davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-04
On Being Different
By JOHN CARLYLE

A man in public life boasted recently that he never owned a dress suit and never, will. He is quoted as saying that if he is ever invited to the White House he will wear the clothes he is accustomed to wear on the farm, even to cowhide shoes and overalls. &
 Is it not strange that a man should think he is doing something virtuous and praise worthy and especially honest when he re- fuses to abide by the harmless and pleasant customs of average folks? No man is any better or any worse for wearing dress suit at such times as social usage has decreed that such costume is proper.
 Surely no man deserves any credit, other than the credit a clown deserves for being funny, because he says he won't wear dress suit.
 Frequently men in public life lay down some drastic rule for themselves like this They take care to talk in the press where they can be heard by the largest number They try to capitalize their Honest John" simplicity and parade their overalls before the grandstand.
 Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt--not one of them was too good to wear the hest clothes he had on the proper occasions. They sought no distinction by being different from their fellow beings in trivial matters. A really great man never does.
 There have been great men, who seemed utterly to disregard the conventional customs of dress and the small daily amenities of be- havior. But they were men who simply for got all about such things. They were great in spite of their forgetfulness and not in any sense because~of it. They were lost in ab- straction. They were absent-minded. They were not trying to capitalize eccentricity.
 Go down the street and pick out the freak ishly dressed men you meet. If you could inquire into their ways and analyze their eccentricities, and if you could arrive at sound conclusions about their capacities and fheir character vou would find nine out of ten of them to be little men who had never outgrown child's desire to do something smart" to attract the attention of his elders. E Put it down that there is no virtue in diff fering win your fellows in life's accepted social practices whether the heparticular species of conventionality is concerned with dress CT with something of more import.
 Rise above the common average-gise as far as you can-but rise by the exercise of ability, by the translation of ideals into prac- tice. Avoid short cuts to fame-or notOriety by merely seeking to be different from the rest
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-04
A WORTHY RECOGNITION

Selection of Birmingham as the first Amer ican city where survey of health methods will be made by the American Public Health Association in it's nationwide research cam paixn, is a recognition of the achievement of this Seity,s health department. Birmingham methods of promoting sanitary advancement have gained the attention of health authori- tiAs elsewhere, and the purpose of the survey will be to make this data and information l--4iIable to other municipal governments and a alth associations. The data will be col
 " and filed for reference at Baltimore,
 rwitfi that of other cities in which the
 s'conducted.
 senfatives of the United States public
 service are assisting in the research ,aign, and the subject is one of such i'm canoe that every facility should be made ,ilable to the investigators
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-04
FOUNDATION FOR OPTIMISM

The federal reserve boards report on con- ditions for Januafy in the sixth district is pleasantly cOnfirniatory of optimistic predic- tions of last summer. The volume of whole sale and retail business has been greater than for the same period of last year, savings accounts for January, 1924, had increased eight per cent. over those of the previous year, while unemployment is a forgotten term except for certain minor industries and in small degree in certain localities, Investment and industrial expansion are revealing a strong tendency, while building is in some places even approaching new high records.
 While the people themselves are very sen stive t0 conditions of expansion or depres sion, and are perhaps completely aware of the general good times, nevertheless. the con firmatiOn of that impression by the cold facts is extremely gratifying. Business caution, coupled with confidence and an enterprising disposition on the part of leaders in business and industry, have formed most substantial partnership. While there is hesitation to em- bark in new ventures until they have been carefully investigated and considered, yet there is no lack of courage initiative once the confidence of capital has been gained. There is general feeling that times are not going to get bad soon again, both because there is less ill-considercd expansion, and because there is belief that the general world situation is improving This is shown by many infallible signs, not the least of which is the prospect of an intelligent, fair and liberal adjustment of the controversial matters now occupying the attention of Ger many and the allied nations. Even Russia
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-04
Forum, or The People
Superseded Its Authority

To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 No road commission has a right to change the constitution of Alabama. For a long time opposed the twenty-five million dollar bond issue because of it's tendency to central ize power where fraud, inefficiency and graft could easily be practiced. After having a long talk with Senator Craft of Mobile, author or the twenty-five million dollar bond issue amendment, rolled up my sleeves and work ed night and day for it's passage. He as- sured me that every dollar spent by the state would be matched by federal dollar, and that the amendment itself already outlined the roads to be constructed under the most direct or feasible way. He showed that there could not be any graft. I claim that the present road commission has superseded it's authority in discarding federal aid and vot- ing detour of seven and half miles from the most direct or feasible route. This de- tour will cost $194,OOO more than the road voted on by the citizens of Alabama. This cost will put a road by MT. John Rogers home. No public officer should vote state funds that will carry the travelling public seven and half miles further than the'direct route. J. E. GARRETT.
 Boligee, Ala.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-04
LEASE SYSTEM CONTINUES

