davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-15
Gordon Johnston Coming Home After Duty In
 Philippines

WASHINGTON, July IA. Lieut., Col. Gordon Johnston, U. s. A., of Birmingham is en route to the United States by way of the Suez canal from a tour of duty in nsanila.
 "That'll be all for you, because you've got 'em all," or words to that effect, Uncle Sam remarked to him recently, on awarding to him the distinguished service cross just before he left the Philippine capital.
 The ceremony made Colonel John- ston the most decorated officer of his rank in the United States army, but left him, as it were, stymied. He now holds every distinction of this sort his government has power to bestow. His bag includes the rarely awarded con gressional medal of honor, the distin- guished service medal and the distin- guished service cross. On his campaign badge for the Spanish-American war and Philippine insurrectiaon, he is fur ther entitled to wear three silver stars denOting three separate citations for heroism in action.
 In addition to all this, France made him an officer of the Legion of Honor after the World war. Japan conferred on him the insignia of the third class Imperial Order of 1Ieiji and China also honored him with a decoration.
 Colonel Johnston comes of a fighting family from a fighting state. His fath- CT was Gen. Robert D. Johnston, of Birmingham, and the Confederate army, while his uncle was the late Senator Joseph k. Johnston of Alabama. Cor don Johnston was graduted from Prince ten in the class of '96. In 1898 he en- listed in the Rough Riders, but got stalled in Tampa, where he was left Tn charge of the horses. To even up, the next year he enlisted in the regular forces and won commission from the ranks.
 On March S1, 1900, while serving as a second lieutenant, Forty-third ln- fantry, U. S. Volunteers, he won his first silver star, for gallantry in action against Filipino insurgents at Dagaml, Leyte. Within a month he won sec ond star for similar gallantry ln an rttack near La Paz in the same island Earlier in the Leyte campaign, on Feb ruary 1, he performed the act for which, after 24 years, he has just received his distinguished service cross. The citation for it runs:
 For extraordinary heroism in action at Pale, Leyte While in command of a small detachment of scouts he dis played remarkable gallantry and lead ership in charging a greatly superior force of intrenched insurgents in the face of cannon and rifle fire, driving the enemy from their DO ition and capturing the town of Pale"
 For his third silver star he had to wait till he was first lieutenant
 lContinned on Page TWO.l
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-15
ESTABLISHES HOME FOR NEWSPAPER MEN Former Congressman Is Back
 Of Flcrida Project

ALTAMoNT SPRINGS, Fla, July 14.-Former Congressman Charles D. Haines, officially gave over the future Home for Newspaper Editors with his personal check for $10,0OO at the meet ing today to which he had invited all members of the Florida Newspaper mems association to gather at his home here. The home is to be for old news papermen and newspaper women, who care to spend part of their time with associates of their profession.
 The project will be known as the Florida National Newspapermen's home to be located on the Haines estate. It was officially started with MT. Haines' gift of forty acres of groves and Mrs. Haines' bequest of twenty-five acres of ground, including the theatre and house which has been erected. On the death of Mir. Haines and his wife approxi- mately 700 more acres will be added and an additional $100,OOO in stocks and bonds will be given later"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-15
TAMMANY HALL ELECTS OLVANY AS NEW CHIEFTAN
Will Step Into Shoes Of Late Charles F.
 Murphy
DAVIS AND BRYAN
 PLEDGED SUPPORT
New Boss Was Born On East Side Near "Al"
 Smith
IRv AssneiatAd Press. ]

