davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-16
CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS

Bessemer Sunday schools are pre- naring for the usual Christmas pro grams and special offerings that are given to the orphanages of each de- nominations, which will be heid sun day, December 23.
 At the First Baptist church an elaborate program will be given in inc form of a pageant, "Following inc Star" The pastor. Sunday school superintendent and all departments will participate The program will De given as vesper service at CLOCK in the afternoon and the offering will be given after the pageant. Mrs. c. H. Brownrigg will be in charge.
 A vesper service will also be con ducted at the First Methodist church at o'clock. when a Christmas play with special music and exercises will be given. All departments will be represented under direction of Miss Phyllis Waites. assisted by Mrs Homer Hurd and Mrs. F. l.. Huey The church will be appropriately dec orated.
 At the First Presbyterian church sDeciaI exercises will also be held. In addition to the general offering TOT the orphanage, each child in the Sunday school is sending personal gift to one of the children.
 A Christmas pageant will also be given at the Woodward, parish house on Sunday afternoon under the di- rection of Miss Mary Weber and Mrs D. E. Wilson. On Christmas eve a tree will be given at the parisf house. which will contain presents for all children of the community the gift of the Woodward Iron com pany The members of the Woman Missionary society will De in charge of the tree
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-16

often inclined to ascribe these dif- ferences to errors in the house ther- mometers, and to blame the instru- ment manufacturers for their inac- curacies. The use of registered , thermometer whirled in the air will soon increase one's faith in the ther- mometers themselves and lay to actual differences in temperature and to differences of exposure the contrasts observed.
 For example, a 20-minute excur- sion with sling thermometer at sunrise February IS, 1922, at Worces- ter, Mass, showed that there were actual differences in temperature amounting to 10 degrees F. between the top and base of a hill 250 feet high, and disparities of 5.5 to and 8 degrees in a distance Of 100 yards, with 10 to 30 feet difference in ele- vation.
 In hol1ows the temperature ranged from 10 to 16 degrees, and on mod crate slopes from degrees to de- Prees Y. When laid on the snow. and covered with a very thin film of snow the thermometer read 5.5 de- grees lower than when whirled in the air at a height of three feet. A thermometer lying in the shade even several feet above the ground will. in clear weather, read l to 2 degres below the air temperature On the other hand. when exposed to sunlight reflected from a snow-sur- face, it will read 1 to degrees high CT than the air temperature.
 It is obvious, when the readings of stationary, standard thermometers are compared with those of a stand ard thermometer whirled in the air, that the differences between ther- mometer indications are not to be ascribed wholly to instrumental er- rors.-Charles F. Brooks, in Tycos.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-16
BESSEMER SOCIETY
CHRISTMAS RECTAL

The program of Christmas mus sic, to be given under the auspices Of the Wednesday music club. with Mrs. l.. l.. Vann as the director at the First Baptist church Sunday after noon, will be an event that win at tract the music lovers of the city, The program will be as follows: Organ prelude, Mrs. c. B. Hollings- worth; invocation, Rev. W. r. Price; welcome. Mrs. k. L. Huey; quartet. 70 Little Town of N Bethlehem (ScotD. Mrs. A. D. Sturdivant, Mrs. Cecil Cowan, George Bumgardner and Dan Davis; organ, Gloria" (Mo- zart). Mrs. Arthur Cooley; solo, Star of Hope" (Petrie), Mrs. Ma : con Williams; organ, Angels Sere- made" (Braga), Miss Virginia Will Hanson; solo, List, the Cherubic Host" (GauD. Dan Davis, assisted by ladies' trio Mesdames Sturdivant and Cowan and Miss Phyllis Waites; solo, "The Gifts" (Behrend), Mrs. George Wilson; violin solo Miss Ethel Williamson; tenor solo, se- lected. Earl Stapleton; quartet, "Sf- lent Night" Miss Waites Mrs. Cowan, MT. Bumgardner and MT. Davis; benediction pr. F. o. Heller; post Jude, Mrs. T. C.. Johnston.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-16

