davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-18
PEOPLES FORUM

The One und Three Mill Tax To the Editor of The Age-Heraldi
 The question of the schoel tax to be voted on on the 2sth of this month is one of vital importance, and one whieh(is not thoroughly under stood by great many VOt- CTS in this county, and I feel that every voter of this county should be fully informed on this subject before the day of election comes, for I feel sure that a very few will vote against this tax if fully informed of the objects and aims of this proposition.
 l have talked with quite num- ber of voters who were under the impression that this tax is an in- crease of, or an addition to the tax rate we are now paying, which ia not the case. The one-mill tax which we voted several years age expires now, and the three-mlll tax voted expires several months from now, which, if not renewed by the vote of the people of the county, will be discontinued when the time limit for which they were voted terminates, and the board of education thought 1t good econ omy to vote on both propositions at one time to save the necessary expense of two elections.
 No one who knows of the great work that has been done by the board of education since this school special tax has been in force can afford to vote against the renewing of this tax on It's ex- piratien. There has been com pleted on an average of one school building & month for the last six years in Jefferson county at an average cost of $20,0o0 per school. Total investment in school prop erty is S2,S2,000 (this Is out side of the incorporated city sys- tems of Birmingham. Bessemer, Brighton and Fairfield). There are 700 teachers in the county, b2o white and 1s0 negro, and we can justly boast of our county now be- ing in process of development one of the best school systems to be found anywhere in the entire country, but if we should fail to vote a continuation of this school tax on the 2sth of this month 1t would be one of the greatest ca- lamities this county has ever auf-- fered. The length of school terms now Is nine months, but if this ape- cial tax was to be discontinued they would be reduced to about one-half- that term, and our splendid school system would be thrown into con- fusion, disorganized generally, and the teachers would have to seek other vacations, and the re- suit would be that the lesson learned from our igporantly Vot- ing against this tax would be so serious that 1t would be irrepara- ble for many years to come, and our children would be deprived of schooling which the law requires they shall have.
 l advise every voter who can to go to tho office of the superin- tendent of education and become fully informed on this question be- fore election day and inform your friends as to the status. l asked a prominent man of this eitX how he was going to vote on this ques- tion. and he said against 1t; he did not want any more tax burden. When I explained that it did not raise the taxes any, he said he was for fl. and would urge others to vote for 1t.
 BLANToN HIGGINS.
 Birmingham, Ala.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-18
ALL SHADES
 @ oR OPIk1IONO
Whites Needed
lColumbia statel

From time to time one hears Q sheer from an "American" at the im- migrant. May be a century, may be two centuries ago, the Americans were immigrants-and, in most cases5 poor, ragged, struggling immigrants at that. The vast majority of immigrants who came to the United States, ancestors of the rich and aristicratic of this day, were humble people-zand some of those who were not humble came becaues they were not wanted in the land of their birth. What is needed in South Carolina is population-mor'e white-skinned population. Fifty thou sand Scots would be more desirable than fifty thousand Austrians or Hun garians, but the coming of fifty thou sand white families of any European race to this state in the next ten years would be an immeasurable blessing to it. Behind the cafping criticism of immigration perhaps is laziness-the feeling of the native that, if new peo- pie came in, he might have to hustle to keep up with the procession.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-18
TIE nEIRsr IAnYn

Though she has occupied the posi- tion of First Lady of the Land" only few days, Washington society, which appears to take itself more seriously than does the normal American, is al- ready discussing Mrs Coolidge pro and con, and apparently undertaking to determine to it's own satisfaction whether she will fill the bill, so to speak. The term First Lady of tho Land," is not to be taken literally, but should be interpreted in an official light. One female correspondent of New York newspaper asserted that as the wife of the vice president Mrs. Coolidge filled her place with dis tinction, and having had several years experience in Washington society, it is believed that she will immediately assume her position with little pre- liminary training or coaching"
 All of, which may be reassurfng to society at the national capital, even though such details as seating guests at state dinners in the exact order prescribed by official etiquette, and the proper observance of rules and regulations governing which person has the privilege of speaking first or what shall be said, are determined by some people who are paid to look after such matters, and by no means decide the fate of nations, as some climbers around the outskirts have it appear. Yet it is not easy to understand why real lady, whether she be the first, second or some other number in the list of the land, should need Coaching and training" to comply with conven- tionalities created and maintained by political humbuggery. A lady be- comes such through birth, breeding, conduct, and especially innate feel ings Ladies are not developed by "coaching." Some finishing schools turn out graduates who distinguish themselves in the art of lowing, smil- ing and handling their skirts with proper grace; but all their coaching along these lines does not produce the lady.
 Mrs. Coolidge is equipped for the position she assumed as judged by nation which fixes standards of wo- manhood that inspire the opposite sex to higher ideals and broader achieve ments. One little act of hers satis- fled the people of this country that the presidents wife is right at heart when she soothed the broken spirit of her predecessor by offering her the kind of sympathy that counts. It took no coaching for that; it was the ex- precision of one who knew how to apply an inward feeling that marks the high type of womanhood.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-18
Controlled at the Source lHouston Postl

