davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-05
MANY POLAR BEARS

Seattle, Notwithstanding to mail advces from Nome, Alaska, this is the periodic year of abundant wild animal life in the Arctic regions
 Early winter, with tremendously large ice floes in the Boring sea, promises the natives of Kotzebue Sound the most profitable polar bear hunting in 20 years. More of these animals have been shot or killed to date this year than for long period of years. Only in exception ally severe winters does this nomad of the Arc tic abound so far south.
 The white king of the northern regions is combined hunter-sailor hobo. He has no fixed habitat, but goes where game is most plentiful the north when the seal, walrus and whale move
 The favorite food of these aquatic animals is the fur seal, and nature has helped them hunt by giving coat to harmonze with the surround ing landscape. That seal may not be at an un- fair disadvantage in the quest, the bear has a coal-black nose, which he cunningly hides when stalking sleeping seal by placing front paw over it.
 Polar bears can capture seals in the open water, swimming long distances beneath the surface
 The pelts are of little value in the north and only the largest and finest colored are com- mercial articles. It is hoped by the natives a better market can be found for the fine white coats, because there is sure to be . large supply of the skins next xt'spring.-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-05
LETTERS TO EDITOR
WILL BAR PICTURES

To the Editor of The Age-Herald
 That the Fred K Beauvais picture, entitled "A Lonely Trail' featuring the Canadian guide exceptionally named in the Stillman divorce case, will ont be exhibited in any of the theatres operated by companies subsidiary to the South Enterprises, Inc, in the six southeastern states, is the announcement issued from the general offices of the company. This action was taken after conference with heads Hall sub sidiary companies, despite the fact that the pie ture was recently passed approved by the New York state board of censorship.
 The fact that Beauvais was named as core spondent by James Stillrnan, New York banker, in his suit for divorce, and in this manner gained nationwide notoriety is the reason for this de- cision.
 "The policy of this company in the past" declared Y. F. Freeman, general manager, ''has been to avoid exploiting individual actors pie lures which would place false premium upon prejudicial notoriety. We prefer to present ac- tors who have come to the screen solely through dramatic ability and merit That policy will be strictly adhered to in operating through our subsidiaries in the future.
 "The democratic responsibility of selection and rejection must remain with the public, de- spite the actions of legally constituted board of censors, and in presenting pictures in our theatres we shall at all times be guided by our best judgment regarding public opinion"
 Theatres operated by the Birmingham Enter prises, Inc, subsdiary-to the Southern Enter prises, Inc, in Birmingham are the Strand, Ga- lax and Princess. L. R. TOWNS,
 Birmingham, January 4, 1922. Manager.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-05
PORT AID AMENDMENT

"The good roads amendment is an essential" said H. K. Miner, chairman of the state har- bor board, "but the port aid amendment is of as great importance. have never more keenly realized this than when reading recently sev- eral items in The Age-Herald showing record shipments of Alabama steel, iron, lumber and cotton out of Mobile.
 There is no state in the union whose fate is more enwrapped in export of her surplus products. Port development means development of that trade and sure market for our surplus production, bringing in money from the out side to employ labor in our mills, and enable the farmer to become man of independent means"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-05
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
 AND ELSEWHERE
PUBLIC SPEAKING TAUGHT

"The course in public speaking at the Y. M C. A. is one of the most valuable in the, entire range of subjects being taught in the night school,' said Walter s. Stallings, general secre- tary of the'Y" ''It affords the busy business man an opportunity to acquire the art of speak ing in public; to develop sufficient self-con- fidence so that he can express his ideas to small or larger groups of men without embarrassment. The course is very practical, and no attempt will be made to develop orators with the old-fash- toned methods of the old schools. The course is for the purpose to give that training and experience that will make, it easy for man to speak to groups of men without being flustered. The instructor, MT. George Lewis Bailes, com mander of the American Legion, is splendid, and is popular with the students. The first session of this class since the holidays will be held Thurs day night"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-05
WOMEN TAKE INTEREST

