davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30
The Peoples Forum
suggests a Democratic Plan
Editor of The Age-Herald

To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 Should each elector in the city have a chance to help make the laws for the city of Birmingham? Why should we have a few men make the city laws? Let's have a coun- cil chamber presided over by the chief ex- ecutiye and have a clerk and tellers. Any elector who lives in the city could go up to the council chamber and introduce a law which might be before the public for thirty days, during which time all electors wishing to do so could go up and cast their vote for or against said law. At the end of the time the tellers would count the result and the law be passed or lost.
 The chief not to have Jurisdiction over any subject that the .state or county has. One chief executive to execute the laws and con tracts made by the people. These ideas are given that others might think them over and possibly may, in changing the city govern ment. get it better to their liking. All cleo tions for officers to be held at certain pe- riods in the same way and manner
 This method would allow the people to govern their city in a purely and strictly democratic way. It would not be so costly and yet give the necessary officers better pay.
 I would be glad to hear from others con- corning this plan, pro and con, through the Peoples Forum.
 JOHN J. WINDHAM.
 Birmingham. Ala.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30
NegdtiUisna
By H. ADDTNGToN BRUCE

The truth that abnormal mental phenomena are but congregations of normal phenomena finds a striking illustration in the disease symptom of negativism, concerning which an inquiry has come to me.
 Everybody has had the experience from time to time, of feeling an impulse to act in precisely the opposite way from some sug- gested course of action. Anything that of fends, or that unduly rouses the self-assertiye instinct, may bring this impulse into play.
 It may be excited, for example, by tact less salesman, a poorly wOrded or pictured advertisement, or a billboard 50 situated as to mar the landscape. Salesman, advertise ment, and billboard all strive to convey the suggestion, Buy the article mention" Ae- tually they unwittingly foster an T won't buy it'' attitude.
 This is normal negatiyism, or contrary sug- gestibility, as it is sometimes called. In some degree it is a well-night universal human trait. It is abnormal only when it becomes habitual not an occasional mode of response, and is elicited by any, command or suggestion whatever.
 And this is what happens in certain kinds of mental disease, notably. dementiat precox and senile dementia. ~
 Your negatiyistic dement, displays a per versity of behavior that sadly taxes the pa tience of the most patient attendant. Told to stay in bed, he insists on getting up. Re quested to get up, he stubbornly stays in bed. And so forth.
 To control his actions, it may be neces- sary to ask him not to do the very things one wishes him to do. But even this device may fail, as, perhaps vaguely perceiving that he is being circumvented. the insane person takes refuge in persistent refusal to do anything whatever.
 Asked why he thus behaves, his response is likely to be a sullen or colOrless, "I don't know" Nor does he know. And, for the matter of fact, specialists in mental disease do not themselves know with any certitude. When the negativism is pronounced especially in cases of senile dementia-the vehemence with which suggestions are re- jected gives point almost to the old-time the ory of obsession by some evil spirit. The poor demented folk themselves occasionally insist that a mysterious file" or "She" is respon- sible for their behavior.
 The Likelihood is, however, that the nega- tivism is at bottom nothing more than the subconsciously felt desire of shattered per sonality for self-assertion.
 Disease has broken but not completely slain the ego which still would. if only through the troublesome negativisIn. manifest it's eontin- uing presence. So long as any power of self assertion is left, self-assertiOn of some sort must be had.
 Still, this proffered explanation is itself only guess, The negativism of insanity pre- vents a problem which must await for its definite solution future scientific research.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30
RADIO A RENEFACTOR

Let those who have been provoked at radio loud speakers which kept sOnorOus- sly intoning when citizens longed to sleep, make atonement now by acclaim ing the decision to limit broadcasting of spolitical speeches to fifteen minutes. To be sure, fifteen minutes is longer than
 most political speakers can, be entertain ing, but there is some comfort in. the fact that no speaker can hold his audience beyond the allotted interval. A simple turn of the wrist, and of the microphone dial, and the orator is addressing inert rspace unresponsive to his labored pc riods. Perhaps it is improper to call an
 orators efforts periods" for periods are what he lacks, especially the final one.
 : And yet, for one who has something worth while to say, the radio is a most -satisfactory device, alike to the speaker and to those who listen in. The most i'm poFtant documbnts in the entire world
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30
It's Hot As H---IL''

