davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-01
YEARS PROGRESS IN ALABAMA

Little surprise is felt by the people of the Birmingham district when such optimistic reports as appeared in The Age-Herald of Sunday emphasize in grouped facts and figures the great progress made during the last year in this community. The record was highly commendable, to be sure, but Birmingham develops and expands so rapidly and so substantially that its people have learned to look for such reports. It is habit of this commu- nity to go forward rapidly. Its rec ords year after year have shown that. Though the achievements in many fields of industrial and commercial effort during 1923 again emphasize the forethought the business enterprise and the determination to expand, the facts and figures show that Birming- ham has taken on additional steam and is heading towards far greater things than it has yet accomplished. The outlook is exceedingly bright. The
 
 opportunities for development and en- richment is greater than ever before. There is a perceptible and very gen. eral inclination towards team work for the realization of the districts destiny.
 It is encouraging, as well as inter esting, to note the progress made in other cities and communities of the state during the year. Almost without exception they have given good ac- counts of themselves in this respect. In North Alabama municipal and com munity development has been un- usually extensive. Not only does this represent large investments, but it's character in the main has been de- termined with reference to local con-, ditions and possibilities for further extensions. Unusual building enter-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-01
CITY COMMISSIONS PROGRAM

Expressing the desire of the city ,scommission to take hand in the ex- mansion which is expected in the il- sdustrial and commercial circles of this scommunity in 1924, the president of kthe official body outlined preten- <ious program of municipal improve naents, and called upon the people for co-operation. The program as out lined includes the construction of via duets and underpasses at dangerous gfsde, crossings, paving First avenue from Forty-First street to East Lake, definite steps towards the acquisition of new city hall, increased police and fire fighting forces, establishment of a zoning system, extension and improve ment of the sewerage system, estab- lishment of a modern method of gar bage collection and disposal, and last, but not least, increased harmony and efficiency at the city hall. The presi- dent of the commission might well have included provisions for a park and playground system, to say nothing of more adequate street lighting program, the pressing need for which is generally conceded:
 This outline of needed public improve mcnts challenges the official body's intelligence, industry and determina- tion to serve the public. If the last number on the program, increase in harmony and efficiency at the city
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-01
NEW BRITISH AMBASSADOR

Whatever has caused the resigna- tion of British Ambassador Geddes, whether ill-health as alleged or the prospect of a labor premier in Eng land, the American people regret his withdrawal from Washington. Sir Auckland was diplomat after our own heart. He stood up on his feet and expressed his opinion frankly and convincingly, without fear of diplo- matic consequences. Therefore, the consequences were of valuable type. The people still recall Sir Auckland 5 heartfelt denunciation of conditions at Ellis Island, and perhaps his we'll founded criticism will yet have it's ef- feet in a remedy of that deplorable situation.
 Of Sir Esme William Howard, who is slated to succeed Sir Auckland, the American public knows little, in spite of the fact that he has been attached to one or more British embassies at Washington. Yet Sir William is a diplomat by inclination, training and lifelong service. He has represented his government at the courts of Spain, Berlin and Rome. Doubtless he is a good man or the British would not designate him for the important post, in spite of the turn they owe us for the redoubtable Harvey. Knowing the British as we do, the American people are prepared to welcome Sir William with all cordiality.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-01
ICPELIeHT4Mk kG1 AWAIT oNAE
 NCAPITAlA ii

The secretary of war, John W. Weeks, Is fearful that other young officers of the army. in emulation of Lieutenant Osborne c. Wood, wilt play the stock market with disastrous results.
 He has issued . fathefly warn- ing. In all probability, however, 1t will not be followed. The story of the "clean up" by Wood will be worth millions to Wall Street gamblers by virtue of its wide ad- vertisement
 Secretary Weeks heard of the operations of the young son Of the governor general of the Phil ippines four months ago. He sent for the father-in-law of the boy, Henry B. Thompson of New York. and advised him to suggest to his son-in-law that he attend to busi- ness and abandon his gambling.
 Thompson, it is said. wrote to Governor General Wood citing the suggestion of the secretary. As to whether the Wall Street nego- tiations were terminated or no. cannot be learned.
 Tn the meAntims congress. which Is prone to investigate everything, threatens to investigate the gam bling of Lieutenant Wood. Repre- sentative Frear of wisconsin some days ago introduced resolution calling for the investigation of the conduct of Governor General Wood in the Philippines, a conduct of which the natives have bitterly complained: and especially of the report that Wood once declared that certain members of congress were in the pay of rich natives urging independence for the is- lands.
 when the story of Lieutenant Wood and his sSoo,ooo coup Tn Wall street was developed, Frear declared promptly that his resolu- ton was broad enough to take in the whole Wood family.
 There may be something in the law regarding gambling which ap- plies with greater force to an army officer than a civilian. It is doubtful, however, that congress will be able to proceed criminally against young Wood.
 It may be inferred and devei- oped, however, that his specula- tion on such an enormous scale must have been known by his Ia ther. In that way, a reflection and embarrassment might be brought against the general.
 Unofficially, however, members of congress smile over the exploit of the young man. They compli- ment and congratulate him. And with nearly a million in his pocket, 1t is a safe conjecture that the young winner Is not greAtly wor- ried by the plans and schemes of congress.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-01
THIS IS THE SEASON
 OF FRIENDSHIP
Philadelphia, Public Ledger)

