davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
, 1924-05-14
EYE SPECIALIST

Or. G. S. Barger, of Casper, eye,
ear, nose and throat specialist, will
be at the Chamberlin Hotel, Thurs
day, May 22nd, to meet his patients.
39-3t
, 1924-05-14
POLITICAL ANNOUNCEMENT
For County Commissioner

FOR Sounty SonnhuoSaonet
I hereby announce that / will be a
candidate for nomination to the Of
fee of County Commissioner for the
four year term, subject to the deci-
sion of the Democratic voters at the
August Primaries. Your support will
be appreciated.
, 1924-05-14
Health Brings Beauty

Manchester, Iowa-"I am glad to
have the opportunity to tell Of the great
benefit | have received by taking DIR.
Pierce's Favorite Prescription and
Golden Medical Discovery. They are
the two finest medicines | have ever
used. Have taken lots of others but
never got any relief until l started TAX
ing these remedies. had beer troubled
for about four years with feminine
weakness and my feet would swell until
] would have to take off my shoes, but
since taking DIR. Pierce's medicine | feel
much better-sleep better, and am be-
ginning to feel more like myself. ! will
always praise DIR. Pierce's medicines"
Mrs. c. A. Payne, 500 E. Butler St.
Get DR.. Pierce's remedies at any drug
store. in tablets or liquid. Write DIR.
Pierce, President Invalids' Hotel in
Buffalo, N. y, for free medical advice.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-02

as the governor has indicated in his various public addresses could have been the one that impelled him to grant paroles or pardons to certain of the notorious offenders or those guilty of serious crimes, before they had been subjected to any consider able portion of the sentence imposed upon them after long, careful, elabo- rate and impartial court procedure.
 Governor Brandon fails to make the distinction between constructive mercy and that sort of abuse of the parole and pardoning power which encour- ages lawlessness and makes the gu- bernatorial authority an ally of those who seek to escape punishment in order that they may continue their lives of crime. Lawlessness exists in part because those in high places con- done lawlessness in one way or an- other, directly or indirectly. It is not the proper exercise of the power of executive clemency by Governor Bran don that the people criticize, but it's fragrant abuse on many seperate occasions, as the record incontroverti- hly shows.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-02
THE FARMERS CAR
(New York Worldl ]

. It will cause caustic comment in some quarters that the farmers of the United States as class should head the country in the possession of automobiles. Supposedly, the farmers suffered after the war the worst reverse in their history, in some sections of the country failing to pay expenses and in others bare ly breakinig even. How does this theory fit in with the announce ment that survey of the Atlantic coast section revealed 5S per cent of the agriculturists as automobile owners?
 The answer is that the autom0- bile, which in towns is usually more or less luxury, in the country has become necessity. When the farm CT moves to town and retires he might as well sell his old car and walk to the postoffice. It represents. if he keeps it. only a needless ex- pense. A majority of the people who live in cities and who could better afford automobiles than the average farmer do own them be- cause they have no great distance to travel and the streets are too con gested to make machine com fortable conveyance. Driving your own car in New York city may promote comfort, but it does not in- sure rapid transit. Surface traffic is left far behind by the subway.
 v But a farmer must walk, hitch mp a team or drive a car when he goes to town. A team is quite as expensive as a car and much slow CT. As a result be buys a car when he can. and uses it not one season but until it collapses.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-02
COMMITTEE FOR MELLON PLAN

Although the house ways and means committee will report the Mellon reve- nue measure with schedules substan- tially as submitted by the secretary, the new rules under which the house now operates make it permissible to offer amendments from the floor. The debate will, probably be long and acri- monious, but the majority sentiment will have opportunity to write it's will in the document. Under the former rules no revenue measure and no amendment to a revenue measure could prevail unless it had the ap- proval of the committee. Thus a com mittee hostile to any measure or any amendment could throttle it, even though the majority of the house mem- bership held the contrary view. Un- der the revision of rules the numerical majority can control revenue legisla- tion. The numerical majority in the house on the revenue question appears
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-02
TO STUDY COMMUNITY NEEDS

The creation of a "citizens' com- mittee" composed of members of the city commission and the county board of revenue with directors of the Cham Der of Commerce to study Birming- hams civic needs grew out of desire to provide the people with accurate data bearing upon needed and pro- posed improvements. It becomes more apparent that with Birmingham's s rapid growth and development there are pressing demands for adequate public facilities. Obviously larger revenues must be available to provide the growing municipal needs, includ- ing greater school capacity, a public library building, better e-fighting system, more efficient police protec- tion, better street lighting, modern system of garbage collection and dis posal, and other public benefits. Flu ture expansion must be envisioned and provided for.
 The first important step in this or any program of improvement is to make comprehensive and accurate survey of what is actually needed, to estimate the approximate costs, out line plan of finance to be adopted and acquire all other necessary in- formation. With such a basis for guidance, the people will be in posi- tion to express their will intelligently. The more the people know about their municipal affairs, the greater their interest in how they are administered, and the more disposed they are to support enlightened programs of pub lie construction and expansion.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-02
GERMANY DIGS UP SOME GOLD

