davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-19
AMERICA AND ITALIAN PREMIER FEATURES AT
 INTERNATIONAL MEET
Musso|ini's Speech Frequent
 Iy AppIauded by Commerce xA Chamber Delegates

ROME, March IS.-(By As- ciated Press.)-America and Mussolini were outstanding features of the opening session this afternoon of the second congress of international Chambers of Commerce. The American delega- .tion was largest of the visiting dele gations, numbering 140. Chief inter- est centered in the speech of the Italian premier. which was applauded throughout. All Of the speakers mentioned Americas great repreScn tation enthusiastically.
 Mussolini's presence was made the occasion for a great turnout of Fascist. The pr>mier's own body guard, "Mussolini's Musketeers," 3S of Italys great war heroes. acted as guard of honor.
 The official welcome of the Italian business men was extended by Marco Cassin president of the Italian Chamber of Commerce, who briefly reviewed the work of Italy's new government, and said the economic future of the world depends upon close cooperation of all countries: those who practice the policy of iso- lation will find that they alone are injured ereby
 Ia his address to the delegates, Premier Mussolini, voiciEg in behalf of his government a hearty welcome to the delegations and diplomatic h. ions. went on |, ss
 The fact th;t your important con gress is held in this capital only if months after the movement which brought into power the yong forces of war and victory offer to the world the best proof hat the Italian nation Is rapidly regaining normalcy In it's political and Economic life"
 The Premier proceeded to enlarge upon the go ernment's economic principles and continued:
 Tt is my conviction that the state must renounce it's economic func- tions. especially those of a mono polist character for which it can- not provide and it is also my con viction that government desiring to uplift its people after a war crisis must give free play to private enterprise and for, Q any measure of state control or state natornaliSmn
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-19
IRISH SONGS FEATURE
 COMMUNITY CONCERT
Mrs. Walter Brewer Pleases With
 Folksong Rendition

Sure and the Irish ruled the roost at the Lyric theatre Sunday after noon. They also ruled everything else from the orchestra to the gal lery, for the program of the Sunday afternoon concert of the Birmingham Music association showed prepon- derance of Irish songs.
 The St. Patrick motif was reflected everywhere. Even part of the or chestra wore green turbans.
 A lowering sky and threatening weather failed to keep the crowd away and the theatre was packed when the orchestra began the over ture. I'll Guarany" (Gomez). After this she program forgot everything except the Irish until the last num- Aida (VerdD. Two community songs. Believe Me, If All Those En- dearing Young Charms" and My Wild Irish Rose" were hardly audi ble above the low tones of the or chestra.
 Mrs. Walter Brewer cast spell over the crowd and played oelicately on the heartstrings of those from the Land of the Harp when she sang When Irish Eyes Are Smii- ing" For an encore she sang Some where Voice Is Calling"
 o. Gordon Erickson directed the orchestra and the singing. Ine pro- gram follows:
 T Guarany," overture GA Carlos Gomez); Mother Machree" (Ernest BalD; The Emerald Isle," selection of Irish melodies (Arr. Langey); Believe Me. If All Those Endearing Young Charms" My Wild Irisn Rose;" When Irisn Eyes Are Smii- ing" (Ernest BalD; March From Aida" (VerdD.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-19
PIONEER IRON
 MAN IF LOCAL DISTRICT DEAD.
Colonel Alfred Shook Suc- cumbs at Home in Nash viIle-PIayed Important Part in Developing
 Industry

