davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-26
HIGH COURT HAS
 STRANGE LAW SUIT
Widow Seeks to Collect on Man Sentenced to Hang, But
 Shot as Fugitive

Huntsville, January 25.-tSpecial.)- George P, Cooper of Cooper & Cooper, attorneys of this city. is in Washington to argue before the United States supreme court the defendants side in the suit of Mrs. Nellie Overton against the Knights of Pythias, a fraternal insurance organ ization.
 The suit involves payment of the policy of 5000 which the Knights of Pythias placed on the life of David D. Overton, former circuit clerk of Madison county, who was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of Probate Judge w. T. Lawler in 1916. Overton escaped from jail in Birmingham after the death sen tence was passed on him and was killed in battle with officers.
 He carried a large amount of life in- surance. The old-line insurance com panies that insured him have been re- quired to pay but so far none of the fra ternal organizations, which have contest ed payment on the grounds that the state that licensed them to do business was about to take the life of one of it's risks have won their contests against payment The Knights of Pythias claim that the policy was cancelled automatically when Overton was sentenced to hang. Other fraternal organizations carrying policies on Overton's life, have also declined to pay until the litigation, which is to come uT at once before the supreme court, has teen settled.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-26

reports are started about the work am trying to do.
 T want to say just here that I have never seen more courteous and more aaf-
 fable men than those who are interested in the moving pictures in Birmingham, z Mrs. Wallace said. They have in every way co-operated with me, and in the two days l have served have met with the kindest and most cordial treatment from all of them. Any suggestion l have made has been carried out willingly, showing that they are as anxious as I am to make our standard high one.
 'I request earnestly the help of the good mer and women of our community in.the discharge of my duties, as well as the managers of the theatres to give us good shows" Mrs. Wallace said. 'The tired business man and the equally tired house. wife, whose housekeeping is on larger scale than ever before in the worlds his tory, since she has enlarged her duties ] by including municipal housekeeping, needs recreation and needs to drop in
 somewhere and forget for moment life s perplexing problems, and we all want to see good pictures and good shows. Not necessarily 'high-brow' plays and pictures all the time. for play can be good with l out being 'high-brow,' just as a picture
 can. The best is what we want. That 1 is the idea
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-26
TOTAL DEPOSITS IN STATE BANKS
 DISPLAY HEALTH
Decrease, in Spite of Depres- sion, Only S3,753,000 Less Than 1919-Grand Total
 Is $94,31O,52O.18
Fly FRED IT. GORMLEY Montgomery, Bureau. The Age Herald 22t-2 First National Bank RutIdip9

Montgomery. January 25.-(Special.)- ! In spite of the depression of business during the past year, total deposits of
 $, ,75S,000 between the submission of the
 last financial statement of 1919 and he
 last statement of 1920 according to an- inouncement of H. H. Montgomery, state superintendent of banks, made today in connection with the publication of figures
 on the financial condition of the banks at the close of 1920
 1 This is considered a remarkable record. because much money Is invested in crops and other commodities which are being held for higher prices Superintendent | Montgomery attributed the record to the ! renewed determination of the people to practice thrift and to discard their ways of extravaganza into which many were led during the war
 | Total deposits of ali state banks al the ] close of the statement period in Decem- ! Der were $94.310, 5201S, while the capital was S11 ,772, 12.7S. Surplus and undivided profits reached $S,231, ,3243o, while bills payable totaled $l0, 0,423,2 2Sl.1S. Bills redis- counted were $2, ,333,0 ,096.57, while the total 1 reserved for taxes and interest was siIs,- l99766 All other liabilities reached a total | of $341. .4S6.21.
 Loans and discounts were $S9, ,769 00s.bi. The banks mad in cash $5,0l2, ,s47.TI and there was a total of $l7,254, ,60o.63 due, from other banks. Overdrafts totaled $169, l.l5, while the total investment in banking l houses, real estate and other prcperry was $42S9, ,S454S, Bonds. stocks and war rants held by the banks totaled 0,i6a,- 337.75 and checks and cash items repre- sented $5i7, ,i6995. All other resources
 reached total of s295, ,799.53. or total re- sources of all kinds of SIP. .562. 46SsS l Superintendent Montgomery said re- ports received by the department during recent weeks showed that all state banks
 l. are turning toward conservatism and are showing determination to protect the
 interests of the banks and their custo- mers, at the same time permitting sucn liberality with those who need financial
 assistance as the rules of safe banking l will permit.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-26
FRACTIONAL F|GHT I
 AMONG DEMOCRATS
 BOILING IN HOUSE
Kitchin's Leadership Is Chal- Ienged and He Shows Spirit of Characteristic Bellig-
 erency-Tariff Trouble
Fly HUGH w. ROBERTS
 Washington Bureau The Age- Her I EQa n~o;Arxt. mi

