davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1924-01-31
IT'S THE DRIVER

TT is the driver, and not the car
! the roads, the weather or the
pedestrian, that is responsible fol
the majority of automobile accidents
And with due precaution on the part
of the driver most of the accidents
could be prevented.
There were 50 automobile accidents
on the rural highways of this state
during the month of December, ac-
cording to data compiled by the
Portland office of the Bureau of Pub
lie Roads. Accidents in cities OF
more than $500 population are not
included in this list.
Of these SO accidents SO, or all but
10 were due to carelessness of the
driver. Three were due to inexper-
fence of the driver, three to intoxi-
cation, three to excessive speed and
ten to violation of traffic laws while
Al were due to downright careless
ness. Only five were due to faulty
equipment of the car and none to
faulty highway conditions.
These figures tend to confirm an
opinion the Courier Reporter has al
ways held; that the care and caution
of the driver and not the reading Of
the speedometer should be the traf-
fic laws foundation. Hardly a day
passes but that some motorist is hal
ed into court because he exceeded the
speed limit on state highway,
while hundreds who endanger traf-
fic by their carelessness and reck-
lessness go unmolested. Highway
patrolmen should be equipped with
common sense rather than stop
watches.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-07

If figures are to be trusted, the growth in municipal extravaganza of late years has not been so extreme as is popularly believed, al though the increase in local governmental costs has undeniably been heavy one. The Department of Commerce has just published report covering the financial transactions of 1921 cities for the year 1922 and giving general comparative statistics for the chief items of revenue, expenditure and indebted ness of 146 cities for the period from 1903 to 1922.
 It appears from these comparative tables that the net revenue receipts of these 146 cities rose from $S02 100000 in the last pre- war year to $1 ,802, ,300,000 in 1922, while total expenses, including interest and other loutlays, rose from $912, 100000 to $1,9S4,- 300,000. In view of the fact that the gen. eral price rise over the same period was roughly only 60 per cent, an advance of over 100 per cent in municipal receipts and dis bursements may appear excessive. It has' however, to be interpreted in the light ot the per capita net receipts, and even more lm- portant the per capita tax burden, before judgment can be ventured. Per capita re- cepts from taxes, as a matter of fact, ln- creased somewhat less than 100 per cent, and although that is an advance which outstrlpped the general price rise, it has to be remem- bered that a general index can not be ap- piled uncritically to city expenditures, which are of an altogether special type.
 It is probable that it was not until 1922 that the full effect of the postwar advances in wages and prices, eliminating in 1920, was fully reflected in city budgets 1t Is signltl- cant that the great increases in an otherwise steady advance of expenditures came between
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-07
CHILDREN AND WORK

While not outrightly opposing the pro- posed child-labor amendment to the fed eral constitution, Secretary Davis of the department of labor does express some very pertinent objections to the placing the age limit covered by the amendment as high as eighteen years. Unless they are overworked, it is proved by experi- ence that training in some employment is valuable for youth much under eighteen. In fact, it is quite likely that the idleness brought about by prohibiting youth under eighteen to have gainful em- ployment or to work would be the most disastrous and harmful factor possible. Waywardness of youth is often due to energy which is not directed or is mis- directed. Any capable instructor of youth and any wise parent knows that work of the right sort and in the right amount is good and not harmful, either to the growth or to the intellectual develop ment of the young.
 The whole question again comes back to the point whether the people of this country, or of any state, would be Will ing to have the congress of the United Statse decide whether their children shall or shall not work, or prescribe the reg ulations governing youthful activities. Education of the parents and their grow ing prosperity solve much Of thls prob lem. There is incumbent upon each state the responsibility of providing such reg ulations as will prevent the exploitation of children and the denial of their right to health, happiness, play and education. But there should be no such absurdities imposed as would go counter to the wis dom of the centuries with respect to the misunderstanding value of some definite and regular task for the young. There lis education and disciplinary value in work as we'll as in recreation.
 Work for children should never be al lowed to pass or even approach the bounds of their strength, nor ever to cut them off from the play and pleasures of childhood, but the congress of the United States has not yet revealed the capacity to prescribe these delimitations in n1aa- ner applicable throughout the country That is for parents, educational authori- ties and state welfare departments to work out-not the federal government.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-07
The Herd

