davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-17
PULPIT CHALLE NGE' IF RESURRECTION.
Aged Rector Denies Virgin Birth And HurIs Open De-
 fiance At Bishop

NEW YORK, Dec. 16.-Putting aside the vestments of priesthood and stepping into the pulpit in the black robe of the doctor of Divinity, pr, Leighton Parks, 71-year-old rector of St. Bartholemews Protestant Epis- copal church. today challenged the virgin birth of Christ and the bodily resurrection He declared he would welcome a trial by Bishop Manning of the New York diocese.
 Dr. Parks who had been for 20 years rector at the fashionable Park pastoralletor issued bw$fhe house of bishops of the denomination The letter, calling on the clergy to up- hold the "Catholic tradition" of the church and the Nicene creed. was de- clared by Dr. Parks to be autocratic.
 After this letter had been read pursuant to requirements, Dr. Parks began his address by saying he wore no vestments because he appeared mot as your minister, but as doctor of theology" He conducted his earlier services in his vestment.
 Declaring the integrityx of the clergy at stake, Dr. Parks asked.
 Am I, who have preached the faith for 50 years to be called dis honest because l do not agree with my bishop?
 Am I to be accused of heresy be- cause I preach doctrines for which there Is ample foundation in the scriptures? Are bishops the sole de- liners of the faith? If they are, l have no right to speak.
 Not one teaching of this church can be changed by one bishop, or by all the bishops put together. Their authority is carefully restricted, and, when the English church broke away from the Catholic tradition, it gave to each minister an equal authority with his bishop. For them to behave as final definers of the Christian faith is contrary to constitutional law :"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-17
JOHNSON DISCUSSES CHRISTMAS CANDLES
State Fire Marshal Uneasy About
 Flimsy Decorations

Fire-a destructive force that an- nually turns more Christmas cheer into Christmas tears than any other agency on earth.
 Such, in substance, was the warn ing issued Saturday by State Fire Marshal Chester E. Johnson of Mont gomery, who spent few hours in Birmingham on business.
 Daily newspapers give horrible ac- counts of tragedies caused by fires at the Christmas season, sorrow that could be avoided if proper precau- tions are used, according to MT. Johnson.
 Entertainments by the school children, Christmas trees. flmsy decorations, crowds, fireworks and a dozen other agencies add to the fire hazard during the holiday season. It is to combat these evils and to elim- mate measure of the danger that Mir Johnson advises the following precautionary measures:
 '1 The best plan is to put bar on illuminated Christmas trees of any kind.
 "2 If illuminated at all, let it be only with electric bulks and with low voltage.
 "3. Do not allow a candle or lighted torch of any kind to get any where near a Christmas tree, and do not carry lamps near them.
 A. Take positive precaution to control all gatherings of children with order and precision. #
 "5. Do not allow a gatherIhg of any kind on any floor of a Xxi1din g above the ground which Is fully and adequately protected agahst fire hazards and fire panics with suffi- cient fire escapes and exist.
 "Carelessness on occasions of this kind has caused many a holiday to be blighted and saddened."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-17
BILLIONS FOR R. X. EQUIPMENT PLAN
tContinued From Page One)


 nulld IS many dwelling houses or freight cars as in 1925 but there is l reason to believe that much construc- uon work is under consideration and With stable conditio will go for ward The attitude and circum- stances of the railroads will be an important factor in the situation They are large consumers ordinarily or ron, steel, and all construction materials, and they have not made up Tn one year the accumulated deficit Tn construction since the beginning of the war, The country has benefited in marked degree during the past year, not only from the direct effects of their liberal expenditure upon the employment situation but from the results in improved transportation service. There is one unsatisfactory feature about the large capital out lays upon the railroads in the past years and that is that they have beer. almost wholly provided by borrowing and are represented by bond issues. It is evident that the railroads can not be permanently finaced in this manner. Unless proportion of the new capital is provided in the form of proprietary investment, the credit of the companies will suffer. interest rates upon their offerings will have to be advanced, and in the end further borrowing will become impracticable. The public is interested in maintain ing the credit and the service of the roads, and especially interested now that their expenditures shall be in 1924 as in 1923, strong supporting element in the general employment and business situation. The companies have been operating this year under conditions more than ordinarily fla vorable to earnings. owing to the heavy volume of traffic. but they have not prosrered alike in all sec tions of the country.a
 The banking situation is so sound and satisfactory that the weekly changes have no particular signifi- canoe. There is plentiful capital available for all purposes and the readiness with which new securities are absorbed is evidence of the con- fidence of the community in the un- derlYing stability of the entire busi-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-17
BODIES OF WOMEN
 FOUND CHARRED
Posse Is Searching Georgia Woods For Clues Of The
 Murderer Of Fair