+r
 Washington. January 25.-tspecial.)- While on the surface everything is se- rene, there is 8 bitter fight raging in the democratic circles of the House of Representatives, and the struggle is so intense that the leadership Of Repre- sentative Kitchin of North Carolina is challenged.
 It Is all about the election of demo- cratic members of the ways and means committed. There are several cands- dates, in the number being Representa- tives Garrett of Tennessee. Dominick cf
 South Caro,laA. Jones of Virginia and Steagall of Alabama. The ranking demo- cratic membeE is Representative Kitchin.
 He is the leader of the democratic col- umn of the house, the titular leadership
 of Champ Clark having expired on ae-
 count of the retirement of Mir. Clark OH
 March 4.
 MT. Kitchin is said to have declared that before either Steagall or Jones shall
 be named to the committee he will take
 the case to the floor of the House. MT.
 Kitchin is determined that no more pro
 tectionists from the democratic party
 shall be made members of the commit-
 tee. Steaga!l and Jones voted for the
 emergency tariff legislation on the theory
 that it would save the peanut producers of the country.
 The most ardent democrat in support of the emergency tariff bill was Repre- sentative Garner of Texas. He has re ceived favorable mention for democratit leader of the house, in the event thai Kitchin on account of i'll health, should retire. When 1t became apparent that despite the condition of his heal.l. Kitchin desired to remain leader of ths party. Garner publicly stated that by ns means would he endeavor to dispiac' Kitchin. And then, like bolt from the blu' sky. the tariff fight developed. + | said that Garner holds that Kitchin T his opposition to the election of men waf voted for the emergency tariff bill to place on the ways and means commit fee is waging a campaign against him and that he feels warranted in opposna Kitchin for leader. And thus the demo cratic party within itself boils.
 The date of the caucus has not beer set. although it is known that the eau | GUS will be held soon. Despite the fac 1 lthat the democrats supported the tarif ibili in a ratio of ? to l, the chance; lare that neither Steagali nor Jones vii 1 be elected to membership of the way 1 and means committee, but that eithe Garrett or Dominick will be, and Kitchii will continue to lead the democratic col it Is indicated.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-26
STATE JURY SYSTEM IS THREATENED WITH THOROUGH SHAKE-UP
New Appointments Is Taken to Mean That Reorganization Process Has Started and
 Will Go the Limit
By FRED H. GORMLEY Montgomery, Bureau, The Age Herald 221-2 First National Bank Building

Montgomery January 25.-(Special)-- The first move in what is expected to be a general reorganization of the jury sys- tenn of Alabama, was taken today when the new jury commission of Montgom- cry replaced Massey Anderson, clerk of
 the old commission. with A. c. Smith
 of Montgomery, and made plans for the
 selection of names for the jury box ss
 of Montgomery county during the next
 year. MT. Smith has been allied with the
 law enforcement people of Montgomery
 county and has taken a prominent part
 in recent political campaigns .havlne
 been a candidate for president of the
 public service commission last year.
 z The first meeting of the new jury
 commission was held during the day, re-
 placing the commission, majority of
 whom were appointed by Governor
 KilDys predecessor under the jury sys-
 tenn Asjury commissioner is appointed
 in each county annually Nor three years
 Governor Kilby appointed one commits
 sioner in January, 1920, and his appoint
 ments this year give him a majority or
 each board. Governor Kilby has appoint
 ed a member of the jury commission 0l
 many counties already and the othsl
 counties will be given new commission
 CTS as soon as possible. This does not
 mean that no commissioners are being appointed but in a great majority of in stances the commissioners are replacing those named by Governor Henderson.
 An interesting flight developed in Mont gomery county as friends of Mir. Ander' son urged his retention as clerk and sec rstary of the board. The clerk is ths only all-tirne official of the jury commis. sions and upon him falls the duty o making personal investigations of all per sons who may be eligible for jury serv' lice. After he has made his reports to thu commission it orders the names placed ir the Jury boxes. It is known that 1T some counties law enforcement official: of Alabama have not been satisfied witl the way Claws have been enforced and tho selection of the new jury commits sioners is regarded as an effort to oo tain the support of those who are re spCnsible for the juries in the campaigi for the enforcement of all laws and thu conviction of persons who violate th laws.
 W. E. Dickson. member Of the Houst of representatives from Jefferson county has become the new jury commissions of Jefferson. while J. Bestor Robersoi has been given the same position in Me bile county. They were appointed at tn time RI. s. Whitfield, the new conlm's sioner for Montgomery county, wa named
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-26
REMEMBER INQUIRY
 10 REOPEN TODAY
Gadsden Section Losing Inter- est in Controversy-Devel-
 OpmentS Too Tame

