davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-24

mind rather than an opinion, for it
is conceivable that the German leader
would have said the same thing if the
amount offered had been three bill
lion, or even thirty, marks. The GET
man mind is dead set against liquida
ton of the treaty obligations in any
degree.
1t does appear remarkable, how
ever, that such men with regulations
for astuteness do not perceive that
they are already paying far more
than they have agreed to pay through
cessation of industry in the Ruhr and
through the almost certainty of con-
tinued French occupation if the de-
mands are not met. Just at present
France is having trouble running the
mills and mining the coal and ore.
Such a situation is but temporary.
France can run the mills and mine
the coal. If German workmen and
miners won't do it, there are plenty
of idle workmen in Europe who will
working forces and railways will take
time, but if the Germans do not
wake up it will soon be too late.
France is not deceived by the propa-
ganda SO industriously spread in be-
half of the Germans, and France is
the calmest nation in Europe today,
whether over the occupation, repal'a-
tons or the ordinary routine of ma
tional life. 1t is purely question of
whether Germany will pay in full
the really moderate sums, moderate
in comparison with the wanton de-
struction for which she is directly re-
sponsible, or whether she will per-
sist in her obstinacy and lose many
times those sums. 1t is really mat
ter of indifference to France which
course Germany may continue to
follow.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-24
AN UNFAIR RATE SCHEDULE

Towing eleven barges filled with
steel products, Pittsburg power
boat is now headed down the Missis-
sippi river toward New Orleans. The
advantages of the water route on
steel products to New Orleans was
discovered by Northern producers
soon after the Mississippi-War
barge line system went into opera
lion, and a large business was done
.ast year, a considerable portion of
he tonnage going to New Orleans
and shipped thence by rail to Texas
points. Birmingham is very much in
terested in this movement because it
also does a large business in steel
products with Texas and desires to
maintain that business. 1t followed
that, when Federal Manager Brent
gave notice that he would publish a
twenty per cent. less than the all
rail rate on steel products from st.
Louis to Texas points via barge line
to New Orleans and thence by rail to
delivery, the Birmingham Traffic bu-
reau asked that he simultaneously
publish a like rate on Birmingham
steel products to the same points by
barge via New Orleans and thence
by rail
The existing rate on these products
from st. Louis and Birmingham was
the same. 1t seemed only right and
proper that the new rates should be
the same. But manager Brent asked
that Birmingham stay its hands until
the st. Louis rate was in effect,
promising, it is understood, to take
I'D the Birmingham case later on. Biz
mingham fails to see why the same
rates should not be declared on the
Warrior from Birmingham at the
same time as they are scheduled to
be declared on the Mississippi from
st. Louis. There seems no sound rea-
son for putting st. Louis ahead of
Birmingham, even though 1t be tenn
porary. A temporary advantage is
often the means - establishing trade
advantages very difficult Tor late
conner to compete with.
Birmingham cannot afford to have
its Texes interests jeopardized. The
Northern producers have jealous
eye on the expansion of Birming-
HAMS steel trade and Birmingham
will not sit idly by and silently suf-
fer loss of any trade territory
through unfair and discriminatory
freight rates. 1t is the plain duty
of Mr.. Brent as custodian of the in
terests of the Warrior and Birming-
ham, as we'll as those of the Missis-
sippi and st. Louis, to see that no
injustice is done the former to the
advantage of the latter.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-24
MAKING EGGS BEHAVE

