davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-09
Attorney General Declares Charge, Together With All Specifications Stricken From Bill Will Be Rewritten and RefiIed
By FRED H., GORMLEY Monfgomery Bureau. The Age-Herald. 4zI-a Rfrnf National Bank Building


 Montgomery, May S.-(Special.) Charges of incompetency preferred against Probate Judge John s. Cur tis of Winston county, in articles of impeachment filed by the Attor- ney General, were stricken from the case by the suprem courte Monday, when it sustained demurrers inter posed by attorney for Curtis. The supreme court ruled that the speci- fications placed in the articles ty the state under the charge of incom- ptency were not sufficient to indi- cate incompetency.
 The court also struck from the ar ticles the specifications under the va- rious charges which alleged that Judge. Curtis improperly and falsely certified to Steiner Bros. of Birming- ham that the public debt of Winston county was less than it really was, and the specifications which charged that Judge Curtis improperly dealt in county warrants.
 Harwell G. Davis, attorney general. announced during the afternoon that the charge of incompetency would be rewritten and relied and that all specifications stricken from the bill would be rewritten and refiled.
 The decision of demurrers probably means that the supreme court will name a commissioner during the next few days, who will go to Double Springs and take all testimony which the state and defense are willing to submit before him. All other testi- mony will be received by the supreme court at the formal hearing. which has been set for Nay-14
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-09
Majority of Families Affected by Inundation of Area Adja- cent to Two Breaks Have Been Transferred to the New Orleans Barracks
By Associated Pres.

New Orleans, May S.-OfffcisI
 announcement wnS made today
 by relief organizations that ap-
 proSimntely TO.000 persons had
 been rendered homeless In Mis-
 sfssfppi and Louisiana by the
 floods along the Mississippi
 river. Forty thousand of these
 arc being cared for by various
 relief agencies, and 3O.OO0 oth-
 CTS arc scsttered throughout the
 flooded areas, tho announcement
 said.
 Representatives of commercial and civic organizations in New Orleans working under the state flood relief committee, began campaign today In this city for the collection of money. provisions and clothing for the thousand or more persons driven from their homes by the crevasses in the Mississippi river levees at Poyd- ras and Myrtle Grove, below New Or leans.
 A majority of the families affected by the inundation of the territory adjacent to the two breaks have been transferred to Jackson barracks in New Orleans. Some stragglers. how ever, have remained in their flooded homes and supervision of the river of these was turned over today to committees from St. Bernard and Plaquemlne parishes by officials of the New Orleans Red Cross. which up to this time had handled details of the rescue work.
 Maj. R. T. Coner chief engineer Of the Fourth Levee district, today branded as improbable an idea en- tertained in some circles that the Mississippi river might change it's course to the Gulf of Mexico by seek Ing outlet through the Poydras crevasse. Due to the fact that the break has widened to 800 feet. ap- proximately one-third of the width of the river at that place. and that the water has washed hole about 45 feet deep immediately back of the site of the destroyed levee, was re- ported to have caused some fear that the river might use it's old route for the shorter course to the gulf.
 Major Coiner said he did not be- lieve 1t possible for the flood waters to SCOUT a new channel between the creyasse and the gulf through Lake Lery,. which would become deep enough In the natural life of the flood to attract the current from it's old basin.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-09
Campaign of Hysteria Is Term Applied By Beddoy
 On Bond Issue Proposal
Attorney Charges Present City Commission Doing Best and Conscientious, But Incapable of Administering
 Such Huge Undertaking Involved in Bonds
bonded indebtedness to approximate ly S19,000, 900.