It develops that Germany is again becoming one of our important buyers of raw cotton. To January l she had contracted for half million bales to be delivered during 1924, and it is estimated that she will require at least two hundred thousand bales more dur ing the year. A German credit amount to enough millions to safe guard this purchase has been estab- lished with American banks, and there is general impression that Germany has not yet exhausted her ability to augment her credit in this country. This credit, to be sure, is based on some tangible asset, probably gold, on which creditors may levy in case of default.
 While Americans value all foreign connections that promise to absorb quantities of our raw materials, it is not overlooked that the deal lends color to the French charge, denied by Germans, that the Germans have con- cealed their assets deliberately for the purpose of evading separations. If they utilize such resources for the purpose of providing employment in mills and factories, however, the ulti- mate result will be an actual expan- sion of Germany's material resources. Thus, in the long run, Frances se- curity for the indebtedness becomes all the more valuable
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-02
GIVING WARRIOR A CHANCE

Those who have supported the view that the Warrior should be separate system under management separate from that of the Mississippi arc about to have their position vindicated, ac- cording to intiTation from Wash,ng- ton. Under the dual management with a manager resident in New Or leans the Warrior has taken a rank entirely secondary to the Mississippi and subsidiary to the port of New Or leans, rather than to the port of Mo- bile, which is its more logical outlet to oceanic commerce. That this su- bordination of the commerce of the Warrior and of Alabama to another barge service and a more distant port was unnecessary and artificialli- J brought about has become more and more evident as time passed. AL though it was objected to the separa- tion of the system on the ground that the Warrior was kept going only be- cause the Mississippi barge system was showing monetary success, that objection is spacious and based on an untenable foundation.
 For example, it is evident to even the most casual observation that the Warrior suffers financially from the parity of rates which carried goods from Alabama to New Orleans for the same charge that was fixed for carry ing the same goods from the same Alabama points to Mobile That ex- tra two or three hundred miles of charge therefore has been a heavy and almost disastrous tax upon the equip ment and revenues of the Warrior, and not justified on any ground what ever. Further, the fact that the War rior has been unjustly dealt with in the division of revenues from joint hauls has cost the waterway all the difference between it's present and past deficits and the profit that would otherwise have accrued from the oper- ation of the barges. Even now, in spite of an adjustment more in the Warriors favor, the division leaves the balance still too greatly in the favor of the railroads. Give the War rior rate justice, make Mobile the chief port of export, and supply the equipment needed to carry the ton mage now refused because of lack of facilities, and Alabama's chief inland waterway will show balance heavily on the profit side of the ledger.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-02
ADVERTISEMENTS
BY THOMAS |. MossoN.

The other day I was asked by gentleman for whom I have great respect to dine at his house, and felt much honored by the invitation. He had a charming home and a love- ly wife. Afterwards I felt that l had talked too much, but sternly repressed any sense of guilt, and philosophically remarked to myself that it wouldn't matter in hun dred years. The next morning my friend dropped into my office and said:
 "My wife enjoyed your anecdotes about yourself last night very much. Now I am going to tell you some thing that really happened" How much better that way of putting it is than some other harsher ways!
 One of my most embarra rassing mo- ments. however, happened short time before this, at dance. Dur ing the supper 1 sat at a table with a group of people, one of whom was an old gentleman whom l did not know. The talk turned on educa- tion, and particularly on finishing schools for girls. Now, there is one finishing school where several friends of mine have sent their girls, and it has taken them years after wards to recover from it. The lady on my left said suddenly: Il am going to send my girl to Smith" Don't do that" I replied cutting ly. Send her to - (mentioning the name of my hated school) and make regular snob of her."
 She nudged and tried to stop me. but it was too late. l gathered in stantly that the old gentleman must have had daughters and that he had sent them to that school.
 There was deadly pause. Then he turned to. me and said blandly: $ Yes. sir. You are quite right. My wife sent our two girls there, and that's just what it did to them. Fortunately his wife was at anOth- CT table,
 One day a woman in department store bowed to me and l must have bowed back in preoccupied manner for she sailed up and said You don't. know who 1 am.' Perfectly" l replied. (Oh, what liar.) You don't know my name!" You know perfectly well I know your name" I replied, all the time raeking my brain trying to think of it. You can't tell me what it is. II can that's easy"| q was now inwardly frantic) She pulled out five dol lar bill and said: I'll bet you this you cant tell my name."
 Then l grinned Il am not go- ing to bet, as l don't want your money" l replied, but your name is Secret" She was the wife of the paying teller of my bank, and when she pulled out the money the cor rect name suddenly came. | have often wondered whether that was just blind luck or Providence.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-02
MUNICIPAL BUILDING POLICY

