davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29
A rJRTIVE POLICY

Despite carefully-guarded secrecy thrown about the report of real es- tate appraisers on the value of the county courthouse property, there has been one rumor that the figure set is in excess of million dollars, another that a price of over a mil lion and a half was fixed. In com- parison with recent sales of proper ties close to the courthouse and pos sessing less favorable features, it is difficult to figure the present value of the courthouse property as less than two million dollars. Within five years it will be worth not less than two and half millions. Whether or not the proposed new county administration building is To- cated on the site recently acquired by the board of revenue, to sacrifice the potential value of the present site by selling it at any such price as has been suggested would be u1- businesslike and an injustice to the people of this county.
 The people are not overlooking the secrecy thrown about the pro- posed sale of the courthouse prop erty, as they ponder similar policy of secrecy in connection with the recent purchase of proposed new site. They cannot understand why a big public project of this kind, which directly affects their interests now and in future, should be kept under cover until details are all com. pleted, unless it be with purpose of depriving them of their right to vote on the project. Men whose instinct is so secretive should be handling . their own business and not the public business. Not only the site for a new county administration building, its character and cost and how 1t shall be financed, but whether the present property shall be sold at all should be determined by a vote of the people. That is the only fair and proper way of settling public question of this kind. Secrecy en- shrouding the conduct of the public business is reasonable basis for sus- picion that there is something to conceal
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29
THE DICESTsS POLL

Although there is some criticism of straw ballots as not being truly indicative of public opinion, there can be no doubt that results of such ballots are interesting. Perhaps, as they are resorted to more often, and the people come to respond to them more generally, more significance will be attached to them. Perhaps also, as the results of straw ballots are compared with actual election results, it may be found that they are more worthy of attention than some have thought.
 The Literary Digest's poll of fif- teen million citizens regarding their attitude on the Mellon plan for tax reduction will doubtless draw more general response than usual, because the question of taxation is always very near to the American thought. The ballots, mailed at the rate of one million a day, call for a simple yes or no, and, being unsigned, pro- tect the anonymity of the voter, thus presumably leading him to express his opinion with entire frankness. The results will be published weekly. That people are for tax reduction there can be no doubt. Whether they believe the Mellon plan will re- suit in genuine reduction for the moderate taxpayer is the real ques- tion at issue. The reaction of fifteen million citizens on that point, or of even half that many, will be illu- minating, even if not conclusive. Perhaps some will vote for the plan who will later change their minds, if it is more fully brought out that the main relief is in the higher in- stead of the lower brackets.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29
HoWARD's ANNIVERSARY

Observance today of the eighty second anniversary of the foundation of Howard College directs attention to the increasing influence and ser vice of this educational institution Like most schools in the South, 1t was started on a small basis, but has expanded in usefulness year by year until it is assuming proportions quite in line with it's original ambitions. The small college is a valued asset for constructive uplift far beyond the immediate sphere of its activities. Howard College has long exerted a strong and. constructive influence throughout Alabama. It's service in the development of character no less than in the advancement of intellec- tual training is worthy of wider rec ognition. It has during its eighty two years turned out many young men who have distinguished them selves in various spheres of worthy achievement One of Towards pres idents, who earned nationwide re- pute as educator, author and diplo- mat, and who contributed generously to the advancement of education in the South, was firm advocate, of the public schools. In his pleas for better schools, better teachers and more of both, he met the contention that the people of the South could not afford not to educate. That fortified by facts that they could not afford no ito educate. That view is becoming more and more widely accepted not only by those who are actively engaged in educa. tional work, but by the people gen eral1V
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29
CONSIDER THE WARRIOR

