davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12
sITBsCRTPTION RATEs:
MEMBER or ASSOCIATED PRESS
JAPAN DESERVES OUR HELP

There are reports that large orders of structural steel are expected from Japan as result of the earthquake in that country and the pressing need for reconstruction work to house the homeless and re-establish manufactur- ing and commercial enterprises. A considerable percentage of this bu5i- ness is looked for by steel-making in terests of the Birmingham district, which were generously patronized by the Japanese during the general in dustrial depression. There have been manifestations of pleasure over the prospects of this business, and all ready there are expressions of how much it means 'to the industrial and financial interests of the district.
 That is all right in way. This business should be especially appre- ciated under the circumstances. It might be we'll to remember in this connection, however, that about three fourths of the five million dollars fixed as,a fair quota for the United States to, send to the stricken Japanese as an emergency fund has been raised, and that the full quota will soon be available for the sufferers, while of Birmingham's small quota of ten thou sand dollars, only about twenty per cent. had been raised up to Monday. When the Birmingham district needed orders to keep the mills running and labor employed, those orders came largely from Japan. When San Fran cisco had an earthquake, Japan promptly contributed half million dollars, which at that time and in com parison to the wealth of the two coun- tries, was equal to many millions from this country at this time. Tokio, Yo- kohama and other Japanese cities are in far more distressing condition, and there is infinitely more suffering than any American city ever experienced from an upheaval of nature.
 If Birmingham expects and ex- presses pleasure in advance for hun dreds of thousands of dollars of ad ditional orders from Japan, would it not be at least good business policy, not to speak of the humanitarian as- pect, for this rich and prosperous dis trict promptly to raise it's small quota to aid so generous customer in her dire distress.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12
BIRMINcHAMs BUILDING GROWS

Activity in the local building situa- ton shows signs of increase with the approach of fall. The first few days of September large number of per nits were issued for residences and miscellaneous structures and for i'm provements and repairs. The hundred thousand dollar mark was reached in the first three days of the month. The record for September promises to be gratifying. Included in the program al'e two large apartment houses, one nearing completion, the other just started. They represent investments of more than a million dollars each. Several smaller apartment houses are in course of construction, while many stores and warehouses are either go- ing. up or are projected for the im- mediate future.
 Tn residence construction there is much activity. In the Forest Park and Miner Heights districts many pre- tentious homes are under way. Some of these represent investments from fifteen thousand to fifty thousand dollars. In Ensley, West End, Wood lawn, East Lake, Avondale and other outlying districts progress in construc- tion of priced homes is notable. More houses of this kind arc building than for years, and many ad- ditions and improvements to resident property are noted. It is a source of interest that the Identification of lawns and yards is receiving more at- tention than was ever known in Bir- mingham.
 Construction work in the industrial and commercial fields is also becoming more active. On nearly every block of the commercial district improve ments are in progress, while casua. surveys show many large projects, such as salesrooms, warehouses and additions to manufacturing plants nearing completion or under way. There is an impression that an in- creased demand for building materials incident to the disaster in Japan will have tendency towards advances ip costs. This is not expected to be acute because of lessons learned from q building strike by the public when costs were sharply boosted some tine ago. With building prices kept within the bounds of reason, activity in con- struction generally is promised for this city and district during the fall.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12
BRANDON HAS ENOUGH LAW

There could be no more complete confession of legislative failure than for the members to be permitted to look forward to an extra session to enact the legislation that could have easily been enacted during the ses- sions prescribed by law. An extra session, except for some unforeseen emergency, is proof of legislative in- competence. If the legislature could enact suitable tax laws next March, iy could have done it last summer The peoplesof Alabama are very curious to know just what is the legislative view of it's public duty which could con template with equanimity a barren record and discuss complacently an extra session on the basis of that record
 Governor Brandon is wrong in en- couraging the thought of an extra session. He has his tax code, so fever ishly put through last winter. Let him stand by it and make it produce. He has state tax commission which has the authority to hire and fire it's agents in the several counties. He has the tax laws of the state and the con- .stitutional tax provisions. Let him demand efficient application of these tax provisions, and let him call upoa the machinery he has modified to do it's duty.
 The governor admits that tax val nations have fallen off Let him not accept that as condition beyond his control. Let him, on the contrary. make himself master of the situation and compel the declining valuations tp return to their higher level, where they belong, and where they would be. under an effective enforcement of our tax laws. In spite of all that has been said to the contrary, Alabama has an exceedingly low rate of taxation, and the actual collections fall far below this low rate. Additional levies will not aid in situation where, existing levies are not complied with.
 Instead of considering furshe- measures to alleviate a condition of financial shortage, which, after all, may be partly imaginary, Governor Brandon will acquire far more merit for himself by making the tax-dodgers pay up, and by furthering the process of tax equalization that had reached such a high degree of success at the time of his inauguration as governor. It isn't everybody that can build a successful engine, but it is a very in. ferlor person indeed who cannot learn to run it. What the state needs now IS. somebody to run it's machinery. If Governor Brandon doesn't run it., there IS no one else to look to.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12
MOTHERS OF FAMOUS
 MEN
The Mother of WilIiam Hazlitt