The following poem, published here by
 special permission, was written by Pey-
 ton Henry, popular song writer and
 Southern manager of the Bankers En- cyclopedia Company. Mir. Henry is a
 North Carolinian by birth, resident in
 New York City. His American Mar
 seillaise' and 'The New Battle Hymn of
 the Republic" written during the World
 War, were published throughout the
 country.
 A Midsummer Nights Meditation
 (By Peyton Henry-Copyright 1924) You say, Its hot as h-l;" But you know in some dell, You may drink in draughts of cool air; So ''get up and get" "gO," And smile, and just say, you don't care." When they say, Tt is hot Why you say, Tt is not. We're told-"As we think-it will be ;" Watch the lilies growing, And laugh at the blowing, Of the 'grOuch." when it's ninety-three Curse not the shimm'r ring heat, Don't feel that you are beat God is gOOd-and Goods ever right; So say, Let's go and see.' That's Swede philosophy AHus 10 TOT feSt-yOu nave Ihe nlSht love your splendors-June. The magnolia's in bloom Like the brides that make you their choice love your rosy bowers. And your laughing sweet hours Though at times you make me quite moist. Jass music up the trees KGtydids-zOOning zees- On breezeless night in July; Dear scenes of long past years. Of joy and love and tears Arise. from the wings of a fly. And August's silv'ry moon Smiles on the harvest. soon To bless Autumn with q golden store; So let's wOrk-without fret. Though veifd by falling sweat- 'Tis best the thermo isn't lower. Summer, I love your loom That carpets Earth with bloom. And weaves rich robe from tiny seed; love they purling stream. Thy leaping brDOk-trouts' gleam- Patience under fires" what we need Lush green grasses quiver. By the rippling river. And raindrops batter on the roof: God these thoughts have shown me The Truth-and I know Thee Thy gifts are often-our reproof. The birds are all singing The Earth. it is bringing Comforts for us everyone; So let's cease complaining, Love Divine is reigning Over all-the Stars, Earth, Sea and Sun.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30
Watching The Parade
By JOHN PILGRIM

Last night we took dinner at Kelly Trim ble's, and one of Mrs. Trimble's childhood beaux was there. And they talked. And long before it was the proper hour for departure I began to fake pain in my innards.
 I'm sorry" said. trying to look pale, 'but feel that really must see a doctor" 1"
 So we got out, and we had to go home, for we were afraid to go anywhere else lest some one might see us and report, and l sat up until two o'clock in the morning and read a novel Something of the sort was forced on me. had been exhausted by that talk.
 "They were entertaining" said Mrs. Pil- grim-''at first"
 That was it. They entertained us at first. Mrs. Kelly Trimble is witty and the best story teller know, man or woman, and with fund of genuine intelligence Her girlhOod sweetheart is cut from the same piece. Both are natural-boTn monologists, and either felt hurt if any one else had the center of the stage.
 Five of us, including Mir. Kelly Trimble, sat there silent. Now and then we got a word in edgewise, but it always reminded one or the other of the pair of something. And before we had developed our thought they were off and away again. They sparkled, they iridesced, they reminisced, they fought gilt tering verbal duels. It was an entertainment that might have been put upon the stage. have never listened to a more brilliant pair of takers.
 But there was no conyersation. The rest of us took no part in it. Even at a vaudeville, one does not want to spend the evening lis tening to q monologue. Now and then the dancing bears or a wire-walker is welcome.
 What shall it profit man to take the cen ter of the stage. if he thereby loses his audi ence? ..-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30
For Dollar And Half
By DR. FRANK CRANE