A definite city building policy prop erly carried out is more and more recognized as a necessary community asset, not only because of it's benefit to the citizenship directly affected, and for it's enhancement of property values, but as an additionoal influ- ence upon prospective residents and investors from outside. The proposal, therefore, for the establishment of a building line in residential districts carries possibilities of material, as well as aesthetic, benefits. Such a plan would not only create orderliness of appearance, but would be economical in the event of necessity for broad ening public thoroughfares and mak- ing other changes demanded by com munity growth or the carrying out of a practical zoning system.
 All admit that a residential section presents more attractive appearance under intelligent building regulations than when houses crowd the sidewalks. It is the practical plan which many cities, especially those that maintain zoning systems, as Birmingham ex- poets to do, have been found desir- able in more ways than one.
 Birmingham has already postponed longer than it should have done devel- opment of an orderly city plan. Had it been inaugurated ten years ago and carried out under definite plans, already material benefits would be enjoyed. Whether twenty feet from the street, as proposed by the city building inspector, is sufficient may be questioned. It seems too little. Still, it would be a distinct improve ment on the present lack of system and wise municipal supervision.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-02
SOUTHERN SAYS IT'S READY

The public announcement that the Southern Railway is ready to go ahead with the construction of viaducts and underpasses removes further cause for delays. The city commission has com plained of Instructions and delays by the railroads, and of late has charged that the Southern Railway was holding up action. Such excuses had become familiar to the people of Birmingham, who have been growing more and more restive over the dangers and losses from the grade crossings.
 Now that all the railroads have an- nounced their willingness and readi- ness to cooperate in this pressingly needed public improvement, there is no excuse for further delay. The city commissions obvious course is to call the hand of the railroads to test the sincerity of their professions of readiness. If there be failure of prompt action by the railroads. the public will have a clearer conception of where large part of the blame for delay should be placed, and demand for prompt and definite action by the commission will be stronger than ever. In any event, there is neither justifica- tion nor excuse for postponements of this public project. Any Instructions should be removed immediately, in amicable way, if possible, by more de- termined methods if necessary. The people are looking to the commission for prompt and definite action. Di- rect responsibility rests upon the of- ficial body.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-02
USE AND ABUSE OF PAROLE

Although Governor Brandon has said on several recent occasions that he has no apologies to make for his pardon and parole record, yet it is noted that his remarks on the subject are in the nature of a defense. Ger tainly no similar record was ever more in need of defense or less suscepti- ble of defense. Nobody takes issue with the governors reported statement at the Montgomery Kiwanis Club that he intends to continue his policy of granting paroles whenever he believes that good citizens could be made out of convicts. That is the purpose of the parole authority. There is also no purpose of refuting the sentiment which the governor stated as follows "When a mountain woman comes into my office, with children of tender years and with tattered clothing, to appeal for husband who is in the penitentiary for moonshining and when l know that you Kiwanians have bought the whisky which sent him to the penitentiary, realize that he has been influenced by men who are my associates, and when his sentence has nearly expired and I grant him pa- role in an effort to make better citizen for Alabama, 1 have no apolo- gies to make"
 The governor, however, being per mitted to choose his own illustrations, naturally does not select those that fail to warrant a considerable portion of his parole and pardon record. A parole near the end of the sentence of man who has behaved himself while in prison and who has needy de- pendents is not censurable. But the governor did not mention the case of Frank J. Levene of Mobile, who was an habitual violator of law, who " sentenced to prison and whose ser.- tence was confirmed through success sive appeals, even to the highest state court, yet whom Governor Brandon paroled before he had served one day of his sentence. Yet hardly was the ink of the gubernatorial signature dry before MT. Levene had apparently re- sumed his career of lawlessness and was indicted for violations similar to those for which he had been justly sentenced, thus forcing the governor to revoke the parole. No motive such
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-02

Ito lie with the Democrats and lnsur- gents voting together.
 The chief objection to the Mellon schedules is that they give dispropor. tionate relief in the higher brackets of the, income tax. Instead of reduc- ing the maximum surtax from fifty to twenty-five per cent, the opponents of the Mellon schedules would fix the maximum at forty-four per cent. and reduce the tax more noticeably on in- comes under ten thousand dollars. It is considered likely that there will be action taken to reduce the rate on 1923 incomes by twenty-five per cent. The Mellon plan is not rejected by these counter-proponents but rather modified..It furnishes the backbone for the revision and will doubtless be adopted in its main outlines.
 There is still tendency to disre- gard an item which MT. Mellon stressed year ago as fundamentally incorrect. That is the item of tax exempt securities. MT. Mellon is on record as declaring against such secur- ities, and is probably still of the same mind. Strangely enough, no group in the house is strongly attacking this practice. Yet the public is not going to let the omission pass without re- mark, nor will it be easy for the con- gressmen to explain the omission, if it persists to the end of the debate. The question of tax revision needs more intelligence, firmness and cour- age than have yet been prominently displayed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-02
THE POWER TRUST .DELUsloN