Cheering news recently came from
Montgomery which will be welcome to
thousands of Alabamians who take
theirs soft-boiled, scrambled, poached,
"sunny side up or cham and" each
day, and wish to feel sure they are get
ting goods not too ancient and shop
worn to be acceptable. The division
of food and drugs of the state depart
ment of agriculture promulgated rules,
with the approval of the governor, at
torney general and commissioner of
agriculture, that any person handling
eggs containing as much as five per
cent. unfit for human consumption
will be subject to a fine of $500 and
hard labor sentence of twelve months
or both. AS further protection
against any mistakes, egg dealers are
warned that the law won't stand for
as much as five per cent. of what
are known as "blood rings, mouldy
black rots, mixed rots or stuck yolks.
1t is presumed that egg dealers I'M
derstand this technical side of the sit
uation. But to make matters rigidly
conform to safety-first standards, all
eggs must be ''candled and guaranteed
as such or sold with the understanding
that they be candled and the seller re-
ceive pay for only good eggs" This
is a step towards protection of the
consumer, who sorely needs it, consid-
ering how little he gets that's coming
t., him these days. Then, too, the reg
ulations will spare many well-mean-
ing dealer the humiliation of lam
basting from a housewife whose olfac-
tories were unexpectedly and rudely
offended at the point where she was
congratulating herself on what pala-
table cake or special pastry she was
getting up for the head of the house
hold on his return from a hard days
work with ravenous appetite. Per-
fectly innocent eggs above the slight
est suspicion are a large part of the
Alabamian's diet. Last year the state
produced Al, 656, 900 dozen. Now that
less than five per cent. bad are to be
distributed, it can readily be seen what
a blessing the new regulations will
bring, if enforced.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-24
Vision

(Human vision, if developed prop
erly, can penetrate opaque objects,
iron, wood or rock, according to
Marquis de Santaora, Spanish scien-
tist.)
There are moments aggravating
When I wish that I could boast
Of an eye as penetrating
AS the vision of a ghost.
There are times l sit and stammer
And indulge in mental clamor-
When l try to watch drammer
From a seat behind a post.
Or when baseball teams are playing
On the smooth and verdant lea,
And the crowd is hip-hurraying
At feat l cannot see,
And a merchant, large and hairy,
Stands and sells confectionery
Like a hunk of statuary
On spot in front of me.
Or when things are wild and stormy
On the moving picture sheet,
And a stranger gropes before me,
Seeking blindly for seat,
And the thrilling situation
Turns to woe and CONSERVATION
For l miss the consummation
Of the hero's noble feat.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-24
MOTHERS OF FAMOUS
MEN
rho Mother of richard Mansfield

Quite the reverse in every re-
spect from the placid, uninterest-
ing mother of David Garrick,
great actor of the eighteenth CEN
fury. was the mother of Richard
Mansfield, great actor of the nine
teenth century. Erminia Riders
dorff, Mansfield's mother. was a
vital, warm creature of genius, as
famous in her time as an operate
prima donna as her son ever be-
came as a master of tragedy. A
mere cursory glance at her char
acter, temperament and life, Is
sufficient to demonstrate where
genius and also his eccentricities.
Erminia Rudersdorff Mansfield
was a typical tempestuous, story
book prima donna, life model of
the heroines of several modern
plays and novels, such as Enter
Madame" THE Texas Nightin-
gale" and Rita Coventry" She
was beautiful. brilliant. gifted.
temperamental. flighty and low
able. Her husband adored her, as
did everyone else who came in
contact with her. She made all
men her willing slaves. Her ca
prices were respected as those of
a queen.
Although she was a singer-a
soprano of such natural beauty
and skill of technique that she
was chosen by the great Mendels-
sohn to create the leading role of
one Of his operas-she was also
endowed with a great dramatic
talent. Had 1t not been for the
glory of her singing voice she
would have made one of the great
est dramatic actresses of all time.
Her sense of drama was perfect;
she was constantly dramatizing
herself and any situation in which
she happened to find herself. She
was charged, say the biographers.
who are united in their alteration
of this temperamental beauty.
with enthusiasm. energy and de-
termination. Writing of her, one
biographer says:
"She always dominated her en-
vironment. She was of command
ing presence. with her raven black
hair, her brilliant and expressive
eyes, and her countenance Was ex-
traordinarily mobile in the denote
ment of the elemental passions"
Nine. Rudesrorff, all agree, was
tender and sympathetic, while at
the same time imperious, in which
| her son, Richard, who was her ia
vorite child, was exactly like her.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-24

