davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-06
UPSTAIRS INSTEAD
 OFDOWNSTAIR
Ry Wickes WamboIdt

Man is an invincible creature. It makes little difference how vigorously the forces of this world assai1 him, they cannot undo him as long as he refuses to be un- done. They may try to kick him downstairs and think they have kicked him downstairs. only to find that they have kicked him up- stairs instead.
 I am thinking of Samuel F. B. Morse, the inventor of the tele- graph. Before Morse became the wire wizard he was a painter of international reputation. Congress appointed a committee to select an artist to do a panel in the rotunda of our national capitol. It. was expected that Morse would get the assignment. But the committee became offended with Morse through no fault of his. They at- tempted to kick him downstairs by refusing him the commission. Had Morse received, this appointment he probably never would have giv- en us our telegraph system, and he probably never would have been anything more than a great painter. But in his bitter disap- pointment he turned from the brush and the palette to electro magnetic communication, with which he had previously experi- mented. Thus there came into being one of the greatest inven- tions that man ever conceived.
 ho nf party thought they kicked Theo- dore Roosevelt downstairs and out of the way when they made him vice president of the United States. But Mckinley died in office. and the Republican leaders found to their dismay they had Kicked Theodore Roosevelt upstairs and into the presidency.
 I knew an executive who held an important position in a large organization. Through Jealousy some of his associates conspired his removal. They thought that they had kicked him downstairs, but he immediately pulled wires so vigorously he springboarded over their heads to much higher po- sition.
 A man whom knew p-esuma- bly, was kicked downstairs by his landlord during a housing short age. In order to have a place 70 live he was forced to buy, at a high price, the house he was rent ing. But the landlord kicked him upstairs, for values began to climb. and in three years the property was worth double. what he had paid for it.
 Fate sometimes takes hand m our behalf when efforts are made to kick us downstairs, and starts us the other way without any eff fort on our part. But we cannot depend on fate to do such things for us. She is cratic and temper amental. So. whenever the kick ing begins we should turn our selves in the direction we want to go, and make the propulsion help us on our way.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-06
WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT

The court will be called upon to settle the extent of power com pany's liability when current is sud denly and unexpectedly cut off from an industry. It is conceivable that ln some instances such an occurrence would be attended with both loss and danger, especially in the case of a mine which depends upon an electri-l cally driven fan to banish deadly or explosive gases. While on this sub ject, it is we'll to consider the appar- ently tenuous connection between the source of current and the users of current in Birmingham. Very often, especially during natural disturbances. the current for light and power is ab- raptiy cut off and the people of this city sit in darkness until such time as the cause shall have been rectified. It appears that there should be re- qulred some auxiliary means of switching in other current instanta- neously when such troubles occur
 Birmingham's lighting supply hangs on too slender thread for public convenience. There is no evidence that the city authorities have ever in qulred into this condition to discover whether or not it may be remedied in some effective manner An efficient city government would surely regard this a subject for prompt official at tention.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-06
HATRED BASED ON LIES

