davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
SIJBSCRIPTION RATES:
THE JITNEY REFERENDUM

The statement of the city commls- sion relative to the proposed agree ment between the municipality and the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power Company deserves the thought full reading and consideration of the people of Birmingham. The city conl- mission does not ask the citizens to vote either way, but rather explains in some detail the essentials of the agreement, the public benefits sought thereby, and the desirability of bring ing the utility out of its receivership so that it may become amenable to the Alabama statutory provisions which the receivership to a great extent null lilies. It may be that the agreement is open to some criticism, but the un- deriving question is whether or not it will improve the present situation. Everybody knows of certain respects in which the utility does not measure up to the public desire, but the ques- ton is whether these respects are of major or minor importance. The peo- pie should also consider whether united public opinion definitely di- rected may not at any time compel the utility to correct any abuses of the public convenience which may de- velop in the future.
 As between the street cars and the jitneys there is of course the question of preference. Some people prefer al ways to ride in the. street cars and some prefer always to patronize the jitneys. Some are indifferent, ac- cepting whichever service is first of fered on any given occasion. In this connection it should be remembered that the jitneys form a quasi-public utility and that they must come under some sort of official jurisdiction and control. At present there is no way in which the jitney companies may be held accountable for accident or dam age. The street-railway company, on the other hand, is financially respon- sible for any accidents and injuries for which it is found legally re- sponsible. The city commission has proposed bond for the jitneys which the latter say is too heavy. Whether it is too heavy for the jitneys or not is not the public question. The public question is whether it is sufficiently heavy to afford the legitimate protec- ton due the travelling public.
 On August 2S the citizens of Bir- mingham will be given the opportunity to cast their votes as between the agreement with the utility and the alternate ordinance proposed by the jitney drivers. It is important that the people make no mistake, and that, having cast their votes and decided the issue, they are willing to accept the results. Of course, there is all ways the alternative of public owner ship and operation of the street rail- way service, but the people should be chary of taking over an enterprise that may mean a net loss on opera tion and upkeep which must be met out of the public funds. The pro- posed reduction in fare is a consider ation that ought not to be overlooked.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
BUSINESS BEFORE POLITICS

To the man who looks ahead and thinks, it is apparent that America will soon be forced to do something to- wards helping Europe to get on her feet, if America expects to maintain her own industrial and commercial equilibrium. The situation is fast
 approaching the point where bad pol itics will find concrete result in bad business. Present world conditions must develop more constructive think ing and practical action in a nation whose prosperity depends on its ability to market what it produces. Fine spun theories about what ought to be will not solve the problem of what is.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
POOR BOYS WHO
 BECAME FAMOUS By Frederick Houk Law
ArteInus Ward

One of the men who did more than most others to make people laugh was Charles Farrar Browne, who is better known by his pen name of "Artemus Ward" In the rolicking humor of his pages there Is no hint of the hard work that he had to carry on in his boyhood youth, and no hint of the struggle against poverty and sickness that afflicted him in manhood. Ar temus Ward" was not, thirty three years old when he died, a victim of tuberculosis, but he left behind his books that have carried his spirit of happy laughter on to the people who came after him.
 "Artemus Ward" was born in Waterford, Maine, a little back woods village, in 1894. At no time did he have opportunity to gain much education. His father died when the boy was only thirteen years old, having the little, slen- der lad to make his own living. From that father, however, Ar temus Ward" inherited the love of the comic, and the ability to see through some of the shams of life, and to point out hyprocisy through the medium of humor. It was that gift that he used so well both in making a living and in establishing his fame.
 The boy found work with the printer of small country news paper, and there learned some thing of the fascination of type. From one office he drifted to an. other. doing all the work that Is carried on in the office of a coun- try newspaper and printing office. He joked with the patrons, wrote little, and was seemingly no more likely to become famous than was any other of the wandering printers who worked with him.
 In his wanderings he reached Ohio and there, being now about twenty-four years old and having had much experience in newspa- per work, he became an editor of a small paper At this time he began to write the exceedingly humorous sketches signed with the name of "Artemus Ward. :" They attracted attention far and wide and made him famous. Ho was called to New York to edit a humorous publication; wrote books; gave lectures, and indulged his desire to travel. By using to the full, in the little country pa- pers, the gift of humor with which he was endowed. he lifted him. self from being a printers devil into being the Mark Twain of an earlier age.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
MOTHERS OF FAMOUS
 MEN