would answer no, most emphatical-
ly. From the efforts made at
the state convention to limit the
power of the people in the pri-
mary. we are forced to the con-
clusion that the purpose Of this
committee is to take from the
voters the right to select our
judges, and give to public service
corporations greater control OF
state affairs. The primary law is
not perfect. we all admit, and we
have seen it demonstrated. under
operation of the present law, how
men. with a minority vote. get the
nomination, which in Alabama 10
equivalent to election but any
business man could change this
part OF the law, as we'll as elimi-
nate lot of unnecessary ma
chinery.
Corporation lawyers are far too
tee to satisfy the voters, as we
have quite recently seen what a
legislature will do controlled by
lawyers: The constitution of the
state ignored. salaries increased,
jobs by the hundred created. taxes
arbitrarily raised on the farmer
and boards created to lower the
valuations of the property of pub
lie utility corporations; other
boards given power to guarantee
dividends, indirectly. 1t is true. but
effectively, just the same. Law
yers create no wealth, and as a
rule are not In sympathy with
the fellow who produces the
wealth of the country. Then why
give them power to create ma
chinery to control the wealth OF
the state? 1t is true, the proposed
law by the committee will have
to be submitted to the legislature
for approval. but 1t will go before
the legislature as the will OF the
great Democratic party" wher
as a matter of fact 1t will be the
will of a few lawyers who want Il
get. into office and who could moi
possibly be elected by the people
who know their record. We will
probably have to elect two sena
tors next year. and it 10 very i'm
portant that men who are patri
| otto statesmen be elected. We al
ready have far too many pNliti
clans in congress. The demand 1,
| for men who fear God and DO tina
which is right in sight Of men.
G. T. MELDERRY.
Talladega, Ala, May IS. 1928.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-24
10 FAvoR1TE BOOKS
A. Chosen by Mary Austin

A. Chosen by Mary Austin
"Alice In Wonderland" dewis
CarrolD.
Fairy Tales" CLANS Andersen).
Treasure Island" (Stevenson).
"Old Red Sandstone" (Hugh Mil
ler).
"Great Expectations" (Dickens).
Poems Of Ralph Waldo Emer-
son.
Insect and Plapt Variations"
(Charles Robinson).
Autobiography Of Benvenuto
(CellinD.
"Richard Yea and Nay" Maurice
Hewlett).
Dynamic Symmetry" q. Ham
bridge).
Copyright. 1873, United States and
Great Britain, for The Age Herald, by
North American Newspaper Alliance,
AL rights reserved.l
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-24
hCPELIcHTS iii AL
A\NATIOkAL MF)
OCAPITALHlssgSisESSys

Alexander Hamilton was born
out of wedlock. AS a young Amer
lean at the beginning of the Revo-
lutionary war he was fired with
a passionate patriotism. He be-
came a general officer and chief of
the staff of the commandment
chief. George Washington. Suisse
quently he aided in founding the
government, and became the first
secretary of the treasurey. He
was killed in duel with that arch
political adventurer, Aaron Burr
who, although he narrowly missed
the presidency, is remem bered now
chiefly as the villain of Blenner-
hasSet.
President Harding. in delivering
of a monument in honor of Hamil-
ton, declared him to have been the
foremost of the founders of the re-
public. 1t is regarded as highly
Improbable that many Americans
would elevate Hamilton to a de-
gree higher than Washington or
jefferson. AS matter of fact.
Hamilton was an autocrat. 1t was
thought that he desired to estab-
fish a Washington dynasty. At any
rate, there is no doubt but that
he stood for centralizing govern
ment in the capital. whereas JET
ferson commended that the states
should reserve to themselves all
rights not specifically accorded
the federal government.
Jefferson believed in the people;
Hamilton, the forerunner of the
Republican of today, held what Is
now known as state rights to be a
source of constant danger.
Casual observation proves that
the country is fast coming to the
idea of Hamilton. State rights
were all but obliterated when the
federal government, in 1851, pre-
vented Southern states exercising
rights guaranteed to them by the
constitution. Since then, step by
step, the federal government has
encroached on the states until the
most that can now be said is that
the federal government and the
states exercise q concurrent or a
$3.50 jurisdiction.
Democratic members of congress
passionately resist encroachment
sometimes. Again, they supinely
submit. Examples are innumer-
able.
Jefferson believed that the voice
of the people was the voice of God.
Hamilton held the people in con-
tempt. He did not believe the peo-
pie capable of governing them
selves
The direct primary for the cleo
ton of United States senators has
not resulted in a senate of bigger
men. 1t is the opinion of some OBJ
servers that there are senators to-
day who, under former condi-
tions could not possibly have pro-
ceeded higher than the house of
representatives. In the other day,
bosses manipulated conventions.
Charges have recently been aired
of debauchery by bosses of the
people in Michigan. Texas and
states nearer home.
The debate between jefferson
and Hamilton is still continued. 1t
is a satisfying thought to Amerf-
cans, however. that under any cir
cumstances the United States
prospers A war gives 1t pause.
and then with new speed 1t leaps
forward
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-24
HERR THYssEN,s OPINION

