davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-25
PEOPLES FORUM
"Plain Bnin and Honest Jim

"Pl01n b1iI" ana honest Jim
 To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 It is with deep interest and grave concern that I note the coa- flict that is on between Plain Bill" and honest Jim. Of course, this is a very serious proposition. but at the same time it also has a very ridiculous side to 1t as well. It appears that the governor threw down the gauntlet of challenge to the solicitor, but the gentleman who knows where he stands from a legal standpoint much better than the governor, is courage oUs enough to carry out the law. l. appears to me that this adminis- tration of Plain Bill" Is getting rather serious when he comes in and gives his ultimatum to the courts that they shall not inter- fere with what Ire nhasstaken upon himself to look after. when there is in the code of Alabama certain sections saying specifically <whos duty it is to investigate these matters and by what proc6le of law they shall be nandled and through what specified channels of legal procedure they shall pass It is certainly getting to a queer state of affairs when the governor can say what Is law and what Is not. It appears to me that Solici- tor Davis is clearly within his rights in going ahead with his in vestigation and hope that he shall leave nothing unturned and no one unblamed for this disgraceful affair at Banner mine.
 Plain Bill" has done many won derful things since he has become governor. He promised the peo- pie the thrill of their lives ani he Is giving 1t to them, but In a different form from what they expected. I remember distinctly that he promised Auburn two mill lion, and guess that he promised all Sthe other educational institu- tions of the state like amounts. But he finds that promising ard doing are two entirely different things. When man promises that which at the very time he promises it he knows he cannot give. 1t appears to me that he could have but little excuse to make. Here I want to give three cheers for Jim Davis, a man who does not fear the governor, for he knows that he. is right. It's sad, but Plain Bilrs" popularity has passed. D. W. HOLLIS
 National Sanatorium, Tenn, Sept.
 22, 1928.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-25
FOLLOW THE FLAG

Memphis Commercial AppeaD
 It Is refreshing to learn from government bulletins that ship ping board vessels carried 63 per cent. of the cotton exported from gulf ports during the month of June. During the past two years there has been a steady increase in the amount of cotton carried in American bottoms. In the gulf the American flag now rules the waves where traffic in the South's greatest crop Is concerned.
 It seems that we are coming to a tardy. realization of our duty to the national merchant marine and to the mariners of our country. The government is doing every thing possible to increase and im- prove It's overseas service from gulf cities. We are promised a continuation of regular saillngs from gulf ports to the United Kingdom, the Mediterranean. the Orient and Africa.
 The shipping board has an office in Memphis. Representatives here can give exporters personal service, can keep them In direct touch with affairs of the sea, with rates, sailings and all develop ments. This should mean much to exporters, not only of cotton, put of lumber and every other com modity that moves out of this section for foreign destinations.
 Such opportunities should in spire us to use American ships even more than we have in the past. England became the worlds greatest power largely because of the loyalty of Englishmen to Eng land and to their fellow country men. Let us. while riding on the rising tide of our power. do tho same. The staple of Mississippi. Arakansas, Texas and Georgia should go to the Lancashire mills with the Stars and Stripes. Let us follow the flag in our commer- cial struggles as nobly as our boys followed it in war. Peace, too, has its victories. There is not a day upon which a business man cannot be patriot. Remem- Der our flag on the sea. Long may it wave.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-25
EDUCATION AND ACCIDENTS