NASHVILLE, Tenn. March iS.-Col. Alfred NJ. Shook, 77. retired capital ist and pioneer in the coal and iron industry in the south died at his home here this morning after an ex- tended period of ill health Born in Winchester, Tenn, Colonel Shook served in the Confederate army and entered the steel industrwy at his home with tue late Col. A. $. Colyar. Since that time he had been various ly connected with the Tennessee Coal company of Tracy City, the Tennessee Coal and Iron company, the Tennes see Coal and Railroad company of Birmingham, Ala, and the Southern Iron company of Chattanooga, Tenn.
 Colonel Shook was one of the pion- eers in the development of the coal and irn deposits in the neighborhood of Birmingham. building furnaces there after having. with his associ ates, made large purchases of ore property under the charter of the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company.
 Developed Open Furnace. !.
 Much of the credit for the develop ment in this country of what is known as the open hearth process in the manufacture of steel is credited to Colonel Shook. To learn more of a certain patent that had never been used practically, he paid visit to England and there acquainted himself with the process. He returned to Chattanooga, Tenn, where he had purchased furnace. introduced the experiment in making steel. which later proved so successful in Br- mingham and elsewhere. The process was later put to use in pittsburg where the Bessemer process had been generally in use.
 Funeral services for Colonel Shook will be held here tomorrow after noon.
 In addition to his children here, Colonel Shook is survived by three sons, Paschall Warner and Alfred NJ. Shook Jr., all prominent in the iron industry in Birmingham. J. AL len shook of Birmingham is his brother.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-19
Reformers to Be Shown a Thing or Two by
 Girls

CHICAGO. March 18.-Flaunting a defi in the face of their censors, de- claring they are more sinned against than shining, and resolved to "get right in their little brothers aye, some 300 Northside society flappers have launched back to the kitchen" movement. It's really back to the home movement" explained one of the pretty members. Believe us, be- fore we get through we'll show these blue-nosed reformers by words and clothes that the modern girl is not so fast and furious as they brand her"
 One of the biggest moves. the girls declare, is to get right with the fam fly"
 Miss Jane Nystrom, the president of the new club. instead of launching a tirade against the little brother, who so often is friendly enemy" makes this comment about the Move:
 "We want to seem just right in our little brothers eyes. He's the real critic. If we pass his approving eye we have very little else to worry a bout"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-19
HARDING BREAKS DEADLOCK WITHIN J. {. TARIFF BODY
Members Were Hope|essIy Split as to Advisability of Beginning the
 Hearings

WASHINGTON, March 1s.-Presi- dent Harding instructed the tariff commission late today to proceed with an investigation of complaints against certain prevailing import duties. In so doing he broke dead lock in the commission as to pro- cedure under flexible provisions of the tariff act and cleared up a mis- underst anding among commission members as to his views on the in- tent of the law.
 The message was the second sent to the commission by the President since it became apparent members were hopelessly split as to the ad- visibility of beginning hearings. MT. Harding had been asked whether the commission should proceed with a general inquiry with a view to work ing out a scientific revision of rates. or whether it should only consider duties on which applications for revi- sion had been filed.
 His first telegraphed reply was taken up at a meeting of the com mission yesterday, but was not con strued the same by all membeds. The result was that after announcement had been made that the commission would begin investigations, letters containing the formal statements on the inquiries were recalled from the post office.
 Chairman Marvin, aside from an- nouncing that the President again had sent the commission telegram and that orders had been issued to place the letters in the mails, de- clined to go into the matter or to in- dicatc who had asked MT. Harding to reState his position.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-19
WHOLESALE PRICES RISE
Retail Costs Show Slight Decrease
 And Farm Products Fall

WASHINGTON March IS. - A slight rise in the general level of wholesale prices in February, com pared with January, was reported to- day by the labor department, which at the same time announced that between January 15 and February i5 there had been decrease of l per cent in the retail cost of food to the average family.
 Statistics collected by the depart ment. which cover wide range of commodities, show that the increase in prices of metals and metal prod ucts approximated 1 F per cent, "Iue to advances in iron an dsteel, copper, lead and tin." Building materials in creased per cent, while smaller in creases were reported for cloths, clothing, chemicals, drugs and rub Der.
 Farm products, on the contrary the depart ment declared in a sum mary, showed a slight decline in average prices, due to decreases in cattle, hogs, sheep, eggs. hay, hides and milk. which more than offset in- creases in grains, cotton, potatoes and wool |"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-19
COUNTY GRAND JURY TO REOPEN BOWLING. CASE MONDAY, BELIEF
Inquisitorial Body to Resume investigations After
 Brief Recess

