davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-19
IS IT ANOTHER EVASION?

Almost every week for the past two years there have been reports about wnat the city commission was just on the point of doing with respect to separation or grades at downtown crossings. The total result to date is exactly nothing, as far as any construction is concerned. The latest plan is a reported agreement where bv immediate construction of vladucts at Twenty-fourth and Twenty-slxth streets is promised. This construction would be a fine thing if it can be ae- complished, as of course it could be With an efficient administration of pubic affairs.
 But the whole program snacks strong ly of an idea in the back of the com missions mind that by this constructor it will be able for while longer to side step showdown on the main crossings ait Twentieth and Eighteenth streets. Indeed, reports supposedly emanatlng from the city hall indicate prevailing impression among commissioners that re. lief at these streets will be a matter of many wears of litigation. Of course, II the commission feels that way about It, the railroads may immediately reassure themselves that the contemplated con struction is just as far off as ever.
 The people of this community, how ever. place value upon the dignity of their municipal government. That gov ernment has set a date in January by which time the railroads must begin con struction of underpasses at Twentieth and Eighteenth streets. That decision IS on the records of the city commission as an ordinance. Either the city will pro- ceed to the execution of that ordinance or the citizens must suffer the humil1a- ton of seeing their constituted authority back down before selfish private opposl- tion. If the proposed viaducts are solely for the community good, let them by all means be built. But if they are merely to furnish excuse for further delay on the important crossings and to furnish political capital for reelection campaigns then the public should know about 1t.
 The alleged willingness of private in terests to pay forty per cent. of the cost of the viaducts also merits inquiry If this plan should operate as prece- dent, or be so regarded by the railroads it should not be permitted. Besides, ii the railroads have already agreed to pay sixty-five per cent, why should any DOT, ton of the public agree to pay forty pel cent?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-19
The Right Word
A RECONSTRUCTION (Find the Error in This Article. !
By W. CURTIS NICHOLSON

 Clyde l.. Long, New York City: Every day of its appearance l read with interest your Right Word column and find it a most valuable contribution. Now 1 should like you to let me know what, if anything, is wrong with this ex- pression, since have been criticized for using it: Nobody passes this way lately, does there?"
 Answer: The sentence should be recon structed as, Has even one person passed this way lately?
 Every One Elses. Anabel Hoyt: What is the proper way to express this idea: We cannot accept any ones else (any one elses plans'T" Answer: The right expression is any one clses.
 Lost Their Lives. Catherine Schiavo, New York City: eve are having little dispute in our office as to which is correct: Six men lost their lives Six men lost life. 1 thought you might settle this argument for us"
 Answer: The right word is lives.
 "NOne But I" Again. Thomas J. Tuby, Chicago: Tn your crit icism of the sentence, one but l knew etc, suppose the understood word should be knew as, None knew, but l knew, etc. To read it but me knew is making a grammatical sole ,iSm.
 Answer: Your version does not make sense if none knew, how could any one know But is a proposition equivalent to except; as None but (except) me. But you ain't alone in the stand you take.
 Yesterdays Error. Wrong: The whole group is therefore either singular or plural.
 Right: The whole group are therefore either singular or plural.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-19
THE NORRIS FILIBUSTER

