davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-28
ACCIDENTS CAUSED
 BY ILLITERACY
lAtlanta JournaD

rarely noted but deeply grleV- ous consequence of iliiteraey ap- hears from a study of the causes of industrial accidents. Fully one half of the causalties in the iaes tories of New York state, entaillhg an estim ated loss of fifty thousand dollars A day, are ascribed to lgho- rance of written languaga With in year the sum of eleven ana q half million dollars was paid out under the terms of the Work- mems compensation act, whlie more than twice that much was involved in the way of lost wages. doctors bills, labor turnover ana administration costs. A like story is told by statistics gathered from the iron and steel lnoustrles through period of eight years by the federal bureau of laoor' casualty rates were highest, thls research showed, among those who could not read. A motor manufac- turing company reported a de- crease of fifty-four per cent. Tn accidents following it's establish ment of a school for it's employees who could not read.
 Especially striking is the testi- mony of the director of the United States bureau of mines, who urges elimination of illiteracy as a means of preventing the death or at least a thousand miners an- nually and the injury of more than one hundred and fifty thousand. "The mines that employ numbers of foreigners" he says, generally have the precautionary rules printed in the different languages; but if the foreigner cannot even read his own language, these safe ty guides are of no value to him. The best estimates from number of the larger mining states are to the effect that the non- English speaking foreigners suffer twice the fatalities that the English speaking miners do. This means an excess of 930 non- English speaking foreigners killed each year, and may say unnecessarily. If the average state compensation is S3,000, which is a fair figure. the total economic loss each year to the country through the excess of deaths of nom English speaking miners alone amount to $2,700,- 900. On the same basis 1t is esti- mated that the excess of non Eng lish- speaking miners injured each year amounts to 9,750 men. This is a loss in wages of s1.743,T50. Taking the. excess of deaths and injuries together. due to non-Eng- speaking foreigners, the eco homie loss each year reaches $4,533.750. This is entirely aside from the other costs to the indus try in production lost"
 Production lost" is probably of all items the heaviest. Illiterate labor is, in the long run, ineffi- cient labor. It's earning power is less. its producing power is less, it's purchasing power is less, so that all clements of the commu- nifty share the loss.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-28
AMERICA NEEDS
 EXPORT FACILITIES
Wilmington Star)

Tn view of the discouraging out look for American trade, the United States government ought to favor the opening of every port that can be made available for export trade. South Atlantic ports need greater preparedness for carrying on foreign trade. and that is the rMeon the port of Whining ton has asked for state terminal development. In an editorial dis cussing the export trade of this country the New York Journal If Commerce captions it's observa- tions in this style: Wanted: Ex- port Outlets" That paper points out that more outlets for foreign trade are a necessity. Says the Journal of Commerce after this pointed fashion:
 ITO those who have been giving careful thought to current condi- tions the most important fact made known by the foreign trade figures recently published by the department of commerce is the unsatisfactory position of our ex- port trade. Our shipments of fin ished goods in August. 1922. amounted to s105, 5,000.000 in value; during the same month of the current year such exports were valued at only s127,000,00o, and this is in spite of tremendously more active industry and trade and in the face of a marked rise in the price level.
 xxxo o1,,1d oo+ 4I,a 1Iaoaa 1ov. ger of a flood of foreign goods out of our minds long enough to give careful thought to this phase of our foreign trade situation we should be much better off. The truth is, of course, that we are faced with the necessity of finding more or less regular outlets for our surplus regular outletsmtof scriptions or suffer serious conse- quences. If we are to accomplish any such purpose radical change is, however, essential in not a few of our policies"
 The Journal of Commerce is putting it's finger on the problem of our foreign trade. The south Atlantic is anxious to go mere largely into foreign commerce and wants the sea outlets that are said to be needed for the foreign trade of our country. Tha. OK plains the strong support which Wilmington gives to the ship and state port terminal development proposal of Governor Morrison. With industrial development pro- ceeding on tremendous scale in North Carolina, if the state ever needed a we'll equipped port it needs is now. The states future progress is menaced because of ihe need of a capable port.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-28

available at a time when the cities of the North are eager for them. Cali fornia has made it's raisins and prunes famous through the advertising done by raisin growers and prune packers acting comparatively in boosting the products. South Alabama's citrus fruits ana early vegetables are just as desirable as are products of Califor- nia's soil, and they could be boosted as effectively as are the products of the Western state"
 Alabama is forfeiting millions of dollars which could be acquired on the merits of her resources, products and opportunities for profitable develop ment. The world is more or less skep- tical. It must be shown. Business does not follow people around; they must go after it. There need be no surprise that the rest of the nation, without comprehensive and trust worthy information about Alabama conditions and possibilities, does not of its own accord hunt up the great opportunities in this state when there are so many other states continually setting forth their own advantages.
 That Alabama has not made more progress is not the fault of the outside world. The blame lies with the failure to inform the world what this state offers desirable investors, workers and hone-seekers
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-28
WE DIE AS WE LIVE By WicIxes WambOIdt

