The Birmingham age-herald. [volume], August 07, 1913, Image 5

About The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950

Image provided by: University of Alabama Libraries, Tuscaloosa, AL

                
AT THE HOTELS
J. W. Hosber of Chicago, G. W. Wells
of Macon and G. G. Britton of Anniston
are registered at the Empire.
G. L. Ingram of Alexander City, K. P.
Patterson of Decatur, and B. Ij. Tillman
of Mobile are at the Metropolitan.
A. E. Hughes of Blocton, L. H. Jerry of
Kimberly and Fred E. Winters of Acton
are amonj: those at the Birmingham.
G. H. Dray of Dayton, Qhlo, C. A. Pow
ell of Montgomery and J. A. Lochman of
Phela are stopping at the Hillman.
W. I. Simmons of Tuscaloosa. Ed L.
Peed of Talladega and S. A. Hannah of
Mobile are guests at the Florence.
A. L. Morrison of Montgomery, G. L.
H. Mann of New Decatur and Dr. T. D.
Honeycutt of Atlanta* are registered at
the Morris.
LANE WORRIED BY
NOISE OF RIVETING
"The Noise and the Heat Together
Have Just About Got My
' Goat,” He Says
Wanted—An Inventor who can ex
tract the noise from a compressed air
riveting machine.
Judge A. O. Lane, city commissioner,
states he will pay a reward for the con
tinual and repeated staccatto rap-a-tap
tap of the riveting machines on the
Tutwller hotel frame work Is very
plainly heard all day long through the
open window of Judge Lane’s office at
the city hall and has got onto hls
nerves.
Judge says he knows the noise
can’t be stopped and it can’t be taken
away; therefore he has made up hls
mind to endure It and look pleasant.
“Besides,” the commissioner added, “if
It means more buildings and progress
for Birmingham I'll stand 10 times as
much noise. But that noise and the heat
together, to use the parlance of the
Btreet, has just about got my goat.”
And then the judge leaned back and
laughed and pitched Into a stack of
correspondence that might have stag
gered a man not so seasoned, nor so ex
perienced nor so—used to work.
Real Estate Transfers
Deeds were placed on record yester
day in the office of tlie probate court
showing the following transfers of
property, the consideration being $1000
or more:
$1000—V. S. Oglesby to J. D. Kil
lough; lot 12, block 84, East Lake Land
company’s map and survey of East
Lake.
$1000—Isabella Riley to Jackson
Realty company; lots 9 and 10, block
L, map and plat of the H. M. Samsear
survey.
$2800—W. T. Kemp to R. C. Harding;
north 60 feet of lots 11 and 12, block
17, map and survey of the property of
the West End Land and Improvement
company.
$1000—W. Hubert Moore to Birming
ham Coca Cola Bottling company; lot
16, block 205, North Birmingham Land
company’s map and plan of North Bir
mingham.
$1000—J. W. Jeter to Mrs. A. M.
Hude; lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, block 10,
southeast quarter of southwest quar
ter of section 26, township 16, range
8 west.
$2300—W. D. Little to E. E. Forbes
Piano company; lots 5 and 7, block 13F,
map and plat of the Ensley Land com
pany’s second addition to Ensley.
$1000-—Noam! Honeycutt to. J. L.
Swates; one-half acre of land In south
east quarter of southwest quarter of
section 6, township 19, range 1 west.
$1200—A. D. McKinney to Edgar
Keith; lot 10. block 10, map and sur
vey of the High Cliff Land company’s
first addition to Boyles.
$1000—J. B. Hobson to Carl H. Mc
Clendar; properties In southeast corner
of block 134, North Birmingham Land
company's survey of North Birming
ham.
Marriage Licenses
The following marriage licenses were
issued yesterday in the office of the pro
bate clerk:
E. W. Simmons of Birmingham and
Miss Lucy E. Hunt.
Will M. Phillips of Birmingham and
Miss Manie E. Ray.
Frank L. Finny of Birmingham and
Miss Sallie E. Edgar.
MR.STRADFORD SAYS
MACHINE USED CAN
DEVELOP 2000 VOLTS
Investigation of Deaths of
Kenney and Gustin
Continued
MOOSE RELUCTANT
TO GIVE EVIDENCE
Answers of One Witness Provokes
Outburst From Solicitor Locke.
