davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-18
MANKIND WILL SURVIVE


 Exctable scientists on both sides of the Atlantic give warning that destructive prod ucts of the laboratories threaten to wipe man from the face of the earth if war should come.
 This is wasted alarm. While new inven- tions and discoveries may hold wide destruc- tive possibilities that should give the nations pause before again breaking into hostlities, it is inconcei*able that they place mankind in danger of extinction. On this point the progress that is being made in defensive ln- ventions and discoveries is to be counted as weighing at least partially against the prog ress in offensive devices and products. There may be deadly gases, but ther care also ef- fective gas masks. So runs the story of progress in offensive and defensive instru- mentulites and agencies of war.
 Besides. mankind has a good motive in not exterminating itself. even in war. The vic tors always want spells. and as soon as they are established winners they are interested in preventing further destruction. War is then shown to be policy, and not murderous hate.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-18
ALABAMA ACTIVITIES

Every day news dispatches to The Age Herald carry additional evidences of expansion and improvement in public projects or private enterprise in various parts of the state. It is a pleasure to record them, because not only are growth and prosperity in one section reflected in neighboring regions, but they are a source of encouragement and an actual inspiration to the state at large.
 During 1923 Alabama produced one fourth of the total crop of velvet beans grown in the United States. Up to Feb ruary there were 573 cars of satsu- mas shipped from Alabama, as against 401 the previous year, an increase of TYP cars. Government reports show that Alabama's resources in 1923 were valued at more than a billion dollars compared with 1912. Gadsden recently completed a one hundred and fifty thousand dollar high school, and adopted plans for a church to cost an equal amount. The Gulf States Steel Company is installing a seventy thousand dollar cooling plant, and the National Pipe and Foundry Com pany, which operates soil pipe and steam fitting plants at Attalla, increased it's capital stock from $1O0,OOO to $525,OOO. Buckles are being made in large quan- tity at Attalla. Three splendid church buildings are being constructed at Gull man. A two hundred thousand dollar sand and gravel plant is being built few miles from Montgomery, while one hundred thousand dollars is being in vested by another gravel and sand enter prise in Montgomery for additional equipment.
 Work is progressing on a new high school building at Fall City, near Jasper. Increases in bank clearings are reported from many towns and cities throughout the state. Several big lumber indus tries have been established at Fort De- posit, with a large increase in popula- tion. Tuscaloosa awarded sewer con- tract for S24,000. Work is being pushed on new hotel at Opp to cost S6O,0OO. The First National Bank of Hartselle completed a handsome new banking house. A national bank is being organ ized for Madison, near Huntsville. At Tuscumbia construction of high school building and two bank buildings is under way. At Eufaula work is progressing on
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-18
Finding Ones Self
nx nR. FRANK CRANE

When, in 4The Phaedo," Crito asks Socra- tes,f "How shall we bury youg' the sage an sNered, "In any way you like, but you must first get hold of me-, and take care that do not run away from you. -
 And what is this precious me think and 1t is what you bur6Sin the crematory, or what slips away from the body in death.
 There seems to be some confusion about 1t just now, too when Ia6in alive and kicking. For sometimes one says s"That was your bet ter self that prompted that"
 It is also spoken, "He is his own worst en- emy" Are there two of me then, opposed to each other?
 Then you speak of restraining yourself" and 'letting yourself go." What IS 1t that is doing the restraining and the letting go!
 Also an angry man is beside himself." and a successful man has found himself"
 You remark, T said to myself" or "l thought to myself" To whom were you talk ing or who talked?
 Am duet, or company?
 Psychologists in latter days have been de. claring that there are cases of dual person aiity, real instances of Hyde and Jekyll, as in the interesting play, "The Case of Becky.
 AS do not understand the matter at all, l shall explain it to you.
 The bodys eye looks only outward; the souls eye looks both out and in. So the soul can hear itself also with an inward-facing ear, and taste itself with an inward-facins ear, and taste itself with an inward tongue.
 And what is going on within me is fully as important as what is going on about me.
 Real vision is to see ones self clearly. Few do.
 Real prudence is to listen to ones self
 Real education is to study and finally to know ones self
 s Real nobility is to revere and respect ones self.
 Real peace is to be on good terms with ones self. ias
 Real hell is to hate sone's self. r "Selfish" is a misleading word. It means, as commonly used, not searing for ones self at all, but trying to quiet it by feeding it cakes and ale; it means assuring ones self to be a concealed hog. :.
 Hive were truly selfish that is to say if we knew and respected the self in us, we should be good and great.
 A gentle mother does a deed of self-sacri- flee to please herself, quite as much as the drunkard drinks to please himself. The diff ference is that the sot's inward eye is more bleared than his outward eye; he understands himself not at all He is insulting his real self, and some day self will repay him in scorn.
 All fools who pursue the sensualities are en- gagged in the fools business of running away from self. All wise persons are those who seek themselves until they find themselves.'
 For the most horrible person to be on bad terms with is myself. I can never get away from him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-18
PEACE AND SECURITIES

