davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-27
PEOPLES FORUM
Peace and sc1f-Protection

To the Editor of The Age-H erald There are organizations against war which the friends of peace do l not advocate. To make war on war may mean robbing this dear land of it's proper protection l What sort of navy should America | have? To make her ready and safe, what kind of army should she have, drilled and well in hand? :? Those questions have their keen interest for all true patriots.
 And yet 1t remains true that our chief defense is not armor, nor is it aerial or submarine mechanism. The defense of Amer ica is the love and confidence of all the powers. want nothing that any man or any nation has. We aim to bless these other peo- ples. Only when the coming peace conference comes will 1t be proper to ventilate the question. What relation is there between the Church Peace Union or the com mission on international friend ship through the churches and some other organizations that seem to threaten our national equipment for lf-protection?
 The precise date has not yet been settled. nor the program, but it may be taken for granted that the committee in Birmingham is certain to bring here some very well-known men, at least one of whom has never yet been heard here. One of the greatest ser vices to be rendered by the con- ference will be making it clear how we can serve the cause of peace.
 Is it not significant that recent dispatches from Lausanne show Turkey expanding in peace under guarantees of the League of Ma tions? It may be early to proph- esy anything, and yet the Bal kan problem of past centuries does seem to lie within reach of the league. The service it has rem dered to Austria. the nation that brought about the great war, has yet to be worthily appreciated; for Austria is steadily being made herself a guarantor of steady. self respecting, accredited national ex- istence.- She continues to rise among the businesslike peoples of the earth. She aims no longer at leadership in arms and tinsel glo- ries, but at leadership in art, in science, in education and in pro- ductive labor.
 GEORGE EAvES, Secretary Birmingham Peace Con
 ference.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-27
NO GARBAGE PROGRESS

The reported remarks of Commis-
 sioner Dickson on the question of gar bage disposal indicates that the com missioner has made no progress either in his understanding of the necessity for some definite remedy of the exist ing situation or in the discovery of such a remedy. The attitude of the commissioner is apparently one of throwing up his hands as if in despair over some problem incapable of wise solution. That attitude does not de- ceive the people of Birmingham, who know that other cities have learned how economically to dispose of gar bage in such a manner as to carry no threat to the public health, and who properly demand that their own mu- nicipal government discover remedy.
 The commissioner apparently con siders odor as dangerous to public health as flies. Any layman who has done any reading at all knows better. If it comes to a choice between the two, the flies must be regarded as far the greater source of danger. But it is believed that both flies and odors may be eliminated. If it is not im- mediately practicable to burn the gar bage, then let the dumps be treated
 with such chemicals as will destroy
 the fly larvae. The practice of pick ing over the dumps should also be
 forbidden. There is evidence that the | commission and the health officer
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-27
POOR BOYS WHO
 BECAME FAMOUS By Frederick Houk Law
John Drinkwater

Recently there was put on the American stage remarkable play by an English dramatist, "Abra- ham Lincoln," by John Drinkwa- ter. That play presents Abraham Lincoln In so kindly a way, show ing his intimate human qualities, his spirit of forbearance and toll eration, his desire to help and to build, and 1t unfolds the tragedy of Lincoln's life so poignantly that it seems almost impossible that the play should be written by one who was not born in the United States. Perhaps one great reason why John Drinkwater sym pathized so strongly with the na- ture of Abraham Lincoln lies in the fact that the dramatist, like the great president emancipator. rose from humble life.
 John Drinkwater. the dramatist, was born forty years ago in Eng land. He was not born to a great There was nothing in his sur roundings, so far as any one could see, that indicated that he would have the slightest opportunity to rise in life to any promineIce whatever. Even education, that great essential for literary suc- cess, was cut off for him in his early youth. He had too little monty to pay for college or uni money to pay for college or uni his high school studies at Oxford he had to plunge into the work of life.
 The work that John Drink water took up was by no means of a literary nature. He secured a po- sition in an insurance office and occupied himself with records and statistics. the filing of papers and the general work of insurance. In this capacity he worked for so many years that one would have predicted for him purely busi- ness career. Meanwhile, having natural love of books, and es- pecially of poetry. he read widely and well. browsing particularly in the fields of poetry and the drama. At. the same time he made efforts to write. The result was that at twenty-six he published a book of his own poems. and at twenty mine an original poetic play. He be- came manager of a small theatri- cal company and gained practical Knowledge of plays and play pro- ducing. He was thirty-six when he made his great success with Abraham Lincoln" Now he is recognized as a leading dramatist and present day poet.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-27
JOHN-A-DREAMS
Dreams of Marks on the Forehead

