davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-08
OUR RESPONSIBILITY ABROAD

Although the reparations question has
reached crisis, with the failure of the allied
premiers to agree on a concerted course of
action, advices from Washington indicate
that the administration IS waiting for fur
Their developments. The statement that it
sees no opportunity at present to make the
help of America available to Europe is
rather surprising, in view of the fact that
the opportunity was created by our partici-
patton in the World war. It would APP
pear that if America has the right to APP
point unofficial observers and seek by in
direct methods to accomplish what the Yer
sailles treaty would have permitted her to
do directly, it is mere diplomatic quibbing
to say that we must first wait until we are
formally invited The initiative may rest
in the hands of the European nations, bu.
we assuredly have toward our former as
sociates in the war some degree of respon-
sibility which does not require reaffirma-
ton through diplomatic channels. and in adj
dition to that our own national interests are
deeply involved in settlement of Europe's
troubles on proper economic basis.
The White House view is said to be that
representation on the Preparations commits
sion is no longer of pressing Importance
because the failure of the Paris conference
has changed the relationship of the COM
mission to PREPARATIONS as defined in the Yer
sailles treaty. Technically that may be true,
but it cannot be denied that settlement of
this problem is now more urgent than ever,
and therefore some move by the American
rr0u ant iS Z no since France
threatens to enforce the penalty clauses of
the Versailles treaty without the approval of
Great Britain, at the>amost certain risk of
still further demoralizing the economic
condition of Europe and creating a situa-
ton that may lead to another war. The
homely saying, "An ounce of prevention IS
worth a pound of cure" seems applicable
to the present crisis.
Granted that the objections of Mr.. Hard
ing and Secretary Hughes to committing the
American government to participation in
European affairs are based on sound diplo-
matte reasons, that only goes to show what
a deplorable blunder was made when the
United States Senate failed to ratify the
Versailles treaty. That is the cause of most
of the trouble and misunderstanding that
followed the armistice. If Americas "hands
are tied" it is because she did not ratify
the treaty and failed to meet obligations to
which she was morally bound. There would
have been no diplomatic tangles to unravel,
so far as America is concerned, if the treaty
had been ratified.
Nevertheless, there is definite situation
which would yield to the proper solution.
1t appears that not politicians, not statesmen,
but economists and bankers should hold the
survey by an American commission. Why
not follow up this commissions report with
some sort of constructive policy based
upon itf
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-08
THE BELT LINE DECISION

The order issued by the Public Service
Commission in regard to trackage of the
Birmingham Belt Line on Avenue is sound
for the time being. but should not be ac-
copied as permanent ruling so far as al
lowing portion of the double track to
remain is concerned. The right of the peo-
pie to unobstructed use of their main thor
oughfares as such should always be para
mount and deviations from that course should
be only in the name of the common welfare.
The ruling makes fair disposition of the
situation as it now exists. The four blocks
from Seventeenth to Twenty first streets,
from which the second track is to be re-
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-08
PREVENTION IS NEEDED

Birmingham's experience with dengue
fever and other forms of malarial disease
in the late summer and fall ought to awaken
all to the Importance of such mosquito con-
troll as will prevent recurrence of that dis
tressing epidemic. There were few fatal
ties, but the drain on the system of those
suffering from the malady was not only
severe while it lasted, but it lasted long
time. The medical authorities have declared
that unless steps for mosquito control are
taken in the early spring it will be too late
for prevention of another siege of malarial
ills Therefore there is encouragement in
the news that an exhaustive survey is in
prospect and that remedial plans are to be
adopted.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-08
WASHINGTON. D. C.. Jan. -

WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. T.
Especial. 1.-THE washing away by
the sea of land worth millions Of
dollars on the coast of New Jersey,
pointed to recently in the annual
report of the director of the United
States coast and geodetic survey,
draws attention to the battle waged
year in and year out between sea
and land along the entire length of
Americas eastern shore line. 1.-THE
truth is that sea and land have been
foes since the beginning of time,
says bulletin on the same subject
issued from the Washington, D. c.,
headquarters of the National Geo
graphic society. According to the
dreams of some physiogra pliers,
these old enemies will remain such
until the last mountain pinnacle has
been washed down and ground to
sand, and the victorious ocean rolls
unbroken around the world. But
whatever may be the outcome mil
lions of years in the future, we are
now in an era of give and take.
Many acres-even square miles
of land are lost annually; but COM
pensating areas are built up at
other places"
Continuing, the bulletin quotes as
follows from communication to
the-society by John Oliver La Gorce
describing the faction" in portions
of the Atlantic sector where the
never-ending conflict RACES most
furiously;
Looking southward across the
eastern entrance to Nantucket
Sound, one sights Nantucket Island
in the distance. On the south side
of this island the retreat of the
cliffs is often as much as six feet
wear. Further to the west lies Mar
tha's Vineyard, also an outpost of
the land. Here there are rearing
ramparts of rock hundred feet
high, but even they cannot entirely
withstand the incessant attacks of
the indomitable sea. To the south
west of Martha's Vineyard lies the
desolate island of No Mans Land
which is well worthy the name it
bears. Gradually the sea is tearing
away its vitals. and it is predicted
that by the end of the present CEN
fury it will disappear beneath the
waves forever
"On the south coast of Long Is
land we find beaches and shifting
sands. Here we uat into more
hopeful territory, for the land al
ways has an upbuilding Oliver for
every down-tearine Roland the sea
may have to offer. From SHINE
cock Bay to Fire Island, rampant
of sand some 40 miles long has been
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-08

thrown forward off the real shore
line, and the sea, pounding against
this in it's maddest fury, encounters
buffer that throws it back help,
less and exhausted foe. Moreover,
the sea is compelled to surrender
captive sands taken up elsewhere,
and these are re-eouipped and put
into the front trenches of the
islands southshore defenses. On
the Jersey coast, Sandy Hook stands
out as an advance guard of the
forces of the land, determined to
cut through the line of communlca-
ton of the sea in its drive into the
Raritan Bay salient. y.
when there is a deeply indented
coastline, the ocean currents paral-
leling the shores refuse to follow
the lndentation and cut straight
across. Striking deeper water, they
slow up and deliver from bondage
the captive grains of sand which
momentum has enabled them to
carry along. Eventually these
grains grow into a high sub
marine ridge. which holds up the
onrushing waves and forces them to
give up sand toll as they pass.
Having gained courage in its size.
the. ridge makes sally from the
surf and becomes full fleGged spit,
or hook. Sandy Hook is splendid
example of this method of the land
in invading the dominion of the
sea. 1t very frequently happens
that the spit marches on until it
reaches across the bay area and cap
lures the entire water army within
the salient. Then science decorates
it with a croix de guerre and gives
it new. name-it becomes bar.
1The Jersey coast is full of clas-
sic examples of the war between
the land and the sea. Here are no
towering ramparts, with frowning
walls, that seem to defy all the
armies with which General Neptune
can attack them. Nav, rather, here
the land forces have camouflaged
their strength, and have entrenched
themselves behind barriers of sand.
At Long Beach one may watch the
shifting fortunes of the pattle. Here,
in spite of the most elaborate sys-
tenn of breakwaters man has erected,
the shore line is being led captive
inch by inch. But the prisoner sand
does not remain in captivity AS it
is being escorted back of the lines
it makes a successful dash for lib
erty and rejoins other land units
north and south of Long Branch and
aids in a counter attack in those
neighborhoods.
an the vicinity of Atlantic City
the sea is ever striving to gain a
foothold; but at present the best it
can do is to force shifting of land
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-08
THE NATIONS TRADE BALANCE