It is not surprising that the new Jap anese loan of $150,0 0,000,000 for the Unit ed States and Holland was successfully floated. Advices state that the London portion of the loan, which totaled twen- ty-five million pounds, was more than twice over-subscribed. It is also stated that a considerable part of the loan was taken by large industrial interests in the United States.
 All of which is good business. Japan is resourceful country. Her people are industrious, and her financial affairs have been administered on business prin- ciples. Despite Japan's recent disasters, the business world has faith in the little country's purpose and ability to meet her responsibilities and care for her ob- legations. Banking, like other business, is founded on confidence. Moral charac- ter is regarded by constructive bankers as a larger consideration than physical assets alone. This is especially true in investment banking circles. It is lack of this which accounts for Russia's loss of credit in spite of her material assets scores of times greater than those of Japan.
 NJapan not only will meet her obliga- tions. but will spend much of the money derived from this loan in countries W hich purchased the securities, and will thereby establisil further friendly commercial re- ls.ion Mutuality of interests exercises a Dow -it,l influence in preventing inter "a onai ashes. That is another impor- tane cen iteration in business transac- t''Hs af this kind. A conflict between Japan and the United States would shake tk.. foundation of securities in both
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-18
EIDE DUDLEY's RHYMES
The Messenger Boy

The messenger boy! The messenger boy Oh. he is a source of continual joy. By ..ioyr you must know I mean just the reverse Hes wise as an ostrich he's swift as hearse
 I get the spring fever when snow quits the ground The messenger boy has 1t all the year round Without it he'd be like fish on dry land. It brings him languor he looks on as grand. A messenger boy was once seen on the run. Six cops grew excited and each drew gun. Ten horses got nervous and all ran away A bulldog went mad and bit children at play. The housetops were crowded to witness the sight. Six total ab- stainers went out and got tight. Excitement grew fast in the messengers wakes At last it turned out he had made a mistake.
 Oh messenger boy! Oh, messenger boy Your head is pure lead with no trace of alloy. You don't know the meaning of hurry at all. To you the word rush" is translated as ''crawl. Now, having exposed you, I'll bld you goodbye, but not till live told you that years ago l was one of you. Now that the secret is out, you see l know just what I'm talking about.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-18

BIkMlNGHAM FUN NOAN AoA>o
 Not the least of Birmingham's con structive achievements during the last few years is it's fast-growing distinction as a convention city. There are few cities of its class in the country, and scarcely any in the South, which have the privilege of entertaining so many gatherings of state and national scope. There are few weeks during which there is not some important assembly in this city, whose reputation for hospitality to visitors in small or large groups is spread ing all over the country.
 Several important conventions will as- semble in Birmingham this year. On Sum- day several hundred postal employees from all parts of the state gathered here in conference to discuss matters of direct interest to them. This morning the second annual conference of the South ern Association of Building Owners and Managers, representing millions of dol lars invested in larger buildings, convene here for two days session. Many prom inent business men will attend the meet ing, and subjects of practical import bear ing on various phases of the building in dustry will be considered in practical liz hts. A little later several conventions of national scope are booked to assemble here.
 All of these gatherings carry distinct community value. Not only do they bring money as an immediate result of their presence, but they are worth much from their constructive advertising after the visitors depart. Birmingham offers much of interest to observant outsiders, and much to impress them regarding at- fractions for residence and prospects for profitable investment. Many desirable residents and successful business enter prises were brought to Birmingham as results of favorable impressions made upon visitors looking around, and upon delegates to conventions held in this city.
 The city's central location, transporta- tion facilities and other advantages make it an ideal place for large assemblies. With the completion of the auditorium <and some active work by the public au- thorities and civic organizations to inter est tourists and convention executives, there is reason to expect Birmingham to become one of the chief convention cities of the country. The many possible community benefits are we'll worth spe- cial efforts to that end by public, semi public and private interests. Any city which possesses as much to interest and attract as Birmingham will reap material benefits from special efforts to make known its advantages and opportunities
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-18
WHEN POLICE GET BUSY