Sometime ago a writer contrast ed the difference between the city funeral and the country funeral. He spoke 0 fthe indifference of the city toward the dead and the be- reaved. He described how he him self merely telephoned the florist to send a spray. Then, at the last moment, he slipped into the under takers chapel stayed just long enough to be recognized and slipped out again. He compared this with a country funeral where the dead man lay in his own home and was carried to his last resting place on the shoulders of his neighbors. He spoke of the inter- est displayed by everyone and of the kindly helping hands held out.
 To me those two pictures sug- gest but one conclusion. The mar rator evidently had never attended a city funeral that meant much to him. But he had been to coun- try funeral that touched him closely. That was all. The peo- pie in the city are the same as those in the country. There is no difference. The same warm hearts, the same helping hands, the same sympathy.
 I attended funeral in a large city not long ago. The dead man lay in his own home until the time came for the last rites The house was so beseiged by would-be help CTS that relays of persons had to be selected to meet those who would assist and to take their affectionate messages of condo lence. It was necessary to appoint one just to take charge of the flowers sent. For two days pre- ceding the funeral the street in front of the house was lined with automobiles which their owners had placed there with the hope they might be of some service. Of course this was a raGn of affairs and wide influence. Hut I am re- minded of the funeral of a simple factory workman who lived hum bly in the midst of large city. So worthily had he touched the lives of those with whom he came in contact that one hundred and fifty autos followed him to the cemetery.
 The average mans sphere is more limited in the city than in the country. He may know fewer people. but their hearts are just as kind. There is no difference be- tween city people and country peo- pie. If man has so lived in the city that he has won the affection and respect of those with whom he has associated, they will be right there when the time comes, And If he has so lived in the country that the people around him have no regard for him, they will shed no tears and besiege no house when he dies. As we live, so we die, whether it be in the city or in the country. But the people are just the same,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-28
CORPORATION STUDIES WHEAT

Included in the report of Eugene Meyer, Jr., and Frank W. Mondell of the war finance corporation, on their recent investigation of conditions in the wheat regions of the country, is a listing of quack remedies for the wheat farmer's ailments which the investiga- .tors encountered. Among these are Enumerated the following:
 rs 1. An increase in the tariff on sl wheat.
 .sss 2. Government price fixing, ac- I companied by the necessary con- '" trol of the wheat trade.
 3. Government purchase of the
 so-called Surplus" with the view
 of exporting it to foreign mar
 kets.
 4. Distribution of S58,000,OO0,
 which it was stated was profit /
 made by the grain corporation '. during it's existence.
 5. Modification of the present
 immigration laws so as to provide
 for the selective admission of a
 larger supply of labor.
 These nostrums are duly disposed of by the investigators through ex- posures of their weaknesses and absur- dities, and the conclusions are thus set forth: 'eWe feel, as a result of our trip, that the solution of the wheat problem lies along two lines: First, the adjustment of production to Amer ican needs if the world market is over-supplied from other producing countries at lower prices than are sat isfactory to the American producer un- der prevailing conditions; second, the development of an improved market ing system such as we believe can be done by the organization of the pro- ducers of the country for the purpose Of marketing their wheat under the cooperative marketing plan, making 1t unnecessary to rely so completely upon the uncertain functioning of the speculative public contract market"
 The first of these recommendations is unsound and contrary to the laws of economies. "Adjustment of pro- duetion" as a suggested remedy is equivalent to crop limitation with the idea that there is an production of wheat in the world, which is not true. Even if there were, the gov ernment could not reduce production under any safe>Or sane system. There is soundness in the second recom- mendation. Wheat growers can be aided by cooperative marketing organ
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-28
THE NEW TRAFFIC CODE

Although there is some criticism ot the new traffic code as adopted yes terday by the city commission, there n be no doubt that it is great lm- ovement over the code it replaces. there are objectionable features, re are more which are to be com .ded. Perhaps some of the points regarded as objectionable will, in working out, prove to be of pub ,enefit. Doubtless the authors ')f code do not claim perfection for They should be given every op- unity to demonstrate it's virtue. his end public cooperation is nec- v. If history repeats itself, the rity of drivers will cooperate. In n for that attitude, the commiS- will in all likelihood be ready to
 the code in any particular that
 al application shows in need of
 mendment. The people have
 sight of the fact that Bir-
 is becoming city and must
 ity ways, whether everybody
 l thereby or not. Undoubt-
 h 8 wise administration of
 traffic, the majority will be
 ed and, in this democracy of ours.
 s the fundamental thing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-28
GEN. sIRERT,s APPOINTMENT