When you dream that, upon looking into the mirror, you dis cover a mark on your forehead, be certain that a little while later a great and fine thought will strike you, from the execution of which you and those around you will derive much benefit. If in your dreams you see a person with such a mark, you may rest assured that before very long someone will come to you and by suggesting an enterprise of some sort, will place you in a position of bettering your circumstances to a very considerable degree. The peculiar part of these dreams is that not infrequently they assume frightening forms. It may happen that the mark on your forehead or that of the man or woman you see in your dream, is made with blood or seems otherwise to indi- cate harm or danger Pay no at tention to this impression. The omen is an exceedingly good one and it is only due to the limit d. tions of our slumbering ina gina tions that transform, so far as ap- pearances go. an exceedingly rood sign into something of revolting or frightening aspect.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-27
A Box of Matches

Winter suddenly closed it's deadly grip on Ghost Valley.
 This may not mean anything to you, but it meant a lot to Claude Parfait, the prospector. He had been prospecting all summer-not for gold, but for something far more valuable scenarios. Alaska's soil is rich with scenarios, and Ghost Valley, hidden away behind forbidding mountain peaks, is the richest of all.
 Claude had been preparing to start for California with his load of scena- rios when winter suddenly fell on him, and when winter falls on that country 1t falls hard. He knew that escape was impossible. The pass at the end of the valley was all gummed up. It seemed as if nature had hung out the sign: "Pass List Suspended" There was nothing to do but to hang around for six months.
 The blizzards increased in ferocitv The mercury dropped to zero and kept on dropping-100. 200. 300. 400 below zero! "I think it's about time to light fire" said Claude.
 Claude was prepared for the win ter. He had with him a brand new box of safety matches, fresh from Nltedal, Norway, where the matches grow on the sulphur trees. Opening the box, he struck a match. It flared and went out.
 Then he struck another match, and then he struck another match. and then he struck another match, and then he struck another match, and then he struck another match, and then he struck another match, and then he struck another match, and then he struck another match, and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-27
NO PEssIMIsM IN BIRMINGHAM

The publisher of Southern organ, who spent several days last week Tn Birmingham and during that time came in touch with leading and com petent opponents of the commercial, industrial and financial interests of the district, said: q have not heard a single word of pessimism coming from responsible source since have been in Birmingham" Nor was there occasion or is there cause for a note of pessimism. At the close of the half-year Birmingham realizes forty two per cent. increase in her bank clealfngs and a new high record, the doubling of her cement producing capacity, hundred per cent. increase in the production of hydro electricity available for her mills, mines, utilities and homes, and a large expansion of her structural steel industry. Seven teen per cent. more coal than in 1922 and fifty-two per cent. more coal than in 1921 has been mined. Structural operations in Birmingham are close in value to all of 1922 and a high record there is assured for 1923. Ma jor industries representing $50, 0,000,- coo have either come in this year or are under construction. Steel produc- tion has made new records and pig iron production is fifty per cent. over 1922, and approximately at the record figure made in the war-producing pe- riod. Cotton is five cents higher than at this time last year and the new crop comes to a season of great mill activity and with minimum of stocks on hand. For four successive weeks crop reports have been favorable. While blast furnaces in the North are closing down those of the South have orders to capacity for the remainder of the third quarter. Cement produc- tion and shipments of Birmingham mills have exceeded all prior volume. No wonder the observing editor finds no pessimism in Birmingham. There is no excuse for any It would be an .anachronism.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-27
COUNTY CONNECTS LIKEWISE

There is commendable evidence of growing disposition in Montgomery to include county convicts in any amended policy that may be adopted for the future humane handling of convict labor in this state. The treat ment of convicts, either county or state, is a subject of legislative and statewide concern. 1t would be un- wise to permit the leasing of convicts by counties when the state had already abolished the practice as detrimental to the public welfare. It is apparent that the resolution of the legislature not to reconsider the leasing question was but an unconstitutional gesture which cannot be maintained as com manding one. The public will is not power or an influence to be scorned, but rather to be respected and obeyed in meticulous detail, particularly when it manifests itself in such an unmis- takable and compelling manner as in recent weeks on this lamentable prac- tice of hiring convicts for the sake of the revenue merely. Those who study the situation know that, if pri- vate operators can work convicts at a profit, the state can work them at a still greater profit and in manner that does not reflect upon the states good name nor hurt the public con- science. It is we'll that a clean sweep is to be made, and that county con- victs are to receive the same treat ment as is to be accorded state convicts.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-27
MOTHERS OF FAMOUS
 MEN
The Mother of George Ripley

