davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-21
STEP TOWARDS. COMBINATION

v T A@A V w <AAN10 &0AN9A@AN SA @NrAN
 New Orleans next month is to enter tain gathering whose deliberations will have much to do with finding a solution for an important Southern problem. It is called the conference on forestry, reclamation and home making, and the list of speakers in- cludes not only Secretary Wallace of the department of agriculture, but an imposing array of governors, railroad presidents, congressman and experts on forestry, irrigation and immigra- tion.
 Probably the most important gen. eral topics will be the means of utiliz- ing denuded and cut-over. lands through reforestation, grazing and agriculture, though number of kin dred subjects will be suggested by these three. Leaders of the confer ence feel that it is necessary to define some national and state policy for the handling of such lands. One of the great mistakes made in handling Southern lands in the past has been neglect to make proper study and classification of them. Frequently farmers who desired to raise certain crops have been settled on lands which were best adapted to reforestation, and trees have been replafted on lands which could be much more suitably devoted to various kinds of agricul- ture.
 Such classifications of lands, how ever, can be made only by govern mental agency, so that when state government puts its stamp of approval on certain lands which are best adapted to definite purposes, the ac- ton can be relied on because such classification would be made only by experts and those who had made care ful study of the subject. The South in past years has made many efforts to bring in successful farmers from the North, but often they have been dis appointed because the land did not measure up to representations of the land companies. Owners of these lands might well realize the value of governmental classification. There are no better lands than are tp be found in, the South. but in many Cases farming regions which are suitable for one purpose may De entirely un- satisfactory for another.
 Out of the discussions at New Or leans it is hoped that concerted move ment may be begun which will bring national attention to available farm sites in the South, and that if federal assistance is necessary the service of government experts may be heartily given. The South has not been criti- cal of the immense sums the govern ment has spent in the development of Western areas, but feels that it is time that serious attention were given to the inviting opportunities for settle ment and development in practically all of the Southern states.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-21
1CDELIcHTS faaHl &5GS-
 h h\NATIONAL gIIIi l0 CAPITAL ET..s9I

It will be pleasing to other cities of the United States to know that the school children of Washington are brighter than the school chA- dren elsewhere.
 Some surprise might be pro- duced, and some controversy. Nevertheless it is related most se- riously by Washington newspa- pers, and related with 8 degree of irritating finality, that in comparative sense the young brains of the nation are confined to this metropolis.
 It seems that there Is certain psychological test. called the Monroe test, which is applied to children of the sixth and seventh grades in every American city.
 The Washington average grade was 19.2; the average grade for the nation was IFS. Thus, Wash ington children, according to the contention, are the more intelli- gent children of the nation.
 That would aeem to be impos- sible; certainly without tangible reason. Some light might be thrown, however. when it Is learned that the announcement of Washington superiority Is attend ed by another announcement 10 the effect that invariably the aver age grade of boys excelled the average grade of girls.
 That would seem to be impossi- ble; certainly without tangible reason.
 Boys are not as a whole brighter than girls as a whole.
 And Washington boys and girls are not brighter than the boys and girls of other cities-~
 But the statement to contrary effect tickles Washington parents and Washington newspapers are produced primarily for Washing ton parents.
 The Democratic national com mittee reproduces an editorial Journal, that staunch Republican organ printed in the state which produces presidents, as follows:
 Tt sometimes looks as if we earnest and active members of the only party fit to govern might have to start the campaign with out exactly knowing what our issues are, but we suppose we can accuse the Democrats of be- clouding en, anyway"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-21
PLEADING FOR AMERICAS AID

Former Premier Lloyd George of England chose an effective meth cd of obtaining sympathetic re- sponse in, the United States. h. stead of telling the people of this country what they should or should not do, he puts his appeal in the form of plea. q want you to help US make peace," he said at Minneapolis. q am not here on any mission. Bat until the United States with its mighty influence and power, it's great moral command, casts it's influence on the scale of peace, despair of the flu, ture. You said you want to forget the war. Don't forget. So far from forgetting, I trust the United States will once more in due time in it's own way cast it's great might into the scale of peace"
 The former premier has reason to believe that the United States will in due time do it's part. If this country's leaders refuse to be moved by the ideal of peaceful world, they will be aroused sooner or later by economic necessity. A turbulent and disordered Europe reflects it's shadows across the ocean to every farm and every indus try in the United States. Europe is the market for OUT surplus products. As long as Europe's mind is more upon preparations for war than upon the pursuits of peace so long will Amer lca's surplus products remain at home with prices depressed accordingly. "In due time in it's own way" the United States Twill cast it's great might into the scale of peace."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-21
By THOMAS R. MARSHALL, Former Vice President of the
 United States

