davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-15
THE BUILDING SITUATION

While the total of building opera
tons in May fell twelve per cent. COM
pared with April, the increase over
the same month in 1922 was 1850
per cent. This is the summary of re-
ports from more than two hundred
American cities. The decrease from
April operations reflects the stoppage
on numerous large structural opera
tons throughout the country, espec-
tally in New York and Chicago, as a
revolt against the high cost of build
ing, while the increase over last year
shows that the demand of the post
bellum void is far from being filled
and that construction will be main
tanned on large scale as long as
price permits. This seems to be es-
pecially true of home building, which
does not seem to have slackened much
anywhere and none in Birmingham.
Lumber has declined in price and
building materials as a rule have at
least ceased to rise,
The postponement of large amount
of construction at time when costs
were soaring has had a stabilizing eff
feet and it will be found better to
have put the spoke in the wheel now
than to have waited until structural
operations could no longer bear the
impact of rising costs and stoppage
became general. The consumer has
sveloped a habit of entering and
dropping out of the markets accord
ing as prices conduct themselves.
This habit is healthful to the con-
sumner, and, in the end, to the producer
by causing his production to be spread
( emily over longer period.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-15
GRADE CROSSINGS DELAY

Some of the railroads which are to
participate with the city in building a
viaduct and subway system for elimi-
nation of grade crossings are under
stood to have been prompt in attend
ance at conferences with the city
commission and it's engineering forces
and to have made good progress in
their department of the joint under
taking. About a month ago one car
rier was shown to have been dilatory
in considering matter of Joint track
age with another carrier. 1t is now
understood that one of the carriers
has been marking time on matters
that it might we'll have disposed of
ere this.
The general program of starting on
the subway system west of Twentieth
street has been agreed on for some
time and this program is that to which
thought and planning have been prac-
tically devoted. Centralizing on the
subway plan paved the way for
promptness of action in making pre-
lininary estimates of cost preparatory
to conference with the city on actual
starting of the work. 1t is regretted
that one of the railroads is behind the
rest in effort to promote the project.
1t is joint undertaking and each
carrier is under the same obligation
in this matter as the others. The one
that holds back will forfeit the public
esteem that would attend more con-
siderate attitude. The city of Bir-
mingham has made up its mind that
the grade crossings are to go and go
now. All the carriers have had ample
opportunity to grasp, this determiAa-
ton and none of them should run
the risk of popular disapproval by
holding back. The city commission
will be clearly within its rights when
it insists on promptness by all. 1t
will be recreant to it's duty if it does
not so insist.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-15
PEOPLES FORUM


To the Editor of The Age Herald:
Some weeks ago heard a
prominent member of the legisla-
ture of Alabama speak enthusi-
astically of recent progress in the
state of North Carolina-progress
in agriculture. In industries and
in wealth. One hears somewhat
similar comments wherever the
recent history of the state Is
known. Knowing the compare
lively moderate resources of the
state, and remembering it's great
poverty through forty years fol-
lowing the war between the
states, one may we'll ask why its
recent reputation for progress and
prosperity.
believe the following para
graphs from a recent issue of the
News Letter, published by the
University of North Carolina,
give the clue to the answer. If
so, they are worthy of most care
full consideration by the people of
Alabama and by her chosen repre-
sentatives in legislative bodies,
state, county and city: when
bankruptcy, North Carolina had
the wisdom and the courage to
double the support of her common
schools and all of her institutions
of benevolence. liberal learning.
and technical training. At the
same time the legislature voted
loan fund Of five millions to es-
tablish country high schools, an
other four millions for expansion
in buildings and equipment for
teacher training schools. colleges
and the university, and another
fifty millions for improved public
highways.
These are great investments.
but they are not greater than the
ready interests of the people of
the state in these indispensable
foundations of commonwealth
progress. In proof of this fact
witness the additional twenty mill
lions voted by ITO local commune
ties for better school facilities in
1921.
"The will Of an awakened peo-
pie outstrips the daring of timid
statesmen here and there. The
folks of North Carolina have come
to believe that taxes for schools,
roads and health are not burdens,
but Investments that tighten the
burdens of life; that wealth and
health, not bankruptcy, are at the
turn of the road ahead; that no
community can be wrecked by
better highways, better schools
and better health; that such
catastrophe has never yet hap
pened to any community on earth
since the world began to be.
They ask the prophets of disas-
ter to point out such community
or county or city or country any
where on the map, and they ask
in vain.'
After all, schools. roads, health,
scientific research for the discov-
cry of new truths and the practi-
cal application of both old and new
truths to greater production. bet
ter distribution, and wiser con-
sumption. however great the cost
within reasonable limits, cannot
justly be considered as burdens.
They are great cooperative enter
pTlStS III W HUI WISE diu II &C PCo-
pies invest for the purpose of in
creasing both the individual and
the common wealth, and for relief
from the burdens of sickness, pow
erty, ignorance and their conse-
quent helplessness. The more
they invest, with proper care to
it's right use, the wiser they are
and the greater will be their
prosperity, wealth and happiness.
p. P. CLAYTON,
Provost. University of Alabama.
Tuscaloosa, Ala, June ~, 1928.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-15
MISSISSIPPI BARGE EARNINGS

