The Birmingham age-herald. [volume], August 16, 1913, Image 5

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

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

                
Look
Ahead
Wliat do you see—poverty or a
competence ?
Men and women who save part
of their earnings regularly are pro
viding a comfortable future, free
from financial worry.
Open a savings account with us
today. That odd dollar is all you
need to start an account, in our sav
ings department.
SAFE DEPOSIT BOXES $3 per
year and upward.
The First National Bank
OF BIRMINGHAM
"A National Bank for
Savings”
Capital and Surplus
$3,000,000
LETTERS TO EDITOR
What About This?
To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
Being desirous of a little information,
which I think would be of great Interest
and consolation to the public just now,
I am taking this method to secure the
same, i am going to ask you two ques
tions, which I hope you will kindly an
swer without detail. The reason I exclude
the “detail” is because I have already
heal'd and read so much “detail” that I
really don’t know “where I’m at.” Be
sides, there are so many “reasons” and
“causes” and “wherefores” on both sides
of the two little matters to which I refer
that it just simply won’t do to have any
more of them. We want it now “straight
from the shoulder” without any reasons
or explanations. So get ready and let
her go.
First: Did Governor O’Neal have the
right to appoint a senator to fill the un
expired term of the late Senator John
ston?
Don’t parley. Simply say yes or no.
Second: Who is the governor of New
York? Don’t tell why. Just name him,
and oblige, yours truly,
ROB ADAMS.
Birmingham, August 15, 1913.
Wants Expression on Good Roads
To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
The most Important matter now before
the people of this state Is the subject
of good roads. Its Importance lies in
the direct bearing it has on the social
and economic welfare of the whole peo
ple. It is at the base of the great prob
lem, transportation, that problem which
Ik of.vital interest to all classes, pro
ducers. dealers, consumers, investors,
homeseekers and tourists who are seeking
Investments and opportunities.
The rural highways of Alabama should
be among the best, and should lead from
every farm to every market. We should
have the finest roads in this country
that wise expenditure of money and
trained skilled engineering can produce,
and they would prove a source of wealth
to the people of the state, and the crown
ing of social intellectual advancement
upon the brow of ruddy rural life. The
dirt roads belong to the people of Ala
bama and they should become interested
In the transportation system that they
own. This is one of the most neglected
assets we have.
The puolic roads of Alabama Is the
only transportation system owned, oper
ated and controlled by the people them
selves. It Is also the most neglected
and expensive system of transporting
products to the markets. It coats from
30 to 40 times as much per ton per
mile to move a ton of produce from the
farm to the railroad station as It costs
to move it over the railroad. The state
should finance the building of roads. I,
therefore, call the attention of the peo
ple. through your newspaper to the neces
sity of having the candidates for gov
ernor and lieutenant governor express
themselves as to their position on a sys
tem of good state highways. At the n6xt
Annual meeting of the Alabama Good
Roads association these gentlemen will
be Invited to state their views to the
people of the state. The demands of
civilization have become so important
and a necessary adjunct to the develop
ment of civilization that good roads and
better roads are the foundation for this.
The Romans 2200 years ago in their wis
dom spent as much as $50,000 per mile
building roads, and this is considered their
best investment. I illustrate this to show
how important the Romans considered it
to construct good roads. Napoleon the
Great, w’ho conquered empires, and was
one of thfe greatest rulers, his greatest
monument was building for France a
system of good roads that has made
France one of the wealthiest of nations.
It costs 7 cents per ton per mile to
move their products to the markets. In
Alabama it costs 27H cents per ton per
mile to move their products, thus one
can see at a glance the enormous mud
tax the people of Alabama are paying.
Yours truly, JOHN CRAFT,
President Alabama Good Roads associa
tion.
Mobile. August t4, 1W3.
Birmingham's Taxing System
To the Editor of The Age-Herald;
Tt appears from your Issue of Tues
day that Birmingham’s financial mud
dle Is still to the forefront of public
discussion. If the debate is open to a
non-resident of the city I should like to
submit through your columns a few
facts and perhaps one or two sugges
tions.
