davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24
SELLING OFF ON B
 AGAINST THE OTHER
By ThOmas L. Massol

People are coming to me con- stantly asking for a good book to read. I usually recommend something that I have read re- gently because everybody likes to read something that has just come out. There is a good reason for this, of course. The whole world of current thought is constantly changing. It is quite natural, therefore, that we should like to know what is going on, as 1t Is held up to our view by expert writers. What we don't under stand so readily is that writers themselves create conditions. They relate experiences based on some fact, but more fiction. Hordes of people then read what they have written and try, to be like 1t, or are unconsciously influenced to be like it. Just after the war, for example, there was a group of young people who jazzed about a great deal. Their actions were recreated in the form of fiction by certain clever writers, who saw the sales possibilities. Other young people read these books, wanted to be right up to the minute, initiate the characters in the books, and thus an age of jazz is started from comparatively small beginnings. Writers are not necessarily to blame for this. The whole world is constantly be- ing searched for new phases of very old life. This is why req sonably sane people like to mix their current fiction with some of the past. Personally, I think every good modern novel should always be matched by 8 corre- spending novel of the past. I would thus match Galesworthy's Saga" with Thackeray's Vanity Fair" Buchan's "Midwinter" with Walter Scott's "Ivanhoe;" Joseph Conrad's Rover" with Captain Marryat's "Midshipman Easy" Edith Whartons Son at the Front" with Hawthorne's Marble Faun;" Harry Leon Wilson's "Oh Doctor" with Dickens Great Ex- pectations."
 A too common mistake is to read all new, or all old books. We should always keep the right balance by setting off one against the other.
 If you like Ring Lardner, George Ade or any other current humor- ist, match them all together with Mark Twain's "Huckleberry Finn"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24
BETTER USE IT NOW
 nr xNicIeE WamhOldt

when was young fellow my chun and I went on a huntlhs and camping trip. Among the Va rious good things to eat that we took along was a large jar of de- lic;ous baked beans--the kind that fs nicely Drowned on top, you know. with a delectable piece of pork. My mother cooked them es- pecially for the occasion ana It seems to me nobody ever coulo bake beans as my mother does' When we reached our camp site in a great swamp at the head or a Florida river. we eyed those beans hungrily, We were passionateiy fond of beans, my chum and l. So much so, that we voted to save those beans until our stay in the woods had whetted our appetites to the keenest possible age.
 Each day that passed found us h,Ingrier for those beans. At last we decided the crucial mo- ment had arrived. We opened the jar and found the whole business had spoiled. We had waited too long. We had waited until the thing we prized had lost it's use fulness. People do that sort of thing many times and in many ways.
 knew a young sales manager. He had worked out a system for running his business that he con sidered unique and valuable. The firm with which he was connected asked him to install this system in one of their branch offices in an- other section of the country. He refused because he did not want his methods copied, and thereby incurred the displeasure of the head of the firm. Within six months he had grown out of his environment and entered a larger field of usefulness. It was then that he looked back with rather a feeling of self-contempt for the smallness of vision that had led him to think he must safeguard the little he knew. We do not need to worry too much about our little knowledge of the minute. If we are going to grow as we ought to grow, they will be kin dergarten stuff to us in twelve months.
 Writers sometimes think of an idea which they feel is too big and too rich to be employed in the immediate circumstances. They store it away jealously until the great moment shall arrive when they can use it to the best ad- vantage. Then, when time has rolled on, they dig up their care- fully-buried thought treasure and find 1t is shrivelled and worthless. They then wish they had used 1t when it looked big to them and was big to them.
 When things come to us they had better be used. else we find their time has passed, like last years calendar. Mama Is to be freely used. as freely given. When hoarded the worms eat it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24

and efforts by parents to provide bet ter school buildings and equipment and more efficient school advantages for their children. The more tids sen timent grows and the more general it's practical application, the better for the whole state, both from dollar and-cents standpoint, and in the i'm provement of governmental and civic affairs, in the elevation of standards of citizenship, in better law observance and in a larger measure of prosperity and contentment. It is wise invest ment which offers good and perma- nent returns.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24
PEOPLES FORUM
Character in Handwriting