I hear many complaints about certain persons who have aecu- mulated much money. hear them called "profiteers," thieves" "scoundrels." crooks" "malefac- tors of great wealth." How justi- liable any of these epithets may be l do not say. They might. no doubt, be applied to certain indi- viduals without mourning the dan ger of libel suit. General appli- cation, however, to the rich would be unjust and dangerous. It is natural, I suppose, for one when he recalls some one he does not like who has made a lot of money in ways which he cannot approve to condemn everyone who has been signally successful in the financial world.
 There are quite likely men who ought to be ashamed of the way in which they have made money. I feel, however, about rich men as native of my state felt about the friends of one of our promi- nent Indiana politicians. Return ing to his home county, this poli- tician opened his speech by saying that he was glad to be back noisy individual in the rear of athe hall interrupted with Name 'em, governor, name 'em." A gen. eral assault upon any class estab- lished by income in America is not fair. The assault, if any Is to be made. should be upon individ- uals, specifically named.
 Our system of government is not quite what it ought to be in that it has not provided a way of taking from men money which they have unjustly accumulated and restoring 1t to those from whom they took 1t. I cannot fall in with the modern idea that be- cause a man is a thief we should take his stolen property from him and give 1t to the first stranger who happens to pass the police station. I am quite willing to as- sist if I can in taking stolen money from the theft, but must be assured that 1t will be returned to the man from whom 1t was Illegally taken.
 It Is gratifying that the gen. eral leveling up of things in Rus sia is helping gradually to inn prove the fevered condition of the American mind. For years and years I have heard John D. Rock efeller called all sorts of names because he was the richest man in America. Now a new plutocrat has passed him on the race track, contending for the Croesus stakes
 It is MT. Merry Ford. But hear no one complaining about MT. Ford's one-half billion dollars.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-21
WOUNDS PHONAGRAPn

Shooting to kill, some unknow benefactor of the human race the other day silenced with a well ,di- rected rifle bullet a photograph in a Seattle music store that had played Yes. We Have No Ba nanas," and other jazz from 9 o'clock in the morning until at night for four days.
 A detective detailed to invest,- gate reported shooeting, in the street in front of the buildi az, submitted the following report:
 ''Shot' fired through phonograpa standing in entrance to store Bullet lodged in post behind phn- nograph. By course of ball. 1t was apparently fired from an office m the Pantages building. No tenan. in the building could be found, but several of them admitted re- garding the photograph as a nuisance.
 "A dentist said a whole day of Yes, We Have No. Bannas," had spoiled his dinner"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-21
Tax-Exempt Securities
(Gadsden Times-News)

IGadsden T1mes-NeWs)
 The sentiment against tax-ex- empt securities has become wide spread There are now very few people aside from those who have invested in those securities who will not feel that the material progress of the country is being hampered by the heavy volume Of tax-exempt securities which has been. and still is. flowing onto the markets. That these securities are good investments from the stand point of the iidixidnal there is no doubt. but that they are also a drawback to the general advance ment of the country there is ne doubt.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-21
WE LIVE TO LEARN

There is much sound suggestion ir an editorial recently published in the Detroit Free Press entitled, "A South. ern Experience" and drawing les son for those wheat farmers who are still expecting artificial and temporary help out of their troubles. The com ment is so worthwhile that it is re. produced in full:
 The town of Enterprise in Ala
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-21
,-,Aonn zAsagC Telephone rsat,. 4SoO GSssats.ssssSSS Main 4a0O
CoY. coMER's DECLINATIoN !

