davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30
NEW CHINA
(Toledo Blade)

NiCACdb
 China is not the China she was She has not simply learned to be militaristic, but also she has ac quired liking for the agressiye- ness which goes with militarism Tn days gone by the Chinese gov ernment bothered very little about what happened to her nationals abroad They took their own risk s and suffered alone for their ad- ventures in alien countries. There is new attitude now. China is demanding the severest punish ment for those rioters who killed Chinamen in Tokio during the learthquake. She is indicating that if Japan does nothing abour 1t reprisals may be undertak en. Between nations which took ad- vantage of Chinese weakness and the years of Civil War the spirit of the republic is being made over. It is going to be an unhappy time for exploiters and expansionists if China becomes unified, conscious of her strength and anxious 10 square accounts for old humilia- tions.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30

the critics of Mir. Hughes, and the prevailing sentiment is well summed up by the Atlanta Constitution: "So far as this country is concerned, the soviet government must present bet ter case than it has, even though it officially denies responsibility for the communist internationale, before the appeal for diplomatic recognition can possibly, with honor, be even listened to. Secretary Hughes has acted wisely" Likewise the Kansas City Star: "These revelations of the state department give added force and sig nificance to President Coolidge's dec larations in his address to congress, that he does not propose to barter away for the privilege of trade any of the cherished rights of humanity, nor to make merchandise of any American principles. The soviet gov ernment has mistaken American char acter if it has any thought that the lure of Russian markets would be spf- ficient to cause this country to admit an enemy to it's institutions within it's gates"
 And so the press comment runs, with scarcely a dissent from the prin- ciple on which our Russian policy is founded. As far as editors arc con cerned, it is quite evident that politics halts we'll within the three-mile limit prescribed by Alabama's distinguished senior senator.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30
TYPHOID ON THE RETREAT

Official announcement that the ty- phoid death rate last year was the lowest ever recorded in the registra- tion area comprising eighty-five per cent. of the country's population, is both interesting and encouraging. It shows what can be accomplished un- der proper precautions against this dangerous and costly disease. Not many years ago deaths from typhoid in the cities, as we'll as in the rural regions, were numerous. Government activities in educating the people to the benefits of proper precautionary measures have accomplished wonders in reducing the disease. Typhoid is one of the most easily prevented of the serious maladies. With proper sanitary safeguards and careful ob- servance of precautions against flies and other insects, typhoid is readily controlled.
 It is heartening to note the meas ures taken, not only in centers of pop ulation, but in isolated communities
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30
WALKER FARMERS THRIVE

Reports from Walker county indi- cate that the farmers of that section are keeping abreast of the notable in dustrial, commercial and educational progress of agriculture of the past few years. Many farmers are making preparations to do large and more profitable business, not by increasing cotton production, but under more di- versity, including hog and poultry raising, dairying, truck farming and fruit culture. Better still, Walker farmers have awakened to the value of improved methods of preparing and cultivating the ground, seed selection and marketing their products. In short, they are demonstrating that farming is business, just as operat- ing factory or running a store, and they are applying the principle ac- cordingly. That is the thing that is needed in Alabama throughout the az ricultural districts. Increase of out put per acre, rather than enlargement of acreage, and business methods of distribution as well as production will do much toward putting farming on a profitable basis. This is apparent in Walker county, where the farmers are putting it into practice with com mendable purpose.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30
WHERE. ESSENCES ALWAYS FINE

Chicago is all worked up over the record and effects of gigantic oil stock swindle, and there are lot of wiser, but sadder, folks in that city, because they didn't learn practical lesson from a citizens predecessors in the easy-money game. Not very long ago Boston folks were taken in by Ponzi, and some years previous to his big swindle Cassie Chadwick got away with quite a=lot of hard-earned cash by wheedling bankers, brokers and others who rose to the lures as readily as do hungry trout in a noun tain torrent. Now Koretz seems to have won the championship in separat- ing from their increment folks who are eager to get something for nothing or who dream of the ease they will enjoy when their fabulous profits roll in.
 "Foolish fishw muses the fisher man when he draws his vari-hued fly across the surface of a cool stream and hooks a speckled beauty. Doubt less Ponzi and Koretz and their ilk were no less amused when they got splashing rises from the streams of humanity. The fishing is always good when men of suave ways and smooth tongue go casting. There are always prospects for luck; the creel is easily filled. One captive seldom takes warning as he watches another dangling at the end of the line. Les sons are slowly learned; the waters are full of the gullible, and more than a thew one is born every minute" ]" One might better understand how men and women would rush in and offer themselves as victims to schemes of this kind, if they had not been repeatedly warned. But the desire to gain more and still more on fast schedule seems to take many of fully average intelligence off their feet, and they pay heavily from failure to in- vestigate the merits of speculative proposals.
 koretz may or may not be captured and tried. Whether he is or not, his victims will be silent and sad-eyed for a time; then new crop of gullible dI'eamers will take their places when some other comes along with a lurid story and tells it impressively. It seems to matter little that imprison- ment is intended as much for warn ing to the innocent as punishment to the guilty. Another fisherman will have a different design and color of lure, and there will be plenty of strikes. Warnings don't seem to work effectively. Legislating caution into the hearts of men is little more sue cessful than putting common sense into their heads. The fishing will con- tinue to be good. Those that were hooked and got off seem to be the only ones immune from temptation. The Chadwicks, and the Ponzis and the Koretzes are expert anglers. ! They study carefully the weaknesses of hu- manity and prepare lures.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30

