davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1923-09-27

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The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-23
A COAL-MINING PROBLEM

Among the demands made on the coal
operators by the United Mine Workers of
America was one for the six-hour day and
the five-day week. This demand was based
on conditions now existing in the coal in
dustry which make it impossible to give
year-around employment to all miners. The
union leaders contend that such plan would
provide more regular employment and help
Ia stabilize the coal industry. All inves-
t-gstiols made Of the coal industry have
shown that miner who works but part of
the reS-, as most of them do, cannot earn
enough to support family in comfort. He
might make good wages for few months,
but long periods of idleness wipe out his
savings, while if his earnings were distributed
over twelve months they would be relatively
small.
aost of the trouble in the coal industry
u due 70 its lack Of stability. More mines
are being worked than are needed to supply
the nations fuel requirements, and there is
8 surplus Of miners. The practice Of oper-
stiag mines to meet sporadic demands for
fuel forces the consumer to pay more for
his coal and works hardship on miners.
Continuous production throughout the year
would prevent periodic fuel shortages and
resulting high prices. It would insure a
coal surplus when coal was needed most and
would not put severe strain on transporta-
tion facilities. Coal distribution, like coal
production, could then be made a continuous
process. This is one Of the problems which
will have to be solved before there can be
any sterilization Of the coal industry Wage
controversies would be less frequent, and
strikes might be prevented.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-23
THE MODERN VERSION
lWashington Postl

washington PoSt)
Honor thy sons and thy daugh-
tiers that thy days may be long in
the land seems to be the modern
child's version of the biblical state
ment of duty as between parent and
offspring. Tt least this is suggested
by lecture authorized by a child
before a British Rotary club. The
attitude of the younger generation,
as often expressed by word and
manner, tends to corroborate the
English child by speaking for a
large element of her class. Fa-
theirs have no idea how to bring up
children, says the young British lee
turer. She adds that they are Of
ten unfair to both boys and girls,
while mothers are unfair only to
the latter. The implication is that
the child has acquired wisdom in
the rearing of children and is now
prepared to point to parents the
way they should go. This suggests
a change of relationship that lifts
the burden of bringing up children
from the shoulders of parents and
puts on those of the children the
burden of bringing up their fathers
and mothers Well, the children
ought to make as good a job of it
as the average parent has made.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-23
A DRAMA OF THE SEA

Tales of the sea are the most thrilling
They grip with all the hold of great drama
The storm-colored sky, the storm-tossed
waters, are dramatic. The ship somewhere
between the two, is reduced, in the thunder
ing tumult, to a mere tumbling point of in
visibility to the eye strained over that heav-
ing universe and it is dramatic. But the
real drama is in those human atoms upon
those pitifully patched together planks,
trusting in God.
Such, in way, is the story Of the ship
Montello. The first thing the crew did just
before the ship was abandoned was to
lower into the rescuing boat their mascot,
their common friend who had left his kind
to rove with them. They said the dog had
to go first. For two days and nights those
aboard the Montello were helpless in the
storm except to pray. AS the good ship
Verdi came, the good ship Monticello sank,
and it must be conceded that she was good
ship, since she allowed time for the dog to
go first. For the faith Of the dog in the
men was no less than theirs in God.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-23
THE NEAR EAST

Events have been dealing cruelty
with the hopes of the peoples in
Syria and Asia Minor. Emerging
from the horrors of the World war,
they were plunged almost immedi-
ately into new horrors as nationalist
Turkey swept back the Greeks and
accompanied its victorious campaign
with heartless oppression of the ma
tive Christian population. The
promise of peace and security has
vanished. At lausanne the defiant
Turk denies the ,Armenians ma
tional home, and the allies, con-
cerned greatly about their own in
terests, make a poor business of
providing for the safety and welfare
of those whom the Turk would ex-
plot and treat as his bond slaves.
There is a depth of despair in the
hearts of men and women that is
more tragic than the pangs of hun
ger. And yet physical relief is all
that we can offer-a day-by-day
ministry to the needs of the body.
But all that we can offer is the least
that we should offer, and contin-
uing generosity must be Americas
contribution since we have found no
other way to help.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-23
LIBELLING ALABAMA

