davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-26
SOUTH IN POLITICS
(Tampa Tribune)

A writer in the New York Times is persuaded that the South is going to be the scene of something do- ing in national political affairs next year. He says the Republican leaders are hoping to accomplish worthwhile results in the direction of smashing the "Solid South" this time. The issues which, according this writer, will complicate the problem throughout this section are prohibition and Muscle Shoals.
 As to prohibition, Southern feel ing is more one of exasperation at the efforts of other sections to null lify the constitution than it is a discussion of the merits or demerits of the case. To all intents and pur- poses the South is the initiator of the present prohibition movement. True enough, Maine and Kansas have the chronological advantage, but itswas Tennessee, Georgia, Ala. bama, Florida, the Carolinas and Kentucky which led the road to na- tional prohibition.
 Ten to twenty years ago nearly every Southern state fought, bled and voted on statewide dry meas ures. From two to six elections were held on the subject and the verdict of the voters was more em- phatically dry each election.
 Practical politicians with a work ing knowledge of most of the South ern states are of the opinion that 8 wet Democrat on a wet, moist or ambiguous platform would not be able to count upon North Carolina, Alabama, Texas, Oklahoma or Ken lucky with any too great assurance. In Texas the dry issue is rarticu- larly vital, and Tom Love, Demo- cratic national committeeman of the Lone Star State, has declared that the Republicans would carry the state against wet candidate.
 Alabama is another strongly dry state, in which the vets have been chased out of office and power after many ballot battles. South Carolina, Mississippi and Arkansas are, to be sure, solidly Democratic. Not even a combination of prohibit tion and Muscle Shoals could turn them over. Nor is there any cause for Republican elation in Virginia, for, outside of the fighting Ninth" which returned C., Bascom Slemp to congress from 1907 to 1922, against six Democratic candidates, the Old Dominion is unshakably true to its traditions.
 The Tribune fails to see, however, in what way the South's strong be- lief in prohibition can give the Re publicans any encouragement or hope of making substantial inroads on the political solidarity of this section. T..
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-26
A PINCH OF SNUFF
(New York Herald)

N4NCW 4OLA A4CANANt
 Snuff takers are no longer fa- miliar figures in the life of the day, but they have not disappeared by any means. Data collected by the National Bank of Commerce show that twice as much snuff is now used as the demands of twenty years ago required and three times as much of the article is annually produced now as was made thirty years ago.
 In 1890 the production of snuff was 9,435,0O0 pounds. Although there was little increase in the dec ade following, in 1920 production was g per cent. greater than it had been in 1910, while. the increase in population during this period was only 15 per cent. In the decade from 1900 to 1910 production was almost doubled. During the last ten years there has been less rapid in- crease although there, has been. a steady growth in the demand for snuff.
 When the manufacture of snuff in this country passed into the com | AHcICIdl StdSe u WdS thc Virginia growers who in the main produced the quality of tobacco required to make this product. The manufac- tories were then in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Lynohburg and other cities accessible io the plantations. When the cultivation of dark leaf tobacco placed Tennessee ahead of Virginia the cities of Nashville and Memphis became important manu' lfacturing centers in the snuff busi ness. They retain their importance today, but the manufacture of Swedish snuff is concentrated ir I Chicago.
 The determined opposition of some of the Western states to smoking ir public may have increased the use of snuff to three times it's former
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-26
FIRST, GET THE FACTS