Senator Norris has declared filbuster against the Underwood bill providing for the disposal of Muscle Shoals. This is not new thing. In fact, Senator Norris has long record as leader of the oppo- sition to every constructive effort in be- half of Muscle Shoals. He is not ap- parently aligned with the trusts that have sought defeat, of every program looking to conservation of the public interest in this property, but he could not better have played their game if he were openly in their employ.
 It is recalled that, originally, Senator Norris, although chairman of the com mittee of the senate having such things in charge, did not think much of Muscle Shoals. A visit to the property, however, convinced him of it's tremendous value, and for a time he was apparently in favor of the Ford offer. At any rate, he favored the completion of Wilson dam. Soon after his visit to the Shoals, Senator Norris inexplicably began to talk of gov ernment operation of the property, which was not, after all, surprising, for he is quite socialistic in his leanings.
 Although from the first he must have perceived that he could not win any con- siderable support for his program, yet as chairman of the committee he was able to block a report on the Shoals measure before his committee until it was too late for the senate to act. Primarily, his hope was not to bring about the success of his own measure, but to defeat the Ford measure, which had already passed the house. When his own measure was re- ported in the closing days of the sum- mer session, it was only 8 method of using his official position in order to filibuster against the Ford measure and prevent it from coming to a vote.
 Therefore, there is nothing new in the proposed Norris filibuster against the Underwood bill. It is merely a contin- uation of the filibuster he has been inn properly engaged in from the beginning of his participation in the matter. His charge that the Underwood measure leads directly to Wall Street is not given credence through any record of his own for keeping the Shoals out of Wall Street. As everybody knows, there is no love lost between Ford and Wall Street, so to have made the contract with Ford would have been to foil Wall Street. The truth is that logic is a commodity utterly lack ing from the Norris viewpoint. His words cannot be gauged by their content of logic, for there is none.
 The disconcerting thing from the pub lie viewpoint is not the opposition of Sen ator Norris, but the senate procedure that permits one man leading a minority to balk final vote on a pending measure. The full force of public censure should fall, not upon the leaders of filibusters, but on the senate as a whole for tolerat- ing a system under which minorities can thus block senate action.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-19
Brief Nature Studies
THE SEEDS of the milkweed are packed
By J. OTIS SWIFT

1.-THE SEEDS of the milkweed are packed
 into the dry pods, each with it's silky
 white parachute, with more art than the finest packing clerk in the best store in the world has," exclaimed q girl hiker of the New York Ramblers as the club watched the wind breaking up one of the pods. You say the fairies use the silk to weave their ball dresses of. But how do they color them?"
 They go, am told, to the oldest apothecary shop in the world for their dyes. All along the wooded hill in Rocky Lonesome the ledges are covered with the beautiful gray-green, brown, blue-green shield lichens, Parmelia, named from parma, a word for little shield" Even grown-up folk have made dyes from crottles for generations.
 Shield lichens, with thallus imbricate- foliaceous, growing in horizontal mats from the centre outward on stones and trees, have little groups of cup-shaped bowls near their centers the storehouses in which the asci CT spore sacs are borne. The storehouses are called apothecia, from old word for ware house, store or shop.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-19
CIvuIZATION IS GREAT

White Elk is an Indian chief. Maybe in his youth he roamed the plains and ate buff falo meat and stuck to the traditions of his forefathers. But following the march of pro- gress and civilization White Elk reached the movies and there he learned much of the white mans ways. And with the knowledge thus gained he sought a wider field for his ac- tivities in Europe. The chief is now held by the Italian authorities for fleecing wealthy women in Genoa, Venice and Milan out of $193,000.
 Chief White Elk was headed for the League of Nations to lay before that august tribunal the grievances of the American Indian and see if something could not be done about it. But he was tempted on the way by the beauty and wealth of certain Italian charmers and forthwith changed from an Indian chief to an Indian prince and waged a successful cam paign of conquest.
 Who can say now that Lo, the poor Indian, is not getting along? Isn't civilization great San Francisco Chronicle.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-19
Watching The Parade
WHEN the varstens were married they
By JOHN PILGRIM

XV/HEN the varstens were married they w had a nice little start because Ed
 Varsten had saved money. Their cot tage was about the niftiest on our street, and their lawn was sprinked with flower beds and Ed had money in the bank. But a few bits of furniture were needed.
 Here's $20O, dearie," said Ed to the Missus. Get what you can with it. We'll let the rest of the things wait until we can afford it.'
 Mrs. Ed went down town and bought $475 worth of doodads. But the incredible thing about that buying spree was that she did not know the total She lacks the ability to add somehow. She returned to her home that night perfectly convinced that she was well within the limit fixed by her husband, be- cause one of the items amounted to one half of $100.
 T did not know,' she wept with tears in her pretty blue eyes. How could tell?"
 And she has been doing it ever since. She is one of the best housekeepers and most lov- ing wives and finest mothers on our street, but she spends more money than Ed can afford. Not long ago he was warned of work by his doctor.
 At least a year of leisure,' were the orders.
 Ed had enough money to get along on, but his income had stopped. In face of that fact Mrs. Ed has gone on spending, just as if the weekly envelope was still functioning. Her husband has warned her and she has promised always with tears in the pretty blue eyes and has forgotten her promise. She has cut hole in Eds surplus that is disheartening to the invalid, who is trying with all his power to get back on earth.
 What can I doc" he asked.
 Well, he can stop her, of course. But the chances are he will not. She can always cry him into submission.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-19
Thought At Evening

