davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-09

wanis Club has been making a special study of the subject for many months, and it is found that building to serve the purpose intended will cost $75, ,OO0. The members feel that business men will be impressed with the merit of the cause when they are shown how much the future of Birmingham depends upon the training given the boys of the present generation. The new building is to be not only place of recreation for underprivileged boys, but is to have complete equipment for teaching them trades, giving them something interesting to do and at the same time intoxicating proper principles and fitting them to become honorable and useful citizens. For many years the Birmingham Boys Club has been do- ing a useful work, but it is now felt that its scope should be broadened and that Birmingham should give it suit able recognition in a structure built and equipped to get the maximum results,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-09
MOTHERS OF FAMOUS
 MEN
The Mother of Edmund Burke

One might think that great statesmen would be so ausy with the affairs of State thRt thoy would think little of anything else "Oh, he'll grow np. aud go awey, and leave mel" says many nlether as she looks darkly to the future.
 vaa does not hate tc see her son grow slowly away from her! And yet there Is no son who ever forgets, or who ever can forget, his mother. That Is one of the 1t gains a love that never dies; 1t gains an eternal respect; it gains an honor for which every man will fight at moments notice.
 Once the mother of the great statesman, Edmund Burke, was most dangerously sick. Of that time of anxiety and grief Edmund Burke wrote: "In all my life never found so heavy grief; nor really did I ever Know what it was before!" He forgot all else except the mother who bore him. Beside that time of worry and foreboding all other troubles seemed as nothing. Now 1t would have pleased the mother If she could have known the deep, the abiding affection. that she had created in her son.
 The Burkes were Irish, and they were temperamental. The father, especially, had a temper that he took no pains to control. He made much trouble in the home, not hesitating by any means to argue with his wife, nor did she hesitare to argue back-for she was Irish, too! Then there was Edmund--as soon as he was old enough he began to argue. Finally he was off to England, for his fortune, with his mothers prayers over him. He became the greatest of orators and of statesmen and the friend of liberty and the foe of oppression, but he never forgot his Irish mother, whom he loved with all his heart.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-09
TASKS FOR CITY COMMISSION

Two important matters which will
 affect the interests of the community
 as respects the public health and the economic administration of the pubic funds are before the city commission
 for early action. It is expected that
 members of the park board will be named this week. The commission has a responsible task in making the choice. As has been pointed out, if this board is comprised of men of
 vision, of proved executive ability, high public spirit and unquestloned integrity, Birmingham will have a creditable system of parks and recre- ation centers in few years, with a foundation on which to build a sys- tenn which will be real community benefit. If, on the other hand, any i consideration other than that of fit ness be permitted to influence the choice of the four members, the pro- l ject will be a failure, and the people of Birmingham will be deprived of this important feature of community | life for years to come, perhaps in- definitely. Without the hearty CO., operation of the people in this enter prise, there Is no hope for its success. That cooperation will be obtained only through the selection of board members who are actuated by no other consideration than that of establish ing and maintaining parks to provide the community needs.
 The preparation of budget which will permit of the greatest possible municipal benefits within the available revenue is a task that will enlist the highest purposes and intelligence of the commission. The municipal re- sources are comparatively small for great and growing city, but the law provides that they must not be ex- .ceeded. Under the circumstances everything which suggests fads and fancies must be discarded, and the actual necessities of the people care fully considered. Some leeway might we'll be left for unforeseen conditions and temporary emergencies. But i1 the last analysis the problem is to make the coat fit the cloth in such manner as to afford the greatest com fort and service to the greatest num- Der. The commission has an oppor- tunity to be of real service to the community through the spirit, the pur- pose and the wisdom which guide their action.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-09
EMINENT EXPERTS ARRIVE

With the arrival i'll Birmingham to- day of the members of the health com- mittee of the League of Nations, there will be opportunity to welcome a group of distinguished health officials and |sanitarians. There is hope that the visitors may not only be impressed with what this community has done in health preservation, but that they may also have constructive suggestions for further progress of work in which lthe people of Jefferson county have shown increased sympathetic interest. Birmingham takes special pride in the lsupervision over it's milk and food supplies, which has resulted in this city becoming the largest per capita con- |sumer of milk in the United States. There is opportunity to tell visitors what has been done to combat tuber- culosis. how widely health lessons ''v.e been taught through district
 crses, and to stress the effectiveness
 free clinics and dispensarfes.
 Among the most urgent problems are mosquito control and sanitary gar bage disposal. Surveys made early in Ithe year showed that approximately IS40,000 would be necessary for mos Eluiro control during the summer, but public funds for the purpose were not Available, and it seemed a large sum Ito ask of individuals. As result
 Birmingham suffered more from mos Iquitoes during the summer of 1923 than for many years. Garbage dis [posal has received considerable atten- tion from city officials and health au.
 thorities, but progress has so far been unsatisfactory. There is universal con- |demnation of the dumping grounds; lyet other methods suggested involve Ian expense which the city authorities have been reluctant to authorize. The
 Visitors can perform service to this
 cornmunity if they can convince the local authorities that no reasonable |expense is too great to incur to get rid sIof the unsightly, insanitary garbage heaps which are nuisance to several |sections of the city and continual re- Iproach to those responsible for thern.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-09
PROFIT FROM COTTON MILL

