davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
THIS IS FIRE PREVENTION WEEK

Householders of Birmingham might well give their cooperation to make a success of Fire Prevention Week off cially designated by the city autholi- lies for October ' to October 13. With the approach of cooler weather, past experience shows an increased num- Der of fires. To prevent this the fire sdepartment, with the approval of the ,.city commission, has asked that spc- cial efforts be made during Fire Pre- ,yention Week to clean up all premises ,and remove. inflammable materials, overhaul furnaces and chimpeys and take such other steps as will serve as additienal precautions.
 N Many people entertain the idea that they can afford to be careless because they are fully protected by fire in- isurance. There could be no greater mistake. All insurance money paid for ' fire losses is distributed among policy holders through premiums. Losses by ' fire are absorbed in the insurance rates. The fewer fires, the lower the rate. The householders of any com munity must therefore bear losses from destruction of property by flames.
 E. Few owners are willing to have ahair property destroyed, even though it may be fully covered by insurance. sWhen homes go up in smoke, there are losses which money cannot off set. Objects of sentimental value cannot be replaced. For these req .sons, general cooperation in this movement is wise and desirable. If one is in doubt what to do by way of aiding, call to the nearest fire sta ,tion for advice or assistance will meet with prompt response.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
MORE EFFORTS FOR RELIEF

i,s President Coolidge is reported to have been so impressed with the im- ;portance of relief for the wheat far imers of the Northwest that serious Consideration is being given to pro- posals for government aid directly CT indirectly. While wheat constitutes aonly six per cent. of the nations ag- ricultulal values, yet the depression of wheat prices has become a dis turbing factor not only economically but politically.
 w ,nington dispatches indicate that a plan may be worked out under pres ent laws whereby assistance in marke5 ing wheat may be given by the wa
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
NEW GROUND FOR DIVORCE

In these days of unusual happenings and events there are few fields in which there is more of the startling than one notes in the divorce courts. Of late years every conceivable reason and cause has been presented to show why the marriage tie should be sev- cred. Aside from substantial argu- ments, the matter of extravagance is sometimes brought in as convincing evidence. Temperament is regular standby. Art mania, vanity, fondness for dogs, golf enthusiasm and what
 not, comprise the basis for many di- vorce actions. In Chicago court a
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
MOTHERS OF FAMOUS
 MEN


In 1870 there died in Scotland a man who had lived a most sin cerely honest life and who had devoted himself conscientiously to doing the things that he coh- ceived to be right. That man was Thomas Erskine, and he infla- enced the people of his time, not only by his life, but also by the books he wrote. At one time it was the fashionable thing to refer to the writings of Erskine For their charm and elegance.
 When Anne Graham promised to marry David Erskine, who was a sort of lawyer in Edinburgh, peo- pie asked her: Are you going 10 be happy with the Erskines-and you a Graham?" Aye" she an- swered, Happy indeed, and why not? The Erskines' are a good old family, and they ruled over all Scotland once. But I'll always be a Graham"
 Anne Graham was immensely proud of her family name-as well she might be. The Grahams had figured in Scottish history and le- gend for centuries. They had been noted as hard-riding, fast-fight- ing. serious men, who held eharac- ter before all else. Anne had been brought up with especial pride in her family. She resolved that if she ever had child she would make him true Graham. When Thomas Ersl1ine was born the mother carried out her resolutions. She was essentially religious woman, and she saw to 1t that she trained her son in religion.
 Thus she handed down to Thomas Erskine two great things: pride in family and love of re- ligion. Never do a thing, my bairn, that will bring dishonor on the names of Graham and Frs kine!" Those words rang ia Thomas Erskine's mind all his life. They aided much in making him the noble gentleman and the sin cere writer that he became. Happy Is any mother who can give her son a motto for life.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
nN,atn ASOO CA9SaS1ssgsSsR5SS Main 49OO
AS TO SUNDAY REGULATIONS