In 1897 George Jones (that is not his name) pleaded guilty to a charge of burglar izing a plumbers shop. The crime was com mitted in broad daylight and while the man was under the influence of liQuor.. The ex- tent of the damage done was about fifty cents.
 They have the parole law, with indetermi- nate sentence, in Illinois, where this took place. If the oid-fashioned straight sentence had been in use George would have received perhaps a year in the penitentiary, or. as it was a first Offense, a month or 60 in the workhOuse. Under the benevolent operation of the improved law he remained in the pen itentiary twenty-One months, when he was released an pOra c.
 This parole he violated by leaving the state, which he did simply through misunderstand- ing and not with any evil or rebeIliOus intent
 He soon became aware, however, that he was wanted" as a fugitive from justice. Haunted by this he spent the years till 1909 in aimless rowing. He was not a successful sort of person, just incompetent and restless, but he was not criminal. He lived from hand to mouth, slid from one job to another, but never got into difficulty with the police.
 He went to Mexico and bought . small piece of land on the Installment plan, in the vain hope of settling down. He ran out of money and wandered north again, arriving in the fall of 1909 in Milwaukee.
 Here he found himself. the ensuing win ter, out of funds. with the installment due on his land. It was bitter cold, he could find no work and was hungry. Temptation presented itself and he attempted the bur glary of a hardware store in KenOsha, Wis. He was caught in the act and sentenced to three years in the penitentiaFy at Waupun.
 While in prison be was mads to tell his record. It was discovered that fifteen years ago he had broken his Illinois parole. As soon, therefore, as he was let out Oe Wan pun he was taken to Joliet, the Illinois pen itentiary, to be punished for breaking hia parole.
 By the operation of the Illinois parols rulsu he was kept three years in eonflnGnsnk as an old offender.
 The damage done at Kenosha amounted 0 about one dollar.
 So for dollar and fifty esnts worth oe offense against society he pays WitA ssven years or more of prison, besides ten or twelve years of life as hunted animal
 So for a dollar and fifty eentF wozth ia- jury the law utterly spOiis life that, treated with a little common sense and ordinary hu- manity, might have been rendered harmless if not useful
 Law, which is impersondl, puniShss the crime. Justice. which is always pszsonal, would punish, while attempting to cure, the man.
 Law seeks vengeance. which is always stupid. Justice seeks to cure one and to help.
 Our whole procedure with criminals is gtill medieval, senseIess and irrational.
 For the criminal is not a beast to bs chained or killed; he is a man to be restrain ed, helped, mended. Law will never become justice until iE lsarns thin.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30

throughout recorded time would require little mefe than fifteen minutes in their oral delivery. Why then, should people be required to listen longer to something obviously inferior? It will be good dis cipline for the spellbinders also, for the radio is like filter, and strains out all the graces of delivery and expression upon which the demagogue has been wont to rely. The successful orator of today must depend for his effect and his ap- peal upon the value of what he says. If those who have been successful politically heretofore cannot attain the art of say ing something worth saying, then must they give way to those who can. A clear gain to the people of the United States!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30
BIRMINGHAM BURSTS HER BONDS

Birmingham is growing so rapidly that, without careful attention, one easily loses track of new and important devel- opments. The projected million-dollar hotel for Fifth avenue and Twenty-third street is the latest of many announce ments of new structures for Fifth ave nue. These edifices are to occupy sites lying mostly between Eighteenth and Twenty third streets. It takes no expert in the march of expansion to perceive that Fifth avenue is destined soon to be- come one of our most important thor oug,lfares. Indeed, one may well inquire what one of ten central streets and ten central avenues in the downtown district is not of foremost and growing impor- tance. Any idea of confining the busi- ness of Birmingham to any downtown center belongs to the illusions of yester
 day. The events of today have disproved them. Birmingham is marching on past the open lots of a country town into the
 built-up, serried blocks of metropolis.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30
B zkA @z FUN 5W I%E1IN 0
 I9ggS aI [z4XS0N T2NS4kL sZz1EZL
Ode to Man