and districts, to prevent typhoid. The people are fast learning that they can protect themselves against the disease with comparatively little labor and ex- pense. In many localities in the South, where typhoid was periodically prevalent few years ago, the disease now seldom appears. The situation is largely matter of reaping benefits from education. In no field of activity is there more truth that knowledge is power than in that of health protec- | tion.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30
GASOLINE COMES BACK

As was expected, the decline in the price of gasoline was only temporary. In the Middle West, where fourteen cent gasoline has prevailed for num- Der of weeks, the price has been in- creased to sixteen ce1t5. The reason given is that the price If crude oil has advanced, but, in answer to that, one needs only to inquire who put up the price of crude oil and why. There has been no increase in the cost of producing crude oil, although it may be said that the surplus of oil above ground is reduced, but even the amount of that surplus is well within the control of the big companies.
 The real explanation is probably that the oil companies, now that the wave of reaction against retail prices
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30
The Stuff That KiIla

(Scottsboro Progressive Age)
 Judge Abernethy of tho court common pleas of Birmingham is- sues a startling statement that he is sending to the "bughouse" an average of two persons daily This record has been going on for several weeks. This statement should cause some serious think. ing. The brand of whisky sold in the cities may be worse than that sold in this county. but the law Is getting so strict and so many eyes are on the bootlegger that he will not take the chance of selljne whisky at reasonable price, but will put poisonous ingredients into 1t in. order that 1t will go farther. Also, before you stomach a few drinks of Jackson county wildcat" it will be a good idea to say your prayers and get in call ing distance of a doctor.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30
Should Be n Certainty

If the governor is confident that he can secure more cash for the schools any procedure on his part to do it will be justified. They need it, and should have it. But getting provision made for that need ought to be a practical cer- tainty before the state runs the risk of another session of the leg islature, it being composed of the same members whose work ceased but a short while ago.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30

has subsided, are entering upon their program of getting back all their profits sacrificed recently-and then some. It would not be surprising if the retail price should go to heights far above those whence it was toppled by the crusade of the governor of South Dakota late last summer. The reform was temporary reaction, but the process of making a huge profit out of oil and gasoline is the perma- nent business of the companies, and they will be doing that long after those who react in the public behalf have turned to other matters. If retail prices for gasoline are indeed too high, the remedy is not found in tenn porary and sporadic revolts, but in some constructive and permanent measure of national scope.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30
A Building n Day

NI USO1TOUsu NV NsI
 The increase in the number of dwellings in Tuscaloosa shows the steady and permanent growth this city Is enjoying. According to re- ports furnished to the Chamber of Commerce, there are now 925 more homes than in 1920. Practically a building a day. This is perhaps why real estate here shows an ever increasing valuation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30
Value of Team-Work


 The power of united work Is great. The various organizations in Anniston are working in per feet harmony, each trying to do it's part in the city's upbuildins, and doing it well. It is fine thing for Anniston that this is so, and it will mean a greater and a better Annston.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30
Dairy Cow an Aid

(Muscle Shoals Sunday News)
 This valley land would grow an abundance of pasture and forage crops and the cows in few years would so enrich it that if a cotton crop was desired it could be pro- duced at bale to the acre as easily, more easily, than it is now produced on three. The dairy COW is an invaluable aid where pros perity is sought through diVersifi- cation,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30
Argument for Home Trading


 A Southern newspaper tells of a woman who went to a city some miles away and bought suit, and upon returning home found the same suit in a local store for ten dollars less money. The same thing could doubtless happen in any one of the Tri-Cities. An other argument for trading at home
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30
THE ALABAMA PRESS
Hog Market Near

(Oneonta Southern DemocraC
 We do not have to go out of our own county to find a market for all the hogs we raise in Blount county. If we did we wouldn't have to go further than Birming- ham.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30
Not Much Headnay

(AleXander City Outlook)
 One trouble with the present system of building roads in Ala bama is that when a road is start ed part of it wears out before the remainder is finished. Some other method will have to be devised before Alabama can get very far along with building roads.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30