JEFFERSON, Ga, Dec. 1e.-Discov cry of the charred and almost com pletely burned bodies of two women in the smoldering ashes of an ahan- doned farmhouse a half mile from Clark sboro in Jackson county, early today. and the disappearance of Mrs. Mag Simmons, 36, and her daughter, Lizzie, Il ], led tonight to the organi- zation of a posse to search the sur rounding country for clues in the belief that the women were slain. The body or the older of the two women was believed by the husband of Mrs. Simmons to be that of his wife. He said she had left Jefferson yesterday afternoon for Athens in re- sponse to @ note from her daughter there asking her to come to Athens.
 An earbob, found near the body of the elder woman, was identified by Simmons as similar to those worn by his wife. He expressed the belief to- night that the note from Athens was fictitious. The farmhouse in which the bodies were found has been aban- doned since last March and was in flames at midnight last night, ac- cording to neighbors.
 The bodies of the women, apparent ly nude, were found lying in what had been the dining room of the farm house about four feet apart with the heads lying in opposite directions. Dr. J. B. Pendergass, taken by Sheriff Collier to the scene from Jefferson said an abraison on the skull of the elder woman indicated that she had been struck over the head with blunt weapon.
 The ear-bob, and pair of kid gloves found in a buggy shed near the house, were the only articles of any description found near the scene.
 Continuous rafns rendered roads in the vicinity a sea Of mud and made it impossible to tell whether an au- tomobile' or any other vehicle had been near the abandoned house last night, No foot prints were found Tn the vicinity.
 The bodies were discovered by Fred Hardy, farmer living near the scene. who walked over this morning to view the remains of the fire, which he had seen late last night. Pollifs cred the, bodies.
 Mrs. Simmons, according to her hus- band, got on a train at Jefferson Sat urdaY afternoon, bound for Athens Authorities at Athens tonight were said to have been received by Mrs. Simmons.
 A coroner's verdict today stated that the two women met death in fire of unknown origin.
 Authorities here are working on the theory that the two women were waylaid and attacked and taken to the abandoned farmhouse which was then set on fire.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-17
RUSSIA READY FOR FARLEY WITH J. $.
Soviet Seeks Establishment Of Official Relations, Note
 10 President Says

/ NEW YORK, Dec 16.-Soviet Rus sia is ready to negotiate with the United States toward the establish ment of official relations, George Tchitcherin, Russian foreign minis ter. declares in note to President Coolidge.
 The text of the note. which is based on the reference to Russia con- tained in Coolidge's message to Con- gress, was received here Sunday night by the Russian telegraph agency. Tchitcherin also asserts that the soviets are ready. to discuss American claims against Russia.
 He declares Russia desires to Ire move all misunderstanding and diff ferences between the two countries" and will negotiate on all problems mentioned in Coolidge's message. These negotiations, Tchitcherin states, should be- based on the prin- internal affairs
 as published here by the Russian telegraph agency, is as follows:
 "It has been the constant endeavor
  about resumption of friendly rela tions with the United States of Amer ica based upon mutual trust. With this end in view, it has repeately an- nounced it's readiness to enter into negotiations with the American gov ernment and to remove all misunder- standings and differences between the two countries.
 After reading your message to N., eerely anxious to establish at least firm friendship with the people and government of the United States, in forms yoe of it's complete readiness to discuss with your government all problems mentioned in your message these negotiations being based on the principle of mutual non-int tervention in internal affairs. The Soviet gov ernment will continue whole heart edly to adhere to this principle, ex- peeting the same attitude from the American government.
 As to the question of claims men toned in your message, the Soviet government is fully prepared to ne- gotiate with a view toward it's satis- factory settlement on the assumption that the principle of reciprocity will be recognized all around.
 "On it's part, the Soviet government is ready to do all in it's power, so far aS the dignity and interests of it's country permit to bring about the desired end of renewal of friendship with the United States of America" ,"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-17
Sensational Graft Exposures Are Promised l Mobile Bootleg
MELLON SUBMITS REDRAFT OF PLAN
(Continued From Page None.)