To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 Robert T. Small makes much ado over New York's excitement in having o-graphologist who reads character in handwrit- ing!" There's nothing specially new about this, save, perhaps Scherman knows how to exploit himself-as did Coue upon his visit to the states.
 Handwriting is an expression of personality. "Oh," you say, q never write twice alike" My friend, that proves you have, no fixity of purpose. "I write as I learned at school" None of us pen the copy plate of our school years. T write miserable hand" Don't be so sure. it Is not always the pen formations that are pretty to look at, that show keen intellect, force, determination and spiritual strength.
 Graphology reasons by induc- tion. Take a number of individ- uals, movie stars for instance. Note their inflated capitals, in- tense vitality, conscious belief in themselves that make for similar achievement along similar lines, Note the signatures of bankers, stock brokers, militant women, the righthand slant and looped letters of the home-loving woman. Peo- pie of same talents and ability in same direction write wonderfully alike. Henry Ford and E. H. Gary mQka cin1f1ar oi1 note the difference in their pen pressure. We hope Ford will get Muscle Shoals. but if E. H. Gary had wanted it, he and Weeks in personal interview long since. would have argued the Gorgas plant into the obscurity of its rishttul owner-whoever that may be.
 The tenuity of Henry Ford's written name made possible the peace ship and-a lot of other things
 Study your own handwriting. it's worth while. Nobody tells us the truth about ourselves. We wouldn't believe them and gener- ally 1t isn't their affair. With graphology it's different. It is for each man and woman to know himself. Your handwriting can tellyou Your faults with perhaps brutal honesty, but you can hunt therein for your good qualities to keep equilibrium.
 And suppose you correct your faults-joy to contemplate your pen formations will change, for the mind undoubtedly photographs itself as you unsuspectingly record the fact, that you are ambitious or lazy, brilliant or dull, cruel or kind. and the record lies open tc all who can read character in handwriting, and. who can dis cern therein the soul of tn. pen man.
 MRS.J. FRED ROBERTSON. Bessemer. Ala, Nov. 20, 1923
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24
TEXTILE MILLS ON THE MOVE

That the tendency of textile mills to come South is swelling tide is in- dicated by the announcement of a new corporation financed by Northern capital to operate mills at several points in South Carolina and Georgia. The combined number of spindles is given as 586,000 and the number of employees at 6,500. The present trend in textile manufacture is belated rec ognition of the logic of manufacturing an article near the source of the raw material. It has always been more feasible to manufacture cotton in the South rather than in New England, but habit is often hard to overcome. It was only when the competition af- forded by gradually growing Southern production began to be felt in New England that the leaders in the indus try really awakened to serious con- sideration of the situation.
 It is encouraging to note in this new venture that, whereas hitherto the bulk of Southern manufacture has centered in North Carolina, now it is spreading south and west. The situa- tion is an invitation to Alabama en- terprise to hasten this westward prog ress by emphasizing in the proper quarters the advantages this state off, fers for textile manufacture. Alabama has cheap and abundant fuel and power, good labor, suitable raw mate rfals, healthful climate, efficient and economical transportation and strong competitive position with respect to the worlds markets. While the peo- pie of Alabama know all these things. the people outside have not had the facts fully impressed upon their minds.
 Perhaps one of the best introductory messages for the Greater Alabama campaign to deliver to the rest of the nation would be with respect to this states opportunities to those inter- ested in establishing and developing the possibilities of cotton manufacture. Textile mills are on the move. It is easier to divert them now than after the migration has ceased. There may never again be a similar chance ;o bring in the capital that is at this moment seeking this kind of invest ment and locations such as Alabama offers in gratifying variety.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24
ALL INCLUsIYE
(Altoona. Kan. Trihune

All persons knowing them selves indebted to this paper are requested to call and settle. All persons indebted to the Tribune and not knowing it are requested to call and find out. Those know ing themselves indebted and not wishing to call are requested to stay at one place long enough for us to reach them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24
Ignorance of Public Affairs 1I1.~


 One weakness that seems to be common to every form of munich pal government Is the failure to keep the citizens fully and proper ly informed of.sthe condition of the city's affairs and the activi- ties of the administration. This is often true not because of any in- tention to maintain secrecy, but is caused merely by neglect and the fault is in a way as much that of the citizen as that of the official. No demand is made for a full accounting and the usual result Is that none is forthcoming. It is not so much the financial status of the city government that is unknown to the citizens as 1t is the actual work which is being done and that which is centem- plated. Reports on the financial condition of all cities are pe- riodically made, and unless there is deliberate plan to deceive and to graft the citizens can with reasonable ease keep inr touch with the income and the expendi- lures, but there " often much haziness in the mi1e cE s' cittzea as to just what ha aecora- plished-just what he and his fell low citizens have received for their money.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24
Broke Neither
(Judge)

A great gathering of church. men had been in session in thu city of Denver for about ten days. and the porter in one of the hotels made this remark to a travelling man who had inquired as to the conventions:
 "Yassuh, boss" the darky com mented, dis bunch of preachers is sure different from most folks wat comes to Denver for conven- tions. Dey blew into dis town with copy of de Ten Command ments in one pocket and a $10 bill in the other, and we porters don't believe that dey have bro- ken either of them yet"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24
Did He Invent the CIimates

The bones of that prehistoric man just dug up In California must have belonged to one of the first families of the state.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24
Never a Quitter

