davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-26
KEEP SCHOOL STANDARDS HIGH

The reported inclination of some members of the legislature to yield to the demand from some quarters to au- thorize popular election of county su- pelintendents of schools marks the point where statesmanship ends and politics begins, And yet there is nothing more eminently desirable than to keep the schools as far removed from politics as possible. The choice of school executives because of their ability to win votes is to place the emphasis entirely on the wrong basis The only defensible reason for the choice of a school superintendent is his ability to conduct public education along the best and most approved lines. Popular election in such a case is a step backwards to a practice that almost all states have profitably dis carded. If Alabama expects to keep pace with other states in education and to repair her own illiteracy and educational shortcomings, she must go forward and not backwards.
 Applicants for executive school po- sitions should be held up to rigid statutory requirements of experience, training and ability to meet formal tests of technical nature before being eligible to candidacy. That is ths method approved in other states and accounts for the high school stand ards maintained in the leading educa- tional sections. Petty politics and the passing of local laws through false policy of legislative courtesy defeat rather than serve the public ends. Let the legislature not enact too many statutes that a successor will be obliged to repeal
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-26

gressive. Its appeal is to hin who wants place where the future holds forth the greatest promise. That is the inducement to come South. The South has not attained, but it is at taining, it's development faster than any other section. It's low land values are rising rapidly in response to the general progress in industry, manu facture and commerce.
 In 1910 the average value per acre of farm land in the United States was $32.40; in 1920 it was $57.45 per acre. In the Southeastern states the average acre value of farm land in 1910 was $15.99; in 1920 it was S36.74. While the increase in values for the country at large in this period was 73 per cent, the increase in acre values of Southern farm lands was 1906 per cent. Southern farm values present an opportunity for invest ment than which there is none su- perior in the country, because, much as these lands have increased in value, they are still to be had at low cost compared with productivity and the values vet to be attained.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-26

Let the city commission remember that street paving is municipal and not a neighborhood affair.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-26
GENERAL JOHN J. PERSHING

The place occupied by General John J. Pershing in the hearts of his coun- trymen is unique. He was our com mander in the greatest war this nation ever waged In the midst of perplexi- ties innumerable and responsibility almost beyond human strength to bear he was the figure, calm, resolute and indomitable, which gazed un- flinchingly into the face of the most compelling duty any general was ever called upon to encounter. While the hordes of the enemy were resistlessly advancing with seemingly endless power of reinforcement and lnvigora- ton, the American general marshaled his forces in battle array, and, in con- formity with the plans of the allied command, had them advance to meet the victory-flushed enemy at one of the most triumphant salients of its onward trust towards Paris. Our men. unused to battle though they were, yet acquitted themselves in most
 
 manhood, courage and strength ot character what they had lacked in military seasoning. Through all thls trying period the high qualities and military genius of General Pershing made his voice one of the most lntlu- ential in the allied council, and who can define in accurate terms the measure of his strategic imprint upon the final result!
 And now, though the chief of all cur armies, General Pershing has be- come the most modest of all our cltl- zens, never fearing to lift his voice m timely counsel, but likewise never at tempting to presume on the preroga- tives of place and prestige to which his high achievements entitle him. A victorious general, his voice is always raised for peace, and even when he asks for additional armament and men, it is only for the purpose of pro longing peace in our land and estab- fishing our nation in security from war. Birmingham considers the visit of this foremost general signal honor, and extends to him that hearty welcome which his high merits de- serve, and which his modesty renders spontaneous. May he long live to give wise counsel, and may this gen eration quickly come to heed and weigh we'll his military advice.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-26
VALUE OF PORT BUILDING

The port facilities of San Fran cisco, now valued at $50,000,000, are the property of the state of Califor- mia and have been developed under state harbor board. These facili- ties have greatly expanded the com merce of San Francisco and have been an economy to shippers. As in the case of the port of New Orleans, state aid has proved a marked success.
 With two such leads as this the state of Alabama may yell go ahead with the building up of it's port facili- ties at Mobile. The example of Cal ifornia and of Louisiana is complete vndication of the state aid project and convincing proof of the wisdom of that procedure. In the case of port development no part of the state may secure an advantage over an- other Port development at Mobile will be of no more advantage to Mo bile than to Florence, Athens, Bir- mingham, Selma and Montgomery. Mobile is the common gateway for Alabama products seeking markets of the world and it is through that gate way that cotton, corn, iron, steel, coal, lumber, resin and cotton now go forth to the degree in which Mobile affords export facilities.
 The growth of Alabama is directly dependent on it's export facilities. State aid in port development is merely the employment of the means of the state for advancement of the state. No proyerb has come down the corridors of time with more potent message that that which declared that Experience is the best teacher" In New Orleans and San Francisco, where state aid in port building speaks in eloquent terms of the splendid sue cess attained through that exercise of peoples means, Alabama has all the example and stimulus needed to make it enthusiastic in going ahead with the project at Mobile with liberal promptness. The state harbor board stands in high repute and enjoys the full confidence of the state earned by the manner in which it has planned and prepared for the inauguration of port improvement. The state has never faced a greater certainty of good results flowing from employment of public funds than it does in con- templating appropriations for i'm provement of it's one and only port.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-26
DANGER IN ILLICIT LIQUOR