The season whose apex is reached with Christmas and the New Year is valued especially for the emphasis 1t puts on friendship. Tn the year that elapsed since the last festival perhaps some among us had forgotten the influx of in- tense and genial feeling which the Yuletide brings with 1t, even as we forget the spring. so that each new May is green miracle and a fresh wonderment.
 There. are many things for which to give thanks at the threshold of 1924, and. for nothing should we be more grateful than for friends, We are not poor till we have lost them. The loss of his throne to a king, or the loss of his fortune to a millionaire, or the loss of health to one who rejoiced in his physical well-being. is not so great an af- fliction as the loss of friend to one who greatly cares for those who share the human scene with him.
 Friendship islimpe @shable even on earth, for its quality and it's in fluence inevitably pass into our character. If we choose to be friends with the mean and malig- .nant (not to raise them but to adopt their ways5. we shall be- come mean and malignant too. If we by preference consort with greatness of soul and essential nqt bility, we must, though impercepti- bly to ourselves, absorb some- thing of these qualities into our own beings. As we touch pitch and are defiled, so we communi- cate with beauty and partake of it. Habitually to dwell with truth and decency and dignity must all most certainly mean a lasting bias in favor of these lovely things. The child who is brought up among ruffians will be fortunate to avoid having his character per- manently scared. and blasted.
 We. choose our friends, our friends choose us, because we mu- tually find congenial impulses and aspirations. General Stonewall Jackson said the same end must be proposed and the same means approved if friendship Is to Joe fond and lasting. In that greatest friendship of all which subsists be- tween husband and wife there can not be pernnancnce unless both partners have the same ideals in the planning of a home (which is personal rather than an archi- tectural affair." and the training of child.
 Life is said to be. at best, very lonesome business. We are re- minded constantly of upreared walls through which there is no feeling and over which we cannot look, between one human being and another. But a true, deep friendship discovers to each of us surprisingly how near we may ap- proach through all the barriers of sense and custom and our sepa- rate physical frames that are the temples of the indwelling spirit. It is not so much the separate em- bodiments of our beings as it Is the spiritual differences that es- trange and prevent our being friends
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-01
PEOPLES FORUM
Opposes Power Monopoly

To the Editor of The Age-Herald: I read with great interest the editorial in today's issue of your ably edited paper, the envisioned editorial entitled Opening Peo- | ple's Eyes" To one who reads the average "boiler plate" editorial in the dailies, 1t is .'The light of the morn beyond the purple hills-a palm that lifts its coronet of leaves above the deserts sands" l Alabama's potential hydro electric power is It's greatest asset, except it's land. This power where de- veloped will be woven into tho fabric of all life in our state, in- dustrial, educational and agricul- tural. To give great corporation 3 monopoly of this inestimably val uable power Is unthinkable. This power is destined to be so valua- bfe that it's owners will practi- cally own the state. It is true, as MT. Ford stated, That if the power right of Muscle Shoals were sold for a hundred million dollars to private interests to enrich themselves at the expense of the public welfare, the, amount would be insignificant" The public trusts MT. Ford and believes that he will give 1t square deal. Be- sides, there will be wholesome competitors. and 8 fair price to the public. B. F. REA, M. D.
 Lafayette. Ala, Dec. 26, 1923. A Word From Marshall County To the Editor of The Age-Herald: Would you suppose we people of Marshall county felt any in- | terest in your Birmingham and in | all your internal affairs? Indeed, we do. Every time a chance has been given us to vote the right to you people to make such laws and changes for your own govern ment as your people wish and find is best. we people of Marshall de- light in giving you all you ask We are way up here about as near Atlanta as our Birmingham Hub" Yes. but we are loyal to our home town and feel that you are the hub around which we and all our in- terests revolve.
 But listen. Many of the best friends Birmingham has in these parts are rapidly drifting into the | belief that your city Is not capable l of taking care of itself. Sure, we know you have talent galore to 1 blow and make believe you will do some great thing. and then dis sentions come among your leaders and much that we have hoped for is lost in Wrangle. How we won der why such men as we know are fully capable of leading and doing things will sit by and let a few lead it into so many things that are giving your beautiful city such black eye among thinking friends.
 Among all the mistakes we re- call now is this courthouse move which seems to be run by 8 very few of your third-rate politicians, each with an ax to grind, who, I suppose, have the right to do what they are doing and seem to have taken charge while the masses sit by and let them do as they please. am in Birmingham some and nave some interest there, frequent ly to the courthouse, and sorry will I be when the change comes and sorry am I that any man or set of men will disregard the wishes of such an element as are opposing its removal. You have all the lot that's needed and it's 1 where 1t ought to be, and such a | structure as can be built there would grace any city.
 J. D. DAVIS.
 Guntersville. Ala. Dec. IS. 1923.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-01
PERMIT NO TAX STAMPEDE