Following up it's recent plans to reduce the traffic toll by cooperating in the prosecution of speeders and other violators of traffic ordinances, by the establishment of danger slg- nals, and by broadcasting safety hints over WSY, the Birmingham Motor Club. through it's membership, will give simple traffic talks in the public schools which are expected to be help full to the children. The perils from such acts as playing in the streets, watching for cars, crossing at inter xections, skating on thoroughfares and hanging on to autos by bicycle riders, Hill be presented so as to impress the children with the risks in all these things. Parents will be appealed to for cooperation in carrying out the plans for protection.
 It is stated that since January l night children have been killed by motor accidents, and that the majority of these tragedies resulted from chll- dren being in the streets where motor traffic is more or less contested. By expressing the children with the inn portance of care on their part and showing them the dangers of failure to observe ordinary precautions much may be accomplished in reducing ac- ridents from this source. No little will depend on the attitude of parents. They can be of great aid.
 Efforts of the various city clubs with their hundreds of members, boGh through individual example and by or ganized purposes, and determination to reduce the heavy traffic toll, will be a public benefit. These efforts should especially include aid to the authori- ties in experiencing all motor-vehicle operators who persist in defying or evading the traffic regulations. In this way the record of traffic accidents would be distinctly improved. There Is no longer excuse for shifting much of the blame upon jitneys. The re- sponsibility and obligation now rest fully on drivers of their own cars and pn licensed chauffeurs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-25
WALTON'S WAY OUT

The legislature of Oklahoma threat ems to go into the federal courts to prevent the governor from interfering with it's projected special meeting to consider the emergency existing in that state. Governor Walton replies that he welcomes the inquiry by the federal courts. It Is probable that the governor would more than wei come federal intervention as affording a graceful way out of a situation which doubtless he does not see the end of. His course has been astonish- ing, to say the least, not because he determined to wage relentless fight against the lawlessness and violence to which publicity has been given dur ing the past two years, but because he proceeded on the assumption that tke civil courts would not give the in- quiry a square deal, and because he openly expressed distrust of civil au- thorities.
 Had the governor gone ahead with the civil courts and authorities and then discovered that they were be- traying the public interest, his mili. tary policy would have had some color of necessity; but inasmuch as his whole course is based on what he alleged to be true, rather than on what he has proved to be true, the national public holds its opinion in reserve. It now seems that the only manner in which the governor can justify his policy is to prove his allegations to the satis- faction of regularly constituted tri- bunal-the federal court, if that court deems the situation within its province.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-25
,s,.OLora >S1LlsSosl TelephoI Main 49OO aaz<VSaSsf M"in 4S'
EXCEEDING THE BUDGET

With municipal expenditures more %han seventy-two thousand dollars over E4he budget near the close of the fiscal wear, there is little possibility of even- ing the balance in the next few days lit is a case of paying out more than came in, and failure to observe the law twhich probihits the several depart ;1nents from spending more than their available revenues as set forth in the ,budget. It was to prevent this that the budget system was established py law as a check. There are set forth numerous reasons why the budget was exceeded, according to the city comp troller. Some of them are enumerated las unforeseen expenditures. There have been no emergencies, however, such as are laid down in the law as exceptions.
 Birmingham's rapid growth in popu- Ration and in industrial enterprise de- yelops increasing municipal needs to keep pace with the general progress. In preparing budgets the city authorf- flies should, therefore, look ahead, vis- ralize the future and allow sufficient leeway to take care of any pressing needs during the life of the budget. The commission knows the sources and the amount of it's available revenues. Appropriations should be determined accordingly, with provision for tenn porary emergencies. The custom o1 overstepping the budget lines by any commissioner without the sanction and authority of the entire board is un- sound and should cease. Such policy always leads to deficits and their ac- companying endorsements. When unavoidable prospective requirements call for more money than the regular revenues provide, there should be measures to expand the income.
 A city is a business institution whose success depends on the ability with which it is managed. The more the budget, in it's restraining influence upon extravaganza, waste or other forms of inefficiency or mismanage- ment, is disregarded, the heavier the burden upon the stockholders, who are in this case the taxpayers. Every city must learn to live within its income or fail of it's purpose. Frequent sugges- tions of bond issues to care for deficits arising from failure to observe budget warnings are neither practical nor ae- ceptable to the taxpayers. They are fed up on that sort of thing. There Is an old saying, "Pay as you go; when you can't pay, don't go." The execu- five authorities of Birmingham would do we'll to bear it in mind, especially when working out the problem of mak- ing ends meet.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-25
POOR BOYS WHO
 BECAME FAMOUS
William Crawford
By Frederick Houk Law