A distinguished English critic once said that when a speaker or writer undertakes to discuss a subject, it were we'll that first he inform him. self as to the facts bearing upon the theme he chooses for treatment. Per haps this would apply to Senator Brookhart and an address he recently made on the agricultural situation. Senator Brookhart, it is true, seems to say what he pleases, regardless of the facts, as some of his public utter ances suggest. But even a practice of that sort might we'll be so modified as to restrain him in his use of statis- tics, as he gathers or employs them in support of his statements.
 For instance, Senator Brookhart, who does not seem to draw a marked distinction between having something to say. and having to say something" when it comes his turn to speak, which the record shows is quite frequently, recently declared that according to the last official census there is a rural population of 51,0O0,00O in the United States, and he added: Those are the farmers of the United States and the producing labor on the farms. ' The fact is that the figures given by the Iowa statesman include everybody in the United States, irrespective o1 sex, age, race or condition, whether producers or otherwise, who do not reside in incorporated places having g population of more than 2,5OO. Hence
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-26
PEOPLES FORUM
Public Should Take More Interest r,e 4Le ECI.4o. of rI,l, A oa Haaald.

FuDIlC SNOulU lHhe NkOFO 4HGSF6SG To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 It is interesting to note that the following are the causes for which the eleven prisoners who have re- gently been pardoneI by President Coolidge were serving:
 Violation of anti-narcotic law; so- liciting to commit n. felony: lost sight of both eyes while in prison ; receiving stolen goods; violation of prohibition jaws; contempt of court ; altering an obligation of the United States; assault and battery: viola tion of prohibition laws; forgery ; murder; murder in defense of his sister who was being beaten by her stepfather.
 There is a general impression that nearly all the prisoners are burg lars or guilty of acts of violence, and a better understanding that this is not the case might help to lessen the bitter feeling that generally ex- ists and that impels many people to say that it is not worth while to give the matter any attention, that all the prisoners will always be criminals, and that it does not mat ter how they are treated in prison. As I have often said, swift and sure justice is most important as a de- terrent to crime. After conviction the important thing is so to treat the prisoner that there is a chance of his being able to take care of himself and his family aftre his discharge and that he will not be likely to spread disease, either men, tai or physical, after he again be- comes a part of the general com munity. It is more to the interest of the public to deal with this mat ter without prejudice and hatred. There should be an examination of the prisoners as to their mental and physical condition, and treatment accordingly. We should have the right kind of wardens and keepers, see that sanitary conditions prevail in the prisons, give the prisoners the right kind of work to do and which they can perform without breaking them down in health, if possible such work that they can use after their discharge and that will get them used to the working habit. The point I particularly want to emphasize is that the larger and best part of the public should take more interest in this most difficult question.
 ADOLPH LEWISOHN.
 New York, Jan. IS, 1924.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-26

in considerable measure. Oil com panies pass their losses as well as their expenditures on to the people. Therefore, the ultimate effect of our little naval maneuver was to keep the price of gasoline from soaring to still loftier flights, and experience has shown that, no matter how high prices get, they never tumble through dizziness. There is always an eco homie reason for their descent, even more than for their ascent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-26
MERIDIAN RATE CASE AGAIN

It IS not surprising that body with such far-reaching responsibilities and concern as the Interstate Commerce Commission should occasionally make mistakes. It is surprising, however, that it should make mistake so glar- ing and perpetrate an injustice so patent as is involved in certain appli- cations of what is known as the Me ridian rate decision. It is not easily understood how the commission, once the inequities of this decision are made manifest, should hesitate to amend it to conform to the principles of com nonsense. The Meridian rate decision was not made without numerous hear ings and the presentation of briefs against it by representatives of the To- calities most concerned. The over ruling of all these objections consti- tutes one of the weirdest acts of the federal commission to date.
 In~ revising the rate structure of Alabama the Public Service Commis- sion finds itself baked and blocked at every turn by the inhibitions of the Meridian schedules, which, while they may confer some benefit on Meridian, certainly work a hardship upon many another center. The Public Service Commission has accordingly called upon the federal commission to ar1end or annul the Meridian schedules so as fr &An rtok just rates on shipments within Ala bama affected by these schedules so as to make them conform to the gen. eral rate structure, not only of this state, but also of the adjoining states of Mississippi and Georgia.
 The commodities specifically men toned as being disas;rously affected by the Meridian schedules are cotton, hay, cement, clay and siiale products. Taking hay, for example, it is pointed out that, while there is no important movement of Alabama hay to Meri- dian, there is a movement of Missis- sippi hay to Alabama points at lower rate than from nearer Alabama pro ducing centers to the same points. The effect of the rates in this respect is to place Alabama producers at a dis advantage in their own nearby mar kets and to give the advantage to the Mississippi producers. The nearer Alabama producers are not even on parity with their Mississippi competi- tors. Perhaps the Interstate Com merce Commission sees equity in this arrangement, but if so its vision is more penetrating than that of any body else who has considered the subject. There are similar outstand- ing discrepancies and inequalities, in- volving injustice to Alabama pro ducers of all the other commodities mentioned. The Interstate Commerce Commission, in its recent decisions on the Meridian schedules and the Warrior rate divisions, has failed to justify its discsrnment as far as the public welfare in Alabama is con- cerned
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-26