Commissioner of Public Safety Cloe has no discretion in his official ca pacitv but to enforce the law as re- spects Sunday games or anything else coming within the sphere of his de- partment. It is not for him to say what laws should be strictly enforced or what should not. He has neither such power inor authority. So long as there are laws against Sunday games, 1t IS the duty of the official having charge of the police department to see that they are enforced to the best of his ability. He did not make these laws, and he is not responsible for their wisdom or their practical application : He is responsible for law enforcement, however, as far as it comes within his sphere as a public official
 There are some laws bearing upon Sunday activities and observance which would appear unsuited to Q center of large population. Some ct these regulations are in the nature ot blue laws, which are not adapted to modern conditions in cities. Whether or not these laws should be enforced. is not the question for any individual to determine Failure to enforce one flaw leads to loose observance and ire souent violation or evasion of other flaws. If it be true that there are laws for ordinances which cannot be en- forced without unreasonable confu- sion and hardship upon the community, the wiser plan would seem to be to re- peal such regulations as are unneces- .sarv and undesirable. What are known as blue laws are subject to undue hardship if rigidly enforced. Few cf them are enforced because there is Widespread public sentiment that they are neither needful nor practical
 Since the issue has arisen as to the enforcement of statutes and ordl- nances which are claimed to work un- reasohable hardships upon large proportion. of the people, and since many people are opposed to the en- forcement of such laws, while others iibelieve that there should be serious l.efforts to enforce them, the people may be called upon to express them- Selves on the subject. This is demo- cratic government, wherein the ma iority rule determines public policies, Such a settlement of this or other controversies affecting community activities on Sunday should be ac- .cepted as final. The application of blue laws to community life in Bir- mingham would seem to be question of public sentiment, with the respoh- 3sibility resting upon the people.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
Rather Amusing


 To certan extent the expres- sions of the administration on the subject of the sale of the Gorgas property to the Alabama Power Company were rather amusing in their effort to place their action Tn favorable light before the people of the United States. First. Secretary Weeks came out in a statement that there was no option Tn. the matter, that he had to sell the property to the power com pany, even though he had sought lurtner delay unsuccessfully (though he does not explain why the deed was already drawn await ing signature). Then President Coolidge's spokesman" says the sale of the Gorgas properties has no real effect upon the Ford pro- posai, and that his bid Is still be- Tore congress. Somehow or other. 1t all sounds like bad boy mak, ing excuses when caught in some improper act. And doubtless the farmers of America will feel that there has been some improper act like double-crossing them for the benefit of selfish interesx
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
Must Be Abolished

NHdfIUH CuuHty NeWSJ
 or course the time will never come when convicts can hope to sit up in parlor all day, sIcep on good beds at night, and have all the tempting dishes of a well regulated home set before. him for his meals. If he wants these he must obey the law. Yet, he Is human and deserves humane treat ment- The convict lease system IS a relic of barbarism. The lash IS an instrument of torture handed down from the dark ages. Both must be abolished before condi- lions are decent or even tolerable in Alabama,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
Filling on Taxes

laa IMontgomery Tfmes) The Brandon legislature has taxed everything under the sun that was at all available, and tried for more. even wanting to put a tax on incomes and inher- itance, but thanks to the consti- tuition that was baked. All this Tn face of the promise "to cut to the bone," and to levy no more taxes, economizing in expenses to prevent the need of any mora revenue.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
His Hoodoo Number

NIIUIIUUII NdIII
 The Cadger: 'I ain't never 'ad a chance. No matter where I go or wot I works at. my unluckY number bobs up and does me in, some'ow."
 The Householder: What do you mean? Whats your unlucky num- ber?"
 ~ The Cadger: Thirteen, lady, Twelve jurymen an a judge"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
one Humane BiII

The legislature managed to pass one humane bill when they passed the Inzer bill to electrocute when the death sentence Is given, in stead of hanging. Hanging is bar barous and we are glad to note that the legislature has become that enlightened, at least.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
Can't stop It

TuII5NIII6 T IIIItSJ
 There is no way to prevent thc Tennessee Valley section of north Alabama developing and blossom ing like the rose, no matter what happens. The coming of MT. Ford would hasten and mature a num- Der of big projects which are now in the embryonic stage, but they are to be sure.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
They Were Di.appo oInted

NIiUuStOH FOstJ { The article in the Nashville Banner under the heading "The Coming of the Scotch," must have produced great excitement in Nashville until the readers ascer- tained 1t related to people.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
KeepInx c,Iean nnd auIet

I NCoIIlnsVlIIe CourlefJ
 Some of our citizens are going around with a chip on their shoul- der saying that we do not need an officer, as he has nothing to do. We disagree with them, and want to say that our chief Is proving his clean and quiet as 1t should be.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
Dixie Girls Don't Smoke

IIdIIdubBd DdIIy IIUIItT
 It Is claimed that Dixie girls are too refined and modest to smoke cigarettes. Southern girls, JIeaTan be praised, are too lady-lilG s~as a rule and too sensible to Sanction or indulge in the ultra fashionable habits and fads of modern social life in great cities.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
Speed Is Dangerous

(AnswerO He; why do blushes creep over | girls faces?"
 She; Because if they ran they would kick up too much dust"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
Small Town Financing

Because of the constitutional limitation of tax rates for the purpose of operating municipal government, many Alabama cities have been greatly embarrassed in a financial way. Most of the larger cities found this out years ago and took steps to remedy it by securing permission to levy an additional tax. Now the smaller cities are facing the same condi- tion, and are asking for the same privilege.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
Tourists and Roads

