davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-14
LABoRs CONSTRUCTIVE STAND

It is source of qualification to the friends of organized labor that Samuel Gompers was reelected as head of the American Federation of Labor with the unanimous indorsement of the body. MT. Gompers has shown that he is well fitted for that responsible po- sition by his conservatism and inteli- gence in the handling of many trying and delicate situations. It is a credit to him, as we'll as to the body of which he is the official head, that the American Federation of Labor has shown a determination to suppress those radical elements which have been trying to weaken, if not destroy, the purpose and influence of organized labor by boring from within.
 When the convention at Portland refused to recognize the so-called trade relations with Russia, suppressed Dunn, Foster and other irresponsible elements undertaking to inject various kinds of radicalism into the organiza- tion, and went on record, not as a political, but as an economic body working for the real interests of labor, and holding aloof from influences at tempting to use 1t for selfish purposes, it took long step to strengthen itself as constructive institution whose purposes and achievements enter largely into the nations welfare. The attempt to induce the federation to indorse movement for third party aroused suspicion, to say the least, among those leaders and members who have common-sense appreciation of the functions of labor in the economic structure, and they wisely refused to commit the organization to such a scheme.
 That organized labor should have active part in the nations politics no intelligent citizen will question; but It IS gratifying to note that the na- t1onal organization takes the view that political activities within the body should be directed along lines which, while supporting labor in it's worthy aims and purposes, should be consid. cred in the light of what is best fo,. the country's prosperity and happiness, in which labor shares equally with any other field of industry.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-14
A GRACIOUS SENTIMENT

The sentiment which prompts the desire of the peopleo Georgia to remove the remains of James E. Ogle- thorpe from England to the scene of his colonial labors, and which impelled the authorities of England to give consent for the removal, will meet with far-reaching sympathetic attitude. General Oglethorpe not only attained distinction as the founder and first governor of the Georgia colony, but he also rose to high rank in the Brit lsh army. He suggested the forms- tion of Georgia as British colony for protection of the Carolinas against the incursions of the Spaniards of Florida and as refuge for perse- cuted protestants of England who sought a new home in America. The charter for the new colony was granted in 1732, and in the following year the first settlement was made at Savannah under the personal super vision of General Oglethorpe. For a long time the colony was a financial dis appointment, but it served the pur- pose for which it was founded, and it's real prosperity began after colonists from the Carolinas and further North began their immigration movement. which was given great impetus by the security established against Spanish encroachments.
 An outstanding figure in the history of Georgia, the great founder of the state is associated with historic mem ories and traditions which are dear to the heart of every Georgian. The movemen t to bring his remains and those of his wife to Georgia for re- lnterment was inaugurated by Ogle- thorpe University, and received the approvalo the state and of the na- tlonal government. Chancellor Ernest Chlids of the diocese of Chelmsford England, in giving his consent to dis. enter the bodies, said it was highly honorable and noble motive on the part of the people of Georgia to seek to have the dust of their illustrfous founder and first governor reintered fortune. This is a gracious sentiment winch will meet sympathetic response in the soil of the great commonwea,t, to which he consecrated his life and on both sides of the ocean.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-14
Can't Last Much Longer (Arkansas Gazette)

It would be difficult to esti- mate how many millions of dollars worth of timber Arkansas has pro- duced but 1t is not d:fficult to estimate the number of years that the present supply in Arkansas will last. It will last only a very few years more. Nearly all of our valuable pine will be gone within ten years, and yet. except for one or two reforestations efforts by private lumber concerns, Arkansas has given no attention to this matter. The lumber industry In Arkansas is so large that it's ex- tinction will be felt not only by, the railroads and by merchants in various lines, but by farmers and professional men and all others. Arkansas should start reforesta
 tion at once. The fire hazard is the one biz reason that great lumber concerns have failed to un
 dertake reforestation in this. and Tn some other states. We would not expect manufacturer to builj great plant in town or state where he could not buy insurance. we hardly can expect a lumbar company, or an individual, to ex- pend big sums in the planting .f trees fn state where forest fires occur every winter. where there IS little effort to prevent these 1lres and where it is impossible 10 get insurance on standing timber.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-14

