davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-17
ASKED ANOTHER CHANGE" GOT IT, THEN HE STOLE FROM
 MAN WHO WAS BACKING HIM

Sob stories" are hereafter taboo at juvenile court. Or at least if they do succeed in emerging from behind the portals of the detention home they will do so only after some mighty rigid cen sorship.
 The most recent break between sob stories" and the court authorities was brought to light Friday when 14-year- old boy took up d residence at the home which has been awaiting him for six months.
 The story of his downfall is an old one to court attaches. It is the story of an ambition to make good-a lie and the finding out of that lie.
 Some time ago this boy was caught in the acf ot petty thievery. He plead cd another chance" with tears in his eyes he declared he had been stealing in order to get an education. That, he gulped between Outbursts of passionate weeping, was what he desired above all other things-a chance |" learn some thing.
 Story Told
 What an opportunity. for inc sob sister!" What a sublimea opportunity !! In haste she bore down upon the city lall. Shr marshdlleu hVr aCIettlNeS anu a tale of suffering of the ''misled kid was flung from her typewriter. And then into print and out in the streets under glaring headlines; ''1he Boy Who Wanted Chance to Learn.
 Among the more interested readers of this story was we'll known Birming- ham business man. His philanthropic leaning was affected by the fine pathos of the ''sob sisters" story. He read and as he read a growing desire and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-17

resolution fixed itself in his mind. He would help this boy who wanted an education. Chapter one.
 The sequel is laid back in the police station. The same station in which the boy has given his friend, the ''sob sis ter," her golden notes. But this time the boy had a different audience. Over him lowered two grim faced city de- tectives.
 Cleaned Him So you took his watch one of them said, "and you sold that. And you took his books. and his clothes. his pocketbook. did you? From the man who was really trying to help you out. eh? Well. you're one fine bird, now aren't you?"
 There was moments silence. then the youth looked up. but there were no tears in his eyes.
 Say he said with trace of his gamin pride asserting itself, ''yer fer gittin' the pin off his dresser. got 50 bucks fer that"
 So the "sob' stories are taboo at juvenile court.
 lie to help needy cases" Sidney D. Will lingham, chief probation officer, said Friday. "A long way from it. But there are so many instances just like this one.
 The boy never had any desire to make good. He didn't want an educa- tion. It was lie he invented on the spur of the moment to get out of what he got into. Some of them you can't break of their bad habits no matter how we'll you treat them. This boy is ap- parently one of that kind"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-17
ECHURCH FUNDS
 AT $30,ND0 MARK
Workers For Woodlawn Meth 0dist Rapidly Approach
 Needed Quota

Funds for erecting Sunday school building by the First Methodist church of Woodlawn neared the $30.0O0 mark Saturday, according to an announce ment by R. B. Broyles, committee chair man. Donations Friday and Saturday aggregated $8,000, the total stood at $22,0 prior to that time. All dona- tions have been voluntary, and the fact that almost third of the $100,- 000 fund has been raised before the drive is actually under way is consid- cred remarkable by those who have been watching the fund total climb.
 The teams and their captains will be given banquet at the church Tues day afternoon, the program will begin at 6 80 o'clock, Mir. Broyles stated Sat urday afternoon that he felt confident the fund would climb even higher be- fore the banquet took place. Dr.i George R. Stuart, pastor of the First Metho- dist church, willvbe the principal speak CT Tuesday evening.
 Active work will be started by the canvassers Sunday, February 24, and the drive for funds will he brought to a close Tuesday, February 26. All the workers seem confident that the church will go over the top, and that with the fund in hand work on the building will be started in short order Dr. Stuart also has accepted an invi- tation issued by Dr. Robert Echols. to preach the sermon at the church next Sunday when the drive will be formal ly launched. Dr. Ech0ls stressed the fact Saturday afternoon that no public collection would be taken on the drive at that time.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-17
TRIBUTE PAID TO
 LAWYERS MEMORY
Deceased Members Of Bar As.
 s0ciatiOn Eulogized