Every school boy knows that George Washington. the first pres ident of the United States, began life as a surveyor. working In the wilderness. Washington, how ever, came from family of wealth and position. With him on somc of his surveying expeditions was young man named William Craw- ford, who knew something about surveying, and who had the cour- age to go into the hills and noun tains and to brave the dangers from the Indians.
 On one of the expeditions in which George Washington and William Crawford had gone for the purpose of surveying lands that lay at a distance from the settlements, the two young men sat down together under the shade of some great trees and talked about the work of the day. Pres ently they drifted into conversa- tion concerning the future that lay before each one.
 q like this life" said Crawford. Tt suits me. I like the outdoors world, the trees and the noun tains, and the touch of danger. 'Tis sort of game to watch the Indians, to keep them at a dis tance, to let them know that my long rifle is ready. and to show them that l am not afraid"
 ''I should like to be a soldier" said Washington. T should like to command men. I like to See the orderly marching of troops. I like to ride a horse and to go galloping over the fields"
 Fate had in store for those two boys very different lives. The leader of the surveying party was to become the great general and the first president of a new coun- try. The other, William Craw- ford, was to serve gallantly In war, and at last to be tortured and burned to death by Indians. st the age of fifty.
 When young Crawford had fin ished his work as surveyor, he be- came a soldier, and at twenty three was one of the men who served under Bradock. Before the revolution he saw much fighting with Indians. Naturally he served in the revolution, although he never attained high rank. He was looked upon as a loyal, patriotic and daring soldier, but did not rise to position higher than that of colonel. Less than a year after the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown William Crawford was sent to fight the British and the Indians in the West, In what is now Ohio. His troops were over whelmed by superior forces. and he himself was taken prisoner by the Indians, who tortured him to death. When George Washington heard of this he must have thought of the gallant young man who had been so intimate with him in his days of surveying, and have mourned the death of a patriot.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-25
FoRAYs AGAINST NEwsPAPERs

(Selma TimesJournaD
 The Alabama senate is guilty of a wanton waste of good time when 1t suspends consideration of the urgent business before 1t to allow certain offended senators to salve their wounded feelings by striking back at their newspaper critics. Every legislator when he enters upon his political inheritance tao itly invites criticism, and he should have the self-restraint and good sense to philosophically &C., quiesce in the symphony of knock ing to which every legislator Is subject. If he does not possess the capacity to take punishment he "sit in these seats of the mighty" Unfortunately the knocking which should put aside the ambition to Is so freely visited upon many law making bodies has just provoca- tion and is based on points we'll taken as well as & public judg- ment that is discriminating and sound. Very few legislators have the mental equipment, the training and judicial poise prerequisite to the proper discharge of their weighty responsibilities, b Il t whether they are deficient in these essential qualifications or not, they should cultivate an equable temperament which is
 ateguard against hasty resent ments and emotional outbursts. Every newspaper has its faults and in many cases these faults ars serious. They merit legitimate criticism and too often their dia- tribes on public men are the out growth of animosities and pre- judices, but most newspapers are not edited on such a go-as-you- please methods, but are controlled by deliberation in the expression Nf editorial opinion, which does not permit of mere personal bush whacking or free lancing on the part of editorial writers. News papers rarely bother to hit back at their detractors. and it would be well if many of our thinskinned public servants whose activities touch the lives and fortunes of so many classes, would take their cue and do kewise.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-25

forthcoming showing that the conser- vationists, now numbering more than fifteen thousand earnest citizens, mean business, and are determined to pre- vent the destruction of one of the states most valuable assets. The con- servationists have an opportunity to render real service to the state as well as to the particular plan in the inter- ests of which they are enlisted. By means of this work of experimenting and prosecuting offenders, much will soon be accomplished towards putting conservation on a firm and effective foundation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-25
MOTHERS OF FAMOUS
 MEN
The Mother of Thaddeus Stevens

