davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25
A UTILITY CO-OPERATES

There is general satisfaction throughout the state over the order making substantial reduction in tele- phone rates and charges in Alabama. The reduction indicates either that the costs of telephone operations are low CT or that the company has attained greater efficiency in administration so as to reduce the overhead. Perhaps both. factors enter into the situation. It is undeniable that much of the high cost on which increased rates were based, whether for telephone ors other utility, was due to the lowered quality of administration which, during the war and immediately thereafter, ap- peared to permeate equally industry, business and government. Things have swung back more nearly to nor nal, and it has been rediscovered that economies in management and admin istration are far more apt to result in net profit than are high rates without such economies.
 IC pSOPiC O1 1Ai4pdild dI Bl dtillCO to know that the telephone company, the most intimate utility in the state, the one that goes into every home and office and directly touches more lives than any other, brought forth the spontaneous praise of the Public Serv- ice Commission for the cordial spirit of cooperation it displayed during the entire period of examination of it's records and discussion of rates. This is the proper attitude for public utili- ties to take, and those who do take it will in the long run find it profitable to do so. It is noted that the manager of the utility, in public statement, declared that, while the company thought the reduction more sweeping than the facts justified, yet it would make "a faithful and efficient effort to maintain the service up to a high standard" and that the company's construction and extension program would go on. These questions of fair rates are vital. The utility that is frank and fair in its negotiations dis plays an attitude bound to win public commendation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25
JAPAN AND THE SOVIET

One of the great difficulties with nations Is that they fail to learn by the experience of one another. After a prolonged trial the British are find ing out that there is no hope of en- forcing any kind of agreement with the Russian soviet, and are trying to annul such agreement. At the same time, leading Japanese statesman is telling his people that the soviet is changing, and that so many of the ob- jectionable policies of communism have been discarded that the soviet government is now ripe for 1'ecogni- tion. Had the Japanese looked more carefully into the British experiment he might have found therein reason sufficient to curb his enthusiasm for soviet faith.
 It is true that the soviet leaders have publicly disclaimed many of the tenets they at first laid down, but it is equally true that they are reported Non other occasions to have reiterated those tenets. Having fallen into des- perate case the soviet is willing to say anything that will start foreign credit their way and give them the food and goods they so desperately need. It should be significant, however, that the soviet does not fulfil its obliga- tions and still maintains its policy of repudiation of the debts of the czar.st regime. To the outside world, Russia i, Russia, and those who succeed to the ca.c.uments of government must also accept the responsibilities devolving upon the nation. In many other ways the soviet has proved itself insincere and treacherous. If the Japanese deal with the soviet they will have to meet vile with vile or be discomfited. Japan has made too much progress away from such methods of late to risk her world reputation on soviet faith.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25
ue hundred and fifty thousand has

one hundred and fifty thousand has been spent on negro schools. The pro posed further expenditure would bring the total to about three hundred and fifty thousand, or considerably less than the amount originally specified. It appears that the municipality and the school board are in honor bound to adhere to the pledge made prior to and during the campaign. When it comes to a question of keeping a promise, there scarcely seems to be room for argument,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25
IT SEEMS TO BE A PROMISE

Our scheme of public education in dudes the elementary instruction of the negro, and that is a public obliga- tion all Southern states have assumed. It is mistake to view education of ne- yroes as of benefit only to the negroes. The negro plays an important and Indispensable role in industry. The better he is trained for such role, the greater the benefit to the entire indus trial community. The proposal of the board of education to expend two hum dred thousand dollars on a negro in dustrial training school is in line with fhe generally accepted theory that such &sining makes the negro more eff 8ht workman, and relieves the white nan of what has heretofore been more or less of an economic burden. It is true that there are many white public echools in need of relief from present congestion and lack of facilities. At first thought, there is sympathy with the demand that the white schools be provided for before any more money is spent on colored schools. The sum Involved, however, is so small, com .psred with the urgent needs of the aehools, as to assume relative unimpor- tance. Much more money than two hundred thousand dollars must be pro- vided to care for Birmingham's grow ing school population. There should bea early action towards such an end.
 As to the sum proposed for the col cred training school, it should be re- tmarked that the school board feels hound by the record to make the pro- sxfrion in question. While the cam snaign was in progress, spokesmen for ,fhn bond issue repeatedly stated that per cent. of the bond issue ::;Sronld be devoted to the cause of negro < ,Ssbools. The minutes of the school skosrd on this point, as of April 12, .spl7, show that the board formally opproved of the proposal to expend !, twenty-five per cent.
 f the bond issue on colored schools.
 Thus, by voting the bond issue, the
 <ple tacitly agreed that the above
 ram of distribution be followed
 sand that one-fourth of the money
 "a as stated. Of the two million bond issue something less than
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25
PRIDE IN MERCHANT FLEET