Now and then you hear some one ask; What has become of such and such a movement" You will remember that such move ment was once started, but you cannot remember that 1t ever was finished. Anniston may have it's quota of individual quitters, but Anniston as community has never yet tackled job it did not finish. This Is one of the reasons for Anniston's fine growth.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24
Another Pest
(Brewton Standard

(Brewton Standard)
 Another pest we would like to see eliminated is the auto driver who pulls up alongside the curb with his lights burning brightly and leaves them that way for the benefit of approaching motorists while he carries on a conversation with some friend on the sidewalk.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24
She's Holding Her Own

VOHIO Stdt6 JOuTndI1 On days when nothing in Flu rope is doing anything more than trembling in the balance we feel almost elated.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24

It may be a mere coincidence that the announcement of a scientist that St. Vitus' dance is decreasing followed closely the report that jazz is on the wane.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24
Too Good to Hire

(Honolulu -Bulletin)
 "So you think you can dress a show window so that every wo- man who comes along will stop and look at it, do you?" asked the manager of dressmaking es- tablishment of an applicant for work.
 "Yes, sir, I do."
 Well, then. what Is the first thing you would do?"
 I'd put a big mirror in the window and"
 That's enough, young man: we don't want you as an em- ploye. We'll take you as a part ner."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24

England and France acted wisely in making a practical international ap- plication of the old injunction, Look Before You Leap."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24
lCPErLIcHTS fRlHEl 41SeI
 A\NATLONAL TFI N NCAPITAL .EZzsIsS;ssaG;g$S

According to officials of the state department, the great ma jority of Americans, asking for passports to visit foreign coun- tries, are unable positively to prove themselves American born.
 It is said to be reasonably cer- tain that no man in the country, whose parents are dead. can pre- sent documentary evidence of American birth-unless he was born in one of the larger. cities of the nation.
 As rule, the smaller cities, the towns and villages preserve no birth statistics, and those which do, have adopted the system with in comparatively recent years.
 Of those seeking passports, the state department requires a birth certificate. In the event the cer- tificate cannot be produced, it is necessary that the would-be trav- eler present an affidavit from a parent of the physician who was in attendance at his birth, or the minister who performed baptismal ceremonies.
 If none of these affidavits can be produced, the man who would go abroad must present an affi- davit from a we'll known individ- ual who has practically certain information that he was born in America. and who has known him for fifteen or twenty years.
 It is the intention of the off, cials of the state department to use discretion wherever discretion may safely. be used. Sometimes, however, clerks, hewing absolute ly to the red tape line, make 1t ex- ceedingly embarrassing for those who would travel, and on them impose vexatious if not onerous burdens.
 And at the same time, the clerks make themselves and the depart ment and the government ridicu- lous.
 Some time ago former Governor Thomas E. Kiiby of Alabama asked for a passport entitling him to see the world. He was unable to present certificate of birth. r His parents were dead. The at- tending physician and the minister who christened him were dead.
 Informed that he would have to present an affidavit from some one who had known him for many years, he applied to the clerk of a United States court. This off, ficial swore that he had known the former governor a long time. The clerk at the Washington end. however, rejected this affidavit because the number of years was not specified.
 Whereupon MT. Kilby secured an affidavit from man who had known him thirty years. There were additional hitches, however, so MT. Kilby came post-haste to Washington.
 Here a member of congress &C., companied MT. Kilby to the de- partment, and without trouble se- cured the necessary papers.
 The officials contend that they have to be very careful, but do not cite specific reasons, or satis- factory reasons, why such great care is essential.
 To embarrass a man who had served as governor of one of the states of the Union. and require him to prove beyond all possible shadow of doubt that he was born in the United States. seems ridicu- lous.
 But, were there no red tape en- meshing the departments, there would not be sufficient work for all the clerks Uncle Sam employs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24
Pleased With the satsuma

Our neighboring city, Dothan, has gone crazy over the Satsuma "a crop which. when closely con sidered, holds promise enough to make any neighboring city go crazy, and Dothan, therefore, is to be congratulated upon her in- sanity.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24

An exchange says that the soviet doings put one in mind of bubbles. It takes soap to make bubbles, and there is a suspicion that Russia is out of soap.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24
WOMEN IN INDUSTRY

(San Francisco Chronicle) An, well; the modern girl may know less about making bread, but she knows more about mak- ing dough.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24
Beg Your Pardon

In recent issue we announced that a committee of diplomats had settled the Nah Jongg question and that all was we'll in the Far East. Now we learn that a war has arisen between the Nah Jongg and Ma Chiang tongs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24
Crazy About Good Roads

