davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-01
NO GOOD, REASON FOR DELAY

Recent discussion of the viaduct problem has renewed the interest in that important matter. Two sound conclusions may be drawn from the situation as presented by engineers, realtors and others. The one is that the city should by all means have comprehensive viaduet plan covering the en- tire grade-crossing situation. The other is that, while the entire program is being worked out, the more pressing relief meas ures be taken. There is almost common agreement that, pending the drawing up of the entire plan, the viaduct at Twenty-thrd street should be built. The natural abut- ments are there and nothing is required but the bridging of the space occupied by the railroads. This construction will not inter- fere with any plans for other subways or viaducts to be built on the south side and will not cost a great deal of money. On the other hand, it will establish another high way between the northern and southern sections of the city at a strategic point where traffic will be greatly relieved from the beginning. The city need not wait on the entire plan, but, while that plan is being perfected and without detriment to it, give the people such early relief as is feasible and not in conflict with the plan.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-01
THE FARMERS LOOK AHEAD

Report from manufacturers and dealers in farm implements doing business in Ala bama are to the effect that more farm ma chinery is being bought at this time than since the spring of 1920, when, under spur of an inflated prosperity, such sales attained a high record. Extra early preparations are being made for blowing and planting, as shown by the purchase of labor-saving inn plements and fertilizers. Cotton producers seem bent on having an early crop that will keep ahead of the boil weevil.
 The increase in purchase of farm imple- ments shows two things: That the Alabama farmer has surplus remaining over from sale of products last fall; and that he is employing that surplus for progressive farm ing operations. This is good news for all Alabama interests. The farms are the foun- dation. FactoreS, in their operation or incorporation, reflect the conditions on farms. The cities are more prosperous this spring because the farmers made money last fall and have that with which to purchase what the city manufacturers have for their use.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-01

to be almost without limit. The extraction of oil from shale is, at present, an expensive operation. Immense mining operations and retorting and refining plants would be nec- essary to produce quantities sufficient for commercial production. It is estimated that about forty-two gallons of oil are obtained to the ton of shale. That oil from shale IS a good motor fuel has been demonstrated, ac- cordine to the bureau of mines, and for many years it has been successfully used in
 Scotland as fuel. While the industry has not been developed in this country, govern ment authorities look to this field for com mercial exploitation within very few years. As yet it is only one of the wonderful assets which the country has, so to speak, up its sleeve, to be brought forth when necessity requires. But it may serve as a guarantee against our having to go in the future to foreign markets for our supply of gasoline.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-01

tion and production based on the speculative impulse. Iron and steel makers talk caution and agree that there should be limit in price raising. Drygoods wholesalers and hardware dealers express some apprehen- sion that temptation to play the nations present purchasing power to the limit will be overdone and cause the buyers to retire from the market with that same unanimity with which they are now in the market.
 The apprehension is a general one and is doubtless based on painful memory of what took place in those mad days following the lowed by depression of a much longer pc riod. It should be borne in mind that the present conditions have been eighteen months arriving, the turn commencing in July, 1921, and not gathering real force iu betterment until year later. The nation is fairly well-assured of good business for a half year. What it will be after that de- bends on the continuity of the present spirit of conservatism.
 The world is not yet ready for large surplus production by this country. There is danger in an over-production based on speculation in that direction. There is grave hazard in gratifying the instinct to make all the money possible right now. The buyer has shown that he knows how to strike" Business can avoid that by maintaining price schedules in keeping with justice to the consumer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-01
Harmful to the Schools
(Godsden Evening JournaD

\NOQSQeH ENeHliiS JOulIldlJ
 Advocates of the bill to require the election of county superintend- ents of education by the people have won their first skirmish in the house. They have succeeded in hay ing the bill taken from the adverse calendar and the measure will come before the house and be decided. This probably means the passage of the bill by the house. If the meas ure is passed by both houses of the legislature and then signed by Gov ernor Brandon, it will be little short of a calamity to tho rural school of Alabama. It will be a backward step, and will put Alabama bac.. twenty years in school development. The passage of the bill will open a new field for politicians. Not only will it throw the schools into poli- tics, but it will give the opportunity for untrained and uneducated men. who are good politicians and good mixers" to be placed in charge of the county schools of the state. There would be no saving to the state or county in the matter os salaries, while an awful price would be paid in lack of efficiency and of right training of the children.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-01
A MEMORIAL TO "MAMMIES"