Mobiles mayor has felt called upoT to explain to the home folks his tes timony in favor of the power trust. bid for Muscle Shoals. He declare. that he was expressing his personal views but also spoke as mayor of Mo bile. By this remark he confesses that he was presuming to make his per. sonal opinion appear to be the opinion of his community, although it has since developed that not only did he not speak for his community, but his com- munity did not even know that he had 1 changed his own enthusiastic indorse- ment of the Ford bid into opposition. He explained that Ford had now so al- tered his bid that it is not the same one which had received MT. Taylor's indorsement. Here also MT. Taylor surprises not only his own constitu- ency, but also all the people, who learn for the first time from Mir. Tay- Tor that Ford has changed his bid. Perhaps it will be news even to MT. Ford.
 The state at large is concerned only in the fact that Mobile is giving re- newed expression of support of the Ford bid, and revealing their appre- citation of the fact that concentrated industrial development about Muscle Shoals as a hub means a tremendous production of tonnage for export through the states seaport at Mobile. The bid of the power trust means nothing at all to Alabama. Already the Alabama Power Company is ex- porting power from this state in large volume, and any addition to it's re- serve of current will mean, not that Alabama will benefit, but that her most magnificent water-power unit will be harnessed to the use of industry far and wide in localities remote from this state. Those who argue that the power trusts bid means anything at all to Alabama except the irrevocable loss of what should be a never-ending re- source are either deluding themselves, or else serving themselves by deluding others.
 The power trust is out to get a monopoly on the water power of Ala bama. Its purpose is selfish and takes no account of Alabama's welfare. It is financed by foreign capital and has no concern for the preservation of Muscle Shoals as an essential factor in our national defense. There is no public reason for this, monopoly, and there is every reason why it should be resisted by all patriotic citizens. Patriotic citizens for the most part are resisting that program of monop- oily, and are demanding that Ford be admitted to this field. He can be no menace, and there is every reason to believe that he would develop a gen. eral prosperity for this territory
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-02
CONTRADICTIONS
sy OR. cHAaLEs FLE,scHER

America has been called many names, pleasant and unpleasant. It has remained fdr Maeterlinck, the Belgian mystic, to call her "a land of contradictions
 That label was attached in the friendliest spirit. And it shows how human America seems to this phil. osopher; for human nature IS ob' yiously a bundle of contradictions As you, fierce-gentle. reader, know from inside information. '
 To illustrate his characterization, the author of '"rhe Blue Bird and A score of volumes of plays and es- SAYS, answers his own query regard the philosophy of America. That our philosophy is "a skepticism linked with credulity; sin linked to the fastidiousness of the prude; a house of progress built on the sands of an obsolete civilization. How discerning! Skepticism linked with credulity. We. certainly are blending of the Man From Mis- souri,, who must be shown with the utmost gullibility that humanity has lately known. Else how could we fall for all the get-rich-qulck schemes that rob trusting Americans of hundreds of millions of dollars a year?
 Sin linked to the fastidiousness of the prude. We surely do make an amazing exhibit of the utmost criminality, from murder to child labor, to be found anywhere on earth. And we mix herewith a prudishness that causes us to cover our moral nakedness with fig leaves of censorship and to make all kinds of efforts to reach q quick Para disc through legislation. These par adoxical exhibits are nearly negligi- ble, however, in the face of the fact that we are building house of progress on the sands of an obsolete civilization.
 It is the superficial fashion to speak of America as new and young. But we are as old as the human race. The elements that are going into the making of America are of the body, blood, bone, sinew. spirit of all the older human strains. And vet progress is Americas first name. Why? Because on this continent through us, man has accepted anew the challenge of nature. The ac- ceptance of that challenge has sum- mOned the human stuff in America more of creative power than the race { has known in recorded history. We have come into the leadership of hu- manity, not through the fortunes of war, nor because of our material resources, but because here the spirit of mankind has experienced a new birth of freedom. And every bowed and humblest member of the older nations here learns to walk with head erect, strong in, self-re- spect and buoyant with hope.
 No wonder, then, that Maeterlinck climaxes his tribute with the mystic suggestion that America is fact which in itself cannot be explained That fact, like this land, also contradiction. It is the triumph of blending matter and spirit in such wise that the spiritual seems concrete and the material is glori. fled. Trust yourself. America-and American Contradict the worse in you that the best may be!