bonded indebtedness to approximate ly s19. 100000.
 Alabama Progressing
 It was pointed out that Alabama had progressed as rapidly as any state in the union within recent years along educational as well as other lines, as I've have been told by promi- nent speakers from all over the coun- try and that granting the need for more and better school facilities, the needs can and should be met by uti- lizing more of the enormous interest and tax payments which aggregate upwards of S1,000. 900 already"
 T have no words to thrust at the city commission for they are doing the best they know how" said MT. Beddow. and l believe that the strongest argument against the bond issue at this time Is that that body is not competent to administer such an enormous expenditure, and the further floating of municipal bonds should be postponed until we get an administration trained in finance sufficiently to rightly direct such a great expenditure"
 Free With Others Funds
 Charging that the city commis- sioners were mighty free with other pcopics HOHeyt the SpedheF then SuO- mitted that without reflecting on the high type of manhood and woman hood therein represented. MT. McLen- don, president of the commission, drew salary of s6,000 and his wife paid $240 in taxes; that Commissioner Echols, with a salary of $5,000, paid no taxes; that Commissioner Harri- son with a salary of s5,00o paid s51 in taxes; that Commissioner Dickson with salary of $5,000 paid ss1.51 in taxes; Commissioner Cloe with the same salary paid no taxes; while Dr. c. B. Glenn. superintendent of schools. with salary of s6,000 paid s1S1.34 in taxes. All these figures. 1t was stated, were gathered from the offi- cial tax records.
 Quoting from the table printed in The Birmingham News. 1t was pointed out that the taxable values in the city of Birmingham now are $145. 100000: from figures secured from the answers from the commis- sion, to the Junior Chamber of Com merce questionnaire. the increase of these values would necessarily have to aggregate s7.000,000 annually as has been the case within recent years, since the tax commissioners have raised the values but not according to the influx of population. To con- tinue to add $7000000 to the total valuation annually for the next 30 years as MT. McLendon says will be necessary, will cause that tax valua- ton to amount to s34s, 1000 900 at the end of that time. And 1t will be nec-
 (Contfnued on Page Twoo
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-09
LLOYD GEORGE ONLY
 DELEGATE SMILING
By Associated Press

Genoa, May S.-Optimism was stil. professed tonight by Premier Lloyd George. The little Welchman was still smiling, but most of the dele' gates no longer have the heart to smile.
 Many difficulties worse than thii have been passed and we shall pasA this one" said Mir. Lloyd George to the correspondents tonight after frantic day. in which he conferred with nearly all the leading figures at the conference.
 We have come to Genoa to over come such difficulties: otherwise why have the conference?'
 Genoa re-echoed with all sorts or rumors about the breaking up Of the entente and the imminent dissolu- tion of the economic conference. The French and Belgians stand firm In the opposition to the property clause of the memorandum to the Russians. and insist that failure of the Russians to accept the memorandum will mark the end of the conference.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-09
14 WOUNDED WHEN REVOLT
Guards Open Fire When 150 Convicts Attack With
 Sticks and Knives
By Associated Press

Columbia, s. C., May S.-Fourteen men were wounded, two perhaps fa- tally, at the South Carolina peniten- tiary today. when 15o prisoners re- volted against the authority of the guards. The demonstration was made at the lunch hour when the men normally return to work in the chair factory, one of the depart ments of the prison. Today. 24 re- turned to their work as usual, all the docile ones being engaged on the same floor, while 10 others refused to enter the factory.
 The recalcitrants were armed with sticks and knives used in the factory. The captain of the guard was sum moned and he in turn called out the entire force of guards. The convicts maintained their hostile attitude. ad- vancing with the improvised weap- ons and then, prison authorities say, the guards opened fire. Many shots were fired above the heads of the rioters but some were directed at the crowd and 13 men fell wounded. One other prisoner was struck in the head with an iron pipe. Two were so seriously hurt they were taken to Columbia hospital
 The chair factory building had been set on fire and a portion of the penitentiary hose cut to hamper fighting of the flames. The prison CTS resisted the efforts of the guards to enter the building in an effort to put out the fire and this formed an- other chapter in the disturbance However. the guards managed to ex- tinguish the fire and the riot was at an end.
 The Columbia fire department was called to the scene when 1t was dis covered that the hose had been cut. but the Columbia firemen took no part in extinguishing the blaze. as the shooting was in progress when they arrived. They remained outside the walls
 The trouble today was the culmi- nation of dissatisfaction apparent for several weeks. About three weeks ago prison authorities were advised that prisoners were in possession of concealed weapons and investigation revealed more than 100 knives. ra- zors. bayonets and black jacks. As a result of this discovery. orders were issued that the prisoners be deprived of civilian clothes. Prisoners in the state penitentiary do not wear stripes, but are dressed in overalls when they are at work and have been permitted to wear civilian clothes at other times. Weapons were found concealed in these garments and the clothes order caused great dissatisfaction among the prisoners. The clothes were collected today and the outbreak followed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-09
BOARD MEMBERS WILL
 STUDY MOBILE HARBOR