Aside from consideration of law ob- servance as the duty of self-respect- ingesitizen, the man with due appre- ciat1un of his physical welfare who has been reading the interesting se- ries of articles by United States Pro- hibition Commissioner Roy A. Haynes, which are running daily in The Age Herald, will think twice before he drinks bootleg liquor MT. Haynes tells of his departments findings in chemical analyses of sixty thousand samples of captured whisky in way that will cause many who have been taking chances to realize their close calls and narrow escapes, If, indeed, they did escape. His statements, based upon an unparalleled opportunity to get the facts, will make many think seriously and soberly on whether the qualification of desire for temporary stimulant is worth the dangers they incur in the process under present conditions of barter and sale.
 The writer sets forth that of sixty thousand samples of bootleg whisky analyzed in the laboratories of the prohibition unit during the last twelve months less than one per cent were found to be pure whisky. The other ninety-nine per cent. were contaml- mated, most of them by dangerous and poisonous ingredients. He declares / that it is almost impossible to obtain whisky from illicit sources anywhere in the United States. In some parts of the country the percentage of pure whisky obtained from bootleg sources is much less than one per cent. Re cent figures from Ohio, for instance, showed that only one sample in three hundred of bootleg liquor was gen. uine. The other two hundred and ninety-nine contained poison. It is added that hundreds of people in every part of the country are being poisoned on a quick schedule by this stuff. while thousands are dying from diseases incurred through or hastened, by drinking poisoned thousands.
 The high cost of illicit liquor, the difficulties in obtaining it, and the dangers lurking therein have done much to decrease the consumption of intoxicants in this country. That de crease is gradually spreading as people become aware of the chances they take in drinking Millions of people with no thought of the importance of law observance keep sober because they cannot afford to use intoXicants and because they are afraid to. Some time ago a convention of business men in Birmingham included a dele gate from Virginia who telephoned a former friend from that state that a
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-26
JOHN DREAMS
Dreams of the Postman

The postman in our dreams is a hamburger of good news. It does not mean, however, that the happy message will reach you by letter, It may come to you by word of mouth, either from the person who is to bring cheer into your life himself or through someone who will tell you by proxy the very thing your heart desires. In most cases this vision appears to woman in love. but for some req son or other has been unable to convince herself that her choice Is as much enamored of her as she is of him. After she has had this dream a mutual friend, usually a woman, will come to her and bring her the assurance, and even the proof, perhaps. that the man she loves is eagerly waiting for his opportunity to tell her that all his affections are centered upon her.
 Naturally, as soon as she has learned this, it will be easy for her to turn matters in such a way that a confidential talk between her and her ideal will bring the truth to the surface and enable them to come to an understanding that shall last as long as human love can endure. When a mar ried woman has such a dream 1t means nothing to her, but tells her merely that her nearest rela- tive of marriageable age is un- happy because she cannot ascer tain whether the man she has set her heart on really cares for her In such case it Is the duty of the dreamer to act, so far as pro- priety will permit, as a go-be- tween so that the two lovers may be united.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-26
PEOPLES FORUM
A wortb-wbiIe Demonstration


 To the Editor of The Age Rerald:
 The Central of Georgia Railway Company has given to the far mers of this state and of Georgia a worth while demonstration of what it takes to make "practi- cal permanent pasture" which will make more pounds of meat, milk, or butter, than the pastures of other sections. This work was done at the expense of the Central of Georgia Railway Company, without costing the state of Ala bama one penny. Twenty-two acres carried for 2S9 days 2.11 animals per acre. More than two head of cattle per acre for nine and one-fifth months. As result of this demonstration there were more than one thousand acres sown down Tn permanent pasture in Talladega county this year in grasses that grow naturally, giv ing longer grazing season, at the same time grazing more cattle than any other section. This dem onstration shows there is no bet ter section for the dairy business in the United States than we have here in Northeast Alabama.
 Fully one-third of the land now cultivated in hood crops should be put in permanent pasture, and an- other one-third should be planted in lespedeza or other leguminous crops for three or possibly five years, then the land would be made to produce a bale an acre. There Is no doubt in the mind of the writer that the great loss in farming Is due to the cultivation of poor land. No acre ought to be planted in cotton unless in any ordinary season 200 pounds of lint cotton can be reasonably expected to be harvested. There will bo no labor shortage if this system Is followed. The boil weevil can be more easily combated on a small acreage. and the cost of producing a pound of cotton will be very much lowered, as less fertilizer will be necessary to go over the ground. The price will be more easily kept on paying basis. Give nature a chance to make thing of beauty of the unsightly hillsides. Nature abhors a scar; given only chance. she will throw a tangle of vines first to prevent further erosion, and then a berry and flower to gladden. the heart of man with it's fra grancessand beauty.
 G. T. McELDERRY
 Talladega, Ala, July 16, 1923.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-26
Not Creiita1Ic
Admission Starl


