davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-18
HAZARDS OF RUM-RUNNING

Some remarkable stories are told of the perils and privations endured by rum-run- ners plying their trade along the Atlantic seaboard. They must not only keep sharp lookout for federal raiders, but storms and thirst increase their hardships. There is grim irony in the plight of a crew with a fortune in contraband liquor on board and not a drop of water to drink. When the French schooner, Salvatrice, was captured off Sandwich, Mass, by coast guard ves- sel, she was flying the French flag upside down as a distress signal. With 2,000 cases of liquor stored in her hold, her curtailed crew of three men were nearly dead of thirst. They had even been drinking sea water, which made them sick. When a sailor does thing like that be is in dire extremity. The hands of the mate were frostbitten. An other man was so exhausted he fell asleep after the schooner had been boarded. Beaten by storms and driven out to sea, both anchors were lost, the ship was leaking bad ly and about 100 cases of liquor had been thrown overheard to prevent her from sink ing.
 Into such dire straits do the rum-runners fall for the sake of the large profits gained by smuggling liquor into America. Facing capture, they must stay out at sea until they get rid of their cargoes. It is not every passing ship they can hail for relief. A strange craft is viewed with suspicion and the fear of discovery compels the running of risks that a vessel engaged in legitimate trade could avoid by seeking shelter in the IV IL. l. I by storms, their supplies hold out, and they can elude the vigilance of prohibition off. cers, they may fall into the hands of pirates and be robbed with impunity. This new form of robbery on the sea is made easier by the fact that the rum-runners are themselves law-breakers. All in all, rum-running, apart from moral objection, is not the pleasantest life imaginable.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-18
My Favorite Stories
 By IRWIN S. COBB
DELIVERED THROUGH A MIDDLEMAN

In the year after the great war started which was more than year before we got into the mess there was German who ran a saloon in Bridgeport, Conn. Close by was a munitions factory where explosives were being manufactured for the allies. As one who had sympathy for the cause of his fatherand, the German nursed deep grudge against the neighboring industry. He ia- cluded the operatives in the plant among his enemies
 One day. as he sat behind his bar, husky Irishman in overals entered
 "Say," he began, "I'd like to open small account with you. I'd like to come in here for me drinks and on Saturday night when I get paid off I'll come over and settle. I'm square guy and I always pay me debts. I'm thirsty right now and I an't got cent on me. How about it?"
 .'Vell," said the German, flor my regular customers sometimes I put it on de slate; only, you are stranger to me. Where you work?"
 .Right across the street here," said the Irishman.
 .In the munitions factory? Nutt'n doin'!'
 sWell, they told me" said the Irishman, that you was kinda sore on us fellers over there, but I was thinlin' that if you knew we was maxim shells for the Germans now you'd act different"
 The Teuton's face broke into broad smile.
 ''For the Chermans now you make em, eh? Say dots fine-dot's bully. Have some. dings on me. We drink togeder, huh?"
 They drank together. Three times more, as rapidly as the Irishman emptied his beer glass the German replenished it. Each time stating that for this festive occasion at least, there would be no charge for the refresh ment. The hospitable rites having been con- cuded the new patron was moving toward the door when the German was moved to put a question. Until now, in his exuberance, he had forgotten to ask for details:
 "Say," he said, "how you get dose shells over to der Chermans?"
 "Well," said the Irishman edging little nearer toward the door, Eve don't exactly send 'em to the Germans direct, you under stand"
 'No? Then how you do it?"
 "Oh, we sell 'em to the English and they shoot 'em over."
 Copyright 1922. by The McNaught Syndicate. Incl
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-18
 AN INVESTMENT THAT PAID
From the Kansas City Times.

From the Kansas City Times.
 The United States treasury is paying out a billion dollars this week to holders of gov ernment securities, some of it as interest and some in the redemption of notes due or called in. This huge volume of money is going back into the hands of American in- vestors, of Americans who invested in their government who are now getting their in- vestment back with the earnings on it. While this money is coming back to the investors who were wise enough to do 1t, there are other billions that have been put into get-rch-quick investments that never will come back.
 There are so many Americans who prefer to take chance on gambles that promise 40 per cent return that billions of capital that might go to finance the governments 5 needs or into productive industries that would increase the national wealth, are an- nually lost. This tremendous waste in capi- tai and industry is one of the greatesss drains on Americas resources. It is one of the factors that helps keep many families poor The treasury's billion, coming back to wise investors at this Christmas season, will or should cause many foolish investors who put their billion into choice blue sky to wonder if, after all, safety isn't pretty large consideration in all investments. It's a thought anyway, and if it will come with regret to many it won't be a wasted one.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-18
SETTING FOR A WORLD MYSTERY