(HuntSVlIIe IImeSD
 We don't wonder at the good people going crazy about good roads. In other days when we and others of the faithful few were pioneering in this behalf with lit- tie or no encouragement we had the vision that some day from the persistent education that was car ried on the people would wake up and appreciate the great need for such blessings. And they have. We congratulate them, though it took a long time to do the job. Now for a program of hard sur faced roads and their proper maintenance.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24
THE PARAGRAPHERS
Two Dangerous

NhdHSdS Slty OldIJ
 We don't see many of the walk ing clubs of a year ago in action these days, but it may not be from lack of enthusiasm. Per- haps the traffic conditions made walking impossible.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24
Etowah's Cotton Crop

(Gadsden JournaD
 At the prevailing market of thirty-three and a half cents pound, there is approximately seven million dollars worth of cotton in the Gadsden district, aside from the amount received for seed This means prosperity for the farmers and prosperity for the merchants. It is another il- lustration of the fact that short crop means more money to all concerned.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24
He Even Seems to Enjoy It

(St. Louis GIobe- m0crat)
 Don't lavish too much well-in- tended sympathy on MT. Bryan. He doesn't mind being disagreed with. .
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24
Not ns Green ns We Looked
(Detroit Free Press)

Europe which used to sheer at America because it is so young, now gnaws its nails because America Is too old to fool.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24
Let George Do It

(Memphis Commercial AppeaO
 The way things are shaping up will have to leave the country, in Greece it looks as if somebody and the Republicans are showing a disposition to let George do 1t.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24

It has been suggested that it would have been more appropriate for Edu- cation Week to have opened after, in- stead of closing before, the football season ended.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24

Reports that the ex-crown prince of Germany killed two deer during hunt in Silesia indicates that he learned how to aim since the armistice was signed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24
A Good Shot

Answers, London) Woman: T suppose your wife misses you a great deal?" Commercial Traveler: "Well, no; for woman She has a re- markedly straight aim."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24
Fine Cane Crop

(GreenVlIIe AdVOCdteJ
 The cane crop has turned out better than usual this year. The rain that did sc much damage to the cotton and caused Billy Boil Weevil to get in his work, was just the thing to make the sugar cane grow and the corn yield to be so good. Just at this time the all over the county. Some have finished. but, the majority are still grinding the cane. The quality is exceptionally good and everybody is happy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24
SMILES
Too Much Style

Gife)
 Tens of the lumber camp re- turned only two days after leav- ing for an intended visit of a week with relatives. The camp cook, surprised, exclaimed: Back so soon? Didn't the folks use you right?"
 "Oh. folks ban gude," replied Tens. "but day put on too much styles. Dey even eat pie with knife instead of dere hand."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24
THE ALABAMA PRESS
Time For the New Lawn
(Florence Daily News)

HOW about that new lawn Just a little work in preparation of soil and sowing of little seed will lay the foundation for that green sward next spring. If you really want a lawn. look after 1t nnW.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24

From the number of entries in the Box prize contest, 1t would seem that everybody is for peace except bene- ficiaries of the spells of war.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24

Reports that the Pekin treasury is empty recall that several official ad- ministrations have had a whack at it during the last few years.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24

Even the speeders do not seem to be making much progress in beating it from their ad valorem auto taxes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24

The trouble with the Bavarian at- tempted revolution seems to have been an excess of froth with very little body.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24

Why not turn congress over to the politicians and establish a new law making body?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24

A statement from Berlin says that the ex-crown prince will devote him. self to farming. But that means work.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24

This would be a pretty good old world, after all, if it would cut out some of the quarreling.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24

Why all the sudden Republican ado over the Ford offer? There must be more votes in it than was at first thought.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24

President Coolidge continues to hold the world championship for speaking the fewest words within a given time.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24

Even in America there is a large saparatist government along towards Christmas time.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24

The parking problem appears to be developing a situation of ''first come, first served"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24

Foreign exchange has hit new low level. Hark from the depthsi
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24

Some of the hats that are thrown into the ring seem to need blocking.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24
Thoughtful Cuss

l thought thought, but the thought I thought Was not the thought I thought I thought. And so think-again think I'll write it down with pen and ink.
 Reed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24
Problem in Etiouet

IfOUIc1H III LCIQuSt Just because we were never introduced To each other, But modestly introduced ourselves, Are we forever doomed to awe And ignominy In the sight of each other?
 Norman Strand.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24

In few days congress will be ready to perform its annual operation on the pocketbooks of the American tax payers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24

It seems that Grover Cleveland BergdolPs stacker record is exceeded only by that of his impotence.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24

The ring is beginning to resemble a regular hat-rack.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-24

After years of research, scientist has arrived at the conclusion that the average blonde has 90 miles of hair while the average brunette has only 46. But what we palpitate to know is: How many miles of hair has a hennaed flapper with a bob?