 The action of the Alabama srn ate, following similar action bl the house, merely was the carry ing out by those two bodies of thu wishes of the administration lead CTS. The money the convict leas- ing brings in to the state is tuu great a temptation for the finan cial interests of the state to with stand, therefore the evil will con tinue. This is not creditable t. the Alabama law making bodies It is against the wishes of q great number of Alabamians who see in the leasing of convicts an evil that Is bad now and one that will grow worse the longer it is continued. The vote of Senator Wiley C. Tun- stall was disappointment to many of his Calhoun friends who had expected him to give his vote and his support to ending the leas- ing system. MT. Tunstall voted with the administration forces OH the resolution. but it is believed he misrepresented the sentiment in the county.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-26
JEWISH LAUGHS
Preferred to Be Ex-Protestant
Fly Jacob HicIiI

A middle-aged man entered the parish of Catholic church and, walking briskly up to the priest, asked to be converted to Catho1- icism.
 The features, the accent, the whole bearing of the applicant bore unmistakable evidence of his Jewish extraction. Yet as mat ter of formality he asked the newcommer what his present re- ligion was.
 My religion is Protestant" re- piled the ex-Israelite.
 How long have you been Protestant" Queried the divine.
 "One month" was the reply.
 And what were you before?"
 Prior to this ] was Jew"
 Aren't you ashamed to change religions so often?" cautioned the father"
 Well, it is a matter of eXpe- diency with me-" explained the candidate for baptism. At pres ent when l am asked what my previous religion was l am com pellod to say that it was Judaism, which is very embarrassing. But now I will be able to say that it was ProteStaniSm."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-26
MOTHERS OF FAMOUS
 MEN
,he Mother of Sir Philip sidney

The Mother of Sir Philip Sidney
 Lady Mary Dudley! The very name is poetry and romance and tragedy! She was the mother of the man who died at the age of thirty-two, reverenced as the ideal of English chivalry, sharing his last cup of watehr with a wounded soldier. Sir Philip Sidney was more than a soldier of fortune; he was the author of beautiful poetry, and particularly the author of that strange, half-unreal book. Arcadia" the story of the land of perfect happiness and content.
 Lady Mary Dudley was the daughter of the great Duke of Northumberland, who made the vain effort to keep Mary and Elizabeth from becoming rulers of England. He was beheaded, to- gether with his son. whom he had married to the unfortunate Lady Jane Grey. When Sir Henry Sid ney married Lady Mary Dudley he married woman who was in the deepest distress. She herself might easily have been involved in the general calamity that over took her family, but special court deree set her free from blame.
 The Dudleys were a proud peo- pie. and Lady Mary must deeply have felt the blow. She could never have seen the walls of Lon don Tower without shudder Her son, who became the real Sir Philip Sidney, was born in 1854, ten years before Shakespeare. at Penshurst There there was noth- ing except rare beauty. Beauti- full shrubs, tall trees, retired walks and pleasant fields quite resembled the happy places de- sribed in Arcadia" Sir Philip sidney deeply reverenced his mother and her people, and once said: My chiefcst honor is to be a Dudley" That speaks volumes for Lady Mary, as well aS for her noble son.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-26

An overwhelming majority of the people of Alabama are strongly and justly opposed to their state carrying the heavy burden of the convict lease stigma in order that few coal oper- ators may make large profits from the offensive thing. That is the situation which the legislators should and will be forced to consider under pressure of a righteously indignant public sen timent. The sooner the legislators realize this the better for their own political interests as well as for the state.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-26

bell-boy proposed to sell him quart of well-known brand of liquor for twenty dollars; that he was willing to pay the highway-robbery price, but was doubtful about drinking it, and asked for advice. The friend, who formerly took an occasional drink, but quit short for reasons above stated, replied: q can only tell you what l would do under the circumstances; l would not drink any liquor sold by any bell-boy or by any bootlegger at any price" It is a safe plan. Mil lions have thought well enough of it to adopt and observe it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-26
Legislature and the People
(Demopolis Times)