images along it's beaches; and to geographers and students of human institutions and activities it is as famous as any island of the Seven Seas.
 "The mystery of Easter Island became recognized when Dutch nav igators discovered it on Easter morning 1722 and reported that hundreds of strange stone figures of men more than 30 feet high. stood everywhere about it's margins, thelr backs to the sea. The natives mad only the crudest of tales to account for these images which evidently had been fashioned ages before. Re cent study has shown that the in- ages were mounted on terraces below which the bodies of the dead were exposed and often buried. B1t whence came the idea for such statues on this isolated island, and how some of them weighing many tons were moved and set in place by the natives have proved baffling enigmas.
 "The statues were carved from Noicdhic lava Oil lne SiOpes ol al extinct volcano. Scores of them remain still in and near the quar- ries. Others have been moved va rious distances, some remaining horizontal, others placed in an up- right osition. Some were moved the natives say by. maglc-for miles across the island. Altogether nearly 200 of the huge figures are now visible, and others are believed to have been buried in landslides. The largest standing statues are 32
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-18
A DRIVE AGAINST SANTA CLAUS

Santa Claus, the communists of Russia de- clare, is "bourgeois delusion." They have started campaign to save Russian children from his medieval and undesirable" nfIu- ence. There will be no angels on the Christ mas trees in Moscow and no references what ever will be made to any religious cult. Torchlight processions will be held in the streets, carrying banners that denounce the kindly old saint who was immensely popu- lar in Russia until the bolshevid got control of affairs.
 The bolsheviki have destroyed so many good and useful things it is not surprising that they have decided to abolish Santa Claui ard tell children he doesn't exist. What a sad world this would be if bolshevism ruled 1t, stamping out traditions that have made it better place to live in, along with princi- pies of government which have been tested and found practical by thousands of years of experience! The children of those capital istic countries hated and reviled by the com munists will never be robbed of their faitA in Santa Claus. Only bolsheviki are capable of doing that.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-18
GLOOMY VIEWS OF THE STAGE

From the Washington Post.
 The pessimist, like the poor, we have al- ways with us. Enough and to spare regard ing the decadence of the press and the de- geheracy of the stage has been heard on this side of the Atlantic, but apparently we are at least in better case in respect to both than are the people of England-that is, if ere dence is to be given to two eminent British critics who have recently unbosomed them selves on each of these subjects.
 Here is Israel Zangwill, who is himself not unknown to theatrical fame, wing with Stephen Gosson in denouncing the "cater- pillars of commonwealth" and complain ing that even very low estimate which he formerly made of the British stage no longer stands the test and has to be still further reduced His words are: "I used to lament that the drama, which began as religion and continued as an art, was ending as a business. It is no longer even business, for the London stage as whole is not a paying industry"
 MT. Zangwill appears to forget that T business is still business even if it is car ried on at loss. He also forgets that not every age produces Sophocles or a Shake speare, an Aristophanes or Moliere. Such playwrights are notwithstanding plants.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-18

feet high, but one still reclining n it's quarry measures GA feet in length. On the heads of many of the figures were placed great cylin- drical hats of a different colored stone, each weighing several tons.
 Easter Island, discovered by the Dutch and for while possessed by the Spanish, now belongs to Chile, but for long periods there has been no civil Chilean representative in residence. A Chilean company op- crates a cattle and sheep ranch on the island which supports luxur- iant growth of grasses. About once year ship calls, leaves supplies and takes away wool and hides. The cattle are killed for their hides alone, and the surplus meat is thrown away. Only about 200 na- tives, Kanakas, now live on the is- land but it is supposed to have sup ported several thousand inhabitants in the past. Peruvian slave traders Kidnapped close to 1000 at one time during the past century. Since then there has been practically no tribal organization.
 "Easter Island played it's part in the World War and evidently had figured for years ill German naval plans ever against der Tag Ger man vessels from all ports of the Pacific quietly assembled here in the summer of 1914 preparatory to united action under Admiral von Spec. But 1t was a rendezvous with death. From there the assembled fleet sailed to it's destruction by British squadron off the Falklands."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-18
TO DISCUSS ENFORCEMENT

By inviting the state governors, now hold ing their annual conference at White Sul- phur Springs, w. Va, to be his guests at luncheon Monday, when it is understood that prohibition enforcement will be discussed. President Harding recognizes the duty of state executives as well as federal authori- ties to enforce the law The President was expected to confer with the governors in January. His telephoned invitation may have been due to the fact that they were already assembled and it would thus be more convenient for them to come to the White House in body, but it may be that wide spread violation of prohibition has become matter of such importance that he wants to give it attention as soon as possible. There is demand in nearly all parts of the country for stricter law enforcement, which has reacted sharply on the White House. Mir. Harding has shown that he is giving a great deal of thought to this problem.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-18
"MONIsTIc INDUSTRY"
} New York World.

