davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15
RELIEVING A PUBLIC STREET

It does not appear reasonable that there should be hitch in the removal of the sec ond track of the Birmingham Belt line from Avenue E, nor that this removal will de- priye warehouses located on that thorough fare of such facilities as will satisfy real needs of shippers. The extra track has been used mainly for warehouse purposes through holding of freight cars there for leisurely loading and unloading. It is understood that where service tracks run into ware houses they are to remain, so that, when car is loaded in a warehouse and car arrives destined for warehouse, they will be handled as heretofore.
 The question seems to resolve itself into one of public interest. Avenue E is public thoroughfare and should not be obstructed by railroad tracks any more than is neces- sary for the fulfillment of the obligations of the belt line as a common carrier and in accordance with it's contraetural relations with the city. The city has given approval to the taking up of the extra track and, as tracks leading into warehouses and connect ing with the remaining track are not to be disturbed, it appears that the public interest is to be better served by removing this unnecessary obstruction from a prominent thoroughfare. A public street should not be made warehouse.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15
A FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE

Objections of other members of the city commission to that feature of Commission .r Cloe's proposed ordinance for revoking the licenses of questionable rooming houses which would deny the right of appeal, have s,un1 constit tional backing Reform meas- ures should not be carried to such an ex- treme that they prevent individuals from seeking redress in court. That is funda- mental principle of law. The city already has the authority to revoke the licenses of rooming houses where the law is being vio- lated and further means of regulating sucn places by requiring that no permit for license be issued without official consent, course of action the commissioner says ae will follow in the future. The public would like to see, however, a greater unanlmity of sentiment among the commissioners, and greater evidence of harmonious determina- tion to enforce the law
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15
THINKS DRILL UNCHRIsTIAN

From the New York Telegram.
 "Militarsm is unchristian and I will not learn to dril," said Gordon Hugh Ward, son of an Englewood, N. J., clergyman and a student at the Massachusetts Agricultural college. Young Ward also refuses to wear the cadet uniform of the college, which is similar in cut and color to the honorable O-D of Uncle Sam It is proudly claimed by the Massachusetts Agricultural college that the recalcitrancy of Gordon Hugh Wacl is the first instance in the history Of the institution where a student has refused either drill uniform.
 There arc probably other schools where Ward can be accommodated and where his prejpdices will not be stirred. Whether such schools are of very much use to the upbuild- ing of worthy citizenship is a question: A rude shock came to the average American of spirit and patriotism when the onset of war in 1917 disclosed the inroads which radical pacifism had made in the body poli- tic. We then had no list ef the objeetors. Now we know, and every time we find one of the cult it is good thing to make a note of it, as Captain Cutie used to say.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15

tivity, can it not be seen that they press an influence in conflict with that harmonious relation that should exist if they are mind ful of the power company's own interests and welfare? An immediate advantage will be found to count in minor proportion to the the loss of public confidence and the crea- tion of public hostility. For as The Age Herald also said yesterday morning; "The people are not without their defenders, and it can well be expected that the people will have their day in court"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15
A JOB FOR YOUR BOY

From the Youngstown Telegram.
 What shall make my boy?" many an anxious parent is asking today as he realizes the overcrowd- ed condition of his own trade or profession. The boy will probably make or unmake himself without much aid from the old man, but meantime why not turn his thoughts toward the science of chemistry, If he be at all studiously inclined? Here we have field expanding in all directions like dampened yeast cake. Last year American industry spent more than S70,000,000 in scientific research, most of it eX- periments in chemistry in the lab oratory. As a result of this eypen- diture $500, ,000,O00 is saved an- rnaally by industry in this country. The value of scientific research has never been so fully appreciated as it is today. Yes, chemistry offers d fine field for that boy just entering high school and not knowing what to do with himself. Every normal boy likes to experiment. and chemistry is the very heart of scien- tific investigation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15
oLD-FAsHIoNED IMMIGRANT

From the Kansas City star.
 It is a series of extremely inter esting biographical articles that Michael Pupin, the distinguished physicist and inventor, is contribut- ing to Scribners Magazine. But it must be said that Mir. Pupin is breaking the fundamental rules of the modern immigrant writers union. He thinks the United States is better country than his native Serbia, and that it offers far great CT opportunities. He calls Ameri- can civilization "a beautiful daughter of a beautiful mother, which is 4nglo-Saxon civilization. 7
 That is heresy. Most of the inn migrants of this generation think it their duty to point out to America it's serious defects. They came to this country thinking it the prom ised land. And what did they find? They really would hate to say. Oh, to be sure, they got on and made a place for themselves. But they couldn't help noticing many faults in the people.
 The older immigrants, the '48ers, for instance. were accustomed to express satisfaction with the coun- tr ythat offered them refuge. But that is all out of date with the pre- sent generation. MT. Pupin has taken ID the old tradition. Pleased with America. is he? He is so old fashioned.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15
THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN

The state welfare department announces that it will ask the new legislature for an appropriation of $100, ,0O0 to carry on the work. The protection of children is cause which appeals to the sympathies of the puh- lie and any plan which will promote the welfare of such dependents and give them more effective supervision is certain to re- ceive widespread approval. The chief ob- lection made to public forms of philanthropy is that there is often duplication of effort and lack of systematic cooperation among the various agencies needed to insure the greatest benefit for the largest number of children, on an economical and yet efficient basis. Except for certain institutions, sup ported from other sources, it might be well to centraize all child welfare work under one agency, such as the welfare department, and appropriate sufficient funds to care for every dependent child in the state not other wise provided for. Mrs. Bush makes the sensible suggestion that dependent chil- dren be placed in private homes, -ather than in institutions. The expense to the stase is thus reduced and where proper precau- tions have been taken to insure good treat ment they will be happier and more cor tented than in an institution. Wherever possible they should not be taken from their native homes. The child ve---,-~ ,.epa~t t is comparatively new, but in few years much good has been done and it can be ex- banded to provide more adequate and hu- mane treatment for the states dependent children
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15
CAUSE FOR SUSPICION

From the Legion Weekly.
 Between stations in Pennsylvania the train came to sudden stop with tre- mendous grinding of brakes. Immediately worried looking man rushed down the track and demanded of the brakeman the reason.
 What is it?' he asked. "An accident"
 Somebody pulled the bell rope" was the reply. "The engineer put on the brakes too quickly and one of the cars went off the rails. We'll be tied up about four hours"
 -Four hoursw exclaimed the passenger. But Pm to be married today!'
 The brakeman turned on him with sus pieion. See here" he calculated, you're the guy who pulled the bell rope, are vou7'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15
CLEMENCEAU's CHOICE
From the Atlanta Georgian.

From the Atlanta Georgian.
 In Chicago itinerary visit to the stock yards is inev.ta table-unless you are too ten der or too aesthetic for that spectacle Cie- menceau came and saw-and was not satis- fled until he saw the slaughter. Evidently his hosts thought that he had seen enough of blood on the battlefields. Thrice he n- sisted Let me see the killing!' And 50 they let him behold the process of the slaughterng of the squrmng, squealing creatures. And then the Tiger of France was content.
 The Belgian, Maeterlinck, has sympathet- ically said: If were God I would have pity upon the hearts of menr'
 Which spirit will win the world-and when?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15
SENATOR PEPPER ON LITTLE sNoBs

From the Pittsburg Dispatch.
 While Senator Pepper made particular reference to "the sons of privilege in Amer ica degenerating into little snobs, who thinl; themselves too good for politics" this men tai attitude is not limited to that compara- lively small class. If the people who think themselves too good for politics would inter- est themselves in public affairs politics would soon cease to be a reproach But so long as they stand aloof, fearful of beia 3 besmirched by contact with those who man. age our public business, too often for per sonal gain and in disregard of the public interests, the little snobs' will continue te have cause to complain of the brand of poli- ties they consider themselves too good to improve.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15
THE LIGHT THAT LIVES

From the Atlanta Constitution.
 If the starved authors who, un- rewarded in their lifetime, made manuscripts immortal in the pro verbal garrets of old could have visioned the future of universal recognition which would be theirs, they would have deemed their sol- rows the glory of their songs. Many of them, of literature's far-away days. never glimpsed the light of recognition, but it came at last and glimmcred through the shadows of their unforgotten graves. Their boks are ours. and the scholar and the dreamer turns to them as one would look and long for fireside guests when the dreams come to see us. because they are always wei come and the gate of dreams swings wide at their approach.
 Shakespeare in the picture plays. The best intehpreters of dramatic art giving their time and talents to vivid presentation of the scenes and i-cidents of the great days of old This is where the movies are educational. as well as pleasure givers, to the public. They bring the past down to the present, and Tn so doing lead the. many to the study of the literature that lives. Wisely directed, they are among the best of educational forces. Life is made brighter because of them and the untraveIed world is as an open book to all. The pictures of the poets and the painters speak to us from the screen. and we read them in oul lroaY,,S
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15
Business of Pausing for a Reply

But even if the Birmingham newspapers didn't publish accounts of burglaries, would that make it any less wearing on the nerves of a citizen to wake up in the middle of the night-as so many of us are waking up-and discover an armed thug prowling about the premises, or, worse still, gaze into the muzzle of an automatic?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15
 yAcARIEs OF LONDON FOG