Birmingham's general tax rate is
low. Not the very lowest, yet still
quite low'. Figures are given in the
American Year Book for 1912 whose
list of cities includes all those with
a population above 50,000—something
over 100 in number. Other data ap
pear in the table, but considering tax
rates alone these hundred or more
cities lall into groups as follows:
Tax rate above* 3 per’cent, six cities;
between 1.5 and 2 per cent, 43 cities;
between 2.5 and 3 per cent, 4 cities;
between 1 and 1.6 per cent, 24 cities;
between 2 and 2.5 per cent, 14 cities;
below 1 per cent, 15 cities.
What then is Birmingham's position
on the list? Birmingham's rate is given
as even 1 per cent. If, therefore, the
yerr book’s statistics are a safe guide,
Birmingham's tax rate, among a list
of more than luO, stands fifteenth from
the bottom. Six out of seven munici
palities of the United State*, it seems,
contribute more bountifully to the pub
lic treasury than does .Manama's rich
metropolis. To be just: A few cities of
60.000 or more show a rate of only
2 or ? mills. But surely they cannot
be cities which are like Birmingham—
deep In debt already and going rapid
ly deeper. On the other hand, when
one finds Seattle. Minneapolis and
Evansville credited with a 3 per cent
tax rate, or better still, Des Moines,
with an 8.5 per cant, one cannot but
feel that there is room ahead of Bir
mingham for an indefinite measure of
progress and improvement.
Fortunately there Is no need for me
to protest that I have presented these
facts without intending any special re
proach against the governing body of
Birmingham. Fortunately the city’s
own tax reformers have put their fin
ger with perfect accuracy upon the
prime seat of trouble. In the matter of
taxation Alabama is afflicted by a nar
GORDON CRAWFORD
FIRST TO ACCEPT
CLUB INVITATION
Is Enthusiastic Over Project
for Ideal Press Club in
Birmingham
TO BE SHOW PLACE
FOR ALL VISITORS
First List of Invitations Will Be
Mailed Today and Further Names
are Now Being Compiled
George G. Crawford, president of the
Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad com
pany, is the first man in Birmingham
to accept formally his invitation to be
come an associate member of the new
Press club.
Those who know the Tennessee Coal
and Iron president are fully aware of his
disinclination to give out statements
or to be quoted in the newspapers. It
is only something of extraordinary mo
ment that causes him to consent to be
quoted. However, his attitude toward
the Birmingham Press club’s permanent
home on the twenty-fifth floor and the
roof garden of the 25-story Jefferson
County Savings bank skyscraper proved
one of the extraordinary occasions.
He was very enthusiastic about the
plans, which are outlined in the invi
tations, a few of which will be mailed
this morning, and said nothing would
prevent the complete success of the
Press club if Its operation measures up
to the outlined programme.
Unusually Attractive
"The plans of the Press club as I
understand them," said Mr. Crawford,
"strike me as being unusually attrac
tive. I am in hearty sympathy with the
proposition and gladly accept the in
vitation extended to become an associ
ate member of the Press club.
"The location is superb, the view ob
tainable from that height and the gen
eral comforts of the place will appeal
strikingly to the citizens of this com
munity. I have no intention of telling
anyone what he should do, but I ac
cept my invitation to become an as
sociate member of the Press club for
the reason that no visitor can be more
appropriately entertained downtown
than at this club, and in no other way
can he be shown the district so plainly
or so well. I believe that the club will
become one of the best Institutions of
its kind in the south. I am informed
the service will be excellent and the
personnel of the members will be care
fully looked after. Success will there
fore be assured the Press club. The
newspaper men are to be congratulated
upon their courage and their public
spirit in promoting such a plan."
Provisions for Ladies
President Crawford is a widely trav
eled man and yesterday could recall no
club in this country which was so
Ideally situated or which appealed so
strongly to the men of a community.
He was Interested to know that by
special ruling of the governors ladies
would be permitted on the roof gar
den and that special arrangements
would be made for their comfort when
visiting the Press club.
