
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 Lenine cant make too many enemies among the socialists to please people who believe in democratic government.
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 A newspaper writer wants to know what has become of Theda Bara. Gosh, We hadn't missed her.
 <, a *
 Skating on Birmingham's streets is good way to roll right into a cemetery.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-06
OLD KING COLE

G. K. Chesterton tafter w. B. Yeats],
 in the New Witness. Of an old King in . story From the gray sea-folk have heard. Whose heart was no more broken Than the wings of bird. As soon IS the moon was silver And the thin stars began.
 He took his pipe and his fAnkard, Like an old peasant man. And three tall shadows were with hin And came at his command; And played before him forevee The fiddles of fairyiand. And he died in the young, summo Of the worlds deSire; Before our hearts were bseae1 K Lake stecko h . fEes
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-06

I'm afraid you have come to the wrong person for information" said Mir. Dubwaite. and I'm sorry you didn't ask me something easier. I don't even know the present status of organized baseball
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-06
1MERHs A REAsoN

From the CleyelAnd Plain Dealer.
 A Salem (o.) man has just paid for some medicine he bought from the druggist 70 years ago. People are mak- Ing every effort to be frionds with drugG1gto noRaday2.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-06
MORAL CLOTHES FOR WOMEN

From the New York World.
 The Philadelphia clerkymen who have designed moral gown" for women's wear must be credited with an intelligent attitude on the question of the moral regulation of feminine at tire. They have not limited their re- form to laying down general rules. but have actually fashioned model gar ment which is certified as conforming to all the specifications of modesty and propriety, even to the height of the waist and length of skirt.
 The ministerial modiste Is something new in dress reform, but why not? If there are morals in clothes. arc they not proper subject for ecclesiastical supervision? The results of leaving the matter to the lay judgment of tailors untrained in moral religion are only too apparent.
 But the ministers having exhibited their model moral gown. it remains to get women to adopt it. It may be yell as one of the clerical designers inti- mated to obtain an approving word from Paris. An atelier established in the Rue de la Paix for the manufacture of moral costumes might help toward making them the mode. Luther did not see why the devil should have all tho good tunes; why not utilize the arts of sinful dressmakins in popuiarixing pure clothes?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-06
NOT SO BAD OFF
From the Columbus Enquirer Sun

From the Columbus Enquirer-Sun.
 Sixty-seven brands of sKentucky whisky are said to be displayed in shop windows at Coblens. Germany. at prices ranging from 75 cents to $l.5o 2 quart. At first. we were in doubt about it. but we don't think s55.ooo, 100000 is a bit too much to make Germany pay under the circumstances-ands she ought to be required to throw in a bottle or two of that licker besides.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-06
A DARK ILLUSTRATION

A DARK ILLUSTRATION What was the lecture aboutT' "'The Wonders of Electricity" Was it impressive?''
 "Yes. particularly when the lights went out" SOLILOQUY OF A PEDESTRIAN 1 always jump when I hear a "honk," I do not know just why; It's not because I want to show The world that I am spry, Nor do l care for exercise That's taken on the fly, But I always jump when l hear
 "honk," That much I can't deny.
 NOT LODGING ANYBODY Does Blibbs owe many people in this town?'
 q don, think so."
 Why not?"
 50 far as I can judge he'd just as soon walk down one sid eof Main street as the other" PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-06
Runs for Senate

women in Mississippi are already beginning to go after high offices" declared W B. Stribbling. attorney of Columbus. Miss.
 Miss Bsssie Carney of Columbus is . candidate for United States senator at the election this fall. She VIII have as her opponents Senator J. K. varda-, nan and ex-Gev. TAeodore Dubo.~
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-06
Improved Conditions
 in the Steel Industry


 in the Steel Industry l T\1EWS from the steel trade the IN past week has been distinctly good. Of particular interest is the fact that during the last week in January the United States Steel Cor poration's bookings increased mate riaIly." From this it is judged that the untitled tonnage of the corpora tion as of February l will show a considerably smaller shrinkage for the month than was shown on Jan uary 1.
 It is pleasing to note an order for $500 tons of fabricated steel for Japan and the prospect of an order for 30,00O tons of rails for the South American railway. Whenever there are exports this district bricks up its ears because this is the point of van tage for the export business, and Birmingham gets big part of that business.
 The corporation also booked orders for 60,0o0 tons of rails last week. Birmingham should get some of that also. Certain it is that the Ensley rail min is to be quite busy this year.
 Pittsburg reports the National Tube company's works as now operating at 100 per cent, and also advises that Hast week independent steel mill op- erations on the whole increased" i" The general average for the steel cor operation in the Pittsburg district is reported at 90 per cent.
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 Lost Opportunities
 m Sweet Potato Crop TIT is of little service to Alabama t U to raise more sweet potatoes than any other state and ship the smallest quantity to market. Sweet potato houses have been built and more will be ready for the next crop. Where they are built the grower will rean the reward of his toil; where they are not he will continue to throw sway . large amount of labor.
 The sweet potato production of Alabama for the season of 1919 and l192o, according to Market Clerk Hooten, was around 1S, ,000, 900 bushels, but only 400 cars of potatoes were ishipped from the state. Tennessee's record for the same season was Y 900 900, of which she shipped 1,109 ears to other states. Georgia, which also raised fewer potatoes than Ala bama, shipped more to the markets.
 It all comes back to the basis of Isuccessful farming. Growing the crop is but one-haH the job. It does mot begin to bring its reward unless marketing is attended to in . busi- Iness-like manner. Alabama farmers, year in and year out, have seen lencugh stuff rot to make the state rich. It is strange that we have been lslow in avoiding that waste.
 The man who builds sweet potato house in his neighborhood is a public lbenefactor.
 Zoning Ordinance Seems
 Needed in Birmingham ,HO IRMINGHAM has grown so iR large that a reasonable and wel-devised plan of restriction in the form of zoning ordinance might be Applied with advantage.
 In the European capitals the style 'of architecture on certain thorough flares is prescribed. Even the color iis sometimes laid down by law. IAmericans would not like any such ironclad schedule as that, but we are ' people of good taste and do not like
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-06
SERVING HOTEL-ON-THE-CoBB

