davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-19
Hoeo To Read The Bible
By DR rRANK CRANE

| -7F7 e > l Thaye no particular creed want you' to swallow, and no particular church want you to join have no intention to convert you, and don't esene aim to .'do you gocd.r : Still . friendly hint on how to read the. Bible may interest xo0ss ea l tives, or merely as literature In the ons case you may find it a very puzzling book. and in the other very antique, unless you re- member one thing.
 The one thing is that the Bible is an orien- tai book. Unless you keep that in mind you arc pretty sure to miss its meaning. some. Of the most absurd vagaries have arisen by for setting it, and by treating the Bible as . western book. E The oriental mind differs from ours chiefly in this that it is essentially poetic. Eastern written poetry. They cannot write prose when they try. | Poetry does not speak plainly. It hints, symbolizes; touches facts not with rough, firm grasp, but eyasively. loves riddles, dark sayings and apparent contradictions. | It functions in parables and paradoxes. sThe western mind is prosaic. It plodA. builds, reasons. To get to the top of the mountain, the oc- cidental cuts logical steps in the rocks; the oriental flies. sIn moral subjects and religious the east ern mind Is the more SklitIui, ds such mateerS are better diyined than argued. k Forget not. therefore that there is hardly line of your Bible that is not poetry. The nearest approach to pfose is in PauFs writ. ings yet they also abound in highly poetical passages. No one had this poetical turn more than the chief figure of the Bible, Jesus His parahles are pure poetry. His max. inns are full of paradox.
 It is very unfortunate that our western bent for logic and bald facts led us to use the glowing images of the great Masters poetry as bricks and squared stones where with to build up our system of truth" For it is doubtful that truth is a system ae all {: it is more likely a vision.
 Take one.illustrations Jesus would teacA His disciples the value of humility. Instead of analyzing this virtue, explaining and dis secting it. as modern professor might do, He removes His coat. girds himself with towel and washes, His pupils feet, saying when finished:
 If I, your Master, wash your feet, Q ought ye to wash one anothers feet" The advantage of this method of teaching it that it is striking, easily remembered, wis ual and interesting
 Common sense prevented His disciples from taking His command literally. They were forced to seek the idea, the sentiment behind it.
 Literalism is not truth. It is the foe of truth. The letter killeth."
 You cannot literally obey poet; you should spiritually obey him; that is. try to appreciate him. to get his point of view, his atmosphere and feeling.
 Logic chopping is fatal to all poetry. e
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-19
AND NOW COMES ALASKA!

The proposed inquiry in the admins tration of government railway construc- tion in Alaska and into alleged coal leases there similar to the naval oil leases is but an extension of the present inquiry into the record of MT. Fall. If that individual has been publicly recreant in one outstanding particular, there at once arises the natural query whether his other acts should not be investigated. Certainly Alaskan affairs have rested in the gloom of obscurity long enough any how, With all the quiet expenditure of millions upon millions of public money in this far-away territory, there must have been an exceptional and unparal- leled opportunity for favoritism, graft and irregularities of all known and un- known kinds.
 It was remarked before MT. Hardings death that he looked much more care- worn after his return from Alaska, than before he went. Is it not possible that he there discovered betrayal of the public interest which destroyed his faith in some of his chosen advisers and which he knew he would have to delve into more completely on his return to Wash ington? Certain it is that MT. Harding in his later addresses adopted a more cautious tone in speaking of Alaskan affairs, indicating that some of his opin- ions had undergone revision during his short sojourn there. It is known that the late president was enthusiastic in his visions of the future greatness of our |ereat Northern province and that he Earnestly sought personal information on which to base an intelligent policy of Further development His disappoint- tnent and chagrin must have been bitter indeed, if he was disillusioned both as to the merits of what had already been accomplished by the government in Alaska, and as to the integrity of those on whom he had depended for the faith ful execution of the federal program.
 The situation, whatever it may be, still exists. The charges 9f deliberate inten-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-19
FOru1i. Of The People
National Highway Propram
To the Editor of The Age-Herald:

