davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-11
MAY REACT ON THE PARTY

Political partisanship, which, for purely political purposes, interrupts the proper functioning of the government, carries with it no light party responsibility. The country is witnessing, at this moment, species of filibuster in congress that threatens to block the important appropriation and supply bills essential to federal departments and without which the government cannot properly per- form it's function. There can be no place in our government for such political tactics as interfere with government itself
 Editorial observers and thoughtful stu dents of this situation, which was pre- Democratic members of the national con- gress, see in this attitude political partisanship gone to such an extreme that it may have an unwholesome eff feet upon the public mind, and lead the con fidence of the American voter away from the Democratic party. The recent elections showed that much public opinion is swing ing back to the Democratic party because the Republicans had created the impression of willingness to sacrifice the public welfare to party expediency. There should-be no ground given for similar criticism of the Democrats.
 However resentful newspapers of Demo- cratic adherence may be of Republican criti- cism of our party leaders, and of our party policy allegiance to the party itself prompts criticism by Democratic journals of the spec tace of such partisanship as appears willing to nullify the normal functioning of govern ment in order to gain some minor political advantage.
 It is indeed no light responsibility as- sumed by those national legislators who pursue this course. If it could be accepted as merely the action of an individual mem Der of the party. perhaps it could be ex- cused; but when the party may be forced to bear the loss of public confidence such policy may bring, then the rank and file, both the Democratic press and the Demo- cratic voter, have the right to protest against such course.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-11
THE TURKS SPEAK OUT

Conflicting reports come from Lausanne. It has been stated that the allies would sub init treaty to the Turks in the form of an ultimatum. Evidently the Turks heard the same rumor, for they began to show their resentment. In fact they have done some of the plainest speaking ever heard at an international conference and have given some examples of "open diplomacy" that considerably embarrassed the allied dele gates. Turkey has stated categorically that the root of the trouble at Lausanne is oil, and has not minced matters in asserting that Great Britain wants to exploit MosuPs rich, petroleum deposits. Since this is true, Great Britain's diplomats find it rather difficult to make a suitable reply. By pointing out the selfish scheming of certain of the allies in the Near East, the Turks have created more than one situation described by the correspondents as "tense." Apparently, the allies are now trying to smooth their ruffled feelings and declare that there is no inten- tion to present the draft of a treaty to them and say, "Sign here"
 The allies are in an awkward predcament, for which they have only themselves ta blame. Had they settled the Turkish prob lem in 1918, the events that have followed in the Near East would never have occurred. That was the psychological time to dispose of the Turk, once and for all, but interna- tional jealousies and sef-interest interposed. The Turk took advantage of the differences among the allies, playing one European power against another, as he has done for T !. s- %fov, to make cynical remarks at Lausanne and discount the presumably laudable motives which actuate the allies. If France and Italy had not helped Mustapha Kemal Pasha, while Great Britain gave it's support to Greece, the disastrous war in the. Near East which caused deplorabe suffering among non-combatants and put the Turks back in Europe as conquerors, would have been pre- vented. The schemes of the powers seeking advantages in the Near East, are largely re- sponsible for the recrudescence of the Turk ish problem.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-11
AN OKLAHOMA HOLIDAY

Governor J. c. Walton of Oklahoma had one of>the most unique inaugurations ever witnessed in the United States. If one may judge by the cheering multitudes. estimated at more than 100000 people, who saw him inducted into office at the state fair grounds, at Oklahoma City, and afterward consumed a huge barbecue, he is a popular man. It was a typical Oklahoma holiday. Volleys of pistol shots mingled with the cheering. Beef, buffalo, bear aand reindeer meat were served to the guests who washed it down with coffee drawn from urns holding 0,00O gallons each. Governor Walton had made it distinctly understood that his inauguration would be celebration for the "plain peo- ple." It was announced that fashionable fripperies would be taboo. Okahomans evi- dently took him at his word. In part of the country where some of the customs ,f the western prairies still survive, they ex- pressed their joy in primitive fashion by eating and making a noise. The uncouth cowboy-if there are any uncouth cowboys left-was probably as much at home at the festivities as the millionaire of producer, eager to give outward and visible proof of his wealth. It was no place for silk hat and long-tailed coat Maybe that is one req son why the governors guests enjoyed themselves without restraint.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-11
KELLER DISCOUNTS HIMSELF