SERVING HOTEI-ON-THE-COB From The Nations Business. M
 Irving s. Cobb, the 5ourneyman jour- nalist, widely known for his avoirdu- pois and humor, st>ped in his wan derings once upon time at Steuben- ville, Ohio, and stayed over night in the chief hotel of the town. His ex- periences there prompted a magazine article, which all his readers regarded as extremely funny, except the man. agers of the hotel
 The chamber of commerce of Steu- benville afterward backed the erection of a $1,000,o0o nine-story hotel with 200 rooms and three kinds of dining room service. Four hundred and twen- ty-five business men bought the stock and turned the property over to a chain hotel system to operate.
 The hotel was opened during the holidays. and the chamber of com merce telegraphed Cobb a night letter inviting him to share its hospitality: Come back, Irv. Steubenvilie has a real hotel now without either hot or cold reaches"
 It remains to be seen whether Cobb, the next time he stops in Steubenvifie. will find comfort as fertile . ground for humor as discomfort.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-06

A MORNING PRAYER Look. thou, Lord. on my imperfect love and let me look on thee that my love may be made perfect. Amen M. $. H.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-06
CERTAINLY NOT

CERTAINLY NOT You hear a great deal of talk these days about thrift" Are you tired of the subject?" Rather"
 "If you want to get relief, Just step into the nearest cabaret. You won't hear it mentioned there"
 THE OPTIMIST Nothing seemed to worry him. When the shadows fell People heard him murmuring, "All will yet be we'll" Nothing ever changed his luck, Yet he'd not rebel; Lived and died a-murmuring, All will yet be well.''
 DUBIOUS PROSPECT q saw Dubson dining with his fiancee last evening"
 Did he look happy?" aracttv Har rpothnr nd three
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-06
Senate Votes $10,O0O, ,OO0
 for Muscle Shoals Plant

AOA AvAACSAS SAAOeAAo . A$AAAN mY vote of 36 to 27 the Senate ID yesterday adopted an amend ment to the sundry civil appropria- tion bill, to provide $10,0OO,000 for continuing work on the dam and power site at Muscle Shoals.
 The credit for saving the nitrate plant from being scrapped belongs largely to Senator Underwood, who brought his influence to bear when it seemed that the project was doomed. However, the farmers of the country and the people of Alabama owe much to Senator Heflin and other members of the Alabama dele gation in Congress who made good fight against sectional prejudice and partisan politics.
 Senators Shoot and Lenroot and other republicans have attempted to show that the Muscle Shoals plant would be an unwarranted strain on the treasury and useless waste of public funds. Every argument they advanced was easily answered. No one who opposed the completion of this undertaking could truthfully deny that it would make fertilizer cheaper to farmers and would assure the nation an adequate supply If nitrates in case there is another war.
 It would be the height of folly to abandon a project that has cost mil lions and treat the incident, as Mr. Shoot suggested, as "closed book. 1" If the haH-completed plant were sold it would literally go for song, involving the loss of the money al- ready spent and leaving the Ameri- can farmer at the mercy of the fer tilizer barons, who ,are charged with leaving nothing undone to defeat . project which concerns the safety and welfare of the entire nation.
 A bitter fight is expected in the House over the amendment adopted by the Senate. While The Age-H Hsr- aids Washington correspondent says that the outcome is "problematical, :" it is hard to see how any fair-minded member of either branch of Congress, who is not blinded by political inter- est and sectional prejudice, can op- pose measure that means so much to the country.
 In refusing to fight duel. French politician says he has already fought Il. That being the case. he's entitled to a rest. although he might fight Il more without getting hurt.
 E z q
 ] The Bricklayers union of Peoria. Ill. voted to reduce wages 10 per cent. AS they were getting sio day. they prob ably won't starve.
 E * *
 Wellesley offers course In repairing motor cars. A wife who can mako the old bus run is helpmeet worthy of the name
 E $ 8
 Mir. Willard says Labor Day win suit him. There's patient man for you.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-06
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES

older sisters were present He looked to me like young man who was won dering if that was just an isolated in- stance or was liable to become fixed habit
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-06

NOT WE'LL INFORMED Will you please tell me the present status of the League of Nations?" asked the seeker after knowledge.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-06

From the Chicago Tribune.
 @ ENERAL DAWES told congress t( 1 sional committee inquiringS into
 S war expenditures that Congress and the government had better look to the reform of existing government meth ods rather than spend time inquirins whether there was extravagance in sup ply purchase during the war.
 The advice is 8und What the country wants is a saving of money yet unspent. economy on present expenditures not lot of piffling and squabbling over the price paid for artillery horses in 1913. That water, as General Dawes said. has gone over the dam. What we are in- terested in now is the present and tho future and how to tighten >the burden aa- ready on our shoulders.
 General Dawes expressed views on the subject of postwar inquiries which every sensible person must indorse. No doubt high prices were paid during war time by the men responsible for supply ing the army. War is extravagance. War is waste. It is not matter of book
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-06

Mir. Willard says Labor Day win suit i'm. There's patient man for you
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-06

In refusing to fight duel, French politician says he has already fought Il. That being the case. he's entitled to q rest, although he might fight Il more without getting hurt.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-06

Wellesley offers a course in repairing motor cars. A wife who can mako the old bus run is helpmeet worthy of the name.