davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
NEW RAILROAD CONNECTION

Surveyors are seeking a route for the Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia railroads extension from Gadsden to Odenville for connection with the Seaboard Air Line. This activity gives promise of the fulfillment of the plan of establishing another railroad between Birmingham and ChattaE nooga. The Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia railroad was in bad case when c. E. James, the successful Chattanooga capitalist and developer, secured control and announced the ambitious project of its extension. There is no reason why, with the ex- tension, the road should not be fi- nancial success. There is good ter ritory between Birmingham and Gads- den, so that Birmingham connection through the Seaboard should result in paying interchange of eastbound and northbound freight. If it be true that transportation develops ton- mage where there has been no ton mage, the prospects for this venture are good indeed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29

yard specified by the Orlentals in or dering the goods and submitting sam- ples. They would not take the un- standard goods, which were sold at auction to the highest bidder. That taught lesson from which there is no more departure.
 Birmingham is so advantageously situated for export trade that the Steel Corporation came here to make use of this advantage. The same opportunity Is here for other manufacturers, and they will enjoy the steadicr operations through the years in accordance with the trade which they build up with the older peoples who have their fixed ideas, because such peoples when once moored to ones craft of commerce are permanent customers. Our trade with the Orient will not produce sense of monotony among the alert, but it will inspire them to establish other trade markets on a like capacity for continuity and permanency.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
BUSINESS FUTURE IS BRIGHT

Among the features of going busi- ness showing that it is progressing in the same healthful volume as for some time past is the record of the railroads in haulage of revenue producing carloads of freight. In the week ending May 12 the total was 974, 1000 cars, the greatest weeks rec ord since that ending November 4, 1922, and only four per cent. under the greatest on record. This shows that consumption is keeping pace with production and that America is still busy at the great construction job interrupted by the World war and held back by it's afterclap of un- healthy imitation. So long as the maximum production goes into maxi mum consumption and stocks do not accumulate there is no cause to look for halt. As far ahead as business can penetrate the future, it is we'll. Business should ask no more than that for its orderly and prosperous conduct.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
PEOPLES FORUM
Queries As ts Convicts

To the Editor of Tho Age-Herald: ::
 wish to ask a few questions of you and the various humanita- rians who are advocating a change in the methods of han ding state convicts.
 Is 1t not a fact that the state of Alabama has sole supervision and control as to the work done by convicts. as to how they are fed. clothed. treated when sick and punished? Is not the state alone responsible for any mis- treatment of the convicts?
 Is 1t not fact that the condi- tions among the convicts are bet ter now than during the Kilby administration? Is 1t not a fact that practically all of the brutal ity charged against the system happened during the Kilby admin istration? -..
 In the case of brutality toward convicts during the Kilby admin istration how many guards, war dens or inspectors were prose- cuted? If they were not prose- cuted, why? Is 1t not a fact that the $500,000 revenue that the state received from the work of the convicts goes a long way toward paying the debts on the famous surance, if we take the convicts out of the mines. that the state guards and wardens will give the convicts any better treatment than they do now? Has any pro- ponent of a change in the present methods made a practical sugges- ton for the immediate employ ment of the mine convicts? If so. what is 1t?
 Now. I don't think that I have as much sense as some of these humanitarians think they have. but I would like to make this suggestion: Let the governor or der the grand juries in every county to make an immediate and thorough investigation, calling these humanitarians as witnesses. and indict every guard. warden and inspector who is guilty of tho brutality charged. Then take of the present profits of $500,000 that Is earned by convicts.N and eApeuu eHOuSn to SiNo oNciS Soh- vict wholesome food. clean quar- ters. proper medical attention and reasonable recreation. As long as the state can employ her able bodied convicts as they are at Belle Ellen. let the good work go on. Convicts are in jail today, be- cause they are not willing to abide by the law. Why should they not be forced to obey the rules of the prison? This howl of humanitarians has every appear ance of a political smoke screen. Out of all this nasty talk against the good name of our beloved Alabama will develop a candidate for governor or governoress, Is my prediction. P. M. CARLISLE.
 Birmingham, Ala.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
TRADE SHOULD BE CONTINUOUS