Secretary of Labor Davis, in Europe studying the problem of immigration, arrives at the same conclusion that others who have given serious thought to the problem have reached, viz, that immigration must be controlled at it's source. This involves not only the matter of preventing number in ex- cess of the quotas permitted, to em- bark for America, but it involves also the careful selection of the immi- grants. Aside from America's domes- tic problem of assimilating the immi- grants, this phase of the problem is worthy of attention. Americans form their opinions of other countries large ly from the character of the people who come to America from those countries. There are countries in Europe which today stand low in the estimate of Americans simply because they have permitted low class of immigrants to deluge America. Inter national relationship will be improved by raising the standards of immi- grants.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-18
Drenms of PeddIinw

IL happens ofter that married women about to give birth to a child have a dream of peddlipg, selling things on the street, or of fering small trinkets for sale to their friends.
 These are very fortunate dreams inasmuch as they tell you of happy hours, of many gifts of a minor nature, and yet each one of them coming from those who love you best and whom you love best. The child you will bear will be healthy, your own condition will be entirely satisfactory, and noth- ing will mar the happiness that comes into a womans life with the advent of a babe. As my readers will readily see, this dream has no meaning for unmarried women and should it. come to them, it al- ways refers to someone in their family or to some intimate friend who is looking forward to the joys of motherhood. It happens at times that a woman who has such a dream appears to be in tatters or exposed to wind and weather. Do not let such an in cidental episode worry you. It does not moan anything, only that your mind subonsciously connects peddling with poverty through persons you have seen, without. however. having interfered with the interpretation here given.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-18

whose chief thought and goal is poli- tics and not the public welfare, just SO long will the people be cheated of the major portion of those public hem efits for which they are taxed and to which they are by law entitled. Cues tions of public health would receive the careful attention of officials of the right sort and they would cooper ate in every way with the health au- thorities in fighting wrong conditions. If the people cannot get rid of politics in public office, they can at least vote the wrong sort of men out of politics.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-18
PUBLIC MANAGEMENT

AOIio state JOurnal)
 It is sin and a shame the way petty politics is so often per- mitted to interfere with the sensi- ble and efficient conduct of pub lie charitable and correctional in stitutions. It is a shameful injus- tice to the taxpayers who support these institutions and whose sole Interest in their management Is that they should be run eonomi- cally and for the real benefit of the unfortunate or misguided per sons who have become public charges. It is a cruel injustice 10 the unfortunates themselves1 The general public cares nothing for the miserable little triumphs of partisan and personal politics and. when these are made the para mount object of administration, the public charges, and therefore society itself, suffer.
 The reform temperament thinks that these injustices may be avoided by the adoption of some new system of control of these public institutions. But there is not much in mere system. Never was a system created or devised which petty politics could not get around somehow if 1t wished to hard enough. A good system ht best is only an aid to good charac- ter. sound sense and high purpose In positions of public responsible ity, and these qualities can man age very well even under a poor system.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-18

sonal fitness. Yet that Is the attitude of the Columbia, South Carolina, State. It may be true that our Ameri- can ancestry is as a rule somewhat heterogeneous and originally conn posed in part of those who were not wanted in their own country Nobody today can say how greatly that fact has lowered our average, although the wonderful opportunity of the new country developed the best that was in many and the hardships of pioneer ing caused many others to succumb. Yet it is true that some criminals can trace their ancestry back for genera tions of criminals just as the proud may trace their ancestry back through generations of the proud. Heredity and environment both contribute to the molding of character, and for the sake of posterity it is well to give children just as good personal inher' itance as possible, It will do no harm to start with the wedding out of the grossly unfit at the port of debarca. tion.
 There is a general tendency to criti- cize the present laws as being make shift and illogical. They are better than the former condition of almost unrestricted admission, but in the name of our civilian standards and in behalf of humanity, we should deal with the situation in a manner calcu- lated to attain the desired result with out casting disappointments, hardships, suffering or penury upon those who must be turned back at our gates, or else refused passage papers in their home lands before having blindly in- vested perhaps their all in the new venture. It is hoped that Secretary Davis will have ready for the new congress comprehensive code that wifi meet our national purposes while at the same time obviating the dis agreeable and lamentable attendants upon our present methods of dealing with immigrants,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-18
VIADUcT PROGRESS