 almost like an heirloom, something to be handed about alternately from one member of a family to another and passed down to succeeding genera tions.
 The farm laborer and all his family habitually go barefoot while the younger children commonly run about with less clothing than the conventional fig leaf of our daringly dressed ancestors. The natives iood is insufficient in amount and defi- cient in variety. Rice and beans, both imported, are the staple diet when the worker has money to buy anything, with a bit of codfish as virtually the only meat.
 When short of money the family subsists on bananas, sweet potatoes and a few other native vegetables that can be had for little or nothing.
 The country dweller of Porto Rico -nine-tenths of the population is rural--is not only undernourished, but such vitality as he is able to de- velop is sucked out of him by the all-prevalent hookworm.
 Ever since the coming of the Americans a fight has been going on against this scourge, but soil pol lution and unsanitary conditions cause constant reinfection, so that 90 per cent of the rural population is believed to be suffering from hook worm today.
 There is now an agreement be- tween the Porto Rican government and the Rockefeller Foundation to take up the island district by district. the foundation undertaking to treat the people and the government get ting them to build the latrines which By this means 1t is hoped to make pine out of ten country homes lack. the cures permanent and extermin- ate the hookworm in the island
 Even so, at the present rate of progress, the commissioner of health told me that the work would prob ably take 25 years.-Arthur Warner, in the Century Magazine.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-16
PETITIONS IN BANKRUPTCY

Petitions in bankruptcy filed re- gently, are reported py the Mer- chants Credit association as follows:
 w. B. Williams. city, December ,, 1923, No. 20630; liabilities. $1,140.50; assets, $500, claimed exempt; at torney, H. J. Ward.
 J. F. Ward, 12O1 Forty sixth street, city, December II, 1923, No. 20654; liabilities. s7S4.14; assets, Mcleod. Woodward building, December Il, 1923, No. 20655; liabilities,S $7s5; as- sets, none; attorney, R. M. McLoed.
 George Clark, 472S Thirteenth ave- nue, east city, December II, 1923, No. 20656; liabilities, $7S414; assets, $500, claimed exempt; attorney, R. M. Mcleod. ,
 Joe Agee, 1217 Forty fifth street, city. December II, 1923. No. 20657; liabilities, ss05; no assets; attorney, R. NJ. Mcleod.
 B. o. Smith, 1928 Forty fifth street north, city, December Il. 1923, No. 2065S; liabilities, $S2414; assets, s75, claimed exempt; attorney, R. M. Me- Loed.
 Weyman Amos, 1O7 Ninth street, Bessemer, Ala, December H. 1923, 5, S1O; attorney, Bumgardner & Wilson.
 Lewis Sturdivant, 1416 Twenty fourth street. Ensley, Ala, December 10. 1923, No. 20647: liabilities, S32; assets. $24, claimed exempt; attorney, B. E. Samuel
 c. B. Wills, 1712 Second avenue, West End, December 10, 1923. No. 2O64s; liabilities, $27o; assets, $12.5o; no attorney.
 Charlie Range, Route No. 2. Box III Pell City, December 10. 1923, No. 20649; liabilities, $3715; assets $23.20: no attorney.
 Walter Mcclure, 11S Avenue L, Feeders, Bessemer, Ala, December, II, 1923, No 20650; liabilities, S132.3S; torney, Mathews & Mathews.
 Walter H. May. 25074k Sixth avenue, city, December Il, 1923, No. 20651; liabilities. s44174; assets, S54; attorney, Arthur Brown.
 Will Duncan, 1919 Twelfth street, Ensley Ala, December II, 1923, No. 20652; liabilities, s95; assets, s1O, stein.
 William Harris, 222 Forty first street, north. city. December II, 1923, No. 20653 liabilities, $1,50o; assets, $10O; attorney, R. D. Coffman.
 John T. Davis, December 13. 1923, NO. zUobU llaDllltleS, $4S5, assets, $65, claimed exempt; attorney, G. H. Bradford.
 B. H. Tllon. 2SO3 Avenue F. city, December 10, 1923, No. 20642; liabil- ities, s171; assets, s15, claimed ex- empt; attorney, John Altman.
 Woodie King, Bessemer. Ala. De- cember 10, 1923, No. 20644: liabilities, $112.50: assets. s23.S0, claimed ex- empt: attorney. Mathews & Mathews. William Smith, 1905 Thirty first street, north, city, December IA. 1923, No. 2O661; liabilities, S1,690.1S; as- sets, s175, claimed exempt attorney, W. H. Beatty.
 Roy L. Meadows. 2505 Twenty sixth avenue. north. December 10, 1923 No. 20643; liabilities, s432.62; no as- sets: attorney, H. J. Ward Ruby Turner, 1920 IIillman avenue December 10. 1923. No. 20646; li- abilities, $160 assets, none; at- torneys, G. A. Faircloth and F. A Gobson.
 Edwin Welander, care Greenwood cafe, December 10, 1923, No. 20645; liabilities, s764.25; assets, none; at torneY, Gibson & Davis. i
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-16