Nearly every observant American visiting Europe has noted the suspicion and hatred existing among many of the European peoples. The hatred be- tween France and Germany is little less intense today than during the World War. Greece and Turkey hate each other. Hatred between Greece and Italy is strong. Turkey and Italy have hated each other ever since the war between those countries. That hatred was intensified by the World War Poland and Soviet Russia heartily hate each other. The Balkan States are nearly all suspicious of one another, and their international ha- treds are manifested through frequent wars. France is more or less suspicious of England, and vice versa. Even Spain, Switzerland, Holland and the Scandinavian countries, which pro- fessed neutrality in the World War, entertain attitudes of suspicion toward the larger nations and toward one another.
 There is a cause for much of this feeling-the interchange of falsehoods among the European nations. A Brit ish novelist declared long after the battle of Waterloo that if the lies told by the French against the British and by the British against the French were collected, they would fill several vol umes. Napoleon observed that if lie was given an hours start it would fill the world, recalling the statement of humorist that lie can travel |, thousand miles while the truth is pack ing it's grip-sack. With modern sys- tems of quick communication and the most improved methods of publicity, which was so highly developed during the World War when the popular mind and feeling offered fruitful field for it's dissemination, propaganda became an art, and has been worked in double shift ever since. In the heat of the moment when emotion, hysteria and patriotism were all busy, it was widely accepted at it's face value. It is work ing hard now.
 Will Irwin, an observant writer who spent the summer abroad, declared that "there isn't citizen in private life in France who knows the truth about Germany. They are being fed on lies. They believe the Germans have arms for thirty or forty divisions, and that they are ready for an imme- diate uprising. The Germans believe that the French are committing un- believable atrocities in the Rhineland. It is not so."
 A Kentucky contemporary observes that Europe needs few good doses of the truth. One way to administer it would be through the Hughes plan
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-06
- ---------------------- A GOOD BARGAIN

AS the price of MT. Gillett'se re- election to the house speakership the regular Republicans had to surrender one of their intrenchments. They were forced to consent to such amend ment of the rules as the majority may desire" This would not on the face of 1t appear to be concession, for it has long been one of our cher ished illusions that in congress the will of the majority, always prevailed. That may have been true once, but the power of committees has grown to such an alarming. degree that now an obstructive committee chairman is able singlehanded to impede and in many cases actually to defeat important leg islation. Hostile majorities in com mittees have been able either to de- stroy measures or else to make amend ments that altered them to suit some special purpose. The majority has often been helpless before such a sit uation. The committee has been the stronghold of special privilege, and therefore Mir. Longworth made very significant surrender when he yielded to the insurgent importantly for re- vision of the rules. It now remains to test MT. Longworth's sincerity.
 That majority of the house is for rules revision is shown by the fact that the Democrats are also solidly for that program. If the Republican promise is kept and there is free op- portunity for the majority to write it's will into the rules revision, then there IS foreseen already the doom of con- trol of congress by minority. For it is not supposed that the committees have uniformly represented the, will of even the majority of the party in control. If the opponents of MT. Gil- lett have conceded his election in re- turn for such an opportunity, they got bargain. Fortunately, the bar gain, while a political one, is really in the public interest, because it promises to restore the majority status con templated in the constitution.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-06
BUILDING GOES FORWARD

Birmingham building record for 1923 promises to pass all previous to- tals, for the November figures of the city building inspector bring the ag- gregate for the year well past the S9,000,000 mark. Building operations have been abnormal during the past several years, because of the neces- sar'y cessation of all construction dur ing the war period. The business de- pression of 1921, together with high costs of material and labof, caused a reduction in the long needed building program, a1d it was not until 1922 and 1923 that operations went for ward in earnest.
 Building interests look for con- tinued activity during the coming year, for many more months of con- struction operations, even at the pace at which they are going now, will be necessary before housing is adequate. Meanwhile, countless construction jobs under way throughout the South pro- vide employment for labor, put money in circulation and create market for structural steel, lumber, brick, cement, hardware and other building necessi- ties. Favorable conditions in these industries alone do much towards cre- atlng prosperity. Increase in the num- Der of homes owned means much 10 Birmingham. A city of homes is a prosperous and contented city.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-06
lTEE,TTG;HTi;S HITS; s TE. 1c1 h\NATIONAL. {. ilI|
 M GAPITALHg$|!|s!|| WI $s