Abbott Charges Kenny Was
Weakened by Disease
That the electric generator used at the
initiation of candidates to the Moose or
der on the night of July 24 in Moose hall
was capab’e of developing 2000 volts of
power was one of the sensational state
ments of M. P. Stradford, an electrician,
while testifying yesterday morning at
the coroner's Inquest into the deaths of
Donald A. Kenney and Christopher C.
Gustin, who were killed during a Moose
initiation.
Other startling features of the inquest
yesterday was the attack of John Ab
bott, dictator of the local lodge of Moose,
on the character of Donald A. Kenney, lie
said that 'it was a matter of common
knowledge that Kenney was physically
weakened by disease and that under the
circumstances a slight shock of electricity
during an initiation in which the candi
date was frightened would likely have
caused his death. However, Mr. Abbott
said he knew nothing of the life Kenney
had lead until after his death. Mr. Ab
bott also said that Gustin had been stay
ing up late nights and was physically
weak at the time of the initiation.
Locke Has Hard Time
During the entire afternoon session As
sistant Solicitor Hugh Locke fought with
might and main to ascertain information
from members of the Moose order. Only
one of the Moose witnesses examined dur
ing the entire day gave any new- light on
the strange happenings in Modse hall on
the night of July 24.
The afternoon session began promptly
at 2 o'clock with Officer John G. Mc
Geever on the stand. The witness testi
fied to seeing the ambulances come to
Moose hall, and when inquiring had been
told that two men had been electrocuted.
Later he was Informed by Mooses that
both men had died from heart failure and
fright. Ho told of calling the coroner at
the instance of a newspaper man.
The next witness was a Moose initiated
on the same night Kenney and Gustin
were killed. Tills witness proved very un
satisfactory, and could not or would not
give an account of what happened to him
that night. His ready answer to Mr.
Locke’s questions was, ‘‘I don’t know.”
F. O. Mack, a policeman, apepared as a
character witness. He said that Kenney
had told him that his heart troubled him
at times, and that he had taken strych
nine tablets for it. He asserted that
Kenney’s trip to Atlanta a short time be
fore his death was for an operation on
his eyes. ✓
Earl Westbrook of Owenton testified
that he had been initiated the same night
as Kenney and Gustin, but said that he
could not remember anything about it.
He said he felt no electricity. He was
a very reluctant witness and w'as ex
cused.
Outbursts From Locke
O. S. Parker, an engine foreman, also
testified that he was Inflated the same
night with Kenney and Gustin, but proved
the most difficult of witnesses. He
Anally provoked the emphatic outburst
from Solicitor Locke:
“Mr. Parker, we^have not requested of
you any secret information; we have Just
asked you what happened to you at the
initiation. You have allowed this jury to
tell you what happened there, but you
yourself have not told us anything. Now,
who is it that has instructed you not to
answer our questions?"
"No one, sir,” answered the witness; “I
can’t tell you what I don’t know."
“You know very well what happened
there," thundered Mr. Locke, “and do you
mean to tell me that you did not have
enough curiosity to And out what the mat
ter was after you had been told that two
of your brothers had fainted upstairs?"
"No, sir. I just went home," answered
the witness.
"That’s all,” said Mr. Locke in disgust.
"The next witness."
The next witness John F. Meyers, a
steel worker, proved a pleasant surprise,
for he readily gave a straightforward ac
count of all that he saw in Moose hall that
night. His statement in part follows:
"In the early part of the initiation I wras
up there and I helped to brand a few. I
stayed in the lodge room until 1 got mad
because some one interfered with my ini
tiating a candidate. There was over 100
men up there and everybody tried to get
at the candidates to put them through
their paces. When I got a hold of a can
didate I always wanted to take through
and ride pretty hard.
“After I left the lodge room I went to
the second floor and watched Dr. Neill and
several others play cards until John Ab
bott came dow’nstairs and said: “Doc, a
fellow has fainted; come quick." I rushed
upstairs with the doctor and helped to
work over Kenney. There was a lot of
excitement and suddenly some one hol
lered. "Doc, here's another one," and then
somebody stopped the initiation.
“I left the body of Kenney with Dr.