"I really think the greatest pleasure of my life resulted from my ability to give my mother farm of two hundred and fifty acres and a dairy of fourteen cows, and an occasional bright gold piece"
 Thus wrote Thaddeus Stevens, one of the leading statesmen in the Civil War. My mother was very extraordinary woman. have met very few women like her." he added. That, in general, Is the opinion that all men of gs- nius hold concerning their mothers. Philosophers have said that men of genius draw their ability prin- cipally from their mothers-aud the words of the great men them selves seem to confirm this belief Certainly all the great leaders of the world express the highest de- votion to the memories of their mothers.
 Thaddeus Stevens said also of his mother: .'The support and education of the family depended upon her." The father was a man
 
 who seemed unable to achieve sue cess. He drifted from farming into surveying or into shoemaking, as chance might happen. Even Thaddeus. when a boy, had to help make shoes for the entire family. sickly as he was. The mother, however, Sally Morrill, Stevens, was a person of strong stamp. She saw to 1t that her children gained good education. The debt of a child to his mother is one of the debts we can never pay" said Thaddeus Stevens.
 In token of his deep debt to the mother who had taught him and cared for him when he was only a weak, siclxly boy, he left a fund that provided for the placing on her grave of roses and other cheerful flowers" such as the good woman had loved. The world Is the better for every good mother.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-25
INJURING UNDERWOOD

INJURING UNDERWOOD
 It is sincerely to be hoped that the condemnation of other distinguished Democrats by some of Senator Under woods misguided supporters in Ala bama will not prompt a contest that could be made obstructive to Senator Underwood or result in the creation of a situation that might be harmful to his interest as an aspirant for the presidential nomination.
 It appears to be simple political philosophy that Mir Underwood can only be nominated by the votes of delegates from other states, who may also have a favored son and be com mitted to his cause. Any expressed hostility to those other aspirants, by leaders of the party in MT. Under woods home state, is not calculated to inspire a friendly feeling for MT. Underwood, but contrarily, to arouse hostility.
 We do not find that MT. Under woods fitness for the presidency is being assailed by those committed to other candidates and in that they show political acumen, for they leave no wounds. We suspect that the attacks upon other aspirants, by some of those who seek the limelight in espousal of MT. Underwood's cause, is not born of desire to serve MT. Underwood, but prompted by desire to satisfy personal vanity or animosity.
 For example, the Montgomery Ad- vertiser, in a recent issue, in an effort to discredit former Secretary McAdoo goes to the extreme of quoting an attack upon MT. McAdoo by the New York Tribune, a rock-ribbed, hide bound, anti-South, unfair Republican organ. Dissemination of Republican opposition to Democratic aspirant by a Democratic journal in MT. Un- derwood's home state appears to place the senator in an unfavorable position. It might be calculated to precipitate the entrance of others than MT. Un- derwood in the Democratic primary in this state, which at the moment is not to be the case, in recognition on the part of others that in the senator's state he should not have even the em- barrassment of a contest.
 It is quite true that no one could defeat Mir. Underwood in Alabama, but it is conceivable that an issue could be raised with particular refer ence to the legislative action in per mitting the delegates to be chosen by Mir. Underwood instead of by popular vote of the people, an issue that could be presented to other states where loyalty to MT. Underwood does not exist so clearly as in this state.
 True friends of MT. Underwood, therefore, who hold his interests above any self-interest, must deprecate these attacks upon other Democratic as- pirants, for in the ultimate it cannot but be harmful to MT. Underwood, and to the wholehearted sentiment of Alabama for him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-25

MT. James Cox asserts that among the issues in the national campaign will be the League of Nations, the tariff, the transportation problem and relief for the farmers. An important issue he seems to have overlooked is the votes boiled.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-25
In Favor of n