The conservatism of expression of Theo-
dore Roosevelt in the use of the Short and
ugly word" would be woefully inadequate
to characterize a recent article by Clement
Wood in the Nation" The article is both
directly and insidiously tissue of false
hood and heaps upon the people of state
in the union defamation that is so unjusti-
fled, so without warrant or excuse, so vi
cious in its intent, that men of decent in
stinct may wonder that there are men who
would so malign people, or that any man
could be found who would permit his publ
cation to be used as medium of such a
libel upon any people.
The author is cowardly in that he quotes
alleged authority, but makes careful avoid
ance of naming it. One quotation in par
ticular credits congressman from Alabama
as advocating racial amalgamation. The au-
thor characterizes Alabama rs "a land of
gusty, pernicious forces driving furtively
their perverted, unrecognized matings."
Anonymously, and on his own responsibility,
this man commits libel upon the character
of the men and the virtue of the women of
our state. Facts and argument could refute
all that he says. But who would want to
debate any question with man who sinks
to such level?
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-23
AMERICAN BUSINESS IS STABLE

American business and financial circles,
while sensitive to developments in the Ruhr,
have remained steady and there is ten
dency to take philosophic view of the sit
uation. Evidently, it is not believed that
there will be another upheaval in Europe,
but that conditions will gradually adjust
themselves and the vexatious Preparations
problem will be solved eventually without
further demoralizing world markets. Amer
lean business and finance are now on such
a firm basis that it would take considerably
more than recent occurrences in Europe to
create any marked disturbance. 1t is point
ed out that domestic business is good, money
is easy and the entire country is experience
ing an economic revival on sound basis
that assures permanency. Nearly two-thirds
Of a billion dollars in new capital issues were
easily absorbed in the first three weeks of
January. That is a convincing indication
Of ample funds and of confidence in the
future. The automobile trade is a recognized
barometer of prosperity. Manufacturers
anticipate record-breaking year. The
trouble between France and Germany has
apparently had little effect ON the cotton
market. Higher prices have benefited the
south and aroused new interest in southern
industrial properties, notably the railroads
serving this part of the country.
Business men and financiers with inter-
national connections keep well informed re-
gardng political events. They frequently
know more about what is going on than the
diplomats themselves. When they are in
clined to discount alarming reports from
abroad the public may rest assured that they
have good reason for believing that differ
ences will be adjusted. The experiment
France is making in the Ruhr is being
watched with interest, but whether it sue
ceeds or fails, either result will hasten
settlement. In the case of failure, the allies
may be expected to get together and try
some other method for settling the repara-
tions problem. The departure of the British
debt commission is not viewed with mis-
givings, since both sides showed willing
ness to reach an agreement and it is prob
able that the negotiations begun in America
will soon be completed by cable. It is en-
couraging to observe that business and
finance are calm in spite of the political and
social upheavals which have proved so dis
turbing to industry, commerce and finances
elsewhere.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-23
A BAD POLITICAL PRACTICE

The anticipated appointment of John Hays
Hammond to succeed Albert B. Fall as Sec
rotary Of the interior would place in the
cabinet man who is eminently well fitted
for that position. Too often men are ap-
pointed to public office of great RESPONSE
bility merely for political reasons, without
due regard for their fitness. That practice
is the outgrowth of the pernicious spoils
system from which the country has suffered
for many years, and for which both Demo-
Gratis and Republicans must share the blame.
Ability and not partisan considerations
should be the criterion for public service.
The directors of private enterprise would
never think of putting man at the head of
a department who lacked experience and
training, but this is frequently done in the
case of one of the largest concerns in the
world, the United States government. As
result, there is complaint of inefficiency in
office, and the public interests suffer from
the incompetence Of officials who are en-
trusted with important duties they are not
able to perform. Nothing would do more
to bring about better government in the
United States than the abolition of the sys-
tenn, by which elected officials pay their po-
litical debts and by which politicians profit
at the expense Of the people who pay the
hills
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-23
THE VANISHING HORSE
(Pittsburg DISPATCH

The president of the Chicago
Board of Trade is interested in the
disappearance of the horse, because
the shrinkage from 100000 in the
cities in 1910 to half that number
in 1920, and the farmers turning to
tractors, trucks and autos has, he
says, cost the producers about $780,
100000 a year in reduced prices for
oats and probably like amount for
hay. But while he does not expect
to see the horse come back to the
cities, except for short hauls, he
thinks "the small size farmers who
invested in big power tractors" are
likely to return to the draft horse,
whose prices. are advancing. Let him
cheer up; the comparative depres-
sion in the oats market is hardly to
be considered in contrast with the
farmers gain from gasoline power.
These disturbances following new
inventions have had q way of right
ing themselves.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-23
sOUTH'S TEXTILE INDUSTRY

