davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-12
In Media Veritas

Versatile Mir Winston Churchill England S chancellor of the exchequer, comes with the charming declaration that journalism and lit erature. after all, are one and the same thing. The words were spoken at a banquet to London pressmen, a banquet where honest roast beef was served and golden ale sparkled in abundance. It's true there have been genuine masterpieces of literature in journal ism but that day has gone with the advent of the press agent and the propagandist. Still Mir. Churchills words may encourage the young men of letters, who are out on the police beats in our cities that is, if the anti dote to the Englishman's pronunciamento can not be found in Mir. George Jean Nathan $ latest analysis that the field of journalism, by stretching it several thousand points, may actually be the world of letters. The truth seems to stand in the middle.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-12
LET IT BE sETTLED-RIGHT

Recent reports indicate that direct ne- gotiations are under way between the city commission and the railroads looking to the proposed Twenty-fourth street yiaduct. Apparently efforts are In the making to the end that construction work may begin on that project in the near future without the obstructive results that would follow litigation, and that pressure has been brought upon the com mission to settle the matter as soon as possible to prevent further delay in press ingly needed traffic relief.
 The difference between twenty-five per cent. of the cost of the vladuct, which the city has agreed to pay, and thirty-five per cent, which the railroads have agreed to incur, is said to be about thirty thousand dollars. This would not be a burdensome amount for the city to meet. But for the city to accept the proportion would be to set precedent and that is doubtless what the railroad is after, rather than the saving of the mere thirty thousand dollars in question, Smokescreens were favorite weapon ot railroads long before the World War, and still are. Public officials are; however, learning not to be fooled by them. The city commissions problem is to determine whether a twenty ty-five-seventy-five or a irty-five-sixty-fiv ratio is right, and then adhere to it for all time
 There is another consideration which should be settled in this connection. It has been apparent that the railroads have been playing for delay, not so much as respects this particular project as in con- nection with the much larger and more expensive grade separation program which the city has adopted and insisted upon. No excuse should be given the roads for further delay beyond the ninety-day limit set by the commission If there is such delay, the people should be left i'll no doubt as to where the re- sponsibility rests.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-12
INJURIOUS POLITICS

The broil over the selection of fifth member of the park board occurs at time when the utmost injury can be done to Birmingham's park opportunity. This is the formative period in the park de- velopment and in the consideration of a park program commensurate with the needs and opportunity of this community. New subdivisions are constantly reduc- ing the acreage available for parks, and are likewise steadily and rapidly increas- ing the values of remaining acreages suit able for this purpose. The ideal park system extends into the interiors of cities, in order to do the most good to the greatest number, and to carry the park benefit to those who will appreciate ana need it most. It also occupies much ter ritory in the environs of every metrop- oils and extending to suburbs that are nearby and to all intents and purposes an integral part of the community, social ly and actually if not politically.
 It is said that already one or two de- sirable tracts previously offered the board at a moderate price have been withdrawn for private development. Be- sides actually costing the public money loss, moreover, the politics ot the clty commission is to be held directly respon- sible for postponement of the pubic en- joyment of park benefits. It IS sad to see such a thriving municipality thwarted in it's rounded development through lack of official perspective and vision, which manifests itself in the playing of politics of narrow and injurious sort. The city commissions delay in nominating for the vacancy man of outstanding executive capacity, business experience and en- lightenment, distinguished for his public spirit and apart from politics, may justly be charged with the present impasse in the park board election.
 Meanwhile, there seems no good reason why the park board should not go ahead with it's business. Four are quorum. Why does it not proceed to give us DarkS2
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-12
MELLON IS OPTIMISTIC

Secretary Mellon's sincerity and judg- ment may doubtless be trusted when he predicts an era of mounting prosperity for this nation. Not only does such prophecy coincide with the opinion of other observers, but it obviously can have no ulterior purpose, such as at times opponents of Mr Mellon have thought they detected in the shadowy background of his personal business affiliations.
 The people are glad to hear from MT. Mellon that the per capita federal tax in the last four years has been reduced from $54 to $27 per annum. The phrase, per capita, however, is not a stable stand ard of computation. Under MT. Mellon's tax reduction plan the per capita reduc- ton might have been as great or greater, but the distribution of the benefit would have been far less general. For their share of the relief, therefore, the people have to thank neither MT. Mellon nor the Republican leadership, but the Demo- cratic leadership in both house and sen- ate.
 Evidence that MT. Mellon and MT, Coolidge did not compare notes before publishing their statements is shown by the fact that, while the president ascribes the farmers recent hard times in large measure to high taxes MT. Mellon says: "While recovery of agriculture has been slow, it has been substantial, and today, due largely to changing condition in world crop and world markets, faces a new era. The maladjustment between agriculture and other industries has been removed, and the farmer IS nearly re- stored to his proper status III the eco-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-12