CTS must have kept pace with the sale of liquor. Poverty and poli- tics have made me a peripatetic Hoosier. I sing with great faith Cardinal Newman's hymn, Lead Kindly Light, Amid the Encir- cling Gloom; Lead Thou Me On" try to another, making what I hope is an honest living. I used to see hundreds of men partly or wholly intoxicated. The odor of the smoking room in the Pullman cars reeked with liquor. Drunk en brawls everywhere I went were not unusual. All this has changed, according to my observation. In 50,000. miles travelled the last three years I have seen but one man that I believed was intoxicated. have seen no fight; I have rarely detected the ordor of intoxicating liquor. Some few persons may be drinking more than they did be- fore the amendment, but most people are drinking less. My view is that most persons are not drinking at all.
 am told in other quarters that there should be loosening up of the law because every one is get ting all to drink that they want, anyway. This argument is unique, but 1t does not appeal to me-in fact, 1t runs counter to my own experiences in life. Whenever | can get all I want of what I want l do not waste my time in trying to find out whether the other fellow desires what I de- sire apd in engaging in crusade to provide him with it if he does. The law of my life has been to let the fellow who does not have and cannot get what he wants make known the fact that he desires it and is unable to secure it, and to make his own fight to obtain it.
 This concerns neither the ai- visibility nor individuality of the prohibition amendment. It Is not passing upon the good or the evil 1n the Volstead law. It is just a repertition of the Lords Prayer or democracy. It is a feeble call for law observers and law en- forcers, a suggestion that self government can endure only so long as the individual is self governed I wish again to point out the danger of permitting those who constantly violate a law to be the moving factor in it's alteration or repeal. l believe 1t to be the right of a fred people to alter and reform their govern ment. but law must be observed and enforced before 1t Is attacked Whenever the citizenship of this country shall become law abading, then 1t may open discussion of he advisability of changing it's laws. am hoping that the Washington conference will approach prohibi- ton not from the moral stand point, but from the standpoints of country shall become law-abiding, ment.
 Copyright, 1923, by Twenty first
 Century Press)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-14

as determining influence in reaching decisions, there would be more con victions and consequently better law enforcement. Every state is, or should be deeply concerned in that aspect of the proposition, because violation and evasion of law is the heaviest liability carried by every state. When all aspects of the question are ana lyzed, there is ground for the con- tention that economically and morally the state cannot lightly discard the claims and conditions of the convict's dependents as factor in the estab- lishment of practical penal system.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-14
ICpErLIcHTS fHaSl 414J NANNATIONAL SjfI
 N CAPITAL

Uncle Sam had nothing to do with the murder of the Italian commissioners at Janina.
 But it is practically certain that Uncle Sam will foot the bill.
 No one would be quicker to re- sent the idea that he is being eu- cle Sam.
 But there is no ono of tenderer heart than Uncle Sam.
 Therefore, he will pay, though indirectly, of course.
 The council of ambassadors set the indemnity to be paid Italy by Greece ateapproximately $2,500,000, or $500.000 for each victim.
 At the time the Greek treas ury, on account of long warfare and the necessity of caring for refugees from Asia Minor, was de- pleted.
 And yet Greece promptly depos- ited the s2,5oo.ooO in Swiss bank subject to the order of Italy.
 No doubt this money was ad- vanced by shrewd bankers with a profound understanding of condi- tions.
 The bankers, at the proper time, will demand their money.
 Greece will not be able to pay and feed at the same time 1,250,- 900 refugees.
 But the bankers will be insist ent, most insistent.
 Greece will pay the bankers and suffer the refugees to starve.
 It will then be up to Uncle Sam to enter the field and feed the refugees. His agents will be the Red Cross, and the people will sup ply the sinews, by popular contri- button, to the Red Cross.
 The indemnity represents a sum almost as large as expended by the Red Cross in caring for the refugees from Asia Minor up 70 the time of its withdrawal from the field, June 30 last.
 It Is apparent that the work will have to be done over again. For no one doubts that the bank CTS who financed Greece in the moment of the recent near-war will demand their pound of flesh
 And they will get 1t. They a,- ways have. They always will.
 It Is recalled that the United States once paid Italy an indem- nifty because certain of its citizens Nuo trd i,, States, in New Orleans several years ago.
 The indemnity, however, repre- scented only S10,000 for each vic- tim. Had the sum been fixed at $500,000 each, as in the case Of Greece, the United States would not have paid it.
 Right is might of course. But might has certain tangible advan- tages, after all.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-14