 Grace Loftus has big noser. said one of the other girls.
 Yes, and look at her big npsy's said another.
 To tell the truth. they were both a little jealous of that same Grace Loftus. for otherwise she was a very good looking girl. Besides that, she was well built and. strong and healthy. Her father was an iron, seller, and it seemed that she had inherited some of the iron for her makeup. Healthy, strong, ac- tive, she could outdoo many of her acquaintances. As matter of fact, she outlived most Of them, for she was an old, old woman when. she died. .ss.s.s.,-s..,.....,
 When the girl with. the big nose was twenty-two years old along came William Hazlitt with pros posal for marriage. William was a studious, most respectable young man, who was going to devote his dife- to the ministry. Grace Loftus accepted him at once, for she sad- mired him. So they were married, and then Grace began to pack up her household goods and move so often that she felt restless when there was an interval of not nov ing.
 One of these numerous moves took her and her husband and their family--William HazIitt. the future great essayist, then a child of six; John. then a lad of fifteen; Margaret, a girl of twelve. and little Harriet, the baby-over to America, then settled only .on the Atlantic coast. Tn America the family kept on moving-trying Boston. New York, Philadelphia and places in New Jersey. After some four years, back, they moved to Ireland, from which they had sailed. Can you imagine that mother of William Hazlitt.
 What busy woman she. must have been, with her large family, her lack of money. and all her movingl Nevertheless, she so taught her son. William that he became one of the chief ornaments of English literature. That shows what a woman can dol Give her credit!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12
ONE TRICK A DAY
Finding a Draun Card

The Idea projected in this ex- planation Is nothing new, in fact, everyone who has had any associa tion whatsoever with sleight- of- hand must know this method of finding a drawn card.l However, only one person In ten can do it with real success. It's worth while practicing. 5
 A card having been selected, of- fer the pack fanwise. so that the drawer may replace 1t. As he does 50 let. the forefinger of the right hand. which Is. naturally under the cards. come up and meet it, and with the finger nail press cross- ways on the edge of the card. This will make a slight notch or in dentation. too minute to be mo- ticed by any uninitiated person. but Is readily perceptible to the ,ne showing the trick.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12
MORE ABOUT IMMIGRANTS

Immigration as it affects the inter ests of this country is> commanding more thought from the patriotic peo- pie than ever before. The period from the World War to the present has wit messed many scenes and incidents that demonstrated the need for practical selective process in admitting aliens. In recent addresses by Secretary of Labor Davis in Alabama unanswer- able arguments in favor of such a system were made. It is ci-1f that the trouble lies not so muca in the size
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12
POOR BOYS WHO
 BECAME FAMOUS By Frederick Houk izv
George Romney


 Among the famous pictures that one sees everywhere Is the pic- ture of Milton and his Daughter" painted by George Romney. The blind old poet is presented dictat- ing the immortal lines of Para disc Lost" The picture has a grace of outline, a depth of feel Ing and a charm of conception that make it one of the worlds great works of art. Then, one also and quite often sees reproductions of the beautiful pictures fthat fas- cinating Lady Hamilton, the gay and debonnaire lady to whom the great Admiral Nelson was so de- voted. In these pictures there Is such life, such suggestion of per sonal attractiveness, that every one Is led to admiration. Both the pictures of Milton and His Daughter" and the many pio- lures of Lady Hamilton were first painted by George Romney, one of the most celebrated of English arr lists.
 George Romney was one of the many men of genius who fell un- der the bewitchery of Lady Ham, ilton. He loved the woman with a whole hearts devotion. painted numberless pictures of her, and looked upon her as the greates: factor in his artistic career. Neither to him nor to anyone else did Lady Hamilton bring true happiness.
 George Romney had drifted into his work as an artist. When, as a mere boy. he had worked in his fathers cabinet-making shop, he had noticed the odd characters who came to see about work. He watched them closely, and then with pencil and paper made pie lures of them that so well pre- sented their chief characteristics that the cabinet-maker's boy be- came noted in the neighborhood for his work. The patrons of the shop suggested that the boy should be taught how to paint. 1t happened that a wandering artist was working near by and the boy was sent to him.
 The poor teaching that George Romney gained from this more or less vagabond artist was his school of arts He learned enough to start out as a wandering artist and to paint pictures here and there for little more than the cost of his materials. One thing. how ever, contributed to his success. He had no opportunity to devote himself to art alone, but he always tried to paint the best possible pictures. The small pay that he received did not tempt him 10 work hastily and carelessly. Tn result of constant effort was that, while he was still a young man, he became noted as an artist. Tn spite of fame he continued to study his art and to work more and more painstakingly. Very wisely he chose subjects that had popular interest, and continued hls portrait work. He found time to study in Paris and in Rome. and by the time he was forty gained recognition as one of the best of ail~ English painters. Although hampered by more than his share of pecunarities of the artistic temperament, Romney strove con stantly to do higher and better work.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12
Law Observance