1V tAe GAitOl Ol lie AsS-I1SIdtu.
 There is now pending in the Sixty eighth Congress, House Joint Resolution No. 136, known as the Green resolution. It has for its object proposed amend ment to the constitution to abolish tax exemptions on securities issued by fed eral, state and local governments. This resolution was also offered in the Sixty seventh Congress.
 At the annual meeting of the United States Good Roads Association that met at Greenville, s. C., April 16-21, 1923, a resolution opposing the Green amend ment was introduced, thoroughly dis cussed by the road builders throughout the country. The principle of the Green resolution was indorsed by the conven- ton, but subcommittee on resolutions was appointed and authorized to write a report on the effect that this Green reso- lution to change the constitution, would have on road building.
 Now, the enclosed report has been made to the association and has been ap- proved and will be presented to congress in opposition to this amendment. I am sending you copy of the report. After you have read this report l think you will find merit in the same.
 J. A. ROUNTREE, Director General United States Good
 Roads Association.
 Birmingham, Ala, Feb. 8, 1924.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-19
GROWTH OF NEWSPAPERS
By JOHN CARLYLE

The, Romans read their daily news from posters fastened to the city walls. Such simple bulletins announced the doings of the senate. 5s#
 Caesar. led his legions into Gaul and the prowess of his troops was proclaimed in other posters on the city walls Thus began newspapers in the Acta Diurna of the Ro- man republic. Before the glory of Roman days was over professional writing men were travelling with the armies and sending back their dispatches by courier to the Eternal City So began journalism in Europe.
 From the crude journals of the Neither lands and Italy in the sixteenth century and from almost equally simple beginnings in England and France in the Seventeenth cen tury, modern newspapers got their real start. Before the eighteenth century was well be- gun American Journalism was under way. r Today with telegraph and telephone, with trains and steamships, with airpianes and wireless, one thinks of the newspaper busi- ness hs vastly more dramatic and spectacular than it ever was. We carelessly credit the modern publisher with amazing ingenuity and look upon his forbears as slow..g
 Far different is the case, When Daniel Webster was scheduled to make notahle speech in Boston before the middle of the last century, a New York newspaper pub fisher equipped ship with all the parapher- nalia of printing. He furnished it with type settlers and reporters. When the ship left boston, upon the instant that Wooster fin ished his speech and 5sthe reporters came aboard, the preparation of newspaper be- gan at sea-. Reporters transcribed their notes. Printers set to work Type was up and locked in forms before New York was reached. The presses were ready when the ship arrived. That eRterprising publisher "scooped" New York !. Sixty blooded horses raced in a famous pony express to carry the stream of news Of the Mexican war from New Orleans to Baltimore, to satisfy an ingenious publisher. By means of ships from Texas ports and fast horses ridden by hardy couriers this Baltimore publisher told his readers of the war long before the government at Washing ton could receive dispatches.
 Early American publishers chartered ships to bring the news from England. No pains were spared to make journalism function.
 The enterprise of today's newspapers is an inherited enterprise. The resourcefulness and the astonishing ingenuity of early editors set the pace for todays achievements
 Todays news: -...r is more complete. more accurate, more informative more entertain ing and more inspiring than it ever wa& And it is the healthy, growing child of re- sourceful forbears.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-19
ABOUT DRoWsINEss
Nv N. ADDING1 ON BRUCE

Drowsiness at inconvenient times is phe- nomenon that troubles many people. If of frequent occurrence it should prompt to seeking of medical advice. For, especially in the case of persons past forty. such drowsiness may be due to some condition of bodily disease.
 In most cases in far and away the greater number of cases it fortunately is not so due It's commonest causes are to be found in faulty living habits which the drowsy one may readily correct without outside aid.
 Thus, numerous people are inconveniently drowsy simply because they persist in over eating Usually they have the additional danger signal of excessive weight to warn them that they are eating more than is good for them. But drowsiness is an indication of over-eating may occur in thin people too.
 Hence the recurrently drowsy, stout or lean. will do well to study their dietary ways, lest these be responsible for their drowsiness. And they should study their diet with refer ence not alone to over-eating. If over-eating is common cause of drowsiness, so is un- der-eating. or eating food which, sufficient in quantity, is not we'll selected as regards the nutritional need.
 Also if one is afflicted with frequently oc- curing daytime drowsiness. it is of real importance to give some thought to ones habits of recreation and rest.
 People who habitually over-exert in play,
 