or not, I do not know, but cer- tainly their conduct indicates they do. The number of persons who believe in government, and yet who are not self governed, Is far too large.
 1 can understand the irritation of a person or a people who be- lieve in freedom and the rights of man over the attempt of other men to rule by discretion. I am not able to comprehend, however. why men are unwilling to be gov erned by the laws they themselves make. There is sitting now in the city of Washington a convention of men and women gathered from all the states to consider the question of law enforcement, par ticularly of the Volstead act. Whether this is needful or not, am unable to say. Sponsors of the convention stated in their call that there is, in certain sections an alarming degree of violation of the statutes and dangerous, widespread indifference to all kinds of laws which seem to h. terfere with so-called personal liberty" that this disregard of the fundamental processes of law enactment and enforcement, if per mitted to go unrestrained, will eventually manifest itself in viola ton of all law; that solidarity and eages, activity do not exist among the leaders of the churches and religious societies in their cooper ation with the officials who are sincerely striving to enforce laws: and, finally, that the rule of the majority ultimately may become the method of the vicious not withstanding the fact that the overwhelming majority of the peo- pie of the United States are not only law-abiding, but unchange- ably opposed to violation of law.
 I was not for the prohibit oa amendment when it was pending. for reasons that have nothing to do with the case now that it Is q part of the constitution, but I am for the amendment now, for the laws enacted under it and for strict enforcement of prohibition. It rather goes against the grain of my citizenship that some of the men who forced this reform are among its constant violators. It annoys me to hear it suggested that we ought to loosen up the Volstead act so as to permit the use of beers and light wines, when the looseners are. habitual users of Scotch whisky, who never tasted either beer or light wine in their lives. Their kick againat prohibition is to. get a kick in their stomachs. Undoubtedly they are seeking an entering wedge.
 Really do not understand some of the arguments that are being advanced. l am told. for instance, that there is more drinking now than there ever was before pro- hibition. This I strongly doubt. If 1t is so. the sale of cloves. spices and other breath sweeten-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-14
A FACTOR IN PENAL SYSTEMS

An old subject of interest to those who believe in improvement of prison systems for it's economic, as we'll as it's moral value, was touched on by Dr. Amos A. Squire, chief physician at Sing Sing, in recent address before the American Prison Association. The speaker advocated reformation of the prison system in such way as to pro- vide for the earnings of convicts to be shared by their pedendents, or, ia case of murder. to the dependents of their victims. That the innocent should suffer along with the guilty in the cases of men sentenced to long terms raises question of justice which overshadows even the economic aspect. Often dependents of crimi- nals are subjected to greater hard ship and suffering than are the con- victed men.
 A contemporary, commenting on this phase of the subject, observes with point:
 When persons meet death
 through the negligence or care-
 lessness of individuals of means,
 or corporations, such individuals
 or corporations are held liable
 for damages to the dependents
 of the victim. Every day the
 courts are awarding damages to
 widows and orphans of men killed
 in accidents. But when one man
 deliberately takes the life of an-
 other man, perhaps depriving the
 family of the other man of his
 support, the one who slays is
 usually accountable only to the
 state. No effort is made to com
 pei him to make reparation to the
 family he injured. And if he be
 convicted, his own family is de- |.
 prived of his support. The plan
 suggested by Dr. Squire involves
 this principle of reparation to the
 injured party, and at the same
 time is step in the direction of
 relief from the age-old injustice
 of making the innocent suffer
 with the guilty in punishing
 crime.
 There is ground for the contention that the state would be better served in practical ways by permitting earn ings of convicts to be shared by their dependents. In the great majority of trials by juries the fate of the pris- oner's dependents, in the event of his conviction, has much influence upon the verdict. If the hardships broughs upon these dependents were eliminated
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-14
MORE SOUTH AMERICAN TRADE

Alabama, on the eve of port devel- opment for foreign trade on a large scale, is interested in the suggestions coming from Spain that federation be formed embracing the "mother country" and the Spanish-speakilig people of South America. Spain. through mismanagement and reaction ary government, has lost practically all of her colonies, which were at one time scattered over the globe, and is in commercial distress. It is, there fore, natural that she should wish to cultivate closer trade and business re- lations with the South American re- publics, many of whose citizens will lend sympathetic ear because of the kinskip of language, religion and cul- ture.
 This is but one more of the reasons why the Southern states of America, and especially Alabama, might well enter progressively the immense trade territory offered in South America, and strive not only to sell them tEe  things we have, but to anticipate and study their wants and needs in order that closer relations may be culti- vated. While there is a difference in language South America is much Aore closely related to the United Dtates politically and economically than she is to Spain. Their govern ments were patterned after the Amec- ican republic, following the overthrow of Spanish monarchical domination. and their industrial development has been largely along lines for the solu- tion of the same problems that have confronted the people of the United States.
 Alabama is already doing consider able business with people of the Far South through the port of Mobile, but there is much more that could be obtained. Iron products have con- prised the greater part of this busi ness, though coal and clay products have helped to swell that total Ell zines, agricultural implements, gas and water pipe for cities, building ma
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-14
Poultry Profitable (Talladega Daily Hnmel

Have no definite idea of the poultry population of Alabama. but IS surely large and increasing, aud perhaps never did if do more to feed and nourish the public so much as during this year.. They tell us that seventeen dozen eggs IS the annual per capita consump- ton in Illinois. You may not have counted them. but the Alabama consumption, while perhaps rot quite so large, is enormous; ani when multiplied by 25 or 30 cents dozen. they figure in big fig ures; to say nothing of the brol- CTS, friers and chicken dinners. And, it is just poultry that does it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-14
The Spirit That Counts lElOrence Timesl

