davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-21
, ABANDONED RAILROADS
he Cleveland Plain Dealer.

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Seven miles of old railway line were aban-
doned for every four miles of new construc-
ton under taken during the last fiscal year.
The report of the interstate commerce commits
sion reveals that it received from carriers 40
applications for permission to abandon property.
The bureau of finance authorized the abandon
ment of 702 miles of line and issued authorize.
ton for the construction of 405.
This abandoned mileage is confined in the
main to the sparsely populated regions of the
country, particularly in the south and the
southwest. New England and those sections of
the northwest that are backward industrially
also contributed to the total. The lines involved
were largely branches or feeders of important
systems which touched no communities pro-
ductve of any considerable volume of business.
The reasons underlying the applications for
abandonment will be readily understood in view
of the embarrassed financial condition in which
many of the more favorably situated roads find
themselves. Costs of operation have increased
far beyond earning capacities. Depreciation
and deterioration have continued long that
investment of the additional capital necessary to
continued operation seems unwarranted
These branch steam lines have been affected
not only by increasing costs of operation but
by many of the circumstances that have tended
to undermine electric interurban railroads. The
advent of the automobile for passenger as well
as for express and freight service has made the
continued operation of many small lines unnec-
essary and improbable. When one remem-
bers that the traditional railroad policy of the
United States was for many years that of build
ing railroads in advance of the actual need for
them with the idea of increasing real estate
values and promoting colonization, the forced
abandonment of many lines in recent years
should occasion no surprise. Succeeding years
are likely to witness more of the same practice.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-21
SANTA TIME AT MERCY HOME

eve are going to have our Christmas tree at
the Mercy Home on Tuesday, December 81, and
| have invited Mr.. and Mrs. w. Carson Adams
to be on hand" says Mother" Margaret Ram
say of the local institution.
"Mr. Adams has been chairman of the Mercy
Home fund drive and want him to see the joy
of 1913 youngsters when they have their annual
Christmas tree.
"Of course Santa will come more than once
this year to the children. The Civilian club will
have Christmas tree for the youngsters Fri
day at 1 o'clock, Then again at o'clock Tues
day we will have our very own tree.
eve appreciate the interest and aid given the
home. I am going to take advantage of the of
fer of Mr.. B. D. Jones, the piano man, to repair
and tune our pianos free next year. l may call
on him before the Christmas tree, as we have a
piano that needs tuning and it should be in per-
feet tune that day when we expect 103 little
hearts to be in tune"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-21
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
AND ELSEWHERE
ENJOYED FEAST

II was one of the favored who had an
invitation to attend the dedication services Of
the great Mitchell dam on Monday given by the
Alabama Power company said Sid Lee, "and
while the engineering is wonderful, the thing
which [ couldn't understand was the feast which
was spread for the crowd after the ceremonies
were over.
81 think know something about preparing
feeds for crowds, but the dinner served was
more like man would expect on Christmas in
soma private home. Turkey was the main meat,
but there ham in abundance, with celery,
olives, mixed pickles The chicken salad opened
the bill.
Il am getting it all mixed up purpose, for
when it is all spread before the average man he
pays attention to courses but grabs for the
thing he likes best. There were crackers and
bread, and fruit cake and peaches, and coffee
and cheese, and lot of trimmings I can't re-
member All that know is it was wonder
full spread"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-21
LETTERS TO EDITOR
CHRISTMAS AT "cHow HOUSE,
70 the Editor of The Age-Herald:

To the Editor of The Age-Herald
Doubtless you know, without my telling you,
the American Legion has established "Chow
House" for the ex-servce men without jobs.
This house is located at All IL North Twen-
tieth street. over the fruit stand just behind the
Tutwiler hotel. An ex-service man without
job, home or anything to eat can go there and
get a bed and meal free of charge until the
American Legion employment bureau, which is
also free to eX-service men, secures job for
him. Of course, the American Legion has so
many calls made on it for work of this kind that
it has not enough money to do this unless the
public comes to its rescue and makes donations.
There are present at practically every meal 40
of these men, and I wish to state right here they
are not tramps but come from some of the best
homes of the country, you can see if you
will take a trip to the "Chow House," which the
American Legion would be glad to have you do.
On Christmas Day the Ladies' auxiliary of the
American Legion is going to help these men
cook their dinner, for they do all their own
work. serve it and then dine with them, to show
them, though down and out for the present,
it is not for always, and we appreciate the sac
rifices they have made for US during time of
war. | am chairman of this dinner committee
and if there is anyone in Birmingham who
would like to send us something to help us make
this Christmas dinner a pleasant one for our
heroes it will be appreciated by both the fellows
who will participate in this dinner, the Ladies'
auxilafy and the American Legion. Same may
be sent to American Legion headquarters, Hill
man hotel; Mrs. w. R. Ovens, president of the
auxiliary, in charge. Call Main 1413 or 1865
and we will send for same.
I wish to state that we do not want some
thing to eat only, but if you have any kind Of
mems clothing or shoes it will be very much APP
preciated also, as many of the men are wearing
very poor clothing and shoes.
I am sure there is not person in Birming-
ham who will let plead in vain for the men
who saved our lives.
Thanking the public for what they have done,
are still doing and will do in the future, l am,
respectfully MRS. BESSIE L. PHILLIPS,
Chairman Christmas Dinner Committee.
Birmingham, December 20, 1921.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-21
COLONEL ASHBURNE CHARGES
INJUSTICE TO WARRIOR

Colonel Ashburne, army engineer, making
Ivy of the Warrior, charges that the new
port on the Warrior at Demopols is put to heavy
expense on account of the refusal of the South
ern railway to connect with the river terminals
for the exchange of freight. This causes the
Mobile Register to remark:
"This policy is detrimental to the public adj
vantage. The case is an example of railroad in
gratitude for the public subsidy that has been in
effect granted them through increased rates, ex-
tension of Indebtedness owed to the federal
government and by pending measure granting
the roads additional sums"
In the long run, the citizens of the Mississippi
valley to whom nature has given a chain of
navigable inland waterways, are going to secure
fair treatment for them. The railroads will be
legally forced, if necessary, to make connections
with the inland ports and to share the joint
rates with waterways on basis of the service
rendered by each.
Whatever the motive, injustice is done a
water carrier by the refusal of a rail carrier 10
connect with its terminals.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-21
CHRISTMAS SALES

Last week I had an occasion to visit small
town in Alabama" said William Perry of Tam
pa, Fla, "and was surprised to note that nearly
every store in the place bore a large sign ad-
vertising a sale. Despite the fact that it was
less than two weeks to Christmas sales were
going on at every store, and when I remarked
on it the merchants themselves had to laugh.
However, they stated that while business was
not as good as it was last year this time, they
had put on sales to dispose Of the stock they had
on hand. One said he could never remember
when he had had big sale as close to Christ
mas, but that it had to be done this year."
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-21
THE TENDER-HEARTED CARGO
M EN-, WOMEN
AND T HIN G. S