Governor Brandon's plan of leasing coal mines from private owners and delivering the coal to the owners at fixed price of thirty five cents ton does not change the essential status in the least. The objection to the lease is that the wards of the state are worked for the benefit of the coal companies as the primary object. the whole purpose of the prison system thus being sacrificed to the private benefit. The new plan is essentially the same. The convicts are still made to work primarily for the private profit, and there is no provision for the correct discipline which modern penology conceiyes as the best and most enlightened prison policy. The eff feet of the Brandon system is continued bru- criminology of unfortunates not yet hardened to lives of crime. The act is the governors, but the disgrace is Alabanda's.
 The plan relieves the owner from re- sponsibility and liability for accidents, plac- ing this additional obligation upon the state It makes no difference that definite sum is set aside for indemnifying those injured. The fact remains that such sums come out of the states income and not out of the operators profits., In this provision there is seen the adroit hand of the private owners, rather than the officials charged with the welfare of the prison department Although it is said that the convicts under the new plan will be under state guards, the fact remains that mining is a business requiring technical training and experience, and that those in reality in authority will be those who work for the coal companies, even though they be nominally also state guards. The people are not fooled by the appearance of innocence sought to be given this system. It is essen- tially and basically the same as the one it purports to displace.
 There is only one way for the state of Ala bama to redeem itself from the reproach of the convict lease system. That is not through any subterfuge that seeks to conceal the fact that the real benefit is to the operators The only possible course for the state itself is to disassociate the prison system entirely from subordination to private corporations The plan is unsound. It confuses the issue, and avoids the performance by the state of it's plain duty to it's wards,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-04
The Cure Of Shy
By H. ADDINGToN BRUCE

There is a hint for not few parents and teachers in story told by English Bagby regarding a boy whose identity he hides under the curious name of Shy.
 Shy belonged to that unfortunate class of boys who start their schooling under the handicap of an upbringing that has made them socially unadaptable. In Sny's case he had been kept so exclusively in the company of adults as to have acquired mannerisms that made him an instant object of ridicule and abuse by his schoolmates
 Too timid to assert himself and react az gressively, Shy suffered greatly. He became so afraid of other boys that he kept by him self as much as he possibly could. Never did he dare play in the schoolyard, and his recesses were spent in the assembly hall where he could have the protection of mas ter.
 Such was the situation until the coach of the school football teams became interested in Sny's sad case. 5.. ,
 The problem, he saw, was not merely to encourage the boy to take more manly attitude, but to help free him from the senti- ments of inferiority which his schoolmates' treatment had engendered and which threat ened to keep him unhappy, inefficient, and possibly neurotic all through his life. To solve this problem it seemed to the coach desirable to assist Shy to do something that would compel the other boys to respect him in some degree. fq
 Accordingly he began to talk football to Shy, insisted that he was sure Shy would make a good player, and devoted part of his time every afternoon to giving him individual training in quarterback play.
 Grateful for the interest shown in him, the little boy bent every effort to justify it. To the coach's pleased surprise he showed q special aptitude in forward passing, and was finally made a substitute on the third team.
 Not until the last game of the season did he get chance to play with the team. Then, in the last few minutes of play, he was rushed in for a forward pass which he executed so well as to enable his team to score the winning points. Says Dr. Bagby:
 "The immediate effect of Sny's creditable performance was u complete change in the attitude of his companions. For want of stimulus the inferiority reaction ceased to function. The same personality, after ten years, shows little trace of the original ten dencies.''
 Not that this should be taken to mean that every boy oppressed by sentiments of inferiority and socially unadaptable, may be cured by teaching him to play football. That is not the point.
 The point is that he should be given sym pathetic help to demonstrate in one way or another, to his own satisfaction and the satisfaction of his fellows, that he. is not really an inferior What too many boys like Shy receive from adults is not sympathy but treatment by a coercion and contempt that serve only to intensity the sentiments making for lifelong misery and ineffectiveness.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-04
THE PEOPLE WANT ACTION