Gadsden January 25.-(special)- The hearings in the Kennemer- Rainey Congressional contest will be resumed in Gadsden Wednesday,, it was defi- nitely announced today by Joseph Franklin, the commissioner. engaged in taking testimony for MT. Kennemer.
 Witness have been summoned to ap- rear at the courthouse and 1t is ex- pected that two or more days will be consumed in taking this additional testimony. The contest, which pro- missed some excitement at first has subsided into q cut and dried affair. which is producing nothing in the way of sensations and very little in the way of enlightemnt on the election process in the district.
 The chief developments of the hear- ings are revealed in the testimony of repuhlicians who insist that the elec- tion was held fairly and they have no kick. From this county5it is expected that the court will move to Blount county for further hearings.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-26
SHERIFF MITCHELL LOSES FIRST TILT
 IN PREL|M|NAR|ES
Lauderdale Official Is Denied Petition for Stay in lmpeach- ment Proceedings Before
 the Supreme Court
By FRED H. tsORMLEY Montgomery. Bureau, The Age Herald 22l-2 First National Bank Building

Montgomery, January 25.-tSpecial) George w. Mitchell, sheriff of Lauder dale county, lost his preliminary fight against the articles of impeachment seeking to have him removed from office when the supreme court Tues day denied his appeal for a stay of the proceedings. overruled his demur- rers and set the case for trial in the supreme court Tuesday, March 22 Mitchell is charged by the state with. perjury, subornation of perjury, csr. ruption in office and wilful neglect of duty.
 Judge James J May field Ct Mont- gomery and R. T. Simpson. of Florence, counsel for Sheriff Mit9nell. sought to have the supreme co srt stay the pro- ceedings until firel decision is rend- cred either by toe supreme court or court of appeals in the case of Tom Stevenson, sSho has been convicted Of murder aA1 in whose trial the state alleges Mitchell testified lalsely. An other ground for requesting stay WAS that the state had failed to furnish the, defense or respondent with list o4 the witnesses to be relied on by fhe state in an effort to prove its charges against the sheriff.
 The supreme court was in conference cnly a few minutes after the petition for q stay and the demurrers had been argued when it reached decision and Set the case for trial It is alleged that Mitchell testified falsely that he did not know where a certain material witness in the case of Stevenson was located when he had the negro ,n custody at the time he was testifyins. Eitchells attorneys eontended that the charge against Mitchell was not ma teriaI and that the testimony did not influence the case either way. The state contended that Mitchell's testi- Diony was a material part of the trial.
 In answer to the contention that the case should not be set for trial until the state furnished the list of wit ncsses. the state answered that it was not required to furnish this list until summons were prepared and that the list would be furnished before the cate for the hearing of the case.
 Attorney General J Q. smith and Iarwell q. Davis, special assistant at- ltprney general. represented the state in the absence of Judge Hdraee (. Wilkinson. employed as special counsel dn the case. who was detained in the arraignmenttof the soldiers at Hanil- tOu. E.ss
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-26
FLORENCE IS HOPEFUL
Senate Committee Action Encheers
 Muscle Shoals Region