Through the forest, huge and still, l went. My footsteps crunched the glittered snow Trees bent Their queenly heads snow-crowned, and kept Their arms around me. Overhead. A little moon, pale gold, floated, And the blue veils of twilight swept, Blurring mine eyes. 70 God" I whispered, thank You for These things Thanks for the purple shadowed snow That brings Silence; for trees slim, full of pride, Whose dreams surround me. Thanks for stars, And for the dusk, and for those bars Of splendor flinging clouds that hide Your Paradise"
 Mary Dixon Thayer, in Contemporary
 VerSA
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-19

than anywhere else, with possibly a few scattered exceptions.
 When it is recalled that a few years ago. there were practically no diversified industries in the Birmingham district, and that the number and scope of such enterprises are rapidly increasing, with every promise of extensive development in that field, the wisdom of those pioneers who foresaw the value of these enter prises and worked for them is triumphant Iy confirmed by the results.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-19
''Newsprint'' South

For the general public perhaps the most important news developed at the recent semi annual meeting of the Southern Cypress Man ufacturers' Association at Jacksonville, Fla, was this, which we quote from a committee report made to the assembly:
 The manufacture of newsprint paper by
 a new process has now been evolved by
 the Forest Products Laboratory, Madi-
 son, Wis, which will permit the use of
 tupelo, cypress, cottonwood and willow
 for that purpose, and it is stated at
 cost considerably less than by the me
 chancal process now used for the conver-
 sion of spruce into newsprint. By this
 new process it is claimed that nine
 tenths of cord of wood will produce
 ton of paper, compared with one and
 two-tents cords of spruce. Power is one
 of the most costly factors in the old
 process, and by the new method less than
 one-third the power is required.
 If such statements came from any but of fcial sources, we would regard them as under grave suspicion, but as it is we can only view them as of enormous promise for the South and indeed for the nation, as they would seem to foreshadow an abundant supply ot newsprint at cheaper prices.
 It was further announced that important and detailed accounts of the new invention are to be made, at an early date, Tn technlca publications. In short, the announcement al this time is real news whose importance can not be denied.
 To be sure, further tests on a commercial scale must be made before the discovery car be pronounced definitely assured of success but when, as and if it passes the criticism of manufacture sale and use the new paper will cause n transformation, veritable rev olution in several industrial lines, and will be of tremendous economic importance to thi. part of the country. If our enormous supple; of such cheap woods as black gum, cotton wood, tupelo, willow, etc, can be converted cheaply into a standard quality of newsprint Canada will have to look to her laurels as 2 producer of that kind of paper.
 Not the least sensational clause in the new announcement is that the pulp will require no bleaching. The latter need has been the point that has prevented the manufacture of white paper on commercial scale from pitchpiuc pulp-New Orleans TimesPica. yune.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-19
gests a way in which congress might re- veal it's own sincerity:

gests way in which congress might re veal it's own sincerity:
 Let congress pass for the District of Columbia a children's code which can be held up as a model to the states. Such a code will without any of the dangers of eentralization establish a national standard.
 Let the state legislatures in refusing to ratify the Twentieth Amendment me morialize the president to call a meeting of the governors of the forty-eight states to discuss the problem of child protection and to adopt a minimum standard code to be recommended by them to the states.
 There is too much tendency nowaday for congress to look over the fence int the next field and criticize what is don there, rather than bend it's efforts t. make its own tillage an example irresis tibly calling upon the states for emula ton.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-19
TrouhIe In LOuVain.