 Ellen Yates is fortunate grill" That was the remark that everyone made. She's going to have more money than she will know what to do with" So said all who knew Ellen Yates, daugh- ter of a prosperous man who had gone into partnership with Robert Peel in the spinning of cotton. This was about the period of the American revolution, and cotton cloth was not so common nor so cheap then as now. Factories were few, and machinery was crude. Nevertheless, Robert Peel, having inherited a cotton busi- ness from his shrewd father who had begun it, was making mucn money.
 They say Ellen Yates is casting her eyes on young Robert Peel" said the gossips. If she marries him, why, then she'll have all her fathers money and all of Robert match.
 Robert Peel often had occasion to visit the Yates home, but ne visited it much more often than the cotton spinning business really demanded. He and Ellen Yates were people who were very much alike. Both of them were descended from sturdy, honest, ard-working men. Neither of them had title, but each had en- ergy and spirit, and the desire to rise in the world. So it came about, as the most natural of all things. that Robert Peel, the cot ton spinner, married Ellen Yates. daughter of his partner. Together they talked about the future and made plans as to what they should do with the great sums of money that every year rolled in upon them.
 Robert must go to the best school in England," insisted the ambitious mother. We have the money; now the boy must have all that the money should bring"
 So the mother brought Robert Peel, Jr., whom she had named after his father, to a belief that he was one set apart, that he was of genuine aristocratic blood, that he was born to be a leader. She it was who sent him off to liar row, and who rejoiced in his high scholarship. She it was who en- ceuraged him to move onward to that high place that he took in the government of England. If the power of the statesman came from the father, the pride came from the mother.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15

Long-winded sociological treaties will not pull the mule out of the gulch. The ancient practice of walling in . nation won't work in these days of fast ocean liners, submarines and airships. The Good Book says that man cannot live alone. Nor can nations, under present conditions. Production is Americas genius. Marketing is Amer icas salvation. Americas business must keep we'll ahead of Americas politics to prevent the creation of a situation wherein every man will be for himself and the Devil take the hindmost.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
THE GERMAN POLICY

The new Stresemann cabinet of Germany shows very few names that are known outside of Germany. Three or four members of the preceding cabi- net are retained. What the policy will be is uncertain. Speculation has it that the foreign policy will be un- changed. Unless there is a decided change in both foreign and domestic policy, however, it is likely that the same forces which overthrow Cuno will operate all the more swiftly to overthrow Stresemann. Germany has had enough of the standpatters. What is now needed is vision and statesman like administration of public affairs. The old policy has served to plunge Germany more and more deeply into the mire. Unless there is a decided change this downward movement will continue unchecked. The world would like to see Germany make good. This means not only internally and in material way, but also with respect to meeting her foreign obligations. In this respect Germany now stands in no essential contrast to soviet Russia. A moral regeneration is just as essen- tial as a physical, industrial, financial and business regeneration. Indeed, none of these can be completely de- veloped without development of all the others. To an individual in Ger manys position the natural advice would be: Brace up! Be a manw Germany might with profit accept the spirit of that exhortation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
ONE TRICK A DAY
Hung Without Rope

A while ago I explained how to suspend ring by a thread an burn the thread. when the ring remained in the air as before. merely by ashes left from the string. Here Is a variation: At tach four lengths of thread to the four corners of small square of muslin; pickle the whole in brine and dry it. As soon as your ap- paratus is dry, and impregnated with salt, place an empty egg in an improvised hammock, hanging the top up. Set fire to the ham mock and 1t will burn as well as the threads. If you have neg lected no precautions, the appear ance of an egg suspended in the air without visible support will surprise the most skeptical on- locker.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
No Lack of Decision
(New York Evening World)

(New York Evening World)
 President Coolidge's announcement of his intention to follow the policies of the late President Harding was natural as a first thought. The new president may be entirely sincere in his intention and may strive to do that very thing. But the force of events will drive the president to act in his own right, and to formulate his own policies. New circumstances arise. Even in its broader aspects, policy changes from day to day. In all fair nothing in his record to indicate that he will lack in decision when there IS need for decision.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
LEASE SYSTEM DOOMED
 (Washington Post)

