davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23
 BLAME FOR FUEL COSTS


 sion declared that wholesalers in the coal industry in recent years have been taking profits of more than two hun dred per cent. over their pre-war margins, while retailers of coal, de- spite increasing costs, have been talk ing less. The commission recom- mended to the president and congress that the federal government be en- powered to regulate fuel distribution in times of shortage, and that the re- tail handling of coal be left entirely to local treatment.
 The commission emphasized that there are too many wholesalers; that they reap profits down the line, and that pyramiding of prices is thus passed along to the consumer until the cost of fuel has advanced far beyond what should provide fair profit to both operators and wholesalers. The commissions study indicates that in times of shortage the organizing of margins through the speculative &C., tivity of wholesalers results in the en- hancement of prices without furnish ing the public an equivalent in distri- button service. It is this discouraging situation that the commission believes should be corrected in the interest of the public through legislation provid- ing for strict regulatory powers by the federal government over the entire production and distribution of inter- state fuel, and this regulation is es- pecially needed in times of shortage and widely fluctuating prices brought about largely by more or less wild speculation.
 While the commission points out in several instances that the situation applies more to the anthracite coal industry, the bituminous industry is by no means given a clean bill in this respect. The settlement of the hard coal strike may be considered as a piece of constructive service, accord ing as it is viewed, but the advance m cost of something like fifty millions of dollars year to be unloaded on the public, under the terms of the settle ment, robs the achievement of much of the glory that be claimed for it from an economic, if not a political, standpoint. The report of the com mission will meet with strong opposi- tion from some quarters; but two things stand out in this connection that are worthy of consideration-the pa- triotism, ability and character of the members of the commission, and the widespread demand for relief for the public, which has long been the victim of greed and imposition at the hands of the fuel industry, and would well come any aid that might come from well considered governmental action based upon purpose to serve the pub lie, and entirely disassociated with po- litical aims or objects.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23
POOR BOYS WHO
 BECAME FAMOUS
Herman Melville
By Frederiek Houk La


 A sailing ship lay at anchor off the coast of the Marquesas Islands some eighty years ago. It was crude, rough, uncomfortable ves- sel at best. The men who com posed the crew were as rough as the boat on which they sailed. Danger was the only spice that there was In their lives. Their work was hard; their quarters were cramped and poorly venti- lated; and over them there was a captain who gave them scant sym pathy.
 Among the crew there had been a young man not twenty-four years old, Herman Melville, an American. Just now the captain was in a fiery temper over this same young American, and was giving quick, profane orders to his men to go ashore, climb the mountains, thread the jungles and bring back the man who had de- serted. How 1t would have sur prised that rough sea captain to know that the young man whom he was so eager to catch and to punish with the utmost severity, would have become one of the most noted of American writers, and the author of "a book based on the very adventure that he was now entering into!
 In all truth, that young sailor whose spirit of indignation at harsh words and taunts and blows and petty tyranny had so risen that he had taken the chance of going to live among the cannibals rather than endure the while cap tain any longer-that young man was a remarkable man. Off into the jungle and up the steep noun tain sides of the wild island of Nukahiva went Herman Melville and one sailor friend. The two men made their way to village of fierce cannibals. Beautiful maidens made love to them strong men brought them food, but nevertheless, they were always in danger. Finally Herman Mel vile escaped to the coast and to a boat from ship. He slowly made his way back to America and there wrote his book, "Typee," the most wonderful of all stories oi the South Seas---a book so full oi romance and warmth and colo. and tropic love that it is to this day the best book eyer written on life in the cannibal islands.
 The common sailor, who had grown up from being merely a cabin boy, became a novelist and wrote a score of books, some o1 them almost as famous as "Typee.' He became>the friend of the great Nathaniel Hawthorne, and settled down into calm and uneventfu. life, part of which he spent in the custom house in New York City As he sat at his desk he must often have thought of the happy days when he lived like a king ir an island scarcely known to the world.
 In recent years Herman Mel. ville's books have strongly at. tracted public attention, so that now, twenty-three years after hi: death, he is more famous than he ever was before.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23
PROTECTION AGAINST spEEpERs

The people of every city in the country are subjected to constant dan gers by reckless drivers of automo- piles. As the number of motor ve- hicles increase through a natural eco homie evolution, the dangers become more acute. Various plans have been adopted looking to protection; but, while the situation appears to improve as respects the individual driver, the benefits are offset by the steadily in creasing number of vehicles. The problem of protection to the people, including motor drivers again other motor drivers, and especially to the pedestrian, has become one of the most serious that large cities have to deal with.
 Among the remedies adopted that of an Indianapolis judge is attracting attention because of it's practical re- suits. His plan comprises jail sen- tences, heavy fines and loss of motor cars to their owners for specified pe- riods according to the nature of the.r offenses. The system works on a sliding scale. First offenders are fined fixed amounts for whatever speed the drivers are convicted of having made, but do not have to pay if they relinquish their machines for certain number of days. A person convicted of driving twenty-five miles an hour is fined five dollars and costs. On payment of the costs and turning in the license plate and drivers cer- tificate, the fine is suspended. In five days the offender again may drive his car. The faster person drives, the heavier the fine and the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23
Exit the Swatter