In considering arguments employed by some state authorities and citizens that Alabama needs the revenues de- rived from the hiring of convicts to selfish private interests, the report from the operations of the Kilby cot ton mill is of public interest. This report shows a net profit for the con- vict department each week. During the past week the net earnings were about $4,600. It is also reported that weekly profit is shown at the old cotton mill at Speigner.
 There has never been any founda- tion for the contention that the state needs the money derived from convict leasing to private interests. The wages paid under this system are low The injury to the state arising from the odium In which it is held by an enlightened people all over this coun- try, and from the attendant unde- sirable advertisement given Alabama, cannot be compensated for by any temporary financial benefits from the lease system. Alabama is one of the richest states in the Union as respects resources, potentialities and opportu- mites. Every other state has aban- doned convict leasing to private in- terests as wholly indefensible in prin- ciple and unsound in practice. While the state may appear to reap small financial benefits from the system, these benefits are far offset by the injury to the state at home and abroad.
 The real profits, indeed the only profits, from this inhumane and slror.- sighted policy go to the interests that drive convicts to the limits of their endurance, mistreat them in various ways, make of them hardened, des- perate, unregenerate criminals, and leave them heavy burden upon the state after their terms are served. There are numerous ways in which the states wards may be handled without subjecting them to unneces- sary hardship and suffering for the financial profits to be forced out Of them by private interests for selfish purposes. Every other state has solved this problem. Some of them employ convicts on the public higI,- ways; others on farms, in factories operated under direct supervision of the states. It has been demonstrated that Alabama can employ it's convicls at real profit to the state without using the iniquitous lease system, The people of Alabama are unalter- ably opposed to this system in all its cruelty. This may as we'll be realized by those who indorse the system from sordid view; for there is no doubt that convict leasing in Alabama is doomed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-09
ALL SHADES l L1 of fOPINlONOJ
Coolidge for Co-Operation
(Atianta Constitution)


 President Coolidge's first public address since his succession to the | unexpired term of the late Presi- dent Harding was awaited with deep concern by the American people, as it was believed impossi- ble to avoid in 1t some expression, direct or significant, that might interpret the executives views as to the nations obligations and du- ties in international relations. Perhaps a more studied or more | discreetly worded speech to fit the great moral obligations of the Bed | Cross without in any way signify ing governmental or diplomatic policies, was never delivered. And yet, in every line of deeply spir- itual and thoughtful address there | breathed an unmistakable senti- ment in favor of the indomitable force of unity of thought and ac- tion in settling world problems and in preserving the peace and happiness of nations. Particularly is this unmistakable in his refer ence to the idealisn that was H. lustrated by those who went to the rescue of Europe when their own liberty and the liberty of the world was in peril-an evidence not only of his deep concern in the cooperation of nations for human liberty and the democracy of all peoples, but of a militancy in times of peril that far removes him from alleciance with the irrec- oncilables or the pacifists. Isola- tionists. and those who believe that America has no obligation in world affairs beyond her own boundaries. will find little en-l couragement in the first spokenl word of the new executive upon whom they have been protesting to rely for their chief support.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-09
NO EXCUSE FOR PRICE RAISING

Secretary Hoover has apparently placed large Southern lumber asso- citation in the attitude of hesitating to cooperate in the governments plan to prevent profiteering on building materials. The secretary points out that this is the only organization in the country which has failed to give it's cordial pledge not to permit undue increases in prices as result of the large demands made by Japan in this country following the earthquake dis aster. It is unfortunate that an Amer ican industry should be placed in this position, and particularly a Southern industry; for Japan has been friend
 of this section when a friend was
 needed. Payrolls in the Birmingham
 district in recent periods of quiet were
 maintained and the mills kept in full
 operation by the. heavy orders for steel rails and other metal products placed
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-09
WALTON APPEARS DONE FOR