By vote of twelve to two the House Ju- dietary committee recommends dismissal of the impeachment charges brought against Attorney General Daugherty by Representa- tive Keller of Minnesota. The failure of the committees hearings to determine whether or not there was any basis for the charges was due to the conduct of MT. Keller After he had issue categorical statement in which the attorney general was accused of serious offenses as public official, he withdrew fSom the case, ignored a Subpoena which would have required him to testify under oath and claimed that he was not being treated with due consideration by the com mittee. MT. Keller's behavior has created doubt as to the sincerity of his motives his personal feelings to get the better of his judgment. Mr. Daugherty was entitled to a full and impartial hearing to establish the truth of falsity of the charges made As a result of MT. Keler's withdrawal from the case the attorney general is left in an equiv ocal position. In all fairness to him, the hearings should have been carried out as intended and the Minnesota representative should have offered proof of his allegations. Hereafter when MT. Keller makes charges against a public official they will be dis counted by the people as coming from an irresponsible source.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-11
GOVERNOR KILBY's RECORD

Governor Kilby retires from office able to say that all his campaign pledges have been redeemed That is a remarkable rec ord for public official, but the people of Alabama who have seen this state advance along constructive lines in four years to such degree that it has attracted national attention, will not question the claim. MT. Kilby brought to the office of governor the knowledge and experience gained a very successful business career. He applied the same methods to administering the states affairs that he used in private enterprise. He put Alabama on a business basis. By his efficient management money has been available to improve the educational facili- ties of Alabama, to provide more adequately for it's dependents and promote the advance ment of all institutions which look to the state for whole or partial support. All of this was accomplished without running into debt.
 The retiring governor states that in no case did he bring undue pressure to bear on the legislature to win adoption of the meas ures he proposed, yet, with two or three unimportant exceptions, all the bills he rec oHlnlenueu TUT ldVoiaple eoheiuetatioh "eie passed and enacted into law. That in itself is a striking example of cooperation be- tween the executive and legislative depart ments of the state government. It is credit able alike to MT. Kilby and the members of the legislature who helped him to carry out his constructive measures. It also indicates the confidence members of the legislature, as representatives of the people, had in the governor and their belief that support of his recommendations would meet with popular approval
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-11
EDUCATION IN ALABAMA

Both Governor Kilby and Judge Brandon have emphasized the importance of educa- tion and the necessity of ample provision for public schools, colleges, normals and universities of the state. This need has again been stressed by Dr. P. P Claxton, provost of the state university and of na- tional reputation as an educator of broad vision. Dr. Claxton advocates increased appropriations for all phases of public edu- cation. An advance of five million dollars a year for the graded and high schools is suggested as essential to enable the schools not only to advance, but even to care for the already increased attendance and need for more teachers and additional housing. There is scarcely district in the state that is not crowded to capacity and suffering from lack of equipment and teachers. Pa rents are taking more interest in the educa- tion of their children than ever before. greater percentage of children are in regu- lar attendance and far greater proportion pass into the upper grades than formerly If the legislature of this state is fully com mitted to the cause of public education, as there is every reason to believe that it is,
 
 such education is inconceivable.
 Dr. Claxton, in advocating an appropria- ton of not less than six hundred thousand dollars annually for Auburn and the state university, evidently has public opinion on his side, as indicated by the liberality with which the citizens and taxpayers of Ala bama have recently contributed to the press iyrr ao,,tS If al,1ot ot,la in. stitutions. This appropriation should be forthcoming without necessity for lobbying on the part of the heads or representatives of the colleges. As Judge Brandon has sug gested, committee to inquire into educa- tional requirements is most businessike This committee should be composed of men who appreciate the economic value of higher education and who look upon money so spent not as an expense but as an investment capa- ble of incalculable returns.
 In the discussion the claim of the normal schools to a greater share of legislative at- tention has not been overlooked. President Denny and Dr. Claxton both look upon the normal school as essential to establishing the quality of the product that feeds the universities Without trained teachers. the schools fail to inspire the pupils in the grades to the utmost not only of effort, but of ambition. Normal training is coming to be recognized more and more as indispensa- ble part of the equipment of the public school teacher. In Alabama the normal schools have done well considering the in- different manner in which they have been financed, but they are capable of doing far more under proper onditions--condtion which can be brought about only by more adequate support.
 Education in Alabama is on the upgrade The people rarely fail to approve any meas ure submitted to them providing for better and more complete instruction. Whenever such a measure is rejected by the popular vote it is because the people distrust the method of it's administration, and not be- cause they dsapprove the purpose. There fore, let education in Alabama proceed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-11
Poor Boys Who Succeeded
 By FREDERICK HOUk LAW
Karageorge, the Father of Serbia