homie system" Nor could Mir. Mellon gracefully attribute farm recovery to tax relief, for MT. Mellon's relief was in tended mainly for incomes in the higher brackets, and everybody knows that the higher brackets are graced by the names of few farmers in very truth.
 Public approval attaches to tn, secre- tary's renewed demand for discontin- uance of tax-exempt securities in which much capital takes refuge from taxation and thus renders heavier the burden upon all other wealth and property not so favored. Just why congress is so slow to act on this important question would be hard to understand, were it not a prominent characteristic of congress to defer important decisions as long as pos sible
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-12
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Senator Dunn Reports Economy Wave
 Sweeping Washington.

Sweeping Washington.
 Dear Editor: < am down here in Washington economizing as requested by the president. Representative Drummer and I arrived in time for the opening of Congress and we found nothing but thrift everywhere. Knowing how the president felt about personal example of economy all down the line, Drummer and I got from our homes to Washington on the minimum outlay. l crated Drummer and sent him through in the caboose as a bird dog. Drummer didn't like being bird dog as he insisted he was not the type, but he finally consented in the in terests of economy.
 I rode part of the trip on half fare as l had on knee pants and Lord Fauntelroy jacket but I had forgot to shave and when l absent-mindedly started smoking a cigar the conductor got wise and threw me off. made the rest of the trip in an empty freight car ! Once I heard stirring ill far corner of the freight car and thought maybe the pres ident was fellow passenger but it was only rustic of the wind.
 Arriving at Washington just in time for the opening of Congress, Drummer and both put aside our shoes and went to the capitol in our bare feet as we figured this would be a good thrift example to others. l wore last years overcoat and Drummer wore the same collar he has had for four sessions.
 
 We nearly forgot ourselves and took taxi to the capitol but I caught myself in the nick of time and we stole ride one the back ot al ash-wagon. An ash-wagon is not half bad and am in favor of more congressman travel ing this way, providing the ash-wagon drivers don't object.
 I am surprised how many congressman are going in for thrift till it hurts. They won't ieyen give you match. | A prominent cabinet officer sent his shoes out yesterday to have them half-soled and then recalled them on the ground they could go another couple of weeks. The spirit is every where.
 Even the White House cat is refusing to take its milk straight and insists in having 1t cut with plain water. I understand the President is going to lay up the Mayflower and use flatbottom row. boat next summer.
 | We'll, I can't write much more as stationery and ink is pretty expensive, but rest assured we are doing everything we can do save the peoples money, no matter how much of It we take away from them to save
 Drummer sends love. . SENATOR O HOWE DUMM. r. S.-I understand Calvin will insist upon seeing the next world series games through knothole and will refuse to throw in anything more expensive than 25-cent ball.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-12
LONG LIFE

Listen to the words of Dr. Grille, famous physician of Cleveland. He is not engaged in forming new cult. He is just talking scientifically. Grille says that excessive anger, work, jealousy, envy, worry or grief causes physical damage as serious as that produced by infections or crushing blows. He say that physical benefit is derived from those factors in life which solace and relieve the mind, which rejuvenate the spirit, which dis- pei worry and which substitute faith and tranquility of mind for turmoil and error.
 Don't think you can lose your temper, or give way to worry or ugly thoughts without br aking yourself down physically. Taking things easily, mentally, gives long life.-Toledo Blade.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-12
The Right Word
By w. CURTIS NICHOLSON
THAT" AND (WHICH" (Find the Error in This Article


 John A. Berger of New York City writes : q should like very much to see good dis cussion of that and which,"
 Who always refers to persons. Which re- fers to inainimate objects. That usually re- fcrs to inanimate objects.
 Which should be used when the clause in which it appears is merely descriptive, m which case the clause is preceded and fol lowed by a comma as, My apple trees, which have born good this year, have been profitable.
 That should be used when the clause Tn which it appears defines or limits the word to which it refers; as, I have given away all the books that l bought last year. Note that no comma appears before the word that:
 A clause is a group of words containing a subject and q predicate.
 To define or limit means to identify one or more things in a whole class of things. Thus, in the second example it is implied that have bought books for at least more than one year because the sentence mentions books that I bought last year. In other words have given away certain books, the books that l bought last year. Now are the uses of which and that more understandable!
 A descriptive clause containing who, which refers to persons, is preceded and followed by a comma (Note the use of which in the foregoing sentence. ) Example: John. who has returned on vacation, will visit us this evening.
 clause that defines and begins with who is neither preceded nor followed by comma as. The man who knows has least to say. (Note the use of that in the foregoing sen r.ce)
 Yesterdays Error
 Wrong: One usually thinks. ..... when he determines ......
 Right: One usually thinks... ... when one determines
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-12
Watching The Parade
NLD MAN WEBB used to be we'll
By JOHN PILGRIM