Those interested in the Press club
and who have gazed up at the new
building have mistaken some small
windows near the roof as those of the
Press club. On account of the small
ness of those windows some thought
perhaps the Press club would be poorly
lighted. The facts are that the ex
tremely large windows that are now
visible are the windows of the Press
club’s main floor. Tlie small window's
are those of the mezzanine landing by
which the fro of garden cafe is reached.
It was announced yesterday by the
invitation committee of the Press club
that the first list of Invitations would
be issued this morning. Another list Ib
in process -of compilation which will be
passed upon by the invitation commit
tee. which will meet at The Age-Her
ald office tomorrow afternoon at 4
o'clock. That list will be recommended
to the board of governors scheduled to
I hold a meeting Monday afternoon at 4
I o’clock.
ANOTHER OBJECTION
TO TRAFFIC MEASURE
Beard Says Wagons Should Be Al
lowed to Cross Street From
Alley to Alley
Another objection to the traffic or
dinance now in force was made to the
city oommsision yesterday by P. B.
Beard, wholesale manager of the Wim
berly & Thomas Hardware company, on
account of the crossing the street be
tween the two mouths of an alley.
Some time ago a Wimberly & Thom
as delivery wagon came out of an alley
and crossed in the middle of the block
J to continue going on up the same alley.
The driver was arrested and fined by
Judge Jelks Cabanlas.
Now the contention is made that in
thus crossing a street between two al
ley mouths it is wrong to require a
wagon to go up to the avenue, cross
the street there, then come back to the
alley again atjd so proceed. An amend
ment allowing the wagon to continue
on up the alley between two blocks
and cross the interstecting street on a
line parallel with the alley Is desired.
Several other amendments to the traf
i flc ordinance have been suggested
! within the last few' days. They are all
I being filed and in about another couple
of weeks they will all be taken up at
one time and the traffic ordinance
ffi van a general revision.
row, Illiberal, niossback state consti
tution. The constitution prescribes that
the towns of Brewton ami Gadsden and
ao on shall tax themselves thus and so
By what authority? By what right''
Oivic pride and public spirit are stifle 1
in advance. Not a suspicion apparent
ly among ihe framers of the document
that In this twentieth century a mu
nicipality. even ft small one. may have
its own life to lead, its own problems
to work out, its own economic ideals
to hold aloft before the world. Cities
ure emphatically not to be considered
simply as a.portion of the state whose
borders happen to Include them. Yet so
the present constitution seems to treat
them. No wonder the largest and rich
est city In Alabama finds Itself finan
cially upon slippery and unsteady
ground. Yours very truly,
M. C, BURKE.
Tuscaloosa, August 13. 1913. 402
Queen City avenue.
The Best Hot YVeotber Toate
GROVE'S TASTEUE8S chill TONIC en
riches the blood, builds up the whole
system and will wonderfully strengthen
land fortify you to withstand the de
prssaing offset of the hot sun mer. 10c.
May Spend $1,000,000
To Improve Its Quarries
____ f ..
Evans and Meyers Here!
From New York to Look
Over Talladega Properties
For the purpose of outlining plans to
further develop the Alabama Marble;
company properties, involving, it is said. |
about $1,000,000, Henry Evans, president ■
of that company, of New York, and Henry ■
Meyers, Jr., vice president, are here. The j
officials, it is asserted, have been asked
by Major Sewell of Talladega, in charge
of the Alabama Marble quarries, to ap
propriate that much for immediate devel
opments.
The officials are in Birmingham for the
purpose of considering the expenditure
of that sum of money. Mr. Evans is j
president of the Continental Insurance
« ompany of New York and Mr. Meyers is
a widely known banker of that city
They were guests yesterday of Robert A.
Brown, who handles the affairs of the
Continental in this city.
The properties of the Alabama Marble
company at Talladega have proven Im
mensely valuable and profitable. The out
put has been eagerly sought by leading
architects and builders of America in
competition with many other marble quar
ries. The marble of this state has been
sought by foreign countries, even.