 too hard, habitually Seep late hours, need not be surprised if they are drowsy when they should be alertly intent on their. work To lengthen, the nightly sleeping-period a trifle may be all that is necessary to over come drowsiness seriously handicapping' a worker.
 Or what is needed may simply be the se- curing of a more adequate supply of fresh air in the home and working place. s
 Recufrent day-time drowsiness in, many an instance, is merely sign of air hunger. Hardly anybody can avoid feeling dull, drowsy, and generally uncomfortable in a poorly ventilated room. If it is customary sure to- become recurrent. r
 Finally mention should be made of bore dom as one of the common causes of day time drowsiness. Personally I strongly sus- pect that it is quite the commonest of causes.
 There are comparatively few people who are as keenly interested in their daily work as all ought to be. There are many who h entirely candid. would be obliged to con less that they are not really interested in their work at all.
 This means that their work bores them. Now, boredom means fatigue and fatigue means the production of toxins causatiye of drowsiness, even as the toxins of some infec- ton may be causative of drowsiness
 Consequently the needed remedy for many drowsy workers is nothing more or less than the cultivating of a more lively interest m what they are doing. Then they will no longer nod and drowse, to the impairment Doth or their efficiency and of their life prospects.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-19
WATCHING, THE PARADE
By JOHN PILGRIM

One of the best things about Doc Henne- berry is that he does not permit ideas to be thrust down his throat as though they were pills. If you say to him:
 Doc. you ought to do such and such-'
 To which the accepted response usually is |:
 ''I guess you're right, John"
 Doc merely grumbles down in his throat which is a symptom of thought. By and by he will ask why. It is extraordinary how many times finds ones self unable to give reasons Last night. for instance. the preacher was pleading with us to cast aside prejudice.
 Thank Heaven" said Doc Henneberry, II am still capable of prejudices'
 He isn't open-minded at all, he said. He enjoys Rabelais and the DecamerOn because they are works of art That is n prejudice, he said He is not open to conviction. No one need take the contrary in an argument with him, because there would4 not be any argument. He would not listen. It is also prejudice with him that the ex-soaked messes of so-called literature with which we are infested today are not works of art. They are, in his opinion. merely porno- graphic. There is no more relation between a dirty story that is printed because it is salabe and art than there is between the Leviathan and punt.
 He is prejudice,l in favor of his own peo- nle, he said. No oae need argue to him that the American is mot the most generous and ingenious and broatl-minded man in the world. People who think that Englishmen or FrencEmen are entitled to this distinction are also prejudiced, he said. He doesn't care. Prejudices arc tho h''lwarks of society. They keep the world skiAding into the ditch. The man who boasts of his open -mindedness, he said. usually wears fuxSv whiskers tn hide his chin. He loses all his money early fn life because he isn't prejudiced against buck etshops.
 Be sure you're preiudiced," says Doe Hen neberrN. "then 20 ahead."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-19