A senate committee reported favorably on a bill of Senator Williams of Mississippi, authorizing the Daughters of the Confeder- acy to erect a memorial in Washington to the colored "mammes" of the south. The passage of such bill during republican, administration would be graceful act It would have the effect of uniting north and south in deserved tribute to-those faithful servants whose devotion and loyalty con stitute a unique chapter in American his tory. Just as the monuments erected to Confederate heroes in Washington testify to the healing of the wounds caused by the Civil war. a monument to the "black mann mics" would serve still further to banish sectionalism. Service, nobly rendered, is worthy of it's reward.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-01
LET FORD TRY IT

Some cynicism has been expressed as to Henry Ford's ability to produce nitrates and commercial fertilizers. It has been said thai an automobile manufacturer cannot be de- pended on to enter successfully an entirely new industrial field. It may be replied, how ever, that the underlying principles which have made MT. Ford a successful manufac- turer of motor cars are the basis of any successful industry. The ability to choose men of distinguished attainments in any branch of manufacturing and to organize a plant into an efficient unit is the factor MT. Ford is depending on to make any new ven- ture a success. Consequently, he has suc- cessfully operated a railroad, coal mines and plants subsidiary or contributory to his main industry. He is now branching out into forestry. The kind of forestry he prac- tices is well worth the name, for he is cus- ting the timber off his own tract in Northern Michigan in such a way as to take the most mature trees and leave the others to attain fuller development. It is anticipated that he will be able to work over the same tract again and again without exhausting 1t, be- cause of the conservation methods employed. Now Mir. Ford is not forester; but he knows men who are and has employed them to operate his forest in the most approved fashion.
 This should be sufficient answer to those who cast doubt on his ability to produce fer tilizers in commercial quantities at a low price and yet at profit. Others have pro- duced fertilizer profitably at low price, and there are hundreds of thousands who believe that what they have done, Mr. Fore, with his genius for economical production, can do also. The best way to test the mat ter is to give MT. Ford chance to demon- strate his fitness for the task Certainly nobody else is anxious for the job; not even the government.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-01
A Timely Editorial
Doctors for the Country


 The need for more physicians in the rural districts continues to in crease. Dr. William Darrach, dean of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia university, made it the chief subject of his att tention in his latest annual report. Not year passes now that leaders in the medical profession do not comment publicly on the influx of doctors to the cities and the danger to the health of the country com munities resulting from the refusal of medical men to settle in the ru- ral districts.
 Last year this was the subject of most concern in the report of the Carnegie Foundation for the Ad- vancement of Teaching. The rem edy suggested there was the build ing of more hospitals in small towns so that physicians might have the advantage of modern facilities, which is one of the attractions of a city practice.
 Dean Darrach also is of the opin- ion that until the opportunities in the rural districts are made suffi- cient to attract the younger gradu- ates no help can be expected from enlargement of tie medical schools. The number of students has in- creased greatly in recent years, but without effect in securing larger number of men willing to undertake country practice.
 Medical school graduates know very well that the cities are over crowded. They know too that many men who have preceded them and have tried to make places for them selves in the cities have failed in the attempt. They know that many of the men who fail leave the profes- sion and seek other work. But they are young, they have faith in them selves, they know the rewards for for those who are successful in the city are big; and So they try. As long as youth is youth they will try, unless sufficient inducement is offered to them to go to the coun- try and the small town.
 It is not at all uncommon to see advertisements of country communl- ties setting forth their need of com petent medical practitioners. The situation is acute. Many young doc tors who find it hard to keep clothed and housed in New York or Chicago would improve their economic situ- ation and put their training to much better account if they were to try the rural community.
 The modern hospitals may not be in the rural districts now, but four or five vigorous young medical men who know what they want and who have gained the confidence of a small town ought to be able to do a great deal toward securing a hos pital for that community.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-01
A LOAN TO GERMANY

With characteristic business acumen and common sense, Secretary Mellon opposes the Bursum bill to establish a billion dollar credit for the German government to buy foodstuffs in the United States. If private investors want to lend money to Germany on questionable security, that is their own affair but Germany's reaction to her other obligations affords no inducement to the United States government to come to her assistance There is certainly no disposition among the American people to favor Ger many more than the allied governments
 Mr. Mellon declares that the treasury has no funds available for German loan. If it were made, funds would have to be raised by further borrowing or imposing additional taxation. The government is already heavily in debt and taxes are too high The people of American are in no mood to shoulder greater tax burden for herelief of Germany. The bill seeks to win favor from the farmers on the ground that it would help them to dispose of their surplus products, but if Germany should not repay the loan, the farmers would be among the losers. Be- sides, agricultural conditions are becoming more normal and the farmers have no need of special measures, particularly those of doubtful expediency. Lending money to a borrower when when there is no assurance that principal or interest will be paid is not good business, no matter how it may be camouflaged.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-01
BRITAIN ACCEPTS TERMS