Is 1t monotonous to have Birming- ham steel moving continuously out of the port of Mobile to the Orient? Shall we lose interest in this business with the little brown man because he is a regular customer? Rather should we not regard every ship leaving Mobile for the Orient as sign manual of our permanency as steel center? Life is largely matter of eating, sleeping, working, with a little recreation thrown in. We are the better off in exact accordance with the regular SUD- ply of what we eat, of sleep and of continuity of paying employment. Trade, if of permanent benefit, must be regular and continuous.
 In that regard Japan is an ideal GUS toner. Since she found her way to Alabama for her supply of rails and other steel products, she has come as regularly as the sun at the intervals when her steel requirements have com manded. That is the value of trade with the peoples of fixed habits of
 
 | thought. Once a satisfied customer they neither look for nor relish change of markets. Our rails have satisfied the Orient and the Orient comes for them again and again, because it knows what it is to get.
 We have much the same opportunity in South America and in all the neigh boring island countries. Once we en- ter there with staple product, we'll made, honest and uniform, and they discover its character for stability, honesty and uniformity, we shall have gained these nearer markets the same as we have gained the Orient. Years ago we made some mistakes in our at tempt at dealing with the Orient. Some of our Southern textile manufacturers vainly sought to sell to these fixed minded peoples cloth varying slightly from the weight, width and density per
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
CAUTION IS NOT A CURE

a The nationwide campaign for edu- cation of the people into appreciation
 and avoidance of the dangers of the
 grade crossing being conducted by the railroads and to be accorded special
 emphasis for a period beginning June 1 is worth public observance pending
 the time when grade crossings shall .lbe eliminated. In no way is the campaign to be accepted as a sub-
 stitute for such elimination, nor
 should it be allowed to divert atten- -tion from the main issue. The
 elimination of grade crossings in thickly-settled communities is a pres
 ent consideration and will not be
 deferred.
 si It is we'll for automobilists to prac-
 tice all manner of caution at the
 grade crossing, but the people are not
 to be sidetracked from an insistent
 demand for it's abolition. The safety campaign should not be allowed to be
 counter-fire to the demand for elim-
 ination, or to suggest caution on the
 part of automobilists as substitute flor the real remedy. The burden is snot on the people whose lives are endangered by the grade crossings, but on the railroads who have placed
 and maintain them to the perpetual danger of life, inconvenience of traf- fife and detriment to business of the communities where they exist. The people not only demand abolition of the present grade crossings, but they will insist that future railroad con sstruction avoid such crossings.
 E The railroads have compiled statis-. itics showing that 1,810 persons were killed at railroad crossings last year and that 5,3S3 were injured. More over, 515 more casualties occurred in 1922 than in 1921, in spite of the educational campaigns directed by the American Railway Association. The greater number of automobilists accounts for the increase in these accidents. More persons travel more miles each year by reason of the au- tomobile and hard roads, and it, there fore, stands to reason that more per
 Sons will be killed at the ubiquitous railroad crossing, whose dangers there is no means on earth of absolutely avoiding. The grade crossings must go and the process of their going is to be faster and faster as the hard Toad, the automobile, more travelling and more traffic demand their re- moval. The only substitute is more and more life lost, more and more in- convenience and heavier hindrance to business. The caution campaigns will help some, but not much. There is no acceptable substitute for elim- ination of the grade crossing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
GERMANY NEEDS A PATRIOT

The movement of troops in Ger many is evidently taken in an effort to impress the rioters in various cities with show of military strength. It is hardly likely that there will be any advance into the Ruhr, for the chances for clash with French troops would be very grave. It is somewhat strange for a government whose policy has brought about the present bad situation to attempt to cure it without reversal of policy. Bolshevism and communism are ram- pant in cities and industrial centers, but they are due mainly to unemploy- ment and the mental restlessness thereby engendered.
 The idleness is the direct result of the German governments opposition to the French occupation and the ex- press order of the German govern ment commanding cessation of activ- ity in Ruhr mines and mills. Ger many has deliberately chosen an- archy rather than compliance with policy that would tend gradually to work out the separations problem. Such tactics, however, can only de- lay and not destroy the French plan of recovery of war indemnities. The French are in the Ruhr in force. To dislodge them would require war bolstered by morale and an equip ment Germany does not now pos sess.
 What Germany needs today is leader who is a patriot above all else. A patriot who can perceive that the doctrine of hate can never heal Germany's case. A patriot who will counsel his people to go to work; who will demand of the Allies their very best terms for working out Ger many's obligations, and who will bend the nations energies toward meet ing those terms. Germany's salvation lies with the Germans. Let her hope for a patriot who can lead them, not to war and violence, but to peace and industry.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
ONE TRICK A DAY
The Animated Cigar