The papers have been printing in
terviews with Fritz Thyssen, Ruhr in
dustrial magnate, regarding the
French occupation. Herr Thyssen
sets forth his opinions at some length,
including the sentiment that thirty
billions in Preparations is too high,
but that "the German industrial lead
ers will not lie down on their govern
ment." This. however. is state OF
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-24
How Much LongerS


Now that patience has ceased to
be a virtue, and the business and
industrial interests of Birmingham
threaten to force the issue. a move
which Is Endorsed in Mobile, the
Warrior officials deprecate such
action and urge the shippers to
wait a while longer. How much
longer must they wait, and what
hope Is there for an amicable
agreement with the rail lines? The
Warrior service Is crippled by an
embargo on three river ports.
which may remain in effect in
definitely, while steps are taken to
obtain further appropriations from
congress-,
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-24
Should Keep Eyes Open
(Troy Herald)

y
Every year. and many times dur
ing a year there are hundreds OF
agents going among the farmers
selling them everything from oil
stock to automobiles. and We have
been informed that there are many
agents now operating in this coun-
ty. While many of these agents
represent we'll known firms ana
sell quality merchandise at a rea-
sonable price. many of them are
bad. and the farmers SHOULD watch
their step lest they get stung. Be-
fore you buy anything from agents
who travel over the county you
should know something Of the
agent and the house he repre-
sents. If 1t is reliable firm he
should have the proof with him
not what he says about 1t. but
proof that you can understand.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-24
DEMOCRACY IN ENGLAND

The selection of Stanley Baldwin to
be prime minister of England is sig
nificant Of the extent of British reac-
ton against the aristocracy. The Con-
servatives still hold the leadership, but
that leadership is threatened with over
throw at any time. The real struggle
is between the peerage and the peo
pie, for the Labor party does not rep
resent the workingman merely, but the
whole group of Englishmen who earn
The triumph of Baldwin over Lord
Curzon is but further step in the
development of democracy and demo-
cratic institutions in England.
Although Lord Curzon is admittedly
one of the nations most able men and
really great statesman, yet the real
basis for failure to choose him to sue
coed Bonar Law was his high rank.
Stanley Baldwin, equally able, even if
less prominent as statesman, was
apparently the popular choice because
his appeal was on the basis of merit
alone and not on the basis of either
rank or birth. Although he has at
tanned to high position, the people feel
that, because he came up from the
ranks through his own ability, he is n
better representative of the people
than one whose tastes and training are
presumably aristocratic. Lord Cur
IONS failure to win the coveted office
is curiously enough not a reflection
upon the man, but upon his involun-
tary membership in class that has
long been separated from the masses
by certain arbitrary lines and privi
leges, all we'll enough in their day,
but out of date in an advancing civil
ization.
The Labor party predicts Labor
cabinet within five years, and the
boast has made the Conservatives I'M
easy, as we'll it may, unless they pos
sess the political acumen to make their
platform more liberal. The rank and
file in England are filled with excus-
able resentment against that practice
of maintaining huge hunting preserves
on land that would make excellent and
productive farms. with the result that
living costs in England are proportion
ately higher as she has to import food
stuffs that she otherwise could pro-
duce. Our British cousins are begin
ing to feel within themselves those
same STRINGS that led our forefathers
to seek liberty in land then unknown
and brought hundreds of thousands
in their wake during the centuries that
have interviewed.
The world grows democratic in pro-
portion as its peoples become enlight-
ened. No one can deny that the Brit
ish are enlightened and that the rise
of democratic principles is the logical
outcome of their mental progress. The
great obstacle to earlier advancement
was that popularity of the British
mind, an outcome of their training,
which gave undue Importance to
precedent. In fact, precedent has
been British political god, one that
has halted the people instead of lead
ing them forward. Now that prece-
dent has been successfully attacked.
the world may look for rapid develop
ments in British political conditions.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-24
PEOPLES FORUM