Washington. May s.-(special)-- For the purpose of inspecting Mobile harbor and securing other informa- tion to have bearing on the future de- velopment of Mobile. Frederick I. Thompson of Alabama, Rear Admiral William s. Benson of Georgia and former Senator George F. Chamber lain of Oregon, members of the United States shipping, will leave Wednes- day night for Mobile.
 Friday and Saturday will be spent by the commissioners studying the advantages of the harbor.
 Admiral Benson was in supreme command of all naval operations of the United States during the World war, and Senator Chamberlain at the same time was chairman of the Sem ate committee on military affairs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-09
NEW BREAK OCCURS IN LEVEE;
 7O,OO0 PERSONS HOMELESS
Water Is Now Two to Four Feet Deep in the Streets of JonesviIIe, La., Despite Hard Fight Waged to Build Up LeVee
By Associated Ppeas

Matches. sfiss.. May s.--The
 levee protecting the old portion of
 JonesviIlc. La. about swo-thirds
 of the town. broke today. The
 new section outside the levee
 was already flooded. The water
 Is reported to he from two to four
 feet deep In the streets of tho
 town. JoncsviiIe k In Catshouin
 parish. on Black river, and has
 population of about 1,500.
 Following the crevasse in the Ms sissippi levee above Ferrlday, La, a hard fight was made at Jonesvllle to build up the private lcvee protecting the main portion of the town ahead of the rising waters which have been coming up at the rate of four inches q day. Sacks and flood fight ing material were rushed from Rhinehart, the nearest point of rail road communication and every avail able man was put to work. Resi- dents of the town had been apprehen- sive for several days that the dyke could not be held.
 Arrangements have been made to send steamboat with supplies sui ficient to last for two weeks to the 429 refugees marooned at Artonish, Miss. When a survey Of conditions was made at Artonish it was found that immediate relief was essential.
 Rntions Given 5.OOO
 Rations have been distributed to approximately 5000 people from the barge of supplies sent to Ferriday, La.. to give aid to those in the im- mediate vicinity of the crevasse.
 B. c. Brown, president of the Con- cordia parish police jury. left tonight for Baton Rouge to make an urgent appeal in behalf of the flood suffer CTS in other sections of the parish and also for the lower part of Tensas parish.
 Practically all of the people who are willing to leave their homes have been taken out of the area inundated by the Weecama crevasse.
 The Mississippi river Is still on q stand here at a stage of 53 feet The gap in the leyee caused by, the crevasse has not widened to any great extent for several days and the swiftness of tho current going through has greatly decreased.
 At Ferriday and other points in concordia parish the riss oe bact water has decreased to about one. tenth of foot a day
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-09
hcon1petency Clause Against Curtis Stricken From Case
DALLAS MEN ACQUITTED OF
 DISTILLING CHARGE

Selma. May s.-(SpeciaL )--After 30 minutes deliberation the jury em- paneled Monday for the purpose of trying the case of Henry King and w. A. Brooks. prominent Dallas county citizens. indicted by the last grand jury on charges of distilling and having a still in their possession, rendered a verdict of not guilty to- night.
 The big crowd which filled the court room received the verdict com- placently.
 King and Brooks were alleged by the state to have had a still on the formers plantation, this information being given to the sheriff. who arr rested the two men. by T. J. Innis who was convicted at the last ses- sion of circuit court of distilling. Innis. when placed on the stand. tes- tified that he, accompanied by his brother. visited still about a mile and half from the residence ot King, and saw whisky in the making as well as several barrels of mash.
 The defendants declared that the evidence on which they were indicted was merely a few piles of brick and an old can, formerly a syrup mill
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-09
Ny Fauorite Stories
 By IRWIN s. COBB The Life of the Party. as It Were

habit meeting Saturday another of the group social Their social demands simple their similar All they craved opportunity sit by the fire with their lit and their whisky glasses handy. in silence One evening there had been especially enjoyable session of liquor had been hardly word had spoken At the of midnight the guests stood with difficulty in the ngnook remarked to the third member of the party anu
 What awful look Sandy has on his face"
 Aye" said his He's dead"
 inquired speaker 
 "The better of hours"
 "Why did tell before?" "Hoo mon said his "I the brek evenin'."
 Copyright 1922. by the McNsusht Syndicate, hal
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-09
By OSCAR M. puccAR, JR.