The mother of George Ripley was what is called a typical old fashioned New England woman. She was the sort of person who wishes to see everything in its place-and very accurately In it's place. To move a chair from where 1t usually stood was an of- fense. To leave things in disor der was an abomination. To spill anything was high crime. She had an air of dignity that made it seem impossible that she could ever have skipped a rope or run a race. AS for her ever having lifted her voice sufficiently to shout, that was certainly out of the question. She was serene, dig nified, quiet, reserved. Having but little, she was obliged to cultl- vate the virtue of thrift, and thus she saved everything, mended everything, and lived life of great simplicity. She would have been shocked could she have fore- seen the waste that is character istic of today.
 Nevertheless, she was charitable and thoughtful of others. I'm going to step over to see poor old Mrs. Brown" she would say. T hear the poor woman is worse to- day" and off she would go. prim and formal and stately, but warm hearted and willing to work hard, or to give anything that she had for the benefit of others.
 This old-fashioned but warm hearted woman married Jerome Ripley, and moved with him from Boston to Greenfield, Mass, then only small place. There her husband became a merchant and a highly respected citizen.
 George Ripley was the youngest of her ten children. He inherited all the New England virtues and became one of the chief expo nents of the idealistic conception of things called "Transcendental- ism" He was among the leaders in establishing Brook Farm" a great communal experiment that was to lead to absolute happiness, but that failed, as all such experi- ments do.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-27
LIGHT ON IMMIGRATION

The National Industrial Conference Board on the Immigration Problem in the United States" has made a re- port after what is understood to have been comprehensive research and sur vey. The report holds that immigra- tion must not be viewed from the standpoint of special and immediate economic need, but must be based on scientific and sound consideration of the general welfare. This board rep resents industrial employers and in- dicates enlightenment in that quarter "It is clear" says the report, "that d wise, comprehensive and humane na- tional immigration policy cannot be based exclusively on the consideration of any immediate, special or purely economic aspect of the problem, but must be developed out of broad, far sighted and scientifically grounded views of national and international social and economic progress and hu- man welfare"
 The board finds that consular agents in foreign countries are to blame for ''indiscriminately issuing passport vises to eligible and ineligi- ble persons alike" Proof of this is the disbarring of more than 13,00O aliens seeking admission last year. Attention is called also to the failure to hold examinations as to fitness before the alien leaves foreign soil. The board sees the light as others have seen it; as the rank and file of the American nation sees it. No more of the unfit is the determination of the American people and industrial captains perceive that fixed and un- alterable attitude. Pittsburg, the heart of the steel industry, enters complaint that of the immigrants ar irving there and seeking employment less than one per cent. are unskilled labor, while large percentage are skilled labor and farm labor. The burden of the complaint is that more of the intelligent and qualified are coming over than of the uneducated and unskilled who are mere ditch dig, gers and filters of heavy weights. The country at large will not resolve itself into chorus following the Pitts burg refrain, but, on the contrary, will congratulate itself in that the personnel of the immigrant has appar- ently improved.
 Any labor that S unintelligent is backward and is less productive than intelligent labor. Industrially and economically the world has gotten be- yond that point where it shall have seemed of advantage to have an army of physical dolts to perform common labor. In the modern conception of society as it should be the complaint from Pittsburg falls on deaf ears.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-27
Gro be continued)

Labor troubles have become so widespread that even the British royal family has called a strike. Time was when kings job was highly uphol- stered. All he did was to sit on a throne, sign a few death warrants and ogle the young ladies of the court when the queen wasn't looking. That was in the good old days. Now the king IS little more than a bricklayer. His sole object in life is to lay cor nerstones. King George and his sons all swing a wicked trowel. They hold all the known records for cornerstone laying. Life, for them, is just one cornerstone after another. The Prince ot Wales is so busy that he hasn't time to get married He leaps aboard his trusty steed at daybreak, holding the reins in one hand and a trowel in the other and gallops all day from cornerstone to cornerstone. That is why he falls off his horse so often. Now the royal family has walked out. They demand an eight-hour day and time-and-a-half for Sundays and holi- days There was time when king could do not wrong. Nowadays he can do no loafing.
 Add famous last lines: "The driver
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-27
"CIC.ARv
Indianapolis News)

NlnulandpOllS NeWS)
 The word cigar is Spanish and is derived from cigarra. the Span ish name for grasshopper. When the Spaniards first introduced to- bacco into Spain from the island of Cuba, they cultivated the plant in their gardens, which in Spanish are called cigarrals. Each grew his tobacco in his cigarral When one offered a smoke to a friend he would say: "Es de mi cigar ral" that is, ''it is from my gar den." Soon the expression came to be: Este cigarro es de mi cigarral," this cigar is from my garden" The grasshopper (cigar- ra) was very common in Spain and cigarral meant the place where the cigarra sings.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-27
Must Work Together (Anniston Star)

No town can grow as 1t should unless it's people work together in its upbuilding. The history of every city that has had rapid and substantial growth will show that united and enthusiastic work of its people had the greatest part in making it grow. In towns where a few live men boost and work the towns upbuilding and many are indifferent and do moth ing, the work of city building is exceedingly difficult and the re- suits slow in coming. If all boost and help to build up the town it is an easy matter to make the town push forward.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-27
IMPERATIVE