If you missed the Mitchell dam dedication on
Monday, you missed one of the history-makng
events in this great state of ours; and those
who were fortunate enough to witness it will
remember it pleasantly in the years to come.
1t was really big stunt from every stand
point, pulled off by the Alabama Power COM
pany, when it issued invitations to many of the
leading citizens of the state to come down and
witness the ceremony which gave to the stupen-
dous undertaking the name of the man who, up
to the time of his death, was the dominant
spirit in the organization.
1t must have been proud moment when
Malcolm MITCHELL the son of James Mitchell
for whom the dam was named, now a student
at Cornell university, pulled the lever which
sent the first cement into the cofferdam. There
were many who wished that the brilliant son of
a worthy sire would, on the completion of his
studies, come to Alabama to carry on the great
work begun by his far-sghted father.
The day was an ideal one. Every man with
an invitation felt that it was to be not only
notable event to which he had been hidden, bus
that nature was smiling on the enterprise. A
large crowd gathered at the Louisville and
Nashville station, and they were among the
picked men of the district-the kind of men who
do things IN the various lines IN which they are
engaged.
But Birmingham was not the only city repre-
sented at the dedication, for they came from
every portion of the state. 1t was a wonderful
opportunity to meet friends. I was busy all day
shaking hands with friends, many of whom
chance to see comes only once in (. year or mora.
North Alabama was there, and l saw c. A.
O'Neal from way down in Andalusia. Mont
gomery, like Birmingham was on hand in
special train. Admission sent party Clanton,
Verbena, Wetumpka,~ Cooper and the adjacent
country were represented.
Besides having the chance to see a big enter
prise being born, it was great opportunity for
fellowship. 1t was good to see how the Biz
mingham delegation fraternized from the time
the train pulled out of the station in the morn
ing until it returned at night. We have grown
accustomed to meeting one another in the va
rious luncheon clubs; but it's the same old
crowd each week, while the crowd going and
coming from the dedicatory services was made
up of men from all of them.
days outing is great thing for the aver
age man. 1t, for a while, shuts out his bust
ness. It's wonderful climate we have here in
Alabama. Just think of day in middle De-
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-21
DON'T LET YOUR CHILDREN
PLAY WITH FIREWORKS

The Age-Herald's attention has been called to
dangerous pastime of Birmingham children
who are exploding firecrackers in bottles and
throwing them at each other in play. Since 1t
seems to be impossibility for police to enforce
strictly ordinance against discharging fire
works within the city limits, this responsibility
rests upon parents
Fathers and mothers who permit their chill
dren, some of them barely able to toddle about,
to run the risk of blowing off their hands, de-
stroying their eyesight or otherwise manning
themselves for life, are derelict in their duty.
Such carelessness may be brought home to them
by deplorable tragedy.
Firecrackers and other kinds of explosives
should never, in any circumstances, be handled
by children who lack a sense of responsibility,
and do not realize the danger they encounter
When they exercise their ingenuity to make
firecrackers more deadly by putting. them in
bottles, thus sending flying particles of glass in
every direction, it will be miracle if they es-
cape serious injury.
Surely by this time enough advice has been
given against the indiscriminate use of fire.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-21
PAUL COOK.

cember where the atmosphere is like fine wine
in its ezhilarating effects. Many who stood
during the exercises felt the rays of the sun
on their necks carrying all the warmth of
spring. Overcoats were left in the coaches or
stored away in the office
The walk over the hills and the balmy air
whetted the appetites of all, and when dinner
was announced there was general move to-
wards the dining room. ledst the way, and never
in all my life was so blindly and willingly fol-
lowed by men of great affairs. I had been
asked to make the announcement, and somehow
the crowd had confidence when 1 stated that,
having looked over the spread it was a feast
And it was, and what is more, the service was
perfect It created great deal of surprise to
know how such dinner had been prepared in
camp
After dinner Herman Beck and o. L. Bum
strolled out, having filled the inner man and
being at peace with the world. Herman spied
beneath house sitting on hillside squirrel
in large cage made of closely woven wire and
being a nature lover, asked Bum to go over and
get a closer view. Being obliging man, he
did so, but as he peeped around the corner of
the house he saw big bulldog, and was max
ing a quick getaway, when Herman yelled:
"Come back; the dog is tied" "That don't
make any difference, for If he was loose he
couldn't catch me-" and up the hin he sped.
The director of the Chamber of Commerce hay
ing preached safety first so long, loud and
often, was giving perfect demonstration of it.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-21
RELATIONS BETWEEN PUBLIC
AND UTILITIES

Five hundred representative citizens of
northern, central and southern Alabama on
Monday attended exercises dedicating Mitchell
dam to the memory of the late James Mitchell,
father of hydroelectric development in Ala
bama and witnessed the pouring of the first
cement in an $8,OOOO00 structure that is to
generate 900 horse power.
For the Alabama Power company the presi-
dent expressed the earnest wish of its officers to
serve the public in way to win approval For
the public, represented by the state of Alabama,
the president of the utilities commission out
lined the relationship of the state to the power
company.
The five hundred men and women present
seemed to indorse the views expressed. Ala
bamas water powers have been developed by
outside capital, which had faith in the state, and
in the fairness of its people. Had we depended on
our own resources more than 60 cities in Ala
bama now obtaining power from the waters of
the state might not have had it.
A happy change has come over the relations
between the people and their utilities. The de-
sire to serve and the willingness to pay fair
price for service constitute fine working
agreement.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-21
MAY BE OLDEST PRINTED BOOK

