davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15
PEOPLES FORUM



To the Editor of The ACCELERATE:
On your front page Saturday ap-
peared an important article on the
subject of the city's dump menace.
In the last paragraph of that ar
ticle reference is made to the fact
that Former City Commissioner
James Weatherly built cream
atory" during his term Of office
which was abandoned for the rea-
son that it was small and did not
serve the purpose; that 1T was too
expensive to operate ana for such
reason was dismantled.
know The Age-Herald would
be far from doing Mr.. Weatherly's
project an injustice. AS matter
of fact, there were four incinera-
tors established during Mr..
weatherly's tenure of office, and
while these were not entirely ade-
quate. they were not so expensive
that they should have been aban-
doned. They were discontinued
more for the lack of appropriation
than for any other reason, due to
the fact that there yet linger upon
the face of the earth too many
folk who cling to the theory that
fly Is not nasty and should not
be "swatted."
I wish to enter a friendly pro-
test against any statement that
might convey the idea that James
Weatherly was not a faithful. COM
petent and practical public SER
want. HENRY C. WEST.
Birmingham, Ala, May IA, 1928.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15
CROSSINGS BROOK NO DELAY

e Progress of arriving at completion
gof the viaduct and subway schedule
=was halted at yesterdays conference
between city officials and the rail-
road representatives through discov-
cry by one of the railroads of a
strackage question involving itself and
another railroad at Fourteenth street.
While the matter is technical one
and no trouble in its arrangement is
expected, it nevertheless follows that
the entire plan is that much delayed.
1T is understood that it is matter
of only two weeks, but it is also I'M
derstood that it is one which could
and might we'll have been foreseen
by the railroad and attended to ere
this. The city is ready to go ahead,
both on viaducts and subways. The
railroads have had as much time to
prepare for action as the city and
have plenty of engineering talent.
Delays on part of the railroads will
not set we'll with the people, espe-
cially such delays as come from over
looking matters plainly involved from
the first in the regulations. The
Commission will be forbearing where
forbearance is proper, but delays
based on that which could have been
attended to before delay is sought
are not to be borne with. The sub
ways and viaducts are overdue.
There should be no more belated dis
cpvery of matters to be attended to
which could have been easily gotten
out of the way. The way to build
viaducts and underpasses is to build
them.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15
POOR BOYS WHO
BECAME FAMOUS
Dy Frederick HouK Law


In "Old Kentucky" one of the
delights of life is the cardinal
bird. feathered denizen of the
trees of the most brilliant cardi-
nal color. that appears in the
green of the leaves like a tongue
of flame. OF this bird James Lane
Allen wrote his novel called The
Kentucky Cardinal" In that book,
and In a number of others. Mr.,
Allen speaks Of his love for the
South. He makes the reader feel
the pleasant warmth of the atmos-
phere. see the long reaches of
meadowland, and the distant blue
of the mountains. There Is In
these stories something of the I'M
speakable charm of the soft
Southern lanscape-a delicacy and
a refinement that uplift.
James Allen Lane, who wrote
such delightful books of the Blue
Grass Region" was a boy so poor
that he was denied the privileges
that most boys have. From the
time when he was strong enough
he had to work for his living.
Even then he went to school
whenever he could. and studied
privately when he could not go to
school. From his family he had
drawn a rich inheritance. for his
people. IL not rich in money, were
rich in character Before the
Civil war they had been prosper
Gus and among the leaders. The
struggle left them without much
property. and made it necessary
fnv ba
of the proud Virginia Kentucky
family showed itself in the young
mans determination to gain an
education, and in his love for the
beautiful regions of the South.
That love he kept and transmitted
into books that make all their
readers love the South.
The young man graduated from
Pennsylvania University with
high honors and became a teacher
for his alma mater. Even as a
youth he had tried to write, to
put into words the impressions
he gained from the region in
which he lived. By the time he
was thirty seven he found so many
purchasers for his writings that
he was able to give up teaching
and to devote himself wholly to
literature. He took up residence
in New York City and engaged
himself in writing. "A Summer
in Already" The Choir Invisible "
THE Mettle of the Paseure" and
many other stories disclose the
Kentucky landscape
Like all good books. James Lane
Aliens novels go deeper than the
surface. and reveal much concern
ing human character The boy
who loved the good land in which
he was born lived to find delight
in making others love it also.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15
JOHN-A-DREAMS
Dreamy. Of stepping on Flowers

