davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-28
NEVER RUN AWAY RY Thomas l.. Mason

There was a time when l liket, to preach to other people, but l discovered that it bored them stiff, and I was rapidly getting the rep utation of village pest. So l learned now to be silent when neces- sary. At the same time, ! am right here going to make an observation based upon long experience, which is somewhat in the na a'urn of ad- vice. And that is, if you find yourself shrinking from d particular thing, or trying your best to get cut of it. don't. Go on with it, no mat ter what happens, because 1t you don't, you'll have more trouble in the end. The other night when l get home from long railroad jour ney my wife insisted on dragging me oat to a dance. We had Q frightful scene, in which I refused to budge, but at last as usual her superior will prevailed.
 We'll, we didn't get home until after two, and I had the time of my life, flirted with three women, and the next day wrote story, worn out as I was, that l have been getting letters about ever since. If I had stayed home, anything might have happened to me, such, for example, as happened to q friend of mine who was recently taken to the Roosevelt Hospital, New York. They said he had all sorts of things the matter with him, and wanted to keep him under observation; so they cooped him up in bed.
 He rebelled. He was really sick, but he thought he could evade be- ing made better, so he watche l his chance one day when the nurse was out of the room, sneaked into his clothes and beat it. He got as far as Broadway, but being somewhat weak on his pegs, he slipped and was run over by q taxi. The ann bulance came--;t was from Roose- welt Hospital and gathered in his fragments. They took him back in
 the accident ward. He was not so badly smashed. So they came around and took his pedigree. When they came to the phase. "What is your residence?" he replied feebly II am living here, and put me back upstairs and set me down as an idiot for trying to get away!' That's a true story.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-28
EQUITY IN THE TOLLS


 Belgian courts The Austrian and German creditors of the Princess Louise are suing her for debts con tractcd before the World War. Princess Louise, WHO was allotted four and half million Belgian francs at the time of her fathers death, wants to pay the debts at the present rates of exchange, whereas her creditors aemand that payment be made at the rate of exchange existing at the time the debts were made. The Princess Louise stands to retain most of her fortune intact if her contention is upheld, for one Belgian franc is worth tens of thousands of German marks or Austrian crowns.
 It is uncertain how Belgian law views the transaction, but the Ger mans, at least, have painful reason to know that the bargain proposed by the princess is in strict accordance with the prevailing custom in Ger many. The German government itself has not been above paying its war debts in depreciated currency, while similar payment of obligations has been the cause of many business fail ures, if reports may be credited. Equity would demand that the cred itors win value received for their sales made in good faith, but equity in Europe is also in the tolls.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-28
FOUND GUILTY
For time it was the rule for juries

TOT tlme It was the rule TOT JurleS to discharge women accused of lnur- der. 6 ' though there was strong ey;len,s connecting them with the crime ot which they were accused.
 IT. al4L haeayAe 50 notorious that public disa ppstvai forced different attIt udc Nioi the past year num- Der Of Womea have been found ay juries guilty Vf murder. Only last week a Georgia jury concluded noted trial by finding woman guilty of the murder of her mother-in-law, and the judge sentenced her to death. Two women have paid the extreme penalty in Georgia, and two others escaped only through communication of sentence. The thought is, of course, not pleas ant one. Neither is it pleasant to con- template the thought of women com mitting murder. Real justice plays no favorites.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-28
[(RELIeHTS M lal k\NATIoNAL ilE| NJ CAPITAL Nr $S

The President, in his last message to Congress, was as radical as the most radical member of the Senate.
 He advocated direct loans of mon- ey to farmers of the northwest, and refunding the debts of the farmers of the northwest which are overdue or about to fall due.
 The President is apparently aware that it would be impossible to enact legislation of that charac- ter because it would be discrimi- nation against the farmers of the south and east and other sections.
 It is also pointed out that, where as it is true the farmers of the northwest are in great distress, they are not the only people who are suf- fering from a personal shortage of money.
 There are laborers, merchants, doctors, lawyers and perhaps a few newspaper reporters whose pockets do not jingle joyously with an abundance of coin.
 If the President would put this republic into the business of ale viating the distress of an individual or an individual class, the republic would soon be compelled to alle- viate the distress of all other indi- viduals and classes.
 The government has established an agency for the purpose of mak- ing accessible to farmers available money for some specific purposes, for the marketing of crops, and the transportation of products. In each instance, however, ample security must be offered. This legislation was predicated on the theory that banks could not or would not go to the relief of those able to offer se- curity.
 But the government. as far as known, has never relieved John Smith of a debt to his grocer, or lent Bill Jones money in order that his house might be saved.
 It is pointed out here that there are two avenues of relief for farm CTS and all others which the Presi- dent by the exertion of power could throw open.
 He could effect compromise be- tween disagreeing groups in Con- /gress in order that taxes might be reduced. Existing differences if permitted to finger will become in- tensified with the danger that no re- duction will me possible.
 And he could require his party leaders to reduce the rates on the articles which consumers must buy of manufacturers. If the leaders undertook the task they would have the support of independent republi- cans and democrats, and would have to overcome only the opposition of the reactionary wing of the repub- ican party.
 Such course on the part of the President would in two respects of fend "big business" That class is clamoring for the Mellon tax plan 'as it was originally presented, and is determined that there shall be no reduction of existing tariff rates.
 MT. Coolidge has never been re- garded as radical" It is sus- pected by some of his political op- ponents, within and without his own party, that in advocating loans to farmers direct he has in mind the approaching date on which the national convention will be held.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-28
BRAINS VERSUS BEAUTY