"Women in the rural districts of Jefferson county are taking more interest in qualifying for the vote this year than ever before," said M. E. Morris, chairman of the board of regis trars, yesterday. During the two days that the board of registrars has been sitting in the rural sections for the purpose of registering all those qualified to vote, more women than men have registered in each precinct.
 "One of the encouraging signs of this regis tration is the fact that most of the women who have registered so far are those who have been residents of the county many years, but who have previously displayed no interest in qualify ing themselves for the vote. The fact that they are awakening to their rights and are turning out in large numbers to register is gratifying sign"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-05
DECREASE IN THE USE OF STREET CAR TRANSFERS

As result of the regulation requiring charge of 2 cents for transfers, street car con- ductors say they do not issue more than third
 of the number issued when they cost noth- ing.
 In November, in only part of which month the charge was collected, the street car com
 pany issued SS2,484 transfers, compared with 1,057,757 in November, 1920, when transfers were free. The decrease will be more notice able in the report for December, when no free transfers were issued
 X That thousands of transfers issued when they were free were not used is common knowledge. Conductors point to the absence of unused transfers from the floors of the cars. Negroes, especially got transfers apparently for the mere sake of getting them conductors reporting that negroes going to certain destinations regularly and having no possible use for transfers, always asked for them.
 It was the idea of getting something for noth- ing Whether what one gets for nothing is worth anything seems to cut very little figure 1 in the psychology of some people.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-05
CARELESS IDENTIFICATION
 OF AMERICAN DEAD

Yesterday, during the hearing of charges that American soldiers were illegally hanged in France, Senator Brandegee asked Rufus P. Hub- bard of New York, who was employed in the American graves registration service, "Were bodies that were not properly identified shipped home as identified?" The witness answered, "They were"
 How many tragedies of this kind were en- acted, because of carelessness, haste and diff culty of making correct Identification of Amer jeans killed in the World war? The newspaper dispatch which describes this incident before the Senate Investigating committee in Washington says, Many women in the crowded committee room who had lost sons overseas leaned forward and listened closely to Hubbards long recital of carelessness-some with tears in their eyes.
 It will serve no useful purpose now to har- row the feelings of relatives who had their sol died dead brought back home by suggesting that deplorable mistakes might have been made. For tunately, most of them will never be known, but the testimony of Hubbard, who helped to dis inter bodies in France, bears out the contentious tions which would make Identification impos- sible in many cases. Those who oposed the re- turn of American dead had sound reasons for their objection, apart from desire to see our soldiers sleep in the land sanctified by their blood.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-05
AS TO TRANSFERS

Before there was charge of 2 cents for street car transfers, negroes took transfer every time entitled to them, whether needing them not. After charge was made for trans fers," Bob Graham says, 'the usual colloquy, until negroes realized the change, was this:
 Negro Passenger-'T wants transfer"
 Conductor-"Two cents, please"
 Negro Passenger-"Whats dat, boss?"
 Conductor-"I mean that transfers now cost 2 cents."
 Negro Passenger-"Dens I don't want no transfer"
 MT. Graham says conductors inform him that they do not issue more than a third of the transfers formerly asked for, which shows, he says, how the privilege was abused
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-05
WILSON'S COLUMN
Christian Science Monitor.

From the Christian Science Monitor
 delver in the musty files of the Prince tonian, published at Princeton university in 1877, announces the interesting discovery that former President Woodrow Wilson was one of the conductors of "colyum'' in that ambitious recorder of campus activities. His name appears in the list of editors as "T. w. Wilson '79," and there are furnished several excerpts from the "coyum" which are circumstantially att tributed to the student who was later to become president of the university, governor of his state, and President of the United States. There is in the paragraphs an indication of a somewhat caustic sarcasm, possibly a two-edged humor easily translated by those who understood the references and the personal allusions, but the distance is almost too great between then and the present to justify their reproduction, except as they may be interesting as matter of news. The author ofthe famous fourteen points sue ceeded in making somewhat difficult the decph- ering of his 1877 points in the light of present. day sophistication.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-05