A preliminary organization of the battery dealers of the city was per fected at the Chamber of Commerce Friday evening. when there was an attendance representing every dealer in the city. The purpose of the or- ganization is to decide on plans to further the interests of the dealers by improving the service. Many sug- gestions were made as to reaching out for more business, and a later meeting will be held to go into these plans in detail. Fred Wunderlich and T. R. Copeland are the temporary of ficers until formal organization can be effected
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-16
REALTY SALES INCREASE

Bessemer covering the past few months show that realty transactions in this section have consistently ad- vanced. Each month has shown an increase over the previous month and also an increase over the same period last year.
 The figures for November are as follows: Deeds and mortgages Mo- vember, 1922, 1S0; for November 1923, 205. There were 1.705 transactions in the whole county during this pe- riod, and based on per capita av- craze, it is shown that Bessemer is more active than any other portion of the county
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-16
PLAN POULTRY SHOW

Plans are to be made Monday eve ming by the Poultry Division at the Chamber of Commerce to hold the annual poultry show in this city soon. This show was planned for the latter part of this month, but was postponed on account of the Birming- ham show, and also the short time which remained in which to make preparations.
 The members have been busy, however. and the details of the affair have been fairly well worked out. The show is to be strictly county affair. though there will be several fowls sent here by organizations and individuals outside the county for exhibition purposes only.
 Committees have already been ap- pointed to carry out much of the work, such as issuing catalogues and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-16
SCHOOLS CLOSE FRIDAY

Ressemer schools will be dismissed for the Christmas holidays Friday, December 21, at noon, according to the decision of the board of educa- ton at their meeting Friday evening The schools will open again Wednes- day. January 2, it was agreed. This gives longer vacation period than usual. but the schools will lose only seven days of school work. Many of the teachers will go to their homes to spend the Christmas holidays.
 The board of education will con tfnue with their building program, it is stated. but will let no new con tracts until the cash for the bonds sold Tuesday evening has been deliv- cred. The work on the new high school is progressing rapidly, and the building will likely be completed in time for the seeohd term of school
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-16
TWO WEEKS SHUTDOWN
Southern Shops At Knoxville Will
 Close Thursday

KNOXVILLE, Tenn, Dec. 15.-Cos- ter shops of the Southern railway here will close down next Thurs day for two weeks to reduce ex- penses," according to an announce ment posted in the different de- partments.
 About 1,230 men will be thrown out of employment until January. One-fourth of the 1,700 employees will be kept on duty to repair ma chinery.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-16
rosTNrGHrLy CLUB MEETS

The Fortnightly club was enter tained Friday afternoon at the home of MT. M. J. Lee. Christmas bells, holly and poinsettas were used in the decorations and the subject for study during the afternoon was My Memories" by Chauncey Depew. A review of the book was given by Mrs. Johnson, while Mrs. Herbert Smith gave talk on the prominent characters mentioned. Mrs. D. E. Wilson made a short talk on Ala bama Day. There were II members present and the hostess served a salad course with coffee.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-16
MRS. NEAL HOSTESS