There will be reflected statewide regret that Governor Conner has reached conclusion to resist the pres sure of his friends and admirers to offer himself as a candidate for seat in the United States Senate. The things his announcement states he would have undertaken to do in such service had he concluded to offer as candidate and had he been chosen, are high confirmation of the views of thousands of Alabam;ans that Gov .ernor Conner stands fodr-square for an ideal of public service to the nation and to his state, with the vision to approach high duties and the capacity and courage to perform them.
 Vision, courage and capacity have always marked his achievements since his first entrance into public life. As president of the state railroad con- mission hs was responsible for com plete transformation of the relations between public carriers and the peo- pie and gave the state permanent as- surance that the peoples rights are at all times paramount to private inter est. As governor of Alabama he initiated and was responsible for the enactment of legislation, which makes the. year 1907 loom large as an epochal date in the state's history, marked as it was by such progressive and con- structive steps for the states moral and material well-being. Standing out dominantly among the things he ac- complished in that year were the defi- nite comnittal of Alabama to the policy of prohibition, provision for construction of county high schools in every county in the state, provision for more adequate buildings and ap- propriations for the institutions of higher education, additional funds for common schools and the laying down of principles for the relations between corporate interests and the people, which should be fair to capital and at the same time would safeguard pres ent and future rights of those served by such corporations.
 As United States senator from Ala bama he demonstrated still further his vision, courage and capacity. He as sisted to give the nation the benefits Alabama was reaping from prohibi- tion; he was still mindful of the peo- ple's interest when he stood with Sen ator LafoIlette for governmental valu- ation of the country's railroads in order that owners of these lines could not realize an improperly burdensome return on their investment, and his efforts in behalf of cotton exchange regulation and cotton grading, were designed to protect the southern cot ton farmer from the interruptions traders.
 H It is because of this record of serv- 9ce that thousands of his admirers will regret his decision not to give them opportunity to commission him off cially to carry the work still further ;And lend his wise counsel and assist asnce in the solution of vexed problems now confronting the authorities st Washington.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-21

fair with them-that. by juggling his books. the big rich man and the big rich corporation are dodg- ing the greater part of the load. Everyone with the right kind of remedy knows that the three cent gasoline tax Is unfair to Ford owners. Some day the right man will come along with the right kind of a remedy and the people will give him all the backing he will want and need.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-21
Reflection on the State
(Florence Times)

SHoc IfHfSSI
 In the announcement sent out from Auburn-that a poultry de- partment will be started following the donation of several, pens of different breeds of fine chicken there is carried an unspoken, but nevertheless severe, reflection upon the state of Alabama. The announcement states that ,on ac- count of lack of sufficient equip ment to start this poultry depart nent of a few pens they are being
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-21
A Plea for Equalization (Wireprass EarmerA

The average man hereabouts hates taxes so bitterly because he believes there is so much decep- tion and crookedness mixed up with che paying of them. There is not a farmer or merchant who would kick at paying his taxes if he could be honestly assured that the burden was being equally dis tributed among all classes of peo- pie. They believe-and they will continue to believe until they are convinccd to the contrary--that the big rich man is not toting
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-21

housed at the poultry department of the Lee county high school near by. Does not this appear to the people of the state as a reflection. that the great state of Alabama cannot afford at one of its great institutions to provide a small space and equipment for a feature that represents one of the greatest industries within it's confines?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-21
Should Stay on the Job (Annisfnn Starl

Merely because only one week in a year Is designated as fire prevention week." people need not be careless of fires during the other weeks of the year. Every week and every hour of. the day fire prevention is needed. and it will be needed during the next four or five months more than ever, for winter invariably brings heavy toll of fire loss.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-21
Healthy Cotton Prices
(Huntsville Timesl

On the rising market that is ir
 dicated and the short crop there is every reason to believe that King Cotton will go to 35 or 40 cents this season. Today Ostnher p.s-~s advanced ninety-one points before noon. Thirty cents is a good price for<cotton. but with the short crop and the crying need for the fleecs staple there is no objection to til. farmer receiving the advances that are sure to come. This healthy condition In the price of cotton will largely make up for the shortage in the number of bales.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-21

ment t5 the bell weevil because
 the neople like to see their cotton
 destroyed or because they con
 slider boil weevils intrinsically
 lovely. The point with them was
 that when cotton planting became
 a precarious business because Of
 the weevil they were forced to
 turn to other crops, and dlscoV-
 cred that what seemed an evil had
 proved to be an escape from the
 curse of one-crop farming. There
 is a moral in this story for the
 wheat farmers who think that
 there must be a sovereign remedy for their troubles in congress.
 The cotton planters also went
 through a period when they
 thought congress ought to do
 something and some of them are
 still in that frame of mind, but
 on the whole they have turned to
 organization and diversiflcation
 as the two best remedies for their
 trouble. Now they are discover
 ing that what seemed to be their
 worst enemy had, like Shake
 speare's toad, a jewel in it's head.
 If this should prove to be trans
 ition period for the wheat farmer,
 he may reach similar conclusion.
 Where there is a serious obstacle ir the agricultural industry, there i usually a remedy if the sufferers in telligently look for it. Year aftel year the cotton farmer continued t' suffer from ravages of the wesvil Many one-crop farmers became ais couraged. Then the diversificatiol plan was set forth more as an expert ment than otherwise. Where it wal adopted in a practical way it sue ceeded, and 1t was not long before th' cotton farmers of Alabama walked III to the fact that there was a way tt whip the boil weevil, because in thi state there is great variety of soi capable of producing nearly every thing, and the world needs livestock poultry, dairy products, meat, hay fruits, vegetables, peanuts, beans an: a dozen other things that can be pro duced in Alabama at profit.
 So in the long run the boil weevil il going to prove blessing in disguise That has been demonstrated by man. farmers in this state who formerl! raised nothing but cotton, and were under the erroneous impression tha nothing else would be profitable There is an old saying that we live tt learn. The people in the region abou' Enterprise have demonstrated ths truth of this by learning much that has proven practical and profitable.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-21
Effects of Many Politicians
 (Tuscaloosa News)