volume, but it is nevertheless true that there is little evidence in the East that the habit even retains it's hold on the public! Snuff, however. as means of accomplishing the same results as tobacco in other forms has always been a less ob- trusiye agent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-26
ESSENTIAL TO PREVENT CRIME

Recognition that part of the essen- tial function of a prison is the re- mobilization of men and women, so that when they return to civilian life they will not also return to lives of crime, is not new, but it has not been impressed upon many prison admins trations with sufficient emphasis. The causes of crime are various, and it is only by study of individual cases that it can be determined whether en- vironment, pathological circumstance lack of ability to earn livelihood or some other condition or combination of conditions is responsible. What ever the reason, it is certain that gov ernment stops short of its responsi- bility if it fails to prevent return to crime when by intelligent administra- tion such return is preventable.
 The program of convict rehabilita- ton is sometimes referred to by those who have considered it superficially as sentimentalism. That, of course, may be the reaction of some who are in favor of prison reforms, but the basic reason for such a policy is very ma terial and practical. It costs money to detect and convict criminals. It costs money to maintain prisoners in penal institutions. Crime is a public burden, not only because of the ex- pense of maintaining the agencies of justice, but also because of the civil ian losses due to burglary, arson, murder, and other ihvasions of the private right. If crime can be pre- vented, that is a far more beneficial and intelligent result than trial and punishment after the crime is com mitted. The prison is a laboratory made to order for the study of crime as a disease requiring treatment just the same as any other. Only in the case of criminals, the services not only of physicians and surgeons are re- quired, but also psychologists, sociolo- gists and educators.
 When a convict is discharged from durance, he will either return to his old habits, or he will try to live an honest and honorable life. Unless he is himself of unusual character, which is not likely. he will return to crime if he has not come under such prison influences as will start him on another road. Aside from the curing of physical, mental and educational deficiencies, perhaps there is no more wholesome influence than possession of a trade or vocation, acquired dur ing imprisonment, by which the freed prisoner may earn his living in a law full manner. Vocational training for convicts, coupled with some means of bringing them on their discharge into contact with employment, cannot fail to have a noticeable effect in lessen- ing crime. There are statistics to show that such betterment will fol- low. Intelligent methods of rehabili- tating criminals and preventing their return to crime are indispensable to a proper discharge of the government obligation to protect citizens against lawlessneSs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-26
MULTIPLE BOND ISSUES