of corporate reorganization in aid of business such as the splitting of one corporation into two or more corpo raticps.
 Provisions To Prevent Dodging.
 g. Provisions have been inserted to prevent the use of this reeganiza ton section to escape proper taxation by increasing the basis for depreciation or depletion, or by increasing the basis of gain or loss from the sale of assets transferred in connection with reorganization or by distribut- ing as capital gain what are in effect dividends out of earnings.
 To- The deduction for discovery depletion is limited to 50 per cent of the net income from the property de- pleted.
 H. In the case of a trust where the trustee has the discretion to dis tribute or not the income is taxed to the beneficiary if distributed and to the trustees if not distributed.
 12 Where the graator of a trust reserves the right to change the trust in favor of himself. the income of the trust is taxed to the grantor.
 13. The penalty under Section 220 which seeks to penalize corporate forms used to avoid imposition of surtaxes on the stockholders, is now based on all the income of the cor poration which would be taxed in the hands of an individual.
 14. The application of the present law requiring an income for frac- tional part of a year to be placed on an annual basis Is restricted to cases where a return is made for a part of year as the result of the volun- tary act of the taxpayer in making a change in his taxable year.
 Board Of Appeals Crented.
 15. A board of tax appeals is created to hear all appeals from the assessment of additional income and estate taxes, which will sit locally in the various judicial circuits throughout the country. The cases of both the government and the tax payer are presented before the board which acts impa%ially and the prac- tice, there is similar to that before the interstate commerce commission. Upon 8 decision In favor of the gov ernment, the additional tax can be assessed by the commissioner of in ternal revenue and the taxpayer is left to his remedy in the courts for a recovery of the tax. If the de 7 cision is in favor of the taxpayer the commissioner may not assess the tax but is left to his remedy in the courts in a suit to collect the ad- ditional tax In 8 hearing in the courts, the findings of the board shall be taken as prima facia evil dence of the facts contained therein
 16. The administrative sections of the act have been rewritten with a view to clarifying their provisions, making the statutes of limitations consistent relieveing the necessity for protest on the payment of taxes and tightening the penalties for minor failures to comply with the act
 IT. The taxation on telegrams, tele- phones, leased wires and radio is re- pealed.
 IS. The tax on admissions is re- pealed."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-17
SHOOTS FOR HUSBAND.
 BUT HITS ANOTHER
Kent Collector Mistaken By Negress
 For SpOuSp

KANSAS CITY, Mo-. Dec. 16.-'T thought it was my husband" ex- piained Ethel Hawkins, negress, after she had shot Harry DonneIly in the leg.
 Donnelly, assistant prosecuting at torney of Jackson county, had called for the rent Saturday night. The woman explained that she and her husoand had quarreled, and that he had threatened to shoot her.
 T wanted to beat him to it. so just blazed away when heard steps on the> front porch" she said
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-17
To Try Texas Rector

NEW YORK, Dec. 1s.--Rev. Lee w: Heaton. rector of the Episcopal Church of the Trinity, Fort Worth. Tex, is to be tried here shortly after January 1 for heresy for his alleged disbelief in the virgin birth of Christ. if was revealed today by number of New York clergymen who are as- sse.ipo him
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-17
HATFIELD CAUGHT
Three Other Escaped Conyicts Are
 Also Recaptured

BRISTOL, va, Dec. l6.-John Hatfield veteran feudsman, and three other men who escaped from the jail at Wise. Va. Thursday night were recaptured today by Sheriff Corder and posse within two miles of Wise, according to word received here tonight.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-17
KILLED IN ALLEY
Negro woman's Head Nearly Severed
 By Razor-Assailant Escapes