Predictions that an agreement regarding the British debt would soon be reached are borne out by the announcement that the British government has accepted the terms offered by the American debt commission. This is gratifying news to the entire coun- try and puts an end to the rumors that Great Britain would insist on terms that would never be approved by congress. It also means that immediate benefits will be felt by the United States and Great Britain, whose finances were affected by the uncer- tainty of adjusting debt of approximately four billion dollars, and the prospect that it might be postponed until the next session of congress. The settlement of this prob lem will do much to restore international finance to normal basis. It will be nec- essary for congress to modify the debt-fund- ing act so the American commission can complete it's negotiations with Great Britain, but there are no indications that congress will refuse to broaden the commissions powers. The prospects are bright for a final agreement before the present congress adjourns. The rapid progress made by the United States and Great Britain in settling a financial transaction of this magnitude establishes a new precedent and paves the way for the funding of other obligations owed to this country by foreign nations, who might profitab1y follow the example of national honesty and good faith set by the British government
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-01
ONLY THEMSELVES TO BLAME

It appears that the legislature is deter mined upon repeating the statute granting the ten years exemption on water-power development. The exemption was originally granted for the purpose of inviting develop ment, and follows the custom of many states. In return for tax exemption, however, which is given in a spirit of cooperation, it fol- lows that the companies taking advantage of it owe that same spirit of mutual help in the development of the state, and forfeit the claim to exemption when they are dis covered to use their influence for their own aggrandizement and seem forgetful of their obligation to consider the public welfare. Thus the Alabama Power Company, the chief developer of water power in this state, has aroused the resentment of the people of Alabama, both by its intense campaign of opposition to the leasing of Muscle Shoals to Henry Ford, and by it's more recent effort to win questionable valuation at the hands of two repudiated associate members of the Public Service Commission
 Both of these acts were contradictory to the general welfare of the state and people of Alabama, and the company has no one but itself to censure for the feeling its policy has aroused. To be sure, the taxes thus put in force are included in the property valuation and are charged against the con- sumers of current; but the point is that expected cooperation has not been given. As The Age-Herald remarked on December 14: '"The corporations have only themselves to blame for this attitude of suspicion to- wards them, especially corporations of public utility nature which derive from the gift of the people their right to exploit. natural resources. The Alabama Power Company, in it's legitimate field of industry, acting in harmony with the state laws, seeking no undue advantage, properly considerate of the public interest and work ing with and for the public, could command and receive the cooperation of all citizens" They are learning this lesson now. They cannot expect mutual hepfulness when they show themselves unmndful of the general welfare and seek to impose obstacles to those projects of industrial development on which the people of Alabama have set their hearts and their desires.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-01
DIRIGIBLEs TO TOUR ARCTIC

Dirigibes filled with helium may soon put a trip to the north pole within reach of an adventurous tourist. Major General Mason M Patrick, head of the army air forces, says lighter-than craft inflated with non- inflammabIe gas, will be able to fly to the pole and back without landing. Dirigibles would serve as the mother ships for air. planes, carrying several each. A device has been perfected to keep planes attached to . dirigibe while it is in flight. What con trast to the struggles of the early explorers in the frozen wastes of the north in this prospect of a round trip with little more hazard than a cross-country flight! In time people may speak as casually of flying to the pole and back as they now talk of the air voyage from London to Paris, or the numerous other trips that are made by planes following the air routes across Europe. It is perhaps fortunate that there is not much of the earth's surface left to explore. Cross ing fields of ice and deserts, mountains and the trackless seas in dirigible or airplane promises to become comparatively tame sport. It would hardly attract the type of explorers who endured incredible hardships and dangers to increase the store of human knowledge.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-01
Alabama Press
More Sessions Needed

The legislature cannot possibly debate, digest and act upon all the bills and resolutions submitted to it, but it can do it's best. Angels can do no more. But if the state had any gumpsion, as it grows older and more experienced, it would be- come convinced that biennial ses- sions of the legislature are necessary to good government. It isn't far to any legislature to demand that it live up to high expectations III fifty legislative days. At takes that long for the average member to be- come familiar. with the technic ot legislative procedure and to digest the more important state problems, before him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-01
sTINNES' EXPLOITS IN AUSTRIA