Florence. January 25.-(Special )-There is much optimism here that Congress will provide the necessary appropriation to complete Wilson dam, which optimism
 was increased by the receipt tonight
 from Washington of the following tele- gram from Representative Edward B.
 Almon: The Senate committee approved
 the sl0.0Q0,O0e for Wilson dam by a vote of to G. Members of the Florence Cham-
 Der of Commerce who had recently been to Washington, stated that big get together dinner given by that body at the Jefferson hotel last night that every- thing looked favorable toward the de- velopment of the projects here for which the body has continuously worked and the Senates action today brings the realization of the developments here in the Muscle Shoals district a little nearer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-26
CALDER TELLS WHY
 |. HIGH TAX PROPOSED
Says Purpose Is to Drive Coal Straight From Mine to
 Consumer
By AssocIated Press

Washington, January 25.-Taxes on coal dealers as provided in the Calder coal regulation bill have purposely been set high ato drive the coal straight from the mine to the consumer" Senator Cal der, republican, New York, today told the Senate committee which is consid- ering his measure.
 It is the intention of the bill to "tax out of existence" many unnecessary mid diemen, Senator calder said. adding that
 t would be shown before this investiga- tion ceases, where coal moving on the rails has been sold three or four times between the mine and the consumer.
 The senator appeared before the com mittee to reply to statemenets yesterday of former Coy. Oakley c. Curtis of Maine. that tne tax provisions of the bill as affecting coal dealers would aid profteeering.
 The. American public last year, Sem ator Calder said was "mulcted out of a billion and a half of dollars by men in the coal trade"
 Very well, but how about the shoe man, the flour man and the rest?" inter- jected Senator Reed, democrat, Missouri.
 -"The coal industry we are reaching first Senator Calder retorted. "Coal Is a necessity.
 J. M. Armstrong, general manager of mines for the Pittsburg Coal company. the. largest mine operator in the United States, testified that the pay roll cost of producing coal, which included all la- bor charges, had increased 1s6 per cent since 1916.
 "A man driving & mule In the mines gets S.50 a day, and we figure this the base rate" he said while an ordinarily efficient miner taking out coal earns about SIP"
 Loaders, shoveling coal into cars under ground, he said, ought to earn from S to $10 under present scales.' MT. Armstrong said that if not pre- vented from running full time by Hack of ears, lack of business, and lack of miners, the Pittsburg company could produce 100000 tons of coal instead of the 100000 we produced last year. Coal production costs and labor conditions will be inquired into further tomorrow before the committee
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-26
HOOVER BANQUET SET
Birmingham Men Will Address An
 niston Meeting

Anniston. January Especially Monday night has been selected as the date for holding the Hoover banquet in
 Anniston for the launching of the Cal- houn county part of the European re- lief drive. the gathering at the Ala bama hotel to be featured by the ad- dresses of Erskine Ramsey and Rev. Middleton s. Barnwe1l of Birmingham. J. M. Cryer. q leading young business man of the city, has been appointed aa chairman for Calhoun county. He has ordered meeting of the committees to be held Wednesday afternoon. at which the banquet plans will be discussed and perfected. s
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-26

and King Lear" Mrs. Wallace contin- ued. "all portray various emotions nno various subjects which are reprehensibe in many ways. but always there Is the lesson.
 When I look back over the pictures that I have enjoyed, the worthwhile pic- tures." Mrs. Wallace said. T find my self revertng to that splendid picture of Jack Barrymore's, 'Dr. Jekyl and MT. Hyde. Last week there was picture shown, The Jack Knife Man., which chill dren would have enjoyed; 'grownups,' of course, would not have cared especiai- ly for it; and so pictures that appeal to all classes have to be shown. If I were asked to specify the sort of pictures which I advocate. would say anything that is wholesome and normal.
 q had an amusing thing to happen to me on my first days work in my new office,' Mrs. Wallace said. "A friend of mine told me that a friend of hers told her--sort of house that Jack built proposition, 1t sounds like-that had cut out a certain scene in a picture the other day, when as a matter of fact had not even assumed my position when the pie ture was shown, and I hadn't been inside of that particular moving picture house in more than year. I relate this incl dent merely to show how all sorts or
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-26
STEEL EARNINGS {
 SHOW DECREASE
Analysis of Final Quarter of 1920 By Months Shows a
 Steady Decline
By Associated Press