smoke moderately than endure the shock of quitting entirely. Socialism is pure folly; and everyone knows it, including the Socialists themselves; they all think they are smoking moderately until they can quit the bad habit entirely. An old saying has sense back of it; that it persists is evidence of value. Every man has a good deal of ability in rejecting nonsense, and in seeing "a point" l have often observed bored people in a crowd, listen- inv to the foolish babble But let some one say witty or wise thing, and note how quickly those who have been bored will take notice. We all talk of those things which go in one ear mad out the other, but occasionally one brain will originate something that will ruffle another.
 Here is an old piece of wisdom you may be able to grasp; I found it rather disturb ing, being compelled to admit personal ap- plication. Give to any man all the time he wastes, not only on his vices but on use- less business, idle or deterioating amuse- ments, trivial letter writing, random reading, and he will have plenty of time for culture"
 And culture is no more than collecting the most intelligent and useful sayings of men, and acting upon them. In every community culture is available; some one will remember the wise sayings. and distribute them.
 Readers want fresh, informing and agree able writing in print. But only old writers know how difficult that sort of writing is. have never achieved it. Really good writers are almost as scarce as winning num- bers in a lottery. ... The race is so old there are no new opinions. wonder publisher does not start weekly devoted to informa- tion. There can be no new situation in fic- tion, but there are so many facts we are not familiar with that such a publication should do well.
 Art is anything clever. know wife who manages a foolish husband in manner so clever it becomes art. And she asks nothing of him not to his own and their joint best interests. I don't believe he knows that, with out the domination of a stronger will, he would be almost fool, whereas she has made him a reasonably respectable man. All dom- ination should be of this character. Most leaders lead in such way as to inspire cp- position they become irritable with their sub jects, and not much good is accomplished The object of leadership should be to assume the lead as agreeably us possible.
 Copyright, 1924, by The Bell Syndicate, lnc.)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-07
Growth Of Municipal Taxes

1919 and 1922, per capita net revenue re- ceipts jumping from $35.26 to $53.57, while expenditures rose from 35.5S per capita ill 1919 to S59O1 in 1922.
 The proportion of the burden of expense borne by the general property tax remained substantially unaltered between 1915 and 1922, estimated on a per capita basis, while the percentual distribution of total expenses (for cities of over 3O,O00). showed no start ling change of any sort except for a marked increase in the percentage of total outlays devoted to school purposes.
 The percentual increase in the net indebted ness of the 146 cities was not as great as the percentual increase in expenses over the same period, but it is undeniable that the situation of these cities as borrowers is far from sats- factory. Their net debt rose from $1 $50 000,- 900 in 1913, to 3,280,O00,000 in 1922, while the per capita advance was from $692S to $97.57. It appears, therefore, that although evidences of extravaganza are not so strik- ing as might have been anticipated, the in- creased outlays that have occurred have re suited in a very serious addition to the already heavy burden of municipal debt-New York Journal of Commerce.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-07
TOO DIM TO READ

The editor is in receipt of com munication from the state superintendent of education which he would very much like to read, but it is such a dim mime ograph that reading it would be an un- justified tax on the eyesight. This text furnishes occasion for the further re- mark that communications of the sort from various sources are frequently re- ceived and usually find their way to the waste-basket, for the editor, rightly or wrongly, is convinced that subjects to which people or officials really desire to direct his attention would be presented in more legible form. Besides, being human, the editor finds that his pride is somewhat touched by the receipt of car bon copies of about the eighteenth inn press, and he is led to the inference that his attention to the matter thus inscrut- ably set before him is not greatly valued.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-07

by the board is that urging judicial re- form. The fact is cited that at the opening of its term last year the United States su- preme court had 592 cases, while at the opening this year the cases numbered 687. As Mr Coolidge tersely puts it: Justice long delayed is justice refused" /"
 It is therefore recommended that the court be given "power by preliminary and summary consideration to determine the importance of cases, and by dis posing of those which are not of public moment, reserve it's time for the more extended consideration of the re- mainder." Unless some such plan as this is followed, the congestion will continue and become more pronounced, thus in great measure defeating the purpose of the court, and therefore of justice. The supreme court, in the presidents belief, should also be given power to impose reforms and rules upon federal courts in general, to expedite business and clear the dockets.
 Delays in the enforcement of our crim- inal laws are also common, because of unwieldiness in our criminal procedure and the resulting congestion. Recom- mendation is made for commission consisting of three members of the fed eral judiciary and three members of the bar to examine the present criminal mode of procedure and recommend to the congress measures which may reform and expedite court procedure in the ad- ministration and enforcement of our criminal laws" Something ought to be done, and the presidents emphasis on this need should produce prompt legis- latiye result
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-07
Principles Of Success