While greatly regretting the cir cumstances that cost them the able services of Mir George Gordon Craw- ford in building the seaport and Mo- bile, yet the people of Alabama are deeply gratified that he should have aided in the selection of man of such unusual training, experience, fit ness and natural ability as General William L. Sibert, one of Alabama's most famous sons. For at least three decades General Sibert's name has been associated with the important en- gineering undertakings of the United States government. He is given a substantial measure of the credit for having successfully brought to com pletion a particularly difficult section of the worlds greatest and most re- markable constructive achievement, the Panama Canal. General Sibert was the engineer who constructed the mighty Gatun Locks and carried the canal from that point to the Atlantic ocean. If General Goethals was the directing genius of that mammoth un- dertaking, it may be said that General Sibert was indispensable to it's success. Alabama, in being assured of his services, is fortunate above the hopes even of those who have envisioned port success in the most sanguine as- pect.
 In appointing General Sibert, Gov ernor Brandon has performed a dis tinct and lasting service for this state. In immediately assigning to General Sibert the duties of general manager of the seaport construction, the state docks commission has demonstrated an attitude that entities it to public con fidence. There appears now to be no .hindrance to the success of the enter prise except those obstacles inherent in the enabling act under which the commission is obliged to operate. These obstacles are such as to cause grave apprehension among those who have studied their potentialities for harm. Whatever may have been the motive for such limitation of the states most outstanding commercial opportunity, it appears that, with the existence of such an able commission as has been appointed, the legislature, on it's earliest opportunity, should  wipe out those hindrances and entrust completely to the commission the un- obstructed opportunity to build the seaport in such manner and measure as the public welfare and Alabama's commercial needs call for. The peo- pie of this state tied no strings to their approval, which makes the off, ficiousness of the enabling act all the more gratuitous error.
 In addition to his indispensable fit ness and capacity for carrying through engineering undertakings of the first magnitude, Genera Sibert is intimately acquainted with the federal regula- tions and requirements regarding channels, harbors, ports and other items connected specifically with the enterprise he has in hand. The people of Alabama are completely satisfied with the appointment, and are now confident that their. cherished plans for the building of seaport will be carried to a triumphant conclusion. General Sibert and Commissioners Henderson and Blair, as they pro- ceed to the discharge of their duties, have the support and best wishes of the people of this state.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-28
RcANIzATIoN OF B. R. L. & P.

eports from New York indicate
 the Birmingham Railway, Light lu Power Company will soon be re- ased from receivership under reor- .4.ization plans by which the proper. IS will be taken over either by East capitalists or by local interests. tails of the transfer are expected to worked out within the next thirty vs, when future plans for operation
 be announced. According to late ,orts it is not known who will con the properties, but in view of the nicipal agreement recently made
 improve the service on condition the jitneys be abolished, such im- gement is expected.
 The people of this community who ed in large majority to abolish the neys expect the utility, regardless who buys or operates it, to live up those promises. It was plain bar gain for public betterment. There is no desire by the people to be un- reasonable in their demands. They have shown great tolerance. They do demand adequate service as promptly as it can be provided. They expect fulfillment of the promise, because their convenience, interests and rights are directly involved. They are en- titled to adequate service at reason able cost. There is nothing to indi- cate that the utility will fail in its pledges, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-28
CTDErLIGHTS f4aEl A6:Al |k kNNATIONAL
 U CAPITAL EzBsls '.

The South has been most negli- gent of one of it's greatest he- roes, Admiral Semmes, commander of the Alabama. This fact was conspicuously developed during the recent convention of the United Daughters of the Confed- eracy,
 In view of his handicaps, his phenomenal successes must rank him the equal of any other Amer ican seaman. The nation, thanks to New England Literature" sings of lesser lights, and even the. South forgets Semmes.
 Driven by necessity, the South invented the iron-clad gunboat, and brought into the world the first submarine. In all, there is no story more alluring, more thrill- ing, than the exploits of the South ern navy and naval officers. And of the latter Semmes was the greatest.
 During the convention Mrs, Semple of New York, who con- ducts the well-known SempIe school, presented to the daughters a painting of Semmes. 1t will be suspended in the Alabama room of the American building at Ge- neva, at the request of the League of Nations.
 Mrs. Semple declared that the painting was held in statu quo for many weeks because no one knew the nature of the Confederate naval uniform. Finally. it was completed and the Confederate gray was the garb. Mrs. Semple stated that practically everyone now agrees, or no one disputes, that the naval uniform was prac- tically identical with the military.
 One of the most interesting of many interesting women attending the convention was Mrs. Bryant of Memphis, a daughter of Adimrai Semmes, who was born in the old homie at Mobile.
 She declared that it would be impossible to secure a Autograph of her distinguished father throughout the, United States. She remembers the admiral as a man of forty eight years, with face thin but utterly devoid of wrin- kles.
 The Confederate navy was at as great disadvantage as the armies of Lee; perhaps greater. The mil- itary genius of Lee is nationally credited, even internationally. But when naval heroes of the world are recounted, Semmes is neg 8ected in every instance save when some one erudite in Confederate lore speaks his praise; and then he has to defend his statement, be- cause of lack of general knowl- edge.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-28
NEED FOR ADVERTISING

