davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-16
MRS. SWEET[N
 ACCUSES HIGHI
Alleged Murderess Says Ex-PastOr ExtOrted
 Her Confession
OBy Associated Press)

MOUNT VERNON, H., Dec. 15.- On the witness stand today for the second time in her own behalf, Mrs Elsie Sweetin, who, with Lawrence M Flight, former pastor, is charged with the murder by poisoning of her bus band and Mrs. Anna flight, told Judge Kern that she had signed a confession that she gave her husband poison three times-once in candy, once in oatmeal and once in tomato soup-but declared that it was not true.
 "I signed it because Flight told me to-" she said. Il never poisoned my husband
 The battle over le admission of this document as evidence continued from the early morning session, and it was late in the afternoon when Mrs Sweetin herself was called to the stand
 Mrs. Sweetin told of being questioned all night after. her arrest. but said she had answered all questions willingly as she thought, if she could explain everything, they would let me SC home."
 It was after Flight, her alleged pastor-lover, had been in the room with her that she agreed to sign state ment and she told on the witness stand her version of what happened during the time they remained together.
 "He tried to kiss me while we were there, but 1 wouldn't let him. she said,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-16
KING ADDS S5OO,OOO
 TO CHARITY FUND
(By Associated Press.l

QUINCY, Mass, Dec. 15.-Theo- pholis King, president of the Granite Trust company, today announced an additional gift of $500,000 which in- crease to $1.000,000 the King family fund, the income of which is divided annually among 43 local churches and charitable organizations. He an- nounced also the institution of a pen sion fund for employees of the bank and said that those gifts dispose of most of the material riches with which l have been blessed'
 MT. King had previously created trusts that he said amply provided or his family, their children, their chil- dren's children and generation be- yond. He has stipulated also that no salary shall ever be paid to himself or to his son, Delcevare King, by the Granite Trust company, which he founded
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-16
GULF RATE HIKE
 ORDERED HELD UP
I. C. C. Acts In Proposed Import
 Charges
CRy Associated Press)

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.-A re- striction in the application of import rates on goods moving through New Or leans, Mobile and Pensacola, which southern railroads propose to make eff tective December 15, which would have required the payment of increased rates by shippers of certain commodities was questioned today by the interstate commerce commission. An order was issued requiring the railroads to hold up the scheduled filed until April 14 and maintain the present rates status at least until the commission can investi- gate the justice of the changes pro- posed. The commissions report said that the new schedules by limiting the application of import rates on certain commodities would result in increases of 312 per 100 pounds on a number of commodities when moved through the southern ports mentioned to points ill the interior.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-16
SMUGGLERS WOUND
 LAREDO OFFICER

LAREDO, Texas, Dec. 15.-Joe Fier- ros, deputy sheriff, was seriously wounded near here today by volley shots fired from the Mexican side of the border as he attempted to arrest Mexican smuggler in the act of land ing a cargo of illicit liquor on the American side of the Rio Grande.
 Fierros, in company with Deputy Constable LazarO Gonzalez went to the river-front on an inspection trip and detected the smugglers. Fierros descend ed the river bank and called to the Smuggers to throw up their hands as the shot were fired. The shooting came from vicinity of the Mexican gar rison located near the river bank. Of ficers here assert that the shots proba- bly, were fired by Mexican soldiers participating in the smuggling. Fierros was able to ride home but his condi- zion is regarded as critical.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-16
PLANE FASTENS
 TO DIRIGIBLE
 IN FULL FLIGHT
Feat Is Accomplished For First Time At Scott
 Field
(Ry Associated Press. ]