Tributes were paid Judge Dan Greene, Judge B. NJ. Allen, c. E. Powell and James NJ. Hanby, all of whom have died during the past year, by their fellow members of the Birmingham Bar association at a special memorial meet ing Saturday morning in the court house.
 Resolutions were offered and unani- mously adopted praising these four men for their work as citizens and officials, and several members of the association made short addresses expressing their personal admiration and friendship. Those paying personal tributes included Judge J. P. Stiles, N. l.. Miller, l.. !. Haley, Vassar l.. Allen, E. c. Crow and Farris Coleman.
 Col. Alex c. Garber. president of the Bar association. presided at the meet ing
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-17

Following the announcement that The Age-Herald will participate in the ma tional oratorical contest, sponsored by more than two hundred leading news. papers throughout the United States, announcement is made of the following prizes offered to Alabama participants. The state is divided according to con gressional districts, and the winning student in each district will be pre-. sented with gold medal, properly in- scribed. District winners will be brought to Birmingham, expenses paid as the guest of The Age-Herald, where they will compete for the championship of Alabama.
 In this meet there will be first. sec ond and a third prize offered. They are: -
 First prize: A scholarship to the University of Alabama, worth 1,060.
 Second prize: A scholarship to the University of Alabama. worth $460.
 Third prize: A scholarship to the University of Alabama, worth $280.
 The first prize covers fees, dues, board and room rent.
 The second prize covers fees, dues and room rent. The third prize covers fees and dues.
 The champion of Alabama goes to Atlanta May 16, expenses paid, where he or she will meet the champion of the other southern states in contest for the grand southern prize, which will be announced later. The successful contestant in this meet will represent the south in grand final meet in
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-17
MEETING WILL BE
 HELD WEDNESDAY,
Jefferson County Democratic
 Committee Called

Endorsement of the state committees 8 approval Friday of the preferential pri- mary may feature the session of the Jefferson county democratic committee to be held Wednesday at 12 :39 o'clock in Judge Denson's court, it was intim- ated by members of the committee Sat urday.
 The committee is understood to have supported the action of Chairman R. B. Evins of the state committee in arrang- ing for the appointment of a sub-com- mittee to conduct the March primary
 Dr. R. F. Lovelady, chairman of the county committee, will preside at the meeting Wednesday. A subcommittee to conduct the primaries in Jefferson county will be appointed. the day for the closing of entries will be fixed, en- trance fees will be decided upon. cleo tion managers will be, appointed and other matters. voted upon at the ses- sion.
 Nearly 100 members of the committee are expected to be present.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-17

Mir. Evins does not represent the real party spirit in Alabama. He is aligned with the very things to which the great bulk of the party is opposed. His distrust of the people is not charac teristic of the real party spirit and it is this attitude which has done so much to gum up the Underwood cam paign in Alabama. If proper con fidence had been placed in the voters all this trouble for Senator Under wood would not have come up. In derwood delegates would have been chosen by the electors and the state would have been soldly behind him. As it is the campaign has been taken in charge by small and selfish group seemingly with more interest in their own advancement and that of the things they represent than in that of Sena tor Underwood's cause"
 Another committeeman pointed out that the situation was such that it was even hard for some of Underwoods best friends to make suggestions about the best way to help his campaign. One friend know" he said "who went to headquarters with a suggestion about work in certain county where the Underwood spirit was tagging was treated in very cavalier fashion and it was even intimated to him that he was simply trying to start trouble and that he probably was in sympathy with the other side anyway. There is no question but that Underwoods victory will be due to his individual admirers and supporters and not to any real assistance given him by those in control of affairs
 There will be some new faces though, when this is all oyer''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-17
LAURA BESSIE IS
 BADLY BURNED
Falls In Faint, Clothes Catch In Open Crate, And Pain
 Revives Her