Neill still working over it and hurried to
Capital $500,000.00 Surplus (Earned) $550,000.00
Birmingham Trust & Savings Co.
Capital and Surplus $1,059,000.00
RESOLVE TO SET ASIDE
A part of your income every week and de
posit it in a savings account, where it will
be safe and earning interest for you.
Open the account today—and at' this
bank.
A. W. SMITH, President
TOM O. SMITH, V.-President
W. H. MANLY, Cashier
EENSON CAIN, Asst. Cashier
C. D. COTTEN. Asst. Cashier
E. W. FINCH. Asst. Cashier
4 Per Cent Paid On Savings Deposits
COMER BACK FROM BRENT;
IS IN EXCELLENT HUMOR,
SAYS SEED SEEMED TO HAVE
THE BEST OF IT BECAUSE SO
MANY MINERS WERE PRES
ENT AT SPEAKING
Governor B. B. Comor returned to Bir
mingham from Brent last night and was
In excellent, Humor in spite of the fact
that he said he had had a rather "bad
day.’*
"Seed, I will admit, seemed to carry off
most of the honors today." said Governor
Comer, "but the stage was well set In
his favor. A large number of miners
from the Brent section were present at
the speaking and they did not hesitate
to show their approval when Seed attack
ed my method of handling the miners’
strike several years ago.
"When I read extracts from Brewton
I and Gadsden papers which had credited
I certain assertions to Seed, Mr. Seed
i categorically*denied the whole thing. If
we are not to believe what we see in
the newspapers what could I do?
“Today's events, however, will have no
effect on Friday's joint debate in Tusca
loosa. Unfortunately at Brent no rules
of debate whatever were observed, but
it will be entirely different in Tusca
loosa.”
Governor Comer last night repeated the
assertion made at Brent that lie had not
owned stock in a bank in 20 years.
In well informed banking circles it was
stated last night that Governor Corner's
assertion' was correct and that, he had
not owned any bank stock of any kind
since 18P5. It was in January of that
year that the old Berney National bank
took over the City National bank, about
two-thirds of whose stock was owned by
Governor Comer and that the former gov
ernor had owned no bank stock since
that time.
NO TRACE YET FOUND OF THE
BANDITS WHO ROBBED TRAIN
___
At a late hour last night no
clue had been found to the
two bandits who held up the mail clerks
cn No. 4 of the Louisville and Nashville
railroad at. 8 o'clock Tuesday night as the
train left Calera. There were at least 25
detectives and postal inspectors working
on the case yesterday and the city of
Birmingham was thoroughly gone over,
but no trace of the robbers was found.
The United States government yesterday
morning offered $1000 reward for the cap
ture of the two robbers. The offer of the
reward came from the postal inspectors
who are in charge of the case. It was
«****aaaaa#aa#aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
stated that the loot of the robbers was
not as large us was thought at first
as the amount of registered mall was
Kir.all on the car that was robbed.
Yesterday morning E. G. York, a mall
clerk, returned from Columbia, Tenn..
and held a long conference with the pos
tal inspectors. Mr. York was one of the
clerks that was held up and handcuffed.
He will remain in Birmingham for a feu
days to identify the robbers if they are
captured.
11 is said that the federal government
will leave no stone unturned to effect
the capture of the robbers. All of the
government forces of this division are
busy seeking to ferret out the hiding
place of the bandits.
where Gustin lay on the floor. Gustin
was breathing, and I took a hold of his
tongue while Dr. Heflin worked over him.
Ills tongue was always slipping back in
his throat, but I kept pulling it out, as 1
have been told that is the best way to
resuscitate.
“Before the ambulances came the Moose
were leaving the hall by ones and twos,
but. after the ambulances had taken both
bodies away and it was said that both
men were dead there was a hurried rush
away from the hall until when the police
arrived there were Only a few left.”
Confusion at Initiations
Mr. Meyers was closely examined by
Solicitor Locke and several of the Jury
men, but stuck to his story. He told of
working about electricity and being fa^
miliar with it. He said that in his opinion
Kenney and Gustin must have "died of
fright. He said alBo that confusion
reigned supremo at the initiations in
Moose haft. He also asserted that some
time it was all very irregular. He had
been told that when he noticed there was
anything doing such as a man caving in
under the strain to stop the initiation.