The grand old game of swat-the-fiy is doomed. No more will the family while away the evening by hunting the nimble house fly from room to room. The trusty swatter is about to be relegated to the attic along with the red plush album and the crayon portrait of Uncle Oswald.
 Science has discovered germ that will exterminate the fly without leav- ing single footprint on the wall paper of time.
 This germ is something new in the germ line. It is automatic, self-pro- polling and accomplishes its work without assistance. It is not neces- sary to hold the fly by the coat collar and feed him a spoonful of germs, nor is it necessary to inject hypo- dermic needle in his forearm.
 "It is a corkscrew-like germ," the scientists tell us, and therein lies its efficiency.
 Any man who frequented buffets in the days of old knows that the house fly has pronounced weakness for strong drink. Whenever foam ing stein was left for a moment un- guarded it was surrounded and att tackled by myriad of flies.
 Now that the buffets are padlocked, the flies are afflicted with tremend- ous thirst; and when they see one of these new germs they think it is a corkscrew and leap on it with glad cries. Fine corkscrew stings its assail- ant in the foot and all is over.
 The new germ is harmless to the human species-at least where cork screw doesn't mean anything.
 The football star who is hopeless cripple on the eve of big game, and plays next afternoon with all the en- ergy of eleven wildcats, has coun- terpart in Russia. Leon Trotzky is sick again.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23
BIG RETAIL SALES ABROAD

Gordon Selfridge, the American merchant, who went to London few years before the war and opened a department store mcdeled after those in his native country, IS now in the United States, and brings stories of the business being done by London and Earis mercantile concerns which are cut of accord with many accounts of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23
SMILES
Drun,ned Out
Clos Angeles Times)

Clos Angeles Times)
 The summer class at a high school theo ther day were on the subject of Napoleon'sei Invasion of Russia and his famous retreat What was it happened to Ma poleon at Moscow?" asked the teacher.
 He ran away" was the quick answer.
 "Yes, of course. but that isn't hardly the right expression to use for such momentous phase of history. Can you not think of a better expression to suit tn eocca- sioin. with it's rumble of big guns, it's roll of drums"
 Sure" cried the boy promptly, they beat it."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23
THE LAWS DELAY
(Anaconda Standard)


 Owing to the congestion of busi- ness in the supreme court, accord ing to a Washington dispatch, a case filed today will not be reached by the court for argu- ment for eighteen months unless it is included in that compara- lively small number of cases for hearing out of turn. As long as the court is open to those who would use it to delay the execn- tion of sentences or take a last desperate chance to have an ad- worse decision reversed, it's dock . cts will be crowded with cases ,n which an appeal is asked merely to postpone the inevitable day when the prison doors must close on the petitioner, or when a judg- ment must be paid
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23

Having arrived in England, the Prince of Wales may put in some of his spare time explaining to his social intimates just how corn on the cob can be eaten without creating abnor- nal shocks.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23
Triple Menace ts Law

As the matter now stands, the nationwide activity nf bootleg gers, the nationwide disrespect for the law by both sellers and buyers of liquor and the viola tions of the prohibition law by those who should set an example in law observance, onstitute a triple menace to law and order which this country shqlld remove. Strict enforcement of he law, se- were punishment of vblators and a more wholesome reg,rd for the law are things urgentl, needed in this country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23

With his soldierly, snappy appear ance, there's no surprise that General Pershing finds difficulty in disgusting himself behind little thing like an "incog."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23

It would tage an adding macaine to total the number of laws in this coun- try which most well-meaning people never heard of; and yet still more are being constantly ground out.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23
The Difference in Money
Huntsville Times

(HuntsViIIe Times
 Madison county won't make her 50,000 bales of cotton IS first hoped, but, thanks to sn ever climbing price, we are all 10 make the difference in money, ard after all 1t probably is best, because there will not be so much ,xpense attdcneu 10 gathering ant mar keting the crop; saving rothing for the fact. too. that a, large crop here would have contributed it's share to a downward market.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23
Life,s PecuIiarities

Harrisburg Patriot)
 Some marry because they hate to og around alone and some get divorces for this same reason.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23

The famous European physician who claims that the wife should be eight years younger than the husband prob- ably wished to discourage matrimo- nially inclined fellows before they reached their majority.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23
His Complaint