From the New York World.
 The remedy offered by Charles P Sten- metz for our precarious industrial situation deserves study if only for the clarity with which it is presented. MT. Steinmetz is socialist, but being aware that the socialist party is further from success now than ten years ago, he leaves his politics out of ac- count and endeavors to show what conces- sions must be made by capital and by labor if the two are to work peaceably side by side. Labor, he insists, must agree to work with capital, must allow a truce in the industrial war. Capital however, must not try to force paternalism on the laborer in lieu of the union; it is real cooperation that is needed. The path to real cooperation, one gathers from MT. Steinmetz's guarded statement, may lie through monstlc organization of industry, (which endeavors to unify con.- pletely labor and capital by having them both, in some form other, participate in the profits of the company through dividends and in management of the company through the board of directors"
 It may be doubted that this arrangement. is any more likely to become popular in the immediate future than doctrinaire socialism itself. The problem put by MT. Steinmetz is the problem which the coal commission IS endeavoring to solve in one industry by a the monistic solution, is it likely that the commission will advise it, that the President would take such advice or that the coal companies would surrender without putting up the fight of their lives?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-18

WASHINGTON, D. C., Dec. IT.. Especial. )-Easter Island, rumored to have disappeared beneath the Pa cific at the time of the recent de- structive earthquake shocks in Chile, is the subject of the following bul- letin from the Washington, D. C., headquarters of the National Geo. graphic society.
 If Easter Island had sunk be- meath the ocean as it was rumored to have done," says the bulletin, "this final dropping of the curtain on the island might have gone some way toward solving it's mystery; for this tiny bit of land with it's unique gigantic statues is shrouded in mys- tery, and has remained since it's dis covery one of the worlds unsolved riddles. One theory has been that It represents the last pinnacle of an ancient Pacific Atlantis which dis appeared beneath the waters many centuries ago-a theory to which a disappearance of the island might obviously lend support.
 Situated 2,000 miles west of South America and almost an equal distance from other Pacific islands, Easter Island is one of the most iso- lated inhabited regions on the globe. Its greatest length is less than 15 miles and it's greatest width about seven, but it's triangular shape gives it an area of only 50 square miles. Many an island so small has gone practically unnoticed; but former in habitants unwittingly advertised Easter Island by setting up huge
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-18

Another advantage won by patrons of the Warrior river barge line is the publication by the Mallory Steamship company of rates between eastern points and Demopolis From eastern ports and points near the coast the rate will be eighty per cent. of the all rail rate and further inland it will be ninety per cent. of the rail rate. In addition to these rates on southbound freight it is stat ed that the Mallory company will establish a freight rate twenty per cent. under the all-rail rate on cotton and knit goods trans ported from Demopols and Tuscaloosa to the east. It took many years of effort to convince the American people that their waterways are one of the greatest assets of the nation. Alabamans do not have to be told that any longer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-18
THE SEEING PHONE

From the Savannah News.
 The "telefib" attachment to a phone" has long been known to many. But the tele-vison apparatus attached to a radio is something new. Paris dispatches tell of 9 demonstration by M. Belin of seeing by a sort of photo-telephonic sys- tem-and it is said that if logically projected the idea may one day en- able man to look through his tele- visionary apparatus and actually see for himself if he really has back bone. Scientists are being amazed at the demonstrations of seeing around the curve of the earth for distances practically unlimited. The new wonder follows the announce ment from New York that immense currents of power may be presently transmitted by means of the radio tube from Niagara via wireless to New York city.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-18
TRUST
By REV. H. C. oFFERMAN

What is more beautiful than child's trust? It's the truster that makes the success in the long run.
 It's the man that gives. that will in the long run reap the big returns.
 Many of the worlds greatest have had the faith of child in the creeds of eternity. What is more wonder full than the faith of strong man in God?
 All men are created free to be- lieve. Believe in yourself; in your nation; in your God; in your friends! Men who believe will find life full of pleasant surprises. Men that are believed in are happy; happy, also, are the men that be- lieve!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-18
REASON FOR PUBLIC CONCERN