Another tragedy occurred at a faufOau grade-crossing in Birmingham yesterday, as a result of which one person was killed, and four others badly injured, two or whom were pronounced fatally hurt at the tiine. 1hase tragedies are growing more frequent, and
 any miraculous escapes from death or i'm
 ssy multiply with the growth Gf tie ropu- Nation and street traffic and the accompany ing dangers. Efforts have been made to con- vince the railroads responsible for the death traps of the wisdom of removing them as a selfish investment, and public sentiment and public censure for their failure to do so has been increasing for years.
 As the situation grows steadily worse, the city commission reports from time to time more moves for conferences between the city and the railroads, in further attempts for agreement on plans for relief. Several of the railroads have announced that. they have worked out definite program and are ready to proceed as soon as the city is ready with it's plans. So far there has been no in- Aication that the city commission has com pleted a plan, and the public continues to suffer day after day and year after year because of the failure of the authorities to act.
 The responsibility lies on the city com mission, which has apparently accomplished little or nothing towards removing serious and constantly increasing menace. The city has authority to require action by the rail- roads. The railroads say they are ready to proceed as soon as the city decides on its plans. There has been far too much useless delay. There should be a showdown. The public is becoming more and more restive from as shabby treatment as was ever ac- corded great and generous community. Less talk and more action is demanded in the name of justice and fair play. What will the municipal authorities do about it? More conferences are announced, but public faith in conferences is about exhausted. The peo- pie want action.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-04
ft Shop Of Hu,,chback
By Da. FRANK onAlsr N

why said my friend, the ,huchback, should II complain because my back IS not So stralgnt as yours? xSE x s.@ x
 It simply means that in one respect I am . inferior to- you. But then in other respectst yofl are possibly inferior to me, ,,.s5g, ,
 .drTbe most widespread trait aSf man is infe.s riority Everybody is inferior at some point in his personality to every body else he meets. Why should I care if mine is in my physical shape?
 The judge on the bench may be inferior in sloyable human qualities to the prisoner he condemns
 The preacher in the pulpit may be inferior in intellectual honesty and genuine mora courage to the sinner in the pew. The plain girl may have vastly more sswomanliness and richness of soul than tlis pretty girl.
 Tom. at school, is humilated because he cannot jump so far, run. as fast, nor play baseball so well as Dick but Dick cannot de yo,r arithmetic like Tom. s,
 Why should anyone whine because of what he is not when there is enough that heS is; or why should he bemoan what he cannot do, instead of being delighted over ,wha. he can do? Nf5i<Ag
 Life may be contemplated from the valley 5 of ones defects or from the peak of ones sexcellencies. s Old world caste and rank should teach something to us free children of democracy. Their system of grading was false, but 1t rep resented an eternal truth that while there are those above us there are also those below us. The English butler in a lords house would be miserable if there were in. his world , only those to whom he must bow low and speak softly, but his spirit is refreshed by the underlings beneath him whom he can browbeat to his hearts content.
 have no great moneys like the rich man in the big house wonder, but then I have q little sister who loves me for no reason nor gain at all, who lives for me and would die for me. If the rich man knew about her he would envy me. Sa 55
 Though my back is crooked I have many marvellous and extraordinary gifts. For in- stance. l nm contented. l know dozens of people who are spending money by the shovelsful to attain contentmcnt and I have it for no price at all
 < am free. that is, owe no man anything, I am not bound to please people l do not care for, and no one tells me what must do. s I keep my shop here. just Jenny and !. md we make living. Think of the myriads of human souls held in leash by other souls one way or another.
 Then I have collection. not of china, nor oil paintings nor jewels, but of most comfort able tastes. l like to read, and books are cheap and libraries free. I like music and have the price of tickets to the concerts I like sunshine and there is the liberal sun pouring in at my window. I like my dog end he worships me. I like pipe in the evening and genial crack at arguments with my friends. A man that has accumulated, tanned and trained tastes enough to keep him interested in living and happy in his days and nights is the real millionaires9gis
 It's not so bad to be a hnnchback
 I might have been a fool.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-04
nN TAX MEASURE

dispatches announce that the reve-
 i'll as passed by the house, and over | a lively fight ill the senate was pre- d. will not be vetoed by the president, td it be enacted substantially in its pres form. There was some talk of presi- tial veto unless surtax rates in the higher .ckets are reduced from the figures Tn the ,,isa measIire It has been well known that he president was strongly opposed to any kubstantial increase over the rates proposed in the Mellon plan. Through the house com promise measure the rates in the higher brackets would be much larger than those proposed by the Mellon plan.
 It is apparent that the Mellon plan, which called for bigger proportionate reductions Tn rates on large than on small incomes, IS S.ead The strong fight for larger reductions ! H small incomes and smaller reductions on &arke incomes met with public approval. 5There was a feeling from the beginning that the Mellon plan was negotiable and did not rroyide means for a fair distribution Of the .public burdens. The vigorous fight made py fhe Democrats of the house, supported by number of insurgent Republicans disclosed to the country the real purpose ot Republlcah leaders as respects relief for rich and poor and the inequity of the Mellon plan was so exposed that it could not bear the test Of analysis "
 There are now indications that the com romise measure as passed by the house will ceive much less opposition in the senate in was expected. Announcement that there I be no presidential veto, in the event thar senate follows closely the action Ot the SC, suggests that there will be no material arture from this plan in the final enact
 -e the bill. J'rhus, the distribution of
 t6rden would be lhOre equit-
 I'd greater relief to those who
 to bear it. In any event, the
 ' looks like a Democratic vic
 CT claims to credit the Republi-
 nake, because the Democrats are
 for calling the hand of their op-
 in an attempt to favor the large
 taxpayer and ignores claims for relief
 those with small incomes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-04
Ride Dudley's Rhymes
SsIas And The Song