(Oneonta Southern Demoorat)
 An old Confederate veteran. eighty-three years of age, is mak- ing application for a pension, &C., cording to reports coming from Montgomery. He thinks he is en- titled to 1t for the service he rem dered his country in that unpleas- ant conflict. And he gives as q further reason why he should have a pension the fact that he is still supporting his mother-i Jaw and his wife. If he has been married three-score years and has had the same mother-in-law all this time we move the pension be granted.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-25
On Law Observance (Annisfnn Sfarl

Laws are made to be enforced. It is presumed that every law Is made to serve good purpose and Is intended to, help maintain law and. order in a state or a commu- nity. Contempt of the law and persistent violation of 1t cannot help being dangerous and in time must of necessity bring dire re- suits. The duty of the citizen is not less than the duty of the en- forcing officer. Unless the Citizen will give his moral support to law enforcement and will himself obey the law, it cannot be expected that the officers can enforce the law. The duty Is one that falls upon eyeFysperHpR ArElt Ihsrfadpt.D IhAG cannot be shfrkedext1 but danger to the peace and quiet and to the moral status of the country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-25
All the Banks Doing We'll

(Huntsville Times) n Il1
 While the banks In Huntsville are refieeting strong and flat tering financial condition, we feel sure that in proportion to their territory the banks at New Mar ket, New Hope, Madison, Hazel Green and Gurley are in similar condition. Indeed 1t Is an occa- sion for great reioicinR.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-25
SMILES
His Claim to Fame
Crit -Bits)


 For about an hour man from Denver had been boasting to an Englishman about the magnifi- -cence of the Rock mountains.
 You seem very proud of them" observed the Englishman.
 You bet I am," replied the man from Denver. And ought to be, since my ancestors built them" sr4
 The other thought this over for a few moments and then asked: Did you ever hear of the Dead Sea?" "Yes. indeed" replied the man from Denver. T know all about the Dead Sea-"
 well, did you happen to know that my great-srandfather killed the thing?" A
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-25

It is reported that the available supply of truth serum is steadily in creasing. It might not be bad idea to accumulate quite surplus in time for the reassembly of congress.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-25
Means Much to State
.(DeKalb County Herald)

f(DeKa1b County Herald)
 The port bill is now a law. The limit of expenditures Is fixed at $5,000,000 for the first four years and then before other appropria- tions can be made the commission must show a substantial return upon the states investment. The development of the port facilities at Mobile will mean much to the state and 1t Is thought the com mission can easily show a good profit on the amount invested.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-25
Citizens Rejoice at It
(Talladega Daily Homa,

(Talladega Daily Home)
 Talladega county farmers and gardeners have achieved, and de- serve the reputation of raising superior vegetables, melons and farm produce generally. Of course the citizens of the city rejoice at this, for they highly enjoy the far mers' overhead melon patch and food products whenever he con- descends to sell.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-25
Crystals-35 Gents

Consistently the planets whirl amid
 the realms of space; Consistently the mighty stars across
 the heavens race.
 My watch is quite consistent, too. Its habits always firm and true, For when it falls it always lands right
 smack upon it's face. ID. D. s. Baseball Pool King Fined S1,000." Unfortunate wretchl It will take him all of half an hour to get it back. There is no longer any doubt about the democracy of the Prince of Wales. In addition to wearing suspenders, he likes corned beef and.
 "Woman Autoist Hits Three Blind Men"
 Clever craftsmanship, but is it sport?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-25
The True and Faithful
(Centreville Press>

(CentreviIIe Press)
 The enemies of Senator Under wood are using 1t that he was afraid to trust himself in the hands of the people. The legisla- ture passed the measure without a dissenting vote, but 1t Is good idea to have the true and faithful when you are going into battle. That Is what the friends of the senator have done.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-25

It is noted that most of the gentle. men with political aspirations who toss their hats into the ring do not ex- plain the most effective methods of getting them out without attracting undue notice.