davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10
EXTENDING THE SEARCH LIMIT

Reciprocity is the sound basis fo, treaty making; or, as the Latins would put it, a quid pro quo. If a nation wants concession it must grant a concession. That principle is the basis of the treaty establishing the American right to search within the twelve-mile limit all British vessels suspected of smuggling liquor. Tn return for this concession the Ameri- can government agrees to allow Brit ish ships to bring into port in bond the liquors necessary for the return voy- age. Thus controversy that has oc- cupied steamship circles for some time is cleared up, or will be when the expected treaty is sealed, signed and delivered.
 While British craft have been the greatest offenders against our prohi- bition laws, by reason of their num- bers in our waters and their habit of lying just outside the three-mile limit swaiting favorable opportunity to dash in and land their oargoes, it is prob- able that other nations will be eager to engage in similar treaty. Their ssreasons are even more pressing than < ours, for their ships cannot now bring liquor into our ports even under seal, and yet the dispensing of liquor to crews forms one of their articles of .agreement with their seamen. The Likelihood is. therefore tba. Formal
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10
COMMISSION IS AGAINST IT

The Alabama Public Service Com mission flatly and emphatically de- clares that it will refuse to recognize contributions to political campaigns or to any other cause as legitimate items in computing the valuation, for rate-making purposes, of public utili- ties. This declaration, of course, is quite in line with public policy and would not have been deemed necessary of utterance had it not been for the recent court decision allowing cam paign contribution as a proper item in the running expenses of the Mobile Gas Company.
 Certain corporate interests which seek deliberately to obtrude their po- litical influence into legislative and governmental bodies do so for the purpose of protecting their private concerns against laws designed to advance the community welfare. For them to do this successfully is for the public welfare to be jeopardized 70 the extent of their influence. If, to cap it all, the public is required to pay the cost of this fight against the best public interest, then indeed is insult added to injury. The Public Service Commission is certain of public ap- proval in it's outspoken and determined stand against this sort of insidious aggression on the part of the very utilities it is sought to regulate by government authority.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10
THE ONE REMEDY
 IS UNDER OR OVER
(Southern Ruralist)

Rarely a day passes that we do not read of some. terrible, accident at grade crossing. It is not infrequent that whole family IS completely wiped out. Sometimes mothers and fathers are killed and their little children left to the mercy of charity. In spite or warnings, thousands of people lose their lives in this way every year. It is one of the alarming develop ments of the times. It may be argued that any driver should have sense enough to do the pru- dent thing; that the locomotive must follow the lead of the steel rail. This is all true, but grade crossing accidents continue to multiply.
 The grade crossing should be against the law. The public high way should either pass over or under the railroad. To that end the railroads are undoubtedly ready to cooperate. Grade cross ing accidents are source of amounting cost and endless liti- gation to them. and no doubt they would join in a nationwide campaign to eliminate them com pletely. To do that it would be necessary to go back and change many roads that have already been built, but it would be worth the money to do it.
 A few days ago we drove from Atlanta to Rome, Ga. A mile or so from a certain grade crossing we remarked to our companion on the front seat that at the cross ing ahead we would likely see the remains of a wrecked automobile. We did. We have gone over that crossing number of times. Some how it seems to be an accursed spot. How many lives have been claimed there nobody knows. We have never crossed the railroad there that there was not evidence of a wreck.
 There are great many grade crossings in the state of Georgia. There are many in every state. Each is death trap. Most of them have perpetual evidence to that effect, for as soon as one wreck is cleared away another takes it's place. The one remedy is under or over.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10
Leaves as Fertilizer

Shelby County Reporter)
 We have way in some parts of our state of burning off tho woods" during the dry fall sea son. It has been done for so long. or permitted to be done, that 1t has grown almost into a fixed custom. There is no good reason that can be given for burning off the woods every year. but there are many reasons why 1t ought not to be done. The leaves that are destroyed with each burning are worth the equivalent of many tons of fertilizer, and they are produced without cost. A crop of leaves is an abundant gift from nature to the landowner and 1t should be reminder to him that 1t is natures way to have the fertility of the soil kept up. It should be reminder to him, too. that the best way to keep up the fertility of the soil is to fnllow natures way and add quantities of vegetable matter to the soil each year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10

The devious methods of nature are far beyond the mental grasp of man. Her mysterious ways often fail to per- meate the human skull.
 These musings are inspired by 3 newspaper paragraph, to-wit "A grasshopper can hop 200 times it's own length"
 Why waste all that talent on a lowly insect?
 Why squander all that leaping abili- ty on grasshopper when there are SO many pedestrians in the world?
 If man could leap 200 times his own length the traffic problem would be solved. No more waiting at the curb nor scampering across the pave ment while roaring motors roam the highways seeking whom they may de- vour.
 Imagine the hopeless anguish on 8 motorists face as he sees a flock of fine, fat pedestrians leaping lightly from curb to curb, honking scornfully, meanwhile, like troop of wild geese While sluggish pedestrians ambulate
 Where murderous motors whizz, The grasshopper doesn't appreciate
 What fortunate guy he is.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10
DEMOCRACY NOT A FAILURE