Too many cooks spoiled the broth, and too many politicians can throw perfectly smooth running state or city clean out of gear. The time thus lost in get ting things adjusted again. which often consumes weeks and months, is lost to the people.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-21
This Winter n Good Time

The past year has not been very profitable to anybody, and many are more or less discouraged. Extra employment will be needed and douBless appreciated. The way to keep help in the state is to show an appreciation and to show an interest in their behalf. All should do so. and the coming winter is a good time to do so.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-21
An Exodus Problem
(Opelika News)

Ohio Is releasing many convicts before the expiration of their sentences on condition that they leave the state and stay out of 1t. That's an exodus problem fer states adjoining and near by the state that is high in the middle and round at both ends--O-h-i-o.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-21

Rudyard Kipling's indorsement of the view that all men are liars might be considered in the light, of the fact that he himself is something of fic- tionist. .
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-21

There are reports that Earl Beatty may succeed Sir Auckland Geddes as ambassador at Washington. Witk the unanimous support of the navy, he may have comparatively smooth sail ing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-21
THE PARAGRAPHERS
To His Own Closet (Talladega Daily Home)

Just as the county was begin ming to think enforcement was being enforced. along comes Gov ernor Pinchot and assures us that 1t Is a failure. The governor should look in his own closet for ghosts.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-21

There seems to be no limit to new troubles. Now comes the announce ment that wiyeless telephony has en- larged campaign speakers voices q thousand times.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-21

By the time the president gets through with a series of conferences these days, no doubt he wishes that there were at least thirty-six hours in each day.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-21

In planning for the institution of new system of currency, the German government may have to figure closer on it's tonnage capacity.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-21

from any measure of criticism of Ala bama's distinguished son, whom Ala bama is to present to the nation as it's candidate.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-21

Whether the government names or numbers its balloons will have little effect on their capacity to stay up in the air.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-21
Public Is Learning All Wealth Is Not Criminal

l His fortune seems to carry no odor of tainted wealth. Certain politicians of both parties, and some who would like to start a>
 new party, are sizing up the De- troit man as possible presiden-
 tial candidate. No one seems to envy him his money; no one charges him with any crook edness
 in obtaining it; no one is sug- gesting that the soldiers bonus
 should be paid out of 1t.
 This attitude of public mind and
 public talk is getting around to
 my idea of naming the scoundrel,
 rather than hurling epithets at
 the wealthy as a class. A couple of bruisers will get in twenty foot ring and in the course of an hour one of them will knock out $100,000 for himself. I have never heard one such called a malefac- tor of great wealth. A baseball
 idol can make more money in one
 season than the governor of fany
 state in this Union in his full term,
 and no one intimates that any
 wrong has been done. Absence of
 envy in these cases probably is
 traceable to the publicity of the
 way in which the money was
 made. This leads me to believe
 that other men might put them selves in the Henry Ford class in
 America if they were less secre- tive about their business enter
 prlses. It Is important that men
 be separate and distinct in the
 minds of the public. The business Of the country is dependent upon the good character of those en- gagged in it. Business has been SO
 long under attack that its success hereaiter may depend upon its Willingness to let the public know
 what 1t Is doing, how 1t Is doing F It, and what 1t is making out of it.
 The worst thing about swollen fortunes is the danger of their
 railing into the hands of men with swollen heads. A sudden access
 slon Of wealth is dangerous. There
 IS a natural inclination to build
 a better home, buy a finer ma
 chine. move in a more exclusive
 circle, and. worst of all, to forget and ignore those who knew bin, when. Newly rich men forget
 that every common trait of hu-
 mankind. which is an utter in
 ability to understand how one who
 we believe to be our inferior could have succeeded so disproportion- ately to his merits.
 n, "a I,t
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-21

Mrs. Belmont seems to have been disappointed to learn how many American women are really busy with their own affairs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-21

was in-Washington during the great war and observed the Capi- tai City's fine spirit of patriotism, devotion and self-sacrifice during those trying months. It was as fine as the spirit anywhere else in the entire republic. and speak advisedly because I was pretty we'll over America during those