The great trouble over the coun- try generally is the lack of re- gard for the law, the failure of those in charge of law enforce ment to measure up to their task and occasionally the corruption of those having the responsibility for enforcing the laws. Laws are made to be enforced and if they are not enforced they can serve no good purpose. This Is espe- cially true of the prohibition laws. and their enforcement is the ono great need in many communities. Failure to enforce the prohibition laws opens the way for law viola tions of other kinds. for liquor Is the greatest law-breaking agency there is.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12
South Dakota

Out where the West begins soft rolling plains, yellow and green blan. keted .. the smoke of a threshing machine in hollow golden wheat, yellow sagebrush and brown flax |. the world is a saucer with the jagged hills, cut straight at the top, forming the edge real cowboy waves and shouts as he swings along on his horse, rounding up the cattle a home grown family of Indians grin as we pass their clattering wagon. small detour off the road we are flies on a wall =. strange that we were really in that remote region on the map-South Dakota !-Ru Theda.
 All Free Styles Doomed, Say Ar lists of Fashion"
 And what will the artists of fashion do for living?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12

It is reported that President Cool idge is getting more than four thou sand letters a day pledging support. Most people had no idea that so many appointments were within the presi- dential Jurisdiction.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12

NetrfDutlon The speeder had finished a frolicsome day, His bosom was light and his laughter was gay. He smiled as he thought of the number of guys Who had leaped from his pathway with fear in their eyes. He stood on the sidewalk and jest ingly told How his motor had mangled the young andthe old; And along came kid on an old-fash- toned bike And scattered the speeder all over the pike.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12

If there be anything in the saying that one good turn deserves another. 1t might be recalled that when San francisco was visited by an earth quake Japan sent half million dol lars for emergency relief.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12

are tied by politicians or others. Re- sponsibility should carry freedom to exercise intelligence and authority. Under no other conditions will men of ability and integrity accept positions of trust.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12

It were we'll for the legislature, in enacting laws that carry executive ap- pointments, to remember that capable men of character will not assume heavy responsibilities if their hands
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12

In view of so much that has been said about Americas cooperation with Europe, why does not Europe recipro cate within her sphere by persuading some of our Investigating congressmen, to remain over there indefinitely?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12
THE PARAGRAPHERs
Pitiful To Watch It

NOUTuIIlUId pldttI 77 It is pitiful to watch the Mus solinization of. Italy--the access. of a brute physical. at the cost of a breakdown of the moral courage, of a nation!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12

Announcement that the state of Nebraska is preparing to go into the fuel business suggests that the people out there are already warming up to the situation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12
As to Winter Crops

N1IuftsViII6 1ImeBJ
 The absence of the winter crop would lose to you mighty fine bank roll. opportunity. Let us encourage everyone of you. par ticularly those of you on the farm to get this crop in properly. It would not be amiss for you good folks here in town to also look in a similar direction. Certainly you can beautify your lawns even if you feel that you must neglect the garden feature.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12
WHEAT NOT AN INDEX

The Curtis Publishing Company is conducting campaign we'll calculated to enlighten the American public and to heighten the business and industrial confidence of this country with re-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12
Basis of the Trouble

k%Rs'11HtF1ts1 T Oe SoSI
 Searching for. way to dig up the necessary funds with which to run the state government forms a large part of the program at Montg gomery. And why the neces- sity? Is 1t not in part because the machinery which proved so ef- fective in discovering and collect ing escaped taxes has been cast aside? Is it not also due to a failure to 'cut to the bone" in the matter of useless offices and ex- cessive salaries?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12

Minute "Pains"
 In the international competition of mechanical skill Italy is reported as having won first place. A Belgian ar tisan hollowed out and made a tunnel of number seven needle. A French mechanic built little locomotive that would run through the needle. An Italian craftsman built a model of a battleship so small it took three days to cross tear.
 Next! G. M.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12
n Two Condition

- CC fCadI
 The world would admire Italy more If 1t would occasionally talk . a country of its size when it wants to pia1Aa quarrel. and if 1t sometimes uld go to war on something VNtept pure spoils basis.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12
A STREET TRAFFIC PUZZLE

One of the mysteries of life is how adear. old lady driving an electric on the wrong side of the street expects a five-ton truck to ge otut of her way. and anothsr mystery Is the meek manner in which the. truck does 1t.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12
pLstrtct Almshouse.