Ten principles for business success were given in an address before the Harvard Busi- ness School clinic by Otto H. Kahn, banker and one of the most prominent business men of today. Not only young business men or those who are preparing to take up buisness activities in the future, but those of mature years who already have attained some meas ure of success, might profit by them.
 Yet these principles have nothing directly to do with the complex machinery of business. They might indeed, serve as a guide to sue cess in any other line of endeavor. For they are also principles of human character of the right kind
 Eliminate from your vocabulary in work ing hours the word 'perfunctory. The most trivial task is a test, as well as the bigger one, and the way it is performed will testify for or against you. That is the first prin- ciple. Secondly, says MT. Kahn, reputation is, and should be considered, the most service able of business assets-one that works for you automatically and works twenty-four hours a day. "Think," he continues, and do not confine thinking to the task before you, but sometimes Ego for a ride upon the horse of your imagination;" be ready to seize op- portunities, but do not assume that an op- portunity appears with every change; "con- slider as one of the essentials of your diet the milk of human kindness" and overthrow Ill will and distrust work hard, clinging to your ideals take interest in public affairs; meet your fellowmen with confidence unless you have reason to suspect" and, especially for those who do succeed far above the average use your abilities not simply for self, but for your fellow-men.
 This is but a brief statement of the pre- cepts laid down by Mr. Kahn, which were not intended, of course, to open the doors Of busl- ness success to his hearers, but which are nevertheless an unusually clear expression by successful business man of what he believes younger men who seek success should do and be. This is still the country of unlimited possibilities, he says. Those who take the fullest advantage of these possibilities, who are the great business leaders of tomorrow, will have followed some rules of conduct not decidedly different from those set forth in this address to college men. For success ln business, as in other things, is based upon rather definite principles, having to do main ly with the attitude of man toward other men and toward his work, which must be observed, although they may be expressed Tn various phrases-St. Louis Globe-Democrat.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-07
COOLIDGE ASKS COURT REFORM

Although the attitude of many Repub- lican leaders in congress indicates that some of the presidents legislative recom- mendations are academic as far as they are concerned, such an attitude should not receive public encouragement. Con- gress has already convicted itself suf- ficiently before the public of obstructive ness and legislative ineptitude. In its own behalf it should now attempt to re- deem itself. However, the fact must be borne in mind that the present session is still the sixty-eighth congress, and that the new congress does not function until next year, or until the president calls it into special session, if he should decide to do so.
 One presidential recommendation that even this session should not permit to go
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-07
WHEN A SHERIFF RESIGNS

The resignation of Sheriff Cazalas Of Mobile county voids the impeachment instituted against him by the State of Alabama. MT. CaZalas denies the charges against him in his letter of resignation and declares that the reason for his withdrawal is his financial in ability to pay the cost of his defense. Therefore, he recommends that the gov ernor urge the passage of law at the next legislature making it incumbent upon the state to pay the costs of lm- peachment trials against public officials, when such trials result in the exonera- tion of such officials. There may be merit in the suggestion, for certainly there IS no justice in forcing an official to resign because he cannot meet the cost of hls own defence.
 There would always, however, be the question in the public mind whether res ignaton in the face of impeachment pro- ceedings was due to the expense of de- fense, or to the officials well-grounded premonition that the impeachment charges would be sustained. There will be that doubt in the case of MT. Cazalas, and whether such doubt is not more costly than a successful defense is question each accused official must settle for him. self In the present instance, however, if MT. Cazalas is as deeply involved in the Mobile situation as the state has al legged, his connection with that situation will inevitably be exposed during the trials of some of those now under in dictment. In the event that such con nection is not brought out in other trials now pending, perhaps MT. Cazalas is will ing to regard that as sufficient vindica- tion.
 There devolves upon Governor Bran don, in consequence of this resignation
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-07
(By Ed w. Howe)


 Old Samuel Johnson hated America, and said the meanest things about us. How IS it." he once wrote, that we hear the greatest yelps for liberty among the American orlVers of negroes? They are race Of convlcts' anu ought to be thankful for anything short or hanging. I am willing to love all mankind ercent an American" .. Dr. Johnson was the wittiest and meanest Engllsnman to engage in abuse of Americans, disposition which mas influenced most of them since the Seventeenth century. Do we resent it! on the contrary I think we like it. Note how we took the late war off their hands, when 1t became too big for them; also, how we at present iran after" the Prince of Wales =. Personally, should like to see our meanest and most capable writer visit England, and, on his return, do his best in DOOR,
 If ia the preacher who tells the great things God does. have never heard average men talk much about the subject How we all waste time on the big follies, and neglect httle things of the greatest moment! Look at the piffle about Defense Day, and the manner Ill which we all neglect ourselves. Alter you have gone to bed tonight, and the house IS ouiet. devote five minutes to thinking Of the number of times you neglect your own pest interests every day. God help us, we all do it regularly. And there's isn't the silsntes' reason why we should. l often think even the devil wants us to do better than we do. l have never believed the story of religious peo- ple that God is an avenger; on the contrary, I think of Him as constantly getting us out of +rouble into which we have foolishly wandered In reading, constantly encounter the charge that the people are vast herd Of foolish creatures who do not take as good care of themselves as they might; and the charge is largely true. I belong in this herd ; so do you-so do the writers about the herd. The degree that you prosper in all worthy ways is the degree you get out of The Herd. If you are in The Herd, you know 1t. Get out.
 Those in The Herd know they have bad habits. and defend them; the greatest folly a man can be guilty of. That is what the Socialists do; and a man of any worth what ever should be ashamed to be Socialist
 There is little excuse for some follies; l have heard it said, for example, that after a man has learned to smoke, it is better to
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-07
Courtesy on Street Cars.