Dr. Julius Klein, director of the bureau
of foreign and domestic commerce, estimates
that American imports for 1922 will show
an increase of about $400,000,000 over
1921 and exports will fall s7O0,000,0 900 be-
low 1921. There is movement toward a
more normal balance of trade, which will
be accelerated when foreign buyers are abba
to exchange more goods for purchases in
American markets. That will depend on the
restoration of normal economic conditions
abroad 1t is encouraging to note that they
are already showing signs of recovery. The
more exports foreign countries are able to
send to America, the quicker will they be
able to get out of the economic morass
in which they are struggling. American ex-
ports are reported as decidedly increas-
ing" during recent months. An interesting
feature of DR.. Kleins survey is the import
ant part Asia is playing as a market for our
exports and a contributor to our imports
about one-half of Americas foreign pur-
chases. Before the war they were about
one third. America is buying abroad chiefly
raw material and basic commodities used in
manufacturing. Foreign countries are TAX
ing a smaller volume of raw foodstuffs and
sem-manufactures. World trade is ba-
rometer of political as well as economic
conditions When political questions are
settled abroad the effect will be speedily felt
bv international commerce.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-08

coating of asphalt. This asphalt has already
worn away in large splotches and the block
has reappeared. The job appears to have
been poor one 1t is barely year since
the work was done. The merchants who
put up their money to have a smooth high
way are entitled to have this JOB done over
again and done better this time than it was
in the beginning. There is double merit IN
this case because additional money was
raised over and above the money gained by
taxation through the issuing of bonds. The
county should act promptly in this matter.
An effort on the part of the county to find
out why the asphalt coating has so soon be-
gun to wear off would be publicly appre-
ciated
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-08
HOW THE TARIFF WORKS

Since the Fordney- Nc Cumber tariff law
was enacted the charge that it woud impose
burden on American consumers has been
amply proved. recent example is the re-
quest of Dr. Miller Reese Hutchinson, direc-
tor of the campaign of the American Cotton
Associations campaign for controlling the
boil weev, that President Harding lift the
twenty five per cent. duty on calcium arse
nate so as to supplement the small domestic
supply of this poison which is used in fight
ing the pest DIR. Hutchinson states that the
domestic supply is only 100000 tons,
while much more than this is needed by
cotton growers. He also declares that
large foreign supply is available at price
the farmer could afford to pay if it were
imported without duty. Although the tariff
trainers in Congress professed tender solicit
tude for the farmers interests and claimed
that the Fordney-M NC Cumber tariff was de-
signed for his protection, he is among the
first to feel it's baneful effects. The law
enables domestic manufacturers to increase
the price of their products to the consumer,
cuts off foreign trade and thus prevents the
competition that would lower costs IL
America In one form or another every
American citizen, even the favored few IN
whose behalf the Fordney-McCumber Tariff
was enacted, are compelled to pay toll in
the increased cost of living and the higher
prices charged for what they consume.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-08
A NEW MEANING

From the Indianapolis News.
Brother Rufus Abraham, who had
been pastor of colored church for
several years. had lately fallen un-
der suspicion. Some of the worthy
brethren accused him of using the
Sunday collection for purposes not
related to the cause of religious
institution. Finally the matter was
taken to court. Brother Abraham
was called to testify.
"Mr. Abraham, how long have
you been pastor of that church?,"
questioned the attorney. Rufus
dusky brow wrinkled as he pondered
long and hard.
"Well, your honor, l reckon l
been pasturin' there about eight
years."
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-08
Alabama Press
Editors Discuss Education