June traffic on the Mississippi river
division of the Mississippi-War
barge line between New Orleans and
st. Louis is reported as running ap-
proximately at 5000 tons for the
month, compared with the previous
peak of $4,000 tons made in May.
The net earnings of $64,000 accruing
in May after deduction for operating
expenses are expected to be bettered
in June. Friends of inland waterway
traffic are glad to know that the west
ern division of the barge line is so
prosperous and they know that the
eastern division, the Warrior river
end, will prosper in the same or
greater degree when allowed to do so
through division of rates that will
yield revenue instead of losses.
The traffic on the Warrior between
the open ports of Mobile and Birming-
ham is at a maximum of craft capac-
ity, and it was at maximum of craft
capacity between all ports when en-
bargoes were instituted. The War
rior was not making money because it
lost money on divisions of the through
rates with the rail carriers on many of
the commodities handled. Given fair
divisions of the through rates such as
the Mississippi end of the barge line
system has and the Warrior will also
do maximum business at handsome
profit 1t is the simplest thing in the
world. The Mississippi makes money
because it is treated right. The War
rior loses money because it is treated
unfairly. That is all there is to it.
The logical sequitur is the plain duty
of every friend of the Warrior end
of the barge line, of every citizen of
Alabama, to press the claim of the
Warrior for fair treatment until it is
accorded.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-15
JOHN-A-DREAMS



An unmarried woman who
dreams of blowing bubbles will
receive an offer of marriage
which, unfortunately, she will ac-
cept, and which will cause her
many bitter tears; because the en-
gagement will be broken. / ap-
preciate that 1t is a very difficult
thing to make young woman
reject a favored sutton simply be-
cause she has had a dream, and
do not expect my warning to be
needed Nevertheless the fact is
inexorable, and just as truly as
the sun risessin the East. the be-
trothal which follows dream OF
blowing bubbles will always end
in establishment and disappoint-
ment. Married women who have
this dream will for time be I'M
der the impression that their ma
terial condition is to be favorably
changed to a considerable extent.
Through various circumstances
they will be led to believe that
the fortunes of their husbands
are to be enhanced by unusual
good luck and for time every
thing will point in this direction.
However, the happy expectations
will not last very long. After
two months at the most the house
of cards will fall down and they
will again be compelled to face
the same conditions as confronted
them before. If the husband has
such a dream. 1t will refer to false
news of an Inheritance. He Will
seemingly have every reason to
believe that he Is about to fall
heir to a considerable amount of
money only to learn later that
the good news was based upon
misinformation and that the death
of the relative In question has
brought him nothing.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-15
LIQUOR AND FOREIGN SHIPS

The dry law as affecting foreign
ships in our ports will probably be
subjected to some notifications, con-
tingent upon reciprocal concessions
by foreign governments looking to
more adequate exercise of our juris-
diction over smugglers of liquor. At
present, foreign nations refuse us the
right of search and seizure beyond
the three-naile limit, and in return we
deny to foreign ships the right to
bring within our waters, either as
part of the stores or under seal, any
prohibited beverages. This ruling as
affecting foreign ships in our ports
has been regarded by foreign sailors
and steamship companies as hard
ship.
Now there is rumor to the effect
that, in return for our privilege of
search and seizure within the twelve
mile limit, we will permit foreign
ships to serve liquor on board to their
crews in accordance with their Gus
tom elsewhere, and perhaps to bring
into our ports liquor under seal which
is destined for some other market.
Perhaps we can well afford to make
this negotiation, for the purpose of
our law is to stop the liquor traffic
in this country, and not impose its
structures upon those temporarily
within our jurisdiction and yet only
technically in violation. If we are
given the right to fight smugglers
within the twelve-mile limit, our abil-
ity to stop the traffic will be greatly
expanded.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-15
POOR BOYS WHO
BECAME FAMOUS