The cotton mills of the south are going
ahead of those Of New England and further
expansion of the cotton manufacturing in
dustry points inevitably to this section.
These now established facts are the logical
result of the south's advantages IN a field
which, but for misapprehensions concerning
economic conditions here, would long ago
have been indisputably hers. New Eng
lands tremendous lead, always heretofore
maintained, has disappeared, the center OF
production gaining at last the first place
II ths n nufacture Of its own staple. Evs-
as1es sasf the advantage in this industry is
row n fsvor Of the south is furnished by
TIE -lreau of census, to which every mill
alssas q monthly report of its operations
An sttieie in recent issue of the New
York Journal Of Commerce on this subject
draws attention to the fact that, while the
northern mills have twenty-one million spin
dies and the southern mills have sixteen
million spindles, the mills of this section
ran last year twenty-four per cent more
spindle hours. While the New England mills
ran at seventy-four per cent. of normal, the
mills here ran at one hundred and ten per
cent. of normal.
These facts show that southern mills are
handicapped only by shortage in spindles.
The northern mills are handicapped by sew
eral things. The matter of labor there is
frequent source of difficulty, but that
has not been the determining factor in the
situation. For, during periods last year
when there was no trouble of this sort, the
souths supremacy was not affected. In this
connection, it was the south's lack Of skilled
labor that was formerly supposed to furnish
an important reason against its competition
in the manufacture of cotton. This argu-
ment has been effectively disproved.
The strongest factors in favor Of the
south are of a more permanent nature.
Higher cost of fuel and transportation are
admittedly among the handicaps of New
Freiar In these items the south, with its
sA6sr rover and short haul from the cot
sea Is has the telling advantages. They
az sae sages which are bound to count
sxe as3 more. Trade predictions are that
lie fit14e growth of this industry will be
i Tie south.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-23
A VETERAN SHIPBUILDER
philadelphia Recordl

The death of William M. Cramp at the
age of 81 years recalls DR.. Oliver Wendell
Holmes poem of "The Last Leaf" for the
nonagenarian was a lingering reminder of
the old days when the shipbuilding industry
of Philadelphia largely centered in his fam
lily. Shortly after his graduation from the
old Central high school, as long ago as 1874,
he entered the shipyards established by his
grandfather, and about score of years Ia
ter, during the civil war, had charge of the
department which built ships for the federal
government. For some years after that he
was the chief executive of the firm, and
he was actively interested in its affairs until
dictate.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-23
Poor Boys Who Succeeded
By FREDERICK HoUK LAW
Verdi, the Great Composer

An Italian inn-keeper VINO kept little
store in part Of his inn had a son VINO might
have succeeded to the business, but the child
cared more for music than for inns and
stores. He listened to every old song, to
every musical instrument, and to every
church organ, and was entraneed. From
his earliest years he could produce music.
''Was there ever such a sonv' said the ia
Their, as he thought of the future of his inn
At ten little Giuseppe Verdi was appoint
ed organist, taught only by Saint Cecilia"
the people said. Antonio Barezzi must
clan, heard the youthful boy and took him to
a symphony! "He must study with better
teachers" Barezzi said, and sent him to the
conservatorio at Milan. There they laughed
at the inn-keeper's boy and would have
nothing to do with him.
Instead of giving up, Verdi studied with
private master. A year later, when the
leader of great orchestra died, Verdi ap-
piled for the place. The authorities chose
some one else. Still in earnest, Verdi found
a church that would employ him, and he also
became leader of city orchestra.
AICer Jnree years ne went TO milan Ior
study. Then his wife and two children died
In his agony he tried to drown his sorrow
in work He wrote an opera. The opera
was total failure. He kept on, and year
later wrote a composition that made all
admire him as a genius. When he was about
forty he wrote the great operas, "Rigoletto,'
III Trovatore," and LA Traviata.' TWEEN
ty years later he wrote the still greater
"Ada.' In his eightieth year he wrote
"Otello'' and "Fastaff." Later still, he
wrote for the church with still more charm
and power.
In his lightweight years of life Verdi
wrote many musical compositions, some flat
failures; others, temporary successes; others,
immortal compositions. With every year
he improved, and from being a poor inn
keepers son rose, by persistence, to rank
with the worlds greatest composers of
music.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-23
HES MY FRIEND"
New York Tribunel

There is something in the Collins
idea--the new social experiment
for maynard boys. In New Haven,
where the plan was first tried and
where it has been in operation for
sixteen years. police records show
that arrests of boys under fifteen
are more than so per cent less than
in other cities.
John C. Collins, with volunteer
organization of young men called
the Friends of Boys, and with the
cooperation of the police, is going
to try here the methods that were
successful in New Haven. Instead
of taking the potential lawbreaker
to court the policeman to whose at
tention the offense is brought will
turn him over to Collins. And New
York's finest have offered to see to
this first move in the game.
Neither recrimination nor proba-
ton, but friendly understanding
between boy and man, is the object
of the interview, with the policy of
fair play for background. The
parents are not appealed to, and
they are not asked to punish or re-
prove. There is no clubroom, only
a headquarters provided, and no al
ternatives are offered to keep the
boys out of mischief.
The objective is state Of mind
only, not choice between good
and evil pleasures with all fi1c en-
phasis on the good" 1t IS being
friends with a grown man outside
the family circle. Whoever hhs
heard a small boy say Of an UNDER
standing man, Hes my friend"
can visualize the Collins idea and
get an inkling of how it work..
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-23
CHILD WELFARE