It is well known that every local sky
scraper is equipped with Alabama mar
ble. while in Chicago and elsewhere the
marble from this state has been used al
most exclusively in new buildings of late.
That Mr. Evans and Mr. Meyers have
been asked to authorize extensions to the
property and betterments to increase the
output, and that their visit is lor the
purpose of going over the recommenda
tions is generally understood.
The officfals left here* yesterday with
Major Sewall for Talladega to look over
the quarries there. They will go from
Talladega direct to New York, boarding
the fast Louisville and Nashville at Ca
lera. They were very much interested in
Birmingham and expressed the opinion
that few cities possessed the future of
this city.
TJiey were both of the opinion that the
growth of Birmingham was little short of
marvelous.
WANTS EXPRESSIONS ON
SEGREGATION OF RACES
City Commissioner James Weatherly,
president pro tempore of the commission,
is very desirous that expression be given
by citizens of Birmingham in regard to
the segregation ordinance introduced by
Mr. Weatherly some few days ago.
Incidentally, City Commissioner A. O.
I^ane made the statement yesterday that
in his belief the proposed ordinance was
unconstitutional and could not be legally
placed on the statute books.
“While I myself," said Mr. Weatherly,
“am not committed to the ordinance in
any way, L wish the citizens would ex
press some opinions on the matter. There
is no doubt but. what the ordinance would
he of great concern to many people if it
is passed and we do not either want
to pass or reject an ordinance of such
apparent importance without some idea
of what is the will of the people."
“I do not believe we can adopt such
an ordinance," said Judge Lane when
asked for his views on the proposition.
“If we can say where a white man shall
live and where a black man shall live,
then we would also have the authority to
say where a Greek or a Hebrew, or an
Italian or a Frenchman or any other man
might live. I believe It would be uncon
stitutional on the very face of It. I agree
that it would be a very good thing if we
could do it, but as l say T have my
doubts as to whether or not we can.’’
Mr. Weatherly’s segregation ordinance
provides that white people and negroes
shall not be allowed to live in the same
block unless the negroes are servants and
living on the property of their employers.
The city would be divided Into “white"
and “colored blocks," and each would
have to be all negroes or all white resi
dents, with the exception of the servants.
The ordinance is liable to come up for
action next Tuesday, and if there are any
citizens who are interested either in it
being adopted or rejected they had better
make their views known.
A BID FOR FREEDOM
liy CHARLES H. MANDV
Many and various are the means by
which a person confined in the county
1 jail will endeavor to obtain his free
dom. Sympathy, attempted bribery,
j violence, cunning and daring are all
brought into play and it would seem,
j that the more serious the offense the
more desperate the chances taken to
regain liberty. Even the most notable
Instance of escape from prison in fic
tion, that of Monte Cristo from the
Chateau D’lf, has its counterpart in
fact, for among the annals of jails and
prisons in this and every other coun
try are recorded escapes that are just
as marvellous and just as daring.
While escapes from the Jefferson
county jail have been few, yet some
have been bold and daring. Only a few
weeks ago a number of prisoners suc
ceeded in sawing apart the steel bars
of their dungeon and only the fact that
they attempted to leave the jail in the
broad open daylight blocked their dash
for freedom. But apart from the ac
tual attempts at jail delivery, the un
fortunates confined in the county jaTT
I resort to many other perfectly legitl
j mate methods in the endeavor to re
gain their liberty. Every one of the
[judges of the county courts, especially
the criminal judges, have received let
ter after letter from the prisoners in
Jail asking immediate consideration of
j their cases. These persons invariably
insist that they are unjustly and illegal
ly confined, and sometimes on investiga
tion this proves the case.
As an example the following letter
was received by Judge H. B. Abernethy
of the court of common pleas:
‘Mister Abornaty cote House.
“Mister Jedge, I takes up my pin too
wite these lines hopping you is well as
hit leaves me at presence in Jail, if you
will git me outen this Jail which 1 is
no Right too be as I never stoled no
Shoat i will give you ten chickens and
a rooster. The nigger what had me
RESTED done stoled that Shoat hisself
and had me put in Jail far blggoty
thats what he done and l is abul too
prove hit when I gits out. If you will
git me out the Pullets is yourn as 1
is got sum fine chickens which I is
glad too here frum you soon from Joe
James.”