The directors of the Port of Bir. mingham find that the chief obstacle to the Warrior barge lines success is lack of floating equipment. In spite of this deficiency the tonnage carried by the waterway has steadily grown, while it is incalculable how much business has been forfeited be. cause of physical inability to handle It. The tonnage for 1922 increased nearly thirteen thousand tons over the previous year, while the increase during 1928 was more than fifteen thousand tons over 1922. The busi ness lost because of lack of barge capacity may amount to several hun dred thousand tons since the opening of the service.
 The investment of private capital in the Port of Birmingham and ir barges built and loaned to the service was based on confidence in the in. tention of congress to give the wa terway square deal. Congress may have that intention, but it has not yet, been minted into actual achieve. ment. As far as the Warrior is con- cerned, the barge lines are much in the situation of a half finished blockhouse from which a child has turned away because of interest freshly aroused in something else, The pathway that congress has tra- versed in recent years is strewn with the relics of half finished block houses. The nation needs to send to their highest lawmaking body more individuals of adult intelligence 80 that these projects of public ben. eft may be carried through to sue cessful completion.
 It is interesting to note this ex- tract from the report of the directors of the Port of Birmingham: "We are surprised to note that three members of the Alabama delegation in the last congress failed to vote for or voted against the waterway appropriation. We feel sure that these three members in the rush o1 other matters did not have time to investigate the purpose of the appro. priation, its widespread value to the nation as a whole, and it's particular importance to Alabama" This is vrey lenient and courteous explana. tion of the vote criticized, but it may be pertinent to inquire what possible business the members could have that would obscure the public business. In any event, it will be of great i'm portance to call their attention to this matter when next it comes up for congressional consideration.
 The Warrior can be made to serve this producing territory to much greater advantage than at present by the addition of the necessary barges of the proper type. The Warrior is the nations great expert rnent in canalization. It is on the brink of success. It seems highly ap- propriate to call the congressman from other blockhouses to finish this one. It would be only momentary holding of their attention, and sure ly they are equal to that.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29
MussoLINI PAYS A GRUDGE

There Is an old Greek proverb
 "Know Thyself," which might apply to the self-confidence which some of the worlds dictators are displaying. Only recently Premier Mussolini of Italy undertook to abolish the use of cosmetics, and more especially rouge, by the ladies of the realm
 That indicates the raan's belief in bis personal power, because so long as drugstores exist and the fair sex attaches importance to artificial en- hancement of pulchritude, the task will most likely fail.
 But Mussolini didn't stop there. He aimed direct thrust at mothers in-law, which history shows to be a dangerous expedient. It all came about in this way, according to an apparently trustworthy story: In his youth, when Mussolini was strong for the revolutionist business, he fell in love with a Corsican girl. The affection was mutual, but the maids mother declared that her daughter should never wed rebel, and Musso- lini was chased out with broom stick. The young couple eloped, but while the groom went steadily for ward and became a man of affairs, he kept in mind the matter of the broom-stick, as indicated by his ac- ton in connection with bill recent ly passed by the Italian legislature providing for free passes on the railroads for parents, wives, brothers and sisters of legislators. It seems that mothers-in-law were included in the original measure; but there is where Mussolini, applying the spirit of Tam O'Shanter's wife, nursing her wrath to keep it warm," got even. He struck out mothers-in-law, who in Italy must now pay their fare or "hike it." ...- .
 Aside from the justice of penaliz- ing all mothers in-law, including those who are one hundred per cent. reasonable and considerate, the man who brides himself -cn looking like
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29
GOING TO THE DOGS
 By Charles Felsclier
e'rhines are not what they used to