Golena Irwin, negress, was killed in an alley near Fourteenth street Sunday night at 10 o'clock. Will Toney, her former husband, is fu- gitive from justice charged with murder.
 Moser. and Peveler. city detectives. were called to Second avenue. and Fourteenth street on a report that another alley murder had been com mitted. Arriving they found the woman lying in the alley, short distance from the street, with her throat cut. She was dead when the officers arrived.
 Several witnesses were found. They said that the man and woman had been living together, but re- gently had separated. The difficulty, according to these witnesses, was caused over some money that it is alleged the woman owed.
 A razor was the weapon used, al- most severing the head at one blow. The murderer made his escape, de- spite the number of onlookers in the vicinity.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-17
GERMANY WANTS DECLARATION

BERLIN, Dec. Ib.-(By Associated Press)-In a note handed the repara- tion commission by pr. Fischer, pres ident of the war burden committee, the German government requests a declaration In principle that priority over reparation obligations will, in accordance with the Versailles treaty be granted to a three-year credit up to s7o,a9o,o00 for the purchase of wheat and fats
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-17
TO GET CHRISTMAS PARDoNs

NASHVILLE. Tenn, Dec. 16.-Ap- proximately 75 prisoners at Brushy mountain coal mine, the state mine, will receive pardons or paroles in time for the prisoners to return to their families by Christmas, ac- cording to an announcement made tonight by Gov. Austin Peay.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-17
BARON DE BROKE DEAD

LONDON, Dec. I5.-BaTon WIZ loughby de Broke died today. Lord Willoughby de Broke was born in 1869. He had large land holdings in Warwick shire. During the war he served as officer in the Yeomanary of Warwick shire.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-17
POSTPONE MEETING

The meeting of the Parent Teach CT association of the Woodlawn High school has been indefinitely post poned until some time in January according to Mrs. J. W. Trude.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-17

FOR COLDS, GRIP OR INFLUENZA and as preventive, take Laxative PROMO QUININE Tablets. The box bears the signature of E. w. Grove. 30c.-Adv.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-17
LAST MINUTE
 WIRE BRIEFS
vO TRACE OF LOST BOATS

PENSACOLA, Fla, Dec. 16.--No trace had been found tonight of two navy Eagle boats which broke loose Friday night. Three men, Kirk M, Young. boatswain mate Robert Dun ham, seaman, of Pensacola, and John H.\Hussey. seaman, are aboard one of the drifting craft.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-17

of corporate reorganization in aid of business such as the splitting of one corporation into two or more corpo ratiCns.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-17
O O O Offered Half Of Graft.

In reports brought to me the head graft manipulators at one time of fered to divide half ( of the graft money then being collected and which was said to amount to between $50. 900 and $40,000 a month At an-
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-21

DUST" gathering up the sheet. Il had
her strip the bed"
As Helen hurriedly got out fresh bed
linen, she was conscious that the depres-
sion, the "let-downn of getting home
that had weighed so heavily a few mo-
ments before, was now replaced by a
joyous relief.
And why? Nothing had happened.
Everything was just the same. Only
her state of mind had changed.
Dear, isn't it strange how trivial
things change our moods? i was so de.
pressed at getting home tonight. l al
ways shrink from getting things start
ed--a new maid and all. And now just
because i thought that light had been
burning, then found it hadn't I'm
elated It's like losing something than
finding it. You're no better off than
you We're before-but you're so much
happier"
"Eh? What the Sam Hill you driving
at?' Warren was unlacing his shoes.
mo time TO diSsect your fool moods.
After cleveland I've got to get to the
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-21

shaving things from the suitcase.
And wait, take this" throwing his
bathrobe over his arm.
"Holy smoke, this lights ont" he
shouted back. You haven't been in
here, have youl"
The light on! Helen flew to the
bathroom door.
"Oh." she gasped. "You don't mean
it's been burning ever since"
Looks like it," grimly. unless
you've just turned it on"
Mono, r>haven't been near here
Oh, how COULD it have happened
I'm always so careful to see that all
the water and lights are off,"
Well you weren't so blamed care
full this time That meters been
working day and night-ever since we
left. Running mp a whale of a bill"
And it's a 40-watt!" looking up at
the large frosted bulb. Think of il
burning three monthsi wouldn't have
enjoyed a moment of the trip if I'd
known"
Then good thing you didn't know.
Well, no use stewing over il now"
How much do you think the bill will
be? About?" at his diSclaiming sbrug.
How in blazes do / know? Now
forget it, tell you. Come on, let's get
things straight and turn in"
Forget it, Forget that light-burn.
ing ever since they left All the time
they were in Holland-Paris-Lo
All those day on the steamer,
She thought of her little economies
during the trip-and every moment this
40-watt bulb had been consuming money
That rpmorSaleSS motor rnQiSterinp dav
and night
well the water hasn't been running
that's certain" grunted Warren, as 0
rusty stream spluttered from the fauce;
when he started to wash his hands.
IF il had only been a smaller bulb J"
deploned Helen. "225-watt is all anyone
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-21