Commenting on the movement for a comprehensive campaign of advertis- ing the large and varied resources and inviting opportunities of Alabama, the Anniston Star, urging cooperation in the project by cities and commercial organizations, says that Alabama needs the kind of outside publicity in this respect which CalifoGpia has been get ting for years, and adds: "South Ala bama produces as fine fruits and veg etables as does California, and the
 Alabama products ripen early and are
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-28
RAIL VALUATIONS NEXT

It seems that the same pernicious law which, until last January, permitted d utilities alone to appeal from property valuations by Alabama's Public Ser vice Commission, applies also to val nations of railroad properties by the Interstate Commerce Commission. Under the existing law, only railroads may appeal from valuations as fixed by the commission. The public and the shippers have no rights in the matter. Senator Cummins, who is chairman of the senate committee, says that this law is wrong and that fight will be made during the coming session of congress to amend it so as to give the public the same right as now enjoyed by the railroads. Public attention should be directed to this situation, because it concerns a matter of vital importance to this nation. Transportation is one of the heaviest taxes the people are called upon to bear, tax far heavier than state or federal taxes, and equally unacceptable. Hence, the necessity of exceeding care in congressional treatment of the sit uation.
 Under our present system of rate basing, the valuation of the railroads is the deciding factor. At the coming session the valuation of railroads as recommended by the Interstate Con- merce Commission IS to be considered by congress. There is reason to be- lieve that the valuations as arrived at are too high and will compel the peo- pie of this nation to pay rate suffi- cient to bring profitable return, not only upon the actual investment and value of the railroads, but also upon certain fictitious value represented by manipulation. If there is to be a fight to impose this high valuation upon the American public, it is equally certain that there will be an even more vigorous fight to prevent the in clusion of items in that valuation which have no legitimate place there.
 How great the unwarranted infla- tion of railroad values is not yet ascertained. That it must be very great is indicated by the wide diver- gence between the commissions val uation and that arrived at by the La Toilette group of senators and repre- sentatives. Between the two there is gap of several billions. Perhaps the one is far too high and the other too low to furnish an equitable basis for rate adjustment. Everybody knows that transportation rates arc far higher than they ever were before and that the cost is paid by the con- sumer. Therefore, the congress has a definite responsibility to meet. It is the responsibility of seeing to it that the people of the United States are given square deal in this matter of railroad valuations. If the railroads seek to defend the commissions fig ures, that should be sufficient indica- tion that the situation needs looking into.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-28
OUR FORESTS ARE
 FAST VANISHING
fFort Worth star-Telegram,

lFOrt w Ortn SLar-Iele gram)
 Forests of the United States are being cut down for timber five times faster than trees grow. Three quarters Of the original softwood forests of the nation have been made into lumber. These are startling statements from recent address to the Brit ish empire forestry conference in Ottawa by Colonel Henry Solon Graves. director of the Yale for estry school.
 To realize the gigantic destrAc- tion that has been wrought in American forests by the demands of the sawmills. it is but necessary to point out the fact that the United States still has a softwood supply second only to that of Rus sia. Colonel Graves dwelt upon this statement, and declared that the present supply would be suf- ficient for requirements if handled under proper forestry principles.
 Proper forestry principles pro- vide for reseeding of cut-over lands not desirable for agriculture. Millions and millions of acres of hill and mountain timberland are turned into wastes by the tree fellers, wastes that because of to- geographical difficulties can not be brought under the dominion of the blow. Four-fifths of the soft wood forests of the nation are owned by the government, and the government forestry service constantly is reseeding where tim berland is burned over by forest fires. An intelligent, conservative policy that would put supervision of all privately owned timberlands in the hands of the forestry serr- ice to insure that for every tree cut down another would be planted would be a measure that would endear this generation to it's grandchildren.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-28
Building Up the Soil

Shelby County Reporter)
 A larger acreage of winter crops than usual is being planted Tn Shelby county this year. That is good news, because it indicates that we are beginning to get out Of the ruts of old customs and tra- ditlons and to get up on the smooth highway of independent thinking. In addition to furnish- ing winter grazing and early feed Tor next spring, these winter crops will prove to be excellent soH builders, and every man who thinks at all must at least begin to realize that we can never have the success at farming to which we are entitled until we make our land better.