davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-08
STILL NO SEAPORT LECISL ALTON

Yesterdays
 gerad for it's editorial criticism of the personnel and att tude of the port committee appointed by Lieutenant senate legislative record throughout the present The Herald asks the Alabama senate to point constructive calls public attention to the failure of the Alabama senate to carry the will the people of Alabama expressed the polls November The reterates it's with the evident nmty of the majority of the committee to the seaport amendment The character of the substitute port act is sufficient evidence of that enmty.
 The lieutenant governor cannot escape the responsibility for having named that committee there valid in the statement that he did not know their attitude regarding the undertaking It his business know their attitude and to make that the committee had clear record with respect to the enterprise the lieutenant pledged himself before his election support The people Alabama properly dsgsed with the procedure o the senate during this session and the effort to protect it's dignity but shows how greatly in @ that % a s a & n9 from 5u from
 The allegations of The Ageerad have been denied but they the committee against the amendment their appointment by hm Does MT McDowe deny that the that he did know the sentiments of the three members of the committee? How then does he excuse him sentiment of the majority of the committee the most subject that before the present legislature? Let him explain that to the people of Alabama.
 The outstanding fact overshadowing all others that the promised the before their election would receive primary consideration by them has been mysterousy delayed day after day. and returned after long debraon without any definite recommendation and accompanied by substitute which adopted would nulfy the whole program It nsldlousy beray the public interest to the railroads and surrounds the commission with impossible and preposterous hndrancs of to undertake such monsoSty as mas been evoVu oy WI McDow appontees If the lieutenant governor is not to blame
 And in the final summing up, AgeHerad has interest the futile resolution of the senate The Ageerald carry the command of the people of Alabama with respect to building seaport Is the senate not capable o dong ens m airect ana unequV0'S raiie 0A ''
 if hr Mcdowell desires to refue the opinion that he by using his bring about the enactment of outstanding atainnents unhndered by petty political restic
 ons to build seaport worthy d this great state US industry and it's Resolutions will not ava-ony statutes of high order.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-08
CONDEMNATION AvERTED

Reports that several property own CTS with holdings included in the site recently purchased by the county board of revenue have decided to abandon resistance to condemnation proceedings and to. release their hold ings at the original prices, are not surprising. The prices named seemed generous, and it may be inferred by some that abandonment of further re- sistance was actuated by the proba- bility of condemnation appraisals re- sulting in smaller valuations than had already been fixed. There is wide spread impression that the price of two hundred and sixty-two thousand dollars for the whole property, az agreed upon by the county and the realty agents, was quite large, and that condemnation proceedings would have resulted in considerably less cost to the county. Perhaps the county would do well to proceed with con demnation.
 While it has been announced that this site was obtained as the location
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-08
OUR CAREFUL SENATE


 After amending 1t beyond recog- nition. the senate postponed action indefinitely on the bill for adver- tising the resources and advan- tages of the state of Alabama and in effect killed the measure. This was done despite the fact that the bill was Sponsored and approved by practically every chamber of commerce and business and civic organization in the state. The ob- lection to the measure as first in- troduccd was that 1t gave too much authority in spending money to the county officers. An amend- ment was then made limiting the amount that could be spent by the county boards for the purpose of advertising the county. This still did not satisfy some of the sena- tors--those fellows who are so careful of the funds of the state. Several of them insisted that the amounts which their own counties could spend should be still further reduced, the object seemingly be- ing to amend the bill to death. This they succeeded in doing. do- spite the fact that 1t was clearly the wish of the majority of the communities of the state that the measure, or one with the same end in view, should be passed. Isn't 1t fine to note the manner in which the senate guarded the funds of the counties? No. sir; those fel- lows are not going to take any chances with the county officials. However, 1t is small wonder that they have no faith in officials af- ter associating with the Alabama legislature.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-08
MAcNUs JoHNsoN's NosTRUM

Magnus Johnson was elected by the wheat farmers to help them out of their troubles, and Johnson is not a man to do things by halves. He pro poses that the government buy two hundred million bushels of wheat and pay good price for it. Buy it and give it to the starving Russians, per haps. Such plan would afford re- lief for every stagnation due to 8 surplus. Our surplus firearms could be purchased by the government and distributed gratis among the surviving Armenians, if any, so that they may defend themselves against the blood thirsty Turks. In the same benevo- lent manner our surplus cotton could be woven into cloth, at the government expense, and sent to clothe the Hot tentots. If this policy should stimu- late our people to renewed production, so much the better, for an industrious population is a contented one. The Chinese, for example.
 Already there is fear lest there be an accumulation of automobiles be- yond our requirements. What could more deeply endear us to the plodders of the earth than the free gift of au- tomobiles? The senator from Min nesota shows a shortness of vision and reveals a degree of provincialism by applying his specific only to his local situation. Or perhaps he is merely letting us in gradually on his scheme for making all the world happy and satisfied. If our government is to be paternalistic, by all means let The paternalism be the most benign md far-reaching possible.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-08
POOR BOYS WHO
 BECAME FAMOUS By Ernderick Hnuk L.aM
Samuel Richardron

