davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-19
SENSATION AT MER ROUGE

1t is not easy to see what is going ON be-
hind the scenes in Morehouse Parish, Louis
lana, but a close reading of the lurid dis
patches sent out from Mer Rouge and Bas-
trop creates doubt of their entire credibility.
1t is hard for a normally constituted person
to believe that all the charges made are
true, especially as regards the alleged ''tor-
ture machine by which it is claimed that
the bones of two victims of hoe ded band
were broken. 1t is declared by friends of
the Ku Klux Khan, which is under suspicion
as a result of the Mer Rouge murders, that
the Mer Rouge hearing is part of con-
spiracy to drive the Khan out of louisiana:
that the two bodies found We're PLANTED"
short time before their recovery as evidence
against the Khan; that there never was any
such device as medieval instrument of tor
ture ard the testimony brought out was
prepared in advance by the prosecution.
This, of course, is frankly pro-Klan propa-
ganda. There does, however, seem to be
some basis for the statement that the law
abiding citizens of Morehouse parish have
been placed in an unfavorable light before
the nation, because of the lawlessness of a
few. Certainly life, in Mer Rouge is not
continuous round of melodrama, such as it
is made to appear to be in some of the more
sensational reports.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-19
Adrift With the Times
The Home Athlete

And exercised an hour or two,
Until his poor old back was aching
And sharp pains ran his body through.
Then plunged beneath an icy shower,
According to the plan mapped out
To give him boundless health and power
His daily tasks to go about.
Alas, instead of being CHEEKY
And strong to cope with any fate,
1t took him until noon, or nearly,
To rest up and recuperate.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-19
PUSHING 1T TOO FAR
lPittshurp Dispatch

Mistaking meaning fo1Ean end
is a common error. DR.. Milton c.
Whitaker, in accepting the Perkins
medal, the highest honor for work
in applied chemistry, delivered
himself of some pertinent remarks
regarding the craze for organization
carried to extremes. eve saw many
cases during the war; he told the
Chemists club. where there was
so much ganization there was no
one left to do the work. We still
frequently find organizations all
dressed IN ard no place to go; there
is great danger in an organization
chart that may be mistaken for an
orga-;-aticn." Observers of everv-
day life will appreciate his criticism.
places where the pursuit of eff
cheney has become so obsessing that
there is neither time nor attention
for productive work. or where the
straining for organization has ex-
allied it from means to an end
and dressed up, as the doctors ray,
and going nowhere.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-19
A FUTILE GESTURE

Senator Frelinghuysen of New Jersey has
introduced joint resolution for creating Il
federal commission of five members to In
y4stigate lynching and suggest remedial leg
islation. If the senator merely intended to
indulge in political gesture" well and
good, but it is hard to see what practical
results could be accomplished by a congress
lsional probe of lynching. What facts could
,be brought out that are not already known?
What action could congress take other than
some such legislation as the notorious Dyer
anti-lynching bill, piece Of political clap
trap which met deserved fate? Statistics
are available to show how many persons are
lynched in the United States each twelve
months, also the circumstances In which
these crimes were committed. Furthermore,
information may be had from state govern
sments on the progress they are making
toward suppressing mob violence without the
aid or advice of the federal government.
Senator Frelinghuysen thinks his plan Is the
only way to root out the lynching evil"
On the contrary, it would be waste Of time,
las are many other congressional investiga-
.tions, and the results obtained would not be
worth one-twentieth of the $4,000 he wants
appropriated for expenses.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-19
EARLY AGREEMENT DESIRED

1t was too much to expect that a settle
ment of the British debt to the United
States would be negotiated in ten days.
time. Discussions are now at the point
where the British delegates desire to make
personal report to the Bonar Law govern
ment, and it is announced that they will
sail for England tomorrow, as they previous
ly intended. While negotiations will be tenn
porarily suspended, both commissions realize
the need Of promptness in reaching an agree
ment, because of its economic effect on
Great Britain and the United States and the
additional fact that the present congress
will be in session only six weeks longer.
Congressional approval and the approval Of
debt can be refunded Since President
Harding has stated that he will not call an
extra session of the new congress, unless
there is an adjustment within six weeks, it
may not go into effect for year. The OBJ
ject of the American and British commits
sions is to draw up terms of payment of
principal and interest that will be acceptable
to their respective governments. When it
is remembered that the negotiations involve
s'the greatest single international financial
transaction in the history of the world"
some delay may be anticipated There can
be no doubt that an agreement. will be ar
rived at ultimately. Both sides are deter.
mined on that.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-19
TRIALS SHOULD BE PROMPT