From the London Times.
 Although .dense fog prevailed over large part of the London area yesterday, causing considera- b,e dislocation of traffic, brilliantly fine weather with only little mist was experienced in many of the outlying districts. Throughout the day fully lighted motor cars were to be seen emerging from the deep gloom of the metropolis to the sun lit streets of the northern suburbs. The fog was widespread in south eastern. eastern and central Eng land and was in some regions ac- companied by bitterly cold condi- tions, the thermometer at Leaning ton not rising above S6 degrees.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15
NO ABUSE OF PARDONS

The practice of extending clemency to convicts for sentimental reasons, or in cases where it is not clearly shown that they are entitled to such treatment, is an abuse of the pardoning power. Often executives and pardoning boards allow themselves to be in- fluenced by considerations which should have no weight in forming an opinion of whether or not parole or pardon should be granted. By so doing they shirk their responsibility to the state and to society. A convict should not be given his freedom simply because it is the holiday season, or for any other reason except well establish ed claim for clemency, based on his good conduct, evidences of reform and reasonable assurance that he will not again violate the law. As a result of turning men out of prison who should be kept there until their terms are ended it is frequently necessary to revoke paroles, which proves that they were not deserved. The pardonng board should concern itself only with appeals for clemency that are justified by the attitude and behavior of the persons in whose behalf they are made, exercising its power with the utmost discretion, so that eonvicts who are chronic law-breakers and dangerous to the public welfare will have no opportunity 70 evade punishment and continue their crimi- nal careers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15
In Hotel Lobbies
Systematic Savers

Savings accounts in Birmingham banks make total figure that is remarkable" said J. L. Cooper, Birmingham banker. This large sum of money is made possible by the systematic laying aside of small amounts of money by people of moderate means. It is the same method which made possible the great Liberty loans during the re cent war. A banker has great re- speet for the financial ability of 3 man or woman who can show rec ord of systematic saving of at least a part of their income s.z.-s
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15
Annual Reappearance

Now that the New York Suns famous editorial, informing dear little Virginia that there is a Santa Claus, is once more going the rounds of the press, the holiday season may be ushered in strictly according to precedent, provided the usual prominence is given to the poem, beginning, Twas .he night before Christmas and all through the house not creature was stirring, not even a mousse PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15
Law Enforcement

From the AnnlSton Star.
 Judging from commitments that were made in some instances and from campaign utterances in others, the Anniston Star has been led to believe that there probably will be an effort at the next general ses- sion of the Alabama legislature to abolish the state law enforcement department, but in view of the re- port that was. made to the prohibi- tion conference at Montgomery this week by L. l.. Phillips, chief state enforcement officer, such an at- tempt deserves to meet with sum- mary failure.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15
Inspiring Birmingham

It is well worth a trip from the southeast corner of Alabama to see the great strides that are taking place here in Birmingham" said Judge W. c. Black of Troy, former mayor, who was heres Thursday.
 livery time I come to Birming- ham I get the inspiration for pro gress and industrial activity that helps US in southeast Alabama great deal.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15
PROPERLY IMPROVED
on the Boston Transcript.

From the Roston Transcript.
 A southern preacher said to his congregation, My bredren, when de fust man, Adam, was created he was made ob wet clay an set agin de fireplace to dry
 Up rose a negro brother Den if Adam was de fust man, who made dat fireplace, pahson?'
 sSit down, sah" cried the preach CT Such dog-gone questions as dat would upset any system ob the ology."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15
Farmers Want Better Roads

From the Andalusia Star.
 Probably forty farmers from one community were in Andalusia Mon- day to go before the court of county commissioners to request that they be given better road facilities lead ing to the county seat. When our farmers become aroused to the need of better roads those in authority are going to help them find a way to secure the necessary funds 10 build these roads.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15

market value of his products and that means net profit over and above the cost of living. The southern farmer has fine opportunity, because soil and climate permit production ten months of the year, more varied plant ings and longer marketing period. When he began learning how to go t6market these other advantages were found operating automatically.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15
Hoping for the Best

From the Montgomery Tilaes.
 The legislature will soon be in session and we may expect interest ing times during the session. which will, in all probability, be spread out until late in the fall. Let US hope that wisdom and conservatism will prevail and that there will be no radical or storm-making .egisla- tion enacted, or even proposed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15
Say It's Hard

In Dr. Coue's system of "self-Mastery Through Autosuggestion," chapter is headed Tt Is Easy and I Can" Never say thing is easy to do. That thought has prevented many an otherwise well-developei will power from extending itself to the limit.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15
A Timely Editorial
"Innoccnt Rystanders"
Fro the New York Journal of
 Commerce.