(Philadelphia- Bulletin)
 Judge: How dare you to break into this gentleman's house in the dead of night?"
 Prisoner: Why, your honor, the other time you jawed me for stealing n broad daylight. Amt to be allowed to work at all?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23
As to the Ford Bid

While Ford seems to be, bitter toward Weeks becauseo f the sale of the Gorgas plant to the Ala bama Power Company. 1t is dif- ficult to understand how that at- titude is Justified. The sale of Gorgas was but the fulfilling of a contract on the part of the govern ment. The country at large will be glad to learn that MT. Ford has definitely announced that his bid is still before congress. While some people who are in favor of the acceptance of the Ford offer believe that the project will never be turned over to Ford. it is to be expected that the next congress- will act favorably on it. Since Mir. Ford has agreed to ~elinina-t tion of the Gofgasg piant,.H even though he thinks he should have had it, congress shJuld now ac- cept his bid.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23

An exchange says that Magnus Johnson may be relied on to improve the acoustics of the senate. There is already ample opportunity to hear what is said in that body. The real need is clarity of view, rather than of sound,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23

The actor who appeals to the public to finance his play might remember that the public has been many times buncoed in that sort of thing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23
Fame

"What's all the r'uckus about?" de- manded the strenuous stranger as he elbowed his way through the crowd at the curb.
 sIloyd George" they told him.
 "Shucksw he replied. q thought it was Babe Ruth"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23
BuildinE Up the s,il

NpSiAia ltIHes-J Ournal)
 The farmers have learned. from bitter experience, that it is impes- sible to make crop oi ssShas corn or cotton on worn-out lands. and that the way to have rich lands is to plant these cover crops and blow them into the soil to increase the vegetable content. It has been found that these winter clover crops will hold in the soil immense quantities of plant food that would ordinarily be leached out by the winter rains. By plant ing these crops now, either of rye, clover or vetch. the farmer aug ments the supply of humus in the soil and thus fixes" and holds the plant food against the washings of the winter rains and adds to the amount of ammonia that Is essential in crop production.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23

Several divisions of the German empire are acting these days as if they don't have any more confidence in one another than the outside world has in the Teuton general outfit.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23
About Making htser

NOAiSohS1 ooutucrH 1emOcratJ
 Blount county has | fine type or dairy cattle. They are not all pure-b bred Jerseys, but. they are part Jersey and are Ene butter cows On every farm rom three to five cows could be kpt without a great deal of expmse. But many of the farmers tel us it will not pay because they annot ret a satisfactory price for their but ter. In many instances his is due to the fact that they have not learned how to make god butter. We know of people in thi commu- nity that get fifty cents Ter pound for their butter the year round, while some others canno, get if teen cents at any time. the milk comes from the same kind of cows.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23

MT. Hoover's views on the general economic situation may be boiled down to the need for markets to turn Amer ican surplus products in money, a condition which will materialize when America helps Europe to get on her feet as customer that can command reasonable credit.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23

The nation would be an, hundred per cent. better off if half the pork barrel activities of it's lawmaking body were turned into constructive consid eration of the public welfare.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23
THE ALABAMA PRESS
Clearing Up the Situation
-(Florence Daily Newi)

Nc tVA CtANS A|niAJ ~NSWN
 With Henry accepting the chal- lenge of the adn1inistratitf to stay in the fight with Gorgfs elimi- nated-or with the attempt to eliminate it--there will be little in the way for an early disposi- tion of the whole matter as soon as congress assemblies.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23
Safety First

Dear Torch Bearer: A medium has discovered a spirit that says it with flowers. Must be the spirit. of Plato or Socrates or some other Greek. Do you know that the unsafest place in the world is a safe deposit box on a safety island?-J. R. K.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23

a law-abiding people or an heteroge- nious conglomeration of law-breakers; and on that same question will de-
 In Nebraska they have discovered the tooth of native ape, It appears to be mere coincidence that it hap pened in MT. Bryan's native state.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23
Watching the Series

Washington Star)
 It is suspected that Lloyd George thought he might as well go to Canada and let the U. S. A. give the opening of the world se- ries undivided attention.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23
There. a Leak Somewhere

(Boston Transcript
 The fact that the Prince of Wales is living incognito does not serve to keep from the American public knowledge of the number of flapjacks he eats for break fast. .s
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23
Luvcrne in Good Condition
(Crenshaw County News)

(Crenshaw County News)
 While crops in the surrounding territory, especially cotton, are be- low the average, the price oi the latter has helped in meeting the obligations of the farmers, and it is believed that from a business point of view Luverne will enter the next year in as good condition as when this year began. The people of the town are loyal to it, and we can look forward to the future with hope If improve ment,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23

The fur she wears around her neck
 she thinks it IS sable. It used to sing on our back fence as
 loud as it was able. Helen H.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23
Definition of Lame Duck