The good city of Louvain is in state of
 excitement. Gatherings of more than five
 persons have been forbidden and an extra number of gendarmes are patrolllng the
 streets. The cause of it all is the Flemish language. From Ghent where the flamingants have after many years achieved victory Tor their language, the flame of nationalism has
 swept over to Louvain Student bodies at the University of Louvain recently held meetings lin favor of complete autonomy for tlanders' and as a natural consequence, separation De. tween the Walloon and Flemish sections or Belgium. The meetings became so violent that police reserves had to be rushed to the ancient university aula, where hundreds of
 years ago the most violent theological discus sions took place. The Flemish question has not been settled. For many years the militant section of the Flemish population, known as lthe flamingants, worked with untiring efforts for A recognition of Flemish on an equal basis with French The Germans during the occu- nation. hoping to drive a wedge between the two sections of the Belgian people and ill that way weaken the morale of the nation, made advances to the Flemish leaders. They
 received a rather gruff rebuff. The burgo- master of Antwerp, M. Franck, one ot the leaders, was asked to come to the palace or Governor General Von Bissing. ''We are so interested in the Flemish question that have
 even learned your language since my soJourn here" said the German in Flemish. And | l. Monsieur le Gouverneur, I have forgotten | if since you come," replied Franck in French
 After the war the Belgians settled the ques-
 tion of equality for the two languages among
 themselves The disturbances in Louvain
 however, open up a new field. From mere
 language question, the problem is now be-
 coming one of separation
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-19
] Mg Mg977z{<EID.!S1 g97{ F &AR zAXSON EQNzHLL> >IZIDLZk

Logic. May kiss you?" l asked. No, I guess not" she answered. But she guessed wrong.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-19

One of the surest indications that MT. Young rendered much aid in putting through the separations plan is that he nas not attempted to get share of per sonal credit for the undertaking.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-19

To park or not to park, and especially now to park-according to frequent changes made by the city commission, seems to be the question of wide interest at this time,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-19
Alfonso a Spy?

European observers believe that Senor vincente Blasco Ibanez, the Spanish novelist, who has declared war to the knife on King Alfonso and the dictature of Primo de Rivera, has gone beyond the bounds of veracity in new pamphlet circulated by the author. In tbis pamphlet Ibanez brands Alfonso as pro- German. Fundamentally there is no crime
 whatever in that; the King of Spain was absolutely free in his choice If he favored
 the Germanic allies during the war, and being A Hapsburg nothing would have been more natural he was entitled to his opinion and
 preference Of course he had to keep in mind
 the neutrality of Spain, but as to private
 view, he could favor whom he pleased. But
 Senor Ibanez goes one further and says Al fonso was Q German spy. That is doubtful
 not only in the light of diplomatic disclosures now published all over Europe, but also for other reasons. He may have discussed strategy with French officers and also with German military attaches, but that he dis closed secrets of the one ot the other is doubtful. Attaches at Madrid were not so deeply in the confidence of either Monsieur Ludendorff or Herr Foch, that they could disclose any great coming stratetigal moves on the western front. Alfonso's personal pro- lest against the violation of Belgiums neu' Itrality and the famous Spanish note to the ing the Germans that for every Spanish ves- lsel sunk German vessel would be com
 mandeered in its place, show that the king was not pro-German, nor pro-British, but simply acting like good Spaniard. As far las being pro-German, Ibanez did indeed write Ia mighty scorching novel. but his name IS absent from the list of Spanish intellectuals
 who protested against the invasion of Bel gium.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-19

It is reported that Magnus Johnson will contest the election of his opponent in the race for the United States senate. In other words, he rejects the opinion of the voters that his services as farmer will be valuable to the state.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-19

Los Angeles police are trying to round up three monkeys that escaped from a laboratory. Doubtless the monkeys might plead that they cannot properly be ar rested without a warrant.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-19
WALLY THE MYSTIC