One of the largest fields Of social re-
search concerns child welfare. 1t means
more to more human beings than almost any
other movement. There can be no field Of
work more fundamentally important to
country, leaving out Of consideration the
heaven-born right Of the child to opporty-
nifty to develop the best that is in him.
Child welfare work is not a theoretical ex-
pertinent or something left entirely with the
schools. 1t belongs In the home as we'll.
More deeply even than the child itself grows
into the affections Of the home, there grows
in the child, morally and physically, the in
fluences of the home. They are lasting in
fluences. There are many children without
homes or without homes of the right sort,
who are left to the sport of chance, unless
some guardian happens to look their way.
What is being accomplished for child well
fare is demonstrated every day. Approached
scientifically the scope of the inquiry is
broad. 1t begins with the study of infant
mortality-or rather it begins before the
child is born, in the promotion of the health
of the mother. 1t follows the delinquent
through the Juvenile court But it is not
against premature or excessive employment
of the child that have interested investiga-
tors of these problems. Health habits
formed before the school age influence the
child's after life. The right kind of food is
being insisted upon, and fresh air and clean
illness. Particular emphasis is given to the
study of nutrition, the great Importance of
which is mot generally appreciated.
For ten years the government has been
making a scientific study of child life as a
whole. Under varied conditions in the noun
tain regions of Kentucky and Tennessee, the
rural communities, the crowded, squalid sec
tions of the big cities, causes and effects
have been noted and from these findings
| it has been possible to solve some of the
problems of child life. The juvenile court
has given to delinquent children, not often
criminal in their intent, something perhaps
unknown in their lives before, friendly I'M
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-23
ADMISSION INDUSTRY EXPANDS

Admission, already far famed as a manufac-
turer of castiron pipe, is to have another
foundry. Admission is leader in production
of that class of pipe, having more sanitary
pipe foundries than any other city in the
country. The more they cluster there the more
successful seems to be the industry in that
locality. Admission is also large producer
of pressure pipe. The greater part of the
pig iron consumed in these shops comes
from the Birmingham district which thus
shares the benefit of Anniston's expansion
as a pipe producer. The sanitary pipe pro
ducing capacity of Alabama has been doubled
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-23

in the past three years and this great in
crease in production at one time produced
apprehension that the industry was being
overdone; but the contrary has been proved
in prolonged period of unusual activity
last year and the beginning of new year
with these shops sold to capacity for two
and three months to come. Alabama pro-
duces thirty-fiye to fifty per cent. of the
country's yearly consumption of castiron
pipe and by reason of her low-cost produc-
ton of pig iron will continue to do So An
niston is expanding an idustry that is justi-
fled by the demand for its product.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-23
THE CONVICT LEASE SYSTEM

The bill passed by the legislature on Fri
day extending the convict lease system to
January l, 1927, will not be gratifying to
the people of the state. 1t had been hoped
that the system would end on January 1,
1924, as was the law until the passage on
Friday of this new bill. The new bill, in
an amendment, gives the governor the right
to end the system before the specified date
whenever in his judgment conditions war
rant its ending. But the conditions referred
to in the amendment concern the states
financial ability to take care of the convicts
when they are removed from the coal mines.
And there is no allowance by the legisla-
ture for the provision of additional facilities
so that the convicts can be removed from the
mines. So the governor, until the legisla-
ture has found way to care for the con-
victs, cannot we'll end the lease system even
though he has authority to do SO. The peo-
pie Of Alabama are opposed to the leasing
of convicts, and desire the termination of
the practice at the earliest possible moment.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-23
SCIENCE HOOPS BACK

Lighter-than-air craft is again being tried
out by the government on rather extensive
scale. Scott Field, used during the war for
the training of airplane pilots, has been
taken over for this purpose and is now the
largest field of its kind in the country. Ex-
pansion is going on there daily. The con-
struction of airships is under way, one of
which is to be of the type of the Inflated C-2.
Science in it's course sometimes performs
almost as many loops as the stunts of the
airplane and it may develop that it will circle
back to the original flying-machine and
make it perform more wonders than have yet
been accomplished in the air.