davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
Cut Out Incompetents
Nashville Banner)

tNdSHVllle bdnueIJ
 The man who wilfully violates laws in his motor should be punished to the extent of the law, but it is something like locking the stable after the horse has been stolen, and does not restore life. The incompetent driver should not be allowed to take his seat behind the wheel. Fairgrounds should be pro- vided so that children would not have to play in the streets. The jaywalker should pass from the stage by all means. It ought to be misdemeanor to cross street diagonally anywhere in this country. Above all things, however, the agencies which are work ing to bring home to driver and pe- destrian alike the sense of their re- sponsibility to take care and exercise precaution should be fostered and in creased. There will be only a few accidents when our streets are used by those who are making every effort to avoid running into or over anybody, especially if the part of the popula- tion that walks is just as careful about staying where it belongs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
APPEAL TO THE LEGISLATURE

If the mountain will not come to Mohamet, Mohamet will go to the mountain. The legislative committee did not visit Birmingham to inquire into the grade-crossing situation here; therefore, the people of Birmingham will go to Montgomery today to give testimony to the legislators regard ing this problem and to urge the need for the proposed legislation making the railroads amenable to municipal reouirements in respect to this mat ter. It may be that the law already gives the city authority to comp'l the railroads,to join in this enterprise, but there is doubt, and the people of Birmingham want that doubt removed.
 That is no evidence that the rail roads mean formally to oppose the municipal program to do away with grade crossings. Indeed, some of them have expressed a readiness to go ahead with the construction of viaducts and underpasses. It is significant that as vet such expressions have not been minted into actual accomplishment. If, as one citizen remarked at the mass meeting, the railroads are sincere in their promises to cooperate in the undertaking, then they will not oppose the legislation. If they are not sin cere, then by all means should the municipality have the added strength of position and authority the proposed measure will bestow.
 The situation in Birmingham has be- come acute. There is an annual loss of life at the crossings that is steadily growing. Last year it was so many. Next year it may be nearly twice as many. The principle that the rail- roads must provide for the public safety is nationally recognized and established as legal by the decision of the federal supreme court. If there is any legal hindrance to the full ap- plication of this principle in Birming ham, the legislature is in duty bound to remove 1t.
 The daily loss sustained by business and commerce in Birmingham, to say nothing of the intangible loss through public inconvenience, amounts to tax, which, as one citizen remarks, this city would not tolerate if imposed formally by the legislature. Yet, if the legislature denies the relief asked for, then the legislature indirectly connives at the continuance of this tax. Thus the railroads are in the position of indirectly levying direct tax upon this populace and the busi- ness and industry of this city, simply because they are permitted to do so.
 The people of Birmingham are con fident that the legislature will not fail to perceive the justice of their posi- ton nor hesitate to grant it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
MOTHERS OF FAMOUS
 MEN
The Mother of John Cnlvin

In the World War there was ter rible fighting at a place in Franc called Cambrai. On all sides the guns boomed, and the shells fell fast. There was nothing of peace or quiet in Cambrai. Centuries before-nearly five hundred years before, in fact-there was a quiet inn at Cambrai. Horsemen, jog ging sedately along the road, stopped at the inn, as did also wandering soldiers or scholars. All of them alike cast eyes at the inn keepers attractive daughter, Jeanne le Franc. She, in her turn, smiled upon them, and made the inn a pleasant place.
 What person, sitting there by the open fireplace. drinking his evening glass of wine, would havo imagined that the inn Keepers charming Jeanne would become the mother of one of the most serious-m minded of men, the great John Calvin, the founder of Cal vinism," a man who stirred the entire civilized world to its very center!
 Among others who looked upon pretty Jeanne le Franc was one Gerard Calvin. a man who lived some little distance away, and who held various positions in the all- powerful church. Gerard was a rising man, man who attended to his business, was sincerely re- ligious, and who had a shrewd head. In many respects he was almost too good match for the inn keepers Jeanne, pretty as the girl was. Be that as 1t may, they were married with all due relig- ious ceremony, and took up their new life in Noyony where Gerard lived. Now Jeanne found very a very different state of affairs.
 Gerard Calvin's house was a sol emn, religious home; she was ac- customed to music and singing, and to boisterous laughter, and to stories, told by happy -go-lucly wanderers. Nevertheless, the inn keepers daughter was a real wo- man. She listened to Gerard's se- rious talk. and to his religious reading. She herself became deeply religious. and she taught her five sons to fear God and TO man. The second son her husband named after her--J can. Jean was as serious minded as the father, but he had the mothers spirit Thus, in the fiery heart of John Calvin, the staunch old reformer, burned a flame lit at the heart of an inn keepers pretty daughter.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
The Horse.Drawn Vehicle
lNew York CommerciaN