N<AfIIiIoLUfI OLdI
 Tourists when they start to the South study road conditions care fully. gather information concern ing the condition of the various routes and pick the route that has the least number of bad stretches of roadway on 1t. The highway that Is good an of the way Is the favored one and gets the greater number of tourist cars.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
SMILES
How Scots Grow
lColumbus Dispatch)

ICOIumbus DISpatcnJ
 Probably many religious sec:s rest on just as trivial differences in belief. Two men, prominent in church work, were travelling through a sparsely settled commu- nifty when they noticed two churches immediately opposite each other. Stopping a. native, they inquired why there were two churches for so few people.
 Well. it's like this" he replied. "The church members on the right believe that Eve tempted Adam; the ones on the left believe that Adam was rascas to .begicmf ginning"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
Persiflage

Many fortune has been lost in the chicken business-on Saturday nights.
 Why can't l get in your column since you moved into the narrow space? Can it be possible that am too broad-minded?
 Definition-A dud is man who in vites you over to play cards and then insists that you drink some of his home brew.
 Heroes of .Today-I nominate the chap who doesn't pull out his watch and disagree with you when you tell some one the time.-G. c. R.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
THE PARAGRAPHERS
It Is Hoped So

(Memphis Commercial Appeal)
 President Coolidge is a man of such few words as to encourage hope. that his message to congress will be brief enough to be read by the public.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
Graded

MT. Sodwrecked: 'Is Brown a good player?"
 Caddie: Nav, he can't play at all."
 "Well-I'll beat him." I'll bet you won't"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
What It Prorea

(Atlanta Constitution The harvest season proves that the life is in the old land" be- cause of the willingness of work CTS to dig for 1t.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08

There does not seem to be much likelihood that MT. Bok's peace prize will be awarded so long as the rum pus industry in Europe operates on double shift.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
One After Anath.-

(New Orleans Times -Picayune)
 The increased rail earnings, it appears, have led to increased yearnings on the part of the rail- way brotherhoods for increase of their own earnings.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08

Evidently the National Bank of Bel gium which sold three hundred and sixty tons of German marks to junk dealer put no more value on them than if they were mere scraps of manor
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08

As the national political campaign opens up, Republican leaders are straining every nerve to convince the farmer that his condition is largely psychological. That may be clever pol tiles; but there's not much consola- ton in it for the farmer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08

Those who believe that public of- flee is a private snap might contem- plate the conditions in which German chancellors find themselves these days.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08

It is reported that dogs life has been insured for ten thousand dollars. There are great many men who would be glad to be able to afford the cost of premiums.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08

There are four men in the race for president of Mexico. The defeated candidates will probably undertake to start three-cornered revolution.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
A Pertinent QuestIon

Has the honor of being named a Kentucky colonel grown any less since the mint bed comes in for less attention than it used to m earlier days?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08

The prison lash itself should be beaten out of the confines of Ala bama in the interests of humanity and progress.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08

A Tennessee contemporary is at yet unpunished for this offense: "The diminished supply of watermelons in- dicates that the 'meloncholic' days have almost passed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
Bootleg Nicotine

SO0tlGE ANANOhAuC I remember, I remember,
 When I was but kid, Behind woodshed or barn
 The wicked children hid, And, far away from prying eyes
 They whiled away the morn By smoking bootleg cigarettes
 Made from the silk of corn. And now the bold reformers come With harsh and warlike mien And draw their trusty swords to slay The curse of nicotine; And if these noble folks achieve Their object all sublime The odor of tobacco smoke
 Will be heinous crime, And gray-haired fathers will revert To simple childhood days And sink away to secret hooks In lanes and alleyways, And, sheltered there from prying eyes. Will while away the morn By smoking bootleg cigarettes
 Made from the silk of corn.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
Copyright. 1923. by star Company.
THE ALABAMA PRESS
Let's Not Overlook One lGadsd era Times-NeWSl

While we are considering proper observance of the Sabbath day, let's not forget the motorist who makes unnecessary noises about the churches during the hours of worship. Those who do that are nothing less than a nuisance.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08

An exchange says that speculators on the bull side of the cotton market need some practical friends. The boil weevils ought to fill all require ments.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
MORE MONEY BUSINESS

Cleveland Times -Commercial)
 It has been so long since We heard from Mir. Bryan that we fear he may be in the process Of evolution.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08

After the football classes stand their examinations, the academic and scientific departments of the big col leges will prepare to get busy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
A Close Race
Washington Post,

NWashlngton PosC It's a neck -and-neck race be- tween Oklahoma and Germany to see which shall have its revolu- tion first.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
Close Calculation