There is a saying current that de- mocracy is on trial in the world today, particularly in Europe, and instance after instance is cited to show how he principle is breaking down under European tests. The present dissclu- tion in Germany is one of the most strongly emphasized illustrations put forward by proponents of the theory of failure of the democratic principle of government. The trouble is that those who argue in this way confuse names with ideas. All is not democ- racy that is called democracy. For example, what have the people of Ger. many to do with the government of Germany? What have the people of Germany had to do with the various revolutions" in Germany that have been recorded during the past few weeks. The answer is-not thing.
 An illustration in point is the re- cent Overthrow" of the central gov- ernment in Bavaria by so-called leader of German fascist who marched into Prague at the head of six hun dred followers and made Ludendorff military commander with himself as political adviser" What have the thousands of people of Prague or the millions of people of Bavaria to do with this change in government? What did they have to do with the original government thus displaced? Government in Germany is drama in which the citizens are spectators and have no active part. That is not democracy by even the widest stretch of the term.
 It. is true that Germany has had elections and that President Ebert was elected by popular vote. But what has President Ebert to do with the government of Germany? The real ruler of Germany is Chancellor Stresemann, who owes no direct al- legiance whatever to the voters of Germany. Stresemann is the crea- ture of the German congress, the mem bers of which, it is true, were exalted to their Nresent position by an cleo ton. But the citizens of Germany are not free and equal at the polls. One mans vote does not count for as much as the several votes of another in higher position. Many have no votes at all Germany is still gov erned by a few who owe no direct re- sponsibility to the masses.
 In Great Britain, which is more nearly true democracy, although called limited monarchy, the voice of the people is a potent influence in government, and, as each election comes, makes itself more unmistak- able. Where democracy has actually been established, it has succeeded. But democracy which contains no de- mocracy cannot be properly termed democracy. The government of the United States is not failure, no mat ter how many errors may be commit ted in it's name. To err is human, and a democracy above all things else Is a human institution. It is a composite of the weaknesses as we'll as the strength of the people it represents. Democracy is not on trial, but some thing entirely different masquerading under the name.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10
ON MONEY-MAKING
 AND CHURCH-GOING
By Wickes Wnmboidt

I once heard a successful busi- ness man say, T can't afford to stay away from church" l asked him what he meant. He said he attributed his financial success to his steady attendance at church. He told me that for many years he worked hard for living and had barely made ends meet. There was no indication that the future would show any improvement. A steady grind from morning till night, day after day, week after week, year after year, barely kept the wolf from the door. Even then the animals awesome snout poked in occasionally. When Sun day came this man was tired. He did not feel like going to church. He felt depressed and listless. He either wanted to lie around the house and rest or gets out into the country away from it all.
 While contemplating his dismal future, he looked about him. He observed that the majority of the successful people were identified with the churches. In fact, it seemed to him that the church. goers as a class got along pretty well. He wondered if there was not something back of 1t all that he did not understand. He deter mined to find out. He began go- ing to church regularly. Within six months things commenced to change for him. N First of all, his own outlook on life improved. This brought a sense of confidence and security that he had not known before. He felt that there was sustaining power back of him upon which he could lean and rely. The feeling grew. His shoulders went back; his chin went up; he began to look his fellow man squarely in the eye. Mentally he took hold of his own situation. He began to go after things and he began to get them.
 At the time he related this story to me- he stood well in his church and in his city. He had money and he had influence, and, most of all. he had contentment. The church stands for the constructive thing, the wholesome thing, the worthwhile thing. It is reason able that a man putting himself in touch with such forces should benefit financially. as well as oth- erwiSe.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10

way service into areas not now com petitive. The tactics of a day when government did not intervene in the shippers behalf are obsolete and out of date in this new era of waterway construction. The railroads cannot successfully combat progress, and there is reason to believe that any temporary profit they may gain by present opposition and throttling methods will be swallowed up by the resentment they are inevitably build ing up against future no longer re- mote. If, however, the railroads do not want the grain business of this country, they are following the proper course.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10
SMILES
Her Soft Answer

(Pittsburg Chronicle-T Telegraph
 She had told the district char ity visitor a long story of her troubles and trials; no money, many mouths to feed, an idle, dis solute husband. She was very emphatic about the husband. who knocked her about if she said a word"
 'I am very sorry for you" said the visitor, but always. remem- Der to return good for evil. Re member that a soft answer tutn- eth away wrath. Meet his vio- lence with gentlepess, and in that way you will be heaping coals of fire on his head. Have you tried that?"
 Well, mum, not exactly" said the poor woman; but I ave it i'm on the head with a saucepan of boiling water"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10
PEOPLES FORUM
"A Irnitcd WorIdo

