The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-02
By JOE ROSS

Discriminating readers of today would frown heavily upon the man ner in which magazines of several years ago served their weekly or monthly dish of fiction. The custom of that time of leaving off the name of the author reminds one somewhat of the groceryman of the same period who scooped up crackers, coffee and other necessities from a barrel which bore no label to tell who might have packed the superior or inferior goods, as the case may be.
 But such customs have passed away. People have learned that some dealers put up better grade of cof- fee than another; that they prefer a certain brand of crackers, and in
 fact, that the identifying label is not only guide, but a protection.
 One might go further and extend the list to razors, watches, and, in fact to practically everything which people of the present day use or have need for. This, however, is unneces- sary The only thing of importance is that it became necessary because of the varying tastes of humanity or the superiority of one particular thing over another to place an identifying mark upon things sold so that the customers might find what they want without having ; dig blindly through the cracker be or coffee barrel
 Without pausing longer over the reason for labelling groceries watches, razors and other articles. it is only necessary to say that the placing of the authors name over stories came about in much the same manner as the labeling of anything else offered for sale.
 The time came when readers were not satisfied with mere reading. They learned that some stories were of ad- venutmre, some of love, others humor (though 1t is hard to imagine humor coming from a place where editors packed fiction after the manner of bulk pickles), and grew tired of reading half way through a story before learning that 1t wasn't their type of yarn.
 No donbt some readers reached the point where they could pick ont their favoritei author by reading the first few paragraphs, but this was upsat- isfactory. People didn't make as much fuss about being busy back in those days as they do now, but If one only glances about him and sees some of the things they accomplished he will decide that some of them ~t least were awake. And so, the busy reader wanted toiknow the name of the au- thor so thaqt he might glance through the list or stories and pick out the one he wanted. And the editors then, Glories." 'The Tree" Consolation" Red Rosesf' are some of these.
 But the nfnd that finds pleasure in At. l,.- tnl t. s,1a ga commenced showing the name of the author.
 This. of course, doesn't go fully into the matter. Some one may declare that there wdfe still other reasons for giving the names of authors. Grant ed as the only New Years resolution of this department is not to argue. The only claim is that the foregoing reasons are correct as far as they go. And they've gone far enough. The only thing necessary is to touch suf ficiently on the subject to show that different people like differS.t kinds of fiction as otherwise there need be only one author. And that readers don't like 10 have to dig through the pickle barrel to find their favorite author.
 Just as every writer becomes known for some particular class of fiction, so is every writertidentified with some production, book. essay or poem which has touched a chord in the great com mon heart Of Jane Minge Nelson of Selma. her friends say "she has writ ten an "Ode to Dishpan" And in these verses the author has shown much force and fervor. Writing in intervals of leisure. snatched from household claims which fill up and overrun a life less determined. Miss Nelson has written many other me trical poems; fragments of song. too, mellow and rhythmidal. "A Confess sion." November Days" Morning literary pursuits Is scarcely satisfied with verse. It demands the full growth and development of it's pow er So about a year ago Miss Nelson began to study short story writing with earnestness. Her first story was one about international affairs. Tricks of Conscience" another For the Varsity-or Him and her latest. "To Realms of Flapperdom.' She has also contributed to rural and fireside journals. Some of her published poems are "A Valsntine." Sea Dreams" Hines to a Portrait" "The Dancer" Five O'Clock Tea" Mod ern Mother Goose" Wood Fires" 'Mammy's Sons" and Thanksgiving Day on the Farm"
 Miss Nelson is official reporter for the Scrlbbler's Club in Selma.
 One of the best known writers of Alabama is Mrs. Katherine Hopkins Champman of Selma, Katharine Hop kins Chapman is the daughter of the late Maj. and Mrs. T. H Hopkins of Anniston. and wife of Dr. John T. Chapman of Selma. graduate of Shorter college. club woman. member of the Authors League of America. and the League of American Pen women.
 She Is the founder and all-time president of the Scribblers Club of blood had evidently come from Herb Richardson's mouth.
 "I hope I knocked his teeth out. I ragged to myself in perfect fury. have never found out how much ' "A l.