Says the city solicitor: II believe the ad-
ministration of justice as soon as possible
after the crime will do much to lessen the
amount of crime" That is good platform.
1t is one that might we'll be adopted by all
criminal courts. Delays are not usually in
the interest of justice and the enforcement
of the law, but rather tend to afford the
criminal opportunity to escape the deserved
penalty. Furthermore, when trials are de-
layed, innocent persons, failing bond, are
often incarcerated for days and even weeks
before their cases are called. 1t is far
greater injustice to punish the innocent than
it is to permit the guilty to escape. Ere
quently Imprisonment of the innocent await
ing trial tends to reduce their self-respect
and actually to alter their whole attitude
towards law and courts. There is usually
no valid excuse for delaying trials, but on
the other hand every reason why trials
should be prompt and decision swift.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-19
THE CAR OF THE BASEMENT

Fate played mean trick on George Ora
ham, janitor in a fashionable apartment
house in Philadelphia. Sixty-eight years old,
Graham avoided matrimony, with a lively
fear Of its trials and tribulations, only to
land in Job where he had to listen to the
complaints of other mems wives. The strain
was more than he could bear, SO he tried to
commit suicide. 'T took enough poison to
kill ten men," he told the police. "These
women are enough to drive any man to sui
eide. One rushes down and raises the devil
because she says her apartment is cold. Next
minute another claims hers is hot enough to
roast beef. /, 1 want to end it ALL" He seemed
rather disappointed when doctors broke the
sad news to him that he would recover.
A janitorship is no place for a sensitive
soul, especially one unable to combine ca
jolery with stern aloofness in dealing with
the temperamental fair sex. All the success
full janitors are tyrannical persons, as firm
and unyielding as the sphinx, and as little
moved by the ire Of tenants as the precipi-
tous cliff against which the waves of the sea
beat in impotent wrath. Nothing short of an
earthquake would make them lay their pipes
down, or forego a meditative puff of to-
bacco. Graham was evidently misfit. A
janitor who wishes to adorn his calling must
have heart of granite and hide of hippo
potamus.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-19
OIL AND PEACE IN NEAR EAST
(San Francvisco Bulletinl

It is the habit of diplomats to speak in
large and picturesque language about
spheres of influence national prestige"
Sovereignty rights and such like, but
whenever several nations are fighting for
control of any area the practical mind goes
searching for the steel, coal, oil or other
concessions involved A great deal of the
trouble in the Near East boils down to
matter of rival claims for oil concessions
and there are areas in that region of which
it may be said as truthfully as it was said
of our troubles in Mexico, that peace in oil
mean peace in all things" Mexico is still
unrecognized, but there is comparatively lit
tie fuss because the oil magnates have "ac-
commodated their differences"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-19
Poor Boys Who Succeeded |
By FREDERICK HoUK LAW
David Living..one, .he. Ezplorsr

When David Livingstone, ten years of age,
was taken from school and put to work in a
cotton mill, it seemed as if every opportunity
in life had been taken from him. Instead
of complaining, he made opportunities
found books and studied them and worked
his way into college. With a will set on
work and service he studied not only Latin
and Greek but also medicine Deeply re-
ligious, he made himself medical mis-
sionary.
Livingstone's heart was set on China, but
he was ordered to Africa. That order, he
thought, was the ruin of all his hopes.
Nevertheless, he sailed for Africa, resolved
to do his best.
In that unknown continent Livingstone
found his life-work. He travelled where no
other white man had gone; he made import
ant discoveries; he taught, and prayed, and
cured the sick, and there, at the age of
sixty he died.
In thirty-three years he made his name
immortal. He explored fertile river basins,
discovered great lakes. and found the Vic
toria Falls. Believing his work was to open
Africa, he treaded the forests with courage
of an explorer and the heart Of priest. To
him hardships, dangers, fierce animals, can
nibal tribes, were as nothing. In thirty-three
years he explored one-third of Africa, ex-
posed the slave trade and opened the door
for the entrance of civilization.
Every one in the Dark Continent loved
him almost as a god for he treated all with
sympathetic kindness. Even the brutal slav-
ers whom he opposed admired him. When
he died his black followers carried his body
hundreds of miles through the forest to the
coast. From there it was taken to England
and buried in Westminster Abbey The cot
ton-boy had made himself one of the worlds
greatest men.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-19
sLAUGHTERING GAME
{ Nashville Banner)

An illustration of what men will
do in the way of slaughtering game
by wholesale and the need for SEN
sible laws for the protection of the
wild life of the country is contain
ed in the press reports of the use
of an automobile gun an California
which kills as many as 500 birds at
a single shot. The gun is said to
be equipped with an automatic de-
vice which permits it to keep up a
sustained and concentrated fire
similar to that of machine gun
and the fatalities resulting from its
use on game birds are almost be-
yond counting. The beauty and in
terest attaching to the Wild life of
the country should be sufficient to
make men conserve it as far as pos
sible, and when it is considered that
great practical benefit likewise
comes from its presence the strength
of the argument becomes invincible.
The performance in California rath-
er surpasses anything of the kind
which has been recounted thus far,
but it is an excellent earnest of
what will come to pass unless pro-
lection is afforded,
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-19
THE SEAPORT AMENDMENT