The time-honored topic of Brains Versus Beauty" again asserts itself in the public prints and bids fair to re- vive some lively discussion. Do men prefer women with brains, or do they find it harder to resist beauty? Miss Mary T. Messer, of the extension de- partment of the University of Cali 4ornia, takes the brains side of the question. She says: "Man at last has come to feel contempt for the brainless condition of the eighteenth type of feminine mind, con- dition which he himself created by too much protection. Men no longer will run seven city blocks to escape a wo- man who knows as much or more than they do; instead they scorn that wo- man who cannot take an intelligent part in modern discussion"
 Of course, that may depend upon the subjects and what direction the discussion may take. There is as much variety as spice. these days. There ] seems to be no evidence that the aver lge man gravitates towards brains at ne average social function of mixed
 haracter. After p. m. conditions .nange, and there be comparatively few men who prefer to discuss the tariff, tax-reduction, our foreign pol icy, reparations, liquidation of the na- s tional debt and governmental reform after the soup course is over and salads fill in until the viands come on. There are indications that bewitch- ing dimple or a charming stray curl often hold his attention better under / e circumstances. At the dance or
 the theater box some such prefer
 ces are frequently apparent.
 The fact is, intellectually in the
 ir sex does not seem to make very N rong appeal to the average modern lan during his recreation hours. So- kial functions are seldom fertile iground for development of substantial mental uplift. Beautiful female in- tellectuals are not found in multitudes tbAse days. and not even young wo-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-28
VICTORY BY EXCLAMATION

AuOIlR pOlItlCdl CdIHpdlSII HidildScIS who pursue the policy of making sweeping prediction claims, even though they risk the danger of having to eat crow when the returns come in, MT. George Henry Payne, Eastern manager for Senator Hiram Johnson's presidential candidacy, seems to have taken conspicuous place of late. One by one he has been claiming states by safe majorities, until the question arises whether there will be any left for Senator Johnson's contestant in the Republican camp by the time MT. Payne gets through. On the schedule he is now travelling Senator Johnson would have what is familiarly known as cinch.
 It seems that MT. Payne is mopping up so rapidly that Senator Johnson's general manager, MT. Frank Hitch cock, won't have anything left to do before the convention meets in Cleve- land, and that body will have only the privilege of signing on the dotted line. Already MT. Payne has given New York, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana and Michigan to his principal, and an nounced that President. Coolidge will have the battle of his political career in Massachusetts. In spite of the fact that Ohio has just declared for Cool idge, there are indications that as soon as MT. Payne cleans up the East and most of the Central West, he will tackle the West and sweep on towards the Golden Gate. There seems no limit to his optimism, and if it could be cashed in terms of delegates, the fight is already won, and it's all over but the shouting.
 This is all out of line with the opin- ion of others formed since Senator Johnson's opening guns made thun- derous noise, but showed no signs of having been accurately sighted. Few presidential booms ever subsided so quickly. Johnson appears never to have been taken seriously by the rank and file, who could see no special req son or excuse for his somewhat fraz- zled views on Americas foreign policy and on things in general. So Mir. Payne's rosy optimism is not easy to understand on other grounds than that of desperate attempt to boost losing game. Inexperience in the sphere of prognostication does not ex- plain it. MT. Payne has made predic- tions before. It has been only few years since he declared that if Sena- tor Wadsworth were nominated in New York the Republican national ticket would go down in defeat. The reliability of the forecast was tested when Harding carried New York state by more than a million majority, double that of Senator Wadsworth. MT. Payne seems to believe in claiming while the claiming is good. And surely there is small harm in that.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-28

men whose. brains ,overshadow their looks find pleasure in sticking close to the wall as steady job. This does not appear reassuring to, the intellec- tually elite,, but conditions and theo- ries do not always harmonize, and observation demonstrates that the girl who is easy to look upon seldom en- counters serious rivalry from the girl who is hard to think with. There may be a change towards the California lady's view some day, though the pres ent outlook may appear discouraging.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-28
PEOPLES FORUM
Railroads RIuffing.