Members of the Matrons club were delightfully."- entertained at the home of Mrs. John Neal Friday afternoon. Mrs. NeaPs lovely new home was at tractively decorated in red carna- tions, sweet peas, poinsettas and other suggestions of the holiday season. The club prize, a Madeira luncheon set, was won by Mrs. Ed Read Mrs. Tom Carlisle won the guest prize. a Madeira center piece, while Mrs. J. c. Pope drew the con solation, also a Madeira set
 A delicious luncheon plate was Mrs. J. s. Winters, Mrs. Bruce Snider, Mrs. George Ross, Mrs. William Lowery. Mrs. Kittrell Trotter, Mrs. E. W. McNeil. Mrs. l.. L. Vann, Mrs. Fred Stover, Mrs. B. P. Harris, Mrs. Eugene Honeycutt, Mrs. Howard McEniry, Mrs. Tom Benton, Mrs. J. c. Pope, Mrs. Sam Erlick, Mrs. Jim Donaldson. Mrs. George Rutledge, Mrs. w. w. Hollingsworth, Mrs. Herbert Milton. Mrs. W. c. Baty, Mrs. Ed Read. Mrs. N. B. Parker, Mrs. c. w. Mcdonald, Mrs. Gardner F. Goodwin, Mrs. H. H. Pendleton, Mrs Julian Brick, Mrs. Mason Ray, Mrs. R. w. Waldrop. Mrs. Bryan Waller, Mrs. Emmett Ray, Mrs. George Wal Ter. Mrs. G. B. Hollingsworth, Mrs. Ellis Terry, Mrs. James Fitzpatrick, Mrs. w. E. Suratt, Mrs. Tom Huey, Mrs. Tom Carlisle, Mrs. R. T. Smith. The hostess was assisted in enter taining by Mrs. George Wilson, Mrs. c. A. Harris, Mrs. G. G. Neal, Mrs. Tom Carlisle and Mrs. L. l.. Vann, Jr.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-16
PARENT-TEACHERs MEET

The Parent Teachers association of the Hueytown High school met this week with Mrs. M. T. Hatton presid- ing. There was good attendance, and plans were made for a minstrel show at the school auditorium by talent from Pratt City on Friday evening. Proceeds of the entertain ment will be used to make the last payment on a piano. which was pur- chased for the school. Plans were also made for a chicken supper to be given in the near future, the proceeds of which will be used to erect 8 fence about the grammar school.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-16
nRInGE CLUE MEETS

Dr. and Mrs. ]. R. Chandler enter tained the Muscoda Bridge club on Friday evening. The house was at tractively arranged in holly, poin- settas and bells, suggestive of the holiday season. The ladies' prize. decorated candles, was won by Miss Edna Ferguson. while the gentlemen's 5 prize, deck of cards, fell to w. IL. Sloggett A tempting salad and ice course was served to the following: MT. and Mrs. c. B. Cross, MT. and Mrs. E. c. Anderson. MT. and Mrs. w. w. Sckewes, Mir. and Mrs. Milton Baird, MT. and Mrs. c. E. Cameron,
 ir. and Mrs. Ewing Carter, Miss Ferguson and MT. Sloggett.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-16
TO HOLD REUNION

Capt A F. Goodwin will be the honoree at family reunion at the home of Mir. and Mrs. Gardner Good wyn on Monday evening in celebra- tion of his eighty-first birthday. The celebration will bring together sev- eral members of the family, which will include Mir and Mrs. John c.. McNeill of Birmingham, MT. and Mrs. Tyler Goodwin of Montgomery, and the host for the occasion, MT. and Mrs, Gardner Goodwin.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-16

Ausman will have for his topic, "The Meaning of Country Life.'
 Later gatherings will be held on January 19 and February P, pr. J. $. Thomas of the university and pr. w D. Brown being the speakers al the former. while pr. K. C. Davis and J. B. Hodby will speak on the lat fer date
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-16