To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 For an understanding trust and confidence the world is dying. We, the American people, must come forward in a gigantic effort to unite the European countries. Now is the opportune time. l be- lieve Europe has reached her crisis. We have the influence to- day-tomorrow it may be too late. First, we should let our attitude towards our foreign neighbor be known. We feel our friendship, our interest in the welfare of all people so forcibly that we think the world knows. She does not. She sees us cold. indifferent and selfish. Outwardly we have ap- peared so. Every true American should speak for himself his will ingness to join in brotherly way to bring about understanding, trust and confidence which would lead to peace.
 l believe if America would come forward in a great body it would have a telling effect on the Eu- repean countries and quite an ir- fluence over our statesmen at the head of our government. I be- lieve they would go forward in a greater effort to bring about peace in Europe. We shudder to think of the future in these critical hours. We cannot remain isolated any longer. The glorious oppor- tunity is ours today, and may be swept away ere long.
 War has failed politics has failed Nto bring peace. It is true we have been represented at peace conference with only a few, when voiced by thousands. What a difference! If I should have my way, I would place posters on every tree and post by the way side, really on every place possi- ble in Europe, worded like this:
 "A United World, Confidence and Trust, Will Unite Us Ameri- cans"
 The League of Nations is not dead. It cannot die. So great a work born of God cannot perish. Our heartfelt attitude should ring out from the pulpit, over the radio and through the press until the remote corners of the globe shall have been penetrated.
 (MRS.) w. A. WOOD.
 Birmingham, Ala,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10
Observance of Law (ROaZ Leaderl

Speaking of law enforcement, 1t would seem after all that it is not only a question as to whose OK is gored, but which OK it is that is gored. We have many oxen in our legislature enclosure, and some we prize more highly than we do others; some we do not care much If they are gored; and some we are not going to have gored, or broken, if we can help it. And yet in a we'll regulated family all the children get the same treat ment; and in we'll ordered com- munity, if we really believe in law enforcement as we generally claim, all laws should be re- spected and enforced alike. There is lesson right here for some of us, who knowingly violate one law. and whoop it up to enforce that law which the other fellow has violated.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10
Not Surprising
(Argonaut)

Frederick O'Brien, author of South Sea Island adventures, was entertaining friends at his Glen dale home with some of his cx- periences. He chanced to remark that on one of the islands wife could be bought for the equiva- lent of s5. How perfectly aw- full. exclaimed one of the ladies present. "Oh, I don't know" re- flected her husband T suppose prices are high there just the same as everywhere else"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10
AIabama's Bonded Debt
Montgomery Times)

(M0ntB0meTy IImtSJ
 The Opelika News thinks to profit by the example of Wiscon- sin in not having any bonded in- debtedness. The News must re- member that the bonded indebt- edness of Alabama was made in reconstruction days, and that was cut down from $33,000.000 to $9,000,000 If that burden had not been placed upon us by an in competent and faithless body, per haps there would have been no necessity for the issuing of any other bonds. The good roads bonds, however, are going to prove good investment.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10

No doubt the next uplift movement will be a crusade to prohibit the sale of photograph records containing more than one-half of one per cent. jazz. Naturally saxophones will be outlawed along with stills, cider presses and brewing apparatus. And the dry detectives who now follow their noses will have to learn their trade by ear.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10
Taking Care of the Influx

(Gadsdan JournaD
 It should be remembered that eighty per cent. of the popula- tion of Alabamas cities comes from the rural communities, and that a large majority of the states population is rural. In other words, in a decade or two hence Alabama's cities will be populated, for the most part, by the boys and girls now living on the farms. If these boys and girls are not given any religious in- struction at this time, it requires no stretch of the imagination to reflect upon what the morals of the cities of tomorrow will be.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10
She Can't Prove It

(Martins Ferry Times)
 A Los Angeles girl says she shot her husband. She is so good looking, they say, that the jury will probably not believe her.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10

Hon. Magnus Johnson in declaring that Senator Kellogg is unfit to be our ambassador to England recalls the character in one of George Ade's plays who insisted that America should de- clare war on England, but when asked where England was, scratched his head and replied: "It's a freckle somewhere on the ocean,"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10
\ Iniaue Sight

lkansas City Times)
 Villager: Were certainly hav- ing a grand sundown tonight"
 Traveller (who has been boast ing of his trip to the Orient). "Oh. but you should see the suset in the east"
 7Villager (bored): Yes that would be interesting; here in this wretched country she's forever and always setting in the west.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10
/, schools Are overcrowded