Although revision of the national tax laws is accepted as . proper sub- ject for congressional attention and action, yet for congress to be stam- peded into passing any measure with out closely examining each provision would be foolish, and perhaps nation ally injurious. Just revision would perhaps not mean reduction in every case or particular, for there are some instances in which there Is unjustified escape from taxation, and such cases need remedy just as desperately as those that are too heavily taxed. Much of the hue and cry for tax reduction does not emanate from the people with the most reason for complaint, but from those whose material profits would be extended by such reduction. From these sources has sprung much of the clamor that is heard. It would not be amiss for congress to turn it's attention briefly to discovery of all the hidden purposes in the general tax plan.
 It is not in opposition to the pro- gram of tax revision and reduction that certain Democrats raise their voices, but in opposition to those fea- lures of the Mellon plan that help those who need no help and neglect those who do. It is unfortunate that this opposition Is supplemented by what may be interpreted as political bid for the support of the farmers. Farmers are no more burdened by taxes than some other groups. The relief that is given must be given equally to farmers and to all others. The tactics that will bring support co the Democrats will consist of the for mutation and substitution of wise pro- visions for those objected to, and the consistent, intelligent and sincere SUD- port of such provisions through thick and thin. The result of such policy would be not to delay progress, as now appears, but to hasten it.
 DILUTE IdA IcuuCCiOH CdIl De luIelll- gently worked out, however, there must be a survey of the sums needed for government and totaling of the appropriations that will be forthcom- ing. Tax reduction must not be al- lowed to bring the collections below the contemplated expenditures. To create a deficit is a far more costly process than to accumulate a surplus, for a surplus carries no interest charge against the public treasury. A deficit does carry such a charge, aside from being direct evidence of financial mis- management. After it is established how much annual revenue the gov ernment shall need for the immediate future, then will congress logically pro- ceed to enactment of such amendments to the tax statutes as will be de- handed; remembering, of course, that justice demands the recovery of es- caped sources of taxation as we'll as the relief of sources already most op- pressively burdened.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-01
STUDENTS OPPOSE WAR

Although college students in various European countries, in Turkey and in China have exerted an organized po- litical influence, student annals in the United States have been singularly lacking in such activities. Therefore, it is with considerable interest that the American people regard the students convention in Indianapolis to organize for campaign against war. It is said that seven thousand delegates representing one thousand higher in- stitutions of learning have come to- gether in this conference. This as- semblage indicates more than ordi- nary interest among the bodies repre- sented.
 Like most conferences of the kind, there are two extreme wings. One is moderate and would be governed by reason in the application of the peace principle; while the other is extreme and would go definitely on record against war in any manner or for any reason. The first division, and per- haps the larger, is practical. The sec ond may be regarded as more vision ary. With the underlying purpose of both groups the public is doubtless in accord, for there is now wider reali- zation that wars are unnecessary, and that the United States, while it might be forced into war, would not provoke war. If the United States would not provoke war, there is no reason why any other nation should. The theory on which our government rests it's premise is that there is no possible subject of international dispute which is not amenable to international law or the principles of logic and justice. That being the case, war will alter neither the law nor the principles.
 Just as a strike in industry is regard ed as unnecessary, because the subject of dispute will finally be settled by con- ference, so a war between nations is unnecessary, because the subject of disagreement will finally be settled by treaty anyhow. Why is it not more logical to proceed to the agreement in any case, without the open break? The students who oppose any war, however, must remember that there are always two parties to a dispute, and that, where one may be open to reason, the other may not. If the un- reasonable one proceeds to war, then the only recourse for the other is to defend itself. Therefore, the resolu- ton approved by the extreme wing to oppose any war might, in its even- tuality, become a move against our own government, which might prove fatal. The American people are opposed to war, but when there is no escape from attack, the American peo- pie are equally unit in defending the country. There is reason in all things, even in that kind of war which can- not be evaded without sacrifice of some substantial principle of interna- tional intercourse. Doubtless the more sober thought of the students will pre- vail.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-01
SMILES
Up-and-Down Corn Field
 