INLD MAN WEBB used to be a well N , known character about the Southern
 o race-courses. Most of the time he had money in his pockets which he had taken away from the book k-makers. He was not a consistent winner, any more than any other
 race-goer is, but he liked to make people believe that he rarely lost.
 What's your system?' I once asked him.
 "I play the short horses" said he. To put it another way he enlisted prob
 ability on his side. If he had been real estate man he would not have bought for a song farm lying miles away from town, i'll the hone that the city would make him rich by growing up to it. He would have bought a lot or two in the path of progress and made sure of small profit instead of risking total losS
 In the campaign now ended the odds grew lopsided on the Republican ticket. A pro fessional gambler bet what he could at eight and ten to one and then began to offer fifteen
 and twenty. A physician who had saved, dollar by dollar, a small fortune, rlSked 1t all at the greater figure. He could not resist the long odds, instead of playing the short horse and probability. He lost, of course. Only his inability to put up stake kept the professional from offering an hundred to one
 on what he knew was a sure thing.
 There is the distinction between the pro fessional and the amateur in business as well
 as in betting The amateur jumps at the
 bait. An oil stock at a penny share IS
 enticing to him, because if the wildcatter
 strikes oil he will be made rich. The pro fessional would get q line on the wild cat territory before risking cent. He would not
 be caught by long odds. Now and then horse gallops home at forty to one, but usually the races are won by the short horses.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-12
The Old Woman

She keeps her nook, sitting with folded hands And looking abroad with dim unquestioning
 gaze Her heart grown strangely quiet and tolerant She has learned patience; those she loved are
 gone, And youth is gone and all the dreams oi
 youth, And grief itself hath found its natural ending, And now she feels there is no more to learn Placid she sits in gnarled simplicity, Not hills nor rocks more tranquil and even
 as they She hears Times marks upon her patiently Hers is the sober wisdom of the years, And now she waits for what she knows will
 come Breathing the calmness of all quiet things, Twilight and silence and q heart at peace.
 John Bunker in the Commonweal.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-12
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TOmbs of Orange.

l@OMPLETE restoration of the Great church at Delft in Holland is contem-
 plated. Dangerous cracks in the western facade have long worried the Dutch ministry of the interior, which has as part of its duty the supervision of great historical monuments. The church is famous because it contains the tomb of William the Silent, Prince of Orange, ancestor of the present reigning queen. The tomb of that great liberal statesman is sur mounted by a large marble angel. In front of it stands marble tree, on the branches of which are perched small marble doves. It is said that whenever a member of the Orange family dies one of the doves crashes to the ground. In the crypt of the great edifice are the tombs of the other princes of Orange and the kings of Holland. Maurice, son of the Silent, and Frederick Henry, his brother, both strategists of the first order, who matched their skill against the famous world conquer ing grandes of Spain. William III, who be- came king of Englapd after the battle of the Boyne, is the only missing member of the family Queen Wiihelminas unfortunate cider brothers are buried there, as well as many of the aristocratic republicans of seventeenth century, who were the deadly enemies of the Orange family on account of the growing popularity of that house and the threat such popularity contained against the republic
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-12
Forum OfThe People


 To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 As private citizens and one among the interested taxpayers of Jefferson county, l desire to ask the chairman of the Board of Revenue to explain through your columns how he can reconcile with his prediction policy of economy the increase of the office force of the board by three additional clerks at salaries aggregating $500 a month, or $6,000 year.
 Also, many taxpayers would be glad to know if the chairman does not think the five board members could have got along somehow for while without the five limousines they have purchased for their private use. In view of the admitted deficit in the county treasury, could the board members not have postponed these purchases for while and continued to use the two roadsters that were available for the members of the old board?
 W. B. COPELAND. Birmingham, Ala, Dec. 10, 1924
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-12
Ex.Conyict Grateful to Guards.