The apparatus for this trick consists of a rod of wood about three inches long, weighted at one end, and with a needle, point pro- truding. inserted in the other.
 This Is placed up the sleeve. A hat is taken in one hand, and a cigar requested. The performer places the cigar on top of the hat, lets the apparatus slide down the sleeve into the hand, and sticks the point through the top of the hat from the inside. In so doing he pushes it well into the cigar Now, by the, force of the weight the cigar will stand on end on top of the hat. By moving the hat in a circular fashion. the cigar will go through peculiar antics. always held upright by the stick.
 Upon returning the cigar, un- loosen 1t from underneath, and let 1t slide out of sight down the sieve again.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
RATES BENEFIT BIRMINGHAM

r' The long-standing freight differen- tials on commodity rates from north ern producing points favoring cities on waterways to the disadvantage of inland cities to which the haul is shorter are slated to end July 1, when new rates purporting to conform to the long and short haul clause of the transportation act are scheduled to go in effect. Of particular mo- Inent to Birmingham jobbers in iron and steel products are the new south bound rates on iron and steel products from Northern producing points pro- posed by the carriers and to be pub- hshed by them. Under the re-aligned schedule Birmingham rate on iron and steel products from Pittsburgh, which is now 69 cents, will be lowered to 58 cents, while the present rate of 51 F cents, applying alike to New Or leans, Mobile and Pensacola, is raised to 67 cents and the present rate of 381s cents to Memphis is raised to b6 cents.
 ,-g The effect of this will be that, where Birmingham now pays $3.5O more per ton on iron and steel prod ,ucts from Pittsburgh than New Or leans, it will pay S1.81 a ton less, difference of $5.50 in Birmingham S favor compared with the present rate. Rates from Youngstown and other northern producing points are in line with those from Pittsburgh. Birming- ham jobbers in iron and steel prod ucts received from the North will get them at $2.20 ton less than now The rates do away with long stand ing injustice and sound the new prin- cipals of mileage that is entering more and more into rate making. So much per ton per mile is unacceptable as a principle, and fairness to all commu- mites will be advanced in accordance with the application of that principle, subject only to such deviations as are consonant with the general well fare of commerce and industry.
 IL io TUT IidlliC eApeItS lo pass OH the reasonableness of the various rate schedules, but the shipper at large who desires business done on a freight rate basis, where fairness counts for permanency, cannot fail to approve the bearing of this rate re-alignment. There will be north bound adjustments on the same basis as those from the North to the South and following the same principle. The
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
JOHN-A-DREAMS
Dreams of Climbing a Ladder

The one thing Tn life which holds unstable women to their duty and reverts their feet to the right path Is liable to be taken away from them when they dream that. ascending a ladder, the im- plen,ent begins to wobble or Is pulled away from under them.
 In such cases all woman's will power will be needed to make her remain in the proper groove which for the sake of her content ment and happiness she should not leave. 4
 If the dreamer, however, as- cends ladder which remains firm and If her steps do not falter. even though she reaches the high est rAung. she will soon experience the satisfaction of having reached the height of her ambitions. "-
 This interpretation of visions of this class Is particularly 'appli- cable in the case of ;, business women or in that of housewives who are helping their husbands to reach higher degree of prosper ity than they enjoy at present.
 Peculiarly, descending a ladder has no meaning whatsoever; or at least I do not know 1t and have so far failed to find any record of 1t. Perhaps these dreams do not occur at all. I merely mention this variation in order to com plete the possibilities of such dreams.
 To dream that you are falling from a ladder has nothing to do with either your ambitions or happiness but foreshadows physi- cal injury of rather painful sort which will keep you confined to your home for some time. The meaning of the dream Is not made serious if in the imaginary fall you injure yourself.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
|CRE,LIcHTS fal sH 117] AWAIT TlONAL t@F1
 .CAPFTAL @Ss IVY w

Thirty years ago, the white pine sections of New York and Penn sylyania were depleted. The American lumber market then in vaded the Great Lakes states with the result that in a rela- lively short time, the supply there could not meet the demand. | Then was invaded the Southern yellow pine region. There the in- dustry is fast duplicating its pre- vious history. The United States department of agriculture, in a warning today. declares that 1t is inevitable that within a few short years this country will be wholly dependent on the forests which exist on the Pacific slope.
 Of the thirty seven lumber pro- ducing states of the South and East. thirty-six showed a de- creased cut and only one a slight increase In 1920. The Pacific coast states showed substantial ing to the department of agricul- ture, that the sawmill business centers at present in the far West.
 Statistical wizards in the serv- ice of tho government are able to name the hour and day and year when the last tree. available for lumber. will be struck down. With the demand for building ma- terial ever on the increase, what shall we do then? The depart ment pauses for an answer. and no answer comes. It Is believed. however, that the lack of an an- swer Is not due to lack of belief in the forecasts of the department but to the confidence of the aver age American that ingenuity will find 8 way. and that this bridge, like all others. can be crossed when 1t Is reached.
 Government experts almost daily point out the serious inroads being made into the supply of practically all natural resources. Time approaches. it Is said. when the earth will have yielded all it's coal. What shall we do for fuel in that dismal day? There will be no wood. There will be no any thing. But the country does not shake in a great terror. On the contrary, it pursues tho even tenor of its way. It dances on the crest of a volcano.
 Fifty years from today-a hun dred-men will build houses of some material. and will not freeze. Perhaps necessities of today would prove intellectual then. The department of agriculture grants that probability.
 But nevertheless" 1t says, proceed with caution, foster rather than waste. and, by all means. replenish the forests of the country"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
JEWISH LAUGHS By Jacob Richm:n
Blasphemy of the Animals