and they can only be checked by public clinics, where treatment can be given without cost, or for nominal charge.
 The opposition to the closing of the detention hospital and the venereal clinic is being ex- pressed by civic organizations, members of the medical fraternity and many other citizens who feel that the question is one that cannot be lightly dismissed on the plea of economy. Dr. S. W. Welch, state health officer, declares that the state board of health will do all in it's power to keep the hospital and clinic in operation. Dr. Welch says new infections from one social dis ease have been reduced 30 per cent in Jeffer- son county, and predicts that if the work al- ready begun is continued for 10 years it will be no more prevalent in Alabama than small pox.
 If $20,000 has done that much for Jefferson county, it was money well spent The expenses both of the detention hospital and the clinic are small compared to the benefit derived from their operation Assuredly, the conservation of health is as important as road building, cattle dipping and other activities undertaken for the pub lie welfare.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-05
RUBLES AND DEBTS

From the Mobile Register.
 A decision which may or may not have bear ing on international finance at some later date, when Russia again assumes the duties and responsibilities of peer among the nations, was that of a London judge who ruled that debtor who in 1914 borrowed 750oO0 Russian rubes, then worth about 7s,Oo0 pounds, can now re- pay in full with fifty pounds. The parties were the British Bank for Foreign Trade, which bor- rowed the rubles, and the Russian Commercial and Industrial bank, which made the loan. The lending bank insisted on payment of 78,000 pounds sterling. The judge held, however, that the loan was ruble loan repayable in rubles, either imperial Romanoff, Kerensky or soviet issues. Since soviet rubles are worth about one-sixtieth part of British penny each, the entire loan could have been wiped out with 50 pounds but for the fact that stay of execu- tion was granted so the case might be appealed. It is great joke on the Russians that their money is worth so little, but, on the other hand, many of Russia's creditors would be unable to laugh, if their debtors could discharge their ob- legations in soviet rubles, at the present rate of exchange.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-05

American people in 1921 spent more than $100, 000,000 for toys and games. No other country ever has so much approximated such ex. penditure for playthings.
 To satisfy our buoyant spirit we ransacked tho toy markets of the world. Nimble fingers ana agile minds have been kept busy that we might induge fondness for contrivances where with to while away our hours of play.
 American workmen have contributed in nc small measure to our vast store of toys, but the great bulk has come from Europe.
 In the world of toys England is supreme ir the manufacture of woolly animals. - France excels in the production of unique me. chanical playthings.
 Italy is renowned for the beauty and variety of it's dolls.
 Switzerland stands head and shoulders over all countries in the realm of music boxes.
 Germany must be given the laurel for won. drous dolls and for the variety of its toys.
 From all these sources of supply the Ameri. can people reached out and gathered in the playthings essential to the perpetuation of youth.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-05
A NEW TRINITY

A little Birmingham girl had been learning in her Scripture lessons about ''The Father, Son and Holy Ghost" Much to her delight, Santa Claus brought her a goat and wagon for Christmas present. She may have had some trouble in controlling the animal, or an idea that it came from a better world than this At any rate she rushed in from play and an- nounced to the family, q know who's in heav- en-
 "Who?" asked one, and perhaps both, of her doting parents
 Father, son and holding the goat"
 PAUL COOK
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-05
HOW WE KEEP YOUNG
n Francisco Chronicle.