Our position continues to be that if cotton isn't worth thirty cents pound a yard of sheeting Isn't worth a dime.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
An Example

Nashville Banner ) Judge Gary recently won several prizes with his large vegetables at county fair. They worked l2 hours day.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
Not If It's a Pence Plan

(DetrOft NeWs) I.I.- The peace plan that takes down
 the Box s100.000 probably will not
 have a conference in 1t.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
No Exceptions
Arkansas Gazette)

tArkAnsas Gazette) President Coolidge has decided to make a few speeches this fall. A statesman never gets too silent for that.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08

It is suggested that Mir Coolidge learned to be silent when he was vice president. That position does not ai-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08

Germany won't have much difficulty in establishing normal condition if she sticks fto the crisis business much longer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08

ways have such effect; the late Theo- dore Roosevelt was once vice presi- dent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
IT'S ENOUGH TO SING HER

NPVStVIf
 Germany's floating debt is said to be 363 trillion marks. It would seem to be in considerable danger
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08

A good many people who profess to care little for life pray the loudest when they get sick.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
To Grayce

There's not a spider in the sky, There's not a glowworm in the sea, There's not crab that scars on high But bids me dream, dear maid, of
 thee.
 As fiery Phoebus plaws the main And glowing Luna gilds the lea, As flies run up the window pane, So fly my thoughts, dear love, to
 thee. -LEnfant.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08

Motto of the i-Nicotiners-"If you smoke in this world, you will smoke in the next"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08

Some folks have remarkable capac ity for concealing their thoughts be- hind language peculiarly their own.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08

No man deserves credit for not do ing what ha has nn tan,ntatiAn te I~-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
Iha7sSllsaORCF @BEARER,

One reason the bee makes music is that he is busy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08

Well-diggers in China discover the remains of a king 2,500 years old, with some of his vestments intact. There were no laundries in those days.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08

To return the neighbours lawn mower.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08

No man is wise until he learns his own weaknesses.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
THE AGE-HERALD

Entered at the Birmingham, Ala, post office as second class matter under act of Congress March 6, 1879.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08

Now is the time for all good men
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-08
Beauty

There is beauty in the lecklace at the full throat of beauty;
 There is beauty in the stallion who stands, restive, shining -muscled, be- tween the pines at the pasture gate;
 There is beauty on the woods on the night before the first frost, whsn the moon is near to breaking of sler- derness;
 There is beauty in the woods on the night after, when the air is smoked with leaves that burned all day in tue sun;
 There is beauty in dawn's glow and in the clash of storm, and in the laugh of little girl, and her first fine dress, of gingham or of silk, and in her eyes;
 There is beauty in perfect groom ing, and in the cheap satin of the fac tory girl, so brave in the early morn- ing;
 There is beauty in all things to which, by the circumstances of our
  lives, we turn with hope of treasure, since any of these may be the ikon or the missal or the beads by which we go to Him-not more certainty when by nature and by gift we are filled by the nearness of the director who works His hand than when, in a world that must be fed and clothed, our thoughts have been made to dwell on material things" All men are equal, really-all opportunities are all mems.
 And though in all there is lean and a glint toward the silken Things and the jeweled rounds of life, shall we truly sit in that golden chair? Yet on earth there is always an insue- ficiency of these, while of the airs of the '1avish summer of Plato and the swing of the Pleiades" there is no end; and therein turks no heart ache, even for the poorest conner" The Hick
 Well-diggers in China discover the remains of king 2,500 years old, with some of his vestments intact. There were no laundries in those days.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-06-11
Declares u. S. Should
Nc. Be Governed by
Tradition, Prejudice

Amherst, Mass, June 10-America
should cease to permit herself to be
governed by tradition and prejudice
and should make new application of
her principles and ideals to the prob
lens of the day. President Kenyon l..
Butterfield of the Massa chusetts Ag-
rlcultural- College said in his bacca-
laureate sermon to the graduating
class of the college today.
"America's contribution to world
cooperation has been vast, through
her peculiar policy of combining
aloofness with cooperation Presi-
dent Butterfeld said. In the strict
sense of the word we have never
Eeen isclationists. America as an in
FAINT nation played her part in the
Napoleonic wars courageously and
prudently. Even during that long
period when she refused to join
European alliances she frequently
cooperated with other nations.
I'VE cannot be slaves to the past
in this important matter. We face a
rev day. We must taken into ac-
count the fact that with the passage
Of years internationalism has devel-
oped immensely. There is no es-
cape. Sooner or later America will
realize that not only her duty but her
interest demands complete participa-
ton and thoroughgoing leadership
In arrangements for associated en-
deavor among the nations. We must
learn TO live together in crowded
world"