Fro the New York Journal or
 Commerce.
 It is pretty mess in which American cotton seed erushcrs find themselves as result of our tariff madness and of Italy's retaliatory duties. The present situation Is, however, as nothing compared to the one they would produce were they to have their way.
 With our mad desire to be eco- nomieally Independent we non chalantly placed scan6alous duties upon several of the products nor mally imported into the United States from Italy. The Italians responded by enacting prohibit tive duty upon our cotton seed oil. Now our producers of the latter product would have the President ''invoke the retaliatory provisions of the MeCumberf fordney act against all Italian goods.
 Cotton seed crushers in this country naively assert that they are in the positIon of innocent by islanders" (sic) and that inasmueh as no amendment to the present tariff law can be expected for two years, tle only thing to do is to out-taritf Italy into meek submis- sion! Was greater nonsense ever uttered?
 What did the cotton seed crush CTS have to say when the olive oil tariff was being matched to pro tect" their interests? The burden of their song was different then. They specifically asked for duty of , cents per pound upon edible olive oil. Do they suppose for a moment that they can preserve the domestic market exclusively for themselves and at the same time not have their export business damaged either with or without re- taliatory action on the part of for elgn peoples? It might be con- celvabie ii they were the only greedy ones. But the existing tariff law shows clearly enough that they have plenty of company.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15
My Favorite Stories By IRWIN s. COBB
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE LANGUAGE

The infusion of Russian and Polish stocks into New York has been responsible for some curious additions to the language of the Man haitian cockney. Most of us arc familiar with the story of the small Eastside boy who told his father that what he liked best about the arithmetic he studied at school was gozinta.
 What do you mean, gozinta?" asked his parent.
 "Why, ? gozinta A. 4 gozinta s, s gozinta 16."
 Of somewhat more recent coinage is the one which rectes how a teacher asked if any member of her class knew the meaning of the word "stoic"
 Up. rose small second generation Amer ican from Rivington street.
 Sure, teacher, I know what is stoic," he said.
 Well then, Sidney, suppose you tell us what stoic is."
 "A stoic is the bold wot brings the babies"
 But of all such yarns l believe 1 like best the tale of the transplanted Pole who had made fortune by building cheap apartment houses He had just completed the erection of flat building near Riverside Drive, whereas heretofore all his operations had been confined to the more crowded down. town districts. A friend said to him:
 Meyer, that's mighty nce looking flat building you've just put up. Have you got a name fer it yet?'
 ssoitinly,' said the capitalist. Eve de- cided I should call it the Cloister apart ments."
 Strikes me as rather curious name Why call it that?'
 Because" said Meyer, 'it's cloister to the subway, it's cloister to Central park and it's cloister to the river" Copyright 922, by The McNauSht Syndicate Inc )
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15
Boiled Down

Another foreign visitor, after making a hasty survey of our country, has gone home to write book about us
 "Yes. He saw seven cities and attended 24 banquets Still, he may be able to crowd his impressions into 400 pages"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15
Could Handle More Cotton

From the Montgomery Journal.
 Montgomery only receives 65,000 or 10000 bales of cotton annually. It ought to receive from 100, 1000 to 125,000. Who is to blame?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15
A NEW KIND OF FRICTION

From Everybody's Magazne.
 The insurance adjustee who had been Investigating the ire turned to go.
 ''I came down here to find out the cause of this fire, and have done so," he remarked. .yA
 That's what want to s1ipw. What caused it?' demanded the house owner.
 ~.It's plain case of friction"
 'What-ya-mean-friction.
 "The fire was undoubtedly car ed by rubbing a S3,000 lnsuraA , policy on a $2,000 house.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15
The Wire PuIIers

Politics is game of give and take"
 "That is my chief objection to it, re- piled leader of the vested interests. Most of the politicians I come in contact with expect me to do the giving while they stand at the receiving end"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15
Death Rate Decreasing
From the Mobile Register.
 Owinp to sanitary work the de

From the MOblIe Reglster.
 Owing to sanitary work the death rate of the country is decreasing. In 1920 it was 13.1 per hundred thousand, in 1921, 11.5. Vermont shows the highest rate, IA, and Mon- tana the lowest, 8.2. Akron, Ohio, has the remarkably low rate of 7.5. Memphis heads at the other end with l7. Memphis is not only the city of refuge for the sick and the injured of large territory of three states, but has very large propor- tionate population of negroes. It is probable that the city's legitimate mortality is no greater than that of contemporary cities of it's class.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15
Alabama Press
The Turks a Bad Neighbor

From the Tuscaloosa News.
 Everything considered, we're just as well satisfied that Turkey doesn't happen to straddle the Panama canal.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15
A Bleak Impression

Look at the moon, sir, through a tele- scope. Only ten cents"
 "Why should l look at the moon through a telescope?" asked the crusty pedestrian. Its a dead world, sir
 "Umph! And so is this one"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15
Slightly Skeptical

I do not knock The latest "bloc,"
 But have shrewd suspicion The U. s. A. Is apt to stay
 In much the same condition.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-15

Climatically Alabama has been flawless for three months, and what pleases is that this is the regular order of Alabama's fall and early winter season.