One would hardly think that the ability to write love letters would aid in making one famous. Sam uel Richardson, a London printer, about fifty years ago, had un- usual skill in writing love letters. Moreover. he liked to exercise that skill. As one might expect of anyone who enjoys writing love letters, Samuel Richardson liked the company of women. As one might not expect. however, sam uel Richardson did not write love letters for himself, nor did he pay court to the young women who daily surrounded him. He had by nature the two great eharacteris- tics that mark all good writers: keenly observant mind, and a love of writing.
 His father had been a humble carpenter, who had had high plans for the boy, but who could earn too little money to give him the education he wished. Instead of sending the lad on to study for the ministry he had to send him to work. Samuel Richardson was only sixteen years old when he settled down, with only the scan tiest education, to become a prin- ter. By the time he was thirty he had become such a good prin- ter that he felt he could see il shop of his own. He continued to prosper in the printing business and made new advances in posi- tion.
 Being of a very kindly nature, he had consented on many .occa- sions to write letters for young people. Little by little, he drifte | into the writing of love letters. This made him intimately familiar with tn thoughts of young people, and at the same time gave him practice in writing. At the age of fifty-one he wrote a novel, Tn the form of intimate letters, con corning the life of a girl called Pamela" This first of all mod ern novels was great success. Several years later Richardson wrote the long story of "Clarissa Harlowe," and still later sir Charles Grandson" As might he expected, one who kRew women as we'll as he knew fthem, could write surprisingly good novels.
 Thus, quite unsuspecting his greatness, the humble printer laid the foundations for the modern novel of character and of truth to lire. For that reason Samuel Richardson Is often called "The rather of the English novel"
 He died In 176l at the age of seventy two.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-08
PEOPLES FORUM
Cnntrihutorn Arn rhnnh.a

To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 Our grateful acknowledgements to all the orphans friends who contributed In any manner to make the Labor Day picnic, Sep temper 3, 1923, a red letter day at the Orphans Home. Everything conspired to make the occasion a very memorable one in the annals of the home. It was certainly as- surfing to meet so many of our citizens, notwithstanding the va- rious attractions in other direc- tions.
 Apart from the financial side of the genial assemblage, which was decidedly encouraging, as liber- ality was cheerfully in evidence. The smiling countenance of the little boys and girls and their evi- dent enjoyment of the bounty dis played In their regard must have amply repaid all those whose purses were lighter, ss they de- parted for their own happy homes. To one and all who responded so nobly and generously on the oSS casion. we return our sincere ap- preciation and thankfulness. THE LADIES ORPHANS HOME
 ASSOCIATION.
 Mrs. G. M. Lathem. President. Atheneum Orphans Home, East
 Lake. Ala, Sept. 5, 1923.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-08
MOTHERS OF FAMOUS
 MEN
The Mother of Hugo Grotius


 Hugo Grotius was the man who started the idea of hayine, inter- national lawi That was an idea that was we'll worth the starting. Perhaps we have not yet fully realized all that is implied in the thing that Hugo, Grotius, the great Dutch statesman. set in. motion. He was born in the city of Delft the crockery place, in 1583--so in- ternationai law isn't so very old as yet, and perhaps may be ex- cused for not being all that 1t might be. The mother of Hugo de Groot-for "Grotius" is only the Latin way of writing the plain. strong Dutch name-was Aida van Overschie.
 The father was Jan de Groot- and he was a hard student, who studied so long and so faithfully that he won the degree of master ofarts and the degree of doctor # laws, even in an age when men thought much more of swords and spears than they did of college degrees. In fact, most young men took their degrees in blood on the field of battle. Now Jan de Groot, the scholar, found a woman who was able to hold her own against all his learning. My fam fly is as good as yours!" said Aida van Overschie, land you might as well remember it!''
 Her father said: "She has a dis position none can move, no, not even land I have tried. You must giver her her own lway-or else she will take 1t without yo:ir. giving!" Aida van Oyerschie was Dutch, and proud of it. She had the good Dutch characteristic of looking after children and seeing that they were well brought up. Hugo was her first born--and she trained him as soon as he could open his eyes. As result he grew up preeocious and able be- yond other boys. He it was who flrst made science of the thing that we call international law.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-08
ONE TRICK A DAY
Finding n Drawn Card