Asserting that, in his deliberate and unbiased opinion. the proposed flota- ton of s70o0,o00 of additional city bonds would eventually bankrupt the city of Birmingham. and that his proven loyalty to the best interests of the city, and educational advance ment in the right way prompted him to give utterance to arguments op- posing the proposed extention policy of the city, c. P. Beddow, prominent attorney, delivered the principal ad- dress before the regular forum meet ing of the Civic association yester- day afternoon at the Hillmanhotel
 T feel e hesitancy in addressing you in this connection" declared MT. Beddow. but these several bond and tax issues have been proposed and put before the voting public of the city with such unprecedentedly short notice that 1t behooyes some of the citizenry to present the facts as they really are. ssz. .sz
 Campaign of Hysterfa
 Urging that this bond issue, the first to encounter any material oppo- sition except court house bond, which failed to carry, was nothing short of a campaign of hysteria," the speaker showed how the city tax rate of Bir- mingham had grown from 50 to 150 cents per hundred since the last con- stitution of Alabama went into ef- feet in 1901. He then asserted that although voters of Birmingham had voted all the previous bond issues. with one exception, he felt that with this proposal of $7,00o,000 of bonds. it was time for a parting of the ways. Parenthetically, MT. Beddow took occasion to pay tribute to the board of education and give testi- mony of his interest and loyal sup prt of education.
 Indebtedness s11.0o0, 900
 The city already has an outstand- ing bonded indebtedness of approxi- mately $11,000.000 although the fig ures are officially given at little more than $9.000.00o, and 1t Is time now for somebody to head 'em off 1t was humorously pointed out, for. it was charged, that many had &C., quired the habit of voting bonds and seemed ready to blindly keep 1t up. We have been told in the local press that Birmingham was hopelessly be- hind other cities of it's size and larger. in the per capita tax. but I submit that the other cities listed. as a rule. are not so made up as to population, which is the controlling factor" continued the opponent. who further argued that this city, with It's predominence of really poor peo- pie, because of the great industrial interests. could no better become bankrupt than by increasing it's
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-09
INTERNATIONAL BODY
 TO CANVASS MEXICAN
 SITUATION CONSIDERED
By Associated Press

Washington, May s.-Creation of an international commission to cam vass the whole field of relations be- tween the United States and Mexico was suggested in official circles to- day as a possible means of reaching an agreement to permit American recognition of the Mexico City gov ernment of General Obregon.
 So far as details were revealed, 1t was indicated tonight that neither the Harding administration, nor the Obregon authorities had been for mally committed to the commission plan. There were indications, how ever, that the suggestion was being locked upon with favor by some of- ficials both in Washington and in the Mexican capital.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-09
TWO SERIOUSLY HURT
 INFIGHT NEAR GUN

Guin, May S.-tSpeciai.)--As result of . bloody fight between William Dickinson and son ana WyIfe Elliott at their homes 10 miles northeast of here this morn ing. the elder Dickinson received what is thought will prove fatal injuries from wounds on the head from an axe. and Elliott is oan- gerousiy injured from knife wounds.
 The nrht was a result of fam- fly trouble over the use of spiing of water, 1t is said.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-09
TRIAL AGAIN SET

Mobile. May s.-(Speciai.)- case against four members of the charged with assault and battery and trespass after warning, which grew out of raids made by the officers in Mobile last summer. are scheduled to be heard in the circuit Court here Wednesday. The cases have been con- tinued twice and 1t is believed that they will go to trial this week. The defendants and the charges against each are: s. k. Trunum. trespass after warning: W. H. Knox. three cases of assault and battery md ono of trespass after warning: A. w. Crow. assault and battery. trespass after warning and presenting fire arms. and Q. D. Meateg trsspass after warning.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-09
SEMEN0FF WANTS TO
 TESTIFY IN INQUIRY
By AssocIstsd Press