The Preacher of Dubno," known in the Jewish vernacular as Der Dubner Maggid," was for two generations one of the most picturesque characters in Russian Jewry. His fiery eloquence. his inexhaustible fund of parables, ready wit. made him-exectping, perhaps. the Hebrew prophets the most outstanding figure in the history of Jewish oratory.
 In his time. hundred years ago or so. the relations between the two sects of Israel, known as "chasidim'' and "misnag gdim." were especially strained. The "chasidim," among other things, did not believe in the practice of preaching. Their theory was that no man was good enough to preach to somebody else.
 Once the Preacher of Dubno" passed through "chasidic" com munity, where he stayed a few days. Saturday afternoon, in the synagogue. right after the min chah" service. through the sheer force of habit. the great orator mounted the pulpit and was ready to fire away one of his passionate homilies.
 There was great commotion in the "klois" and loud exclamations of Get off the 'bimbo'!"
 T will speak just a few min- utes." announced the guest.
 NO. you can't" shouted the zealots.
 Let me just quote a verse from the Bible;"' pleaded the Jewish Demosthenes.
 "No." thundered the zealous congregants, "get off"
 May tell you at least a little story?" implored the distressed orator.
 After a long and bitter discuss sion the "maggid" was permitted to proceed with hist story:
 "A certain merchant was mak- ing a journey" commenced the preacher. "On the road he saw a poor Jewish peddler trudging along, carrying a heavy pack on his shoulders. Some distance ahead there was the castle of a Russian nobleman. where there were big. ferocious dogs. He warned the huckster of the dan ger and invited him to ride in his carriage.
 The wanderer declined. I'm not afraid he said. When I am attacked by dogs I recite a cer- tain Biblical verse. which acts like a charm
 Curious to see. the efficacy of his Biblical verse as a safeguard against dogs. the rich merchant drove slowly behind the hawker. But no sooner did the pedestrian pass the gates of the noblemans grounds than the dogs set upon him with demoniacal fury, and if not for the interference of the kind traveller. who was follow Ing close behind. he would have been torn to shreds.
 "'What about your charm?' asked the merchant with hidden irony. ss.
 Well said the bleeding and tattered fellow, 1t Is the first time in my experience that dogs did not want to listen to a Bibli- cal verse;
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
MOTHERS OF FAMOUS
 MEN
The Mother of George Frederick
 Handel
It was his mother's symnafhv

It was his mothers sympathy and interest that gave to the world George Frederick Handel, great composer of the late seven- teenth and early eighteenth cen turtles. Handel was the child of ill-assorted parents, a young. ac- tive and animated mother, and a middle aged, self willed and grabbed father. Before he was born, even, this father, who was past sixty at the time, was de- termined that he should become lawyer.
 The boy, however. to his fath- er's irritation but his mothers joy. manifested an early and un- mistakable- leaning. toward music. It Is evident that the mother had a musical temperament that was starved by her stern and austere husband. The harder he opposed his sons musical bent, the more determined she became to help him, and did everything in her power to develop his talent. She went to great pains to secure. for him the forbidden instruments, and when her husband discov- cred what had happened, and took the instruments away, she was undaunted and got others, taking additional precautions. In the end she won. as the boys talent was observed by the king, who commanded that he be al- lowed to study.
 Her efforts on his behalf natu- tally served to establish between the boy and his mother a strong tie. He loved her devotedly and was keenly appreciative of the danger she had put herself in by crQ1ping his irate father. He al- waye said that his development was heavily founded on the un- derstanding and sympathy his mother had given him as a child.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
sHEFFIELD.s ASPHALT TEST

Sheffield, in paving street with asphalt, mined nearby at Littleton, is employing the best method and the most convincing means of proving the quality of this material. If it follows, as is asserted, that the heavier traffic over it the harder
 highway surfaced with this ma terial becomes, that will be answer to every question of fitness that may be raised. The deposits are large and can be handled at low cost. If the test evolves proof of the claims advanced for this material for street suffacing, a new and considerable Alabama industry will have been started toward great development. Meanwhile, there is interest in the experiment, and it is hoped that Shef- field will more than prove the case.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29

principle is sound. It H for the shippers and the traffic associations to see that the principle is adhered to in the rate schedules published by the carriers and also to see that the re-alignments do not carry with them an average freight rate yielding the carriers a greater revenue than they are entitled to through raising that average.