Attracted by screams on the second floor of the emergency home of the Sal vati0n Army at 2004 Eighth avenue, north. at noon Saturday, Commandant E. Walgren, found Laura Beisie, 17. of Morris, Ala, in the bathtub, the water turned on and her clothes in flames.
 According to the story. the burned girl told the commandant she was sub ject to fainting spells and had fallen in front of the open grate. Her clothes caught from the grate and burned un- til the pain revived her.
 The girl rushed to the bathroom and turned on the water in the tub apd was attempting to drown out the flames when Mrs. Walgren and her assistants came to her rescue. They rolled her in the water until the flames were extin- guished.
 Johns ambulance was called. The cOmmandant and the other workers did what they could for the girl. At the Hillman hospital she was declared bad ly burned. but had fighting chance for recovery.
 The girl came to the emergency home late Friday afternoon, bearing an un- signed note asking them to take her in and try to find her a place. The note gave her name and last place of residence, age, and stated that she was an orphan.
 The girl, the cOmmandant said. could give little farther information as to who she was, apparently being dement, ed Nothing was said about her being subject to fainting spells. Efforts were being made, both by the Army and the hospital Saturday night, to locate her relatives.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-17
STAR LODGE TO
 PRESENT CONCERT
Loving Cup To Be Given For
 The Most Valued Member

Star lodge. No. 2SS, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is making plans for a musical concert to be given un- der the auspices of the lodge, the pro- ceeds to go to the Odd Fellows orphans home at Cullman.
 A feature of the meeting last Thurs day was the donation of loving cup by J. H. Meier to be presented to the most valuable member of the lodge The cup is quite handsome one and was displayed in the lodge room by Mir. Meier. The award will be made later in the term on the recommenda- ton of special committee, who will also give the rules governing the award. The cup isrUn display at Lynch jewelry store.
 s At the next meeting the second de- gree will be conferred and all candi- dats are requested to be on hand at [ 80 o'clock. All Odd Fellows invited.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-17
DINSMORE INVITES
 MUSGROVE TO QUIT
Says He Can Beat Underwood,
 Though Senator Is Strong

MorviR A. Dinsmore, candidate for the presidency, before leaving Saturday night for Chicago to attend a confer ence of supporters of William G. Me Adoo, although McAdoo headquarters has publicly declared that the use of Mir. McAdOo's name in the Alabama campaign is without his knowledge or consent. issued statement inviting l.. E. MusgrOve to withdraw from the race 'in order to make it possible for Sena- tor Oscar Underwood to be defeated in the preferential primary of March II.
 T have just made tour of the state" Dinsmore said, ''and am in close touch with the situation in every county. MT. Musgrove's race has fallen flat. He has, no chance to win. But if he and I both stay in the race I am frank to say that Senator Underwood will have the advantage. With Mus grove out, feel justified in saying that l would carry tho state. Therefore. I cordially invite Mfr. Musgrove to with draw and make it possible for me to do what he cannot do--defeat Mir. Un- derwOOd.'
 Dinsmore frankly admitted that the senator's campaign was found to be in far better shape" throughout the state than he had expected. He said the Underwood forces were strongest in Florence. Cullman and Decatur, and weakest in Albany.
 As l see the situation. there is but one chance to prevent Senator Under wood from carrying Alabama, and that is for Mhsgrove to step down without any further delay"
 On his return from the Chicago con ference, Dinsmore will again swing around the state and make a number of speeches, he said.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-17
THINK $3,750,OOO WILL BE SUM OF
 SCHOOL BONDS
Committee Of Bankers Is Studying Financial
 Strength Of City :.
$5,000,000 TO BE NEEDED
 WITHIN NEXT FIVE YEARS
Advocates Feel However That Not More Than Million Can
 Be Spent In Year

Birmingham bankers. who as mem- bers of subcommittee are studying the city's finances ot ascertain the maxi mum amount of school bonds that should be voted at this time, will be ready in the next few days to report their recommendations to the city-wide ed- ucational bond issue committee it was learned Saturday.
 While official statements are lack. ing. it is the accepted view at city hall that the financiers will recommend against an issue of such size that would tax the treasury in carrying them.
 Need $5,OOO.OOO
 The schools have been surveyed and the board of education declares that nearly $5OO0.O00 will be, needed in the next five years. Inasmuch as it will bs next to impossible to expend more than $l.00O,0O0 year, the general impress sion is that the subcommittee will rec Ommend the immediate issuance of ap- proximately $300O,000 in bonds. With the library bonds added-provided the city commission favors their inclusion. the total of bonds to the proposed im-
 