 There comes a time in the life of great communities when if persua- sive and cooperative methods do not appeal to arbitrary corpora tions, then the harmony tactics should be dropped and strong-arm ethics substituted. Every citizen in this great city, who has been any where or knows anything at all, is conscious of the fact that Birming- ham is suffering the stigma of joke dom. Railroad trackage is keeping her in the class of "high-grass, cockleburr towns" Fancy two or three, as is often the case, half mile length freight trains fussing around right in the heart of our city, holding up everything at their own sweet will. That is a fact. Ask Memphis how she got rid of them, and did it kuick. Memphis is much larger railroad center than Birmingham. There are num- bers of other cities of less impor- tance that have done away with the surface trackage. There is not an engineer of importance who will grant other than that we can rid ourselves of this menace easily, and the railroads as we'll as the city be ultimately the beneficiaries. Event ually it must be done, then why dilly-dally around? Why not push the obstacle out of our road now It is farcial to even class it as a medium size job. Think of New York city when they talk this way. There are bigger engineering feats going on all around us. The rail- roads are bluffing along as usual and will put us off just as long as we expose our ignorance in the mat ter, and the fact that we are not sure of the solid ground that SUD- ports our position. More power to the campaign outlined by The Age Herald. A city beautiful, and not a backyard for box cars.
 F. H. THURMAN.
 Birmingham, Ala. Jan. %, 1924.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-28
AN HONEST STATEMENT
The full, careful and evidently very accurate survey of Birmingham's


 accurate survey of Birmingham's vchool situation is a document deserv- Ing the careful attention of the citi- tens of this community. No longer is there any basis for the statement that there is uncertainty as to the extent or nature of the school needs. No longer can it truly be said that the expansion program of the school administration is either vague of indefinite. Parents and taxpayers may read the story of actual conditions down to the minutest detail, and, if they care to.do so, may easily verify the facts and figures. The work of the schools is creditable and praiseworthy, in spite of some un- favorable conditions, and deserves high mention. But there are also in- escapable deficiencies.
 According to the survey, there is an overcrowding of nearly sixteen thous- sand pupils in the public schools of this city. There are buildings that are insanitary and unsafe. There are neighborhoods that are not properly served by schools of adequate equip ment. There is no blinking the fact that the situation is becoming inevit- ably worse with each term, for this community is steadily and rapidly growing in population. The time to prepare to meet this present and in creasing need is now. Delay only makes the task more difficult and in- creases the expense.
 Superintendent Glenn and his assist ants, in close cooperation with the board of education, and with the in- dispensable aid of architectural and accounting experts, have made the survey and outlined carefully thought out program of building, re- building and alteration to meet exist ing necessities and to provide for the calculable growth of the next few years. When the people are called upon to vote money for the undenia- ble requirements of the schools, they will have of easy access detailed statement of what is needed and is to be done in their own neighborhoods.
 There is careful regard not only for the tuitional school equipment, but also for the equipment that insures the health of the children and their protection against disease. Without health an education loses much of its value to the community, for health is required, not only for the child to |. learn, but also for him later to use his education to the fullest extent. Instruction in healthful exercise, pos ture, diet, personal hygiene ard sim fla topics arc rarg of thu 1T .iis- pesa3 3le s1oundwor.l If ,Ae .r9dern school curriculun. One might cay, of the school routine. exrent for the fat that modern courses ,.ee SC varie4 and full of intel v nat U is uS longer f1rtine in t.9? colloqu.a. sense.
 Bicmin@ha-'a atuentioa mas been -qsonesUIy t' on$c.-n.,"asiy dlrected to her public schools, and the people will be asked fairly and squarely whether they will give the schools the funds necessary to make them suc- cessful and efficient. It is highly probable that this sincere appeal will make a profound impression among the peonle
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-28
COMMUNITY CHESTS VALUE