Arthur weigall, former inspec- tor general of antiquities for the Egyptian government, in lecture before the Washington Society of Fine Arts, referred to the fact that in the museum at Cairo is the body of flea which flourish ed and fattened 5000 years ago.
 It was discovered in tile tomb of King Tutankhamen.
 Attention was first directed, weigall declared, to a bottle of amber colored fluid. Analysis identified the fluid as castor oil.
 In the oil was the body of the flea. perfectly preserved.
 It was not made plain whether the flea was purposely deposited in the fluid. or whether he fell in inadvertently, or slipped in through a mischievous sense of humor.
 Yet, there he was. It is certain that thel dead king would be as greatly in need of flea as in need of any other thing with which his subjects surrounded him, not even excepting castor oil. It Is possi- ble, therefore, that the little insect was patiently pursued and art fully trapped in order that he might serve a definite. perhaps religious. purpose.
 But those who did him evil gave him kind of immortality.
 It is interesting to speculate that he alone of all his kind is proof that Egyptians 5000 years ago were subject to present day pests. and that the flea of that an- cient time was no more a respector of persons than his progeny in this good era. V
 Had the lecturer been the mel ancholy Jacques and not MT. Wei gall. with what finespun and apt philosophies the audience would have been regaled!
 The contempt for kings dis played by the flea! The impress sions thrust upon the royal mind, while people stood in awe, an in- sect bit him!
 Mir. Weigall declared that in the tomb.- foot prints were found, foot prints 5000 years old, pre- served in their original integrity.
 Looking down upon such things in the dust" said the lecturer, gave one a sensation utterly in- describable."
 He must have realized that everything is ephemeral. and yet nothing is actually destroyed.
 And perhaps flea which irri- tates today may intrigue the imag- ination of grave robbers 5000 years hence.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-06
THE BIG BURDEN
 IS HIGH TARIFF
Memphis Commercial AppeaD


 The Democrats have their own program for tax reductions and other matters in which the element of politics assuredly enters. They are not so foolish as to believe they can put their program through, but they will be abie to govern their course and compel Ioyalty through reference to 1t. In tho matter of taxation they are not Tn full accord with Secretary Mellon. although it is their ex- pressed desire to avoid what will be construed as pure partisanshin.
 There is one suggestion of the Democratssthat must gain increas- ing popularity. and strength re- gardless of how much it's oppo- nents may attempt to brand it as a purely political move. The mi nority leaders set forth in an un- answerable way the fact that it Is merely ridiculous to talk of reduc- ing direct taxes when indirect tax atfon is being levied on the people through the Fordney- y-McCumber tariff bill to the extent of S4.OOO.- 900 or more year. This is a tax that IS not collected by the gov. ernment. 1t goes into the coffers of the big manufacturers and others. A little of it does 20 to the government through direct taxation, but the bulk remains with those who. are privileged to tax the American people for their private benefits.
 Income tax reductions are nof going to do any good for the farmers and others whose incomes are no more than their expenses and less in some cases. The taxa tion that is bearing the agricul- turists down near to bankruptcy. is the high prices they have to pay for the things they buy, and this taxation is imposed through the rates of the tariff bill. The farmers are demanding relief more from indirect than from direct tax ation because, the collections by the former make collections by the latter of little or no consequence. They are asking for bread and they are tosreceive a stone in the Schemes offered The most in- iquitous taxation under which the people are suffering is the tariff. It is wholly ridiculous then. to re- duce other taxes and to continue the tariff,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-06

for an investigation into Germany's capacity to pay reparations. An un- biased statement from non-partisan commission of economic experts should do much toward bringing about an un- derstanding. Truth would help to clear away the mists of propaganda which is doing so much in the way 1f obstructing Europe's economic reha- Utilization. Truth would help to dis close the unworthy purposes and 70 discredit the destructive acts of con- tinental politicians who profit from the very.'things that are sapping Eu- rope's industrial and commercial in tereStS.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-06
Good Days Work