 Members of the general finance com. mittee. composed of large number of leading bankers and financial men. got together Saturday and authorized Chairman Oscar Wells to designate a subcommittee to delve into the fi- nancial situation and submit recomr mendations.
 Subcommittee
 The subcommittee was named as fol- lows: John Frye. T. o. Smith. L. K. Steiner. George Ward and Leo Keyser.
 A $3.000,000 bond issue for schools can be voted without necessitating any advance in the tax levy according to city officials who have given the matter close study.
 While the finance committee is for mulating it's recommends tions, the sur vey committee appointed last Thurs- day night by the city-wide committee is working in nine groups. Visits are being made to all the schools and the findings of the education boards sur. yey are being checked up in detail. To Recommend
 When all committees report to the central body, concrete recommendation will be agreed upon and forwarded to the city commission for consideration and action. It is mp to the commission to formally issue the call for the bond election and to designate the bonds to | be voted on and the amounts. 1 Dr. W. K. Hendrix. chairman of the central committee. hopes to have reports from all the committees within two weeks. He then will call the entire committee into session to make it's re- port and wind up it's work.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-17
M'LElVDON WANTS LIBRARIES BONDS
 IN SCHOOL ISSUE
Says They Led In Former Election, Believes The
 Voters Want Them .
OTHER COMMISSIONERS REMAIN NONCOMMITTAL
Harrison, Not Opposed To The Library, But Wants Schools
 Handled Separately

City Commission President D. E. McLendon, in vigorous statement Saturday, declared that a $750O00 bond issue for modern, fire-proof library should be submitted to the voters simultaneously. with the pro- posed school bond issue.
 He announced he would fight to have the issue linked together when the commission meets Tuesday to act on the library boards petition that this be done.
 l The commission head, in his view, at wide variance with Commissioner W. L. Harrison, who is opposing the submission of anything but school bonds at this time. The other com missioners have declined to make known their attitude in advance of the meeting.
 Members Uncertain
 It had been planned to hold a con- ference Saturday to consider the library petition, but Commissioner Mary Echols, who was ill at home, phoned Mir. McLendon and asked that it be deferred. Library officials felt confi- dent she wanted to be present to aid them in their fight.
 Commissioners W. E. Dickson and W. B. Cole have been visited by library advocates several times in the past two days, and the leaders in the movement for the joint bond issue are expressing utmost confidence in the outcome.
 ''The library board is making a real fight, and great many people seem to be supporting it." was the com ment of Commissioner Dickson.
 T don't know how will vote,," said Commissioner Cloe. T want to hear the situation discussed fully. I realize that dangerous fire hazards exist at the present library quarters"
 Work Goes On l
 J. w. Donnelly, president of the library board, announced that the campaign was in excellent shape. He said public opinion was squarely be- hind the movement for joint issue.
 President McLendon, in his state ment, expressed the belief that the library bonds even proposal would help the school bond issue, instead of in- turing it.
 Tn the last bond election" he said, the library bonds were even more popu- lar than the school bonds. In my es- timation, they are just as badly needed as bonds for the schools. Libraries and schools should go hand in hand. The needs of our schools and the need for a library building are apparent to every citizen. Both are in the in- terest of education and I intend to fight to have been submitted to the people in one bond issue"
 Speeches in favor of the joint library school issue have been made nightly in various parts of Birmingham during the past week. A number of organiza- tions have indorsed the fusion of the issues, including the Junior Chamber of Commerce, the League of Women voters, the Junior Order, United Amer ican Mechanics and several civic bodies.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-17
HANDSOME PRIZES IN
 THE AGE-HERALD'S
 CONTEST IN ORATORY
University Scholarships Go To Young Man Or Young Woman Winning Notable Event In
 Alabama

