davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21
"sTEAM RoLLERn TACTICS
.(Gadsden Journal)

Steam roller" methods are charged to the Democratic state executive committee by The Bir- mingham Age Herald. The Age- Herald finds cause for complaint in the ruling of the committee that candidates for congress must qualify by December 31.
 The Age-Herald, along with the Mobile Register. is considerably put out by the failure of Congress- man McDuffie to arrive in Wash ington In time to take part in the speakership contest, and it also charges, in Washington dis patch. that McDuffie's absence was responsible for hampering the port of Mobile.
 Under the ruling of the state executive committee, if McDuffie is to have opposition in the next primary, the entry must be made within very short time-too short. probably, to suit some of his political enemies.
 But regardless of any quarrels it may have with the Mobile con gressman, The Age-Herald is emil nently correct in branding this action of the state executive com mittee as steam roller tactics.' There is no good and sufficient reason why the congressional lists should be cloced so early in the game. It is undemocratic to say the least.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21
McDUFFIE CRITICIZED


 Mobile newspapers report that during the first two weeks of the present session of congress every member of the lower house was present except McDuffie, the mem Der from the Mobile district. It is pointed out that had he been in his seat one day Democrat could have been elected speaker. But during that period Mobile had need of her member in Washing ton to aid in keeping harbor dredge from being transferred elsewhere. Mobile lost the dredge and Democrats lost the chance to elect the speaker because the member of congress from that district was taking pleasure Jaunt through the country toward the capital, arriving there about ten days after the session was called to order.
 If the complaints filed by Mobile are founded on fact, that city and district, and all the Democrats of the nation, have just cause for ringing verbal bricks at Hon. John McDuffie.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21
PEOPLES FORUM
Employs No Solicitors

To the Editor of The Age-Herald; {; Just before Christmas there may be a temptation on the part of some interruptions persons to rep resent themselves as ex-mes- sengers, or employees of the West ern Union, who will endeavor to collect money from our good tele- gram patrons of an alleged Christ mas fund for Western Union mes- sengers, or clerks.
 In an effort to prevent any such impostors victimiking the tele- graph patrons in Birmingham, any prominence which you can give to the fact that the Western Union does not permit it's mes sengers or other employees to so- licit contributions from our pa irons, in as much as such employees are fully compensated by the com pany for all the work they do. therefore, anyone who endeavors to collect money for an alleged fund for the Telegraph company's employees should be turned over to the police and the Telegraph company notified to the end that an early stop may be put to such activities.
 B. c. WILKES,
 City Superintendent.
 Birmingham, December IS, 1923.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21
RUSHING THE COURTHOrsE
 Birmingham Postl


 At the very time when the grand jury recommends joint city and county building and when there is widespread discussion as to the merits of the proposed structure, the board proposes to defy a legis- lative act providing that it's plans be checked by two officials.
 Such an attitude Is moi com mendable. After having waited years for a new county buildinr there is certainly time either to comply with the law or else to seek to have the law held invalid Also, there should be and is time to find the public's attitude on this building.
 Birmingham will pay most of the cost of new county b,,ildinp and all the cost of new city haIl The present city hall cannot he used much longer. If there is a prospect of saving money bv building a joint structure if is certainly of interest to the folk : who must foot the bills,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21
 OUR RUSSIAN POLICY