LAFAYETTE Sun: When Alabama
provides educational advantages to
the rural youths equal to those in
town and citv. then we will be on
the right road. So long as country
boys and girls must move to town
or city in order to get start"
Just so long you are going to hear
protest from the Lafayette Sun.
Tuscaloosa News: An organiza-
ton dedicated to improving school
conditions all over the country gives
SIX OF the aims its members strive
Tor. as follows: To adjust school
programs to meet the abilities of in
dlvldual children; to extend visiting
teacher work to solve the problems
OF the unadjusted child; to increase
facilities for physically handicapped
children; to provide more play
grounds, libraries, gymnasiums,
science rooms and other special ia
clllties for all the children; to re-
lleve part-time congestion and mako
schools safe and sanitary; to take
the schools out of politics and make
them function for the children. II
is a very good list, and one to
Wnlch parents in any community
should give thoughtful considera-
ton. Do the schools in this COM
munity function for the children?
Are they safe. sanitary, uncrowded.
cheerful and efficient places in
which Establishment is. reduced to
a minimum and in which thorough
instruction is given in way to IN
spire eagerness for learning more?
The parent who has never paid much
attention to the schools, except to
get the children there on time and
TO sigh when vacations come around.
VIII be surprised to find how good
the schools are in many WAYS. and
yet how much still remains to be
done to make them meet present
and future needs fully.
Montgomery Journal: The pres
idents of the four normal schools in
this state, located at Troy, Jackson
vile, Florence and Livingston. have
united in an appeal to the legisla-
ture for increased appropriations
for them and for the common
schools. The necessity for such in
crease is made clear, and there sis
no doubt that the legislature will
make such increased appropriations
Is will meet all their requirements.
The common schools and normal
school will have due consideration.
Just as will the State university
and the Alabama Polytechnic in
stitute, If special favor is shown-it
will be to the common schools. for,
as those four distinguished educa-
tors point out, ''The condition of
our rural schools with five or six
months terms and unframed or
poorly trained teachers constituting
80 per cent of the schooI population,
may well receive the patriotic at
tention of the state." And this is
the reason why the rural or COM
mon school has as rule, no trained
teacher, according TO the same au-
thority. When the legislature con-
venes a legislative program will be
arranged by the proper committees,
and that the normal and rural
schools will be amply provided for
goes without saying. They will be
given first preference by the legis-
lature, but all will be cared for, and
there need be no fears on that score,
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-08
ASPHALT COATING WEARS OFF

After many months Of persevering effort
The Junior Chamber of Commerce succeed
ed last year in inducing the county, which
is under obligation to maintain a north and
south highway through Birmingham running,
along south Twentieth street, to repair that
street from the railroads to the foot of the
hills so that it would be safe for traffic.
The junior chamber raised part of the
$4,000 appropriated for this purpose,
! through contributions from owners of the
abutting property. One of the items of this
work was covering the Belgian block section
immediately south of thes,railroads with
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-08
Fortune Hunters
By REV. II. c. OFFERMAN

To the hopeful, fortunes appear
every. day.
Regulations are made, not in
herited A willingness and hard
sweat, are the factors that produce
them.
Persistency wins-tempered with
change.
"Let your light so shine before
men, that they shall see your good
works."
The elements are with you, some
day they will come to your help.
Blessings will come from above;
help may come from below. Your
fortune may be your reward IN
eternity. Hone for it.
Others may help you, but they
cannot get the prize for you.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-08
WEALTH IN MAINE FUR TRADE
From the Lewiston Journal.


As for the fur trade in Maine,
careful estimates place a money
value of million on this business.
To be sure, this is thrice the fig
ures reported by the state game de-
partment. But the official totals
do not give the catch on thousands
of farms where the boys do their
own shooting and trapping; nor do
they include many thousand dollars
worth Of furs shipped directly out
of the state without check on them.
Many farm is worth far more for
the furs it bears than for the gar
den stuff it raises The state Is
rich IN skunks, for instance, which
is one of the most valuable Crops
we have. Muskrats, though not SO
plentiful, when dyed form the
fashionable Hudson SEAL Minks
and raccoons and weasels and foxes
with few fisher and other game
constitute the bulk of this wealth.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-08
A Timely Editorial
Mr.. Wallace Persists