Quite apart from the pride in having an American merchant marine is the command of world trade for which it stands and the barrier which it pre- sents to domination of ocean freight charges by foreign shipping. For ex- ample, while only one-third of the 18,- 000,000 tons of American farm prod ucts that went abroad last year were carried by American ships, the Ma tional Merchant Marine association is enabled truthfully to declare that the amount conveyed by American ships prevented control of ocean rates by the foreign ships.
 America has the ships. It seems trade folly not to use them and main tain this economy of export transpor- tation. The American Bureau of Ship ping observes: "It has been wisely said that if American travellers and shippers will patronize their own ships with anything approaching the pa triotic ardor with which foreign rivals utilize their own means of transpor- tation, but little, if any, governmental aid would be necessary to maintain a sufficient American merchant marine for our own needs. Why, then, should not all of us, who contemplate travel
 ing abroad or shipping to foreign lands, consider the advisability of do- ing so on ships maintained by Ameri- cans? If only half of those who travel to Europe would patronize American ships, there would be no doubt of the success of our own lines, both finan- cially and commercially" It is further declared: "No ships afloat are safer or more comfortable than our 535 and bO2 types of shipping board steamers. Under American management they pl ovide for the passengers food which cannot be excelled in quality or quan- tity. Every one who has travelled on these ships expresses the greatest sat isfaction at the treatment received from both officers and crew."
 It is the same with respect to ships as with respect to trade. The Amer ican manufacturer does not regard export trade the permanent factor in his business that it in fact is. Follow ing the same stated indifference to ex- port trade except when he acutely needs it he is likewise indifferent to permanent American merchant ma rine which would be permanent fac tor in development and conservation of that trade. Foreign trade is based on ships, and the nations having the most ships on the oceans do the largest export business. No nation can main tain supremacy on the seas without the patronage of it's own ships by it's own shippers.
 It is the weakness of America that, so far enjoying that prosperity which has been incident to her roomi- ness and wealth of resources, she does not as forcefully as she should realize the increasing need of foreign mar kets for her surplus production, and does not cultivate them between whiles as must be done if this trade is to be had when wanted. American ships are the weapon with which to control the seas. In the measure that America maintains an ocean fleet through the patronage of her shippers, ir that measure precisely America will control commerce of the world. Prid., and trade run hand in hand when it comes to ships and commerce.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25
JOHN-A-DREAMS
Dreams of Di.cordant Notes


 No doubt you remember what I told you some time ago about music. of the splendid meaning of caressing sounds ring through your dreams.
 But when you hear musical in- struments in discord, you may we'll prepare yourself for unpleas- ant hours.
 Such sounds foreshadow quar- rels with the very people with whom you would like to, or at least ought to, live in profound peace.
 If you are . mother of . grown family, you will find that your children will oppose you and that their contrary attitude will make you shed many bitter tears and say many harsh things about the ingratitude of those whom you raised to manhood and woman hood.
 In the case of married women without families. the vision in variably foretells a serious dis agreement between husband and wife: and unmarried girls who dream such are sure to quarrel In such a manner that reconcilia- tion will either be absolutely i'm possible or will be deferred for a long period.
 If you are responsible for part of the discordant musical sounds, the fault of the disagreement will be entirely yours. and only if you are in no way connected with pro- ducing the discords. will you be in a position to deny all responsi- bility for the impending ilI-feel- ing. Nevertheless, neither the sit uation nor the consequences will be less serious. and as a result dreams of this sort are classed among the most unpleasant, and the experiences that follow them among the most unfortunate.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25
MOTHERS OF FAMOUS
 MEN


NAothcr OI LelanG StnnfOr0, Jr.
 In the beautiful buildings of Le- land Stanford university near Palo Alto, Cal, there hang three pie lures. one of Leland Stanford, the pioneer and one of the makers Of California; the other of Leland Stanford, Jr., for whom the great university is named: and the third, the sweet, kindly face of Jane Lathrop Stanford, tho mother of the one in whose name the uni versity exists.
 Jane Lathrop was woman of great mental power and of high character. When she united her fortunes with those of Leland Stanford. the young lawyer, ene was ready to follow her husband to any place. and to endure any hardships for his sake. She did go with him to California, and there helped him in slowly building up the land and thereby his own pow CT and wealth. In those first years Jane Lathrop Stanford worked hard and endured much, but with later years came great wealth, and the opportunity for every luxury.
 She was forty-two when Leland Stanford. Jr., was born, . son whom she named after the father, for there was no man living whom she admired more than that stall wart. far-seeing. hard working pioneer. For seventeen years the mother cared for the boy, and saw in him the high hopes of the fu- ture. Then came the blow. Death robbed her of her only child. What use is all this money?" she thought. What is there left to live for?" Then came the thought: There are other mothers, There are other sons! will live for them! She talked with her nus band. and led him to the founding of a university where boys such as theirs had been, could gain an education. Together they poured out more than twenty million dol lars for the university and named it in loving memory of Leland Stanford, Jr.. the most notable mark of mother love in all the United States.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25
ONE TRICK A DAY
\ Match Box Trick