NEW YORK, July 14.-Judge George W. Olvany of the court ot general sessions was today elected chieftain of Tammany Hall as sue cessor to he late Charles F. Murphy.
 The executive committee which unanimously voted for Judge Olvany, also passed resolution in. dorsing the democratic national ticket pledging it's undivided and loyal support" to the candidates John W. Davis and Gov. Charles ". Bryan of Nebraska. The commit tee further expressed its approval of the progressive and forward looking platform" adopted by the democratic convention.
 Judge Olvany has been active in the affairs of the organization for many years. He is AS years old.
 Born almost within the shadow of Governor Smiths home in the lower East Side, June 20, 1878, the eigh- teenth birthday of the Tammany chief tain whom he succeeds, Judge Olvany's life has been closely interwoven with that of Governor Smith.
 College Graduate
 Judge Olvany was educated in the publis schools of Greenwich Village where he has lived since he was six months old. He was graduated from New York university in 1896 and in the same year was admitted to the state bar and to practice in federal courts. Soon after he entered the cor poration counsefs office.
 His debut in politics was made in 1905 as an alderman. For two and one-half years, Judge Olvany was first deputy commissioner of the fire de- partment under Mayor Gaynor, acting as trial commissioner.
 .Goyernor Smith as sheriff of New York county appointed Judge Olyany counsel in the sheriff 6 office, 2 pasitioE he occupied untif Appointed general sessions judge by Governor Smith last January.
 His elevation to the bench induced him to resign two important positions in the Tammany organization, one as member of the executive committee which he held for 12 years, the other as chairman of the law committee to which he succeeded surrogate James A. Foley four years ago.
 Judge Olvany was married in 1911 to Miss Agnes Halpin of Scarboro, N. Y. They have one son, George w. Olvany, Jr., Il years old. His mother, Mrs. Harriet Olvany, is living. His father, James J. Oliyany died few months ago.
 He is a member of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church, the democratic county committee, New York County Lawyers association, Elks, New York Athletic club, Delta Chi fraternity, Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, and other organiza- tinnR
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-15
COOLIDGE GIVES
 IDEA ON HEREAFTER
Sees Heaven PeOpled By Young
 As Well AS Old

NEW YORK, July 14.-His concep- tion of a hereafter as an abode of the vital and vigorous of the young as well as the old, sustained President Coolidge when his son lay dying, according to the Rev. Dr. Jason Noble Pierce, pastor of the First Congressional church of Washington, D. C., who spoke at the Marble Collegiate church, pointing this out in a sermon today on the Presidents hour of sorrow and now he passed through it.
 q told the President" Dr. Pierce said, that in this sickness God was the consulting doctor trying vainly to tell his colleagues here below how to save this life, because they were not able perfectly to understand Gods laws. The diseases which are fatal today are halted tomorrow"
 The President made this reply, ac- cording to the preacher:
 That may all be we'll, but what would heaven be like it if were made np only of old men and women"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-15
SLIDING
 g.sACT BLET SO[JTHERNRY. Construction Of 1O-Story Structure To Begin
 This Week OTHER PROJECTS
 TO COST $135, ,O0O Apartment House And Business Block Among
 Developments

Contracts for the proposed South ern railway office building on the southeast corner of First avenue and Twenty-second street have been awarded to the Smallman-Brice Construction company, according to a communication from J. B. Nun son, vice president of the road, to The Age-Herald, Monday. This makes the sixth structure of ten stories or over to be definitely an- nounced for the downtown district within four months.
 Other building developments re- ported during the day involve ap- proximately $135, ,000. They include a different" apartment building at Thirty-first street and Highland avenue a brick business block at 2115-17 First avenue, and additions to the Ensley office of the Bir- nningham Electric company.
 The construction program for the Southern Railway building. which in- ciudes the raging of q brick building now occupying the site. will begin the last of the week. It will be completed by April 1.
 Plans call for 10 stories with 50- foot frontage on First avenue and 1O0- foot depth. Material will be reinforced concrete with knickerbocker red brick facing.
 New Ideal Apartment
 D. o. Whilden, architect, with the purchase of 200 feet on Highland ave nue through the Birmingham Realty company, announced that he would con- struct q $75,000 apartment on the site. Although plans are not yet complete Whilden said it would be new idea" in the apartment field.
 A brick business block with 5O-foot frontage on, First avenue, running bacI to Morris avenue, costing around S35, 900, was annouuced by Carl Enzlen oi the Enslen Real Esta fe and Inanranc. company, which will act as renfa agents for the property. The building win be one-story in height on First and because of the grade, two stories or Morris. Enslen reported that the new apartment dwellings at Oak street and Highland avenue, being promoted by the company, were progressing rapidly and would be ready for occupancy by De- tober 1.
 Ensley offices of the Birmingham Electric company, located at 611 Nine teenth street, will be enlarged with two two-story buildings on each side of the present quarters, it was said. This i'm. provement will cost $25,000.
 Work on the Piedmont, Birmingham new 13-story hotel, is being rushed to completion. Both night and day forces are now employed with the purpose of having the building completed by February 1.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-15
COURTS TSAFFAIRS
 ARE UNDER PROBE BY STATE AGENTS
Collection Of Receipts Un- der Way, Auditors
 State