If it be true, as some authorities believe,
that the seaport amendment does not, after
all, grant the legislature the authority requi-
site to issuing bonds for port development,
then sad blow has been given the com
merce and industry of Alabama. There must
ensue another delay pending submission to
the people of supplementary amendment.
1t is hoped that there will be found a way
to proceed with the development. The
situation but emphasizes the necessity of
some sort of judicial scrutiny Of measures
before they become law, in order that there
may be no technical defect to defeat the
purpose and intent of the measure. Clearly
the people of Alabama meant to authorize
the legislature to finance the development
of Alabama's seaport. That fact should be
considered in deciding the application of the
amendment. Lawyers found the alleged
defect. Why shouldn't lawyers find the
way around it?
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-19

plane to make the trip from Lima to Iquitos
on the Amazon, and Faucet was within forty
minutes flying distance from Iquitos when
a storm forced him to land. In that flight
there lay below him region never, perhaps,
seen before by the eyes of man, the highest
ranges of the Andes, the tremendous chasms
cut by raging streams and inpenetrable jun
giles, all awaiting his slightest mishap and all
promising as it were, to let no word of him
get back home. After daring death like
that, to be forced to quit within forty min
utes of his goal, Faucet was surely the sport
of fate
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-19
The Drudgery of 1t
By REV. H. C. OFFERMAN

After all, a great deal of just
plain drudgery is necessary for sue
cess.
Whatever you do, keep on work
ing.
In order that you may reach out
after larger sum of happiness, you
must have the capacity of long and
continued work and effort.
If you are happy in your work,
reach out after more; you can al
ways stand little bit more.
Put your whole effort into every
thing, and keep your eye open on
the accomplishment of the result.
Everything must have solidity.
We must be able to touch it.
The love of God will be yours, if
you love work.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-19
THEIR "BETTERs"
ATLANTA Georgian)

In Bulgaria peasants are sitting
on the bench as judges, deciding the
fate of their "betters," ministers,
very rich men, etc. 1t seems hor-
rible to those on trial. They say
truly that peasants cannot possibly
understand the difficulties, the
problems of the statesman or the
financier. That's true. On the
other hand, there is something in
the statement of the peasants that
they used to be tried by gentlemen
of the upper class that didn't under
stand the peasants problems, either.
Turn about occasionally is very en-
tightening 1t might not be bad
thing-without any trials or SEN
tences-if railroad owners and fl
nanciers in this country could ~oc-
casionelly listen to farmers who
hitherto have had to listen so atten-
tiveN to them.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-19
NOT A VALID OBJECTION

The reported objection of an examiner Of
the Interstate Commerce Commission to the
extension of the Tennessee, Alabama and
Georgia Railroad line from Gadsden to
Odenville and Birmingham does not seem
well taken, especially SO far as extension
for connection either with the Seaboard Air
Line or the Central of Georgia Railroad is
concerned. 1t is understood that he con-
siders the extension undesirable because it
will parallel existing lines and prove unre-
munerative. The road already extends from
Cadsden to Chattanooga, thus paralleling
other lines and its extension to a connection
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-19
For Future Guidance
[ Bessemer Advertiser)

VI NDeSSemeF AuVertlSer)
The Advertiser, with many other
fought the Alabama Power Company
as a sinister influence in the states
industrial life. 1t has no apologies
to make. Now it seems, our retir-
ing governor is of the same opinion,
as is President Patterson of the
public service commission, and we
believe the vast majority of Ala
bamians. In the charge of the gov
ernor, we see the vindication of our
policy. And we can say nothing
worse about the company than to af-
firm at this time our hope that the
full truth about this. organization
will be officially learned and the
facts presented to the citizens . of
this state and our representatives
in Washington for their future guild
ance.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-19
A Timely Editorial
Navel Base.
chicago Tribunel

