davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-01
The CraSe For Beultty

sspoor thing i" wrote i woman to me, speak
ling Of 4 Young firl in whom we were bof4
interested, girl Of talent and spirit ana
little money. sr6or thinyi feel sorry xqr
her. She ~ loves nretty things, and don't
iSee Where she il 1SinS 70 get them.
The poor thing IL question had merely tho
spirit Of her age One Of the strongest traits
| Of the present younger generation Is herce
craving for beauty.
People want to be beautiful as they never
Ionged for personal charm before. cannot
believe our OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES felt the chagrin
Of an unattractiveI face as keenly sas our chill
dren feel it. Hi
The world today wants beautiful things
more than the world Of yesterday. Not only
do women crave pretty clothes and furniture
and back yards but men wish more beauty
in the office and the Workshop.
You do not understand this in the isast
IL YOU interpret it to mean merely lust Tor
luxury, spendthrift craze for show It 4
not that, it Is the forthputting OF an indie
structible human instint, which has been long
repressed by other forces and is now asserting
itself.
The nineteenth century was the most won.
derful of all the forty centuries or 20 hu-
msnity has existed 1t was marked By the
advance of science, the rapid development Of
democracy, the final emancipation from Mer-
archy, the unprecedented growth Of ccmmers
cialism, and the accumulation Of wealth.
It was also probably the uglisst cenfury
since the stone age.
The Creeks carried the expression q
beauty very far. Roman life may have been
cruel, but il was not unpleasing to the eve
In its costumes and buildings. and mediaeval
ism was as picturesque as 1t was dirty. Bat
a. {ue{ At
the world over. "A ~
The mind Of man cannot conceive an artis.
tically more absurd dress than silk hat.
dress suit, and patent leather shoes, wherein
the man arrays himself when he wants to Be
at his best II II
OF women's attire shall say nothing, be-
ing prudent man. and married.
All modern cities are utterly inartistic. al
villages violate every canon Of good taste:
and not content with that. we dsub the land
scape with hideous splotches Of red and vel
low bi1lboards.
Now. human nature cannot endure this.
It cannot 60 on Indefinitely making money
asaassing facts, and merely getting on. Il
has beauty hunger ii5 It.
Slowly that beauty hunger Is beginning 70
show itself. n ~
we are getting mors beautiful chairs, Ia
bles, houses, streets and bric-a-brac.
The progress is painfully slow and diff
cult to discern, but there is full crudities and
excuses, it win express its private and pub
lie life In clothes.
y When the great Split Of democracy steadies
itself and gets over its youth-dwellings, and
cities fan more beautifully than the Greek.
Roman Or medieval spirit ever did, because
it is intrinsically far more beautiful spirit
than theirs. i ~ 80,
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-01
CALCIUM ARsENATE IN ALABAMA

The purpose of the Alabama Power Com
pAny to manufacture calcium arsenate at
Montgomery has public interest in two re-
spects. In the first place, the supply OF this
poison, which is the best known weapon
against the, boil weevil, will very likely fall
short Of the demand. An unprecedented
number of farmers are planning to use this
product in their weevil campaign this sum
mer. This program will both exhaust the
present visible supply and will tend to boost
the price.
In the second place, the power company
intimates that it's process will make possible
1 lower price to the farmer If this intima-
ton is realized, the farmer will have addi-
sional reason to approve. Although the ca
bacity of the plant is not large enough to
supply the market, the efficiency that has
been proclaimed for it may very well be APP
piled to other plants. and thus bring the
price within reach of all planters throughout
The South
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-01
SHOALS ATTACk FALTERs

1t appears that the artificial and carefully
eontriyed appearance of popular reaction
against the Ford offer for Muscle Shoals is
losing Roadway and dying down. The
ID yrmidohs of the power trust, chemical com
panies and fertilizer interests have had their
little day in court, have said their say, and
now have given way to those who speak
with the authority of citizens and not as
scribes. The effort to discredit the Ford
offer has been a strenuous one, presenting
1t the same time the ludicrous spectacle of
al attempt to win favor for other offers by
showing in what respect they went the Ford
offer one better All this has had the effect
Of emphasizing in the public mind the fact
that the Ford offer is the model on which
all the others are built. In some the power
distribution feature was made paramount, in
Others the chemical production feature was
tblled; but there has been none that so
II served all the purposes as the Ford
ef
although the adherents of the Ford offer
the senate committee have been in the
rity, it is evident that they are more
rous than any other group for the
are split among the power trust sup
Is, the chemical production advocates
he government operation proponents.
has at times been lost to sight the
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-01
VISION IN PARK PLANNING