The large Improvement program ih- cluding new shops at its Finley yards |hv the Southern Railway, will help blr- mineham, just as any large plant helps the city where it is located. The enter nr;se will create an additional market TOT materials, will offer employment to many workmen, increase pay rolls and be bene- ficial to the business community gen erally. Every additional manufacturing or commercial enterprise helps the ousl- ness of the community where It IS estao- |rished. That is what constitutes business
 expansion and prosperity.
 Birmingham is glad to have this new
 enterprise and realizes its beneflts. Let
 no one get the idea, however, that in-
 dustries located here or elsewhere on a
 basis of charity or because the men or
 interests which establish them desire to
 ! favor this or any other community. It is business proposition that involves
 time, labor and capital. The Southern
 Railway is establishing this enterprise
 in Birmingham because that railroads
 executives believe that Birmingham IS the
 hest place for it from the point of view of the railroads interests. Birmingham
 k the strategic place for this plant, be- cause of its advantages in location on the system, source of materials, operat- ing benefits and other conditions. In this connection it is interesting to
 note that when a great railroad system,
 such as several of those entering this district, finds it to it's advantage to make improvements that cost millions of dol
 lars, there is no disposition to postpone work on the ground of financial diff entities. It is remarkable how promptly
 railroads can finance their projects when emergencies arise, or when they decide to 90 after much larger business. One never hears stories of inability to finance
 eucb proiects. when railroad executives decide that conditions and prospects jus tify them.
 Whether or not railroad officials real ize it. the benefits they would receive from proper protection against deadly grade-crossings such as have long ex- isted here would be equally as profitable to the utility as any of its other construc- lion. The new plant will represent an
 investment of several million dollars. A comparatively small percentage of that amount would cover the Southern's pro-
 portion of the cost for adequate viaducts
 and underpasses to remove, not only the
 constant menace to life and heavy cost
 to business of this community, but also
 l the tremendous direct and indirect ex- pense to the railroad itself.
 The people understand this when they
 wonder why their public authorities con tinue to permit themselves to be hood
 winked by the railroads. Delays, excuses and explanations time and again come from the city hall. It is not expected that the railroads will become active in cooperation with the city for relief when the head of the city commission throws up his hands and announces that
 there is nothing to do but to wait and hope.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-19
HE PROFITED BY ExPERIENCE
ILamur. Mo-. Democrat

ll-amar, Mo- DcmocratD
 In the old days when man came in with paper he wanted us to look over and said he wanted it ba'k we'd tell him. Sure In about a month he'd be back after his paper Of course it was lost. But we'd begin to paw around fnd try to find it. He'd watch us awhile and say he wouldn't take Il dollar for that paper, We'd thM dig in more franti- cally than ever in vain effort to locate the needle in the hayStack. Presently he's say he wouldn't have taken $10 for that paper Then. when he saw weren't going to lind it. he'd remark dolefully that really he wouldn't have taken $l00 for it. Now when anybody hands LIS paper and says he wants 1t back we tell him not to leave it. You can't afford to owe too many people $10U apiece for old papers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-19
WORDS OE NISDOM

All affectation is vain and ridiculous it is the attempt of poverty Ia appear rich - Lavater
 The fate of nation has often depended on the good or had digestion of n .'rime Mini, tci ci.-Noltairr.
 desire no future that Wi; h"Cai the ties of the past.-Geurge Eliot.
 Pardon iS voluntary forgnttulncss. while forgetfunesS is involuntary rardon.-Stahl.
 Women and flowers are madn to be loved for their beauty and sweetness. rather than themselves to love.-Ninon de Lencios.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-19
THE TURKISH NEW WOMAN

r With the approach of spring and its incident millinery cost, there are many American Husbands who can appreciate the growth of the homogeneous trend in Turkey 1n that country. which has shown signs of desire to take on some western tastes and customs, parliament tary commission recently recommended that one wife was enough for any nor mal Turk The idea was founded on the necessity for economy and the shortage of women. Under the same recommen- dation Turkish women aspired to have the right of divorce and recourse to the law in separation proceedings to replace the existing status by which the husband has the privilege of returning his wife's dowry and ordering her to get out Pretty rough treatment for the fair sex, to be sure, but the male species in Tur- key has never been noted for chivalry to women.
 Times have changed in Turkey, as nearly everywhere else. Back in the days when the Turk took unto himself as many wives as he could carry on the budget his wives didn't insist on silk lingerie, high-power motor cars, cosmet- ics, and expensive luxuries which came in with high heels and many other west ern innovations. There was no housing problem in those days. Imagine the hus- band of modern collection of sensitive beauties finding an apartment that would be satisfactory all around. Driving a camel across the desert centuries ago did not run up the expense account as in these days when, folks step. on the gas and scatter money to the winds.
 These are all matters for adjustment, and solution, these innumerable prob lerns growing cut of constantly changing conditions and customs. Every now and then perfectly sensible American girls return from tours in the Orient and re- late thrilling tales founded on sheik tra- ditions. But they seem to overlook the progress being made by Turkish women of today who are casting aside their veils, riding in public conveyances, danc- ing in the open and thoroughly enjoying their new liberties. Who can say that knickes and accessories that go with them on the female form divine, will not soon be seen on the golf links in Turkey? Especially, since in Turkey the women have always worn the trousers, even if the men were boss.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-19