(DemopollS IlmeS)
 Our legislators have done unique thing in disposing of the convict lease question-if they have disposed of it. A resolution was passed that the convict sys- tenn would not be disturbed by them and it was put through both houses. There are several other matters that might have been in cluded in the resolution, setting forth the things they would or would not do. so as not to be disturbed by the folks back home. Well, the folks back home are go- ing to keep on hammering on the matter of making slaves out of our onyicts for money, and few resolutions. more or less, are not going to stop them. Our legisla- ture is now in class by itself on the matter of resolutions. They have set a new record in thi gs legislative. In the new order of things. the law making bodies riil only have to get Together and de clare what they are and what they are not going to do. aud thereby dispense with a whole lot of outside interference.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-26
farmer-labor senators. would also make a majority.
It's Principles All Right
 (HouSton Post)


 Nothing better could happen to the Democratic party than such a sitting of it's ranks as would bring together in harmony men and wo- men who stand four square for the historic principles of the party. It would be better to have that and suffer defeat than to compromise vital principles in or der to attract the support of num- bers of voters who do not believe in Democratic doctrine. The prin- ciples of the party are all right. They have survived defeat many times in the party's long history, and If clung to and fought for are bound to prevail. The life of the party is menaced only when 1t abandons the principles which have made it great and embraces false theories in order to catch votes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-26
No Real Majority

NNtW OTK IftTdIUI
 Considering the personnel of the fifty-one normal Republicans, that slim majority becomes no con servative working majority at all. From the fifty-one must be sub tracted the number of Republicans who are too independent, too radi- cal or too generally cantankerous to vote as the party leaders would like to have them vote. Borah Johnson, LaFollette, Brookhart Ladd. FraZier-those six alone added to. solid Democratic mi norty of forty three, would make a majority. Four of them, joined with the Democrats and the two
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-26
soUTH's GROWING LAND VALUE

The South does not claim to have outdistanced other parts of the coun- try in development of her natural re- sources, in her farming methods and in the realization of her advantages of soil and climate. What it does claim and of which it offers constant proof is that it is a land of oppor- tunity fraught with prosperity to be achieved by the enterprising and pro-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-26
END OF LEASING IN SIGHT

ne three measures lnCrOQuceQ Into the state senate recently, and looking to the abolition of convict leasing in Alabama, prove that there are some members of the legislature who deprc- cate the legislative attitude towards the public desire for abolition and who arc doing what they can to com pei legislative attention to this i'm portant question. Senator Brewer of Jefferson county sponsors the meas ures, one of which provides for the termination of all state leasing on or before September 30, 1925. The chief criticism that may be made of the measure is that it sets such d remote date for fulfiliment of the public will regarding convicts. It is with reason believed by many ob- servers that six months would be am- pie time in which to effect the termi- nation of the practice.
 The second measure is in the form of an amendment to the constitution to be submitted to the vote of the peo- pie of Alabama, which, if approved, would make it impossible for any leg islature in future to restore the ob- noxiOus practice or to prolong the present system. It is right and proper that the people should be permitted to record their will in this manner The chief suggestion that may be of fered to improve this amendment would be a provision terminating the leasing of county convicts also. One is as bad as the other nNprinciple, while in practice county leasing is much worse, because of the lack of official supervision No county should be permitted to continue a practice which the state has condemned. If the amendment will be altered to ad- init this additional provision it will undoubtedly receive approval all the more general and emphatic.
 The third measure would forbid the state to enter into any new contracts for convict hire after January 1, 1924. While half loaf is always better than no bread, it still appears wrong to continue to extend the pc riod of making new contracts. It would be far more consonant with the public desire to fix the date at not later than September l, 1923. It may very well be that the provisions were made in the light of their probable acceptance by the legislature, but the amendment at least might be made to provide for complete and prompt ces- sation of leasing, responsibility the people are ready to assume, if the legislature i5 reluctant to do so.
 Senator Brewer deserves public expression of appreciation for his de- termined effort to bring before the legislature this important public ques- tion which the legislature can neither legally nor morally refuse to consider. It is hoped that by the time the meas ures reach the floor of the senate and house that the members will have re- covered their mental poise and re- newed their allegiance to the public they are elected to serve. It is hoped that legislative opinion will have swung into the quarter whence blows the public desire, and that the prac- tice of leasing convicts for hire will cease in Alabama, which is to say in the United States of America.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-26
lE3y Be nu IsS.:c

(DeKalb County Herald)
 The Legislature has defeated tn" bilr fer abolishine the convict leasing system in Alabama. It iS still question, however, just what the voters would say if given d chance to express themselves. This question will probably be the main issue when the next election occurs.