A shepherd in the Serbian hills duly watched his sheep and thought bitterly of his hard life. For him, apparently, life had nothing in store. Today he is counted as the ancestor of royalty. He had native power, used it and became great.
 Karageorge, or "Black George" was dark of hair and face, and darker still at heart. Partly because he hated the Turks who ruled Serbia, and partly because he hated the nc notony of shepherd life he became a bri- gand with band of Turks who fought against everyone. One day his black anger surged up and he killed a companion. After two years of hiding in the forests he joined an Austrian regiment, which he soon de- serted. Once again he became bandit and showed such powers that the leaders of conspiracy against the Turks asked him to be their chief. They needed a man like Black George"
 It was Stern time, a stern land, and he was a stern man. Scowling, morose, fiery tempered, murderous, "Black George was more than able to hold his own. To disobey him meant death. He killed between one and two hundred men in anger, and is said to have killed his own father and to have ordered the execution of his own brother. He knew neither fear nor pity and fought wherever the battle was thickest. Intuitive- ly he saw the enemy's weaknesses and won victories. At the age of thirty-eight he drove the Turks from Serbia--he was the one man for that terrible task. His own aim in life was to free Serbia from the Turks. He cared nothing for treaties; mss sacred his enemies, and was always violent.
 The Turks sent great force into Serbia and he fled to Russia. Another shepherd Obrenvoitch again set Serbia free Black George" crept back, was assassinated, and his head was sent to Constantinople. Never theless, his heroic fighting ushered in a new day for Serbia, and the old king of Serbia, "Black Peter" is the grandson of "Blaek George" the shepherd.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-11
A Timely Editorial
Congress and Militarism

From the Providence Journal.
 Things are seldom what they seem," Gilbert and Sullivan once warned us. Those who look into the heart of things find many strange paradoxes. They find that radicals are reactionary and that progress sives are conservative, while con servatives are liberal. They find that pacifists make war and that military men are devoted to peace they find economy expensive and men enslaved in the name of 1lee- dom.
 The latest paradox is that Con- gress, in its frantic efforts to save us from a militarism that never has threatened us, is driving our army into it's horrid embrace. The cut ting down of the regular army is having it's effect. As combat force the regular army is destroyed, but exists as a swollen general staff of the national guard. Since. there are no regular training duties for there are no longer any units to be trained-and since the immemorial safeguards guarantee ing their future have been threat ened, the regular officers have been driven to taking their attention away from their accustomed ab- sorbing tasks and to paying more attention to politics and propa- ganda.
 Naturally enough the West Point men-so strongly intrenched are their prejudices against politics-are generally immune from this temp tation. But during the war many civilians entered the profession, and they are not dominated to the same extent by any such prejudice.
 And so we have another paradox Congress and the public will listen to the man from civil life when sometimes they will not to the West Point man; and, to safeguaro us from militarism, an equal number of reserve or national guard officers help to draw up the policies of the army with the general staff, This has for the first time put the army in politics.
 Coupled with that, the bitter fight against the army has forced it to taake the offensive to protect the country from a dangerous de- gree of unpreparedness. Such are the tendencies that are beginning to spring from violent outcry against militarism that has never existed, except in our early history, when in every case it came from volunteers or militia and was put down by the regulars. Our best defense against such menace is a sufficient regu- lar army to keep all concerned busy with their duties and contented with their lof
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-11
AMERICA AND JAPAN
lm the Washington Star.

r rom Cne WaSnlngtOn Staf.
 The ambassadorship to Japan, now vacant, is one of the most im- portant of our dlpioma4ic billets. Our relations with that country, for awhile somewhat strained, are today in satisfactory condition. The mis- chief-makers bave lost their power. We understand Japan and Japan us far better than for some years. It is desirable that this condition be maintained. The orient is a devel- oping quarter of the world, and Ja- pan is the most advanced country in that quarter.
 We have a stake in that quarter. Our oriental outpost is under thor oughly competent direction. Gov ernor General Wood at Manila is familiar with the whole eastern question, and has the full confi- dence of the Harding administra- tion. We shall be well served, therefore, so far as the east is con cerned, if man as competent as General Wood at Manila and as our ambassador at Peking is sent to Tokio..
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-11
WHERE THE LOSER LOSES TWICE

From the Nations Business.
 Paying-up cost unsuccessful candidates at the recent British election something like $35, ,000. England has a law which requires a man who puts himself forward for Parlia- ment before he has enough popular esteem lto get one-eighth of the votes cast in his district to forfeit the sum which amounts to approximately $700 in our money. More than fifty candidates suffered the forfeiture in the November election.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-11
THE COMMUNITY CHEST

The statement from the superintendent
 of the city welfare department to the effect that the community chest idea has taken root among Birmingham business men and his forecast of it's becoming an early reality are gratifying to those who believe that char ity, in order to accomplish the most good, must be administered from a common source and on systematized basis with all relief money flowing in an orderly channel. The committee from the luncheon clubs, who
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-11
The American Spirit
 By REV. H. C. OFFERMAN