s.ThiHes are not what they used to be-and they never were "
 Several times in recorded history sections of the human race have "gone to the dogs And 1t certainly is at least possible that something similar fnay happen again.
 Kipling mentions Ninevah and Tyre as symbols of cities once strong that have vanished.
 The Bible and other more Of less dependable chronicles contain names of nations once powerful and that have for ages been othlng but nafnes.
 History has a way of repeating 1t. self. What has happened is likely to happen again. Life seems to move thus in cycles. Death is unreal to the individual, 50 unreal that you can hardly imagine your dying-though you know that the passing of others is inevitable.
 Nations and civilizations similarly take for granted their deathlessness, but we know that they have ail had their birth and fise and growth, and that they will have theft decline and fall. Perhaps it does not matter much if the nations come and go, so long as the race continues. Though some of Us prefer to believe that, in the economy of the universe and in the light of democracy, every nation and civilization. indeed, every hum blest individual, is infinitely pre- cious.
 Since the latest war--which begins to look like ah effort of the white portion of the human race to commit colossal suicide-mahy normally healthy-mindel persons find it hard to escape pessinnisrn. Forgetting that it takes time to work the rayages of tie war fever giit of 5uf system, they desperately take for kfahted that fur thef war is tihescapable. On every hand they see degehefhey and break down. Ecohoinic ahd social systems cahfi6t fseover. Immortality is rafi- pant. Uebatls threatens. We are going to the dogs
 And yet the afiiazins reserve of npwef and fesotirces that the fighting nations developed, during the war is in itself a sufficient answer to the prevalent pessiniisiii. Surely, man 8 talent for detttuction is not greater than his genius for ppbuildins. It may take longer to build than to tear down, but the creative power ihvolv- ed in construction ia certainly the truer index to mans character and capacity. The radio Is a better req sDn fof hdbefllness than the Big Bertha and It's tiiurderous successors are canse for despair.
 To cure yourself of desperation about the huinan race or Europe ef America or the younger generation, suppose you learn by heart the fol lowing lines and recite them aloud Whenever the blues seize you:
 My grandpa notes the worlds worn soss and says we're going to the dogs. His grah-dad, in his house of logs, swore things were going to the dogs. His grahd-dad, iii his house ish bOgs, vowed things were going to the dogs. But that is whatl wish to state--tiie dogs have had an awful wet"
 To be a "bull" 0 hAfnerica. ot Europe, on the world. on yourself. Yh others-..is q sign that your soul is healthy aud your bloed is red.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29
The Pardon Abuse
ISelmn 'Times-JolrnEll ]

NEsVIIIIU tIHIth-JVUTNEIT .
 A condition that must be avoided oy governors and ail others who are clothed with power over the liberties ,f others is that of mental mushi- ness which takes no account of the distinctions between the iawless and .he law-abidlng among those accused of crime. It is always unfortunate whenever a criminal becomes the ob- lect of unreasoning pity, for then not only is the peace and safety of the continuity endangered, but the moral safeguards of society are themselves aebased. Mercy, like most of the other, must he tempered with dis cretion.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29

Napoleon, in undertaking these two herculean tasks--restricting the beauty-tricks of young women and discriminating against mothers-in- law--has demonstrated that he be- lieves in, whether or not he knows, himself.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29
Should Help Themselves
ltiadsden Journall

tGadSaen Jourpal}
 There are many men, and many fariners, among them. too, who hold to the opinion that the farmers should work out their own salvation, and that those farihers who do that will be in the best financial condi- ton in the long run. Debts must be paid, eventually, and the farmer who works his way out of debt as soon us possible will be in better condition in tho futiii.e.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29
SMILES
Words and Muslc

WUFuS anu MubIC
 (Pittsbhrg Chronicle e-Telegraph) A young fellow was trying hard to explain to the salesman what lie wanted.
 Now. haven't you this song? It goes zim-zim, zum-zun, zang-zang. You know" "Surty," said the salesnidn. but I don't seem to recognize the tune. What are the w0rdsf"
 "Thdse are the wortls.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29
Heavy Cast of Rats
tAnhiston Star)

People iii every city, town and com- munity could help in the war against rats by trying constantly to rid their own premises of the rodents. Not only is the rat constant danger and d heavy expense, but it IS ab- solutely useless. Other animals that do no harm also have some use that gives them at least ah excuse for existing. Rats have none, so far as man has been able to determine.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29

When a rfiotorist persistently dis regards the traffic signals, he is lia- ble to lose the use of his car. Does it logically follow that when pedes- trian does likewise, lie may be de- prived of his legs?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29

Congress appears to possess gem jus for Investigating pretty much everything except the merits of sub stantial proposals for advancement nf the nnhlic Welfare
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29
Keep Fighting the wsevil