L>. S. Campbell, the next witness,
testified that he had been initiated im
meditely after Kenney and that he
had noticed Kenney fainting when he
was pulled off the tilting board. He
said that he had asked, “What are you
doing to me?” because of seeing the
condition of Kenney. He described un
der the repeated questionings of Mr.
Locke the initiation that followed and
said that he had felt a slight tick
ling sensartion when lie was branded.
Mattie Samuels, who operates a
house at 2309 Avenue D. w-as the next
witenss. She refuted charges made
against Kenney’s character.
She also testified that about six
months ago she had given Kenney some
strychnine .tablets for his heart but at
the time she ’had thought and still
thought that Kenney was “putting on.”
She had always thought that Kenney
was in a healthy condition, although
his eyes gave him much trouble. She
told of Kenney going to Atlanta some
time ago for an operation on his eyes
and denied that Kenney’s trip to At
lanta was for any other purpose than
for an operation to his eyes.
Following the testimony of Mattie
Samuels, a newspaper man testified
and the coroner recessed the hearing
until 9 o’clock this morning.
Stradford Testifies
The morning session began prompt
ly at 9 o’clock yesterday and M. T.
Stradford, an electrician, was the first
witness. He told of selling the small
electric generator to the Elks and said
that he considered such a device as
crude cruelty.
D. A. Echols of Echols & Angwine
was the next witness and lie testified
that in his opinion the body of Kenney
showed signs of electrocution. The
body, he said, had a burn over the
heart and one over the ankle, where
the electricity had been applied. A fact
that led Mr. Echols to believe that Ken
ney was electrocuted was that his hair
was loosed. This, Mr. Echols averred,
was usually shown by men who had
been electrocuted. The death certifi
cate of Kenney read heart disease. Mr.
Echols stated that he would not have
embalmed the body without the cor
oner’s permission.
L N. Metts, wire chief of the South
ern Bell Telephone company, was the
next witness aiul testified at length
as to the power of the small electric
generator which. lie said, was the sanu
as is used on desk telephones. He said
in his opinion it would not develop
over 110 volts. However, he stated that
it had enough power to ring a bell
from Birmingham to Atlanta.
John Abbott, dictator of the lodge,
was the next witness, and told the
story of his activities on the night of
the initiation of Kenney and Gustin. He
said that the “horse play” was neither
forbidden nor called for in tHe .ritual of
the Moose order. He said that he had
excused one candidate because of ill
ness.
Mr. Abbott recited all the events of
Kenney’s and Gustin’s death but threw
no light on tlie matter as liis story was
practically tile same that Had been
told the jury a half dozen times. Mr.
Abbott stated that it was his informa
tion that Kenney had Just recovered
from a disease and that Kenney had
made no such statement to Dr. Neill
when he had been examined.
It was a matter of common knowl
edge, declared Mr. Abbott, that Kenney
was in bad physical condition and the
supreme council in Cincinnati had se
verely criticised the Birmingham lodge
Witness further testified that he be
lieved Kenney was taking his life into
ills hands when lie submitted to an !
initiation. Mr. Abbott further stated
that under the circumstances of Ken- ,
ney’s physical condition it wrap quite l
likely that a small shock of electricity \
had killed him.
Mr. Abbott further stated that he I
had heard that Gustin had lost a great i
deal of sleep before the Initiation took
place. Mr. Abbott further stated that j
lie wished the inquiry to be as thorough !
as possible. Mr. Abbott’s testimony 1
closed the morning session.
Today several witnesses in rebuttal
will be called. According to Sollc- J
itor Locke it is highly Important that
Mr. Abbott’s charges on the condition
of Kenney at time of death be probed
to the fullest extent. No opinion was
expressed last night as to when' the
inquiry would be terminated as (fit*
jury and Solicitor Locke are deter
! mined to ascertain if possible what
were the real hnnpenings at Moose hall
when Kenny and Gustin met death.
The Itml Hot Weather Tonic
GROVE’S TASTEL.ESS chill TONIC en- j
I riches the blood, builds up the whole j
system and will wonderfully strengthen
I and fortify y<*u to withstand the de
pressing effect of the hot summer. 50c.