 Continued growth of traffic in the greater cities of the country makes it imperative that street regulations be continually revised and made more effective. Motor traffic has become at once beneficent thing and a threat of disaster in New York. For with the multiplication of motor vehicles, with resulting congestion, there is in- creased danger to life and limb. And yet, it has been noted by one observer one of the principal Instructions to traffic today is the slowly disappear ing horse-drawn vehicle. Together with these the traffic critic has asso- ciated street cars and parked vehicles of all kinds. It has been suggested that horse-drawn trucks be assigned to certain streets, leaving the way clear for more rapidly moving conveyances.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
Food for Reflection
Washington Postl


 With victims of accidents running above 15,o00 annually, and with the number of injured exceeding 1,700,- 900, the loss in man power that the nation thus sustains becomes stagger- ing. And to this is to be added the direct loss suffered by the families of those killed and the pain and suffer ing and loss sustained by the injured. And there is the loss in property that is to be figured in. One killed in au- tomobile accident every fifty minutes, two hurt every minute. That is the present rate. Let motorists and pe- destrians think on these figures and realize the terrific cost of r careless ness.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
Put Elm on Turnip Farms (Cleveland Plain Dealerl

There have not been the usual number of mad dogs this year, but mad men have been as abundant as usual. From day to day we read of automo- bile drivers who for no reason in pac- ticular run amuck. It is hard to know what to do with such fellows. We cannot send them to the crazy house, for they are not really crazy. Unless they kill or seriously injure someone we cannot give them long terms in the calaboose. Some of them, of course, are sufficiently punished by being wholly or partially disintegrated in the climactic smash-up, but these, oddly enough, do not seem to be the majority. Perhaps the best treatment for sufferer from gas-madness would be to rusticate him on turnip farm in the mountains where the roads are too steep to be negotiated by even the most undiscourageable flivver. Under such treatment the recovery might be permanent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
Getting Tired of It


 There's nothing to this old game of just going around shouting wolf" wolf" The people are getting tired of 1t and are begin hing to do a little thinking for themselves. It Is all right to criti- else, but when you do accompany it with a worth while suggestion that will relieve a given situation rather than simply trying to frighten, especially if you are in5 clined to below alarm and create fear, It doesn't pay, and the quicker we all get down to bed rock and work for the prosperity and happiness of all of us, the better will 1t be for the people, the community. In other words, when your back Is to the wall fight-dont give up. This ap- plies especially. to we farmers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
THE MYSTERY SOLVED

The mystery has been solved the story Is out-of why M-. Bryan is so viciously opposed 10 the nomination of Senator oscar Underwood for president on the Democratic ticket. It isn't because MT. Underwood Is wet" because he is not a wet" and he is being supported cordially and enthusi- astically by the dryest of Alabama "dry"-men who were fighting. for prohibition when Mir. Bryan was fighting for Bryan on any kind of an old ticket. John w. Sibley, the well-known manufac- turer of. Birmingham. recalls an
 incident in the congress back inn 1911 when Senator Underwood de- nounced Mir, Bryan as a 'falsifier," right out in open session of the senate, because of certain state ments made In the Commoner, Mir. Bryan's personally conducted or gan. There is said to be one thing at which MT. Bryan's Chris tian charity balks-he can. never forgive nor forget anything said or done against William Jennings Bryan. That is not the Christian spirit. but it Is Bryanic. which Is not the same thing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
PEOPLES FORUM
Az to Chfdren,s rIayrrounds

As to Chiidren's Fairgrounds To the Editor of The Herald: The Ladies of the Underwood Park Board wish to thank the editor for the splendid editorial in the paper in regard to our work in the park. We are determined to completely equip one park in Bir- minghsm, feeling. sure that when other communities sec the good it can accomplish in the neighbor- hood they will insist on having their parks equally we'll cared for.
 Parks are no longer luxuries--- they are necessities and we must have them in Birmingham. Thank ing you again for your active and helpful operation, am sin- cerely yours,
 MRS. ". R. LATHROP,
 Secretary. Mentone, Ala, Aug. g, 1923.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
Whnt She ] WonId no

(Pittsburg Chronicle T Telegraph)
 What would your father do if told him I wanted to marry your" asked the young man.
 He'd refer the matter to me, 2 promptly replied the girl.
 And what would you dor" he said, hopefully,
 "1'd refer the matter to the young man who proposed to me and was accepted while you were trying to make up your mind"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
ALL SHADES of OPINlIONO
Firm Action Needed
(Columbia. S. C.. Statel