 He'll Answer Your Questions, Somehow. Our complex, modern life is bad, For little girls it oft makes sad; They should be playing with dolly Instead, they have to write to Wally.
 A Common Desire. Dear Wally:
 I should love to meet THE FUN SHOP Editor so sweet, want to offer him some verse, An0 nna'0' A''' N' NOT so VERSE. Dear Not So Verse: Regret to state He is very busy skate Who firmly turns all girlies down But see me when you come to town
 Very Real, Indeed.
 Since I am in doubt come to you to help me out. Is Santa Claus fake or real? ''"'' " VIRGINIA REEL. My dear Virginia Reel: I'll take My oath he's real and not a fake. It's cost me quite lot of dough To say, I've seen him and know.
 DeIiciously Dirty. Daddy was having his lunch of crackers ant milk before retiring when little sister, tw and half years old, came to him for he goodnight kiss. As he reached for his napkin, she said That's all right, daddy, my face is dirt anyhow"
 His Better Half. Mrs. Knox: Did success come to you husband early in life?" Mrs. Rox: "Yes, he was only 21 years ol when he won me-"
 Belle Ellison. Copyright 1924. Reproduction Forbiddsn.)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-19
We Push a Button

"In this electrical age when we push but ton for everything, we have paid homage to Watts and Ampere by measuring current Tn volts, watts, and ampheres. But we have done nothing to honor the Billy goat. ''What has the goat to do with it? "He was the first to push, butnn' Tn turning on his power"
 -Pensive Sam.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-19

That the days of miracles are not over IS indicated by the announcement that two wives of the same San Francisco man sang in the same church choir at the same time without a single discordant note-until afterwards!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-19
Forum Of The People
Denounces Anti Underwood Editorial

To the Editor of The Age Herald:
 The false malicious editorial in Saturdays s New York American attacking the Under wood Muscle Shoals bill and Senator Under wood personally is a cowardly attempt to defeat great constructive and beneficial measure It besmirches the character and reputation of patriotic statesman and is a disgrace to the journalism of this nation. To those. of us who have known Oscar Underwood as a fellow-citizen, neighbor and friend from his young manhood to the present day, and who have watched his steady rise in the esteem of the people of our own state of Alabama and of the whole country, re- gardless of party, this cruel attack comes with astounding force.
 We know that during his whole life and distinguished career the finger of scandal has never been pointed at him. His private life is above reproach and his political record in the interest of all the people speaks for it. self. l feel sure that public sentiment of the country will be outraged and aroused to the point of utter condemnation of this gross libel which has been cast upon our great statesman.
 L. A. MAY.
 Newark N T Dec IA 1924
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-19

If the choice were left to mo. whether 70 have c free press free government. "ou'o choose e free rross-Thomas Jefferson.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-19
THE JINGLE.SANGLE CORNER

Many men are studying Mars; Fall down hard and you'll see stars.
 Il. NJ. N. Many to their chairs hold tight; Clothes look best when they sit right.
 Helen Kiesling. Poor actors get but little praise There was a Ham in Noah's days.
 -Rosalind Juster. Somewhere temperatures are low; Prisoners to the cooler go.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-19
Some of Our Best Known Lies.

Some of Our Best Known Lies. "Yes, it fits perfectly, Madam" "No, he's in conference" "No, we haven't seat left" "Why, it's the very best car on the market" The boss isn't in, today" "Well. it's the greatest proposition of the year, and we're going to let you in on tn ground floor"
 Charles G. Shaw.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-19

CAL ALWAYS WAS PECULIAR
 President Coolidge insists on another re- duction of taxation, just as if it were a function of politics to keep promises.-Cleve- land Times-O Commercial.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-19
WHAT WILL THEY DISCUSS?

Governor of Wyoming is going to call on the governor of Texas-and bring her sewing machine, perhaps.-St, Louis Globe-Democrat.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-19
NORODY,IL ORJECT TO TIT

Secretary Hoover predicts a prosperous 1925. We'll try to stand it.-Pittsburg Gazette Times.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-19

WE'D HATE TO BET ON TT Will Senator Brookhart learn as fast as the voters of Iowa ?-Boston Transcript.