Here is little feat that can be done spontaneously and that will produce much amusement.
 You have a safety match box, and you tell the audience that you have power to command it's move ments. Open the box and place it on end on the back of the left hand. Have your fingers extended so as to wrinkle the skin on the back of the hand.
 Now, with the right hand close the box. pinching a bit of the skin of the left hand between the body and cover of the box. The box will now stand upright when you remove your right hand.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25
WILLIAM ORGANIZES

Good wishes are extended the citi- zens of Wylam on their organization of the Wylam Business and Profes- sional club. The benefit of such get together movements is not always at once apparent, but time dscloses their usefulness in many emergencies. That is the fundamental reason for the cen tralization and massing of community
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25

It seems that the main difference between the Chinese bandits and some American resourcful profiteers is that the Chinese have dragged in their gov ernment.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25
The Jail Inspectors

(Oneonta Southern Democrat)
 Why not make the county quar. antine officers the Jail inspectors for their respective counties. They are paid salary and very few of them eyer do thing to earn 1t. No need to have these prison in- spectors going from county to county at a big expense to the state. Let's cut out one or tho other of these jobs. But no, the people cant have anything to do with this. They are under control of the state health department. and itsi is not accountable to the people for what 1t dooa
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25
10 FAVORITE BOOKS
AS Chosen by Don Marquir. Play

 (As Chosen by Don Marquir, Play
 wright, COlumnist, POet.) Vanity Fair" (Thackeray). "The Three Musketeers" (Du- mas).
 ''Huckleberry Finn" (Mark Twain).
 Kim" (Kipling). ''The Egoist" (Meredith). Shakespeare's plays. ..... Keats poems. "The Hound of Heaven" (Fran- cis Thompson). Emerson's essays. Hail and Farewell" George Moore).
 Copyright. 1923, United States and Great Britain, for The Ase-Herald. by North American Newspaper Alliance. All rights reserved.)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25
No Reason To Leave

\NNo'~NAVCbeA ANOWS S(
 Theer are many institutions of learning in the United States. but but there can be no good reason why any boy or girl should care to leave the state of Alabama The courses offered are just as good as those of institutions better known. and besides you help make renowned schools which are rapid. ly winning a name among the old- est in the country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25

Communism in Russia seems to con sist of convincing the people that they can live more contentedly on hay social theories than on something to eat occasionally.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25
Protection of Children


 Alabama has law requiring that children be examined before they can enter employment. This law has been in force only a few years, and has proven very satis- factory so far as 1t goes. A lew such as that in Virginia requiring periodic examination is certainly desirable and necessary for the best interests of the children who must work.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25
As To Tax Assessments (Gadsden JournaD

Although many of them were elected on platform which con- templated the killing of the tax adjuster system, the legislators gradually are learning that a TO- turn to the old system of volun- tary assessments would not be for the best interests of the state. And so the prospects are that as far as possible. the Kilby system will De dead in name only. The idea itself will be carried on. no doubt, in an- other form.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25
Rests With the Farmer
 (Anniston Star)

Already Alabama farmers arc diversifying their crops and tho wisdom of their action is being shown on every hand. With the weevil eliminated as a threat to cotton, they could easily make cot ton continue the major money crop and still produce other crops that would help to make them in dependent and safe against the failure of any one crop. The whole matter really rests with the farmer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25
SMILES
Practical Calculation

The teacher had been explaining fractions to her class. When she had discussed the subject at length, wishing to see how much light had been shed, she inquired:
 "Now, Bobby, which would you rather have, one apple or two halves?"
 The little chap promptly replied:
 Two halves"
 "Oh, Bobby!" exclaimed the young woman, a little disappoint- ed. "Why should you prefer two halves?"
 Because then I could see if it was bad inside"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25
The Gravy Running Right

NhdASONAiAS I 4imCSJ
 There are opportunities in this neck of tho woods unsurpassed anywhere else in the world. That's why those making tho most of them have the gravy running on the right side of their plate and their position at bank stays off the red side of the ledger.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25

The Alabama courts have ruled that when a marriage engagement is broken the ring is the property of the man in the case. This may have some effect in keeping the engagement in dustry on full shift.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25