Two great economic wars are being fought In Europe. In spite of the pressure brought to bear on the "Ruhr front" Hugo Stinnes,
 German industrial leader, is finding time to carry on titanic struggle in Austria for the financial supremacy of Central Flu rope. Shines has far-reaching business in- terests and while the French may seize his properties in the Ruhr, like the tentaces of a giant octopus, the Stinnes qualifications extend in many directions and most of them would have to be topped off before he would be seriously crippled. The competi- tor he is fighting in Austria is Camulo Castiglione, reputed to be the Stinnes of that country. It is said that if Stinnes wins he will control the industry of Austria as well as Germany. According to cable dis patch the German magnate has been buying up the shares of company which controls
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-01
Restore Tax Exemptions
tAnniston Starr

tAHulSLOn DLdrt
 Comment was made in the An niston Star recently about the ad- visibility of exempting from taxa tion fro period of from five to ten years all new industries that are located in the state. Particular reference was made at that time to textile industries and since that ed- itorial was written it has come to light that Anniston has just lost an enormous textile plant because of the more favorable attitude toward snew capital in North Carolina. It will require courage, of course, for the Alabama legislature to restore those exemptions from taxation that once obtained in this state, for the uninformed voter, looking at the issue with contracted vision, is not favorable to such legislation. But the men whom we send to the legis- lature are assumed to be men of experience and wisdom, and any man who will study the facts in the case should become convinced that it will be paying proposition for Alabama to offer stronger induce ments for outside capital to come here for investment.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-01
IMPORTANCE OF OIL STALE

With increasing consumption of gasoline in this country, experts are already looking to the day when the automobiles, trucks and tractors must depend on another source of fuel. It is now believed that this source is oil shale. This material underlies consid- erable sections of Colorado, Wyoming and other western states and there are indca- tions that it occurs in the southern portions of the country also. The possibilities of obtaining fuel oil from this shale are said
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-01
Dollars 'superffuous crop7
Montgomery Journal)


 When visitor to the state house looks in on the two bodies of the legislature, listens to the debate on moral or economic questions, and then listens to the roll call and sees the defeat of some pending bill, which his people away back home modestly think and contend is good one, looking to the welfare of the public. he wonders and asks the question, "Who is running Ala bama?" Are the moral forces, are the friends of the common masses of the common people, in the minor ity in the two legislative bodies? The members, or some of them, talk about appropriations of thousands, and, hundreds O fthousands, as if they were dollars. There is a feel ing among many members of both houses that the dollar grows on trees and it is sort of superfluous crop.
 There is a feeling among many members of both houses that the dollar grows on trees and it Ia . sort of superfluous crop.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-01
THE MODERN EQUIVALENT
 Louisville Herald)

When a sultan wanted to ruin a high-placed parsonage of his off cial family he was accustomed to present him with white elephant and Jas Wang used to sing-it was Wang, wasn't it?-"the ele- phant ate all day and the elephant ate all night" These days we pre- sent a Vice President with pre- tentious residence and require him to keep it up on the salary of the chief butler,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-01
Your Thoughts By REV. H. C. OFFERMAN

Do you allow your mind to dwell on the horrible, the ugly, the dis astrous of the past?
 Why not call for pictures with laughter, and sunshine, and hap piness?
 When you are alone with your thoughts. do you see the dawn of hope peeping through to you?.
 Do Paradise, Heaven, Fl Dorado, open up to your thoughts?
 Let the thoughts of your life be the stars of your life, that shine through this dark cloud.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-01
SPIRIT OF BUSINESS CAUTION

If business acts up to it's present spirit of caution in regard to prices and produc- ton the good times ahead will last longer than if it yields to the impulse to advance prices to the limit that current demand will bear and follows that up by an over-exploita-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-01

Premier Poincare wishes t understood that France is merely 1sojourning in the Ruhr. But Germany thinks it expensive to entertain her.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-01
WOULD IT GO TO OUR HEAD?
 Baltimore Sum

Never criticise a movie star un- til you figure out the kind of ass you would be if you had that kind of salary.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-01

Some folks object to the grade crossings. One should not be unreasonable about this. For example, the other morning we were held up by two freight trains. Ore of twenty-two cars was going east and one of thirty-one was going west. From this we deduce that the east is producing more than the west. How in the world could we have obtained this information had we nos been held up by the trains?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-01

If Will Hays is not the "czar" of the movies, that leaves Judge Landis as our only exponent of unlimited power.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-01

Investigators have just made the periodic announcement that Chicago is the worst city in the country. Chicago doesn't seem to resent ir.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-01

There doesn't seem to be anything to be done about getting Mer Rouge out of the headlines.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-01

By accepting part in new play Bern hardt has indefinitely postponed her "ren- dezvous with death"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-01

The situation at Lausanne might be saved by issuing ultimatums in relays.