Investigation of the abduction and flogging of pr. J. D. Bowling, county and city health officer. will be re- sumed Monday when the grand jury reconvenes. it is believed. During this body's recess investigators have continued their efforts to solve the identity of the men who spirited Dr. Bowling away from his home last May and beat him unmercifully. What the net results of their efforts have been they refuse to say, but it is thought they will place their finding before the grand jury.
 The jury recessed early in March without making report of it's in vestigation of the Bowling flogging after evidence thought to involve two and probably five men had been pre- sented to 1t. Due to the fact that the grand jury will make it's final report and be discharged April l. will come in for more consideration during the last few days of it's ses- sion.
 first investigated last June imme- diately after it occurred, but the grand jury was unable to place the blame for the beating. The investiga- tion was reopened when the kidnap- ing of Ed Herman Daniels. North Birmingham negro taxi driver, di- vulged clues leading to the alleged implication of certain of Dr.. Dowl- ing's abductors.
 Two men were indicted in connec- tion with tho Kidnapping of Daniels and immediately thereafter the grand jury took up the Bowling case.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-19
.SP00kS, ON PAINTING. SPREE IN NEW YORK,
 STARTLING CITIZENS.
Handwriting on Walls Gives Way to Water
 CoI0rS

NEW YORK, March 1s.-Take it from Mrs. Janet Singh. the Biblical Handwriting on the walf' was piker stuff.
 Mrs. Singh has startled New York by her intimacy with spooks who paint whole pictures on the wall without a brush.
 She only concentrates. she says, and the esthetic spirits dc the rest
 With a s5,O00 reward hung up by the Scientific American for proof that spirits can paint, among other things. Hereward Darlington, phychic investigator. prepared to subject Mrs. Singhs methods to scientific scru7 tiny.
 Mrs. Singh doesn't even wear a smock. She doesn't need to get her fingers all soiled with smudgy paints out of tubes. She picks out prom ising spot, on the floor, on the wall, on the ceiling, impales it with long, solemn look. and long before supper time there is picture.
 Her pictures on exhibition at the Waldorf Astcria's showing of the in dependent artists are in a tarry sub stance on pieces of sawed-out floor ing. But she demonstrated her yer satility by creating beautiful pie lures right on the walls of the Wal dorf lobby. Of course, lots of vul- gar people with no artistic percep- tions pretended they couldn't see them, but such people don't count, anyway.
 A surprising number of artists similarly gifted have popped up. Up in Bronx flat woman discovered in her old rose wall paper perfect likeness of the children of Israel crossing the Red sea. Across the river =. Hoboken girl still below voting age detected Jacob struggling on ladder with a whole bevy Cf an gels.
 Critics are inclined to credit the I,enten season with the wave of en- thusiasm about religious pictures, but most of them were painted months ago.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-19
MISSISSIPPI LAYMENI TO SPEAK AT STRAND MEETING NEXT SUNDAY
Julian Alexander and Fred SuIIens, Gypsy Smith Con-
 verts, Coming Here

Julian Alexander and Frederick Sullens of Jackson. Miss, leaders of Backson's Flying squadron. will ad- ress a gathering of Birmingham Pro- testant laymen Sunday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock at the Strand thatre. MT. Alexander and MT. Sullens were converted by Gipsy Smith, Jr.. during a revival meeting in Jackson some months ago, and since that time have accomplished wonderful evangelistic work in Mississippi.
 They were among the notable group of speakers organized for the series of six conventions recently held by laymen of the Southern Pres byterian church in Houston. Little Rock, Jacksonville. Charlotte, Rich mond and Huntington. They suc- ceeded in awakening a great evan gelistic spirit among the delegates who attended those gatherings. Both are said to be forceful speakers and to have a message of deep inter- est to the laymen of Birmingham churches.
 The theme of MT. Alexander will be "The Joy of Soul Winning and MT. Sullens will speak on Witnessing for Christ" Both speakers have been invited to occupy Birmingham pulpits at the Sunday morling hour.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-19
ANT CAMPAIGN CREWS START OUT THIS WEEK
Kinds To Seek Determination Of
 Pest In Birmingham

Four crews having total of 32 men will go to the ant this week a~d many other weeks in Birmingham but they will not be sluggards. h. stead, they will be active workers un- der the direction of omologist w. E. Hinds of the Alabama extension service and will seek to exterminate the Argentine ant here.
 Dr. Hinds announced Saturday the campaign would start at once follow ing an additional appropriation of S2,950 by the city commission to carry on the work. The ants have been discovered in 3S localities in the city.
 Dr. Hinds has been authorized to purchase equipment for the work of exterminating the ants and the cam paign will begin at once.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-19
VETERANS OBJECT
Declare Harding's Recent Order Will
 Not Aid Soldiers