From the San Francisco Chronicle.
 What keeps the heart of America young?
 To what secret alchemy is due the youthful spirit of it's people?
 From what fountain of youth wells their per ennial interest in those things which appertain to the springtime of life?
 These are some of the many perplexing ques- tions which men and women from other lands are wont to ask upon coming to our shores.
 It is possible an answer might be found in figures recently compiled, which show that the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-05
RURAL RECRUITING GROUND

"The rural districts are the recruiting grounds to fill the important and responsible places of the nation, in the church and state, and also in business" said Prof. E. B. Erwin, assistant su- perintendent of county schools, yesterday.
 Statistics show that 75 per cent of the great leaders of this great country have their training in the country and in humble homes.
 ','All of which goes to show that the dignity and responsibility of the teacher in the rural schools is unlimited. These classes who furnish the leaders have time to mediate, as their avo- cation forces them to be much alone, which is an essential of one who is to become educated to the desired degree"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-05
GREEN SPRINGS PARK SHOULD
 BE DEVELOPED NOW

One of the most pressing needs of the city is more parks and development of the parks it owns The most immediate duty is that of fitting what the city already has for the use of the people.
 Preliminary survey of Green Springs park shows that $25,00o will be required to make real start out there. But what is an expendi- ture of $25, ,o00 compared to the innocent rec reation of thousands of men, women and chils dren of Birmingham? What is $25 ,0oo weighed in the balance against bringing that beautiful domain of more than 100 acres into community service7
 With or without special tax for that pur- pose, the money ought to be forthcoming, be- cause Green Springs is the one real park close to the city capable of being made of greatest service on shortest notice.
 The city should find some way of going ahead with this project, irrespective of a permanent course of action with regard to parks. The amount required to have Green Springs park ready for use before the warm weather begins should be borrowed, if necessary.
 Referring the matter of tax of 1 mill for park purposes to the citizens cooperative com mittee for consideration is step in the right di rection, but the Green Springs park opportunity should no longer be neglected.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-05
STRONG OPPOSITION TO CLOSING
 DETENTION HOSPITAL

President McLendon of the city commission shas announced that delegations opposed to the closing of the city and county detention hos 5pital will be heard at ajoint meeting of the city scommission and, the county board of revenue sFriday.
 \ Judging from the widespread comment 3aroused by the statement that shortage of funds would lead to the abandonment of this Institution and the venereal clinic so much pres sure will be brought to bear on the city and county authorities that they will have to make SQme provision for at least keeping the clinic 3open, If not the hospital. Both should continue @to do the work they have been doing to safe 3euard the health of Birmingham's citizens and &stamp out diseases that are doing incalculable h3xm to society.
 Perhaps some of the people of Birmingham
 not realize the bearing this matter has on
 servant problem and the consequent danger themselves and their families venereal dis
 oo " 1smpsnt among the negro population,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-05
A QUANTOCK VILLAGE

from the Poetry Review.
 Tapped in content the village lies, The green hills wrap it round, Fragrant and cool and quaint it is, Remote from heat and sound. Far off and faint, sound of the sea; The pipe of wild-bird note And lifting tones of singing brooks Across the silence float. Here broad and messy footpaths wind Deep, deep in em'rald woods, By fern and flower-embroidered ways To lovely solitudes.
 Lone coombes, within whose tranquil hearts Pure limpid waters rise, Where winds blown o'er bright heather bells Bring scents of Paradise.
 Surely the home of Peace is here Here Calm and Quiet stay. Like pearls from off silken string The smooth hours glide away.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-05
A LESSON IN TACT

q believe you understand what your duties are," said the head waiter to new member of his staff, ''but there's one thing you must never forget"
 "What is that?"
 "We have great many wealthy married men among our regular patrons. The ladies they bring in here may be their wives and may not, but so far as you are concerned every one of them is bachelor"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-05
A MoDICUM OF TRUTH

'fYou can't always judge a mans character by the kind of motor car he drives"
 Perhaps not" replied MT. Grumpson, "but you can come pretty close to telling whether not he's respectable citizen by what he does with his motor car after dark"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-05
WILL NOT EXHIBIT THE
 BEAUVAIS FILM