The selection of a distinguished landscape
Xtchitect firm by the Birmingham park
t6hrd to make an analytical study and com
txShensive survey of the park situation and
|<xepare a basic plan for future development
s3os wise and constructive act. The firm
<losen for this important service is nation
nav known for it's record in park planning
~ laid out and developed some of the finest
bark systems in this country, including sew
Xfsl which have attracted nationwide atten-
Ion. While the services of this firm will
ne something, the expenditure will be eco
nical because productive.
The idea and purpose of park develop
Int for Birmingham, to be of real value
lust include recognition of the possibilities
A 5ust contemplate future needs and must en-
ision the opportunities for service to com
aunity that will be many times as large and
ppulous as Birmingham nov is Even
fithin the last two or three years Birming-
xm's residential expansion has been greater
Tan the people few years ago expected
fithin the next decade Birminghsm's resi-
L Initial territory will have included wide
|tAA now in the rough The city will have
'&t-ble its present population in few years
and there is every reason to believe Its
Hkbwth will continue at its present rate, or
e1en faster, for long period. Active citi-
1ens of today will live to see million peo-
pie In this community.
From the standpoint of its responsibility
and duty the greatest service of the park
board lies in planning for the future rather
than ii restricting its efforts to putting the
present meagre park properties In hlgh
state of development. Every step for park
|ifnprovement must be made with reference to
asts link in a comprehensive system to care
sfof the needs of a great and growing com
nnnity Adequate additional sites must be
Eacouired, and plans made for such extern
4 ions as will provide for the community de-
el6pment and needs. Thus the Importance
4 securing talent and experience common
rate with the job as whole may be seen
an reasonable expenditures necessary to
try out this idea and purpose will prove
8 Z the long run an economical investment.
yehe board is to be commended for taking
,this view.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-01
The Right Word
BY CURTIS NICHOLSON
THREE QUESTIONS =
Find the Error in This Article)

j. D. Kemper of Chicago asks three ques-
TONS
Il. He, is a cousin of FIRED or Freds).
Should not the possessive form be used. Ger
tainly the possessive should be used in the
following sentence: He is a cousin of mine
(not mel. OF course. the first sentence could
be changed to read, He is Fred's cousin so
that there would be no question about it."
Answer: The usual locution is, He is q
cousin of Freds."
40. The shortest route is (by or vial the
tunnel railroad. 1t IL my conviction that via
is correctly used only when referring to q
point en- route; for instance, went to Chi
cago from Cleveland via Indianapolis; and
cannot be rightly used when referring to q
route. l also maintain that via is wrongly
used in connection with a carrier or mode OF
transportation, and therefore such express
sions as via airplane' and via the Twentieth
Century Limited should be by airplane,' etc
Answer: Via is a proposition, which may
be used in connection with not only place
passed through but also a route travelled; as
via Indianapolis via the Boston Post Road
by airplane" is correct.
"3 1 am appreciative (of or fOr) your
letter. Is not the proper selection of the
proposition in this case governed by the
sense that the writer wishes to express
That is, the word Of would imply that thC
writer realized the truth or reasonableness
of statements made in the letter, whereas
the word for would imply that the writer (ol
speaker) was pleased at having received the
letter."
Answer: "Appreciative Of is correct
Note the following He was appreciative Of
what wrote He appreciated my letter.
Yesterdays Error
Wrong: Will you please explain which Of
the following sentences is correct and the
reasons supporting your explanation E.
Right: Will you please explain which =.
is correct and give the reasons supporting
your explanations.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-01

essential purpose of protecting the public
source of explosives in the emergency of war.
The Importance of the Shoals as center Of
power distribution is secondary in the pub
lie interest to the importance of the Shoals
as a preparedness measure. Those who
stress the super-power system and the, dis
tributionAof power improperly take the view
that the Shoals is indispensable to such. a
program. 1t is not. There are scores Of
other power possibilities which have never
been touched nor even adequately surveyed.
Let those who support either the super
power plan or the policy of conservation
turn their attention to the water-power re-
sources that have not yet been exploited.
But let the project at Muscle Shoals be kept
intact for the greatest good to the greatest
number.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-01
AMERIcANIZING A HUSBAND