Columbia, S. C., State)
 Reckless driving can be stopped, or at least greatly decreased, by enforc- ing regulations which punish the reck- less before they cause accidents. I'm mature and incompetent persons should not be permittedto drive where driving is hazardous. A fifteen or seventeen-year-old boy would not be permitted to run the locomotive of ? passenger train; yet he is more com potent to do so than he is to drive a big car on slippery roads around the edge of precipices in the North Caro- lima mountains. All is well until there is an emergency, and then there is disaster.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
Underwood only Chance
(Alabamian-Dispatch)

(Alabamian- Dispatch)
 If Underwood should be the next president of the United States, the people will find that he will do everything In his power for the betterment of the general public. The South needs a Southerner In the executive chair today. Under wood Is our only chance. We need a man to bring the South forward in the next administration.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16

to justice such offenders, they will only be extending to the citizens that protection they are receiving salaries for extending. Then let there be no official readiness on the part of the police commissioner to nullify the ef- feet of sentences by modifying or re- hitting them. Let this law take it's full course in behalf of the public safety.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
General Improvements (Andalusia Star)

Improving the main highways leading into Andalusia, making provision for good market for all the farmers have to sell, provid- ing watering places and hitching lot for the farmers and a rest room for the ladies who come to town to do shopping are some of the things that Andalusia business men are'turning their attention to at this time.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
Not GuiItr

(western Christian Advocate)
 An old negro went to the office of the commissioner of registra- tion in the Missouri town and ap- piled for registration papers.
 What Is your ,name?" asked the official.
 George Washington" was the reply.
 Well. George, are you the man who cut down the cherry tree?"
 No, suh, ain't de man. I ain't done no work for night onto a year"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
A Helpful rip
lOpelika NeWRl

VT ERE7 N v ET
 The average small farmer, and many of the larger ones. growing cotton the past season, would have made much more money from their crop had they been members of the Farm Bureau and let that or- ganization handle their staple. Better join up now and be in next season.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
Pinning Hopes

IkansaS Clty StarJ
 Berlin Pins Hope on Coolidge" Really, Berlin means nothing per sonal by that. Berlin pinned hopes on Wilson and Harding, too. In fact, Berlin's perennial sentiments are of the kind that may be sad with pinned hopes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
Favors city-Manager Plan

NOdUoUEI JVUI IIdIJ
 The Journal Is, and has been for some years, partial to the city manager plan of government. h the recent informal referendum conducted by the Journal to aser- tain the wishes of Gadsden voters as to the plan of city government desired, not much interest was dis played in the subject, but as many ballots were cast for the city manager form as for all the other forms proposed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
THE GERMANS NEED COURAGE


 Disorders in Germany cannot be as- cribed to the change in government, but rather may be interpreted as part of the unrest that forced the change. There are strikes in effect and projected, with the communists actively cementing and strengthening their forces. The inhabitants of some cities are reported as confiscating food animals from nearby farms, while the general deprivation is said to be manifesting itself in characteristic ways. To add to the perplexity, re- ports from the Moscow government declare that Russia must and will lend German workingman's govern ment not only moral but material help" The idea of the helpless ex- tending help is somewhat ludicrous, except for the sobering afterthought that the soviet will probably contribute all possible to the undermining of sta bilized authority in Germany, for everybody knows that even moral and financial bankrupts can 'Iend" aid in such cause.
 It is not necessary for Germany to descend any further into the depths in order to rise again. Unless there is some one to lead in the reorganiza- tion, however, chaotic conditions will probably continue and even be ex- tended. The occupation of the Ruhr is cited by the German government as the cause of all of Germany's ills, but reflection quickly shows that German stubbornness and refusal to seek a way out are the real cause. Strikes in Saxony and elsewhere are not nec- essary, nor are they caused by the Ruhr occupation. Such strikes are in no way obstructive to French oper- ations in the Ruhr, but they most se- riously react upon the Germans throughout the country. If they yield to bolshevism they will be inviting still further disaster upon their heads.
 Upon the German government, how ever, rests a grave responsibility Stresemann has announced that there will be no change in policy, species of official obtuseness that is un- equalled. If given policy has con sistently failed, then continued adher- ence to such policy must be stupidity of the densest sort. The policy to which Stresemann clings has failed utterly and in every particular. If he wished in the slightest degree to lay claim to intelligence, he would make at least the outward pretense of chang ing it.. Meanwhile, the silent forces stimulated from Russia and fostered by unrest are tirelessly reworking the entire social fabric of Germany. When that disaster falls, the sober judgment of mankind will hardly ac- cept the view that the German people collapsed because the French occupied a portion of their territory. Mankind will remember that few years ago Germany occupied far greater ex- tent of French territory and devas- tated it, but the French did not col lapse. Instead they grasped courage from defeat and turned it into vic tory With half that courage the Ger mans would today be in far better
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
SMILES
Practiced