It was the civil victories, the stern determination that right ideals should triumph which made the veterans and the wives and sisters and mothers of the vete- rams truly great Although de- feated on the battlefield, the spiris of the south was never broken and 1t will never be broken as long as the ideals of the Confederate
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-14
For Southern Trade

Some Southern states are so sit uated that, in the opinion of busi- ness men, they should have a large business with the Central and South American republics. Doubt less the trade excursion plaa, which Western cities are finding so valuable in developing trade with Mexico, would. it is pointed
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-14
More Eggs Needed (Anniston Star)

That more eggs should be pro- ouced In Calhoun is proven by the iact that great quantities of eggs are shipped into this city each week-cold storage eggs which people buy because the home product is not sufficient to meet lhe demand. Calhoun should pr~- duce eggs, not only for the hom
 market, but many thousands If dozens annually for shipment to other markets It is a big sn1 paying industry when looked after well. It offers an opportunity to add to the farmers income with out adding s.eatly to his expense account, and without drawing 100 heavily upon his time and energy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-14
THE MORE IMPORTANT

New York sob story tells all anout a discovery that an indiEent cousin of former Mayor Van Wyck Is living in rude hut" On Broadway. Interest is supposed to center around the downfall for an arlstocrat. but the presence of ruoe hut on the great whiteway will be the more important news to most of the country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-14
Water Power Economy

(Oneonta Southern Democrat)
 We are consuming the natural resources of our country when we using the natural resources of oar country when we make power out Of the gravity of our water courses. When we use the water power there has been nothing de- stroyed
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-14
Somebody's Carelessness (Selma Times-JournaD

Selma ushered in fire preven- tion week by having $150,000 fire. Inflammable construction is put down as one of the fundamental and far-reaching causes of fires, but carelessness must continue 10 take first rank as the factor which piles up the staggering total of fire destruction in this country. Probably somebody's carelessness and the inflammable nature of the materials each played a part in the big fire Sunday night.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-14
Would Be n Help

If some system of physical training were worked out for high school and college students, not only would it be beneficial to those who are active in athletics, but 1t would help all the otaer students participating in it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-14
"Let's Start Something"
(Andalusia Star)

AotoiJ
 Lets start something that will bring a pay roll to Andalusia, and start it now" is the way one of the most enterprising and@success- ful young business men of this city addressed the editor of this newspaper. In reply we assured this loyal Andalusian that we are one hundred per cent with hfm or with anyone else who is ready to get busy and organize a cotton mill or any other like enterprise which will bring to this city a good pay roll.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-14

cording to MT. Lloyd George. As practical statesman, he understands why the United States does not care to intermix in European affairs, es- pecially when European nations are failing and refusing to make peace with each other"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-14
WORKING OUT HIGHWAY SYSTEM

Alabama's newly appointed highway commission has not yet had time to formulate a policy of road building, but it is assumed that commission of three members will have better per spective of the state as whole than would a commission composed of member from each congressional dis trict, the individuals of which would be more or less influenced by local demands and appeals. The new conl- mission, therefore, while not unappre- ciative of the needs of particular local sections, is in position to give maJcr attention to the completion of through routes in whose benefits every section of the state will share. directly or in- directly.
 The general program of road build ing, which must be in accord with the national law in order to participate in the federal aid funds, will no doubt include some things as outlined by the previous commission. Before federal aid becomes available each state is required to file definite data on the road system contemplated and the roads to which federal aid may be given must>not exceed seven per cent. of the total. In the case of Alabama the total mileage of roads is 56,551, and of this total seven per cent. is 3,957 miles. This 3,957 miles, there fore, is the total in the state to be built with federal aid. This touches every county in Alabama, and em- braces the main through arteries Of traffic.
 It is interesting to note what has been done on this system since 1916. The last available data is of Septem- Der 15, and at that time there had been completed 490.89 miles of road and $500 lineal feet of minor bridges, in addition to the large bridges over the Tallapoosa connecting Montgoin- cry and Elmore counties, the Warrior between Jefferson and Blount coun- ties, the Pea river in Dale county. The expenditure for completed roads and bridges amounted to approximate ly S5,500,000. Under construction on that date were 761.56 miles of road, 2.65 miles of minor bridges and large bridges over the Tombigbee connect ing Marengo and Sumter counties, over the Tallapoosa near Alexander City. over the Cahaba connecting Je9- ferson and Shelby counties on the Birmingham Montgomery highway, and over Flint river, in Madison county. Value of roads and bridges now under construction is put at $11 1,799, 1906. .09. Authorized and planned by the old commission are 216 additional miles of road, and bridges over the Ala bama river connecting Montgomery and Autauga counties, and over the Chattahoochee, at Eufaula, connecting Alabama and Georgia. Surveys have been completed of approximately 200 additional miles of roads.