To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 Friend of mine called me up over the
 phone and said he had read the article about street car courtesy. He said he was ready to broadcast to the knock-kneed world that the condition of affairs was brought on by the women themselves. Men may be hogs but the women were hogines. I had to coin that last word to express it in a little more mild language than he used. He said that lady with five small children got on an East Lake car, as it came in. She occupied three seats and paid only one fare. The car was crowded going out. Many ladies standing.
 This condition of affairs was the fault of the conductor. It was his duty to have col lected fare from the children occupying seats while others were standing. l was on one of the cars where a woman had three children. The car was crowded. The conductor told her she would have to pay for the children if they occupied seats. She had offered one fare and was occupying two seats. The sister paid two fares and got her brood on one seat. It was the look she gave that conductor that made our trip interesting.
 My friend may be right in his contention. Little school girls will keep their seats and
 let an old man or elderly lady stand. l saw one thing that impressed me. 1 gave my seat to lady who got on the car. She had a
 little boy about four years old with her. In place of taking the seat, she placed the child in it and stood up. It was-in one sense a motherly act. But, on the whole, what kind of a lesson did it teach?
 Later on several ladies got on the car. This little boy retained the seat. In after years he will continue to retain his seat and allow ladies to stand. His mother taught him to do so. That mother thought she was demon strating mothers love in keeping the little man from standing. On the contrary she was sowing seeds of selfishness in his little heart. It has been said the tree grows as the twig is bent
 I noticed one of your correspondents says it is dangerous as well as inconvenient for a gentleman to take off his hat in an elevator. am not going to take issue with him or get up useless controversy. Every man to his own ideas as to what constitutes good breed- ing. As to the danger of taking off a mans hat in the elevator, 1 am at loss to know where the danger lies.
 A lady, defending the women's attitude in accepting a seat on the street car, said that woman had to hold herself in reserve or the mashers would take advantage of the op- portunity. The lady can rest easy. The masher is not the fellow who gives her the seat. A gentleman who gives lady his seat does not expect a reward. His breeding makes it a duty. However, pleasant ''Thank you" followed by a smile, makes him feel that he has accommodated woman who has been well reared. W. H. PARKER.
 Birmingham, Ala.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-07
BIRMINGHAM AGE-HERALD, SUNDAY; DECEMBER T. 1924

and of the critical situation at Mobile, the grave responsibility of appointing to the Mobile shrievalty man absolutely unconnected with either the politics or the illegal operations in Mobile. There in reality can be little distinction between the political and the rum rings in that county, for the two appear to be inter- related in a most confusing and intricate manner, as if the one existed by favor of the other. The governors appointment will be real test of his attitude towards law enforcement
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-07
Forum Of TheP People
American Diesel Engines on American Ships

To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 The news that American engineers mad American workmen have been quietly working together for four years to make a great ma rine advance, for America, has been known to a small coterie of mechanical and marine engineers for some time. The news that their combined efforts have finally culminted, that another and typical American engineering triumph has been accomplished, is just being in technical publications here and abroad.
 But the general reading public, the Amer ican merchants, manufacturers, farmers, bank CTS and workingmen, whose personal inter- ests are directly advanced whenever Yankee ingenuity" develops power instrument which is of distinct importance to American industry and commerce, have not yet been generally given this news. We take pleasure in send ing you for your reference files copy of our booklet, Keeping American Ships On the Seas.' The engine illustrated therein is of the type recently ordered from us by the United States Shipping Board, to be installed in vessels of the Emergency Fleet, converting them into motorships which can compete ef- ficiently with foreign Diesel-equipped ves- ses. The text of the booklet indicates only one of the possible fields of application for the new Worthington, which is the product of American designers, manufactured under American patents, by American workmen, paying no foreign duties or royalties-the new engine-ready to meet Amer ica S needs.
 Hoping this subject interests you suf- ficently to justify our having addressed you, we are,
 PUMP AND MACHIN-
 FRY CORPORATION.
 E. T. Fishweek, Vice President.
 New York, N. r., Dec 2, 1924.