It now appears that the viaduct status will be restored to the status whence 1t was taken in 1911, and that the railroads will be required to con- struct viaducts of underpasses in cities i of 35,O00 or more. This will make it l possible for Montgomery, Mobile and Birmingham to eliminate their more congested and dangerous crossings. ! One spokesman for the railways de- clared that if the law were passed any county or city could force the rail roads to build viaducts, That would make it all the better; for surely the public has a right to demand that all dangerous crossings be removeds no matter whether they are in the city or the country. The building of good roads has stimulated highway traffic to c point where some rural crossings offer a menace comparable to that in the smaller cities.
 As to the railroad suggestion that the proposal that the railroads bear the cost of viaduct construction means that the patrons of the railways will pay the cost, that should be an argu- ment for railroad sppportso of the prop osition. However, that argument need not be taken too seriously, for it is not probable that there will be increased freight costs as a result of crossing elimination, seeing that the railroad earnings are steadily increasing each year. Furthermore, the people expect q concrete proof of railroad good faith in promising to cooperate in the via duct program. Birmingham means to have viaducts, no matter what attitude the railroads may adopt, and the roads may as well win what public favor they can by bending to the public will in this matter. The longer the rail roads wait, the bigger their bill, for the viaduct program will become con tinhally more ambitions as this city's traffic grows.
 Public gratitude is extended to those Birmingham citizens who went to the time and expense necessary to appear before the legislative committee at Montgomery. Of codrse, they will share in the benefit, but not so much so as the great majority who will en- joy a permanent profit from the trat- fife convenience the Yiaducts will af ford. Community cooperation sup ported,by official determination on the part of the city commission will bring the viaduct program to speedy realiza- tion. Let there be no stone left un- turned in the path to this result.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-18
pEKALB's COMMUNITY EFFORT

Self-help is one of the most admir- able of all qualities, whether it applies to the individual or the community. When the road between Fort Payne and Valley Head, an artery of commu- nication in that section, got in bad condition and caused delay, inconven- fence and loss of trade, citizens of DeKalb county did not sit with folded hands and wait for action from the public authorities. They had long hoped in vain for relief. But without further considering and discussing their claims and rights, they went to work in. earnest, Two thousand resi- dents of that section responded promptly to a call, and put in more than a day working the highway, Half of the workers started at Fort Payne, the other half at Valley Head, and the two forces worked towards one another, with the result that they put a bad road in good shape. The job was so successful that a similar undertaking is planned to repair . fifteen-mile stretch of road between Valley Head and Hinegar.
 With such a spirit of cooperation it Is confidently predicted that the proposed project will be properly car ried out. That is the kind of purpose that counts for progress and pros perity. There is an old saying that if you want thing well done, do it your self. DeKalb citizens put that into practical application, and they will benefit from it, not only through the medium of good roads, but by the unity of purpose out of which grew this commendable community effort. There are few things that will be of more service to- the people of DeKalb county than will this manifestation of their enterprise and this expression of the value they attach to good roads as an agency for moral, intellectual and material advancement.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-18
PUBLIC HEALTH AND PoLIr1cs

The plea of Doctor Bowling for freedom of the health department from political hindrance and restraint is an eloquent one and deserves the careful attention of the people of this community. No matter whether the reader agrees or disagrees with the health officers opinions as to the le- gal status of the health department, there is no successful denial of the fact that politics has colored public health work. Indeed, as many persons are aware, politics have been played to the limit even within various medical societies themselves, and there are d few health officers in this state, to- tally unfit for the position they hold who are retained in office purely by reason of medical politics. Birming ham and Jefferson county, it is be lieved, are served by capable h>altl officer.
 There is bill now pending whicl would place at the discretion of the local health boards the expenditure o1 all funds appropriated for healtl work. There is such thing as going too far in this direction. Neither the health board nor the health officer i: directly accountable to the people The revenue board is accountable tc the people, and properly demands ac countability ,from those to whom il entrusts public funds.
 If the people only realized it, the shortest way to economy and eff ciency in public affairs is through tn; election of men of proved bushes: ability and public spirit to governing
 positions. As lo3g as those are electe
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-18
Present syatem netter
(Gadsden Journall