Working on several theories in con- nection with another murder of an ac- tress, the New York police headquarters issued, this order: "Get every bootlegger who has done business with Louise Law son within the last year" A significant order it is. There is only one logical nterpretation-that the police, whose duty it is to arrest any or all bootleggers, the culprits in this case until they were suspected of murder.
 The police virtually admit that boot leggers were active in selling an out lawed product to the woman, and that they, as enforcement officers, were winking at the practice for reasons best known to themselves. They purposely failed of their duty to enforce one law. What assurance is there that they will not also fail to apprehend the murderer or murderers? If those charged with law enforcement are induced to wink at viola ton of one law which goes on under their noses, how about other laws?
 It is another of the many illustrations that there will not be, cannot be, pro- tection of life and property under sys- tenn whereby law enforcement officials arbitrarily determine what laws they will undertake to enforce. So long as such a condition is permitted to exist, under spacious pleas of difficulty in the enforcement of any particular law as advanced by many law enforcement of- ficials, who act within their own discre- tion, there need be little hope that those guilty of this crime will be properly pun ished, especially if they be bootleggers operating under police protection.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-18
WATCHING THE PARADE
By JOHN PILGRIM

Once in a while science shakes the flag of hone at me. Just about when have decided that am an utter loss and that the one sem sible thing is to pull up the cover of oblivion, some hitherto unheard of professor walks In with a recipe for the pursuit of happiness. This time the man acted as though it were not a discovery at all
 sWe all know" said he, that life runs in cycles"
 Then he explained that just because a neirbbor is discovered on his front porch un- able to add up his monthly ice bill. he may not be a mental casualty. He may be unable to put two and two together to make four at the moment, but at the end of his cycle of dumbness he can make Euclid look as fooilsh as a beginner in bucketshop.
 The professor said. that there was time last summer when he was compelled to give up driving his car. Things happened 10 nam, and altogether he had an excuse that satlsfled his wife, who is partisan anyhow, ana ne was usually able to square matters with the other parties. in his heart of hearts he Knew those things happened because he had tempo rariIy gone sour. He did not think quick enough or far enough. In some cases he did not think at all Two weeks later he snapped out of it and has been right ever since.
 None of us--and the professor says this IS an accepted theory-is able to function at top speed, mentally, morally or physically, more than little while. Maybe that IS wny very yer; good men and women have lapses and bril- liant men do the most idiotic things and ath- letes who are trained to the minute weaken unexpectedly in the performance. It IS comforting theory to some of us -.
 Also it suggests that we should show bit of charity in our judgment of other men. Maybe the man we condemn for folly or crime or discourtesy is only on the inefficient swing of his cycle.
 Perhaps tomorrow it will be his turn to ex- fond nty
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-18

steel bridge, high school building, a new courthouse, a new theater, and ex- tensiye paving projects, the total costs being $350,000.
 Anniston is building thirty thousand dollar courthouse annex, and material is being assembled for the construction of three bridges in Calhoun county. An niston's population is estimated at 3O,- GOO and its annual payroll at $4,70O,- 900. Alexander City has ordered a mo- tor truck for the fire department. A new blaming mill is being built at Fayette to cost $5O,OOO. Much road building, street paving, school and home construction are reported from many parts of the state.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-18
Waterways Nourish Railways

To the Editor of The Age-Herald
 am delighted with your editorial of January IS on the Enlightened Railway View" The railways have been rat her slow to recognize the benefits of water transportation. For example l think Samuel Req would be set down by all most anyone among the first half dozen railway men in the United States, and in a great many lists his name would prob ably appear as the second or third. MT. Req at the meeting of the Chamber Of Commerce of the United States for the Eastern Division had very able paper on the re mobilization of the railways. He included the proper function of motor transport by highway, and he had clearly in mind the fact that where that is the more economical method the railways are better off to let the truck carry the freight The railways would be better off if they abandoned some of their light branch lines and let the truck take care of the assembling and distributing. All of which is logical and large-minded. There was no reference in his address to water transportation It was not in his picture. And yet there is nothing more certain than the fact that the railways of the interior cannot be properly nonr- ished on their present basis.
 The difficulty that railway men have in recognizing the proper economy of water transportation and the benefit to the railway which will indirectly come from utilizing that economy is a real diff ficulty. And the clearly expressed views of MT. Elliott are on that account the more notable. l suppose you have the weekly bulletin of the National Institute of Transportation of which J. R. Howard is the President and Executive Director. If not think you would be interested in it. MT. Howard has very clearly in mind the idea that there is no sufficient fund of information as to transportation. The waterway advocates have their beliefs and sustaining facts; the railway men have their knowledge and experience but hardly anybody is thinking about transportation, If you care to have that bulletin, and rather think you would be interested in it, it is to be had by writing to the National Institute of Transporta- .tion, 30 North La Sale Street, Chicago.
 JOHN A. DOELLE,
 Assistant Executive Director Great
 Lakes-St. Lawrence Tidewater Assn.
 Duluth, Minn., Feb. 12, 1924.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-18
THE WORD "SPORT"