To the Editor of The Age Herald:
 I want to thank the wardens, guards and leasees at the mines of Aldrich, Ala, for their kindness to me while in prison at that camp. This camp has the best men of all the camps. The food is as good as ever saw for prison. I also want to thank the guards at all camps l have been confined for their kindness and especially the warden of kilby prinson for his kindness while at that camp. I am sincerely thanking all who lent a helping hand in my behalf.
 OSCAR CASEY. Calera, Ala, Dec. o. 1924.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-12

Billy Sunday declared that Americas mission is to save the rest of the world from war. Sooner or later public speakers come around to the view of 8 great American patriot, who had at heart the welfare of mankind.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-12
The Lords and Labor.

Five members of the British labor party will shortly take their seats in the house oi lords and there constitute his majesty's loyal opposition. The five peers belong to that group of the labor party which was formerly the most progressive wing of the liberals. Such names as Lord Haldane and Lord Par moor do not suggest anything savoring of the proletariat Because labor is now the official opposition party in the lower house 1t must also take this position in the lords, though in the latter institution there are more than 40 liberal peers. And considering that the liberals number such men as Lord Edward Grey, the wartime foreign secretary Of Brl- tain among their partisans, it will easily be understood that the real opposition in the lords will be in the hands of the liberal party Young and ambitious political leaders in Brl' tain have time and again promised to abolish the house of lords. It has been called archaic antedelivium, the bulwark of reaction and spe' cial privileges by the Manchester Radicals; In the old days of soap box agitation of MT. Mac Donald and his followers the house of lords was a favorite topic for abuse. And yet in stead of having been thrown overheard during the leveling days of the war and the postwar period, the house of lords offers the remark
 able spectacle of taking in labor members into it's aristocratic encourage
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-12

So far the government does not seem to be making much headway in prevent ing the public from getting interesting details bearing upon a widespread ten dency towards tax-dodging.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-12
NOT MENTIONING NAMES

Now that the radio gets photos across sea, it is regrettable there are so few Y worthy to be thus miraculously transpor This is a great era for building magic W of all sorts for which there is dear ! Icargo.-New Haven Journal-Courier
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-12

The Nashville Banner says: "The cleo tions have been over long enough for peo- pie to begin wondering just how much wool was pulled over their eyes," Still, elections are known to be great eye openers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-12

How much simpler and how much more beneficial to the many it would have been for the senate to adopt the Ford plan than to quibble over amendments and other obstructive tactics in the interests of the few.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-12

Doubtless the trustees of number o1 educational institutions will sit up ant look pleasant over the recent action of { distinguished kodak manufacturer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-12

Apparently the average business man does not smile so blandly over proposals for an extra session of congress as sug gestions for an extra dividend.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-12
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The Value of the Church.

Sister Perkins: Are you coming to the sale and supper tomorrow night, Sister Turtle dove?
 Sister Turtledove q didn't hear about it. What is it? Sister Perkins: "Why, every woman is to bring something with her that is of little use and yet too useful to be thrown away, and then supper will be served in the evening. Can't you come?"
 Sister Turtledove "Yes, I'll come and I'll bring my husband'
 Mrs. Mink.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-12
PUZZLEITIS,

A Cumberland woman is so taken W crossword puzzle habit that she reaches dictionary every time she puts on hgF Cbeckered winter coat.-"Smiles," in Cumberland (Maryland) News.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-12

Tons of pudding have been shipped from England to America for Christmas. But no explanation is given why pud- ding stuffed with raisins is plum-pudding.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-12

What great thing it would be if the public attention were as strongly fixed upon law enforcement as upon the details of a crime mystery!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-12

It is said that Egyptian youths are re- fusing to wear English collars. Like Andy Gump they wear no mans collar, to say nothing of other important gear.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-12
COMING AND GOING

Anthropologists say modesty is not na- tural attribute and came in with clothes. It seems to have gone out with them, too.-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-12
FORRIDDING EOJyIPMENT

If opportunity knocks at the door, holding sledge hammer in one hand and a grubbing hoe in the other, it will be apt to find the door barred and the curtains drawn.-Houston Post-Dispatch.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-12
ALSO DEAD TIRED

A vocation is something you do for q liv- ing; a vacation is something>you couldn't stick at long without being d-broke.-BOston Transcript.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-12

If the choice were left to mo. whether to lave . free press a free government. would choose a free nross.-Thomas Jefferson.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-12
Blow. Sweet Aline, Blow.

Little Aline had been given q handkerchief by friend who was going away.
 After whispered conference with her mother she looked up at the friend and lisped "Whenever I think of you I'll use this:
 Mrs R. E. Dudley.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-12
CouIdn't Re.

MT. Speckels: You're a puzzle to me-" Mrs Speckels "Why, John, dear, 70 know I never say a cross word v
 Copyright 1924 Reproduction FOrbidden)