Joe’s case was not unfamiliar to
Judge Abernethy; in fact he had issued
the warrant under which Joe was con
fined. Of course he could not get the
negro out as the case had passed out
of his jurisdiction. When asked whether
he W'ould take any action on the letter,
the judge said he w'ould not, as he was
satisfied the negro meant no wrong
and that he could hardly blame him
for wanting to get out of Jail while
the weather was so hot. Joe's appeal,
or rather offer, reached the ears of one
of his former employers who made an
Investigation and finding that there
was some grounds for Joe’s contention
that he ‘‘never stoled no shoat,” signed
his bond without the proffered com
pensation, and Joe was released, much
to his delight and satisfaction.
SEED WILLING 10
DEBATEIN DALLAS
Report From Selma His
First Intimation of Plans
for Seed-Comer Debate
Walter D. Seed, candidate for gover
nor, is willing to meet B. B. Comer, can
didate for governor, at Summerfield next
Thursday. He states, however, that the
dispatch in The Age-Herald of yester
day was the first intimation he had had
of any arrangement for a debate.
Last night from Valley Head he sent
The Age-Herald the following copy of a
telegram which he had previously sent
to Col. Hugh 8. D. Mallory of Selma:
"In today’s Age-Herald I see that you
are to preside over a joint debate be
tween Governor Comer and me at Sum
merfield next Thursday for the benefit of
the Summerfleld college. While the press
dispatch was the first intimation I have
had, due possibly to continued absence
from home. I hereby Signify my willing
ness. I trust that this debate will be
conducted upon a high plane, dealing with
the issues in a manner becoming two
candidates for governor.
"WALTER D. SEED.”
Mr. Comer and Mr. Seed have met
three times during the campaign. The
first was an informal debate at Brent
and resulted in sensational climaxes. The
I others occurred at Tuscaloosa and North
, port in Tuscaloosa county.
It is known that Mr. Comer Is op
posed to joint debates.
FORCED FORFEIT
A. A. Gambill. the real estate man,
has been made the victim of a trick
of the courts. Some time ago Mr. Gam
bill signed an appearance bond for a
man who was to appear for trial in
the recorder's court. In the meantime
the man in questlbn got in some other
trouble, was tried in the county courts
and sentenced to jail.
When his case came up in the record
er’s court he was serving time in jail and
could not appear, his appearance bond
was forfeited and Mr. Gambill had to
pay up. Now he's asking the city com
mission for relief and indications are that
he will get it.
TO CONSIDER GRADE
KING SYSTEM
Commissioners and Engin
eers Meet Tuesday—Op
position Expected
Considerable interest is being taken in
the conference next Tuesday between the
city commissioners, the city engineer, the
grade crosing expert, Engineer Stearnas,
and the engineers of the railroads operat
ing in Birmingham. The subject up for
discussion wi!4 be the system of grade
crossings as recently worked out by the
expert and the city engineering depart
! ment.
| While no features of the system have
been authentically given out, it is under
stood that there are some radical pro
visions in the plan that will no doubt call
out serious oppositions from both the
railroads and private individuals. One of
the reported provisions of the plan is the
closing up of Twenty-first street, and If
this is decided upon there is no doubt but
what it will meet with serious opposition
from property owmere.
Members of the city commission are ex
pecting some serious objections on the
part of some of the railroads to certain
parts of the plan, blit they have not yet
stated what these might be. City Com
missioner Weatherly states that this i«?
a matter on which petty interests should
be dropped by individual property own :s
or corporations and all co-operate for
what will be the best for the city as a
whole.
MISSOURI PACIFIC
OFFICIALS HERE
Frederick E. Schroeder, assistant gen
eral passenger agent for the Missouri
I Pacific railway, and Q. M. Trirkett, trav
eling passenger agent, wore here yester
1 day, looking over the district and get
! ting a line on the passenger business
outlook for fall.