Collection of receipts for money paid into thiId division of the municipal court during the past two or three years has been started by the two state audi tors, who are now making check on the finance books of the court.
 Action of the auditors in moving for the collection of receipts is believed to add weight to reports that discrep- ancy in the accounts of the court exists. Although they earlier had, as. serted that their work probably would be finished within two weeks, it is ex- pected that the collection movement will result in prolonged audit.
 Details Scarce
 Details of the probe were scarce Public officers refused to commit them selves on the matter, stating merely that tho official report of any short ase in the court financt6 has beer made, 2, R. t. Ayety and " I4. ssssl comb. the two state auditors, would not admit that they had been sent here to conduct an investigation of q sup posed shortage.
 They said, however, that they had come to Birmingham at the lnst1gation of Judge Charles E. Mccall, chief state examiner, to make a thorough audit ot the finance books of the department since January 1, 1917.
 "We have not finished our work yet, and have neither a shortage nor an average to report" Malcomb said, when asked if shortage reports were founded on facts.
 "As soon as we finish the check-up A report will be made to the proper state authorities and the entire affair will be made public" he continued. ''XVe cannot 20 into any details Of the matter at the present time, and are un- able to confirm reports"
 fudge Lea is out of the city on a vacation and could not be reached Mon day night. The audit does not in any way affect him, however, it is stated, and should any irregularity be revealed when the final report is made by the auditors 1t will not involve him, 1t was learned.
 Opinion at the cour house varied as to the exact mission of the aualkotS' Some officials declared the lnvestfga- ton had to do with the collection or re- lease fees in garnishment cases, and that if any action grew out of the probe, It would be merely civil proceeding
 The claim was made that there IS doubt as to the legality of clerks in the division collecting this release fee, and that. anticipating a contest, the state IS having a check made by it's auditors to ascertain the total amount of such fees collected since 1917.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-15
$l,OOO,OOO, BANK
 CLOSES ITS DOORS
Institution Losing Money Di-
 rectOrs Report

ST. LOUIS, July 14-The Republic National bank, here, with resources of approximately $4,O0O,000, according to the last published statement, today closed it's doors permanently The board of directors decided to iquidate because the bank was losing money.
 Members of the clearing house as- sociation agreed to guarantee the pay ment of all deposits. The loss to the holders of $1 100000 in stock was not announced, but one official estimated it would be between $750, 900 and $90O,- 900. The bank was organized in 1921 by William Sacks, wealthy oil operator, with w. E. Brown, previously a Tulsa, Okla. banker, as president. Considera- ble business was done with Oklahoma oil men and banks. J. K. Lewis suc- ceeded Brown in 1922.
 Sacks is under federal indictment at Indianapolis, on a charge of using the mails to defraud as a trustee of the United Home Builders of America. He retired as a director of the Republic bank last January when his $200,000 in stock was taken over by syndicate formed for the purpose.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-15
START PROBE OF CITY WELFARE BUREAU
PHOTO OF DAVIS
 STATS PACKED : ON STABLE DOOR