Washington, May S--Attorneys for Ger. Gregorie semenoff. Rus sian antt-boIshevik leader. today AanAed Senator Borah, chairman ef the Senste labor committee, . letter in wkich they 'srespect- fully hut Arzniyr Insisted that the general be ~Aunmoned" to testify in the es1ns4le>ee's investigation of sesenoff;h preaence In this country. Ffiiurs of the eommit- tee te caii semcneff. the letter stated. "wquld he most unfair and inssnastenS with American
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-09
EIGHT PRIESTS ARE
 SENTENCED TO DEATH

Moscow. May Slight priests. two laymen and one woman were sentenced to death here today for having exposed the requisitioning of church treasures and for alleged participation in disturbances. All of them have right to appeal to the supreme tribunal.
 Twenty-nine other persons were sentenced to Imprisonment for vari- ous periods. running up to five years. Five old men who were con- victed on trial before the court were ciergymeu. The triaIs lastsd nsarIy tWo weakA
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-09
TO CONSIDER OBJECTIONS BEFORE FINAL ACTION
 Hx Asanoiafed Yrnaa

Washington, May 8.-An attack on the flexible tariff plan proposed by the Senate finance committee on the recommendation of President Hard- ing was launched today in the Sen- ate, and in tho course Of tho four hours debate Chairman McCumoer. in charge of the tariff bill. announced that some of the objections raised to the plan would be considered by the committee before tho Senate took any final action on it.
 Senator Walsh. democrat, Montana. opened the discussion with the deliv- cry of a prepared address. in which he cited many authorities and court decisions to support his argument that the provisions were unconstitu- tional.
 Senators Underwood of Alabama and Simmons of North Carolina. tho democratic leaders. joined him. argu- ing that for the first time In the his- tory of the country 1t was proposed to protect the profits of American manufacturers.
 Chairman McCumber and Senator Shoot, Utah, ranking republicans on the finance committee, defended the plan. the former insisting that If tho American producer raised his price to an exorbitant figure 1t was not con- templated that the President would increase tariff duties to protect him. Senator Shoot expressed doubt that the President would have to act tn more than one case out of a thou- sand. and added that the rule laid down under which he could aotSsNss so plain that there was no 14ube about It's constitutionality.
 Senator Walsh told the Senate that the constitution specifically reserved to Congress the power to lay and coll lect taxes and import duties. and that Congress could not delegate this au- thority. He also attacked the flexible plan on the ground that no provision was made for judicial review of the Presidents action in changing rates or classihcations and contended that the rule laid down under which the President was to act to "equalize con- ditions of competition in trade'' was so indefinite that the President could take into consideration many ele- ments aside from production costs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-09
CYST OF.THE NEWS
GENERAL

0hN E<AhA Committee likely to reject n0mi- nation of Nat Goldstein. Building operations of country on increase.
 Further reaction from recent bull movement ia factor. Apprehension of another small crop h cotton factor.
 STATE Centennial to be notable Masonic event In Florence.
 Editorial hotly diecusDed by AagA- way commissi0ners. Crimsons swamp Sewanee Ttgers under IF to 0.
 LOCAL Iron market continues upward, reaching SIS.
 Firgt general meeting of Junior League Wednesday,
 zamora Temple Shriners prepare for Trf-Cftfes tour. Friends wish Reid Lawson guccess A neW location
 Coal terminal at Mobile to eAfer o1gv1eo ThMxsAays
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-09
COAL ORDNANCE ADOPTED

Selma, May 8.-(Specia1.)-An ordi- nance was adopted by the Selma city council tonight providing that all coal dealers who have yards here shall pay q license fee of $50 per annum, that outside solicitors for coal shall pay a license of $S0 to operate in the city and that persons selling coal in carload lots shall pay a license of $50. The ordinance grew out of complaints of local coal concerns, who contended that they were not receiving square deal from outsiders. who were able to operate in Selma without paying . license. The ordinance also covers the manner in which private citi- sens may cell coal to their neighbors ct . pxoft.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-09

Action on the LaFollette resolution went over.
 The resolution declared that the seven corporation merger would form a billion dollar corporation controll- ing substantially all of the steel pro ducing capacity of the country which Is not controlled by the United States corporation. and added that the pro- posed combination would have an annual capacity of 1o,000,0o0 tons of steel and would create 8 complete monopoly of the steel industry in