(Crenshaw County News1
 So, Mir. Farmer, do not get the idea that you will not have to fight the boil weevil this year. Prepare for tie fight just as if you knew that he will be here, and when he appears begin the fight in earnest and you will make some cotton. The weeyil will be here ds long as cotton grows upon which lie can feed. Duh't fIfaet thht.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29


 We Are More Gentle Now Sir, The following "Pome" went the rounds of the editorial pages of American newspapers forty years ago, published anonymously:
 WARNING \ Oh, he was a lightsotne, gay young man
 And he walked with a tender grace, And a smile like the sweep of. an angels wing Spread over his fair, young face. T bring,"e he said; and the editor bowed,
 For he loved that fair young thing q bring" lie said, "a poets song, A lay of the balrny spring. Then the editor gathered his cross cut saw ;rt \-.. And the nsil-grab-all the same, And the big sledge-hammer and long crowbar,
 And the club with the terrible name. And he sawed him in two, and he flattened him out, And he tore out each quivering lung, And pinned him up on the sanctum wall,
 So scattered and yet SO young.
 -G. NJ. As we understand it, the sals-of the courthouse is private matter.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29
TIT DOES SEEM FOOLIsH

lDodEe City, Kan, Globel
 Why be poor when magazines are full of announcements about courses of instruction that will enable any old skate to make $1O,000 to $4O,O00 n year.?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29
Should Be Thankful

(Tuscaloosa News)
 Judging from the whiff of smoke appearing on the political horizon in Alabama, candidates may be thank full that there is no danger of 'the Mexican method of carrying on q presidential campaign being adopted here.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29
OVERRIDING IT.
Indianapolis News.)

lInulhnapolls NeWs.j
 Another big thing tO remember is that the man who bought his boy good drum has to wait just so much longer for a hole to appear in the drum hknd,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29
sentiment Fer City Manager

(F16rence Dialy News)
 There is real sentiment in Flor ehce for city managership in. the administration of our municipal af- fairs. Whenever the subjectsis mem tioned in q public gathering of any kind there is always an enthusiastic . response.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29
Must Have Their Campaigns

The people of Alabama are very fond of campaigns and the holding of elections, and when there is no general election in sight. they ap- pease theft appetite in this respect by pulling off bond election. We must have our campaigns and elec- Lions, cdtfe what may.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29
THE ALABAMA PRESS
Are Two Factions
(Opelika News)

(Opellka NeWst There are two factions in the Re publican party in Alabama, the Street bunch and the Long crowd. The Street followers, it appears, get the offices and the Long adherents ret the opportunity to kick.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29

It is reported that Both Messrs. Fall and Sinclair, of reserve oil lease
 fame, are sick. It is better that these two than the whole country should be sick over this transaction.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29

The French visitor who declared that there is no variety in the beauty of American women must have con cluded that the cosmetics industry has also been standardized.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29
THE LARAGRApHERs
No More thahcs'n Rabbit

The mother of Governor Smith spf New York declared on his birthday that sine would not wish him to be president. and some think she has no special need to worry.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29
win suon Be Active

(Huntsville Tfmes)
 We farmers will be actively In, the game within a few weeks. Con- siderable land has been turned for the diversified crops of 1924, and from all indications we are to have a mighty fine yield in all lines.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29
\ MISSOURI OBSERVATION

Independence Examihert
 1t makes very little difference how much education Il man has or how many facts he knows, if he does nbt know how to use what he dues know
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29
The Convert