(By Margaret Mcbride Hoss) wish you'd quit raggin' us wimmin Bout everything under the sun,
 The clothes we don't wear,
 An our fuzzy bobbed hair, Ain't none of yore bizness-jest none! You don't never hear us beratin' Tore waist line an morals an socks;
 They're homely. Lord knows,
 But don't never suppose That we let lem give us any shocks. You're allus so het up an peevish, An scortchin' the atmosphere blue;
 We don't git all riled
 When you act kinda wild. An sling all that langwidge at you! Can't nothing we do never please you? Why blame all the mischief on us?
 Since ole Adam ragged Eve.
 I shorely believe That you men ain't did nothin' but fuss
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30
The Right Word
WRONG CONTRACTION
By CURTIS NICHOLSON

VT G1EEOE AAhAo EAAbtCACI
 An error that is unfortunately very com mon is the use of don't for doesn't.
 Read the following simple rule carefully: Never use don't with he, she. or it. or with the name of any person, place or thing. In other words, never use don't with he, she or it, or with such word as table, Henry, dog, mountain or Philadelphia.
 Never say the following: The table don't belong there; It don't seem so; Henry don't know about it; The dog don't obey his mas ter; She don't know her lesson.
 Doesn't is the right word; as The dog doesn't obey his master; It doesn't seem so. Don't is a contraction of do not. It may he used with I, we, you and, they. As you may say, We do not agree with you" so you may say, We don't agree with you"
 Different Than
 Another common error is the use of "dif- rent than" for different from
 A person, place, or thing is always differ ent from another person, place or thing not different than. VI
 However, one may say that he differs with or from another fin a ceftain matter. But the idea itself differs from the other persons idea. In other words, differ with you; but my opinion differs from yours.
 Yesterdays Error
 Wrong unless the group is only made up of women.
 Right: :. unless the group is made up only of women -
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30
AMERICAN INFLUENCE IN LONDON

American diplomatic influence at the London conference has already made it. self manifest in two particulars. It has induced France to withdraw her demand for continued occupation of the German. industrial region and railroads; and it has succeeded in bringing about the presence of German envoys at the com ference table. Without Germany's CO., operation the experts plan could not have succeeded, for it is predicated all together upon Germahy's earnest activ- ity and German efforts and industry. Therefore, for the psychological effect alone, if for no other, the permission given for the Germans to present their case in person and to Sign the ultimate agreement as participants cannot fail to enlist the Germans more heartily in the undertaking.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30
OF COURSE NOT

Here's nah life insurance policy, ma am," sai dthe maid "Ah wants you tP keep it fO' me-"
 But, Lily said the mistress you're get ting married. Ask your husband to take charge of your policy"
 Huh" said Lily, does yo' think An wants that stranger to know Ans got nah life in- sured ?"-Pittsburg Chronicle-Telegram.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30

about points of low cost and ex-
 banding production. The trade
 arising naturally as a result of Bir-
 mingham's situation is enormous
 and should result in the building of
 one of the most important steel in- dustries in the world centering in
 Birmingham.
 The above opinion is valuable and im- portant, not only because it comes from a man experienced in the steel industry and a profound student of the entire field, but also because he represents a rival territory, and therefore his words of praise for Birmingham's opportunity are all the more significant. There is no doubt that the chief brake has been re- moved from Birmingham's expansion, not only into a more momentious production of steel, but also into the manufacture and fabrication of steel into merchant able products and commodities. No- body knows the full extent of the har- vest Birmingham is to reap from this new situation, for it is beyond present means of computation. If Birmingham's position was assured before this, it may now be said to be impregnably fixed for all future time, long after Pittsburg and other fields have exhausted tfseir raw materials and have become secondary to this, the most richly endowed mineral region in the whole continent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30
FIXING THE BLAME

Gentle hands were lifting Pat from the wreckage of his automobile, which had just been struck at a grade crossing by a fast passenger train. r,r,
 How did it happen?" asked friend, who was with the rescue party.
 ''Begorra," fumed Pat. "'tis more than I can understand. Ye'd have thought that the engineer of the train could have seen me comin' in broad daylight !'-Everybody Mag azine
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30
Ataboy!