BELLEVILLE, H., Dec. 15.-The double feat of an airplane hooking it. self onto an airship while both were in full flight and then freeing itself to sail away again, was accomplished for the first time at Scott field, near here, to- day.
 The airship used was the army dirig- ible TC-3 and the plane was Sperry messenger, small type. A metal hook attached to a frame over the motor of the plane was used to catch onto a small trapeze swinging from cables .lung under the bombing rails of the ship. The feat was accomplished at an elevation of 1,50O feet.
 Spectators Thrilled
 Lieut.. Frank Mckee, lighter than air pilot, had charge of the TC-3, and Lieutenant Fenner of McCook field, Dayton, piloted the Sperry. On the ground Lieut-Col. John A. Paegelow, Scott field commandant, and a group of officers looked on, thrilled with the possibilities embodied in this new con- quest of the air.
 The plane was going about so miles an hour and the ship about 50 miles when the attachment maneuver was completed smoothly, Colonel Paegelow said. The plane remained attached to the ship for about ten minutes. The pilot then started his motor and mo- ment later released the hook by opera tion of a handlever.
 There was imminent danger, the commandant said. that the plane, in hooking on, might pull down the ship, with disaster to both. Also there was the possibility the plane might not be able to resume flight under its own power after cutting loose. At the na- Gonal air meet at Dayton last October, he said, plane went up hooked to a ship, cut loose and continued by itself, but today was the first time plane ever had hooked itself to an airship in full flight.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-16
NEW YORK BANS
 WESTERN POULTRY Embargo To Stamp Out Dis
 ease Is Now Complete

NEW YORK, Dec. 15.-Because of chaos in the market, resulting from an embargo imposed last week upon all shipments of chickens from eight mid western states where disease has af- fected poultry, the New York Live Stock Commission Merchants associa- tion, today issued orders making the embargo complete.
 ''No carload lot live poultry from any state will be handled by receivers in New York, excepting cars already here or enroute and excepting turkeys. ducks aud geese" was the order, which mem- bers of the association telegraphed to ali customers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-16
HUNDREDS FLOCK
 TO GOMPERS CAR
(Contipued From Page One

the fraternal order for 24 hours, be- ginning at s a. m. that morning.
 The funeral services at the club house will start Thursday morning at 9 o'clock. according to Mir. Frayne. Rab- bi Stephen $. Wise of the Free Synagogue, will direct the Jewish re- ligious service. After James Duncan, first vice president of the American Federation of Labor, bids labOr's fare well to it's veteran leader, and the ceremony is concluded with the Masonic ritual, the funeral party will proceed to Tarrytown by automobiles.
 MT. Frayne said it was the wish of .the American Federation of Labor tha tthe observances throughout should be marked with the spirit, not of "a labor funeral" but of the funeral of Samuel Gompers, citizen
 The list of honorary pallbearers has been designated accordingly, Mir. Frayne said. With others still to be added, the list was in part:
 Hughes On List
 Honorary pallbearers: Charles E. Hughes, secretary of state; William II. Taft, chief justice of the United States i; Maj. Gen. R. F. Bullard, U. S. A. i; Rear Admiral c. F. Plunkett, U. s. N. 1; Gov. Albert F. Smith; Lieutenant Governor Lunn, naval and military staff. state of New York Mayor John F. Hylan of New York City, Senator Royal s. Copeland; Edward J. Hen ming, assistant secretary of labor; Com missioner of Immigration Henry Cur ran.
 George W. Perkins, John H. Finley, John R. Alpine, B. NJ. Baruch, Will H. Hayes, Oscar Strauss, Samuel Un- termeyer, George Gordon Battle. j.. Ralph M. Easley, Judge Alton B. Park CT, Otta NJ. Eidlitz.
 Nicholas Murray Butler, Don C.. Seitz, General George Goethals, Gerald Swope, General G. Habord, Daniel Will lard, Elihu Root, George F. Roberts, Everett Colby, Bainbridge Colby, Owen D. Young, Dwight Morrow, George w. Wickersham, Henry w. Taft, John Hayes Hammond, Frank Vanderlip, Cleveland II. Dodge, John R. Voorhis, Dr. J. c. Curran, Morgan J. O'Brien.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-16
BRITISH POLICIES
 ARE SUPPORTED
 BY PARLIAMENT
Chamberlain's Speech Dis appoints - Makes No
 Reference To Debt
(By Associated Press