From the Louisville Courier Journal
Secretaries of Agriculture who
are loyal to high tariff advocates in
america have a hard row to hoe.
Henry Wallace persists in the idea
that by producing less the American
farmer would avoid the catastrophe
of gluttad markets and thus in
crease the price of farm produce.
The American farmer will get. bet
ter prices by helping others to get
the fordney-Mc Cumber bill knocked
out and as a result of doing his
marketing on business principles.
Not by turning fertile acres to
weeds and briars, because high
protective bill has been passed by
the greatest food-producing country
in the world, ito keep out foreign
competition, will he procure welfare.
About the only profit in farming
that has been counted upon with
reasonable confidence during the
last twenty years, even with the
foreign markets absorbing Ameri-
can produce, has been the increase
of land values, a profit to land own
ers, and not to other farmers. That
has been because farm produce has
not been marketed, but has been
dumped to, SPECTATORS. What
would be the result, to American
farmers, of limitation of crops!
Without marketing on business
principles the producers still would
dump their crops? BY the institu-
ton of business-like marketing they
would make their domestic market
better than it would be otherwise,
but with land, already improved
with buildings and fences, and
equipped with tools and implements,
machinery. and everything that
makes a tract of land an agricultur-
al plant, they would be in the sit
uation of factory producing only
small part of its capacity pro-
duction.
Land then would not be in as
good a situation as marketable
property as it would be if the OPP
portunity to sell abroad stimulated
large production. Land lying idle
because it does not pay to operate
it in production of crops does not
make buyers bullish on farm land.
Americas natural work, because of
her spare population and the fer
tility of her soil, is production of a
surplus of raw products from which
food and clothing are made, just as
England's only opportunity to get
along lies in the production of sur
plus manufactured products be-
cause her area is small and her pop
ulation large.
American. farm land, which was
selling at fancy figures during the
war, when American products flow
ed abroad in vast quantities, has
been debated alonp with farm pro-
ducts and is selling so low that
many spectators are acquiring i'm
proved land with the idea that it
will advance, and farming has been,
to. the average farmer, so profitless
that many owners OF land have sold.
at a loss, to get out of business. A
barrier tariff, increasing the price
of everything the farmer buys, and
crop limitation, turning cultivated
land back to nature, would not
make farming in America promis-
ing enterprise.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-08
ASSOCIATIONS AND MUSIC

From the Brooklyn Eagle.
Associations alone make "Dixie"
inspiring; associations and words
both go to strengthen Marching
Through Georgia" So words and
associations unite to make "The
Marseillaise" more stirring to lovers
of liberty in France and out of
France than any other song-music
ever written. As a drinking song
the air of "The Star-Spangled Ban
ner" was fine. AS a German uni
versity song the air Of 'Lauriger
Horatius'' was excellent. As
Maryland, Ny Maryland" it meant
something altogether different. Ex-
amples might be multiplied almost
without limit. Precisely the same
analogy prevails as to dance music
so far as the multitude are con-
cerned.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-08
1sEVE's TOMB

From Answers, London.
Eve, the mother of the human
race, is buried, according to a very
old legend. at spot about a mill
north of Jedda, in Arabia. Her r.
puted tomb is of enormous length
being nearly 400 feet long by II
broad. 1t is now in the possession
of the Mohammedans, who do n.
permit many Christians to enter i
The human race must have altere
very much since the world was cre
ated, for according to tradition, f,
was reputed to be lis feet high
What a good thing for Adam the
were no dressmakers' bills in tho
old days, or he would have fouia
clothing his spouse costly matter.
Adam is said to be buried in Ceyltr,
but Eve spent the lastsyearss Of her
life in .Iedda. At Mecca there II 4
very old temple, which Is suppoied
to have been built by Adam himself.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-08

There is announced definite success in
experiments looking to the development of
an airplane motor to burn fuel oil. Success
full oil engines of the Diesel type, are more
reliable than gasoline consuming engines,
and in airplanes reliability is most de-
sirable feature. Life and death depend
upon it,
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-08

Says the Paris Journal, apropos of Ger
many's failure to pay PREPARATIONS: France
must punish these voluntary defaults of Ger
many. The world will laugh at US if we
do not go ahead now" Does the Journal
advocate that France go to war to prevent
the world from laughing?