In New York these days it seems that the dramatic critics have more to do with the success or failure of play than do the actors. Moral: Don't underestimate the value of the press agent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25
Danger of Laws Delay

\Opellk6 NoWB)
 John Grindle of Etowah county had a case charging assault against him in the courts there for six years. Evidently all 'postponement" excuses were ex- hausted and last week he was fined S100 and costs. The laws delay is great encouragement to law violators.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25
Swat Them

(Talladega Daily Home) .~pon't growl about poultry eat ih3 animals, such as minks. pos sums and beautiful bobcats, but swat them whenever you spot them, if you can. If their num- bers and raids increase it is an in- dication that the poultry crop of Talladega county is also flourish. ing
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25
New Industries Needed

(Guntersvflle Democrat)
 Our town needs new industries. We discuss necessity in our clubs. but 1t does not get anywhere. If We can't get an iron foundry let us try for cotton mill or knitting mill. or broom factory. Certainly we can furnish material for one or the other.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25
HAVING A HARD TIME

ID6tFUIL FTee PfeSSJ
 The alarmists are having consid- erable difficulty in convincing. tho people that it Is an awful thing to live in a country suffering from too much prosperity.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25

can multiply faster than machine can add. Swatting is futile, for the loss of one only makes room for an- other.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25

A financier contends that the cur rency should be more elastic. It is al- ready working overtime stretching the consciences of good many people.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25

In politics the trouble with a re- spectable minority is that not long after it becomes a safe majority it losses much of it's responsibility.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25
PICNIC FOR MOTH BALLS

Naval officers detailed to desk Jobs in Washington shed their uni : forms by official permission and go back to civilian clothing. This move puts 27.000 moth balls back into Circulation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25

One trouble about a third party is that 1t doesn't get enough support in the first election after it's organiza- tion to show up in the second.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25
His Chances Slim

Philadelphia Record))
 Senator Borah has been asked to lead third party, but until he can assure himself that 1t Is likely to be better than third in the race he will scarcely accept.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25
A Suggestion

Sir William Bell of the British Institute of Patentees calls for the invention of "a temperance drink that will keep and yet not pail on the palate" Wonder if Sir William has ever made experiments with water?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25

It may be true that materialism is on the increase but it is equally true that the growth cannot keep pace with the cost.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25

If recent occurrences continue to increase, domestic science courses may be broadened to include marks manship.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25

While it is true that experience is the best teacher, the tuition costs are usually pretty high.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25
Qulte Touching

(Pfttsburg Gazette -Times)
 Tho Democratic national com mittee is fearful President Hard ing can not be renominated. Its concern is pathetic. 1t feels so deeply on the subject.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25
The Difference

(New York Evening world)
 While the first Moses was found In tho bulrushes. the modern Moses of New Hampshire rushes like . bull.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25
THE ALABAMA PRESS
Safer in the Middle
 (Mobila Reeisterl

Como right down to 1t: Isn't 1t safer to cross in the middle of the block than at the corner where there are eight ways for . flivver to get you?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25
THE PARAGRAPHERS
Still Running

(Cleveland Times es-CommerciaD.
 Speaking of endurance tests, what's the matter with Mir. Bryan as the nonstop candidate?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25

The Turks and the Russians seem to be engaged in a general-cussedness marathon.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25
Seems Impossible

TSPfTnB TeTu O1fTUHT It is almost incredible that any body could haze the Democratic party so vindictively as to wish LaFollette, Borah and Johnson on 1t.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25

There is no race suicide inclination with the housefly. He believes in very large families and lots of them. He
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-25

We note with approval that the city commission is thinking of removing the fly-hatchery to the country, in- stead of destroying it as some thought less persons have advocated. The con- mission knows that every creature was placed on this earth for some good purpose, and very wisely refuses to be a party to any program likely to destroy the fly, which is equally at home indoors and out, is associated with our earliest recollections, and | whose buzzing chimes in musically with our death rattles. We hope that the new neighborhood to be selected for the dump will be less finicky, and that local enmity to the fly will not mount to such heights as contribute to the commissions present embarrass- ment in the matter. Our forefathers shooed away the fly with one hand and conquered the wilderness with the other. Surely we, their descendants, have not reached such a condition of fragility as to regard the fly, ancient companion of humanity, as nuisance and an enemy. Anyhow, the new loca- tion will probably be out of the reach of these everlasting swatters of the fly, and it may marry and raise it's families in security, knowing full we'll that the city which has cast it out will yet feed it.
 The telephone rates are to come down. Talk is getting cheaper.
 The young man was just coming from the telephone booth after talking over long distance with his sweetheart. "She has such dear voice." said he musingly.
 Police hold the view that the egg in yegg is bad.