BY Frederick Houk Law

In County Antrim, Ireland, in
1857, there was born a little son
to the McClures. When the little
baby smiled what could be more
natural than for someone to say:
"Shure, it's the good fairies do
be whisperin' to him. and tellin'
him O. the good luck to come"
And the good luck did come-but
it came because of his own efforts
and not because the fairies
brought it to him on silver
spoon.
The first effort that the lad.
Sam Mcclure, made when he was
old eonugh, was to go where
there were both work and oppor-
tunity-and so he did. to America.
Here he worked hard, went to
school, saved money that he had
earned and went on to college,
graduating at twenty-five from
Knox College, Illinois. In those
days the bicycle was just coming
into its own and so. two years
after he had won his degree, S. S.
Mcclure went to Boston and be-
came editor of The Wheelman."
At about the same time he found
ed THE McClureSyndicate," an
organization that sent out mate
rial to many newspapers. In the
course of years this grew into
most important work.
After having gained experience
not only with the "Wheelman," but
also with the celebrated DeVinne
Press. S. S. Mcclure said to his
friends: There is room for new
kind of magazine; a magazine that
will have life; that will treat of
live topics. and make people
think"
Therefore. at the age of thirty
SIX, he established McClure's
Magazine" which he at once
raised to great popularity by pub
fishing a series of highly daring
articles on subjects of great pub
lie Importance. Perhaps the most
interesting of all that he publish
ed was the remarkable story of
tho life of John d. Rockefeller,
presented with many illustrations
and with graphic detail. Then,
also, he published a most inter-
esting life of Mary Baker Eddy.
the founder of Christian Science.
S. S. Mcclure, in 1915. after
some experience in book pub
fishing firm, established 1.-The Nc
Clure Newspaper Corporation"
and became editor of THE Mail"
His work and personality made
him one of the most influential Of
all publishers. He told the full
story of his life in a book called
MY Biography" The story of
such a life of enterprise Is we'll
worth telling.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-15
THE NARCOTIC EVIL

1t is not likely that New Orleans
will relish the distinction given her
by DR.. Manning, federal chemist, as
being the largest per capita consumer
of narcotics in the country. I'm
doubtedly the ports location as con-
venient base for the operation of drug
smugglers accounts for the condition
referred to. The problem is not only
the Crescent City's problem; it is the
problem of the entire nation, the bor-
der, cities suffering most heavily be-
cause through their portals pass the
forbidden articles on their way to the
interior. The condition of the drug
addict is both pathological and pa
thetic. In his saner moments he
wants to be free from the habit, but
when the craving is upon him he
would barter everything he possesses
for relief.
Unfortunately, many of the So
called cures are not of permanent eff
feet; even the "cold turkey" treat
ment, that is, forced abstinence from
the drug for months, does not always
remove the desire for the dope. The
only way to prevent an increase in
the number of addicts is to prevent
the importation of habit-forming
drugs, except under such restrictions
as materia medica requirements make
necessary. Most victims become so
involuntarily, either through medical
treatment designed to relieve pain, or
else through deliberate effort of Illicit
dealers III the dope to create an ap-
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-15
The Balkan folk are so keen

The Balkan folk are so keen for
fighting that when they can't start a
5w with other countries, they under
take to exterminate each other. 1t
has come to be almost case of "rul--
ing passion strong in death" over
there. The situation recalls the Irish
man whose first observation on land
ing in this country was: Twelve
o'clock on ST. Patrick's Day, and niver
a fight yit; won't some gintleman do
me the favor to tread on me coat
tail?"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-15
MOTHERS OF FAMOUS
MEN
rhe Mother of n Great Admiral

The Mother Of a Great Admiral
In the sixteenth century there
was living in Spain certain
dark haired, briEht-eyed girl of
the family of Zuniga and of So
tomayor. The Lady Leonor was
the fit person to become the
mother of a notable man OF Spain
for she had inherited untold
pride of name and race. She had
been taught that Spain was the
greatest OF all lands, and that
the Spanish people were the finest
of all peoples. OF other lands she
knew practically nothing at all,
and cared even less.
This high-born lady married a
man Of her own rank in life-a
duke, in fact, Don Juan de Guz-
man, who was also entitled to the
name, 1.-THE Good" which had been
handed down in his family. To
this naughty couple there came
He, of course, inherited the name
of The Good" which Is a title
worth the inheriting, and much
more worth the living up to. The
proud Spanish duke died when
little Alonzo was only five years
old. To the mother. therefore,
with the help of the various per-
sons whom title and wealth gath
cred about her, came the duty of
educating and training little
Alonzo. The mother, with all her
background of pride, insisted
upon training the child in. the
strict etiquette of the Spain of
that day. She talked with him
about rank and titles and property
and advancement in the royal ia
vor much more than she talked
about character. When Alopzo
was fifteen she decided 1t was
high time that he should make a
marriage alliance. Accordingly,
she brought about q solemn ser
vice that promised the union of
the fifteen-year- son to girl
who was then a mere babe of four!
When Alonzo was twenty-one she
saw to 1t that the marriage ac-
tually took place; the man mar
ried the child Of ten-a princess.
Alonzo grew up a man who
looked after number one. He cur
ried favors everywhere. When
ever there was a political office
worth something. there was Don
Guzman asking for 1t. Thus no
became the commander of the
great Spanish Armada, although
to tell the truth, he did not wish
to be the commander. for 1t spelled.
danger and, perhaps death. Per-
haps a better man than he might
have changed history. He spent
most of his time lying seasick in
his cabin, wishing he were back
in Spain. Mothers should train
for honor not for pride.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-15