Cincinnati Times Star)
 A lame duck may be defined as a rooster of the hard-boiled species who tried to cross the road when political traffic was unduly heavy,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23
MORE MARKET FICTION

A Pleasant Hill touring party stopped at a cross-road stand in Illinois. Eight fine, big red ap- ples were picked out. The woman at the stand weighed them and said Tour cents."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23

Okiahoma's governor seems to have as much trouble with his politics as Indiana's chief executive does with his finances.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23

The governors in conference de- cided that on the enforcement of pro- hibition laws hangs the question of whether the American nation will be
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23
10000 Commandment

Dear Torch Bearer: Why a new Ten Commandments for married life? Ever since I was led to the altar life has been just one commandment after another.-D. D. s.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23
Must Be Good
(Dallas News)

In China the state right fac tions have agreed to permit an- other president to be established at Picking, provided he keeps quiet.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23
Tkz5SsSORcFf l@ BEARER

Promises once broken may be patched up, but they always have a shaky look.
 Bluffin9 is about as uncertain as forecasting the weather.
 Few men drop in the estimation of women by falling in love with them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23
One Trouble He Missed

(London Punch) It was lucky for Columbus that he did it before the immigration
 compound at Ellis Island was
 thought of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23
THE PARAGRAPHERS
Injunction May Be Needed

(Tampa Tribune) Now, if Harvey goes on the lec- ture platform, somebody ought to get out an injunction.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23

Trade Commission Orders Correct Branding of Ivory"
 It will be a great help to baseball scouts.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23

Vanderbilt's nephew drives taxi cab and curious throngs block the traffic. Times have changed since a Vanderbilt drove a ferryboat.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23

A little more cool weather and sum- mer furs will become scarce.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23

Some people are so wrapt in thought that it is impossible to get at them, and often it dosen't make much diff ference, anyhow
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23

No doubt General Oglethorpe heaved a sigh of relief when he learned that his bones would be allowed to rest in peace. How would you like to be bu- ried under college campus?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23

After all, the influence of mind over matter is more or less dependent on the presence of gray matter.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23
THE AGE-HERALD

Entered at the Birmingham. Ala, post
 office as second class matter under act Of Congress, March 6, 1879.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23

There is no .surer way to lose a woman's respect than to agree yer batim with everything she says.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23

FREDER1CK I. THOMPSON. President
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-23

Cocoon Dry, brown walls, gray walls Thin -. cracking Sticking to my worm body. .. Yet will find meadows And soft-petaled flowers Where will hover Beneath wide blue skies. =.
 -Flotsam, Bandits Loot Safe Deposit Boxes.'' Shakespeare said a ThoraXful.
El Mundo. [volume] (San Juan, P.R.) 1919-1990, 1923-08-24
La union pOIItiCa pOrtOrriquena

Vlllzaclon su existencia dentro de
lineas propias, con las garantias debi-
das a una colectividad culta verdade-
ramente soberana por ell grado de cul-
tura de su pueblo v La efectividad de
sus recursos locales. Este es. v de-
be ser el primer Objective NADIA debe
dlstraer los portorriquefios de el.
Por ESQ, los RESIDENCES en- Nueva
York, cue son muchos millares tie
nen una perception del problema mu-
cho mas aproximada que sus compatrio-
tas residences en- Ell terruilo. deben coo
perar a todo trance para que la union
Sc Heve cabo. Y va que Sc logre
este, para que el prop6sito de ella no
Sc desnaturalice v Sc pierdan las posi-
btlidades de exito, por err6nea actua-
cion de los encargados por ell pueblo
de presentar Ell problema en- Washing
ton o por equivocada orientaci6n a la
corriente de aspiraciones populares.
Los portorriQuefios de Nueva York,
a quienes Sc trata de unificar ahora. tie
men ante ST una mission importantisima
de supervision y de orientacion de sus
compatriotas que vengan defender las
aspiraciones de la isla.
El Mundo. [volume] (San Juan, P.R.) 1919-1990, 1923-08-24
Una carta de N. Rivas
Su neurastenia segdn los profanos. -Su
verd adera dolencia, seg1n los doctores

Pero mas todavia, 81 expresara con
1ngeniero: 'que son tantas las media
lidades de la neurastenia. que podrfan
compararse una fama'', entonces Sc
quedarfan estupefactos esos sabios es-
quineros de grandes humos.
Y por Greer la generalidad de las
personas que los neurastenicos son de
modo exclusive un peligro pdblico, que
les espera la camisa de fuerza de una
casa de crates " por 10 mismo fue que
el suscribiente de la nota 10 afirmo)
pidole, senior director, inserte en- las
columnas de su tan leido diario estas
certifcaciones de notables medicos que
me asistieron me asisten en- mi dolo.
rosa enfermedad.
De usted,. amigo afectuoso, as
Nicolas RIVAS.