FFN1-
 This is rnystifying little trick and one which none but those truly Ion the inside", can ever know the secret. A pair of dice are shown. held between the fore ringer and thumb, with eleven spots up. But notice. the five spot Is near the tip of the fingers. while the six is the die nearer the hand. Presto, and the dies nave changed places, even while the audience looks on, and the six IS now In the position at the tips Of the fingers. while the five IS near the hand.
 The modus operandi is this: When the dice are placed between the ringers, instead of lying flatly on their under side. they are rather held by the opposite cor ners. This gives them, a sort Of pivot by which they may be turned from one position to the other with hardly noticeable twist. All that Is necessary now is. before placing them in position, to square them up so the five and six arc on one side of the dice. and the six and five on the adjoining side
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-08
uselenn Lerislntion

To the Editor of The Age Herald:
 Our legislature will certainly win first prize for the introduction and passage of freak bills, the latest being that by Representa- tive Pool of Butler. providing for the registration of automobiles. Is not the legislature aware that every automobile owner in the state of Alabama is required by law to register it's number and practically give it's pedigree to the probate judge when the license tag Is purchased each year? Why this unnecessary duplication and extraction of an additional dollar from the automobile owners? Why not demand an abstract of title? do not own an automobile myself. but feel that somebody should voice protest against the passage of utterly absurd laws, when there are so many more inn portant matters requiring atten- tion. If this law Is finally adopted by the senate and approved by the governor, I suggest as the eternal fitness of things. that 1t be called the P(h)ool bill.
 JOHN W. SHELBY.
 Birmingham, Ala, Sept. s, 1923.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-08
HOPS FOR MUSCLE SHOALS

The conferences between MT. Ford and the secretary of war, and between these two and President Coolidge, re- new the hope that Muscle Shoals wilt ultimately be turned over to MT. Ford to develop and operate. The attitude of the secretary of war has evidently altered to the extent that he is willing now seriously to consider the Ford offer, instead of using it as bait to draw other offers. The bait at- tracted only undergrown fish. Henry Ford's offer today stands out as the only one deserving second thought.
 MT. Ford's apparent willingness to give objections to his offer more de- tailed consideration is in itself en- couraging. Perhaps MT. Ford's ap- parent indifference was due ito his accurate information that the opposi- tion in congress was political and ar tificial and would continue for the ses- sion no matter what concessions he should make. Now that the situation has changed to degree, as indicated by the recent concern shown by the secretary of war, doubtless MT. Ford feels that the negotiations will be sim cere.
 The Tennessee Valley needs the in- dustrial development that will follow the utilization of the rivers energy. It is full-grown draught horse gam boiling through rich fields, careless of the crops it's idleness prevents from coming into being. At present, the situation represents not only an in- excusable waste of power, but also a barren investment of millions of public money. The administration is respon- sible for it's stewardship of this invest ment, and the administration so far has nothing of increment to record, except the somewhat meaningless pol icy of continuing the construction, meaningless, that is, unless there is immediate provision for it's operation.
 Henry Ford stands ready to bring Il great producing center into being, ana to change the present undisturbed mineral areas into richly. producing industries. There will be develop ment of business and transportation almost beyond the dreams of an em- pire. All that stands in the way of this mighty enterprise is the indiffer- ence or pettifogging tactics of con gress. The public condemnation of this shortsighted policy has made itself unmistakably manifest. Perhaps Wash ington has caught the spirit of the nation and has at last determined that the obvious course with respect to Muscle Shoals shall be followed at the earliest possible moment. It rather looks that way.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-08
ANOTHER FAILURE IMPENDING

Those news papers which hastily in- dorsed the proposition for special millage tax on the ground that Ala bama cannot afford to go backward educationally, might be reminded that as long as Alabama maintains make shift tax collecting system which per mits half the property in the state to escape it's just share of the public bur dens, Alabama is going straight back wards. The most pressing and prac- tical education Alabama needs is that every individual and interest shall learn the importance and necessity of bearing their part in the maintenance of efficient government, and that there can be no such government if one-haie of those under it's protection and en- toying it's benefits shirk their public responsibilities. That forms a polio 7 that counts for progress and prosper ity It is the only kind that will es- tablish and maintain schools and iu- stitutions of learning. The purpose and function of government is, or should be, taught in every school. There can be neither government nor schools that are worth while if half the people are forced to pay for them in order that the other half may escape their duties.
 The proposition to hunt up new sources of taxation, while neglecting to collect what, is due the state, is founded on ignorance, because it can result in nothing but hardship upon the entire state, including all of its educational forces through evasion of governmental duty. The assess ment of sixty per cent. of val nations under the law is low. Yet, it is known that taxes are paid on little more than half of that. The governor and legislature are de- liberately turning the state over to 6 constantly increasing army of tax dodgers, and continue to founder around in efforts to find new fields for revenue under an unsound and un- fair system, while the old fields are not half worked. The result is that tax-cvasion is encouraged, and every department of the state government, including the public education, suffers accordingly
 If noamore efficient machinery is
 
 set up for collecting proposed new taxes than for getting what is already due the state, the plan for additional revenue will be another failure. If the bulk of the property in Ala bama were paying it's just taxes, there would be no need for revenue to me 1t the states requirements. Why not bring up the slackers nearer to the legal requirements before hunting new fields for additional assessments? Gov ernor Brandon pledged himself during his campaign not to increase taxes. His pleas for additional sources of revenue do not square with his pledges. There is only one way to redeem his cam paign pledges, and that is to establish a tax-collecting system that will dis tribute the public burdens by abolish
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-08
CONTINUE THE VIADUcT FIGHT