The convict lease system is in- human and repugnant to Ameri- canism It is a form of slavery that should not be tolerated on American soil. It lends itself to abuse and cruel practices. It tends to defeat one of the chief purposes of legal punishmeni, which is reform of the criminal-- = for as practiced it often break g him physically and embitters ana hardens him morally. It mus; go, not only from Alabama, but from every Amerian jurisdiction where it is now in effect. Humane ele- ments throughout the nation are rousing against the system. II is doomed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
Fits Him for Power


 MT. Coolidge is no novice in public service. Indeed, the whole of his manhood has been spent in it, and in every exigency he has shown that mingling of caution and courage which fits one to wield great power wisely. His judgments are of slow making; but made, they enlist the de- termined energy which faith alone can generate. He has served in humble places with zeal which shows that his sense of duty is not graduated by the dignity of his station. And he hes served in. exalted places with a com petence which warrants his fitness for the supreme task that has been im- posed on him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
He Win Diversity

A wellknown farmer who lives few miles north of Brewton was in the city this morning with sample" of his cotton crop. Tho consisted of gallon bucket full of bolls and squares that he had piked up from an area of a few square feet of his cotton field. The entire field is equally as bad, he stated. He also added that he has tried cotton for the last time this year and is now ready to be- gin diversifying.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
STOP THE VANDALS
(Na shYille Banner)

The Universityof Georgia is to be commended for refusing to per init bunchof grave robbers to search for the body of General Oglethorpe. There is nothing to be gained by such desecrating prac- tice. It Is barbarous and unbecom- ing to civilization. The resting places of historical men of the past should be held in sacred memory by the present age. This cannot be done by permitting the idle curious to disturb the tomb for no other purpose than to satiate their passing fancy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
DANGEROUS AND DEsPOTIC
(Columbia' State)


 The duty of the state to require the schooling of children, so that they may not grow up unfit to vote a written or printed ballot, is beyond question. but the meas ure proposed in the Alabama leg islature that all children shall be compelled to attend the public schools Is preposterously wrong. Compulsory school attendance laws are enacted to prevent pa rents from depriving children of schooling. The state enters to sup ply the place of the delinquent fla ther or mother, in order that it may not suffer by the deteriora- tion of it's citizenship. Laws in tended to prohibit kinds of teach ing have nothing whatsoever to do with compulsory attendance laws. The interest of the state IS satisfied when the child is pro- tected from the affliction of illit- eracy and ignorance.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
The Coal Deadlock

(BrookIy Daily Eagle)
 There is only one thing to do with a deadlock: Break it. It is waste of time looking for a magic key that will open lock that has made up its mind not to open. Yet the general attitude to- ward deadlocks in disputes is one hopeless hand-wringing and fran tic searching for missing keys.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
Public's Vivid Memory
Savannah News)

The new president was not nomi- mated for vice president on the Hat ding ticket because of his wealth; he had two advantages. One was the fact that he did not come from Ohio and the other was the public's vivid memory of that fine piece of work of his in knocking out the famous Boston police strike in about a round.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
The System Sh ould Co (Florence Herald)

As matters now stand there re- mains a clean-cut issue: Shall Ala bama retain the convict lease sys- tenn? Opponents of that systei should continue to fight for its ab- sollite abolishment. Any measure whih falls short of that end should not be countenanced for a moment. Only by complete elimination of the convict lease system, with re- spect to both state and county convicts, can Alabama set herself right in the eyes of her sister states--and we should never lose sight of that stubborn fan
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
, What He Thinks Right
(KnoXville Sentinell

Will President Coolidge be influ- enced by considerations having regard to his prospects to succeed himself and having regard for his party's inter- ests or predilections and make these first and preponderent in deciding upon his course? The answer to this we believe will come pat to the lips of every one, in view of the type of the man, that he will do what he thinks right in scorn of consequence.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
Probable Candidate

How many gubernatorial candi- dates will be developed by the present legislature? There are already several in training and the prospect is that there will be numerous candidates in the field in the next race. Perhaps some outside man will take off the plum, and that redued freight and passenger rates will be the main issue.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
The Gas Tax and Roads

IFTdttVIIIt- TTUBIeSSI
 If the two cents gasoline tax is divided between the counties for the roads 1t will give Autauga county around $2.000 each month. and the Progress is in favor of putting this in the sections which do not receive any of the state aid funds or state aid roads. This should give us in the next fiva years some good roads in the county.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15

Trere are already indications that some astuse politicians are getting fidgety because the new president at taches more value to one constructive act than to whole lexicon of high sounding words.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
Variety of Taste