Galloway, vice president; Mrs. Webb .Vandiver, corresponding secretary; Mrs w. D. Farr, recording secre- tary: Mrs. Frank owen, treasurer; Mrs. Dan Bridgeman, junior superin
 tendent Other superintendents chosen were: Mrs. Lum Harlow, Mrs. R. M. Phifer. Mrs. B. E. Green, Mrs. J. C. Nall, Mrs. Stella Suther and Mrs. J. M dnDopa1d
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-16
MRS. WILSON HOSTESS

Mrs. Hershel Wilson was hostess to the members of the Yankee Doodle Dixie club on Thursday evening. Req carnation and sweet peas were useo for the decorations. Mrs. c. A. Har- ris won the club prize, set of gob- lets and after the game the hostess served a salad with fruit course.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-16
PLAY IS PRESENTED

Pupils of the McAdory High school presented an interesting play Fri day evening at the school auditorium, to which large attendance was at tracted. Those taking part carried out their parts creditably, and the show was declared to be one of the best ever given there. The pro-
 ceeds of the entertainment will go toward the school improvement fund.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-16
SCHOOL PRESENTS PLAY

MoNROEvILLE, Ala, Dec. 15.- Especial Leased Wire. )-The Monroe County High school Glee club, under the direction of Mrs. L. S. Biggs, pre- sented an operetta, "The Isle ot Chance" on Thursday night at the high school auditorium.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-16
HOOKWORM AND CROWD
Writer Points Out The Two Re-
 lated Curses Of Porto Rico

Porto Rico's primary difficulty is excessive population and deficient health. There are too many people per acre and too many hookworms per foot.
 The census of 1920 gave the island a population of 1,299,S09 persons, or 37S to the square mile. This is a density ten times that of the average in the United States and about twice that in France.
 At the same time Porto Rico has been poorly served by nature for any industry other than agriculture. Light manufacturing, dependent upon a large amount of hand labor, probably has a future, but the im- mediate need is the production of more food, particularly of the kinds that the natives eat.
 The average Porto Rican is wretchedly housed and miserably fed an undersized, emaciated creature whose habits of life violate every cannon of what we like to call the American standard of living. He is landless, homeless, and to large eX- tent jobless. He is farm 1aborer who works, when he has chance. for from 50 to 75 cents day on the estates of the small class that owns the land and controls the wealth.
 Sometimes he and his family live in a hut which the owner of the land on which he is working allows him to occupy, as long as he is in the lat ters employ; sometimes he inhabits a shack which he himself is allowed to erect on the plantation.
 In any event, his tenure is at the mercy of the landowner, while his house at best is a temporary struc. ture hastily bundled together with the bark of the royal palm for sides and a grass thatch as roof.
 With a population always in ex- cess of the demand for work, wide spread unemployment is a normal nnnditinn A inh in Pnrtn Ricn is
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-16
OFFICERS ARE ELECTEn

The annual election of officers of the Walnut Grove Methodist church vas held the past week at the week ly meeting of that organization when the following were chosen; Mrs.. W. NJ. Mcdonald, president; Mrs. B. r.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-16
ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Woman's Auxiliary of the First Presbyterian church will hold circle meetings Monday afternoon at o'clock. Circle No. l will meet with Mrs. G. L. Burdin. Circle No. 2 will meet with Mrs. Charles Morgan, Circles No. and No. 5, with Mrs. L. F. Ling and Circle No. 4 with Mrs. H. $. Salmon.
 Bands No. 3 and No. of the Woman's Missionary society of the First Baptist church will meet Mon day afternoon at o'clock with Mrs. Hicks Frazier in the Orlean apart ments. Band No. will meet with Mrs. H. M. Batts.
 The Womans Missionary society of the First Methodist church will meet at the church Monday after noon at 2:30 o'clock. Rev. B. T. Waites will give lecture on Aliens and Americans"
 Mrs. Ben Houston will be hostess to the Auction Bridge club We'd nesday afternoon at 1 o'clock.
 The Juvenile Music club will meet Wednesday afternoon at 8 o'clock at the home of Katherine Stretch.
 The Writers club will not meet un- til the second Thursday in January.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-16
CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS


 Revival services. in progress at the Church of God, will continue through next week, with Rev. w. F. Monk occupying the pulpit. c. w. Riley will have charge of the music.
 Rev. T. E. Steeley will preach at the Lipscomb Baptist church Sunday morning and evening, the subject for the morning being "The Road Over Calvary" The evangelistic services will be held at the evening hour.
 Rev. B. T. Waites will preach at the First Methodist church, his topic for the morning being. The Spiritual Machine" whilo in the evening he will talk on Keeping the Fences Up" pr. F. o. Hellier will fill the pulpit at the First Presbyterian church Sunday. having for his morning text, "The Sword" in the evening his topic will be "Is There a Cure for Today's Evil?"
 Rev. W. P. Price will preach at the First Baptist chuch Sunday morning. The pulpit will be filled at the eve ming hour by Rev. w. F. Monk, who will have for his topic "The Judg-, ment."
 CHAMBLEE-RILEY
 Miss Evelyn Riley of Blocton and Joseph s. Chamblee were married at
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-16
PERSONALS


 Dotsey Honeycutt arrived Saturday from Auburn to spend the holidays with his parents, MT. and Mrs. Flu gene Honeycutt
 Mrs. Charles Cargile will leave Sunday for visit with relatives at Indianola. Miss.
 Mrs. Granger Williams of Nash vile, Tenn, will arrive Monday to be the guest of her parents, MT. and Mrs. E. A. Little.
 Miss Hazel Brown of Meridian was the weekend guest of her cousin, Miss Paulyne Terrell.
 Mrs. w. P. Price is improving at her home on Fifth avenue, after a recent illness.
 Miss Helen Smith, who is attend ing Ohio State university at Colum- bus, will spend the Christmas holi- days with her parents, MT. and Mrs. ". J. Smith.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-16
------------s0s CARD OF THANKS

Mrs. S. A. Cassidy wishes to thank her friends for the kindness and sympathy shown during the recent illness and death of Mrs. M. J. Cathron.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-16
OFFICERS ELECTED

Election of officers for the school annual, and a Who's Who" contest at the Johns High school the past week, attracted considerable atten- tion among the pupils and residents of the community.
 The staff for the school annual was chosen as follows:
 Editors-in- chief, Claudia Mae How ton and Zelma Gargile; business managers, Lester Brackner and Ma rie Jones; sports editor, Virgil Fleet; Jokes editor, Reedie Hodges; ex- change editor, Gladys Fleet; adver- tising manager, Mildred Brown.
 The following were the results or the Who's Who" contest:
 Most popular teacher, MT. Cox. Most talented student, Marie Jones. Best writer, Zelma Gargile. Best ter, Luther Byram. Most intellectual student. Lillie Johnson. Most friend ly student, Clara Belle Walker Most attractive student. Cecil Howton' Hardest worker, Claudia Mae How ton Most dignified student, Mildred Brown. Best sport. Cecil Howton' Most modest student, Rubye Jones. Freshest Rat" Mary Bean. Most stylish student, Estelle Cree1. Wit tiest boy, Stanford Jones. Greatest ladies man, Gilbert Bean. Biggest woman hater, Virgil Fleet. Best all around boy, Lester Brackner' Mos' popular boy, Lester Brackner. Big gest eater. MT. Cox. Best boy ath- iete, Gilbert Bean. Ugliest boy, Glenn Cavlor. Biggest loafer, Glenn Cay Tor. Biggest bum, Harley Howton' Most handsome boy, Lester Bracken Sieepiest sleeper, Claudia Mae How ton. wittiest girl, Reedie Hodges Best all-around girl, Marie Jones Prettiest girl, Zelma Gargile. Cutest eyirl Clara Belle Walker Most pop 1IIar girl. Claudia Mae HoWton. Best girl athlete, Estel1e Greet. Five girls for Beauty section of annual; Zelma Gargile. Claudia Mae Howton Clara Belle Walker, Cecil Howton Navie Parsons,