WASHINGTON. March 1S.-Presi- dent Harding's recent order relative to the rating of former service men in civil service examinations. in the opinion of the American Disabled Veterans, "nullifies" laws and regu- lations giving them and their depen- dents preference for positions in the government classified service. Ii. II. Raege, legislative representative of the organization, in a letter to the civil service commission. made pub lie tonight, declared it is safe to as- sume that since the new executive or der is virtually no more preferences than has been extended heretofore to applicants for postmasterships, that veterans. instead of securing 33 13 per cent of the positions in the classified service, will not receive at the maximum more than 10 per cent of the appointments made"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-19
Leaders Seek to Arouse World to German Sabotage in Ruhr Officials to Punish Severely
 Person Guilty of Murder ina Soldier of France
DECLARE BERLIN PEACE MOVES TO BE USELESS
Mediation Efforts Regarded as "UnfriendIy and Even Hosti|e"-EngIand Askeu 10 Aid in Occupation, Report.
 Hun Deputy Under Arrest
BULLETIN

ESSEN. March 1S.-(By Associated Press.)-A French soldier was shot and killed at the railway station here today, Three Germans were ar, rested. A fourth German who tried to evade arrest was shot and wounded. He later died.
 PARIS. March 1S.-Franee is erect ing diplomatic wall around the Ruhr situation.
 To repulse the possibility of at tempted mediation in the Ruhr dispute the government aims to show that Germany is being mistreated only in- solar as she resists the terms of the Versailles treaty.
 The French, Sunday, followed their statement that mediation efforts be regarded as runfriendly and even hostile" with further moves to prevent interference by outside na- tions. A report was circulated that the government, alarmed by secret German military organizations, has asked Great Britain to cooperate in Germany to respect her treaty disarmament obligations. No of this report, however. could be obtained. e
 c O o Charge Sabotage.
 | Meanwhile steps are being taken to arouse the world to German sa botage in the Ruhr.
 Minister of Public Works Le Troquer and Director of Mines Guillaume went to Essen Sunday night to ln- flict severe penalties for the murder there of French private named Schmidt and the attempted assassi- nation of Herr Sheets, head of the Rhineland separatist movement.
 Officials stressed the obvious fu- tility of Germany's sounding out Washington and London about peace while the German attitude incites such happenings as these in the i;uhr.
 Writing in La Liberte. NJ. Bainville the noted French critic, said:
 Moral and material disarmament. absolute and proven renuneiation of Ruhr resistance appear clearer than yesterday 10 be the preliminary c0u- dtions of any conversation Impose Curfew.
 It is expected at o'clock curfew will be imposed at Essen because of the attacks. Three German civilians have been arrested and q fourth was severely wounded while escaping.
 The Franco-Belgian commlsslon Iu create new system of money in the Rhineland to replace the mark has in Dusseldorf, Paris is in- formed
 Police here Sunday arrested the German deputy, Herr Hollein, who came from Thuringen to address communist meeting against occupa- tion of the Ruhr. lie will be tried on a charge of plotting. Premier Poin- care sent note to Cha ancellor Cuno explaining the reasons for Holleins detention.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-19
BETTER BUSINESS SHOWN
Report Of General Motors Company
 Indicates Prosperity

NEW YORK, March 1S.-After payment of all charges, including debenture and preferred dividends of $6.429, ,22S, and deducting $4,555.- 79G to cover losses in 1921 in excess of reserves, the General Motors cor poration had available on December 3l, 1922, the sum of $45,066,90S. equivalent to $2.l9 share on 20,557.- 750 shares of no par value outstand- ing, the companys annual report stated tonight. The company showed Il net loss after payment of debel- ture and preferred dividends in 1921 of S44.990,779.
 Net sales last year totaled s463.- 706,733, the highest in the history of the company. and it's net earnings. before deducting interest but after paying all expenses of manufacture ing. maintenance and administra- tion taxes. insurance and depreci- ation, were S66,S71.613. as compared with s13,246,523 the preceding year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-19
PRODUCTION IS LARGER
Business Improvement Does Not Re-
 suit From High Prf~cs