The fixing of the valuation of utilitys property is always an important act, because the rate the utility may be allowed to charge for it's services is based upon that valuation. If the valuation is too high, the people pay the bill. That is the reason why there is public concern over the fixing of the valua- tion of the property of the Alabama Power company, the largest and most far-reaching public utility in the state. If the valuation be made too high, as there is reason to be- lieve that in this case it is too high, every consumer of the current produced by this company faces the possibility of being forced to pay rate increase which is not justified. If the valuation should be between twenty one and twenty-two thousand dollars, as the commissions engineer estimates, instead of the nearly thirty-four million fixed by Com missioners Cooper and Gailard, then the commission could impose a rate 50 per cent higher than the proper valuation would jus tify. This increase would fall upon every householder using the companys current This increase would fall upon every patron of the company's car lines. This increase would fall upon every factory and mill in the state which depends upon the product of the Ala bama Power company. Instead of being an attack upon corporate interests of the state, the protest against the valuation is in behalf of all the industries of the state that use the power company's current. This is so impor- tant a matter and involves potentially so many millions of dollars that it should be settled in manner leaving no doubt of the justice of the final decision. The presiden. of the commission, the auditor and the en- gineer of the commission unite in declaring that the law was not complied with, and that the facts were not fully brought out in con nection with the inquiry into the company property values. What Is the haste that counsels no consideration of these state ments of the president and responsible agents of the commission?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-18
INTEREST IN CLASSIC DRAMA

Fritz Leiber, who has just concluded an engagement of one week in Birmingham and other Shakespearean actors are perform ing useful service in keeping alive the interest in classic drama. Shakespeare will continue to be acted as long as there are conscientious and ambitious artists on the stage. There are gratifying indications that there is a more general appreciation of his plays throughout the country. MT. Hackett, after devoting himself for many years to contemporary drama, chiefly in romantic roles, reached his greatest fame in Shake sperean plays and accomplished the some-, what difficult feat of winning over the hypercritical play-goers of London, who are inclined to look askance at an American actor who attempts Shakespeare. MT. Man. tell has been travelling about the country for years, playing the dramas of Shake speare almost exclusively, achieving both an artistic and financial success. Walter Hampden is another star who has helped to popularize Shakespeare, while John Barry more recently gave an interpretation of Hamlet which has increased his fame as an actor. Nearly all actors aspire at some time in their careers to play Shakespeare. That is the ultimate goal of their ambition and is worthy of encouragement because they are cultivating a taste for what is worth while and permanent on the stage.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-18
REGENT VERSE
Since You've Climbed the Stairway

Slnce You ve Onmbed the otairWay From the New York Herald. Since you have climbed the stairway to a star Summer has heaped her blossoms at my feet Many a time, and have seen the trees Glisten with autumn gold, and watched the
 snow
 Fall like great white silence on the earth. Spring with her breath of reawakened life Has passed me wandering down some coun-
 try lane
 Where once we walked; know that you are
 gone,
 And yet feel your presence, hear your
 voice,
 And often think you hold my hand again Just as of old. Your sweetness fingers still; Death cannot take your loveliness from me, For it is deathless beauty can not die; The thought of you, benedction, fails Like music on these gray discordant days.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-18
HEROES OF SCIENCE
From the Washington Post.


 The award of Carnegie gold medal to an X-ray victim who re- gently lost an arm as the result of injuries suffered in experiment and the grant of money to two other sufferers in X-ray research by the Carnegie Foundation are in recogni- tion of service not less heroic be- cause rendered in nonspectacular effort. The scientists rewarded en- tered upon their task with knowl- edge of it's dangers. They knew that experiment. was at risk of severe injury. But they carried on their research to the end that scien- tific secrets, with their promise of aid to humanity, might be discov-- cred. They were real heroes, and their maimed bodies bear testimony to their sacrificing courage.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-18

ated something of diplomatic impassc be- tween France and Great Britain; but the French believe that their premier is actuated by patriotic motives. In the absence of any protective guarantee from the other powers, they are deeply concerned for their national safety in the future. The possibility of German aggression occupies the thoughts of every Frenchman who loves his country, and Poincare is assured of support as long as he maintains a policy the French people regard as necessary for their self preservation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-18
MISTAKEN IDENTITY
nl the London Post.

The following story about an ab- sent-minded bishop is being whis- pered around in ecclesiastical cir cles: At the end of a very tiring day he was conducting a confirma- tion service, at which there was a large number of candidates.
 The last candidate to come up was an old man with perfectly bald head. This bishop placed his hand upon his head in the usual manner, but in the most unusual manner was heard to exclaim as he did SO:
 q declare this stone to be well and truly laid"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-18
IN DIFFERENT GLASSES

From the Boston Transcript.
 A visitor in an Australian home inquired of his hosts little son, Do you go to school now?"
 "Yes, sir"
 And what do you learn-read- ing, writing, sums?"
 ''Oh, yes, and l learn religion, too"
 "Religion?"
 "Yes, I learn the little religion which teaches that we all come from Adam. But my older brother is in a higher class; he learns the big religion and that teaches that we all come from monkeys"