LONDON, Dec. 15-The first di- vision in the new parliament was taken tonight when the Trevelyan amendment, expressing regret at the government s policy in Egypt and Russia. was de- feated by q vote of 3G3 to 132 after n debate in which the government was subjected to strong criticism from lib- eral and labor members.
 Austin Chamberlains speech was con sidered disappointing. His most inter- esting announcement was the govern ment's willingness to submit the Gezirah water question to mixed commission on which both the Sudan and Egyptian would be represented.
 He was greeted with opposition shouts of What have you said?' and What has happened?" during the open ing passages of his speech, when he re- lated all that he thought necessary to say" about his recent conversation in Paris and Rome. Mir. Chamberlain ad- mitted he had not discussed the ques- tion of interallied debts.
 The foreign secretary repudiated any desire to withhold deserved credit from Ramsay Macdonald, although he thought the former labor premier went profoundly wrong on the Russian treat les. But he was sure that Mir. Mac Donald and NJ. Herriott, the French premier, did great work for Europe and the world at the London conference. and for that he wished to pay due tribute to his predecessor.
 He went further into the history of the Egyptian question. He asserted Great Britain was in the Sudna as trustee; she would be loyal to the condolninium with Egypt, but after past experience must take over certain DOW CTS, without which she could not dis charge her duties.
 MT. Macdonald, in his reply. said that II the government were not prepared to sign the Geneva peace protocol it must announce it's position respecting the security Of France and Belgium, and the various small states He hoped that when Mir. Churchill, chancellor ot the exchequer. went to discuss the 1nterallied debts he would go with his hands free and ont tied.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-16
PRISON SHAKE-UP
 STIRS ATLANTA
(COntinIIed From Pare Ana

investigation" of alleged granting of special privileges to convicted bootleg gers serving sentences in the Atlanta federal prison, A. F. Sartain. deposed warden, tonight said he had been dis charged solely for the purpose of pay ing off old scores on the part of certain individuals
 The former warden. who was prepar- ing to move from the official residence at the penitentiary, did not name the individuals referred to in his reply to the announcement that his resigna- ton had been accepted by Attorney General Stone, in Washington saying he preferred to remain silent on this at present.
 My resignation was requested by th2 attorney general he said. "on the ground I was too lenient with the boot logger inmates of the prison For about ten weeks past several investigators Of the department of justice at Washing ton have been conducting a so-called investigation at this institution. The men who conducted this investigation are not trained prison investigators, but are interruptions bootlegger chasers and they have not so much as inter viewed me-"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-16
SHOALS LOBBY SEEN (Leased Wire To The Age-Herald)

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.-While the senate talks and haggles over Mus cle Shoals, making considerable noise and to-do( powerful lobby is working quietly behind the scenes in an effort to have the governments gigantic plants turned over to private inter- ests.
 The well-paid agents of several pow CT companies and allied corporations who have made bids for Muscle Shoals, or see q chance to get in on the develop ment there, can be seen any day now about the capitol. From the galleries they keep close tab on the debate, watching to see where different mem bers stand. Occasionally, they are seen in conversation with members. These men are the pickets, the scouts. They occupy the listening post for the real powers that be.
 The real brains for one of the power concerns which has been angling for the Shoals" is an ex-senator from an eastern state, who has an office in a building uptown here. A staff of en- gineers is quartered there, constantly at his command.
 Is Able Man
 "He is a tremendously able man, and knows more about water powers than 15 senator's" This is the estimate of a man here who has been identified with the conservation fight, and thus comes from the other side.
 In other uptown office buildings, more such representatives are quarter ed. An ex-member of the house is working for one group. Two former secretaries of senators are enlisted, who are particularly qualified because of their knowledge of the way things are done at the capitol
 A familiar figure in this work is an elderly man, who has a reputation as a 'fixer." He was interested in bat tie over water power in a southern state some years ago, where he could be seen about the state capitol. He has been brought here, to use his tai ents in the interest of a power company which is anxious for the Shoals" An other agent is former army colonel.
 Causes Debate
 To the work of these power repre- Sentatives, one conservationist here lays the responsibility for Muscle Shoals debate centering around the question of fertilizer, which he described as only the tail to the dog" but which is be- ing used to wag the real dog, which is the untold power possibility at Mus cle Shoals. Senator Norris of Nebraska, which is working for government op- eration, as against private operation, expressed the same sentiment.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-16
WIS TO BROADCAST HIGHEST VOICE NOTE