declaring that this government would enter into no negotiations with the soviet government until it had aban- doned it's revolutionary propaganda in this country will be received with ap- proval throughout the country. It is significant that our Russian policy has not altered through the administra- tions of three presidents, Wilson, Har- ding and Coolidge. That shows how Automatically sound our policy is be- lieved to be.
 To be sure, there is sympathy in this country for the Russian people, and a desire to see them come from under the shroud of misrule that has been their portion for five years or more, but there is clear perception of the fact that no sort of agreement we could make with an insincere soviet could benefit the Russian people, while at the same time such an agreement would involve the sacrifice of some of our national principles. As MT. Hughes remarks, our principles are not for barter.
 If the soviet sincerely desires to come within our purview as a nation, the course it must follow is so plain and so accurately charted as to be unmistakable. The soviet must give us incontrovertible proof that it has ceased it's revolutionary program looking to the undermining of the governments of the powers, and es- pecially that it's emissaries in this country have been silenced and re- called. We do not fear the soviet's efforts directed against us, but neither can we recognize the .soviet's right to negotiate with us while such an atro- cious policy is a part of it's formal pro gram. The soviet must also volun- tarily make amends to such of our nationals as it has defrauded, and re- store to them the property or its equiv alent due them. The soviet must further recognize Russia's debt to us, and offer some genuine program of payment. The soviet must restore all those conventions and agreements which it has violated, and proceed to the execution of their stipulations. All this must occur as the preliminary assurance of the soviet's good faith.
 We are on stable ground in de- manding such preambles, for there is nothing we demand of Russia which we do not follow as matter of course in our own international dealings with all peoples. The plight of the Rus sian people moves us to commiseration, and when necessary, to measures of material relief, policy that well enough reveals our underlying atti- tude of humanity and charity. As for the de facto government in Russia, we have only suspicion and distrust. The soviet alone can remove that distrust, yet has taken no pains to do so. If there is lack of diplomatic interchange, it is the fault of the soviet and no other.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21
Wants Tax Reduction

To the Editor of The Herald: Undoubtedly the Mellon tax re- duction plan Is the biggest thing
 before Congress today. It is the
 legislation that will do more good
 for the country than anything else that this Congress can accomplish.
 After interviewing many manu- lecturers, we are of the opinion
 that nothing will stimulate busi- ness more than the reduction of our enormous taxes. The aboli- tton of heavy surtaxes will induce rich men to put their money into industrial enterprises instead of into tax-exempt securities, and will lift the tax burden from every
 man, woman and child in the Uni ted States. We believe that if taxes are reduced, as advocated
 by MT. Mellon, in two years there will be so much advertising that the newspapers will be worrying | about where to get white paper to print it.
 Therefore, we suggest getting behind the plan. regardless of the political party to which you be- long, and by giving a lot of front page publicity help to stir up our Congressmen and Senators to the
 necessity of putting through im-
 mediately 8 measure that will un- doubtly be the most important
 measure affecting the prosperity of
 fecting the prosperity of this great this great country in, recent years. THE CHAMBERS AGENCY, INC. s. o. LANDRY, President. New Orleans, December IF, 1928.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21
 THE USUAL WARNINGS

The usual warnings are issued by fire and police departments of cities and towns, all published in the news papers, against putting firearms and explosives into the hands of children for Christmas celebrations and against combustible tree and house holiday decorations. Yet there will be heavy tolls from these forms of carelessness. In many hom esthere will be grief in stead of Yuletide merriment. A sad part of it all is that these causes of distress in most instances result from 6 desire to give pleasure to the little ones. It is the old story of the more or less prevalent habit of overlooking the substance for the form. It was ever thus. This Christmas will be no exception, though there is hope that the frequent and widely distributed
 warnings may reduce the heavy tolls.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21
THE MAYFIELD INQUIRY

The senate inquiry into the circum- stances of the election of Earle B. Mayfield of Texas will follow the usual order in such cases and will make mo reference to the Ku Klux Klan." There will probably be gen. eral approval of this attitude, for the question at issue is not a candidates affiliations, but the manner in which his campaign was conducted. The ques- tion before the senate committee is whether the Mayfield election was fraudulent, and whether, indeed, it was obtained partly through corrup- tion of public officials, partly through intimidation of both officials and voters, and partly through the spread ing of misleading information, as alleged.
 The charges against the Mayfield campaign and the conditions surround ing the state elections are grave. Whether Mayfield and his supporters be guilty or innocent, whether there were fraud and corruption or not, an inquiry is imperative, either to dis prove the allegations, or to establish their truth and fix the responsibility upon those guilty of wrong-doing. If Mayfield's election was valid, his repu- tation should not rest under an un- deserved cloud. If it was not valid, then the majority of the voters of Texas have right to the establish ment of the facts, so that the choice of the majority may represent them in congress.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21
More Labor Next Year