The prediction is made that within another generation most people will have ceased to walk. A large propor- tion of city residents are already adopting the hop-skip-and-jump dur ing congested traffic hours.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30
Warming to Land Owners
(Centreville Press)

Every farmer and land owner should legally post his lands from the depreciation of the pot hun ter and the hunter who has no re- gard for the rights of the land owner. People of late come in droves and camp on the lands of others and kill up the game, and when they leave the game has usually all been killed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30

bama would have to go without this necessary supplementary training they receive in their va cation period. The other is that those slightly more fortunate may receive at increased expense to themselves, out of their none too bountiful salaries. instruction at institutions outside the state. This latter alternative is not only hard on the teacher, but Is also not very conducive to raising an Ala bamian's pride in his own state.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30
Is He Becoming Distnstefuls

NldtldutSd DdiiS IloiieJ
 Isn't the name of w. J. Bryan becoming distasteful to the Demo- cratic party? How long will he toy with the party, always to fail to get elected himself, or to per- init anyone else to be, that does not suit his run of politics? 1t is
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30
Defense of Summer Normals

VMUHtSOmeTyFJ
 If the summer schools at the normals at Florence. Livingston, Troy and Jacksonville should die from lack of attention by the state, it would mean two things. One is that many teachers of Ala
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30
SOUNDS FAMILIAH
(Bay City Times-Tribune

(Bay IIty Ilmes-Tribune)
 A rag man came to our neigh bor's house the other day and asked Mrs. Neighbor if she had any old rags. Yes" she replied, but my husband makes me wear them."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30

A Texas contemporary says; Some times when we contemplate the trou- bles caused by the human mouth, it is hard to determine which is worse, the hootch that goes in or the blab that comes out" That depends large ly on which performance takes prece- dence
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30

not yet forgotten that he even bolted instructions to defeat Clark at Baltimore; and who does not see the aim to beat Underwood in his newly discovered candidate in Texas? What will his newly nestled state of Florida say of 1t?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30

Considering how much they keep their ears to the ground, congressman ought to hear enough to enable them to determine which way the procession is moving.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30

It seems that the Germans consider the French unreasonable because they will not agree to any of the German proposals to shirk their financial ob- legations.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30
Pv THOMAS R. MARSHALL, Former Vice President of the
 ITuited States

Regardless of how old we may grow. we keep on marking pack to the imagination of chlldhooo. The child is never killed in the man. We know we are not Sooo' vet we derive pleasure from play ing the hypocrite now and then. We know we are not wise, but infinite satisfaction comes in as suming that we know it all. We know we are not just, but to dream that we keep the scales of our judgment equally balanced helps a great deal. One day differs from another only as we may happen to feel differently and put abstract feeling into concrete.-eXpre Truly, life has it's self -deceptions as we'll as its ironies. However, i've are not really deceived by them.
 Men all the while are trying to build better things by calling upon the world to celebrate a certain day for some fixed purpose; just as though the temper of mans mood may be changed by bulle- tin or the proclamation of an ex- ecutive. When I was governor of Indiana I declined to proclaim Mothers Day" as a day when all men who were absent from their mothers should write them a let ter, and I gave as my reason that any man who had to be officially reminded of the love and loyalty he owed his mother and could be induced only by public proclama- tion to attest his affection and devotion was not worth worrying about. I did not desire officially to recognize any young man who forgot his mother from one procla- nation to another.
 The recent drive for a Golden Rule Sunday struck me as amus- ing. The church, of course, is the origin of the Golden Rule and Sun day is the church's day for serv- ices, but every day should be Col den Rule day, and its preachment should be wherever men and wo- men gather to work or to enjoy the lighter and finer relations of life. Whenever. if ever, gangway is made for the Golden Rule in business and society some hope for democracy will appear, some gleam heralding the dawn of uni- versal peace will be visible. AL though l have but little faith in sporadic altruism, I should be the last person on earth to object to anything which was intended to promote even an hour of higher thinking and finer living.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30
THE CAUSE OF IT
(Illinois State

(Illinois State JournaD
 Many a mans good reputation is due to what isn't found out about him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30
Repentance Needed to Purchase Oblivion of Past