T EXINGTON, Va, July 14.-A
 photograph of John ". Davis
 is tackled on a Lexington stable door. It has been there 30 years and will remain if the wishes of the democratic presidential nomintee are followed.
 When MT. Davis was student at Washington and Lee, he formed friendship with Uncle Matt" Will son, negro servant. The young West virginian boarded with the family of Prof. James J.. White and the negro often waited on him.
 One day Mr.. Davis went to Bal timore to attend meeting of his fraternity and while there had his photograph made. He gase one of them to Uncle Matt" andsupon the stable door it was tackled.
 MT. Davis visited Lexington re- gently and Dr. Reid White who re- sides in the White home now, show ,e ed him the photograph. He asked what should be done with it. Mir. Davis requested that it be permit ted to remain where his old black friend, who died several years ago, had placed it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-15
US. PLIERS WELCOMED IN PARIS Smiths Command Com pletes 1S,OOO Miles Of
 World Flight FRENCH AIR MEN FORM HONOR GUARD Crowds At Leboinget Overwhelrn Guards In
 Enthusiasm LONDON SCHEDULED FOR NEXT LANDING Globe Tour Only 16 Days
 Behind Original
 Program
LONDON SCHEDULED FOR NEXT LANDING
pr Assnciatad A Press. ]


 PARIS. Jtiy 14.--The United States army fliers who are circiing the globe swept over Paris this ait ernoon and landed safely at Lebour- get Airdrome lS days behind sched- uIe, but with gain of IF dlys to their credit since they left Tokyo:
 The pilotssof the three planes ana their assistants were in fine health, inspite of weeks of h>avy strain, but they were tired and almost overcome by the enthusiasm of their reception. ],
 Six men. in all, under command of Lieut.. Lowell H. Smith, have come over the, long air trail, rom the Pacific coast of the American continent to their present resting place. a distance of nearly 1S.OOO miles in something less than four months. They wilk not remain here long. but will proceed to London. and from there, flying by way of Orkney Islands, Iceland and Green land. Labrador md Quebec will go speeding back to the homeland. Stars And Stripes Float
 The Stars and Stripes Aoated in pro fusion beside the Tri.color as far as the eye could see at Lehcurget, ana lsdnadfons of Frepch aiaplaaes were in readiness thron2is6 the daY 70 ascend and accompany the American ayiators as soon as word came that they were approaching Paris.
 So great were the crowds to vel come them that the small fOfee Of guards was overwhelmed,
 .'This is 6ne of the most agreeable things yet" remarked Lieutant Wade, but his chief, Lieutenant Smith merely asked How do we stand in the Olympic?"
 Lieutenant Smith though entirely re- covered from former mishap was visibly in need of sleep and he with. drew into the background and insisted that Lieutenant Wade do the talking in reply to the official.welcome. This he did briefly, but later told of some of their experiences.
 'The snows of Alaska, a sandstorm in India and a semi-shipwreck off the coast of Japan have been the hardest spots in our trip" he said.
 / Soviets Contrary
 Off the coast of Russia the soviets refused to allow the ayiators to land. This was annoying but not serious as the Americans had already descended and were ready to take off just as they received word of the Russians decision, This experience, according to Lieutenant Wade, showed the value of forethought in having a supply boat on the spot.
 'Fog and rain hindered us lot when approaching Japan" he con tinued. We were obliged to take to American mad Japanese destroyers, leaving our planes to bob on the high sea like corks for 24 hours. They re- (COnEinged on Page Two.)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-15
 IN FUNDS
 IS RUMOR Officials Remain Silent Until After Sweeping
 Investigation PRELIMINARY CHECK DISCLOSES NOTHING Reports Of Alleged lrreg. ularities Have Been
 Made EMPLOYES CLOSETED WITH COMMISSIONER Check-Up On All Welfare
 Contributions Is
 Next Step
PRELIMINARY CHECK DISCLOSES NOTHING
EMPLOYES CLOSETED WITH COMMISSIONER