DfeomN OF stepping ON rlOWeFS
The deliberate act of stepping
on flowers in your dreams means
that for your own good, your
plans will be frustrated. II. on
the other hand. you step on flow
ers against your will or wishes.
or by accident because you did
not see them. or because the en-
tire earth Is strewn with them and
you are unable to avoid crushing
the delicate blossoms, even you
yourself will turn from a project
which at the time OF your dream
is nearest and dearest to your
heart. You Will suddenly realize
that should you follow your in
clination, no matter how rosy the
immediate outlook. it will be far
wiser, and will lead to a better
ending. II you drive these thoughts
out Of your head and determine
upon an entirely different course
of action.
Women who have such dreams
must make up their minds that
they have received advice from
the kindest spirits which guard
their destinies. They must accept
this counsel and they must tear
from their heart the desire which
up to that time dominated all their
efforts. Those visions do not nee
essarily refer to love affairs. They
may have a more material mean
Ing. but in most cases they refer
to the tender feelings so dear to
the dreamer that she can hardly
imagine herself deliberately turn
ing her back upon her object.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15
NO COMPROMISE WITH AN EVIL

The Florida legislature, in consid-
ering law to abolish the whipping
boss and prohibit corporal punishment,
is striking at the branch and not the
root of the evil. 1t is not a question
of brutality alone, but of the leasing
system in general whereby human be-
ings are rented out to private con-
Germs who get as much work as they
can out of them, and who are not par
ticular about the methods. Whipping
Is only one form of brutality. There
are other forms which are much
worse. Laws to prohibit brutality,
while leaving wide the door of oppor-
tunity to those inclined to be brutal,
merely scotch the snake, not kill it.
The only proper course for a state to
take is to abolish the lease system at
once and totally. Florida has abol-
ished it for state convicts; to COM
plete the job by abolishing also the
county lease system is to take the
shortest route to public approval, not
only of the nation, but of her own
citizens.
The history of convict leasing in
Alabama, and not only the history but
present conditions, showing that bru-
tally is an inherent part of the lease
system. There is no protection for
convicts that are working for private
profit, no matter if they are sup
posedly under the jurisdiction and care
of state guards, for there is no proof
that even these guards are humanita-
rian in their training and instincts,
but much evidence to the contrary as
regards many of them. The convicts
are being worked often beyond their
physical endurance and are punished
when, in the opinion of the guards or
camp bosses, they are not doing their
utmost. 1t is even of record that con-
victs have died Of brutality and vet
the cause of their deaths has in their
records appeared as something en-
tirely different.
There is no defense for the contin-
uation of any practice that is an ad-
mitted evil. If it is an admitted evil,
then to defend it on the score of the
revenue it brings is to go into part
nership with the evil. No enlightened
government will continue to do that.
The Florida legislation is compro-
mise between good and evil, and the
offspring of such union is wholly
evil. The Alabama legislation is
scarcely better in that it delays a re-
form that should be immediate.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15
ONE TRICK A DAY
The Changing Card

Take a small box, about the size
of playing card. and an inch
thick. a large cigarette box will
do. and cover all sides of it with
a colored paper, leaving. of course.
the opening. Now take a thin
piece of cardboard. the same color
as the paper used. and place it in
the box. 1t should be an exact
fit or the effect of the trick will
be lost.
1 On top of this piece of card
board is placed playing card, say
the ace of diamonds. Under it put
the ace of hearts.
Now, when the box is opened on
one side the ace OF hearts may be
withdrawn and shown to the au-
dience. Simply by turning the box
over, the ace of diamonds is ia
ken out, the other card In each
case being effectually concealed
by the piece Of cardboard.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15
UNDER-EoUIPPED NoRMALs

q Commenting on conditions of the
normal schools of the state, friend
of education who accompanied the
legislative educational committee in
It's survey of the situation, man of
Intelligence and public spirit, set forth
Institutions in equipment. According
tn this resume all the normal schools
ste seriously hampered in their work
bk lack of state support:
lss There is not sufficient dormi-
iss tory room at any of the normal
VI schools. Rooms constructed to
III accommodate two girls are now
FL housing three to five. At Jack
"a sonville it has been necessary to
install a row of beds on a sec
- ord-srory porch or gallery. In
practically all of the schools the
summer sessions are so crowded
that it is necessar yto erect tents
y on the campus to accommodate
s. the students. So large is the at
9, tendance at the summer schools
4tS that the dining halls are far too
a small, and it is necessary to feed
K the students in cafeteria style.
: None of the normal schools has
IS an auditorium of sufficient size
aN to accommodate the summer
e. schools, and only one fthe au-
a ditoriums can seat the regular at
= tendance. Class rooms, too, are
crowded and teachers overbur-
iened. 1t is estimated that about
one-half of the teachers of Ala
bama attend the summer normal
a. schools. Many others go outside
X, the state for this work, because
Z. they cannot secure accommoda-
III lions and training at Alabama
iE schools.
is Here is condition which cries out
to friends of education all over the
State. The pressing need of larger
support for these schools is better real
ICED whep, it is remembered that the
gaining of boys and girls for their
future activities in life depends largely
on the normal schools in developing
GOOD teachers. Unfortunately in Ala
ban1a's schools, and more especially
ia the rural districts, teachers have
not had the training they should have
from normal school courses. Other
things being equal, that training is a
.e additional benefit, because it
,rs through the teachers distinct
antages to young pupils in the
undwork of their education, wheth-
or not they enter higher institu-
pms of learning for regular or spe-
sal courses or for professional ca
,ers.
1T has been said that the first five
ars of child's school training
.gely determine its future educa-
nal attainments. True. So much
3 more reason why teachers in the
amman schools should be properly
auipped for efficient service; and so
Mch the more reason why the normal
Nhools should have such support as
will provide properly equipped teach
Hfs for every grammar school in the
l9Ate. The normal school is vital
|Kctor affecting the entire educational
GYstem. It's support is a permanent
re nonloct ic covfo11c 1iahilitV
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15
THE NEW SCHOOL GRADING