From the Philadelphia Inquirer.
William L. Richard, former vice president
of the American Numsmatic society, who ac-
quired two rare books during a trip to China
several years ago, has announced, after thor
ough investigation his conviction that he has
one of the rare books called the "Tanjur,' or
the Book of the Doctrine of the Tiberians.
For some time after he came into possession
of the book, Mr. Richard looked upon it as
only a curiosity without any particular worth,
until he showed it to friends who urged him
to investigate its origin. After more than a
year studying the literature of Tibet and China,
he found that the book was printed more than
/ 900 years ago with movable type, at that time
unknownN in the western hemisphere Mr..
Richards says he has proved conclusively that
the "Tanjur'' was printed 700 years before the
famous Gutenberg Bible, the first European
book printed with movable type.
From an office boy for John D. Rockefeller,
Mr. Richard has come to travel in recent years
in many foreign countries as representative of
the Standard Oil company and other American
firms. Before he left for the orient, about
eight years ago, he had one of the best stamp
collections in this country, which he sold for
$4,000.
About live years ago l came INTO possess
sion of the manuscript in Sanskrt, or, rather,
in Devangari, which in Tibetan is called the
'Tanjur' the Sacred Book of Doctrine of the
Tibetans," said Mr.. Richard. 81 came across
it in a monastery at the same time that 1
found the 'Kanjur' at the border of Tibet. As
no one there appeared to realize the value
of the documents, had no difficulty obtaining
both of them at a very low price. The only
other 'Tanjur' in this country that have posi-
tive knowledge of is in the American Museum
of Natural History.
1.-The value of this rare book is said to diff
fer according to the ink used. For instance,
a copy in red is worth 108 times more than a
copy in black; one in silver is more valuable
than one in red, and one in yellow or gold is
more highly priced than one in silver. The
Manchu Emperor of China, Kienlung, who
flourished in 1876, had copy of the 'Tanjur'
which was said to have been valued at $6,500."
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-21
c3DnIEzIaM64Goes6sl
POINTED PARAGRAPHS

From the Chicago News.
Any man can marry an heiress-in a novel.
It's nice not to be at home when some peo-
pie call.
The better some people are the more violent
the reaction.
Even a sure-thing gambler may lose out in
the matrimonial game.
Facts stubborn things Even theories
won't always do as they are told.
1t is necessary to show some people the open
door in order to shut them up.
Some men kept so busy trying to make
living that they don't get time to live.
Usually the early bird catches the worm for
the little fellows who stayed at home.
If it be true that pretty girl attracts only
silly men, sensible men are as scarce as hens
teeth.
When married man turns out bad his moth
er says his wife didn't understand him and his
wife says his mother spoiled him.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-21
WEIGHING THE ANCHOR

From the Edinburg Scotsman.
Jack Tar and Sally Bell were up in front of
the parson. On being asked the usual question,
"Wilt thou have this woman?" Jack answered
"Pn."
"You must will, f" corrected the parson, and
repeated the question.
"Pll'' responded Jack, more firmly than ever.
The irate clergyman threatened to stop the
service altogether if the response was not prop
erly given.
Thas was too much for Sally, who broke il
quite savagely, "Look a-here thee 'ull ave our
Jack sayin' e won't in minute if we keep on
badgerin'.'
The service was resumed.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-21
AN ALABAMA GARDEN