 He was rabid boxing fan in simple
 days of yore; The slugging game enthused his
 frame and filled him to the core. He liked to SC 'en1 uppercut, he liked
 to see 'em swing, And night by night with optics
 bright, he sat beside the ring. He was faithful follower of men
 of fistic fame, And large and small and short and
 tall, he knew them all by name. He watched lem in the boxing ring,
 he watched lem in the gym; The ins and outs of boxing bouts were plain as day to him. He still delights in fistic fights and
 dotes on ruddy gore, But boxing has no lure for hini-it thrills his heart no more. One dark and fateful night he
 chanced within a crowded hall And saw bunch of students in a
 game of basketball.
 Some of the roughness of basket ball might be eliminated by adopt ing a rule against hitting in 'clinches.
 Haytime Story
 Farmer Browns boy was fishing through the ice on the green pool, even thought it was eighteen below zero and a bitter wind whistled across tha green meadow. ]. What's the big idea----fishing on day like this?" said Christopher the Crow to his old crony, Oswald the Owl. "Ain't he got anything to eat at homer"
 "Eatsl'' exclaimed Oswald. "He has whole house full of groceries. He has everything from soup to nuts."
 "Then why," asked Christopher, "does he come out here and suffer in the cold!"
 "He is not suffering" replied Us- wald. "He is having q frolic." .. Just then there was a jerk on the line, and Farmer Browns boy with numbed fingers pulled out a fine fat carp that lay Hopping and gasp ing on the ice.
 "The poor fish" exclaimed Chris topher the Crow.
 (Which one?" asked Oswald the Owl.
 The trouble in Mexico has revealed the fact that there is a town called Moron. As we understand 1t, a mo- ron is one who is mentally Mex. "There are three important things in golf" says Francis 0uimst. The first is to knock the ball into the hole. The others don't matter.
 Have a Care
 I do not like
 A notorbike;
 It makes my spirit flop. 1is day I raced a motorbike For twenty miles along the pike And then found, 50 help me Mike,
 It was a motor cop
 I do not like
 A motorbike,
 And that's a fact, old top.
 The Duke.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29

A bore is frequently . person who laughs Justify at his own jokes, but never cracks i smile at anybody elss's.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29
Not I1Kockins Congress

= (CIeveInTid PIRIh DedleFJ
 The president of the American Bar Association says thut the remedy for the evil of blocs lies in the formation of an intelligent block. Bit there 4 planty of material for the other hlncR.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29

ing away a naval fuel reserve of . quarter of a million barrels of oil is sufficiently untechnical for anybody to understand it's enormity.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29

Between the weather forecasts and the announcement that the income tax blanks have arrived, some folks probably have their doubts about
 every cloud carving q silver lining.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29
On the Farm

Farm works gettin' harder an harder, remarked Farmer Corntas. sel. With all these modern i'm provementsT "Them's one of the difficulties. Everybody on the place hates to leave the sittin' room for \tear I'issin something big on tie
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29

An Austrian scientist says that a man should be eight years older than the woman he marries. Frequently he starts out that way, but the diff
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29

Incidentally 1t may be noted that Salt Creek is not far distant from Teapot Dome, according to the pos abilities as well as the map. q
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29
Ohe.Man lTurnata

Ohe- Main Furnace
 tBUstOn Transcript) House Owner: How does your furnace work this weather?'' Tenant: "fhe exercise of raking 1t keeps me warm, but the other members of the family complain"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29
THE HIGH PLIERS

tDuIths NeWsl
 Of course the edgle flies high, but probably it worries a good dedl over where it's next meal is tOl conie frori.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29

Stanley Baldwin's administration was so brief that history may record him al premier pro tenn.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29
DO-DON'T MERELY ELAN

(Boston Transcript The effort that is made and fails is of more value than the iinexecuted plan that might have been successful.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29
Khlins the Goose

lHt. Louis UIobe4DefiOcfat)
 You'd hate to fiake speeches against tie lowering of taxes ---es- pecially if y9u were { puiitieian~- wouldn't you!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29
TRY THIS
lRnstnn n,ran....in.

- IEUFT"I FFHNfFIVLI
 Fhe best way tu get Altead is to make good uss of the head you al. ready have.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-29
Just Inauirtng to khow

"senator Jim Heed calls the De. havioF of his colleagues 'ckiid's play" says the CincihHati Enquirer. Whats the senator miffed at the rhiidfei for?