CHICAGO, Dec. 15. - The highest note ever recorded by the human voice will shrill into the ears of radio fans of America the day after Christmas. 1t will be even higher than Dads cry of rage at getting the Christmas bills.
 Edna La Verne Friebe, lyric soprano, who holds the record of having sung the highest note, will sing the note in a musical program broadcast by station WIS here. She is able without any
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-16
NEW YORK FIRES
 CAUSE $1,OOO,OOO LOSS
Hundreds Are Homeless After
 96 Separate Blazes
(By Associated Press. !

NEW YORK, Dec. 15.-Ninety- fires broke out in New York during the cold spell which has enveloped the city since yesterday. Hundreds of persons are homeless and the property loss is estimated at well over $1,000,O0O.
 The most costly blaze of the 24-houl period caused $1O0,O00 loss to the Bor. den milk depot in Brooklyn and sent GOO persons from their beds into the streets at 5 a. m., today.
 Bungalow colonies at Rockaway Beach were victims in two night fires which drove 800 persons out into the cold and swept away $100,000 worth of cottages.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-16
PREMIER HEREOF
 SLIGHTLY BETTER
French Leader Conducts Busi-
 ness In His Bedroom
(By Associated Press. )

PARIS, Dec. 15.-The condition of Premier Herriot, who has been ill for the past week, is satisfactory, according to bulletin issued by the physicians tonight. It was said the patient had spent a calm day and that his tempera- ture this evening was 10004. This afternoon the premier received the min ister of the interior, the prefect of police and the director of the state de- tectiye service
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-16
Cut This out-It Is Worth Money

Send this ad and ten cents to Foley & Co.,, 2S35 Sheffield Ave, Chicago, H., writing your name and address clearly. You will receive a ten cent bottle of FOLEY'S HONEY AND TAR COM POUND for coughs, colds and hoarse- ness, also free sample packages of FOLEY PILLS, diuretic stimuIant for the kidneys, and FOLEY CATHARTIC TABLETS for Constipation and Bill ousness. These wonderful remedies have helped millions of people. Try hem!-Ady,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-16
DEFENSE PLANS
 HELD ADEQUATE
 BY COOLIDGE
President Does Not Think Public Concerned By
 Negligence Reports
(By Associated Press)

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.-President Coolidge is giving his personal atten- tiOn to the question of national de fense, which recently has become a subject of widespread agitation, and he hopes the country will have confidence that it's defenses on land, sea and in the air will be adequately Cared for.
 Reports for negligence and ineffici- ency in the maintenance of the navy and other branches of the nations de- fense forces have caused some concern at the White House. but the President does not believe such reports will be accepted as correct by the American people. He is satisfied that the gov ernment is proceeding with its army and navy and air programs to the full extent of congressional appropriations and that the budget figures on which appropriations for next year are to be based reflect fairly the needs of the situation.
 So far as the Washington arms treaty is concerned, MT. Coolidge be- lieves the United States is following out the five power agreement to the letter, and he likewise is convinced, after a study of all the confidential in formation available, that the treaty provisions are being followed by all the other signatories.
 The President is not apprehensive of the real state of mind throughout the country on the question of national defense. He has observed with regret, however, that there is a tendency in some quarters to measure American efforts at preparedness by what other powers are doing rather than by the yardstick of American national require ments.
 Competitive armaments, in the opin- ion of the chief executive, are a thing of the past. He desires, therefore, to throw the weight of his influence against any possibility that the national defenses of this country shall stand on a competitive basis with any other na- tion, even in the minds of the people.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-16