By Samuel Minturn Peck.
Along pine-clad hill it lies,
O'erlooked by limpid southern skies,
A spot to feast 1airy's eyes,
A nook for happy faneies.
The wild bees mellow monotone
Here blends with bird-notes zephyr blown,
And many an insect voice unknown
The harmony enhances.
The roses shattered splendor flees
With lavish grace on every breeze,
And lilies sway with flexile ease
Like dryads snowy-breasted
And where gardenias browse between
Rich curving leaves of glossy green,
The cricket strikes his tambourine,
Amid the MOSES nested.
\ Here dawn-flushed myrtles interlace
And sifted sunbeams shyly trace
Frail arabesques whose shifting grace
Is wrought of shade and simmer;
AL even-tide scents, quaint and rare
Go strayng through my garden fair,
As if they sought, with wildered air,
The firefles' fitful glimmer.
Oh, could some painters facile brush
On canvas linn my gardens blush
The fevered world its din would hush
10 crown the high endeavor;
Or sould poet snare in rhyme
Tie oreathings of this balmy cline
HIS fame might dare the dart of time
And soar undimmed forever!
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-21
GIVE YoUsELF PROPER CREDIT

From Forbes Magazine.
1t isn't we'll to have too much humility. The
man who gets into the habit of refusing to take
credit for the good work he does is quite apt "
be surprised when he discovers that people ac-
cept his denials as the truth. 1t is much better
to be like the little girl in the old story who
when she was asked "Who made you?" replied,
'God made me that length indicating with
her hands the ordinary size of new born babe,
land growed the rest myself"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-21

works to impress parents with the folly of in
dulging their children in such dangerous sport.
The possibility of disastrous fires being started
is grave enough in all conscience, but the risk
to life and limb is even more to be deplored.
Keep fireworks away from children and thus
prevent the holiday season from being married
by tragedies that might have been prevented.
COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS TREE TO
GLADDEN. MANY HEARTS
Birmingham's community Christmas tree, SO
feet high, has been placed in Woodrow Wilson
park, where in its gorgeous trappings it will
gladden. the hearts of hundreds of children Sat
urday afternoon.
In somewhat prosaic age, when we are
prone to forget the gentler things of life Christ
mas comes like benediction to renew good
will on earth" and remind us of truth we
sometimes forget, that it is more blessed to give
than to receive.
But Christmas without the sound of childish
laughter and children's smiling faces would be a
festival with most of its brightness lacking
More than anything else the Christmas tree,
with old Santa bustling about, typifies the
spirit of Christmas to boys and girls who, all too
soon, must lose the mistaken belief in the
worlds prettiest legend which is now theirs.
By all means let US have community tree
every year, with all the knick-knacks and dec
orations its ample boughs will sustain! 1t is
worth more than a miser's gold to catch a
glimpse once more of our own youth by giving
happiness to- others.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-21

A HINT
n burgh Scotsman.

From the Edinburgh Scotsman.
A man driving down a certain street in
Scottish city wished to call at of the hotels.
He asked boy to hold the horses head
On coming out of the hotel he looked at the
boy and said: ''You are not the boy told to
mind it, are you?"
NO. sir" said the boy, "I'm not, but bought
the job off him for tuppence."
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-21
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
SPEAKING OF THE DEAD

MAN overboard!' shouted deck hand on an
air liner.
"oh captain" screamed an excited woman
passenger. "What are you going to do?"
Nothing, maam,' replied the captain. eve
are travelling at an altitude of 5000 feet and
the ocean beneath us is about two miles deep
If you know anything good about the man who
just leaped over the rail into Kingdom Come,
now is the time to say it."
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-21
ALARMING SUGGESTION

when the manager of the seeress announced
from the stage that she would tell any gen
tleman in the audience what he had in his
pocket, IL men rose from their seats and
sneaked out of the theatre"
''What was the matter?"
81 have a theory. They probably carried
pocket TASKS"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-21
WHAT'S BEHIND IT?
u the New York Tribune.

From the New York Tribune.
On Thursday our neighbor the World said
that it favored ratification of the four-party
treaty. On Friday it fiercey attacked Sena-
cor Underwood, who favors the treaty, de-
handing his retirement from the democratic
leadership Queer, isn't it, the sudden dissat-
isfaction with Senator Underwood?
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-21
ON MAIN STREET

We may poke fun at Main street,
Which quaint impression gives,
But after all it's hard to beat,
For that's where the nation lives