 Proposals from the city commission that. in the event of failure of the legislature to enact the measure whereby two hundred thousand people of this city would get relief from dangerous and costly grade crossings, ordinances might be passed to regulate the speed of trains in grade-crossings districts, to prevent blockades of streets beyond maximum periods, to establish additional flagnen and other so-called means of relief, promise Et- tie in the way of protection. The city already has authority to establish these minor safeguards against dan- gers and losses; but there has been little protection from that source be- cause the railroads do not observe tho ordinances and the authorities do not enforce them.
 What the people of Birmingham and Jefferson county need and de- mand is an adequate system of pro- tection against these death-traps. Those railroads which are obstr'ucting this relief on the ground of costs are not only subjecting the people of this community to grave injustice, but are pursuing a policy against their own material interests The Brewer bill IS fair and reasonable in it's provisions; yet the legislature has listened to the voice of the railroads rather than to that of the people. Some responsibility for it's failure to act is charged against the Jefferson delegation in the legisla- ture The situation constantly grows more hazardous to human life and business interests. The city commits sion is charged with the duty to safe guard the public welfare. With strong sentiment for an adequate sys- tenn of viaducts it seems strange that the public welfare should be neglected by the railroads, the local authorities and the legislature.
 Every public-spirited and patriotic citizen of this community has respon- sibility in this matter. Such pressure should be brought upon the railroads and the authorities as to force action. Birmingham and Jefferson counts needs, rights and future are involved. There is no doubt as to where the re- sponsibility lies. The fight for pre- lection should continue until the com munity gets justice.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-08

for new county courthouse, there is no reason to infer that it will be used for that purpose. The logical location for the county courthouse is where it now stands, and there are no grounds for the assumption that it will be re- moved elsewhere. On the contrary, there is reason for the belief that the people of the county will not provide the funds necessary for such move, and certainly not until they have been given better reasons than have yet been advanced.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-08
Blessing in Disguise
Anniston star)

r The boll weevil. damaging though 1t has been to Alabama agriculture, may prove to be a real blessing in disguise. Already it is causing farmers in all portions of Alabama to abandon the old one-erop idea and to diversity their farming activities. If the weevil should cause all farmers in the South to diversity, plant some cotton and some food and feed crops, it would be a benefactor in- stead of curse to the South. But until this is done the farmer must fight the weevil,and fight it hard, or he will have no crop at all.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-08
BEGINNING AT THE ToP

Please try to get my son a po- sition as boss of some kind. He always has liked to be over oth- CTS. He IS born leader"
 So wrote his father in sending his son. just out of school. to an acquaintance employed in a large business establishment. The son himself had only vague ideas about what he wanted to do; 1t so happened that he was prepared to qualify. perhaps. as second office boy In the establishment. But he had the feeling, encouraged by the father, that he ought to begin somewhere higher up."
 He didn't think of what he knew ar Sih mt know, about the busi-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-08
As to Labor Agents
(Onelika News)

(Opelika News)
 Alabama now has an anti-labor agent bill that is supposed to be hog tight, horse high and bull strong. However, it is our firs. and last guess that no law can stop employers from bidding for labor and getting 1t if the bid is attractive enough. M
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-08

ness. His idea was that details did not matter; that he could
 boss" alIr right and leave details, the actual work, to others. He shared the beautifully logical theory that 1t would be a whole lot simpler If people who build pyramids. houses, rock chimneys or success in life. would just be- gin st the top instead of way down at the bottom where nobody could see what they are doing,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-08
Former System Needed

Ntotchth 1OdiAAiJ
 It begins to look as if tax upon tax is to be piled upon Alabamians by a@legislature and an admfnis- tration pledged to reduce taxes and at the same time keep up ap- populations. In the first place. the pledge was foolish one. Taxes cannot be reduced mate rially without reducing the eff ciency of one or more of the de- partments of state government. It would be better for the legislature just to return to the former sys- tenn of taxation, whereby tax as- sessments can be adjusted under the direction of competent com- mission. This system will pro- vide an adequate state income. and as 1t Is perfected and discrimins- tions are ironed out, 1t will te found more and more satisfactory.