 secretary for the Community Chest, that institution is ready to function along practical lines and under sys- tenn which promises greater efficiency in caring for the city's worthy chari- ties. Already desirable results of a change from former unbusinesslike and hand-to-mouth methods of raising and dispensing community charity funds are noted, and much annoyance to business men and others who were continually solicited for aid is being avoided. There is reason to believe that not only will worthy charities be better taken care of under the Com. munity Chest system, but that un- worthy and irresponsible pleas for aid will be reduced, and that there will be more protection to those who give as well as to those who receive.
 Some interesting facts and figures setting forth the methods and results of the Community Chest system as op- erated in many American cities were recently published in one of the maga- zines. Under this system, which has been adopted by one hundred and seventy cities, ranging in size from Philadelphia, with nearly two million population, to Ypsilanti, Michigan, with seven thousand, about nine times as many people are contributing to charities as were giving before the days of the community fund. Thus the burden does not fall on a few, as formerly; more funds are available, and imposition upon contributors has been reduced, while the public is bet ter protected from fraud and ire sponsible appeals. In St. Louis, where eight thousand people had pre- viously supported all the charities of that city, last year was the first in which the Community Chest was en- ployed, seventy-five thousand citizens contributed to the fund.
 Another interesting feature of the Community Chest system is the large reduction in the cost of administra- tion, which, of course, means just that much more for the beneficiaries of the fund. Reports from many cities where the system is in operation show that overhead expenses, which varied from fifteen to forty per cent. under the old system of soliciting and field work, dropped to three per cent for collection cost and three and a half per cent. for maintenance cost. Thus a much larger part of every dollar given under the system goes to actual charity.
 Birmingham's Community Chest promises to be helpful to the charities among which the funds are distributed as well as to those who contribute to these community needs. It will abol- ish the multiplicity of drives, bazaars, tag-days and ether money-raisine ef- frrts, and accomplish no little in re. ducing appeals from fires 'ns:bie sources for unworthy purposes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-28
TO MAKE YOU WORK
 (Tamna Trihune)

How'd you like to take medicine that would keep you from being tired-in other words, enable you to work all the time? London doc tors are experimenting with an anti fatigue vaccine, also with a system of supplying mechanically to the blood whatever clements are con stunned by heavy physical or mental labor. At the same time Chicago lecturer is initiating hsi hearers into series of mental exercises to in crease their physical energy and to enable them to work IA to 15 hours a day without weariness.i But who wants to work all the time? It is fine to do an honest days work without being too tired to enjoy the evening following q days toll, but isn't that enough? Sufficient unto the day is the work thereof.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-28
USELESS FRETTING Ry Wickes WambOldt

Not long ago I heard a well known speaker tell his audience that the difficulties we anticipate and worry over rarely manifest them selves. An ancient philosopher said the same thing in different words. He had inscribed over his mantel: q am an old man and have had. lots of trouble, but most of it never happened"
 There is much truth in the fore going, and we can get a great deal of comfort out of it if we ponder it. The majority of people use up good part of their energy and, de- stroy a large amount of their con-. tentment fearing anticipated things. If we will sit down and cast our eyes over the years that have rolled by, we shall find that but small percentage of the things we worried over ever touched our lives.
 We could learn a great lesson from fragile little birds. They go about their business-of singing, building nests, rearing families, eat ing and sleeping and flying-sur- rounded by deadly foes on every hand. And yet they are happy and cheery because they do not forebode trouble. I wonder what sort of state we humans would be in under the same circumstances, with anti cipatOry fears of the small boy with his slingshot or target rifle; big man with a shotgun the hawks and snakes by day; the owls by night; and the cats by day and night?
 We have more intelligence and imagination than the birds and we put these things to work making us miserable instead of using them for our encouragement. Why not when we are taking a trip think of all the safety. appliances that are used for our protection instead of anticipat- ing an accident? Why not remem- Der that one of the greatest railroad systems in the United States did not have one fatality in three years? Why dodge when we hear the light ming crash? The very fact that we can hear 1t is proof we are safe.
 I would draw clear distinction between worry and concern. It re- quires a certain amount of concern to make one careful. But this con cern should be that one does the thing at hand in the best way one can do it. I would want no money in a company whose president was not concerned about its manage ment. I would not like to ride in a train whose engineer was not con- cerned about running by signals. I would not even want to patronize a butcher who was not concerned about giving me good cuts.
 An old man I knew said he had worried 365 days year for 50 years for fear he would go to the poOrhouse when he got too old to work. He said his wife had twor- ried 365 nights year for 90 years for fear a burglar would grab her in her sleep, but neither of these things had happened.
 Worry over nothing. Be careful of everything. Let the future take care of itself; for sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. As a jovial old philosopher said, Fret not thy gizzard."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-28
A Slip on the Ice

As I was skating near a lad He jostled me and made me mad. My language was exceeding bad The kind of words that blister. But when the young lad turned around almost fell upon the ground, For when he answered me I found It was the young lads sister. The way the modern youngsters dress You cannot tell 'twixt Bill and Bess.
 The Duke.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-28
THE BIRMINGHAM AGE HERALD MONDAY JANUARYs2s 1924

development and agricultural impetus proceeding from such operation. One of the surest means to bring the ques- tion to vote is for each community to impress upon its congressman the fact that he is under observation and that the people he represents are look ing to him to urge prompt and favor able action. The issue is between popular and invisible government.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-28
SMILES
Just Like a Husband

(BOstOn T'ranscripit)
 "My husband is the most stub born man in the world"
 'He can't be any more stubborn than mine."
 "Oh, yes, I'm sure he must be. Yesterday I had an engagement to meet him at 3 o'clock"
 Yes"
 "Well, it was nearly 4 80 when I got there, and, he won't admit yet that the rest he got while he was waiting did him any good"