NIdltaQeBa Dally HOme)
 A proposition has been made to divide the state into four districts. and thus in an effort to improve the condition of the states pau pers. administration bills were in- troduced in the legislature pro- viding a system whereby a group of counties may construct a dis- -trict almshouse. governed by board of supervisors and equipped with facilities for the care and protection of the unfortunates. The Home has heretofore stressed the importance of better county homes for, the leas fortunate. and the commissioners of Talladeya county have taken the initiative and doubtless have one of the best county homes in the state. This has been done without bluster, and 1t Is scarcely believed she would care to unite with other counties in what she has already done And. perhaps 1t Is best. after all to leave such homes to the pride and {. interests of the several counties. .s.. ..,:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12
His Reasons

LaFollette's going to Europe was not an admission on his part that there is something he doesn't know all about, as some think 1t was an admission that he thought he could tell Europeans something they didn't know all
 about
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12

Preparedness When man trains For golf tournament He plays golf. When man trains For tennis tournament He plays tennis. When man trains For pinochle tournament He plays pinochle. 7 But when boxing champion trains For a boxing contest He plays leap-frog And saws wood And operates a blow And climbs trees And rows rowboats And digs potatoes And shots marbles. How come? -Rixbv Man still has two great forces to  Nature and human nature.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12
THAT CALIFORNIA CLIMATE
 (Stockton Record,

Imperial Valley has already this season cleaned up s7.00o.o0o on cantaloupes. 1t Is said. That is what climate. mixed with energy. will do. You may not like tho clina ate. but the cantaloupes do.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12

Federal price-fixing in gasoline is suggested. Somebody may next ad- wise that the federal government de- termine the prices in the five and tcn- cent stores.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12
what It Really Mean.

ss (Ozark southern. Star)
 Did you ever stop to think that when you trade in another town you injure your home town in the same degree that you help the town you trade in? When you helpat other town you naturally hurt your town Therefore play the game safe. Trade at home.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12
A Chance For Him

When a prize fighter can get $bo0.000 for a single bout he.ought to establish a Dempsey Foundation like the rest of the multimillion- aires.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12

It is not so much the exact language of Scripture that counts as the spiri: in which people honestly Strive to ob- serve the substance.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12
One TroubIe

2 Washington Post)
 The trouble with the rule that might makes right Is that 1t often makes right wrong.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12

President Coolidge is said to attach good deal of importance to Safety First" Even when he was growing up he lived within his income.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12

President Coolidge will be in office at least long enough to decide for himself whether it Is worth while to make a scramble for term of his own.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12

Little boy on train nearing Birming- ham: Mother, how far are we from Birmingham now?"
 Mother, looking out of window: Pretty close, I think. l see gar bage dump"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12
why wafts "Do It Nov, ,y

T-NNE1OStVrr n n
 Suggestion is offered that Mag, nus Johnson should go abroad. He probably will after he becomes 2 fullfledged senator and learns sen atorial habits.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12

In Chicago one marriage out of six results in divorce. Successful mar riages are still in the lead.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12
SMILES
New Alibi Clos Angeles Times)

Clos Angeles Times)
 Probably this isn't true, even though it emanates from the U. S. c. campus:
 Where were you last night " demanded the wife of tho over- worked professor.
 Didn't I tell you was out lec- turing to special classT
 How about these poker chips that dropped out of your pock- et?"
 why, I lectured on blood. The red chips represented the red cells and the white were the corpus cles."
 But how about these blue ones?"
 "The blue ones represented the corpuscles of the venous blood"
 After this" snapped the wife. cash irr after your lectures"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12
Their Decisions Sound, Ehf

(Pittsburg Gazette -Times) Minority decisions usually make up in verbal pep what they lack In binding force.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12
Practical Builders Wanted

NIuscaloosa NewS)
 What is wanted on the highway commission is men who ate prac- tic5ls and experienced road Builders and who kIiew tile 3ileeds of the state when 1t comes to serviceab.e highways.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12
: The Building Boom

tFlorence Herald) Y Building in Florence Is going right along, and Is the most con ivincing evidence. of our we'll founded, and permanent prosperity. The home builder is public bene- factor, who aids the community and at the same time benefits himself.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12
Positively Shocking

NHotauid OAtlZen)
 Some Of these modern dances are vulgar enough to shame a hot tentot. still there are some people in this neck of the woods that practice them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12
Hirsute Heroism

Hirsute Heroism
 Dear Torch Bearer: After closely observing friend for three weeks un successfully try to cultivate mus tache, am led to believe that the fol- lowers of the House of David must be heroes of some sort..J. P. G.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-12

ItSis not easy to teach an old poli- tician new tricks.