has in a bathroom-but you always
want such a strong light"
you bet / do--and I'll have IL, too !!
Got to see to shave. But you needn't
leave it burning for three months. Who
the deuce is that:" he stalked out to
answer the bell.
Recognizing the superintendent's
voice Helen ran out to the hall.
Glad to see you back, Mrs. Curtis.
Just came up to bring your mail. l
hope you found everything all right"
"0h, Mr.. Thompson-the light in the
time we were gone. ! don't know how
we happened to leave it on. I've never
done such a thing before
why no, Mrs. Curtis, that lights not
been burning. l turned off both the
light and water the day after you sailed.
Just turned them on tonight-when !
saw them bringing in your trunks"
But how-how could you? STAN.
mered Helen. You haven't a key !!
That's q special lock Mr.. Curtis had put
on"
II can turn il off from the basement.
| always do VIXEN any OF our tenants
20 away for any length of time"
Then it wasn't burning!" joyously.
"Oh, what relief"
well, that's fine, Mr.. Thompson"
grinned Warren. Nothing like having
things fool proof when there lot Of
women around. You certainly look out
for your tenants"
wait, Mr.. Thompson. I've something
for you. Just a moment."l
Helen had brought him only cheap
two-shilling pine. but now in burst Of
grateful generosity. she got out two Of
Warren's Spittlefield ties. that he had
bought at an expensive Piccadilly shop.
The superintendent. bcaming his
thanks, said he would be up in the
morning TO see il anything was needed.
"Oh, l never was so thankful for
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-21

anything! He does look after things"
enthused Helen, as the hall door closed.
I'D have been just sick over that
light"
"Where'd you get those ties you gave
him y demanded Warren. Looked like
some / got at Morgan & BalrsW
"Yes, dear. they were. Blu. the pipe
| brought him didn't seem enough after
he'd saved us all that"
well you've got nervei But lot
OF cheap junk for presents-too blamed
stingy to get anything decent! Then
you're ashamed to give 'em-and you
hand out my best ties !"
But think of the electric bill IL that
light had been on all the time. Oh,
never was so relieved! I'd have worried
myself sick over it"
Huh, WORKINGS your long suit.
Come on now, no more unpacking to-
night. Turn on that water in the tub
let it run clear. want a bath. What
about this bed?" jerking down the sheet
frcm the bare red-striped mattress.
"Oh, be careful, that's covered with
San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-21

watch. @Too late to call up Stevens?"
wait let me dust off that desk!"
as he sat down TO the telephone.
But when she returned from the
pantry with the cloth, Warren's elbow
was resting on the dust-coated ma
hogany.
.sLine's busy" he flung up the re-
ceiver. "Now for heavens sake,
you're not going to start cleaning up
tonight?"
Il must wipe off the worst of this
We can't lay anything down. Just
look at that chair arm.'
well what of it? Got somebody
coming tomorrow, haven't you?"
II hope 50, sent Mrs. 0'Grady a
special delivery from the dock. And
this floor! How does it get so gritty
when everything's closed up?"
"How about the mail?" with exas-
perating unconcern. Guess the sup
erintendent's got it. III phone down. "
wait dear, open the trunks first. "
"See here you're not going to start
unpacking now?"
"I've got to get out some things for
the night. And / want to hang up
my dresses. The way that inspector
jammed them back He was horriI
He made hardly any allowance for
wear-and I've worn almost every
thing ! bought
well, we got off pretty easy" tug
ging at a trunk strap. Forty dollars
duty wasn't much TO pay on all the
stuff you carted back"
"You always make me declare
everything Nobody else does-not all
the things they've worn"
"Makes no difference what anybody
else does, sternly. "We're not going
to do any smuggling to save a few
dollars
81 don't call that smuggling,- with
feminine lawlessness. "Dear put these
in the bathroom handing him his