Jerry and Constance, sweethearts, were standing at the kitchen sink. Constance was preparing to make some lemonade, but could not locate the necessary utensils.
 ''I wonder where the lemon squeezer is?" she asked.
 "Why, dear, right here :" he answered as he demonstrated his assertion.-Martin De Vries.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30
JUST FINDING IT OUT

It took New York a year to learn of Henry Fords ban of liquor among his Detroit work men. but that is not so bad. A lot of New Workers appear to have never heard of a ma@ named Volstead.-Detroit Free Press.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30

No wonder divorce can be obtained in Russia for a dollar and half, when it is recalled how unpopular teamwork is in that country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30

Announcement that c. Bascom Slemp is a member of the republican board of strategy indicates that he has not yet walked the plank.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30

Perhaps the reason so few candidates make no addresses is that they are un- willing to let their records speak for themselves.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30

MISFORTUNE FALLS ON SENATOR
 Victor Berger has indorsedt the candidacy of Senator La Toilette, which is tough luck to follow right on the heels of the rise in grain prices.-Kansas City Star
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30

A beauty-shop convention says that hu- man faces should look human. At least, it sounds logical.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30

We must have made the world safe for democracy.
 At railroad restaurant e gentleman no- ticed young mans hand moving in the di- rection of his coffee cup and looked up from his paper.
 ''Excuse me-" said the young man shyly, s9but would you mind if dipped my toast in your coffee? Mines all gone."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30

Tn 'Pittsburg Plus" the "plus" stands for tax assessment in favor of Pittsburg upon persons who purhase steel products in some other market.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30

IT the choice were left to mo, whether to nave free press or a free government, l would choose free preSs.-Thomas Jefferson.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30
What Women Wear

Wife (dressed in modern bathing suit) 1: 'How do I look!" were arrested it wouldn't be for carrying concealed weapons.'-E. N. Richardson.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30
IN OBSOLETE LAM

Among the other obsolete laws, it appears, is that one which reads Thou shalt not kill"-Houston Post.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30
BELLIES ITS NAME

It's getting to be so that nothing is more partisan than a non-pHrtisan lcague.-In- dianapolis News
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30

SUBSCRIPTION RATES-By mail. payable in advance. in United States and Canada: Daily and Sunday. one year. $s.Oo; six months. $4.O0: three months. 7.25; one month s5c. Daily only: One year, $650; months. $3.25: three sponths, $l75; month. 75c. Sunday only: One year. $2.5O; months. $1. 50: three months. 75. one monthh 25c.
 , By carrier. where carrier delivery is main ltasncd' 2Oc per week, S5c per month
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30
While There Is Life

''What is woman's dangerous age?" From the cradle to the grave
 -J. l.. Sherard.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30

It is reported that ''dead city" has been discovered in Russia. But which one?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30

MEMBER OF ASSOCIATED PREss-The As- sseiated Press is exclusively entitled to the Tor publication of all news disps tches credited to II, or not otherwise credited in this paper and also local news published therein. All rights or republication Of special dispatches also reserved.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30
GAs NATURAILY RISES

Gas Goes Down to Nine Gents In Iowa" Headline But, like most gassee, 1t will rise.--Lousville Courier-Journal.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30

Telephone tprvate branch exchange connect ine all departments). Main 4soo.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30

EXCLUSIVE ALABAMA MEMBER OF NORTH AMERlCAN NEWSPAPER ALLIANCE.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-30

NEWS BuREAUs-washineton. 800 Davidson BNtlaing; State Capital, Montgomery Journal bundfng; Tennessee Valley, Decatur Daily Buaang; Tuscaloosa. News Building; Jaspef Mountain Eagle Building: Anniston. Star Build tag; Gadsden. Journal Building: Muscle Shoais Tsf-Cities Daily Building