 Said Silas MciuSgin. in PeeweepleS store {: My daughter today got me turrible sore. She pounds the piano and starts im to sing song about love and sweet birds on the wing. tell her to quit it and let us have peace. Her ear-splittin' racket l tell her. must cease. Her mother comes in and says Go right along! Don't leave no old fools interfere with your songnt
 II tell 'em I'm runnin' that house and they grin and Sue has the nerve to ask where come in. She keeps up the singin'' and l grab my hat and leave to keep out of a home circle spat. Tomorrow, I'll bet you. sell that tin pan. I'll stop Susan's singin' that song if can. That ditty is awful: the words are like mush. It's fierce to hear love songs just filled up with gush"
 Jed Peeweepe grinned broad griu and said Sue was over last night and she sung that song through. And then she an nounced it wus one you had wrote when you was q yOungster.' It got old gSi'sigoat. He drowned at Peeweepie and left ina huff Gee whiz!' chuckled Jed to Jabe Lee. That's sure tough, hit that old feller a turrible whack. But wait til ltomorrow-ol Si will 0ame back.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-04
THE. BIRMINGHAM. AGE-HERALD,

cts. The masses want the reduction in the lower brackets where it will do more people good. ,,s
 It is not likely that the consideration of the bonus has preponderins weight in the adverse votes. It is believed that the gov ernment can pay bonus whenever it decides to dp so, and that the revenue can be pro- vided for in the> measures that are passed in support of the bonus program. The Di- gest's poll is particularly interesting in it's revelation of how popular opinion changes as the idea has a better chance to sink in. so to speak. The present tally of the poll might not truly represent the opinion even of ths same people two months hence
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-04
The Right Word
Either Is Correct
By CURTIS NICHOLSON

(Find The Error In This Article)
 Charles Arnhols of West New York, x. J. {: Which verb is correct in the following sem tence, and what Is the rule that governs your decision: It is imperative that the invoice (agree, agrees) with the amount claimed?" Answer: Either is correct, although popu- lar usage inclines towards agrees. However, agree is more elegant
 "Is their such word as transferal? I cannot find it'in my dictionary"
 Answer; You probably mean transfer as, the transfer of the property had been made. "Is it correct to say in all probabilities ?'' Answer: In all probability is correct. ' Is it correct to say, What one do you want: Or should which be used?"
 Answer: Either is correct.
 Mir Arnsholes concludes as follows: q wish to thank you very much for all the as sistance I have derived from your Right Word column" @ .}r- In the second question above the second word should have been spelled theres not their. T,' 53
 Always "I Should Appreciate"
 To Lee Hayes, Walla Walla,, Wash. Should is correct in the following sentence, which you submitted: "L should (not weuItil appreciate your working very hard today::'' Between you and l, there are niany vino make this mistake.
 Yesterdays Error
 Wrong; Helen NeapOle takes exception to a friend calling S0-year-old woman a nice old girl" Gi
 Right Helen Neapole takes exception to a friends calling an S0-year-old woman a nice old girl"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-04
DEAR MIR EDITOR"
(Fort Worth Record)

Fort Worth Record)
 Now and then every editor receives letters bitterly protesting against his allowing per- sons, who do not agree with his correspon- dent, to print their views in the newspaper.
 The newspaper is the only forum most men have. Few can afford to own modern newspaper If they never had a chance to get their ideas in print they would be gagged by circumstance.
 The newspaper which never prints any thing it disagrees with is taking a tyrannical position that is not justified by modern ideals of democracy-either of thought or govern ment.
 But the newspaper which prints every con- munication sent it will never get a subscrib- CT.
 These are some of the things that make editors gray, or bald-headed, and which kill them before their time. v 5l,
 Some of the protesting correspondents who happen to see this have a wonderful chance to demonstrate human sympathy. eszs
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-04
THE WORD "CELEBRATE"

To celebrate" an event or an occasion generally means to observe it with proud or happy feelings. But strictly speaking, you are perfectly justified in celebrating a flu neral But you celebrate it in different way from the celebration of football vic tory.
 A funeral is "celebrated" just the same. especially in its ecclesiastical phase just as any mysteries of the church are "eelebrated,p ?
 Our word celebrate is development of the Latin word 'celebro," and that meansI to ire quent or solemnize. In this original sense churches, like the Catholic, use it.
 But it will be admitted that the church celebrates wedding or a christening with more cheerful feelings than a funeral.