ADLER BUYS LOT A1
A AND TWENTY-FIRST
Ike Adler, It is announced, has pur
chased for $31,500 the corner of Avenue A ,
and Twenty-first street. The sale was
consummated yesterday. The lot is now j
occupied partially by a small structure
which will perhaps be destroyed and a
more modern affair constructed.
This is the latest deal to be made in
Southside property, a campaign for the
sale of which has been waged for some
weeks. A great many sales have been
made of property on the Southside lately,
indicating that section as having a rapid
growth and quick increase in prices.
Mr. Adler was out of the city yester
day.
FIRM ALLOWED ONLY
$600 COMPENSATION
Now Orleans Lawyers Ordered to Re
fund $4400 of Fee in I’ayne
Joubert Receivership
/ ' 11
The law firm of Lazarus, Michel & ]
Lazarus of New Orleans was allowed
a fee of only 4600 yesterday by Refereo
Dryer In the Payne-Joubert Machine
and Foundry company receivership.
The court ordered a refund of 44400 to
the company by the law firm which had
been paid 45000. The fee charged was
410,000. The law firm was to receive
4500 cash, which was paid, and 45000
additional, which was to be a pre
ferred claim in the proceedings. In
their report Receivers W. P. G. Hard
ing and T. H. Benners crltised the large
fee and pointed out to the court that
It was, they thought, an unusual pro
ceeding. The action yesterday of
Referee Dryer is the laterst step. It
was announced that the lawyers would
request Judge Grubb to review the
case as they think they are entitled to
the entire fee.
GAZZAM BACK FROM
EAST OPTIMISTIC
Clem Gazzam, general agent for one of
the well known bond houses in the east,
returned to his local offices yesterday
after an extensive trip to New York and
other eastern points. While in the east
Mr. Gazzam was in constant consultation
with the officials of the company which
has several million dollars In local real
estate holdings. Upon his return yester
day he was very optimistic.
"I have no doubt but what things will
open up now in good shape," said Mr.
Gazzam. "The money market in New York
is better than it has been for some time,
and I am extremely hopeful. In Birming
ham 1 cannot see that the stringency that
has prevailed for some months past will
continue much longer. I am Informed
that our company will return to the local
Held at once, and will be prepared to
assist in building Birmingham greater
along those conservative lines that have
featured our work here for so many
years."
FERGUSON ORDERS
RELEASE OF GIRL
Judge Charles W. Ferguson of the city
court ordered the release of Edna Bailey,
a young white girl, who was being de
tained by the welfare department of the
city, on the hearing of the habeas corpus
proceedings brought by the girl’s brother,
William Bailey. Mrs. Se&rlght took
charge of the girl on complaint, but not
wishing to enter criminal proceedings
[against her, had arranged for her to be
taken to a convent located at Memphis.
Before she could be sent there the habeas
corpus proceedings were filed by the
brother, who claimed to represent the
gill’s father. As no specific charge had 1
been made against the girl, Judge Fergu- !
son, who is fully in accord with the work
of the welfare department, ordered her
release.
A warrant was immediately sworn out
before Judge II. B. Abernathy charging
the girl with vagrancy, and her bond fixed
j at $200. She was turned over to Mrs. Sea
right pending the bond being made.
FOUNTAIN LAW TO BE
ADOPTED TOMORROW
City Commissioner Lane stated yes
terday that there was little doubt but
what the soda fountain ordinance
would be adopted at the meeting Fri
day.
Judge Lane stated that he also had
heard of some of the complaints being
made by citizens over the continued
delay In the soda fountain ordinance,
which has been pending before the
commission for many weeks. Jude Lane
himself is anxious to have the ordi
nance passed as he states he knows
very well that in the summer time is
.when it is needed.
Birmingham Man in Formal
Statement Accepts
OUTLINES CAMPAIGN!
Says of Comer, “The People Have
Called Him and the Peo
ple Will Elect
Him”
The appointment of Col. Alexander M. !
Garber as manager of his campaign for
governor was announced yesterday at
Brent by B. B. Comer. The announce
ment followed the declination of W. L>.
Nesbitt to manage the campaign of the
former governor, giving urgent business
reasons for that action.