out as true to type as though cast in a mould.
 The lawyer came over to our table in the cabaret last night. Tired, puffy about the eyes, husky as to voice. He said that he was tired almost to death.
 This is my twelfth night at cabarets with a client of mine," said he And I'm married man. ding it. 1 don't like this sort of stuff. I'd rather be at home."
 One wondered why he felt it neces- sary to do 12 nights at a cabaret, even with a client There were only 10 nights in barroOm, you know.
 Because he's got an attack of con science,' said the lawyer. five told him that he's safe. But if I do not keep him out all night he comes around and tells me his troubles. Right now, when I go back to his table, he'll begin to worry me, unless he is making love to one of the hostesses."
 The client caught my eye and winked. A large, comprehensive, wicked wink.
 One learns to regard the bootleg in dustry hereabouts with awe. It is so thoroughly organized. It even has it's own court and holds it's own trials. And the culprit found guilty is certain of a punishment. No appeal for him and no delay. When the court finishes the trial the court takes off it's coat and hands the offender wallop in the eye. Sometimes he is thrown overheard and half drowned. At least once he was keel-hauled, a marine punishment which went out of fashion about the time that pirates did. That particular culprit is still sick in bed. He swallowed most of the ocean before he came up, for his coat caught fast on a nail in the keel
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-16
EDITOR CURES
 SHOALS ATTACK
(Continued From Page One

votes with 25 against it. l think Senator Capper and Ladd of the pro- gressives will support it. The admin istration forces will likely stand against it inasmuch as it is known that the President would be unwilling for the government to operate Muscle Shoals in the manufacture of fertilizer unless it had been found impossible to secure a lessee"
 Senator Underwood reiterated his previous statement that the Smith amendment would make of Muccle Shoals a power and experimental sta tion, whereas he would make it a plant for national defense and fertil- iZer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-16

 of the underworld. Ten seconds con- versation would betray him. So he merely looks meek and takes the money.
 This morning I walked down Fifty seventh street for the first time in two months. In that time it has changed, just as all New York is forever chang ing. Like all New York, too, the change is always for the better. One becomes an optimist involuntarily. That era of prosperity of which the political prophets talk must be on its way.
 Fifty-seventh street has been street of little shops for years. In this it has not changed, and yet the window con tent of the shops speaks more loudly than ever before of luxury. Handmade silver. and great waves of opulent silk, and cigars wrapped in foil, one to lit tie box, and teashop brilliant in yellow and blue and red in the door of which the prettiest girl I've seen in New York in weeks was standing. That girl is the real reason for this paragraph.
 Because nowhere-not even on Fifth or Madison avenues-do the girls seem more expensive than on Fifty-seventh. Maybe it is because there are not so many of them, so that one may give his skilled attention to the individual rather than be bewildered by the mass.
 All pretty, it seems to me. At least, all dressed with that simplicity which is the sum of art. Colored as to cheek and lip just little short of perfection, which is perfection itself. In furs and silks and tiny slippers and sheer stock ings. Poised, calm, level-eyed. Each might be the product of those costly up river private schools which turn them
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-16
COUNTY ENGINEER NAMED

MOBILE, Dec. 10. = tSpeclaI.J = James E. Shelton, connected with the county in various capacities for num- Der of years and who has ben tempo rarily filling the position of county engineer since the resignation of A. G. Holder, was today made county ensi- neer by the board of revenue and road commissioners. The board fixed the salary at $3,000 per year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-16
} CHILDREN DIE
 WHEN HOME BURNS
lBy Associated Press. l

FORT WAYNE, Ind, Dec. 15. - Three children in the family of MT. and Mrs. Glen Dunlap, living four miles south of Fort Wayne, were burned to death today and a fourth child was burned seriously when the Dunlap homo was destroyed by fire.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-16
Puzzle Widows
 Make Appearance In Divorce Court

r OS ANGELES, Cal, Dec. 10. There aren't any more radio
 widows or golf widows. They're crossword puzzle widows now.
 Mrs. Evel VII Dana won divorce when she told the court that life with him was just one four-ietter word meaning torment.
 "Henry Dana was crossword ruzzle fan and he talked about nothing else" testified Mrs. Dana "I asked him for money, but he said he nedeed all he had to buy dictionary, thesaUrus and another puzzle book"