Change in the public school require
ments of Jefferson county, whereby to
complete the public school course will
consume twelve years, is in line with
requirements in most states. The To-
cal grading will be divided into six
years of graded school, three years of
junior high school and three years of
senior high school. The customary
division throughout the country is
eight years of graded school and four
years of high school. The difference
is more apparent than real, for a pu-
pill in the second year of junior high
school under the county system would
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15
THE PUBLIC PARK

1.-THE city has come to the eve of
Hother summer season without addi-
M to the availability of open spaces
or the recreation and relief of it's
,eople. Green Springs Park, with it's
hundred and more acres of beautiful
MEADOW and woodland, which has lain
fellow ever since its purchase by the
city under the Ward administration,
b; still fallow. Very little money
Would open it to family picnic parties
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15
SMILES


(Argonaut)
The young lady palmist at, the
church bazar said to one of her
girl clients: Il see by your hand
you are going to be married"
Wonderful" said the girl.
You are engaged to a man
named wilkins" continued the
amateur seer.
How amazing" gasped the girl,
surely the lines on my hand can
not reveal the name"
Lines" smiled the palmist.
"Who said anything about lines ?
You are wearing the ring / re-
turned to Mr.. wilkins three weeks
ago"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15

The announcement that England is
to have the biggest aquarium in the
world suggests fine opportunity for
gentlemen who wish to brush up on
their stock of fish yarns.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15
About Pay for Fifemen

NOHuSUeH IImeS-NeWSJ
What member of the council OF
what taxpayer would feel that
he was being adequately paid by
salary Of 800 per month? The
service Is tedious save when the
men are in action. and then 1t Is
frequently dangerous. A salary
of 500 is not sufficient and the
firemen are justified In asking
more and their request should be
granted.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15
Would he tlOngeR

The proposed consolidation OF
Phenix City and Girard, which
was Endorsed by a mass meeting
of citizens of Phenix City, has
been discussed for number Of
years and the same considerations
which prompt other municipalities
situated close together to Coop
crate under one government, in
stead of competing with each
other. support the belief that
Phenix City and Girard would be
stronger and better governed as
one city than as now.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15

The trouble with the sugar pirates
is that they are breaking too abruptly
into the game. Had they been more
gradual the people wouldn't have no.
ticed it. Look at the other commodi-
ties for which people pay double for
mer prices without protest.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15

A considerable percentage of the
people, who are always explaining
just what's the matter with the world.
have not sufficiently studied it to know
whether it is round, or square, or OBJ
long, or cut on the bias, or what.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15
Not Practicing IL
(Troy Herald)

Unfortunately, some Of those
who are advocating trade at home
are not practicing what they
preach. To make a campaign OF
this nature effective all should be
sincere and do themselves what
they advise others to do. Strange
to say. some OF those who would
reap the greatest benefits II all
people traded at home are the
cnes who are ordering things
from other places which could be
bought just as cheaply at home
and of as good quality or probably
better
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15

(Centreville Press)
Every town that sits and waits
for tho stranger or the outsider
to come in and invest\his money,
and build 1t, IL going to walt a
long time. Home people must
have enough faith in an enter
prise to invest their money with
outsiders II they expect to grow
and prosper.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15
q straight line Is the shortest distance
between two points.