 Are you controlled by enthusi- asm? Is the brine of the sea-waves in your nerves? Are you an Amer ican, also in "pep?"'
 The novel the pungent, the chic, will have it's waus
 The speech of Roosevelt was sometimes garbled, It came so fast.
 Whenever Henry Ward Beecher rode on the ferries between Brook lyn and New York he was always the first on the ferry and the first off.
 Let the spirit of the "Marseil- laise," of 'Tipperarv," of "Over There," be yours.
 American pep. American dash :! American fire
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-11
QUALIFIED

From the Richmond Dispatch.
 "And you testify" said the court, that the defendant is an habitual liar?"
 Well" said the witness, "I don't want to make it that strong, your honor; but if he made statement that knew to be true, I'd think it necessary to check up my own in formation"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-11
A Good Roads Advocate

From the Mobile Register.
 The reported selecJIon of Senator John Craft to be chairman of the road committee of the state senate Is a recognition of effective support of good roads. Before there was any state highway commission, of which since it's organization Senator Craft has been leading member, he was an active advocate of the doctrine of good roads.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-11

assumed that the purpose of the American government is to reach an agreement that will be definite ard final. but not to demand repayment without any re;
 conditions in Europe. All that is-.4eye-4a. .s 10 put our foreign debts on a business basis. as any banking firm would do in the case of private loans, and have documentary ae- knowledgement as to principal, interest and date of payment
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-11
The Peoples Forum
An Eloquent Cartoon

To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 Harper's cartoon in Sundays is- sue is a masterpiece, and tells more eloquently the story of the rail and water rate situation than pages of argument. Congratulations and thanks are due both The Age-Herald and MT. Harper for an effective piece of work. I am filing copies with the Interstate Commerce Com mission as an exhibit in the rate di- vision case now pending.
 CHARLES F. WOOD.
 Birmingham, Ala, Jan. 9, 1923.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-11
THE MORAL FRENCH
rom the Baltimore Sun,

From the Baltimore Sun.
 A prominent French novelist has been expelled. from the Legion of Honor for having written novel which is construed as Ian offense against public morality" The story illustrates a truth which Americans often find it hard to appreciate that the French people are essential ly the most moral in the world.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-11
The Process.

How long did you work on that speech?'
 Several weeks
 q didn't know it took so long to prepare a political address"
 Ordinarily it doesn't, but there are times in the career of a public man when he has to submit his views to number of influen- tial voters before he passes them on to the common people,"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-11
Some start the Same Day

How long have the Younglings been married?''
 q don't know. They quarrel morning, noon and night" "That has no particular bearing on the length of time that has elapsed since their wedding day"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-11
Thi. May Happen Some Day

q see where judge had culprit before him who acknowledged that he assaulted the plaintiff, but he got off with mild rebuke."
 What won his honors sympathies?"
 "The culprit caught musical comedy ac- tor outside of theatre and made him ad- init that there are other streets in the world besides old Broadway
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-11
KILLING TAx-ExEMPT GOOSE

From the New York Times.
 One of the points made by Pro- lessor Seligman in his elaborate dis cussion in today's Times of the question of tax-exempt securities deserves special notice. It is where he takes up the argument that the exemption of state and municipal loans from taxation is a great bene- lit to the taxpayer, because the state and local governments can thereby borrow on so much better terms. The lower rate of interest is supposed to make for lower taxes. Theoretically, it does so, and in prac- tice it has worked that way until recent years In the past the ad- vantage has ranged, in the judg- ment of bond brokers, from one-half of l per cent up to F per cent. What Professor Seligman contends. however, and what he asserts he has the figures to prove, is that the new flood of state and municipal bonds has come in such volume as to sweep away almost all of this supposed benefit. He cites one striking fact when he says that If we compare the premiums on the state and To- cal bonds in the United States with premiums on the similar class of bonds in Canada, we find the range about the same, despite the fact that the Canadian bonds enjoy no privilege of tax exemption" It is obvious that two items enter into the price of such bondsH One is their exemption from taxes. The other is their restricted issue. But the latter element the state and cities have been rapidly destroying with their great increase of new issues. 0&
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-11
The State Is Progressive

From the Montgomery Advertiser.
 Alabama is not a backward state Tn education. Alabama has worked out one ofthe best educational sys- tems in the union, and almost as a unit the people have ratified and supported every measure presented In the interest of better schools.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-11
Took It Hard

Now there goes a woman with tragic look"
 "Yes?"
 "Who knows what cruel misfortune has cast shadow on her life?" q do She ran for office and got showed under so badly her husband was afraid to go home for three days and nights"