Special interest in this country has been
manifest in the marriage last Tuesday Of
Cornelia Vanderbilt to John Francis Amherst
Cecil. This interest is due to several rea-
sons. The bride is one of the richest heir
esses in the world; is wholesome American
girl, who, despite her wealth and position,
has found life and service in western North
Carolina, where palatial Biltmore was es-
tablished by her father, not only to her
liking, but in keeping with her opportuni-
ties for development of womanly character
and traits, She chose as her life's mate a
man of distinction, with a record for worth
while achievement, rather than an idler and
a parasite. If there be anything in the
theory that blood will tell" the groom
should be a husband, not seeker of luxury
and ease. He comes of good stock and has
measured up 10 high responsibilities in his
countrys diplomatic service.
The Vanderbilt strain has been distinctly
American for generations This daughter of
one of the wealthiest of all of them has ex-
pressed her wish to remain in this country
and continue such activities as may come
within her sphere to advance the economic
and social interests of her beloved Carolina,
where she enjoys the confidence and affec-
ton of wide circle of friends. She wants
her husband to become an American, if he
can, or at least to pursue some purpose in
this country which will contribute to its
development. He has expressed a willing
ness to do so, and hence the special interest
in the union.
If the program as contemplated by the
bride is carried out, there will be less rea-
son to look disparagingly upon the match
as another of the foreign matrimonial ALI
ances which have turned out unfavorably.
Meantime large part of the Vanderbilt
wealth will remain in America where it was
amassed largely through the opportunities
offered in this country. That would carry
a better feeling from the American people
who believe in a proper spirit of cooperation
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-01
MORE GROUNDS FOR OPTIMISM

Improvement in labor conditions in Biz
mingham over those of last year, and ma
terial improvement over the situation of the
year before, as reported by the director of
the federal employment bureau in this city,
is a natural result of the increased building
activity and industrial expansion generally.
The bureau has been placing from a hundred
and fifty to two hundred workers per week
for several months.
Great activity in the building trade has
created full employment for carpenters,
masons and other workers in this industry.
There are many orders for farm help. At
this season the agricultural industry. offers
many opportunities for employment, and
there is a problem in supplying the demand
for hands Perhaps the labor conditions in
this city and district we're never more favor
able. There are no disturbances, and the
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-01
Forum, Of The People
Orotorical Decision Was Not Easy

To the Editor of The AgeHerald:
As one of the judges Of the oratofical con-
test, realize that occupy delicate posi-
ton in regard to the evenings exercise. The
great regret that confronted me, and feel
sure confronted the other Judges, was that
there were not ten first prizes. All OF the
contestants did we'll, and your judges had
no easy task before them.
I am confident this speaking contest Is
going to result in great good to our country,
and will help the educators to train up bet
ter citizens for the future. We do not give
enough attention to the study of the Consti-
tuition The great number of young people
who have been studying for this contest,
whether they were successful or not. will
receive a great benefit l think, too, it will
stimulate the colleges to give more time and
attention to the teaching of that great in
strument.
I wish to congratulate The Age-Herald
upon it's part in this matter. Surely the
papers of our country are doing much to
encourage our people in right thinking.
T. W. PALMER,
President Alabama College, Montevallo, Ala,
April 20, 1924.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-01
Watching The Parade
by JOHN PILGRIM

Brown SAYS he has shaved a. good many
congressman during his years OF barbering:
And, on the whole, he doesn't think much OF
them Too apt, he says, to shake hands need
lessiy. Entirely too voluble. Experience has
taught Brown to beware of entertaining
takers. He has bought stock from such
from time to time. Or else the congressman
pontificate.
''They stand a little way off" says
Brown, "and try to act like great men"
On the whole, though. Brown says 1t isn't
the congressmen's fault that they, are what
they are 1t is the fault of the; voters,
Brown says, that they are congressman. He
admits that he buys his clothes on the weekly
payment plan and it is well along into corn
planting time before he RECEIVERS from the
stress Of Christmas. Nevertheless, he thinks
the right of suffrage should be confined to
property holders. 't
Voters who have no money are not re-
sponsible,n says Brown. I'm prove It.
He would have the sum set as low as six
hundred dollars, and the property might be
in anything. If voters were required to have
tangible estate taxes would not run so
high, he holds. Voting would be privilege,
he holds, and therefore valued, whereas a
right is always more or less neglected until
| it is lost.
IN prove to you that only the man vho
mas property snOulu vote, says oIo"h;
| Not long ago the BARRIERS union had a
strike question before it. But only the mar
ried men were permitted to cast "a ballot.
The president of the union ruled, out the
bachelors. t
You'll all vote strike,' he said. "But
when we go on strike you have nothing to
lose. You own only grip satcheI and an
umbrella. You'll go on to the next town and
get job, but we married men have to stick
here and fight it out"
So only the married men voted. And there
was no strike.
Lets make the voting class responsible. /"
said Brown. Then wen have less voice
and more thought in Congress"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-01
| THE BOBBED.HAIR BANDIT