whether the question or DonO issues for schools and for other important public improvements should be submit ted to vote of the people in one cleo tion or whether separate elections should be held on specific projects is a matter of opinion. While some claim that the proposed large bond issue for school improvements was de- feated some time ago because issues for several other public improvements were submitted at the same time and confusion was therefore created in the peoples minds, the real reason for defeat of the school bond issue was that the people were not "sold" on the proposition.
 The people are competent to vote intelligently on proposed bond issues for public improvements when defi- mite plan setting forth the needs, the purposes, the costs and the admins tration of the funds is presented. They can vote as intelligently on sev- eral projects in one election as in sev- eral elections for separate projects, if such projects are clearly set forth. ] This has been demonstrated time and again in other cities, and is the usual way of handling such situations. A notable instance was the recent cleo tion in Los Angeles to determine whether bond issues totaling 1,500,- 900 should be authorized. These bonds were to take care of several public projects, and the election in- cluded also the primary nomination of municipal administration tickets and the choice of a city district congress- man. Of the total amount of pro- posed bonds, $15,OO0,000 were for further harbor improvements, $7,500,- 900 for a new city hall, S2,000,000 for viaducts across Los Angeles river, $1,500,000 for additional playgrounds, and $500,000 to purchase additional land as site for a public library, for which $2,500,000 had already been voted.
 All of these questions were decided in one election. All of the bond is- sues were authorized, except one, by more than a three-quarters vote, in- stead of the necessary two-thirds. The only proposed bond issue which was defeated-and by a vote almost the exact reverse of the stamp of ap- proval placed by the voters on the various other projects-was relative to the one item of $35,000,000 to build hydro-electric power plant and a high voltage transmission line from the Colorado river to Los Angeles. It was shown that it would be several years before the city could begin the construction of a power plant at the point proposed, and that meantime this bond issue leeway of $35,0OO,OOO might be required for other desirable public projects, while the necessary bond issue for this project will be readily voted later.
 The voters of Los Angeles are no more intelligent than those of Bir- mingham. Both possess proper dis crimination when definite plans and programs are set before them. The people of Birmingham may be relied on to vote intelligently on the plo- posed several bond issues if they are presented with reliable information of what is needed, what the costs will be and how the funds will be admin istered. It all depends on whether the public welfare calls for one or more projects at this time.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-26
THE REAL STUFF
(Toledo Blade)

A factory has been established on the coast of Austria for turning turtles into turtle soup. The raw supply, according to the account, is inexhaustible. So in time. as fac tory processes are completed, the products are carried over the seas, the customs offices are passed and the goods are put on the merchants shelves, turtle soup made out of tourtles will compete with soup sup- posed to be fabricated from turtles. It remains to be seen whether con sumers can adjust their pllates to 1t.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-26
Denial of Rights (Andalusia Starl

No man should be allowed to go as delegate to represent the Democ- racy of Alabama who could not be elected by the Democratic voters of Alabama. To permit any man to select the Democratic delegates is q denial of the rights and time-hon- pred privilege of the rank and file of the party to choose their own representatives The authors of the presidential preferential primary are no more suspicious of the delegates who might be chosen in a regular primary than the voters of Alabama are of the authors of that law.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-26
For Better Stock Admission Starl

It is a hopeful sign of the times that Alabama farmers are realizing the value of pure-bred stock and are getting away from the old idea of just any kind of a COW Or any kind of a chicken, or any kind of a hog. Every year at county fairs it is shown that thoroughbred stock of every kind does better in every way, brings in far better returns and costs practically no more to keep than common or scrub stock. And those farmers who have the good grades of live stock or chickens get the best results in dollars and cents, which after all is the test.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-26
HE IS-
(wichita Falls Record-News)

(Wichita Falls Record-News)
 Judge William Sleeper, a promi- nent Democrat of McLennan coun- ty, is of the opinion that the peo- pie are fast adopting the policy of voting for men and measures, ignOr- ing party lines to a greater extent at each succeeding election. If so, the people who think for themselves are to be congratulated. Unless a man does his ow minimizing he is the slave of others. Unless he does his own voting he is a vassal.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-26
MesOzOic Mode
(Florida Times-Union

(Florida Times Union)
 Daughter: Tt says here in the paper they have a dihosaur on dis play at the Bon Marche.
 Mir. Neurich: ''For heavens sake don't tell your maw-she'll want to buy it and wear it to the dinner table" 3r
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-26
Chestnut