The appointment of General W. l.. Sibert to membership on the docks commission, and his elec- tion immediately following to the position of general manager and chief engineer of that body Mon- day, is one of the best bits of news handed lout to the people of Ala bama in long time. We are of opinion that not taxpayer in the state will find cause for criticism when his salary of $10,000 year is announced. Those who know his ability will be pleasantly sur prised that he accepts the place for so small sum. Now that this is a project backed by practically all the voters of Alabama; now that three such men as never be- fore volunteered or were drafted into the public service lave charge of it. and every promise made the people has been carried out, the enterprise and the men in charge of it should have the confidence. the earnest and enthusiastic sup- port of every loyal AlabamiA1. Let's go.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-06
MORE TRUpH THAN POETRY

Dubb and Chub and Peterson, down at the corner store, Are mentioning how this or that is rotten at the core; They'll tell you just what Europe needs to set it going straight; They know how good things could be heaped upon the farmers plate They do not fail to speak their minds,
 They take up questions of alI kinds. If Cal could hear them he'd know how to steer the ship of state. They know how taxes might be cut, how railroads should be run, They'll tell you, too, how you could get your coal at less per ton; How Europe might be rescued from her present sorry plight; / They know exactly what is what, And tell it plainly, fearing not. If Cal could hear them he'd know how to start things going right. The Dubbs and Chubbs and Petersons are talking everywhere; You'll find them daily on the trains that ramble here and there; They sit in swivel chairs, they stand at corners in the rain; They gabble in the market place. while in pursuit of gain.
 But Cal keeps right on sitting tight, Remaining mum with all his might It's little short of marvellous the way he bears the strain.
 -S. E. Riser.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-06
PEOPLES FORUM
Dr. Curry Was . Georgian


 To the Editor of The Age Herald: In recent issue of your paper your Washington correspondent says: ''The Alabama Society of Washington, composed of prac- tically all former residents of Alabama now living in the capital, Is anxious that Alabama put & statue of one of it's sons in the Hall of Fame. Whereas, each other state is represented by sons who left an impress on the history of the country, Alabama is repre- sented by J. l.. M Curry, a native of Virginia" It is to correct the statement that J. l.. M. Curry is a native of Vir- ginia that I am writing this let ter. Dr.sJ. L. M. Curry was a na- tive of Georgia, as the following letter, written by Lueius Lamar Knight. Georgia historian. will show. MRS. F. A. HOLLY; Birmingham, Ala
 Atlanta, Ga, April ', 1915. Mrs. P. A. Holley, 2204 Four
 teenth Ave, S, Birming-
 ham, Ala
 My Dear Mrs. Holley: I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your kindness in E.. sending me these clippings relative, to Colonel Albert R. Lamar. l have read them with the most intense interest. He died when l was a college boy at Athens. but I have often read extracts from his pen, and was familiar with his reputation during my under graduate days.
 My impression is that. La mar Lyndon, an old college friend, was named for him. My own immediate Lamar cAn- nection came from Lincoln county, Georgia. My grand father was Colonel Peter La {. mar. Dr. J. L. NJ. Curry of Alabama was also close kinsman, born in the same county of Lincoln, and a play mate of my grand uncle, Cap tain Lafayette Lamar.
 If you are ever in Atlanta hope you will give me an op- portunity to meet you, and if can ever serve you at any time, l. hope you will not hes itate to call upon me. Son cerely yours,
 ~ L. l.. KNIGHT.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-06
SMILES
He'd Say It Was (Co,Iptrv Geufler,apl

 A man, travelling in train that had made several abrupt stops and sudden jerks, became a bit anx- ious. There had been numerous accidents on the line of late, so he had been told, and there was cause for fear. Calling the porter aside, he said: George, is this train safer"
 Safe as any. suh."
 ''Is there block system on the road?"
 Georges grin extended from ear to ear.
 "Block system, suh? Why, boss. we has de greatest block system in de world. Ten miles back we was blocked by load of hay, six miles back we was blocked by a mule, just now we was blocked by COW, and I reckon when we gets farther south we'll be blocked by an alli- gator. Block system. suh? We'll, I'll say it!,,'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-06
State to Re Congratulated
 (Gadqdau Jo,,vvslN