(Wetumpka Weekly Hcrald)
 From all indications labor will be more plentiful next year in Elmore county. Quite a number of negroes are drifting back. Many of the Southern negroes have died in the North and will never come back. Some time labor is needed in some deep mine or other dangerous place and Southern negro is sent back with money to induce his former asso- ciates to go North. Even this is becoming more infrequent. Thou- sands of negroes who went North are coming back into the Birming- ham district.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21
The Biggest Bonus
(Mobile Register)

(Mobile Register)
 The Republican advocates Of a protective tariff are determined to perpetuate a law which benefits a favored class and places a much greater burden on. the nations consumers than would result from the payment ow adjuste dcompen- sation to our war veterans.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21
Fat 'Possums Plentiful

(Hartselle Weekly Herald)
 The 'possum hunters say that the animals are bigger and fatter in this section than ever known. No trouble to go out short dis tance and bring back from one to grew here this season in the same proportion. One 'possum and one potato is all that could be gotten on the largest platter. It is all right to talk about the goodness of 'possum meat if you don't asso- ciate yam potatoes with 1t. When you do that the average fellow will go to licking his chops at once.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21
The Only Fair Way

Huntsville Times)
 Deception will never get an in dividual, newspaper, a corpora tion or anything else anywhere. The cold, solid facts--the truth m the operation and organization of an enterprise, is the only fair and legitimate way to get by, and. 1t is regretted that, this is not always the case with some of the above classifications.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21
The Gasoline Tax
fOpelilxa News)

(OpeIika News)
 If the new income from the gas oline tax does not in a pair of years show results in the building of better roads, and upkeep of the roads, we will favor either cutting out that tax or turning all of the income from it over to the high way commission.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21
Fine Field for Applss
< (Anniston Star)


 This part of North Alabama 10 overlooking a wonderful opportu- nity in not developing the apple growing industry. The orchards we have in this and nearby coun- ties where they have been looked afte ras orchards should be are good ones and produce a most ex- ce1lent grade of fruit. Every farm could have such an orchard. Every farmer, with little or no extra ex- pense and little extra effort, could add largely to his farm income from the sale of apples, and with the proper development of the or chard industry, it would be but a few years until this part of the state would be shipping many car- loads of apples to distant mar kets.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21
 CITY COMMISSIONS ATTITUDE

The attitude of the city commission towards the proposal of a joint county and city administration building is to be commended because of the possi- bilities of economy, not only in con struction and maintenance of one pub
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21
THE ALABAMA PRESS
Why Not "syrups"
(Andalusia Star)

We don't understand why people in this section persist in calling their sweethearts "honey,' when ribbon cane syrup is a lot sweeter.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21
Either Will Be Heard From

(Talladega Daily Home)
 They are now insisting on color ing gasoline red to distinguish 1t. It looks to much like moonshine. as it is, but either will distinguish itself all right if given a provoca- tion.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21

A mentally deficient man unsuc- cessfully tried to steal mail train in Ohio. Had he been resourceful and isagacious, he might have gotten away with a whole railroad system. It has been done.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21
The Hen-Pecked Man

(Heflin News) A South Alabama man died of blood poisoning the other day af- ter being pecked by a hen. Most hen-pecked men, however, con- tinue to live and suffer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21
Hobson Located
fDothan Eagle)

Many people in Alabama had no doubt wondered what had become of Captain 'Hobson, and his name showed up the other day in the dispatches from California, where he seems to be living now, near the moving picture colony.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21

More recent events in Europe sug- gest that insurance solicitors are not seeking any new business guarantee ing retention of thrones.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21

It is not known whether the sixteen year-old boy and fifty-one-year-old woman in New Jersey who were in dicted by a grand jury for getting married will be legally prosecuted or scientifically analysed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21