In the language of the street, it looks as if Gov. Jack (Iron Man) Walton of Oklahoma, is reaching the end of his political career. He con- tinues to fight in the courts through injunctions and otherwise to prevent his repudiation by the people from going into effect. It is apparent that because of his arbitrary action in mat ters affecting the sentiments and in terests of the people, as they view the situation, they made up their minds to get rid of him. They held an election to pass upon a constitutional amendment providing that the legisla- turecould assemble and function with out a formal call from the governor. This, Walton vigorously opposed, even to the point of military force; but the election was held, the proposed amend ment was adopted by an overwheln,- ing majority, and new the legislature is called to take up the question of impeaching Governor Walton and some of his political henchmen. The governor adopted every conceivable means to prevent the legislative as- sembly, among other things attempt ing to have the election annullod under legal technicalities. He called 8 session for October II, and de- clared he wanted an investigation.
 Whether or not Governor Walton succeeds further in blocking the viii of the people through court action, the heavy vote boiled against him, is generally interpreted in Oklahoma to be an open repudiation of his policies, especially his attempt to prevent the adoption of the constitutional amend ment, not to speak of his unsuccess- ful effort to muzzle the press. It is plain that the great majority of the people of Oklahoma, especially the constructive citizenship who realize the harm done that state by the poli- cies and methods of Walton through the unfavorable notoriety he brought upon it, are ready to part with their governor and get new one. The prot- ability is that they will succeed. in spite of his stubborn resistance. Among his sgrievous errors was to imagine that he is bigger than the constitution or the people of his state. When man is suffering from that sort of malady, it is time he should retire and submit to effective treat ment.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-09
A Question of Markets
(Selma Times-JournaN


 Senator Underwood has a clear and radical conception of the diff faculties that burden the Western farmers of the United States, and he knows that those difficulties cannot be removed until the mar kets that formerly took their sur plus are restored and once more play part in world commerce.. Senator Underwood comprehends the fundamentals of international trade and knows that the domestic panaceas that are being so loudly proclaimed for the restoration of prosperity to the stricken agri- cultural interests of the nation are sound and fury signfyiag nothing" and that until there is an economic rehabilitation of Eu rope and the business organization of the world is, rebuilt on it's old foundations. there can be no per- maHent relief for American pro- ducers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-09
REACTIONARY STEP TAKEN IN ALABAMA
(Houston Post)

The restoration of the lash in the Alabama penitentiary, by or der of the governor, is a logical sequence of the refusal of the leg islature to abolish the lease sys- tenn.
 The authority to flog prisoners is a necessary part of the lease system. Without the strap 1t Is difficult for those who lease pris oners to drive them to the exces- sive labor that the greed of the lessees demands. The lease sys- tenn being only form of slavery, the power to inflct corporal pun ishment on the slaves is necessary. His ability to threaten or engage in physical violence has been from the beginning of the institution of slavery the slave drivers strong- est aid in holding his slaves in subjection.
 The surprising thing about the situation is that after such an em- phatic demonstration by the peo- pie against the convict lease sys- tenn, both the governor and the legislature should ignore the pop ular will and permit this relic of barbarism" to be perpetuated in the state, and with the way open for the most fragrant abuses to flourish.
 Following the expose of rotten ness in the lease system in Flor ida, and the prompt action of the Florida legislature in abolishing the system. the statewide agita- tion in Alabama for the abolition of the system in that state through the enforcement of the law against the system, 1t was taken for granted that different methods for handling the prisoners would be devised. The legislature not only disappointed the hopes of tho people, but the lobbyists have se- cured an interpretation of exist ing laws, enabling them to con- tinue to exploit the helpless pris- oners of the state, and the gov ernor, in defiance of modern hu- mane sentiment regarding prison management, puts back into the hands of brutal guards the elack snake.
 This action marks q stNp pack ward by Alabama whice ~lil be noted throughout tho nation IT .s particularly conspicuous becasse of the striking contrast it offer to the action of the sighborinR state of Florida, which lost 20 time in cleaning its skig,g when the issue of humanity versus bar barism and greed was pres >nta3 to the states officials in coA crete form.
 It devolves upon the people of Alabama to make another effort to take charge of their state gov ernment and see that their senti- ment regarding prison manage ment Is put into practice.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-09
Found an Inspiring Topic


 President Coolidge found an in- spring topic for his first public utterance since he became chief executive. The American Red Cross is, indeed. potent express sion of the practical idealism on which the nation was founded. And MT. Coolidge himself Is con- spicuous exponent of that doctrine. Coming from a stock well ground ed in the ideals and traditions of the fathers. his political course has been true to antecedents and yet consistent with changed con ditions. Though not unmindful of national weaknesses. of periodical demoralizations of large extent, the president has faith nthe fun damental ideals of the republic. It is a fine thing, this faith. To have it does not imply that the possessor is coddling himself with an easy or false assumption of se- curity. It Is not incompatible with an attitude of despair. A leader who has this faith Is quick to discern the presence of formid- able danger and ready to take the aggressive. even militant, course necessary to remove it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-09
Moral Force the Rule