(American Legion Weekly
 Whats the chances of getting job around here?" asked the man with a service button who bad successfully gold bricked his way through two years in the army.
 "I hate to turn down an ex- soldier. buddy" replied the fore man, but we haven't got much 10 do these days"
 "Oh,. that's all right. You'll find it doesn't take very much to keep me busy"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
Made a Start

(Kansas City Times)
 Secretary Mellon didn't collect the French debt, but he seems to have made some. progress-he talked to the French about it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
A Bit of Advaee
(Cullman Tribunal

(Cullman Trtbune)
 The sooner the cotton farmers of Cullman county get their pro- gram set to be certain of raising plenty of food and feed at home and then all of the cotton that Is possible the sooner will they Na on the real road to contentment and independence,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16

If that ice cap does come down upon the Great Lakes region, Los An geles will have to soft-pedal her boasts about coal consumers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
The Bottom of It

 It isn't Underwood s position on prohibition that rifles w. J. B., but the memory of that terrific and fully deserved skinning that the great Alabamian inflicted on him about ten years ago.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16

seems to have forgotten that some of the senators who went to Europe to stock up on ammunition have returned, and the others will get back in time to take active part.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16

Statistics show that the farm pro ducer gets one-third of what the con sumer pays, and the balance goes to the cost of distribution. Now that the farmer is beginning to be his own dis tributor, he shouldn't worry.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
Perhaps So

Our guess is that the world will seem different. whether 1t is or not, when men who. go fishing take with them nothing to drink but a few doses of scopolamin.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
THE PARAGRAPHERS
Arree on One Point

est. Louis Globe-Democrat)
 President Coolidge and Secretary Mellon will agree on at least one point of view: Uncle Sam's money, must not be wasted.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
Look Ont for Snakes

\AnhlSIon SLar1
 During the snake season it is well to be on the lookout for them. And the old theory that the only safe snake is tho dead one holds good today. There is no law against killing the first snake you see, or any subsequent snake.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16

Friendly relations between France and the United States are threatened. American tourists are charged with being careful spenders.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16

A United States senator declares that five per cent. beer isn't intoxicat. ing unless one drinks too much of it. What about 40 per cent. whisky?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16

South Dakota joy-riders are having their inning during the price-war in gas; but the oil combine won't forget to collect in full little later.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16

The impression in political circles in the last few days seems to be that the new president does not belong to the dotted-line variety of public of ficials.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16

It seems that about all that may be expected to come out of Russia these days is repudiation in one form or an other.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
The Difference

NbIH BHdInlOH HUnJ The neighbours daughter isn't like a mosquito. A mosquito never sings and tortures you at the samo time.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16

The Washington elm has been of- ficially pronounced dead and will be cut down. The coroner will perhaps sit on the stump.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
Good Enongh -foF Thon
(Greenville Advocate)

The friends of the noble old patriot, pr. Crumpton, will lay aside any opposition they may feel towards Alabama's candidate and say that what is good enough for the doctor tst good enough for them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
THE ALABAMA PRESS
NerionnIx PnrnIed

(Lawrence County Times)
 A lady told us the other day that she suspected us of "al.~,. istic motives" and darned if we knew whether tO kiss her or cuss herl
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16

The man who believes he is essential to the world is seldom missed when he leaves it, except for what he didn't do
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16

It is reported that Pancho Villa left five widows. He made more widows than that while he was living.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16

Colonel George Harvey's recent si- lence is another argument in favor of vacations for over-wor1ked public men
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
Il hAAAAE annAi nArAN

NOInclnnatl POSt) A Los Angeles mans wife has left him eight times; not once, we'll bet, being on payday.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16

The net result of the average war seems to consist of a short breathing ing spell for the next one.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
LOOKS LIKE A PULL

est. Louis Globe Democrat) Even the Hall of Fame needs a catalog explaining to many why those in 1t are there.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16

France has boy wonder who plays the piano at the age of five. He may get over it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16

It looks as if the next Democratic candidate will have a good chance to win, if he will stand pat and let the various Republican factions jar them selves out of a job.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
THE AGE-HERALD

Entered at the Birmingham, Ala, post office as second class matter under act of Congress, March 6, 1879.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16

German coffin-makers are turning out paper and cardboard collins, so the dispatches say. These articles should prove highly inflammable.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
Ts Fading Fast
(Dothan Eagle)

Thirty days more and new cot ton will be coming in so regular that 1t will attract no attention. And thirty days more will see the crop gathered and stalks being plowed under. Yes, simmer Is fading fast
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16

The political writer who predicts that the 1924 campaign will be quiet
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-16
n11rnrnrp nr Ass0CIATED PREsS

MEMBER OF ASSOCIATED PRESS
 The Associated Press Is exclusively entitled to the use for publication of all news dispatches credited to it or not otherwise credited in this paper and also local news published therein. All rights of republication of special dispatches herein are also reserved.