tioh on the part of lFiyate interests to destnoy the effectiveness of the govern ment railway, and of the improper leas- ing of public' mineral concessions are too grave to be lightly passed over in the face .of the facts that hhve already come out in conpection with the naval oil re- serves Certainly, the distant unpro- tected reserves of all kinds in Alaska must have invited evenl more extensive manipulation than the ioil concessions which lie right under the administra- ton 's8lnose.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-19
THAT UMBRELLA STORY
(Boston Globe ]

Forsythe met his friend Walters. in the street.
 That's fine umbrella you're carrying" said Forsvthe to his friend
 Isn't it?" replied the other.
 Yes. it's certainly good" added Forsythe. But did you come by it honesty?"
 "I haven't quite made out. It started to -ain the other day and I stepped into a doorway to wait until it stopped. Then I saw d young fellow coming along with nice large umbrela> and l thought if he was go- ing as far as my house l would be- sh'lter pn'er his Gamp. So stepped ont aud asked Where are you ing. with that umbrella. young fellow? ana he dropped the umbrella and ran."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-19
ALL FIXED 
(0pen Roadl

Jake was worthless and improvident One day he said to the local hardware merchant
 Il gotta have an oil stove; I'm broke. an my family is shivering,"
 All right. Jake" said the dealer. If you need an oil stove and have no money to buy t, with. we'll give you one. But. see here, Jake, there's a big show coming to town in a fsw days. and if I give you an oil stove are SoH sure, you won't sell it and take your family to fhe show?''r N~S.
 '"Ch. no" .ssN Jake. Fl got the show money saved up alrea,iy~ "" ',> r
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-19
Now Bearing Rich Fruit
tOzark Southern Star1

VOLdTh cUulHtrH SSIdTT- .
 The progress we have made educationally is beginning to bear rich fruit and we cannot afford to allow the generation coming on to be educated to be shorn- of the opportunities enjoyed by the present genera tion. In fact, our record has been one of continued progress by which we have raised the class of citizen ship in the mass to an even higher conception of the duties and responsibilities of citizenship. and from this our country has grown richer and richer in the really valuable assests of life
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-19
One Side Of The Picture Monroe Journal)

The deplorable thing in connection with the present campaign, as in the case of many that have gone before, is the fact that too many would-be leaders pose as prohibitionists for popuiarity's sake. They don't care how dry the nation is made for ''the other fel- low" so long as no one attempts to expose or interfere with their individual exercise of personal liberty"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-19
Motorists Should Be Sober

Public sentiment favors punishing drunken drivers severely. One drink of any kind of liquor may do as much harm as many drinks. When automobile drivers learn that when they are caught on the highway with even the smell of liquor on their breaths they run a good risk of getting put in Jail. then very few persons will be willing to take a drink and drive a car afterwards.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-19
In A Businessiike Way
1Anniston Sfarl

.
 North Carolina is building a splendid sys- tenn of state highways The people of the Old North State are enthusiastic for roads and are willing to pay for them, but 1t ap- pears they will not have to pay as high a price as they had anticipated, for the special taxes which are being devoted to highway puF poses are relieving the taxpayers of much of the burden. ""
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-19
ROBIN

H. H. BrashRord in the Nation and the
 'r Athenaeum) c robin with tlie bright brown eye
 And ear a-cock for clink of spade. Do vou suppose I cannot spy
 The reason why you're so afraid: Nay. robin dear, full well I know Where souls of jolly gardeners Go,, And snug within whose cheerful breast Remind us stu that they know best