Washington. June 6, before President Coolidge. the supreme court bench, and personages of national and international rep,lte. for the championship of the United States, a first prize of $3.5OO. a, second prize of $1,0O0 and q third prize of $500.
 The rules and regulations covering this contest are as follows:
 1. The contest is open to all sec- ondary schools, both public and private.
 2. The age limit is nineteen years.
 5. A participant must be bona fide student.
 4. The oration which must be orig inal, must not require more than 12 minutes for delivery.
 lowing subjects:
 constitution, Hamilton and the consti- tuition, Jefferson and the constitution. Madison and the constitution, Marshall and the constitution, Webster and the constitution. The only restriction as to the development of these themes is that the oration must be of such a character as to increase interest in and respect, for the constitution of the United States.
 Indications are that all eligible schools will participate, in the contest. The oratorical contest manager is re- ceiving applications for registration daily from all parts of the state. Schools not yet having registered should com municate with the oratorical contest manager. Room 1926. Age-Herald Bir- mingham, immediately. -
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-17
SURFACE RUMBLINGS
 PORTEND CHANGE IN
 PARTY LEADERSHIP
Only Friendship For Underwood Preserves Peace, Say Con-
 mitteemen

''The executive committee adjourned in a spirit of amity.'' That is the ex- pression used in The Age-Herald Sat urday in reporting the meeting of the state democratic executive committee Friday. On the surface it was an ac- curate survey of the situation but un- der the surface there was something else. There were rumblings which un- doubtedly portend that control of the party affairs in Alabama are to pass to other hands when opportunity arises.
 Harmony existing now is based solely upon one thing and that is the wish to do nothing that would hurt Senator tnderwood's campaign An overwhelming majority of the com mittee members are for the senator in the coming race hut likewise a big ma jority of them do not like the way his race has been handled. They re- sent it and they are holding back any open fight on the powers in control in order that the senator's chances may not be jeOpardized and in order that he may be caused no embarrassment through disagreements among his friends.
 Campaign Miserably Handled
 One of the members of the com mittee from south Alabama after the meeting expressed himself this way :: "A lot of us voted to sustain Chair man R. B. Evins in what he has done, although it went against the grain for us to do so. We did it solely on Senator Underwood's account. We are for Senator Underwood on his own merits and not on account of some of the men who are posing as his present representatives in Alabama, for if ever mans campaign was miserably han died, the present Underwood campaign is conspicuous example.
 At the same time we do not want to doI anything to enrbarrass him be- cause we are his friends and want to do what we can to put sOutherner in the presidential chair. We believe he is equipped for the place and will be an honor to Alabama and to those who have always been his sincere SUD- porters in the state.
 That is the sole reason for our action in committee Friday, but just as soon as the Underwood campaign is over and upon the first opportunity you may be assured that steps will be taken to have housekeeping in party affairs in Alabama.
 Docs Not Represent Party
 ''The fact of the business is that
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-17
MANUFACTURERS
 OF ICE TO MEET
Southern Exchange And Ala bama Organization Convene
 Wednesday

Several hundred leaders in the ice industry of a dozen southern states will assemble in Birmingham for the thirty-fifth annual session of the Southern Ice exchange in joint meeting with the Alabama Ice Manufacturer association at the Tutwiler hotel, be- ginning Wednesday morning.
 The convention is dedicated to the memory of the late Col. William J. Rushton of Birmingham, honorary pres ident of the Southern Ice exchange. A feature of the meeting will be the ring ing of the Rushton memorial chimes in the belfry of the First Presbyterian church Wednesday.
 Three-Day Session
 The convention will continue for three days Wednesday morning will be devoted to registration and the issuance of badges. President J. W. Hancock of Marietta. Ga., will call the meeting at 10 o'clock; Rev. Roy Hershey will deliver the invocation, and E. H. Caba- niss the address of welcome. Reports will be made at this time.
 Dedication and unveiling of a Rush. ton memorial tablet will occupy the convention during the afternoon. The exercises will begin at 2:30 o'clock. Presentation of the bronze tablet will be made at this time by John C. At wood of St. Louis.
 William J. RushtOn of Birmingham will unveil the memorial, and W. B. Baker of Atlanta will make the speech of acceptance. Singing, ringing of the chimes and benediction will close the exercises.
 Technical Papers
 A number of technical papers will be read at the morning session of the con- ventiOn Thursday. The Southern Ice excheange will hold its executive session in the afternoon. At z 80 o'clock q banquet will be served.
 A business session, reports of the committees, election of officers and other routine will be considered Friday morning. Friday afternoon the execu- tive session of the Alabama Ice Manu- lecturers association will be held. The convention will adjourn following this.