WASHINGTON, March 1S.-Im- provement in American economic conditions is being achieved through increased production and greater ef- ficiency in industry, rather than by higher prices or through expansion of credit, according to d survey of conditions submitted to the meeting of the International Chamber of Commerce at Rome and made public here today by the American section of the organization.
 A production rate was reached in February, the report said, that ap- parently exceeds any record estab- iished by the basic industries ex- cept month in 1917.
 General industrial efficic.-. . stands out it was added, as the foundation upon which the produce ton rate was built, and economists who studied the situation noted no tendency toward decline in this re- spect.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-19
RED CROSS IS AIDING SUFFERERS IN STORM
Death List Stands At 2S From Mis-
 sissipui Tornado

MEMPHIS, Tenn, March 1S.-With the death list standing at 28 the Red Cross and other agencies of relief are undertaking the task of providing for the many fami1ses rendered home- less by the tornado which swept through Savage and other north Mis- sissippi towns Thursday. G. C.. Crane, in charge of Red Cross work at Savage. has reported that 102 houses were destroyed.
 Volunteer relief parties from sur- rounding towns have supplied large quantities. of food and clothing. An emergency kitchen Is being operated in box cars at Savage. and meals are being served hundreds of refugees.
 Fifty tents have been supplied in , the stricken town, and the war de- partment, cooperating with tho Red Cross has shipped 75 army tents to Memphis. Other supplies are being concentrated here and c. E. Lovett, a Red Cross worker. will arrive from Atlanta tomorrow to supervise the distribution.
 Although i25 or moro persons were injured, g score of them seriously, it Is not thought that moro deaths will be reported.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-19
HOME TIES BROKEN BY IMMIGRATION STATUTE
Girl and Family Must Be Separated,
 Officials Hold

CHICAGO March 1S.-Nine years ago Alice Loete. then 2 years old. landed at Ellis Island from Belgium She was met there by her father, Ca mail Loete, and a fight was begun to have Alice. who was then slightly mentally deficient. admitted to Amer ica. The fathers strong plea that ed ucation would improve his daughters mental condition convinced Ellis Island officials, and the girl entered the country on an order of temporary admission.
 To East Moline. Ills. where a small colony of Belgians lived. the father brought his daughter, and immedi ately started her education.
 But she has been unable to over come her handicap. immigration of ficials assert. and she will be taken away from her parents soon, deported to Belgium. where she now has neither friends nor kin.
 It's a hard law but there's no way to overlook it, the girl cannot, be- cause of her mental condition, become citizen, so she must be deported." said Howard D. Ebey, chief of Chi cago immigl ation inspectors.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-19
DEATH OF SHOOK IS
 LAMENTED LOCALLY

The death of Col. A. NJ Shook in Nashville Sunday will be widely la mented in Birmingham. especially among the older developers of the district, with whom he was so long intimate. In recent years Colonel Shocks three sons who reside in Bir- mingham have been among the lead ing figures in the coal and iron indus tries.
 Col. Shook was born July 16, 1S45. His connection with Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company extended from 1866 to 1903. during which time he occupied almost every position in the company, including the office of vice president and general manager. At the time of his death he was pres ident of the First Savings Bank and Trust company, Brush Creek ccal com pany; a director of the First National bank of Nashville, Nashville Railway and Light company, Nashville Trust company. He was also a trustee in the Mutual Life Insurance company of New York and was president of the Monteagle Sunday School association.
 His Birmingham relatives went to Nashville upon learning of Colonel Shocks serious condition.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-19
DRIVING SNOWSTORM VISITS
 GREAT LAKES REGIONS

CHICAGO, March 1S.-Winter blasts swept out of the northwest early Sun day on the heels of a high wind, and the wind and snow in some sections by Sunday night had reached the pro- portions of blizzard.
 Near zero and sub-zero tempera- lures were forecast for the northwest and Great Lakes regions for about AS hours, then sweeping eastward.
 Chicago tonight was. visited by a driving snowstorm, while the mer- curry continued to fall. Heavy snow fall was reported in general through out the middle west. Decatur, Ills, reported drop of 25 degrees in three hours, snow flurries and a sweeping northwest wind Sunday afternoon.