Inc report OF the board OF dis
tinguished naval officers .eaded by
Rear Admiral Rodman, just submit
ted to the Secretary of the navy,
is good news. Whether or NO, it is
approved in whole by the navysde-
partment and by Congress, it serves
to keep an important subject before
the American citizens, FOR whose
protection the navy and its bases
are designed, and who must be call
ed upon to pay the costs of such
protection, thinking in the right di-
rection.
1t is sane and logical that ade-
quate naval bases be developed and
maintained on both the Allan
tic and Pacific coasts. 1t is
equally sane and logical that sup
Elementary bases be maintained.
1t is equally clear that the protec-
ton and maintenance of the Panama
canal is essential to the effective
operation of our fleet in any thea
ter. National defense cannot be as
sured without complete protection
of the canal.
This brings us again to the ques-
tion of the future of the British
West Indies and other islands in
the Caribbean. These islands are a
natural outcrop or extension of this
continent. They cover the path Of
our merchant shipping and naval
connection between our Atlantic and
Pacific coasts. They are invaluable,
therefore, for naval purposes. But
in the hands of Great Britain they
are valuable only for offensive pup
poses. In the hands of the United
States they would be valuable only
for defensive purposes. They can
not, in any emergency, besused to
menace or attack the British en-
pire. They could be used as base
of attack upon the United States
or upon the Panama canal, which
is vital to our continental life.
These are points which should be
kept in mind. There is no question,
as some opponents of the proposed
defensive improvement have sug-
gested, of selling" British subjects
to foreign government. There is
no necessity of altering the internal
political or economic life of the peo-
pie of these islands in any manner.
The thing needed is to make some
arrangement with the present gov
ernmental control of these islands
to give the United States exclusive
rights to use these islands for naval
bases, which could be used
only in self-defense, and to prevent
their use for naval bases which
might be used against this country
or against the Panama canal as a
vital link in the defensive and eco
nomic functioning of this country.
Even the question Of the settle
ment of Great Britain's war debt to
the United States is more or less
beside the point. Britain and the
British representatives, official and
unofficial, insist the debt will be
paid. We do not doubt it. We do
not seek the protection of the West
Indies as dividend from a bank
rupt debtor. But the islands have
value which might properly be used
to reduce the British debt with no
loss or danger to Britain and with
profit and protection to us. No
phase of the question should be for
gotten. Eventually they will all
enter into a settlement.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-19
WANDERERS ON THE DEEP

One tragedy has followed another since
the Little White Father of Russia was
swept from his throne and murdered, with
all the immediate members of his family.
The sufferings of the Russians who stayed
at home have engaged such large part of
the worlds attention that the plight of Rus
sian exiles may be regarded as of minor
Importance, yet many of them are even worse
off than their countrymen who have sur
vived the evils inflicted on Russia by bolshe-
vism. Sixteen ships of men, women and chill
dren without country have set out from
Shanghai, wandering over the sea to find
haven of refuge. They are the last of the
former cars retainers, the White Guards of
Siberia. Driven back by the red army and
left by the Japanese troops, they were liter
ally forced to the sea when Vladivostok fell.
Ragged, hungry and with their fuel exhaust
ed, they sought refuge in Japan, but were
denied admittance. The Chinese government
ordered them to leave Shanghai. Charitable
food and they put to sea again. They are
now supposed tofbe on their way to Manila,
under the leadership of Admiral Stark
Three hundred and fifty orphans managed
to get ashore at Shanghai and are being held
in an international settlement, in the hope
that they will be permitted to go to America
in care of the Red Cross. Of such is the
aftermath of war; Multiply individuals by
millions and we can then but dimly realize
the misery caused by cataclysm whose
baneful effects have been felt to the utter
most ends of the EARTH The White Guards
symbolize the sorrows of Russia.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-19

The man who paid past-due poll taxes for
twenty-one years in order to qualify himself
for full-fledged citizenship performed COM
mendable act. 1t required real apprecia-
ton Of the right Of suffrage to go down in
pocket and dig up the $33 necessary for
qualification. The example is good one
fos other delinquents, especially those who
owe back taxes for only year or so, and
certainly should stir to the payment of their
poll tax those who owe only for this year.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-19
SMYRNA is REvIvING
providence Journal)

The Imperial Ottoman Bank of
London announces that. it's Smyrna
branch has resumed normal service,
a reminder that even the most dis
astrous fire fails to destroy the en-
ergy and determination of man..
Smyrna will slowly but surely rise
from her ruins and become a pros
porous port again, whatever flag
flies over her government buildings
and quaYs.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-19
Solid Ivory

.eYou discharged your new clerk?"
II did," replied the book store proprietor.
"a customer came in here and asked for.
book suitable for an elderly lady who was
paralyzed and couldn't walk. What do you
suppose that numbskull showed herr"
"I can't imagine"
elbow to Become Proficient ski Jump
er in Ten Lessons"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-19

A bill has been introduced in the legisla-
ture to prohibit state officials from employ
ing relatives in their offices. This practice
has been abolished in most states. Where
nepotism is permitted there is temptation
to employ relatives without regard to their
fitness or ability.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-19

with east and west lines is not matter of
paralleling so much as of providing a feeder
for these east and west lines. The extern
sion will serve the industries Of Birmingham
and of Gadsden, two manufacturing centers
in need of adequate transportation facilities,
and frequently suffering from an inadequate
service in periods of car shortage. The
Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia line in its
present state is adequately serving neither
Chattanooga nor Gadsden, Its lack of con-
nection with Birmingham on the south de-
prives it both of traffic and of opportunity
to serve as it could.