Action of the Illinois medical ex- amining board in exercising closer re- strictions in issuing licenses provides bitter pill for some would-be prac- titioners.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21

Someone has demanded movie pie ture of the printing of German marks ;; but they can't find machine that will reel fast enough.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21
MORE TRUTH THAN POETRY

NUKE TRUTH THAN POETRY He was writing to his. daughter who had gone away to school, And his letter indicated that he must have been fool, For he>wrote: My little Lambkin. I am sending you today Checks to cover all the gambling debts that you may have to pay; l suppose you're far behind On your board, but never mind; Flip careless wink at trouble. and continue to be gay. Learn to dance, for there is profit in that sort of thing, my dear; Limber up for lofty kicking; show your heels without fear; Don't waste any time in trying to get wise to classic stuff; If you learn to spell and scribble, that will be about enough; Break the rules, and find delight In remaining out at night; If your teachers coax or warn you. don't listen to their gulf. "Smoke your precious little head off. if 1t gives you joy to smoke; Glrlish modesty's old-fashioned, learn to treat it as joke; Snake a wicked hip; be 'jazzy in what ever you may do; 
 Never mind old hens who wonder what the world is coming to; Cultivate knowing glance; When you're asked to take a chance. Take it recklessly, depending on your luck to get you through. Waste no thoughts upon your pa- rents; never mind how they may care;
 Practice slyly to deceive them if they try to curb you there; Anything to have excitement. turn from what is good or fine, Don't be frightened by their troubles who have stepped across the line !; Go the limit, never fear, And remember this, my dear, It will matter little if you break VOLT mothers heart and mine."
 -S. E. Riser.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21

look upon the offer with less favor, All in all, it looks as if the Ford project of operating the plants at Mus cle Shoals were nearer realization now than ever before.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21

out" Be it remembered, too, that government is the biggest and most far-reaching business in this or any other country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21

From this distance it would appear to the disinterested observer that vis- itors sojourning a few days at Mobile, Savannah, New Orleans and other coast cities learn good deal about conditions which residents somehow overlooked.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21
SMILES
His Nagging Wife

tNSW IOIh OuHJ
 There's no satisfyin' wimmin," bitterly complained Hank Smith to t fellow commuter. Heres Marie wife naggin' me for months to let her have maid. I gets her one and thinks every thing'll be hunky for a bit. But Is it?"
 Smith snorted. Now she wants new china, glass and furniture. Says she's ashamed before Olga, the maid, of all our old stuff. It's up to me to keep peace so I'm goin' to-"
 Fire the maid?'
 Hank looked pityingly at his friend. "It's easy to see, Bill, you ain't married man"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21
CANDID SELF REVELATION
(Boston Travelerl

One of the very latest books IS
 named Bunk. We had thought our fiction writers frank, but this takes the prize.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21
Santa CIaua

He IS large and he is small, lie is short and he is tall, lie IS skinny, he is chubby, he is stout, He is ruddy, he is pale,
 lie is strong and he is frail- And the poor kids wonder what it's all
 apoue. ID. D. s.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21

A contemporary says: "Look over
 the list of statesmen, and see how many good business men you can pick
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21
Feather. on His Hat

(AIutTICdH bOy
 A sighted man lost his hat in strong wing. He gave chase. A woman screamed from nearby farmhouse: What are you doing there?" Getting my hat" he replied. Your hat" exclaimed the wom- an. That's our little black hen you're chasing"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21
Vocal Colf

see by the papers that some golf professionals favor the pitch and run stroke, but I have noticed that the pitch and swear is more commonly used--Andy II.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21
|CIDErLICHTS faE HE AG.I.II A\NATIONAL. s@i
 . CAPITAL S'Essgg!ss. W Essss