(St. Louis GlobeDemocrat)
 What MT. Coolidge says about the first duty of a nation being to itself is undoubtedly true, though the visionary idealist would perhaps deny it. That is not necessarily selfishness. It is the instinct of -preservation and self-promotion that is essen tial to progress. Nor is 1t less true that International helpfulness should not be used in a way to make mendicants, but to restore and strengthen. These are tho practical bases of international relations upon which idealism car soundly build. But most impor- tant of all in that construction Is the realization that moral force Is the ultimate ruler of man. kind" and MT. Coolidge expresses truth that does credit to the soundness of his judgment when he says that civilization is com ing to rely more and more" upon this force instead of exclusively upon the physical force, taough these mankind may not yet dis card. One has but to look back over the pages of history to see how moral force. expressed in public opinion, has advanced as a world power, and assuredly no ua- tion has contributed so much to that advance as. has the United States. In day of momentary reaction to the physical concep- tion of power 1t is gratifying to learn that the head of the worlds greatest nation has no thought of turning his face toward the past, and this enlarges our acquaintance with his character to that extent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-09
An IsOlationfsf

(knoxville SentineO
 President Coolidge's address to the Red Cross was made the in- direct vehicle of indicating what course his foreign policy will take. The address was sophistically worded and guarded to indorse Americas course in withdrawing from Europe after our colossal ex- penditure of blood and treasure and energy to save the liberty of the peoples from extinction under the iron shod heels of Germany, our own included, and our retire. ment into our shell of isolation without further care or trouble to perfect and secure the objects for which we professedly played our part in the World War, among which was the aim to make an end of war and to save our own and other peoples from the cost and curse of 1t by settling contro- versies between the nations by ap- peal to reason and peaceable ne- gotiation before resort to force. MT. Coolidge breaches the doctrine that idealism is a good thing ;n it's way and to a degree, but that it may be carried to extremes In it's attempted application to human affairs. So at all events, and whatever we may think of it, one thing is settled-that until the 1924 campaign is over President Coolidge is an isolationist of the isolationists. and Hiram Johnson must find some other issue than the world court or the League of Nations If he hopes to head off willy Gal"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-09
Practical Idealism"


 President Coolidge stIuck the keynote of American character in his address at the opening of the American Red Cross convention. Practical idealism," of which the Red Cross is great exponent, he pointed out. has been a dominating factor in the history of this coun- try. an idealism which seeks to translate and apply the golden rule of peace on earth and good will to men. The president truly said that the constant need of civilization is for a practical ideal ism of this kind" In his compar- atively brief address to the Rcd Cross the president showed ehim- self master of compact, concise and eloquent expression. His ad- dresses delivered while governor of Massachusetts and vice presi- dent have been regarded as mas terpieces of American diction. His first address as president of the United States, dealing not wi-h politics, national or international but with the moral forces which rule in this country, is worthy Of lasting place.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-09
TO MAKE GOOD CITIZENS

The Kiwanis Club proposes to ask lthe people of Birmingham for a con- siderable sum of money, but the Xii wanians believe so strongly in the need 'for an adequate Boys Club building that they have subscribed $25,00 t., the project before making announce
 lent that campaign will be opened rovember among citizens generally
 an additional $50,000. The Xii
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-09
VALUE OF TOURING CAMPS

In Gadsden the establishment of a tourist camp is being agitated, and the Times-News declares that it is badly needed, adding: "This is the season when the tourist travel is heavy, and lack of accommodation here causes them to pass Gadsden by and will not tend to create a favorable impression" Florida has profited heavily from tourists camps in many parts of the state. There are hun dreds of them in that state, and thou sands of tourists take advantage of them and are favorably impressed by the enterprise of the Florida towns in establishing and maintaining them. Large numbers of tourists pass through and stop over in Gadsden en route South and North. This number would be increased if they were offered &C., commodations as suggested by our contemporary, and Gadsden would benefit therefrom not only by the tenn porary presence of these people, but by attracting some of them as inves- tors or residents. The tourist camp as an institution has contributed indi- rectly to the upbuilding of many states where there are attractions for out siders. It has helped to enrich those regions which have something to offer tourists through climatic, scenic and social conditions as well as through in dustrial, commercial and agricultural opportunities.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-09
Why Idle Moneys
(Montgomery Times)

(MOntBO Tlmes)
 The state. has just received half million dollars on the sale of road bonds, and must that money lay idle in the treasury while money is short and the state net able to meet it's obligations? Poor business policy that. It is state money and should be used to meet pressing state obligations, and the chances taken to raise road money when 1t is needed, even if 1t has to be borrowed.