Beneath a spreading chestnut tree The lonely smithy stands. The smith, a radio bug is he,
 With soft and useless hands, Who listens in increasingly
 On orchestras and bands.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-26
Will Help Wonderfully
Huntsville Times)

The development of the several beautiful and adjacent subdivisions to Greater Huntsville will help won- derfully toward the permanent ex- pansion of this metropolis of the Tennessee Valley, or Henry Ford. Muscle Shoals section of North Ala bama.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-26
Fine Weather For Farmer (FlOrence Daily News)

This is fine weather for the far mer to do some of his belated plow- ing, and we hope he will not miss the opportunity. The Ford offer is interesting, but we cannot allow it to engage our attention to the ex- clusion of our regular business. And especially is this true of the far mer. Ford getting the Shoals next month will not help in doing the blowing that should be done now.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-26
He Won't Enjoy His Visit

(Cleveland Times-C Commercial
 Hi Johnson Going Into Massa chusetts.-Headline. To walk right in and turn around and walk right out again?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-26

A Florida contemporary, after a careful study of the situation on the home grounds, concludes that the trouble with many golfers is that they can't reconcile the eighteenth amend ment with the nineteenth hole.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-26
Herb Needs to See Optician
(Ohio State Journon

VVHIO OIhte JOurnAIJ
 Secretary Hoover says he finds within the United States a general spirit of prudence and absence of speculation, and we wonder where he looked?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-26
SMILES
Presumption
(Harper's Magazinel

NIIUIPcK -NubNNIICI
 A teacher in the foreign quarter had in her class a pupil so unruly that it became necessary to write to the child's father.
 My dear MT. Stankovitch," the letter began.
 The next day a very stout and very irate woman appeared in the class room hourishing a paper.
 "I will teach you to call my hus- band my dear r" she cried. "Why, he say he ain't never saw you in his life and I believe him, you piece of impudence '"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-26
Another Definition
 TN.

X grouch is a man who kicks if his wife wants ten cents a day for carfare, but pays 25 cents day himself for parking space downtown for his car.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-26
MORE TRUTH THAN POETRY


 Meet the Miser Forty widows he has robbed-forty? Aye, at least that many! If he ever helped the blind it was with a battered penny; He can sit and hear about floods or famine or starvation, And control himself, without any sign of malaxation. lie mas been Tn many schemes you and would turn from coldly; When he must be sly he is. frequently he plunges boldly; There are many places where people speak his name in sorrow, But if profit still were there he'd 20 after it tomorrow. Any means to gain his ends, fair or foul, it doesn't matter; Little cares he if he finds that his pocketbook is flatter; Trace the ''luck" that he has had and you'll find in many places Little children who are sad, having pinched and pallid faces. He devotes no single thought to the cares that come to others; Seeking pleasure of his own, he would disregard his mothers; Seeing in the dollar-sign beauty, re- compense and power, He would wreck your life or mine to have a profit for an hour. Do not think that he's afraid of the end that may await him; He can see no reason why any one should ever hate him; Where he can he grasps for gains; honor he has left unheeded; Selfishness is in his veins, and he thinks he has succeeded.
 -S. E. Riser.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-26
THE ALABAMA PRESS
Fine Opportunity

Your county agent and home demonstration agent are here to help you, to be used. It won't cost you anything to talk your farm and home puzzles over with him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-26

It is said that there are twenty-six candidates in the race for the presi- dency in Nicaragua. In case the con- test is close, the aspirant who gets two votes may be declared the win ner.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-26
Tka=SMEORCF
 @BEAPER.

Those who say violators of prohi- bition laws should have punishment heavier than fining should remember that it's some punishment to have the likker confiscated.
 Mebbe the street railway isn't giv- ing away anything because it's in a receivership.
 We'll say that they are receivers all right.
 Mebbe somebody will sue the tax collector for advertising a sale that won't come off.
 Sneak Thieves at Work in Dwell ing" Why should thieves be sneaks? They should be more frank and manly.