The hills of Calhoun county, Virginia ,are noted for their steep ness. A tourist from some West ern state was driving along one day when he came upon a man struggling in the road just ahead or the car. The driver stopped the car and helped the native to his feet.
 Whats the matter, my good friend; an automobile hit you?" inquired the tourist.
 Hang it, mol" replied the na- tive, pointing to a corn field above the road. This makes the third time I've fell ,out tof that there corn patch this year."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-01
THE NEW YEAR

lsE The Ieart A>ineseA
 Twentv-T Three has been such a fine one for Birmingham. and indeed TOT all Alabama, that we would be 10th to depart from 1t, were it not for the fact that its benefits give every prom ise of flowing through its successor in unbroken continuity, in undimin- ;shea volume and in even richer fruit fulnes.. Nineteen Hundred and Twenty-Three was very good to us' but 1t has bequeathed Nineteen Hun dred and Twenty-Four a heritage that twelve months could scarcely dissipate even were there effort to that end. After all, the break is merely an arbitrary and calendar one. We are still mounting the hill of prosperity and our faces are still steadily set in an upward and onward direction.
 For this community the year just ended has seen no sudden accession of wealth or of opportunity, but 1t has witnessed a steady industry and de- velopment that have affected all lines of endeavor, and that are under such momentum as is bound to carry them
 much further. even though the stimu- Jus of energy and enterprise were un- expectedly lessened. Our industries are on full turn; our people are all employed, and our business and in- dustrial opportunities are being prasped as never before in our his- tory. This city is constantly increas- ing its borders, and its waste places are becoming populous. A new home for every working hour of last year is the tally of our population expan- sion. New records in almost all lines of industrial output form the history of our twelvemonth just completed. Recognition-Uf this city as the metrop- olis of the trade territory in which it sits has come from every side. Every where are the unmistakable signs of growth and of constructive enterprise.
 Such a situation as this is not to be bounded nor hindered by any calendar divisions. The only limits by which Birmingham may be confined are com- prised in the capacities of her citizens. Natures gifts are so various and so lavish that new ones are discovered continually. The opportunity is here in manifold form, and where 1t is not developed, it merely awaits the time < when it shall be utilized. In whatever
 espect Birmingham people have not realized on their opportunities, it must be laid to the fact that they are all ready over-busy with the concerns al- ready in hand. Each day, almost, brings new evidence of the extension of constructive attention to newer fields. As new people come in, as new capital interests itself in our ac- 3tivities, and as existing projects are gotten better in hand, the additional soutlets for enterprise and energy will be made use of. The New Year will inevitably see many of these multi tudinous avenues of opportunity 5trodden by the busy feet of this in- bdhstrious and enterprising commu- Unity.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-01

It appears that there are a good many people in this country who are willing to respect the constitution when it does not clash with their personal tastes and habits. r-r
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-01
50-SO
"Zev to Race in England.
 Fifty English Horses Coming"

"Zev to Race in England"
 Fifty English Horses Coming"
 "Pelota," says a statisticin, "is the national game of Cuba. It is one of the various forms of handball." It is almost as popular as some of the forms of highball.
 Those who watched the Old Year out and the New Year in are easy to pick out among the eager throngs that jostle on the streets.
 This being 1924 and divisible by four, is Leap Year. Line up, Ladi" don't crowd!
 Leap Year is like any oth f, in that the ladies furnish th( Jurage- ment at the psychologist .4nent.
 According to tacit arrangement with the railroads, Birmingham will this year sacrifice a given number of lives to the grade crossings.
 The city commission could save these live What shall be done about it?
 Tn, arc some mAo expect to see the courthouse rnoved this year
 AndN .ere are s4ne who dcn't. .
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-01
Heart and Treasure
(savannah News)

(Savannah News) 1-
 "The heart of America iss with the disabled veterans" says the president. And there is an older saying to the effect that where the heart is there will the treasure be also"--or Is 1t the other way around? 1e
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-01
Oyerdoing It

Eastern reports say the holiday rum trade was dull. ParadoXical as it may seem, their wares were too well advertised.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-01
THE PARAGRAPHERS
In q New Light

(Arkansas Gazette}
 A news picture shows Iii John son listening in at the radio. Any picture that shows Hi Johnson listening is news. ies .%-.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-01

The New Hampshire girl who milks fifteen cows before breakfast and walks two miles to school will prob ably not have to advertise for . hus- band, -s.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-01

A Boston newspaper says that Mas sachusetts has not had president for many years. Isn't there an old saying about the uselessness of chasing . street-car after one has oyertaken it?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-01
BMN IN THE SOUTH

IfiIIISDOrO OaZette1
 man can't expect to be treated ; an equal by his fellow-men when he knows the difference be- tween crepe de chine and organdie.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-01

Here is wholesome, if true, situa- tion as set forth by Milwaukee news paper: Slowly, but none the less surely, the public mind is waking up to the elementary fact that public off ficir..cc are elected for other purposes