ssThe Bodied Hair Bandit" which COM
Il Eded first-page position in New York
spapers for nearly four months as a
4 ntinued- in -our-next" thriller, proved a
ANA for reporters to the close of the SEN
81 sorYai- features Now the girl, who was
pictured as no less beautiful than elusive,
I. is in the tolls of the law, and she and her
coIlaborator will have to compromise on re-
stricted inside space for "A while at least.
Much as Gotham takes to thrills, there
seams to have been sufficiecy in that re-
spAct to meet the demands of the most exact
ing ever since Celia Cooney and her pardner
went, on the job. of providing material, for
stirring movies. We may next see them
nictIlred in hair-raising films, before they
start Sing -Singward. Meantime, the wonder
Il how a, pretty girl could have gotten away
with the hold-up business over large part
Of the metropolis for months, while writing
itnnertinent notes to six hundred police as
eitned to the task of capturing her. That's
where a humor element comes in. ASIDE
from her skill in gun-play, the fact that she
4hs bobbed-haired seems to have added a
Nhusan interest element to her career. Even
se readline, "Bobbed Hair Bandit" caught
fke public attention in the outset, which
s1ows how this fashion is spreading in pop
MARTY.
Theoretically at least, the law cannot DC
modified because the prisoner furnished q
iot Of excitement and no little adjustment to
the people of Gotham. That city lives on
&ayety, it is true, and millions are volun-
tarily invested in that feature of life every
wear. Direct victims of the bobbed-hair ban
.sit must be considered They will be slow
& Is make allowances for the pleasure so many
6fhefs got out of the melodrama. So the
s;Fl who thrilled the greatest American city
fDe months may have to do her time, even
though she proved an artist OF rare attain
Ssef.ts in the field of outlawry.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-01
Brief Nature Studies
ny j. OTIS SWIFT

Woodcock-ten inches long, upper parts
gray, buff, black and brown varied, rusty
buff-brown below, short wings and legs, long
bill7-came north the middle of April, laid its
eggs by the 26th on dry leaves and sticks
rudely collected on hummocks in swamps or
hills, and now the male continues his love
making rhapsody for his mate on the nest. At
dusk it spirals into the air from the ground.
darts back and fourth, all the time whistling
and chipperinS an enhancing MARBLE. Then it
descsnds, John Burroughs used to 80 out on
the mountainSide at Woodchuck Lodge,
where the Memorial Association meets May
b. to listen to the woodcock.
Woodcock are fond of earthworms and dig
them by pokine their long bills into the soft,
wet soil of bog edges, feeling about for them.
The birds were formerly plentiful all over
eastern North America, wintering south Of
Illinois and Virginia, but. have grown scarce.
They migrate at night. Automobile parties
along country roads often see them flying
past in the cleaning on their way to wet
boglands, where they know angleworms are
to BE found crawling on the surface.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-01
C0.0pERATInN

A Manchester business man paid visit
keen sportsman. Not without considerable
misgiving the visitor allowed himself to be
prevailed upon to go lion hunting.
His first night in the jungle was a sleep
less one. Next morning the two friends
started out early, and had gone but short
distance when they came upon fresh tracks
which the enthusiastic sportsman identified
as being those of full-grown lion.
Tell you what we had better do" said
the Manchester man, brightly. ''You 60
ahead and see where he went and I'll go back
and see where he came from !'--The Cont
pent F
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-01

outlook for continued employment is e.
pecially reassuring.
The increasing local expansion and degel-
opment bid fair to continue indefinitely. This
means larger pay rolls, greater productive
capacity, increased prosperity and content
ment The building activity is especially
gratifying, because a large part Of it com
prises new homes, which means marked
growth in population. That this growth is
not accidental or spasmodicS is encouraging.
People 60 where opportunities to make a
living are favorable. The big development
throughout the industrial field now in prog
ress and under immediate contemplation Of
fers those opportunities as never before in
this district The more one studies the con-
ditions and emissions the future, the broader
the grounds for optimism.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-01
Not Fumigating Passengers

To the Editor of The Age Herald:
1t has come to our attention that rumors
are being circulated to the effect that pas
sengers are being disinfected and fumigated
on trains arriving at San Diego via the San
Diego and Arizona railroads which form a
part of the Southern Pacific Lines, account
hoof and mouth diseases now prevent in
certain districts in the West.
This is to request that you give us a
notice to the effect that such is not the case (;
that passengers using the Southern Pacific
Lines to California are not being annoyed
in any way and that local authorities have
no intention of disinfecting passengers and
baggage except from infected areas.
S. J. BROWN,
General Agent Birmingham, Ala. April 20,
1924.