I hail with respectful saluta- tions the dawning of the New Year. How much good day may do the world does not. however, depend upon the day. The chubby little infant who symbolizes tho New Year and emblemizes hope should not command our entire at- tention. We should give some thought to the old man on the calendar who is to disappear into history lest he merge into forget fitness. We may be agnostics. if we will, but we cannot safely deny that what a man sows that shall he also reap. Happy is the man who at New Year dawn can truth fully repeat these words:
 The years have lining just as gob- lets do,
 The old year is the lining of the
 new,
 Filled with the wine of precious memories,
 The golden was doth line the sil- yer is.
 Notwithstanding my quite set tied view that there is nothing in particular day which in and of itself can be helpful to mankind, have a day on which to consider the past and view the future as a climber stops at a halfway point to survey the path behind him and to scan the path ahead. In this way he gets his bearings and fresh start. New Year Day is such | day. We may look back upon an old year filled with errors un- numbered. mistakes of judgment, occasional bad faith, imperfect conceptions of truth, acts of un- kindness which are common her. itage of frail mortality-yet we may be happy if through it all there runs the golden cord of a | sincere desire to do better, to be more worthy, to avoid repetition of the words and acts and thoughts which stand out on the record like black charcoal on white paper. For it must be true, or life is hope less, that in the scales of the eter- nal the purposes of mankind weigh far more heavily than con- 1 duct. Nor is it all difficult even for humankind to make 8 clear distinction between wrong con- duct that Is regretted and wrong conduct that Is deliberate. I wish 1t were possible to en- large the number of New Year days in our lives on which to keep ever constantly increasing new and good resolutions for the fu- ture. Our broken hearted world wandering in wilderness of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30

By this time most people have fig ured out how many meals can be had from one turkey.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30
I g9TDE-L LIGHTS fHahL 4Gs.s IA AANNATIONAL yFl IE-W CAPITAL .5sEfGg J

From the tree which furnished the prickly leaves for the crown of thorns, Joseph of Arimathea, who gave his garden tomb for the body of the Crucified Christ, cut 3 staff.
 He bore it with him to ancient Briton, according to legend, and, reaching Glastonbury, cast 1t into the ground as an indication that that his journey was completed. It took root, and thereafter bloom ed twice year, in June and on December 20.
 That it should bloom In the midst of winter and on the birth day of Christ was regarded as a miracle. Pilgrims went to the spot to touch it blooming in the belief that it would heal them of their illnesses.
 During the day of Cromwell, a soldier, believing the tree and it's significance an aid to the priest hood in sustaining it's power, en- deavored to cut it down with one fell swoop of his sword.
 A splinter flying from the trunk pierced his brain, and he was dead, or so it Is recorded.
 At Glastonbury the tree still prospers and frequently blooms at Christmas.
 Some years ago an Englishman sent a sprout from the tRee to Washington to be planted in the close of the Washington Cathedral on Mt. St. Albans.
 The sprout was planted and nur- tured.
 Early In December 1t put forth leaves and soon afterwards buds.
 And on Christmas Day it was in bloom.
 It Is said that the day of mira cles is passed.
 But the thorn of GIastonbury
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30

The hand that rocks the cradle these days may also put the office-seeker to sleep.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30

doubt is breathing 8 prayer this New Year Day that tho evils which vex mankind may disappear in the year to come. Right-think- ing men are resolving to eliminate the wrongs of the past and to help forward some of the rights.
 We cannot get ourselves away from the idea of reform. We still dream that by taking more exter- nals and restoring them to their original form and shape we can help much in the betterment of man. But I have observed that reform does not reform. I have seen life change it's form, and yet not alter its value for the bet ter. It is by reason of this fact that I wish each day were New Year Day. I wish it were possible to abolish reform and put in its place regeneration. I wish that each of us, with every setting sun, might bury in the grave of forgetfulness every unworthy thought and deed. I would be supremely happy if could be as- sured of new birth for myself
 
 sun, bringing into the world new men and women who had faith in the old republic, it's institutions and its laws, and in humankind as sons and daughters of tho self same God.
 The New Year beckons, and whether 4t is to be a better year than the old depends not so much on the resolutions which we may make as on the power back of the resolutions to keep them in effect. The year beckons, but it points no way where men and women are to walk. It beckons to the young man following a career of crime as certainly as 1t beckons the sainted motherhood of the land. If the young man moves forward from this day with his vicious impulses of the past his New Year will lead him not to peace, but more probably to the peniten- tiary. The New Year will not change the workings of the law wherever greed or envy or malice of false ambition may control the lives of men. The New Year is not a surgeon about to remove dis eased tissues from our bodies. It is but an opportunity. It Is a clarion call to the hearts and con sciences of humankind. It says to you and to me: You may safely forget the past, if filled with evil, provided you regret it. You may look with hope upon the future if today is not as impulse but an inspiration"
 Copyright. 1923, by Twenty-First
 Century Press.)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30

It is said that the day of mira cles is passed.
 But the thorn of Glastonbury planted in Washington, in the midst of winter bloomed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30

I wish 1t were possible to en- large the number of New Year days in our lives on which to keep ever constantly increasing new
 and good resolutions for the flu ture. Our broken-hearted world wandering in wilderness of