petlte, and therefore a market, for
their wares.
There is pressing need for dis
covel'y of opiates in such form as will
give the necessary relief from pain
and suffering without at the same
time leaving behind a craving far
worse than the disease originally com
batted. The man who makes such
discovery that will stand the exacting
tests demanded will be a benefactor
of all humanity.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-15

only feasible, but increasingly need
full. In effect they would result in
marked enlargement of the states
food supply, while contributing gen.
erously to wholesome recreation and
sport. One of the most convincing
arguments in their favor is that they
are in the interests of all the people,
whether sportsmen or not. There is
not a man, woman or child in Ala
bama who would not benefit from the
practical operations of this conserva-
ton movement. 1t has already been
delayed too long. The sooner it be-
comes working agency, the better
for the whole state.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-15
ONE TRICK A DAY


This is a little trick that. when
proposed to crowd, will seem
so simple as to be almost ridicu-
ous, but when tried 1t 10 found
first interesting. then battling,
and finally given UP as impos-
sible.
Lay any bottle of fair size with
an open mouth on its side, and lay
In the mouth of the bottle a little
piece from a cork about the size
Of a pea.
Ask any of the spectators to
blow the cork into the bottle. Try
as they may they will find that
they cannot do 1t, as the cork in
evitably flies back and strikes the
blower in the face.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-15
beauty Of Early Rising


At this season, Florence Is &
regular bird paradise. and those
who fail to get out carly enough
in the morning to enjoy them at
their best are missing a real part
of life. 1t Is a birds chief pur-
pose in life to be happy and ha
sure knows how to advertise. And
II you will get out these morn
ings about daybreak for an hour
or two you will find yourself in
tune with the universe ap4 ready
to face the days work in r.cn-
tai attitude that will get results.
Try 1t! Joy and happiness are
natures music. You have to cul.
tivate taste for them before
you can appreciate them to the
fullest.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-15

New YORK Evening WOrId)
The World war developed new
horrors in the way of human de-
struction by scientific inventions.
The next presidential campaign
promises to. be the most terrible
in history with its "amplifiers"
and radio broadcasters, which will
hurl huge quantities of words at
the defenseless voter. There will
be a field for ear masks.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-15

1t is not surprising that the soviet
high officials who were convicted of
embezz1ement and pardoned were re-
appointed to their former positions.
The soviet government apparently
realized that it could not dispense
with that talent.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-15
QUITE DIFFERENT THEN
utility Bulletin)

When. in 1885, 1t was proposed
to light the government railway
stations of Belgium with electric
ity a member of the Belgian legis-
lative chamber arose and spoke at
length against electric lights, on
the sole ground that they were
the invention of the DEVIL"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-15

Stories of caterpillars holding up
railroad train relate that it is not
known whence they came. The train
chedule, however, must have been
ven slower than in this part of the
country, since the caterpillars arrived
fret
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-15
10 FAVORITE BOOKS


Don Quixote" (Cervantes).
Emperor and Galilean" (Ib-
SEM.
Shakespeare.
THE Golden Bough" (Frazier).
The Brothers karamazov"
(DostoievskD.
1.-THE Dynasts" Hardy.
Chapters from the Religious
History of Spain" Henry Charles
Lea).
Lille des Pengouins" (Anatole
Franco.
Memoirs of a Midget" (Walter
de la Mare).
Copyright. 1923, in United States and
Great Britain for The Age-Herald
by the North American Newspaper
Alliance. All rights resirved.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-15

The Chilean cabinet, which has been
on the job less than three months,
has resigned. Office-holding in that
country seems to be almost as uncer-
tain as office-seeking in this.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-15

1t seems that they are going to in
vestigate drinking bouts" among
Wisconsin legislators. Is Milwaukee,
former fame coming back to include
he whole state?
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-15

The state of Alabama has ordered
1861 license tags for private auto
mobiles next year. When reading
this, the pedestrian should not be
blamed for wearing worried look.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-15

In South Alabama the smallest still
on record was captured; it had ca
pacity of only one quart. Yet the
"still small voice" made enough noise
to get into trouble.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-15

There are some people who do all
the injury they can by word and deed
to everybody in the community, then
Wonder why they are not popular.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-06-15

Everybody is delighted when a man
who never fights except when he is
sure he can whip makes miscalcula-
ton and gets walloped all over the
ctr