To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
I desire to convey to you in this
note my very great appreciation
and the deep gratitude of the peo-
pie of the Tennessee valley for the
superb way in which The Age
Herald came to our assistance in
the fight which we have just made
to force the Alabama Power COM
pany to withhold action in build
ing a transmission line to the Will
son dam until congress has decid
ed upon policy for the use of the
power from this dam. have
every reason to believe that the
public service commission will
deny the application of the power
company. With renewed thanks
to you. and with the assurance
that if the time should come when
any of us can be of service to you,
YOU can command us. l am,
]. L. ANDREWS.
Sheffield, Ala, May 81, 1928.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-24

Another difference between the
people and the politicians is that the
people are so engrossed in their work
that they don't realize how thoroughly
they are being worked.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-24
EXTEND TELEPHONE SERVICE

The city of Fairfield is promised i'm
mediate telephone construction and
equipment that will provide for 1900
telephones, which, it is claimed, will
>sre for that thriving and growing
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-24

AS an unquestioned example of John
Bulls well-nigh unlimited patience, he
is about the only representative gen.
tleman left who hasn't fully broken
with the Russian bear that doesn't
walk at all, but lays down on its job.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-24
Sheffield, Ala, May 81,


To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
read with astonishment the ar
ticle in this mornings paper as to
conditions in the convict camps. as
reported by committee of the
Junior Chamber of Commerce
and League of Women Voters. The
charges as shown in the article
that appears in your paper show
more brutality than was exhibited
in the famous Tabert case in Flor
ida. The most astonishing part of
the report made by these commit
tees is as follows: "All of these
conditions are under control of the
state. The mine owners have
nothing to do with 1t. The state
prison inspectors are just as much
responsible as the wardens in per-
hitting such conditions to exist.
1 talked with a number of negroes
who said they preferred to work
in the mines, and would try to get
Jobs in the mines when they were
released, but that the conditions
and treatment under state super
vision are intolerable."
Now, Mr.. Editor. If these state
ments to this committee by these
convicts are true, why is 1t that
these representatives are not pros
ecuted? The report of this commit
tee calls for immediate action by
our grand juries. If this report
tells a true story Of the conditions,
it is decidedly best for the state
of Alabama and tho convicts to
remove all state supervision what
al do not
| want to give representatives OF the
state an opportunity to extend
| their active cruelty further into
the actual working time OF the
men. AS it is now, the state does
| not control the actual working or
! the men, but only supervises their
food, physical fitness and forms OF
| punishment administered. If the
report is true, the state has fallen
down on her job. VIII 1t be better
for the convict or the state to ex-
tend this supervision? If this re-
port is true, let us leave 1t to the
| convicts as to whether the state
will maintain supervision or not
in the future.
Mr. Editor, IT am from Missouri
on this matter, and before 1 Will
believe that the state representa-
tives are guilty as charged in this
report, l will have to be shown. If
such conditions existed. or exist
now. let Mr.. Engle and Mr.. Wood.
like men, go before the grand
jury and demand prosecution OF
these inspectors and wardens who
are guilty OF such inhuman
cruelty. p. M. CARLISLE.
Birmingham. Ala. May %. 1928
"Lawyers Too Much I'm Evidence"
To the Editor Of The Age-Herald;
In selecting a committee to re-
wise the primary laws OF Alabama
why was 1t necessary to appoint
committee. the personnel OF which
is almost exclusively lawyers, OF
near lawyers? Are they more pa
triotic than other men? Do law
years understand the need OF the
people any better than business
men? Are lawyers more capable
of judging what Will be satisfac-
tory to the people? The writer
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-24

If those people who want to re-
write the Bible and the constitution
should have their way, there would
be more reason to fear emigration
from than immigration to America.