 To be sure, sEtowah county finds no little pride in the fact >that General William l.. Sibert,~ her fa- fored and favorite son. NAs been selected to supervise the great dock-building enterprise at Mobile. Alabama's only seaport. But the state of Alabama is also to be congratulated upon the fact that she has as citizen one who Is so pre- e-eminently fitted for the big job. She is to be commended upon the fact that she has a man in whom the taxpayers of the state have the utmost confidence, and whose selection is guarantee that the ten million dollar job will be done efficiently and economi. cally.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-06
Must Have Been Hungry (Tr1~AN

.f (JuQge)
 Two Irishmen rented a room in an eight-story apartment on the top floor and could not sleep on Sunday morning, as the sun would shine in the. windows and wake them up. They bought some black paint and painted the windows and lay down to sleep.
 When the roomers awoke they realized they would be late for work. as it was 7:15 o'clock. They rushed to their jobs and the fore man looked at them in bewilder- ment.
 Pat says: Faith and what's the matter boss? We're only twen- ty minutes late!"
 Twenty minutes tn divil Where were you Monday and Tuesday," asked the foreman.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-06

Senator Stanfield of Oregon lays claim to the distinction of being Americas largest producer of wool and mutton. Doubtless he can find a market for his wool in congress.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-06
THE ALABAMA PRESS ON GENERAL SIBERT
TheIdeal Man

fDeKaIb County Herald)
 We believe that Governor Bran don acted wisely when he ap- pointed General Sibert head of the port development at Mobile He is an Alabamian and his remark able achievements make him the ideal man for the place.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-06
Universally Commended

NMuSCic OHodlS Suuudy NeWSJ
 The selection of General William l.. .Sibert by Governor Brandon to take charge of the construction of the port and harbor at Mobile will be universally commended by citi- zens who were anxious to see a man of real engineering ability di- recting this great state project. It is a matter of qualification that man of the calibre of General Sibert was available from amonD the sons of Alabama. No abi0f leader could have been found any where-none of higher training or of wider experience.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-06

Because of the American cotton shortage forty thousand British mill operatives are idle. Evidently the boil weevil has hit England harder than America.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-06

in connection with Muscle Shoals, the Republicans now gravely propose to build him a similar power plant in a similar locality as an essential aux iliary to Muscle Shoals.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-06
Commerce and Industry

(New> York Herald) It probably will not be long be- fore the newspapers confine their reports of prize fights to the financial pages.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-06
THE PARAGRAPHERS
One Positive stand

N(Memphis Commercial Appeal)
 President Coolidge has taken one positive stand since he sue ceeded to the presidency. He says we must observe November 29 as Thanksgiving Day.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-06

The chief of naval aeronautics plans a flight to either the north or the south pole in the near future,s The question as to which pole should be set tied before the plane takes off.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-06

Mrs. Duff Cooper uses ice to pre- serve her complexion. She rubs ice on her face. Refrigeratic is the secret of preservation, something Sir Francis Bacon lost his life trying to prove.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-06
Taking n Long Chance GHn11Stnn pnctN

Considering the methods of the German high command in conduct ing the last war, the present Ger man government is surely taking a long chance when it releases Ludendorff on "his word of honor"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-06
Quite n Gain, Au ToId

Wilmington News-Journal)
 Within the past fifty years science has learned the secret of prolonging life twelve years, we read, and in addition has speeded up the program about 100 per cent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-06
Fully Qualified to Task

General Sibert is better quail fled than any other man in the country to undertake the task TO which he has been called. Just as the name of John Tyler Morgan was honored in connection with the building of the Panama Canal, whose dream was realized in its construction, even so was 1t con sidered appropriate that the name of another great Alabamian should be honored in the construction of modern .harbor that should be gateway to the Panama project.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-06

They are planning to use tobacco dust in the fight against the boil wee vii. Perhaps the weevil will nov solicit an alliance with tobacco worms to com bat this new outrage.