Representative c. o. Thompson of Etowah county Is advertising, as required by law, his intention of introducing in the legislature bill to provide for the election of a county Superintendent for Etewah ouRty by direct vote of the people. The Journal has had occasion to make some investiga- tion of it's own along this line. It finds that, with the possible exs ception of Jefferson county, Eto~ wah has the least sentiment iA favor of a change along this line of any county in the state. As to the rural communities, too many of them have built splendid new buildings and have established consolidated schools and high schools under the present adminis- tration to desire 2 change. As for the cities, not much interest thus far has been displayed in the question. so far as the Journal can find, and practically all of that interest tends toward 8 re- tention of the present plan.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-18
POOR BOYS WHO
 BECAME FAMOUS By Frederick ASuk Law
Havden


 A country school teacher, visit ing his relatives in Austria nearly hundred years ago, heard a six year-old boy, Franz Hayden, sing. The little fellow had such a sweet voice and used 1t so well that the school teacher offered to take him and give him 8 musical training. The child's fathers. who was only a poor wheelwright and who had a wife and twelve children to sup port, was glad enough to have one less mouth to feed. So the teacher went away with the youngster, who probably cried when he left his mother and all his many broth- CTS and sisters.
 The little boy made a great sue- ess as a choir singer, but. like all boys, he p.eTf growing older and larger. There comes time when every boy blushes with indigna- tion because his voice plays him such mischievous tricks, now harsh and now squeaking as though a rat had been caught in a trap. That time came to Franz Hayden at the age of seventeen. AlAn hOlCC dk d opAEDAAA moment, and the angry choir peo- pie kicked him out" and said Take care of yourself. you squeak" \
 Now that Franz Hayden had to take care of himself. he did tho only thing that he kne whow to do--slnce he could no longer sing; he set up as music teacher. With the little money he earned he paid for lessons for himself. He was so determined to learn more and more about music that he went without food and sleep and kept at his exercises and studies. Whom anyone does that he either dies or suecessds; sometimes he does both. Hayden succeeded, great teacher of music and one of the worlds greatest composers.
 As composer Franz Hayden worked as hard as he had worked as a student. II knew no rest and sent forth composition after com- position, all beautiful, and each one sending his reputation farther than eyer. The English Univer- sity of Oxford welcomed him with high honers and made him a Doc tor of Music,
 One of the lovely things that Hayden did was to bring into his great musical compositions the music and songs he had heard in his boyhood home. Even in his last days, at seventy-seYen. he res membered his childhood delight in peasant music apd song, and he handed its charm on to the world, embedded in his own rich music. There Is in all he wrote loveh- ness and Q pathos that makes everyone who loves music love the work of the great composer who remembered with joy the hard days of his childhood.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-18
A coNsTRUcTIYE RILL

Constructive information about Ala bama whereby prospective investors and desirable residents from other parts of the country may learn of the many opportunities and possibilities offered by this state Is one of the most promising assets that could be added to the long list which the state al- ready possesses. Tbat is the purpose of the bill before the legislature to develop, advertise and promote the resources of the several counties. The measure enlists the financial aid and cooperation of the several coun- ties. There is no purpose to adver- tise any particular section or interest. The project is statewide in its aspect. It is planned that every constructive interest shall participate in the bene- fits and results. Alabama possesses as great variety of natural resources as any other state. The trouble has been that the people of Alabama have not sufficiently comprehended and ap- preciated their own advantages to in- duce them to collate for the rest of the country such information as will lead to investigation and development of the states opportunities.
 The bill should be enacted as a project for the progress and prosperity of the whole state. The measure has untold possibilities. It would accom- plish much for the development of the states wealth. The best results from this movement would follow the enactment also of a companion bill providing for complete survey of the states resources, so that definite in- formation in every field of invest ment and development may be of fered the outside world. This informa- tion should be accurate and compre- hensive. Such facts as are now avail able relate chiefly to the iron, steel, coal and coke resources and conditions. To this should be added brief of all the other large resources, such as tim Der, naval stores, clay products, mar ble, graphite, water power, quantity, character and cost of labor, tr'anspor- tation facilities, variety and fertility of soil, climate, rainfall, available markets, and, in fact, everything that the prospective investor would want to know regarding conditions for pru- duction and distribution. If this is done, the combination measure prop er1y enacted should lead Alabama promptly to the head of the list of in- dustrial states.