Colonel Garber was former attorney
general of Alabama, serving during the
Comer administration, lie is now practic
ing law in this city with Browder Garber.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••»
COL. ALEX M. GARBER
Colonel Garber Is known all over the
state and his selection as manager of 1 he
Comer campaign will be of unusual and
widespread interest.
(Jarber Makes Statement
In affirming the brief announcement of
Governor Comer this statement was issued
by Colonel Garber:
“Confirming the announcement of Gov.
B. B. Comer, I wish to state thut at his
request 1 will manage his campaign for
the governorship of Alabama.
“J regard Governor Comer as one of the
ablest, .'Wrongest and most courageous
men who nave appeared upon the political
arena of Alabama since the civil war. lie
has fought vigorously the battles of the
people, and, like most men of blunt and bold
demeanor, with the courage of their con
victions, he has aroused the antagonism
of this campaign has been thrashed out, I
a part of the press, but he lias gained the
confidence of a very large majority of th«?
thinking and discriminating citizenship of
the state, who believe in him and in nis
political integrity. When the main issuu
of ths campaign has been thrashed out, i
believe his nomination and election as
governor will be assured.
“Beyond ray personal support of Gov
ernor Comer, I stand in the deeper and
broader sens© for the principles which
he represents at this time.
Question to Be Determined
“The vital question to be determined in
this campaign is whether the state of
Alabama shall be controlled by the people,
unfettered by alien interference, or
whether certain representatives of spe
cial privilege shall dominate the policy
of the state government. There should
not be such domination either by influ
encing legislation or by an indifferent, in
effective administration of the slate laws
The true principle of government is jus
tice which means a fair but firm regula
tion of all interests, individual and cor
porate. The government of Alabama must
be preserved intact as an instrumentality
of Justice and equal service to ancUTor all
the people without prejudice and for every
Interest without favoritism.
“In many respects, this is a crucial
period In both the political and Industrial
life of Alabama. There have already
occurred nation-wide evidences of the de
termination of the people of the United
States to curb the rule of the special
privilege class. The exposition of the cor
rupting methods of this favored class
has, in the disclosures of the recent past,
astounded the right-thinking and patriotic
public.
Hidden Forces at Work
“The hidden forces at work today In
Alabama present a reflection, in degree,
of the conditions thus portrayed and of
the great evil which is requiring, for
correction, the. highest and best efforts
of President Wilson and his co-adjutors.
The people prior to Mr. Comer’s candi%cy
for governor in 1906, little realized or un
derstood the powerful Influence of the
special interests over legislation in Ala
bama and the administration of Its laws
affecting corporations. Rarely, if ever,
did the people ‘stand at the levers of
control’ and ’have a c hance to look out
for themselves.’ The legislature of 1907,
for the first time in its history, under
took to enact laws seeking the proper
regulation and control of corporations and
common carriers transacting an intrastate
business in Alabama. This legislative?
attempt to regulate and control corpora
tions and other large interests and to
prescribe statutory rates for railroads
recorded a great reformation in the policy
of the state government and resulted In
aiousing bitterest opposition.
Quotes From His Report
•‘The administration of Governor Co
mer was a forward step in Alabama his
tory. I reiterate what fI had to say In
my official report as attorney genera!
at the close of my term in 1911:
“ ‘The four years just now passing
into history will be regarded by the im
partial student of Alabama's govern
mental development as the period most
constructive and progressive in legislation
and the most aggressive in the divorcement
from former conditions (and in the re
establishment and In the establlshedmenti
of a new regime whose basic principle
lias been the assertion of the general in
terests of the people.’
“The temper of the people of Alabama
is manifest, it betokens a grave resent
merit against any effort to abridge or
subordinate the constitutional right of
self-government. Present conditions make
it plain that this is no time for com
promise—to risk the loss of ground al
ready gained. The great body of our peo
ple are utterly opposed now and in the
future to return to the domination of
special privilege. B. B. Comer, impelled
by a high sense of duty, has offered
bis services. He bus become a candi
date for governor. The state needs in
this crisis a man of his strong and posi
tive character, u man of his agressive
ness, a patriot of his type. The people
have called him, and the people will elect
Jilin.”
Life and Property
Papers
n You have certain papers—pay
11 to get them—because they really
[ | have to do with life and property
—your own, your family’s.
What you pay to get a life pol
icy, a stock certificate, bond or
legal will, is many times the cost
of the place it takes to keep them
safe.