Financial affairs of the city well fare department are under investl- gation at city hall, it was learned Monday.
 Rumors of shortage were afloat, but officials said they would main tain a policy of silence until the probe is completed.
 This department is under direct supervision of Commissioner Mary Echols. Before she left for the New York convention, she conduct ed a preliminary inquiry which failed to disclose discrepancies.
 After she left the city, reports of other alleged irregularities were made to members of the commission. Comp troller c. E. Armstrong, it is learned, checked the books and reported that, on the surface, there was nothing wrong.
 Next, it is learned, the Community Chest, which works hand-in-hand with the welfare department, was to check up items which it disbused through the department. Again, it was found that no discrepancies existed in book entries.
 Conference Is Held
 Monday, employees of the department. which is in charge of Fred A. Culley, welfare officer, were closeted with com mission members and are said to have diyulged additional inferhiation.
 These cor ferenceg brought the re- port that check-upso all conGril1us tions made by citizens for welfare work will be the next step. It may take several weeks to complete the task.
 Commissioner Echols is en route home from New York, and probably will be in sher office Tuesday.
 Commission President D. E. McLen- don admitted that charges of a short age in the department had been brought to his attention and that a painstaking investigation is under way.
 Mrs. EchOIs Awaited
 He added that he and other com missioners would confer with Mrs. Echols on her return, transmit all the information received since her depar- ture, and place the future handling of the situation directly in her charge.
 Although city authorities had been prying into the departments affairs for two weeks or more, the news did not leak out until onday. It i'm mediately caused a sensation and gave city hall something else to talk about.
 Names of the persons who laid the charges of alleged discrepancies before city authorities were carefully guarded at city hall.
 Officials in charge of the department said if anything was wrong they did not know it, and that they welcomed a full investigation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-15
FIVE KNOWN DEAD
 IN KANSAS STORM
Four Unidentified Bodies RecOv-
 cred From Wreckage

AUGUSTA, Kan, July 1.-The bodies of five persons have been re- covered from the wreckage of storm that visited this district last night, Brigadier Charles A. Martin of the Kansas national guard, announced to- day. Three unidentified bodies were taken from the debris of an oil well shanty southeast of here and another unidentified body was found near the local railroad yards.
 Mrs. R. F. Scott, wife of carpenter, was instantly killed when struck on the head by a flying timber. The storm damaged almost every business house and scores of residences. The oil fields between here and Eldorado also re- ported serious storm damaged. Many oil derricks were wrecked.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-15
OKLAHOMAN HELD
 ON POSTAL CHARGE
Former Postmaster At Wheeler
 Bound Over

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, July IA Thomas E. Redwine was bound over to federal court at Huntsville, Ala, to- day following a hearing before Com missioner Charles w. Luske. on a charge of embezzlement of postal funds. Postoffice Inspector Gibbs of Birming- ham, testified against Redwine, who was at one time in charge of the post office at Wheeler, Ala. Redwine gave hond.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-15
CONCEALED LIQUOR
 COSTS. MATE $IOI
Thompson Pleads Guilty In
 Mobile Court

MOBILE, Ala. July 14.-(Spe- cial. )-Jens C.. Thompson, deck officer on the steamer Saccarappi, in dry dock here, undergoing repairs, arrested after 90 cases of prohibited wines and whisky were found in secret tank on that vessel, pleaded guilty in the inferior and costs of court was imposed on him. Thompson told the court that the liquor was his property. Robert B. Bolts, an- other deck officer, arrested by Sheriff Paul G. Cazalas following the seizure, was discharged.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-15
ORGANIZED LABOR
 NOT TO TAKE STAND
Will Not Endorse Any Candi-
 Gatc In ~?nnessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn, July 14.-or- ganized labor in Tennessee will not indorse any candidate for any office be- fore the coming primary election in Tennessee, according to a decision ar rived at by group of 100 represen- tatives of various labor organizations of the state which met here today.
 The conference voted to instruct or ganized labor in Tennessee to vote for the repeal of the state public utilities act.
 It was announced that organized labor in Tennessee will not indorse presidential candidate until after the state primary.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-15
COOLIDGE SENDS
 FRANCE GREETINGS
Bastille Day Draws CommemO-
 ration From President

WASHINGTON, July 14.-Presi- dent Coolidge sent the following mes sage to the president of France on the occasion of the celebration of Bastille Day:
 ''On this historic anniversary it gives me especial qualification to extend to Your Excellency heartfelt congratula- tions and the assurances of my high re- gard and west wishes"