Tn recent editorial The Age-Herald stated that photoplay featuring the half-breed guide who is involved in the notorious Stillman case should not be exhibited.
 L. R. Towns, manager of the Birmingham Enterprises operating three local picture houses and subsidiary of the Southern Enterprises, a motion picture concern controlling theatres in six southeastern states, informs The Age Herald that the picture will net be shown in any of the theatres operated by the Southern Enterprises or it's subsidiaries. This decision was reached in the general offices of the com pany, despite the fact that the picture in ques- tion has been passed by the New York state board of censorship and the Shuberts have de- clared that they will show it in New York, re- gardless of protests that have been made. The Age-Herald congratulates the Southern Enterprises and its Birmingham branch for re- fusing to exhibit picture that would never licity given Beauvais in the Stilman divorce case. It is & stand for public decency that de- serves to be highly commended. Motion pie  lures are now too necessary to the happiness of millions of American people for them to be prostituted in any such way.
 
 We wouldn't go so far to say the Dali Eireann is long on oratory and short on con- mon sense, but there is room for improve ment particularly when the countess is speak ing,
 
 People who withdraw from gay parties and blow their brains out might at least show a lit- tie more consideration for other guests who are prepared to live anyhow until they die.
 Although Senator Penrose left large pair of shoes vacant several republican gentlemen have an idea they could fill them acceptably to them selves and their party.
 A moral wave has struck Havana. Prize fight ing has been prohibited. If the authorities want to start another revolution, just let them try to ban horse racing.
 The grand old state of Alabama doesn't pro- pose to have it's thirsty citizens poisoned by wood alcohol and other deleterious substances. For this, much thanks.
 Two four-footed liquor hounds were captured in prohibition raid in Alabama. The. watch dogs honest bark has additional value when he's guarding still.
 recent photograph of King George shows him wearing vest that can only be described as "snappy" But maybe that's the way he feels.
 
 Now that he's gone over to the World, ''F. P. Az has more space to fill. That's what a column conductor gets for changing around. Secretary Weeks creates the impression that he and Henry Ford are not carrying on what could be termed brisk correspondence.
 
 prosperous polar bear season in the far north won't mean anything in particular to cot ton farmers in the south.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-05
ADRTFT WITH THE TIMES
A LITERAL INTERPRETATIoN

''Do you believe words may be used to con ceal thought?"
 Certainly" replied Senator snOrtswOrthy land in the case of party platforms words-rnay also be used to> conceal intentions"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-05
NAMING THE FARE

."only quarter, sir?" whined the beggar. t'Eh?"
 ''Im starving" "Wouldn't dime do?" 'fYes, sir. Hot dogP'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-05
DETAINED

''You didn't attend the poker party at Bib bles house?" i. "No," said MT. Peckton, q was what you might call political prisoner" "How's that?" "Mrs. Peckton made stay at home and hear her rehearse speech she's going to de- liver on woman's responsibility as a voter.'
 A GREAT HELP TO BUSINESS
 Little drops of poison
 Into bottles poured
 Is why the undertaken
 Fine raiment can afford.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-05
LOOSE ENDS"
SCREEN LITERATURE

DNNELzIN L1I LENxA O1N11 ''I do not care what Sappho wrote, Although she was dame of note," Remarked Erasmus Kitles; Tt takes most all my energy And well it might, as you'lf agree to read the movie titles"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-05
A GREAT HELP TO BUSINESS
BUYING FREELY IN PARIS

"Jack Grabcoin announced that he was going lbroad to help restore devastated France" "How's he getting along with the work?" 'tThe last heard of him he was helping to make the wine crop profitable"
 "LOOSE ENDS" Let us not despair of winning
 Over all the world to peace; We've made good beginning,
 If the squabbles just would cease.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-05
A MORNING PRAYER

Help me, O Lord, to save some bright ray from each hour of happiness, that the light of thy remembered love may guide me through the nightI Amen.-M. s. B.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-05

We are gentlemen, That neither in our hearts, outward eyes, Envy the great, do the low despise.
 Pericles, Prince of Tyre.