The president has held his first big reception. It was in honor of the diplomats. It was an occasion in which local newspaper corre spondents were permitted to don dress suits and walk In line to the throne" room.
 In all conventional respects, it was a brilliant reception. Un- occasionally the ladies who at tended greatly enjoyed themselves. It is possible, on the other hand, that nearly all the other guests were slightly uncomfortable.
 The expression that the presi- dent wore almost moved many to tears. He was trying to appear well pleased, trying to conduct himself with conventional gra- ciousness towards those who ap- preached to shake his hand.
 But enthusiastically he suffered. It was not a natural situation to him. He was completely out of his environment. He was unable, despite all his efforts, to hide it.
 Perhaps he thought with long ing of the extensive fields in which he is said to have raked hay. or the lot wherein he milked the kline.
 Coolidge Is an honest man. He is not only scrupulous in all his dealings. He has distaste, an abhorrence, for pomp, and even for conventional society.
 The details of that reception im- pressed him, it appeared, as ridic- ulous. It seemed to him so foolish that men and women in long line should stand for hours, should pro- ceed by inches in the midst of discomforts, simplay to shake hands with Calvin Coolidge, the farm boy of Vermont.
 He wore a near-smile, but cer- tainly not smile. It was more a grin. He appeared embarrassed, i'll at ease. And he appeared as one who through long suffering would do his duty irrespective of what it was. He was a martyr, it appeared to sense made by con vention a sense of duty.
 Taft. when under the same cir cumstances, was jovial. Wilson, while more austere, was perfectly at home. Harding was gracious ness personified.
 But Coolidge was uncomfortable, and try as he would, was unable to conceal the fact. Mrs. Coolidge, however, was more adaptable to the sftpation. She greatly im- pressed with what appeared a nat ural pleasantness.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21

Now they call Willie Hoppe the former boy wonder" showing that you can outlive almost anything. But it will be long time before they cali him Bill.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21
THE AGE-HERALD

Entered at the Birmingham. Ala, post office as second-class matter under act of Con- gress, March S. 1s7s
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21
IOdilxcd

(Pathfinder)
 Tt says here. One of the idols most revered by any heather is figure of a woman, seated. resting her chin in her hands," said Mrs. Farr, reading from book.
 (Which proves they are about the wisest people on earth" sug- gested her husband.
 How so, Orrin?"
 Well" said MT. Farr, with enn- phasis, "because they make a deity of a woman who has sense enough to give her chin rest"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21

Be sure you have stockings without holes in them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21

The censors having placed their rubber stamp of approval on Hamlet it is easy to understand how the mel ancholy Dane gets that way.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21

There is no doubt that Zev will be a heavy favorite in the betting. He is so much easier to pronounce.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21
Capital Punishment Recommended
(American Legion Weekly !

Say, Bill" said Oklahoma Joe, Five noticed that when. one or these Injuns gets him an automo-. bile he wants to take it~apaft and fix it first thing, Why sbecause?"
 "Oh." replied Bill, carelessly. T suppose it's natural. He just wants to show his injunuity."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21
Mistaken Identity

Philadelphia Ledger)
 The hobo had asked the hard faced woman for something to eat.
 "Yes." she replied. "I'll fix you some supper if you'll saw and split some wood, sweep off the walk. fix that hole in the fence. tidy up the barnyard and burn that rubbish pile up at the cellar door," ts|
 Lady" said the hobo as he started away, I'm only a hobo; I ain't your husband"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21

we suppose, IT Zev beats EpMard, he will feel thrill of patriotic fervor. On the other hoof, we suspect that he would rather be thrilled by a peck of oats. Anyhow, it will establish the superiority of the English-speaking horses.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21
THa7sSllseORCH |@ @BEARER.

Do your Christmas shopping early Monday.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21

DER1cK I. THOMPSON. .pREs1pEN
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21

The Girls Who o-Have-Danced-W With the-Prince-of-Wales are almost as nu- merous as the Girls Who-H o-Have-Threat- ened-to-Marry-Jack-Dempsey.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-21

Another pay day comes to bat With all that it my bring, But as the holidays approach It doesn't mean a thing.