ON SAVINGS
Isn’t three dollar* a year such i
a small traction of the worth of
your papers that there’s no need
of carrying on the risk which
safe deposit will stop?
American! kiisT /.Ravings Rank
FIRST AND TWENTIETH — BIRMINGHAM
TO EWE FOILED
1 __
I
While Detectives Cole ami Goldstein
were not looking, Herbert E. Thomas,
aged 23, said to be a waiter. Jumped out
of the second-story window' of the de
tectives’ private office in the city hall.
Thomas missed ills jump as he intended
to land on the roof of an adjoining build
ing and instead went to the alley and
received some serious Injuries.
Thomas was immediately captured and
placed in the city jail after his injures
had been treated by the city physician.
Thomas was wanted for grand larceny
and was being examined at the time of
his attempted escape by the detectives.
COMPANY M IN CAMP
MINUS EQUIPMENT
Oxford Company Along With Com
pany D of Anniston Leave for
Encampment at East Lake
Anniston, August 6.—(Special.)
Sans arms, uniforms, tents or other
equipment, their enthusiasm being their
only asset, Company “M” of Oxford,
Fourth regiment, A. N. G., and succes
sors to Company I, Third regiment,
mustered out of service last year, left
Wednesday morning for the stpte en
campment at Fast Lake.
The company was only recently or
ganized and has never been furnished
equipment. Its officers are Arthur Har
rison, captain, and a veteran in the
service: J. J. (Vow, first lieutenant, and
C. W. Humprles, second lieutenant. It
has 45 men.
Company “D" of this city, command
ed by Capt. Lamar Jeffers and Lieu
tenants Dent and Powell, also left for
the encampment, 38 strong. They were
accompanied by Dr. T. L. Smith, regi
mental dental surgeon.
OBENCHEIN SUPERVISOR
Appointed by Weatherly to Serve at
Wahouma Playgrounds
On the personal recommendation of
Montague Gammon, director of the Bir
mingham playgrounds, Commissioner
James Weatherly yesterday afternoon ap
pointed 1. ft. Obenchein as male super
visor at the Wahouma playgrounds.
The appointment of a supervisor was
the direct outcome of a visit made to
the city commission by Dr. J. M. Han
kins, president of the Wahouma Play
grounds association, Tuesday. At that
time Dr. Hankins requested the commis
sion to appoint a supervisor, ami stated
that the grounds were greatly in need
of one. Yesterday Mr. Garfimon held a
conference with Commissioner Weatherly
to discuss the matter. Later Mr. Weath
erly announced the appointment.
Mr. Obenchein for the past several days
lias been working voluntarily at the. play
grounds and while there he demonstrated
his ability to serve as a supervisor.
CARSON HERE
Reported That Mitchell Motor Car Ca
May Establish Agency Here
D. A. Carson, sales manager for the
Mitchell Motor Car company. Is in the
city for a few days. It Is understood
that the Mitchell company contemplates
the establishment of an agency in this
city. Mr. Carson said yesterday he was
not prepared to confirm that report at this
time. He said that the outlook for busi
ness this season was firm, and he was of
the opinion that there would be a great
volume of business handled in this dis
trict. He is well known in Birmingham,
where he often visits.
Building Permits
The following building permits were is
sued yesterday in the office of the build
ing Inspector:
$1800— J. P. Webb, Fifty-fourth street
between Third and Fourth avenues, south:
One two-story frame house.
$1400—J. J. Chafin. Hayes street and
Emma avenue: One one-story frame
house.
Engineers See Weatherly
Two members of the smoke board of
consulting engineers conferred* with City
Commissioner Weatherly yesterday in
regard to their new duties, Mr. Kiser and
Mr. Elliot having called. Mr. Crawford
Is still undecided as to whether or not
he will accept the appointment.
Vacincies Not Filled
The vacancies on the library board have
not yet been filled.
Constipation
Vanishes Forever
Prompt Relief—Permanent Cure
CARTER'S UTTLE
LIVER PILLS never,
fail. Purely veget
able—act rarely *j
but gently on
the liver.