America is an agricultural na- tion and in order to maintain a balance of trade she must sell around forty per cent. of her nor- nal production abroad. Not only Is this essential in maintaining a sound balance in her export and import business, but 1t Is pecu- liarly necessary under the inn mutable trade law of supply and demand. in order to make farming
 even reasonably profitable.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-27
SMILES
Getting Into Society
est. Paul Dispatch(

Johnny, having reacher his teens, was invited out to dinner without his parents. An anxious mother told him to be careful about his manners and to speak in complimentary terms of the food served him.
 Johnny needed her instructions and did the best he could under stress of embarrassment. After he had tasted the soup he re- marked: This is pretty good soup. what there is of it." He was greatly disconcerted to ob- serve a frown on the face of his hostess, and he hastened to repair his blunder by remarking: And there's plenty of it-such as it is"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-27
The South and West

A few years ago the Southern farmer was up against it. He had no sympathy to speak of. He di- versified, and came near living at home until the clouds rolled by. This is just the problem of the West. Their policies brought 1t all about, and their tariffs killed their mark cts. It is now up to them to diversity, and sell at less than the tariffs plus; or simply live at home until the foreigner gets a change of administrations, or has disastrous crops so he Is forced to pay American prices plus tar ifs After all. 1t is but common sense.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-27
10 FAVORITE BOOKS
(As chosen by Henry Mitchell
 Webster, nOvelist)
Psalms of David.

Psalms of David.
 Lives (Plutarch).
 The Ring and the Book (Brown- ing).
 The Decline and Fall of the Ro- man Empire (Gibbon).
 Outline of History (Wells). Emma (Jane Austen). The Three Musketeers (Dumas). Shakespeare's plays.
 Huckleberry Finn (Twain). Gil Bias Gle Sage). Copyright. 1923. in United States and Great Britain for The Age-Herald by the North American Newspaper Alliance. All rights reserved.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-27
As to SculIer Winner

To the Editor of The Age-Herald: . As an old oarsmah l want to point out an error in your pictorial page of the 25th instant. You de- scribe MT. D. L. Gallon as winner of the classic Diamond Skulls at Henley Royal Regatta. MT. Gallon did defeat MT. Hoover, the Ameri- can sculler, but was himself de- feated in the final heat by MT. w. K. Morris of London, who now holds this much-coveted rowing trophy. ROBERT l.. GRAY.
 Selma. Ala, July 24, 1923.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-27

There is growing impression that when Minnesota's new senator gets on the job at Washington the public will be introduced to some new wrinkles in the science of government. The Minnesota people will be looking for successor to smooth those wrinkles out
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-27
A Silent Partner

CTattler, London)
 Two men who were something in the city" were lunching at their club one day. "Oh," said one. "my partner formerly used always to oppose my views, but now he agrees with me in everything"
 How do you account for it?" asked the other.
 Don't know" said the first. I'm not sure whether I convince him, or only make him tired"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-27
TO Keep Out PoIitic.

ICOIDeTC COunly hepOTttIJ
 It will be a backward step edu- cationally if the legislature adopts the bill making county superin- tendents of education elective by the people instead of being select ed for their fitness for the place by a board of education which Is elected and comes direct from the people, but which Is not swayed in it's choice of a county superin- tendent by any political boss who usually attempts to and does have big say in the election of county officers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-27
KANSAS HAS "WIDOWS' TOWN"

IkanSdS CIty StHrJ
 Kensington, out here in a pros porous part of western Kansas, has few claims on fame perhaps. But one, at least, it has. It's a widows town" Of the coo in- habitants shown by the latest cen sus, 40 are widows. And only two are of the grass" Variety.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-27
THE PARAGRAPHERS
Arrived fin Good Time

Chicago News)
 These senatorial observers from the United States got over to Russia after the debris had all been swept under the sofa, and they were careful not to look there.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-27

The old saying that ."where there's a will, there's a way" will be exempli- fled in the convict lease fight. There are several practical ways out. What is lacking is the executive and legis- lative will to find them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-27
Improving School system

TT 4NCNSJ
 Efforts are being made as never before to improve the school sys- tenn of the county. And 1t has been found that pupils of the adult schools become greater and bet ter and more intelligent boosters for the building of better schools and for improving means of edu- cation being offered the children of the county.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-27
Only One Need

Washington Star)
 All that Alaska needs to com plete the admiration in which dis tinguished visitors now hold it is a little more political influence.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-27

are both equally guilty of failure to do what they could to make the situa- tion better. And the entire commits sion cannot escape equal responsibility, for when one commissioner fails in his especial department the obligation immediately devolves upon the com mission body to rectify his shortcom- ings.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-27

No sooner did an exchange inquire, "Who is our foremost orator." than half dozen habitual attendants upon national conventions began to look conscious.