Harding was loved for his gen tleness; Roosevelt was loved for his ability to swing the big stick The American people do not con- fine their regard to one trait.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
Worth Noticing, Teo

(LouisVilIe Herald)
 In some particulars prohibition has had little effect, but you will notice that fewer people think it funny to rock the boat.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
Man of Few Words
(Washington Starl

When Calvin Coolidge was elected for the second time to the governor ship of Massachusetts his inaugural speech contained less than fifty words. The melancholy event which makes him president of the United States calls attention to him as an example, and perhaps an influence, for oratory in the United States capitol.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
There's the Trouble

(NansaS City starr
 Many things need changing" says Magnus Johnson. Which is too often the first and last im- pulse of the average reformer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15

If the Filipinos were allowed inde- pendent f-government at this time, their politicians, who have been await ing chance to perform, would re- duce the independent element and substitute additional chunks of self.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
Here,S Houiu~

(Nashville Banner)
 The state of South Dakota has gone into the gasoline business. Be it hoped that it comes out bet ter than one of it's neighbours did in the fight promoting game.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
ALL SHADES s] Of fOPINlONO
Still Stands Pat
(Houston Post)

We do not doubt that the run-a- muckers will remember President Cool idge as the man who took occasion, when the policemen of Boston struck, to hoist the flag and remind the mob that it syn,bolized the power and the majesty of the government. Well, he stands pat on that proposition yet.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
Biennial Sessions

NDIUClUII THIeTprIseJ
 A bill has ,been introduced in the legislature providing for bien- nial sessions of the legislature If amended to provide biennial elec- tions the people might approve, but biennial sessions of the same body has already been disap- proved.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
As to County Division

NVUIIIII5N V IIIt OOUTItTJ
 Dekalb county can be divide and perhaps with a corner of Cherokee would make two good size counties by running the line from Lookout mountain just north of Porterville over along Town creek. This would be the appro- priate thing to do if Marshall thinks we should be cut up.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
Banks Safe Places

IDehaIb County HeraId)
 This county has a number of the safest and soundest banking insti- tutions in the state. yet many peo- pie keep their money out of the banks until it Is spent. Later they may need cush and then they call at bank for a loan. Natur- ally a bank had much rather ac- commodate a depositor than a man who only uses the bank when needing money. Aside from this the banks are the safest places to keep money.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15

An exchange says that every Ameri- can child owes ninety-six dollars of the public debt. If the children are trained to meet their obligations their
 children in turn will not be so bur.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15

A single term of six years is sug- gested to relieve the president of his burdens. If the load is not frightened few men can physically stand up un- der it so long.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
Considering m Emergency

Of thirty American presidents six have died in office. Why not begin to give attention to tho campaign for the vice presidential nomination in 1924?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
4 sun Further Need

tIaNaueEa Dal-y 8aTe)
 The Age-Heraid Torch bearer says that What VIC need is q cru- sade Co educate the JnenlirhtcnSd intelligent classes Maybe 70 sometimes also need crusade to erlisAten the educated intelligent classes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
THE ALABAMA PRESS
A Prediction
(Wiregrass Farmer)

Whooppee for Underwood, the biggest man in the Democratic party! He's gwine ter git dat nom- nation, and dat ain't no lie, and oh boy ain't he going to give dem old Pubs h-l! Take it from us,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
It's a Pretty Piece

IAshIand Progress)
 Gee! that's a pretty piee of highway between Ashland and Goodwater." That's what they're all saying. And when it is com pleted on to the northern bound ary of the county it will be one of the most popular roads in east Alabama.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
THE PARAGRAPHERS
Have Plenty to Do

(CIeVeIand FIain DeaIer)
 A Western college president de- clares 96 per cent of the American people are intellectually weak. The colleges evidently have plenty to do for some years yet.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS
lKansas City Starl

Man sees all colors." Which any married man sent to match sample will admit, while his wife will contend that he sees all bu, the right one.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15

Some so-called social high-brows have manifested inclination to criticize the First Lady of the Land" for darn ing the presidents socks. Her work
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15

in this direction, however, serves two purposes by improving her husbands disposition, while increasing his vote getting capacity.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
THE AGE-HERALD

Entered at the Birmingham, Ala, post office as second class matter under act of Congress, March $. 1879.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15

It seems that the Bergdoll stacker does his killing privately, instead of in war.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
NEWS RuREAuS

FREDERICK I. THOMPSON. President