(Crenshaw County News)
 Reports from all over the state are to the effect that our colleges and high schools are overcrowded, and the country schools have the largest attendance in the history of the state. In most counties, as in this. the efforts of the school supervisors have had much to do with arousing interest in the schools. The school spirit never goes backward. In future it can reasonably be expected that this interest will grow and the schools will continue to grow.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10
Value of Advertising

h"t oA fAuNeEtfhlnk
 To the Editor of The Age-HeraId:
 Practically all knowledge about the things we purchase in the course of our daily life is derived from advertising. We cannot think of them except in the light of the information we have read In other words, our entire mode Of living is influenced, if not dom- mated, by the force that makes us desire advertised goods.
 Standards of living have heen advanced by advertising. Quality mas been improved. And advertis- ing Is constantly introducing new and desirable commodities.
 Advertising today is only stand Ing in the beginning of it's career US great usefulness to the human race IS being realized. 1t is eoino ahead doing it's wonderful work not only in the distribution of soods' put in the distribution of ideas which are for the public sooq' F. R. WAITE. secretary. Shawnee. Oklahoma
 Board of Commerce.
 Shawnee. Okla, Nov. I. 1902
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10

It is reported that big wind blew down many banana trees in Panama. Thus it seems the American people need not hope that they will get any perceptible relief from the banana song.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10

The St. Louis G!obe-Democrat says: "Never does a public utility work prop erly when politics is mixed with it. . But the public is usually worked prop erly under such conditions.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10
Some Dangers Avoided

NNtWaFk AdVOCate)
 So far not many of the girls are reported as injuring their health by overwork helping their moth CTS. And it is not claimed either that the boys are usually hurt ing their eyes by too much study ing at night
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10
TUNNELTNG BERIyC STo

tNew York CommerciaD
 fresldent Harding's visit to Aiaska was timely. For on. thing, It may serve to remind American business that only f;ft,. miles of water separate the I-nitoa states from Russia and Asia. It IS merely matter of time and in genuity when some engineer will 1lnd way to tunnel the Beriny Strait and enable the New yorlse,. or San Franciscan to get on a frat, in his home city and get off that tram at Picking, Petrograd or Paris fhe depth of waterloo to ITO 1eet-is not an insuperable oh stacle. Difficulty spells dare" to the American engineer. Admiral fullam, Franklin D. Roosevelt and others express the opinion fbat never again" will it be nossibIa to transport a great army oversaas as fershing's armies were shipped 10 france. They may be right They may be wrong. Fullam is a naval expert and Roosevelt was me excellent assistant secretary Of the navy that directed and pro- tected the army transports during the war. Every American hopes that 1t will not be necessary to send another army of crusaders into Europe or into Asia. Should 1t become necessary, the Berine route might prove life-saver in an emergency. That is thought worth bearing in mind. It sug- gests important reflections close to tue news of the day.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10

Secretary Hughes is reported to be opposed to going into consideration Of what Germany can pay if there are to be any strings tied to the proposi- tion. Germany may be relied on to pull all the strings she can get her hands on,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10
You Never Can Tell

(kansas City Star)
 The. Rhineland republic will not be able to f'ain recognition from the United States while it re- mains mushroom sovereigty, it is announced. Mushrooms so of ten turn out to be something else.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10
Why He Cried

IBOstOn ITdHSCTIplJ
 Willie had just had two of his first teeth extracted. The dentist, anxious to sooth the little fellow, who was crying lusily. said, Cheer up, little man. they'll grow again"
 Willie, but not before dinner"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10

New York is said to have two hun dred thousand visitors every day; and New York sees to it that the majority of them return home poorer, but wiser, especially poorer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10
He Ought to Be

Washington PosD
 Admiral Fiske suggests a na- tlonal conference on the prohibit tion question. Isn't he satisfied with the wars we have had?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10

A scientist declares that the fewer clothes women wear the longer they live. This seems to be borne out by some of the musical comedy choruses.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10
Can't Make Johnson Believe Ii

est. Louis Globe -Democrat
 If people have something to sell and other people haven't the money to buy it, no legislation can remedy the matter.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10
THE PARAG2APEE2S
Inconsistency

(Houston PosO
 A noted Mexican anarchist, re- leased from Leavenworth, has been deported to Mexico. And we have been telling the Mexicans we were their friends.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10
NEVER KNEW
K ansas City Star

It must be great shock to Il man who has made reasonable success by fashioned methods to learn at the age of fifty that his careful planning and good judgment were really the dictation of his subconscious mind
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-10
rhe seeurities Cenamission
(Opelika News)

Six hundred citizens of Bir- n1ingfam who were swindled out of about a million dollars by one fraudulent oil concern can salve their financial wounds with the consoling fact that we have & securities commission paid to pro- tect people from just such frauds.