If the English language has borrowed many words from many languages there is at least one word in that tongue which has been bor- rowed by many nations who have adopted the form of exercise known as sport.
 It is the English speaking nations. the Americans are the English particularly. that have given the conception of sport to the world. With the practice of sport all nations with few exceptions have also borrowed the English term for the practice.
 Thus we have in the Paris newspapers. and in the Italian. the Russian and all the Palkan languages thr word sport used as if it belonged there.
 The internationalizatio of the word sport k an excellent illustration of the difficulty of keeping Il good thing down--or out.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-18
Wants A Furniture Factory (prattvilla prosresal

The Progress believes that furniture fac tory in Prattville would prove a paying in vestment With our timber we believe that we can build here a great industry that will pay handsome dividends. This question should be discussed by our business men and acted on tonce. Such cities as High Point, North Carolina, and many others have started as d village and grown into great n- dnStrial centers through furniture factories We have the locality and all we need is some men with the vision. the business judgment and the money. N
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-18
NOW THE OIL MONOPOLY

President Coolidge, now that he has set himself in motion, appears resolved to pursue pertinent inquiries to the limit. Having already ordered three separate legal investigations-the oil leases, the treasury bond Implications and the Vet erans' Bureau-he now gives instructions to both the department of justice and to the federal trade commission to review the conduct of the oil companies in re- cent weeks and discover whether there is illegal manipulation of prices and cornering of the supply of crude oil, and whether there is any abuse of the prin- ciples laid down for the guidance of big business under the general supervision of the commission. Gasoline has been going up and up as the direct result of the more than doubling in price of crude oil. Governor McMaster of South Da- kota, who initiated the novel plan of selling at cost, which sent prices tum- bling last summer, and Governor Bryan of Nebraska sent telegrams making charges which impelled the presidential inquiry.
 Already former representative from Kansas, representing oil interests of that state, has set forth the argument that the decrease in supply has caused the increase in price. That argument on the face of it arouses the ready suspicion that it is the usual dust cloud special interests seek to stir up whenever any body is on their trail. No men of ca- pacity and sincere desire to arrive at the real facts in the matter will con- slider for one, moment the arguments of defenders of the oil monopoles, but will proceed at once to the sources of relia- ble data for information and the basis of opinion. There is reasonable sus- picion that oil is merely floating on the top of the rising waters of greed-merely that and nothing more. The purpose IS to find out what is pushing oil prices upward. Having discovered that, then only can the program of counteraction be devised
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-18
Spread Of A Good System
 A.nin4a.. 0AnnA

The Live at Home sentiment is spread ing in the South. Instead of depending upon other states to sell them the things they need at home, Southern farmers are begin ming to produce the things needed on their own farms. In many parts of Alabama there has been marked increase in the cultivati tion and production of farm products that had been neglected by many farmers in the past.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-18
Motorists And Pedestrians) (TuScaloOsa NeWs)

A stream of people struggling across A street and interminably holding up vehicle traffic is no more tolerable than an inter- minablp stream of vehicles holding mp traffic The pedestrian deserves more consideration berause he is more subject to injury than an automobile but the automobile deserves con sideratiOn because it cannot start, stop or turn aside easily as a pedestrian. More and more the two kinds of travel will have to be separated altogether, where that 'is feas- ible. Where it is not, there must be better comnrOmise
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-18
Forum Of The People
efatigable Worker For Birmingham

 To the Editor of The Age-Herafd:
 I have just learned with very great re- gret of the death of MT. Richard r. John ston, of your staff. He was an indefat- igable worker for Birmingham, and he had the ability to present in attractive and readable form vast amount of in- formation about your city, its past and it's present. It was my privilege to have known him very well years ago when had the opportunity of travelling to greater extent than I can do at present, and W hen in Birmingham nearly always had the pleasure of meeting him. l ex- tend to you and trust that you will con- vey the message to his family my deep sympathy.
 RICHARD II. EDMONDS,
 Editor Manufacturers Record.
 Daytona, Fla, Feb. 13, 1924.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-18
Some Interesting Articles (naKalh Cnuptv Haroldl

Will Irwin. one of the foremost writers in America. is contributing some very interest ing articles to The Birmingham Age Herald in which he shows how Forbes used the funds which were appropriated for the disabled vet erans of the war. Forbes, head of the vete- rans' bureau, used thousands of dollars for his pleasure that should have gone for hos pitals and medical attention for the dying soldiers who gave up their lives in order that Forbes might live in luxury.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-18
ONE ON PAPA

Little Marys father had denied her pleas ure which she had expected to enjoy. That night when she said her prayers at her mothers knee she concluded with this peti- tion
 And please don't give my papa any more children. He don't know how to treat those he has now"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-18
Service For Salary The Point Alabama Traveler)

There are sixty women employed at the state capitol at an average of $1.000 annual salary. The question is asked, what do the salaried men at the capitol do? One issue has nothing to do with the other. Either men or women who earn their salaries deserve them. Neither men nor women who do not earn should not receive. Sex has nothing to do with it. Service for salary is the vital issue