There is a suspicion that Russian
communism would tone down consid-
erably If somebody would seriously
consider Moscow's standing appeals
for a substantial loan.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15
Day Dreams

Day Dreams
Dear little dirty little girl,
Curled up on the window sill to use
The last light of dying day, your
Grimy fingers clutch a grimier book
AS you devour the tale of prince
Who found his princess in such howell
AS yours. :. The tenements fade as
he comes
Tripping across the spacious lawn -.
in white raiment.
Pink garters at the knee and a
wondrous fluffy plume,
Upon his hat to claim you; for
you, of all,
Have remained pure. -.
Dear little dirty little girl,
Dream on, for dreaming will keep you
sweet.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15
q Grent Value Of Roads

u TUSCALOOSA NeWS)
Nothing truer than this from
the Albany Herald: "A good road
Is not only one of the best assets
a county can have. 1t Is one Of
the best advertisements. A tour
ist riding into or out of a town
or city over a perfect highway
will not forget the experience.
and will not forget the name or
location OF the town" That Is
true, every word of 1t. when you
strike a stretch of good road run
ming through a county you are
sure to have a kindly feeling to.
ward the locality and the off.
Gals.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15

A statistician says fifteen per cent.
Of the people play golf. That wouldn't
worry the other eighty-five per cent.
if they didn't have to listen to the
fifteen per cent. telling about it.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15

Ever notice the French word
'etats?'"
mo. What about it.?"
Take it backward and you have
Its meaning In English"
well, If you've got to have a
foreign language that's the way
to have it. why can't all French
words be like that?"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15
More Produce Raisers

(Talladega Daily Home)
Albany Daily evidently
inclines to the wise opinion that
there should be more produce
raisers and fewer price .raisers."
The word food" before pro
duce" would not have lessened the
weight or wisdom of the opinief.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15

In Germany they are undertaking
to explain the Einstein RELATIVELY
theory with films, which seems to con-
firm the claim that there is scarcely
any limit to the movies.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15

(San Francisco Chronicle)
The difference between Ameri-
cas- capitol and Americas capital
is that one is in Washington and
the other in tax-free securities.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15
Appreciating Good Roads
(Anda1uaja Ctar\

Andalusia citizens are raising
funds by private subscription to
grade the roads leading out of
this city into all parts Of our trade
territory. That the roads leading
into Andalusia need attention Is
evident to all. 1t IL q commend
able thing that business men will
tax themselves this additional sum
in order to get good roads.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15
THE ALABAMA PRESS
AZ to willing People

(Sand Mountain Banner)
We heard a well-known Albert
Vile citizen declare recently that
this world Is full Of willing peo-
ple-some willing to work and the
balance willing to let them.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15
Worth More Than II Cost
(Sylacau1a Advance)

(Sylacauga Advance)
Don't throw any chunks under
the wheels Of progress which
Sylacauga Is making. Perhaps it
will cost you a little. but the prog
ress of your town Is worth much
more to you than a few dollars
you will pay In taxes each year.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15
THE PARAGRAPHERS
A New Method

cleveland Plain Dealer)
The soviet government, it ap-
pears, is establishing complete
liberty by forbidding freedom of
speech. of the press and of re-
ligion.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15

Perhaps the European critic who
declared that America has no leisure
class has been studying our people
while they lodged recklessly driven
autos.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15

An exchange says that abolishing
the tips in America would increase the
peoples self-respect. Also their hun
ger and their irritation.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15
The City Manager Plan

(Florence Herald)
In carrying on their investiga-
ton OF results in other cities. the
Florence Kiwanis Club is receiv-
ing fine reports on the city man
ager plan OF municipal admins
tration, showing large savings In
the cost of city government and
better direction of affairs.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15
Which WaN Whichf

(Atlanta Constitution
A negro went fishing. He
hooked a big catfish which pulled
him overheard. AS he crawled
back into the boat he said philo-
sophically: What l wanna know
is dis. Is dis niggah fishin' or is
dis fish niggerin'?"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15

An airplane expert predicts that in
a few years people will be flying to
the moon. In that event it might be
we'll to begin now working out the
traffic cop problem.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15

A contemporary claims that Ameri-
can business is more or less tinctured
with bad politics. He might have
added that American politics is sat
urated with bad business.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15

New York Evening world)
Chauncey NJ. Depew lays his
hale old age to the fact that he
never exercised beyond his risi-
bilities.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15

Statistics say the American people
spent over four hundred million dol
lars for candy last year. Part of that
is the price Of courtship.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15
In Comparison
(MinneaNolis News

minneapolis News)
"Hardboiled" Smith seems to
have been a. hammered
gentleman compared with those
Florida convict bosses.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15

1t is reported that a theater of the
second century has been discovered.
It seems that some of the chorus girls
are still on the job.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15
The Maker of Dreams.

Eventide in Paris. Battling Sikh
pinched again, and all's we'll.
You must start the furnace early,
Start it early, mother dear,
For the wind is harsh and burly
And the sky is cold and drear.
Rustic up my old galoshes
And my squirrel coat of gray,
For Pm to be queen of the MAY
Mother,
I'm to be queen of the May.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15
Truth Under Difficulties

Detroit Free Press)
This law Is a queer business"
How sou $780,
They swear man to tell the
truth"
What them"
And every time he shows signs
of doing so some lawyer objects"