Stop afterj
dinner
dutreu—i
cure indi-1
Sotion— improve Ihe completion — brighten
»e eyes. Smell Pill, Smell Dote, Smell Price
Genuine must belt Signature
' j
M DAVID PRESIDENT
OFRODEN HOTELCO.
Reorganization of Company
Is Consummated
WILL BE COMPLETED
McDavid Says He Would Not Hava
Accepted Presidency if He Had
Not Been Assured of
Hotel’s Completion
Robert P. McDavld, the well known
real estate operator and former sec
retary of state, was elected president
of the Roden Hotel company yesterday
by the directors of that organization.
Godfrey Goldman, a partner of Mr.
McDavld, was elected Secretary. Mr.
McDavld succeeds I. C. Beatty as pres
ident, who in turn succeeded Eugene
Fies.
The reorganization of the Roden ho
t^l work upon which lias been held
up and against which several me
chanics’ liens have been filed, was
generally expected. Tt was understood
yesterday that the presidency had been
tendered Mr. McDavld three times and
his answer was to be given at the
meeting yesterday. The formal election
followed.
Will Be Completed, Says Me David
After the meeting Mr. McDavld said
in answer to inquiries that he would
not have consented to accept the pres
idency of the Roden hotel unless he
was assured tpat the finances were to
be quickly straightened out and the
hotel completed. Of that final outcome
Mr. McDavld* said he did not entertain
the slightest doubt as he believed the
hotel was destined to pull over the
rough spots already encountered and
would be built.
“1 have nothing very material to
say at this time about what we in
tend to do,” said Mr. McDavld, after
being elected president. "I will say
this and the public may rest assured
that it is absolutely without qualifica
tion: I would not in a 100 years have
agreed to take hold of this project if
I entertained the slightest doubt of
It materializing. T will say that T have
every responsible assurance that the
hotel will he constructed and it will
be finished in due course of time. Home
very unexpected propositions have come
up since the Roden hotel was started
but even at that ‘the situation Is not
half ns ba«i as some would suppose
from current and unauthentic gossip.
The Roden hotel will be finished with
a reasonable conformity to those plans
already announced. It may be neces
sary for the owners to abridge some
of the plans already outlined for the
magnificent hostelry designed. That,
however, may not be necessary. The
whole proposition does not look dis
couraging. Tt will require some work
but the hotel will be built.”
To Resume Work Soon
President McDavid with Secretary
Goldman and the directors propose to
start work at once rearranging thw
finances of the hotel looking to the
immediate resumption of work and a
rapid completion of the hotel. It was
announced that a few day* would i>*
spent in getting together some of the
details necessary for a thorough study
of the situation but after that work
would be resumed
The Roden hotel was started some
time before the Tutwiler and the r&c#
that was begun attracted by the two
forces wide attention not only here
but elsewhere. However, when the steel
work was completed on the Itoden some
weeks ago no further work was un
dertaken and mechanics' liens were
filed against the present steei frame
and other work. Since that came i.o
pass the officials have been trying to
get the affairs of the company tn such
shape as to renew the work.
Thp Roden hotel is located at Fifth
avenue and Eighteenth street. In order
to make room for It the Roden home
was destroyed, which was worth a con
siderable amount of montoy. The lot was
purchased from the Roden estate. The
hotel was to be 12 stories high and de
signs Indicated a most unusual and
attractive place. William C. Weston Is
the architect. The hotel was contract
ed for by the F. \Y. Marks Construc
tion company on compHphv bids. Tha
lease was taken by the Merveys of
Mobil**. Jt is understood that as the
huildllig company Is charged with vio
lating Its contract with the Merveys
the latter are Inclined to withdraw. It
Is said that negotiations have been
taken up with other operatives by th»
Roden company and that the Merveys
may not get the new hotel. That report*,
was not confirmed. Mr. McDavid said,
in reference to it that the Merveys, h«*
believed, could get out of the contract,
If they wished to do so. Other than1
that he would not talk.
PERSONAL
Pol. I.. Hi Musgrove of Jasper was In
the city yesterday on one of Lis custom
erv weekly visits. Colonel Musgrove
has recently returned from the east*
where lie attended the reunion at Get
tysburg and went to New York. He
said yesterday that he thought Hobson
would be elected senator, although he.
did not elaborate on that assertion. I(e
would not comment upon wuo would'
succeed Governor O’Neal*