New York, January 25.-Earnings Of the United States Steel Corporation for
 the finar quarter of 1920 made public after today's meeting of the executive committee and board of directors, amounted to s4Ss77,ss2, against s4s,- preceding.
 IO51,54O in the quarter immedia:e ely
 Net income of ss1,7o2.S1o, compared
 with sa5.73s,1s7. and surplus of $l4,- 4s1,446 showedfa decrease of sS.sSS., 4sS,
 For tLre year earnings tosaled 5177,- 1741ZsS, against total of s152.2so,6sS in .fs1s and s2oS. 1o4 in 1918. Analysis of the final quarter of 1920 by monthly returns shows a steady decline in earnings scaling down from about $17,471,00 in October to $12,- 7sSo00 in December.
 The usual dividend of 1 < per cent and preferred and 1 A per cent on the common were declared for the guar ter. Earnings applicable to the com mon stock. after payment of the pre-. ferred dividend, amounted to s4.os pei share, against $4.76 in the previous quarter.
 In an informal discussion of trade prospects and general trade conditions
 Chairman Ebert H. Gary declined tc ! forecast prices or wage schedules. Tlit business of the corporation, he said re- mains about the same as for the prev ious two months
 In the opinion of MT. Gary, those who look for an early and steady advance il
 business probably will be disappointed but others who take existing worldwide conditions into account should be wei
 satisfied with developments. Important factors entering into the future; Mir. Gary added, deal chiefly with the high cost of production and the high cost of living. There have been some readjustments in respect to each factor" he added, "As to wage rates, I think, generally speak ing. employees have been fair and reas- onable do not include the rates pad to those who have suddenly become ex- perts, including men working at the carpenter trade.
 "The memorable laws of supply and demand will bring all different lines oi activity to a realization of what must be done before we can expect norma volume of business.
 All I can see in my connections with industry, particularly concerning the at titude of the masses of workers, leads me to Ee hopeful. There will still be some pessimists. self-appointed aglta- tors and others who are of no benefit to the general community"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-26
NEGRO SUSPECT JAILED
Mobile Police Advise Meridian to In-
 vestigate Prisoner

Mobile, January 25,--Police officials of Meridian have been asked to come to Mobile to question a negro under arrest here as a suspect in the mysteri- ous murder of Judge Moody Price of Meridian, who was hacked to death with an ax recently. The negro was arrested here on arrival from Meridian. and local detectives declare the negro. though admitting bloodhounds had trailed him to box car he had en- tered, denies all knowledge of the murder. Meridian authorities are ex- pected here tonight
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-26
Court In Session

Anniston, January a5.--(Spccial9 Judge. A. P. Asee of the Seventh judicial cir cult, is holding the non-jury term of tlte circuit court at TaIladega this week. tha probability be.ns that the business in that division will be completed by Wed- II ssday or Thursday.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-26
Board of Revenue Report

The semi-annual report of the board of revenue of Jefferson county show ing receipts and disbursements of all the county funds from July to Decem- Der i, 1920, was~awarded to the Ensley Enterprise and will appear in issue of that paper Saturday. January 29.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-26
Legion Meets

Anniston. January 25.-(Special)- The executive committee meeting of the An-
 niston post of the American Legion held at the. Alabama hotel Monday evening
 vas featured by the discussion Of plans for the regular meeting to be held on tho ayenips of Tunaday, Febraary 1.sssa
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-26
City Council Accents

Andalusia. January 25.- Especial. 1.-The mayor and aldermen have accepted the street paving that has recently been com pleted and the assessments as they now stand. The paving of the city streets was completed December 1, and the first payment by property owners must be met in the near future.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-26
Fl. q. McBroom Returns

Anniston, January 25.--(Special )-H. T. McBroom, executive secretary of the Alabama European relief council, has returned to his home in Birmingham after spending several days in Anniston. He held several important conferences with Calhoun county people.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-01-26
Union Depot Painted

Anniston, January 25.-(Speoial.)--A crew of the Louisville ad Nashville rail- road has just completed painting the in terior of the union station here. The in- terior of all the waiting rooms, the benches and other fixtures have been