The officials were shown about the city
| by L. W. McLean for the Frisco lines
and were also his guests at lunch yes
terday. Mr. Schroeder. who is widely
known In railroad circles, was very much
interested in Birmingham yesterday and
I said in his opinion what had been done
here was nothing to be compared with
what was in store for this district.
TOY BALLOONS ARE
Chief Bennett Condemns
Practice of Flying Them
HIS MONTHLY REPORT
Fire Loss During July Was $48,445.58,
$39,315.05 of Which Was Covered
By Insurance—110 Fires
During Month
A fire loss of nearly $£0,0000 was record
ed during the month of July, according
to the monthly fire report of Fire Chief
A. V. Bennett made public yesterday.
In speaking of the report, Chief Ben
nett greatly deplored the fact that toy
balloons were being flown in the city.
He urged strongly that parents prevent
children from sending these balloons in
the air with a lighted candle, as a fire
loss of $14,000 was caused during last
month by one of these toys landing on
a shingle roof and igniting the shingles
made combustible by the intense dry
ness.
“I desire to call attention to the danger
of flying toy balloons,'’ said Chief Ben
nett, “and also to protest against, its
continuance in this community. There are
so many shingle roofs which almost
crackle with the heat on a summer day
that a toy balloon may any day cause
another serious conflagration as we had
on July 4. in Norwood. There, three hand
some residences were destroyed by fire
started by a toy balloon. Recently I have
heard that in the South Highlands resi
dential section, the flying of. toy balloons
at night is a popular fad and I wish to
state that steps will at once be taken to
put a stop to this dangerous practice.
20 Fires Communicated
“In the report for July, there were 20
cases of fires communicated for adjacent
lires. TJiis is due to the extreme heat
which lias prevailed this summer. The
roofs are so dry that the slightest spark
will start a brisk fire at any moment.
There were also 26 fires from sparks on
the roofs.
“The report for last month is about an
average report for the summer.”
The report is as follows:
Honorable Culpepper Kxum, President
Board of Commissioners, City:
Dear Sir:—Please find herewith my re
port for the month ending July 31, 1913:
The department responded to 110 alarms
and fires, ran 1920 blocks, laid out 35,100
feet of hose, used 719 gallons of chem
icals, and raised 1471 feet of ladders.
The Bristol recording water pressure
gauge indicates an average daily pres
sure of .89 16-31 pounds, and an average
daily variation of 10 30-31 pound s per
square Inch.
Alarms and How Received—Box, 6; still,
6; telephone, 99; total. 110.
Kind of Buildings—Brick, 7; frame, 76;
concrete, 2: stucco. 2; other than build
ings, 9; false and unnecessary, 15; total,
110.
How extinguished—Before arrival, 8;
chemicals, 42; water, 45; false and un
necessary, 15; total, 110.
26 Roof Fires
Cause of Alarms—Back firing In auto
mobile. 1; toy balloons falling on shingle
roofs, 2; carelessness, 5; communicated.
20; defective flues, 5; defective wire, 1;
electric iron, 1; false, 9; gasoline care
lessness, 2; gasoline stoves, 2; Incendiary,
1; leaking carbureter, l; leaves burning,
1; lightning. 6; lime slaking, 1; rekindled,
1; sparks on shingle roofs, 26; short cir
cuit. 1; trash burning. I; unknown, 17;
unnecessary, 6: total, 110.
Value of buildings* at risk. $.'186,916: value
of contents at risk, $596,796.55; total value
at risk, $983,711.55.
Insurance involved on buildings, $253.
231.25; Insurance involved on contents,
$484,217.60; total Insurance Involved, $737,
448.76.
Insurance loss on buildings. $27,320.29;
insurance loss on contents, $11,994.76; total
insurance loss, $39,315.05.
Uninsured loss on buildings, $1675.26; un
Insured loss on contents, $7455.27; total
uninsured loss, $9130.53.
Total loss, Insured and uninsured, $48,
445.58. Respectfully submitted,
A. V. BENNETT,
Chief of Fire Department.
INDORSE MOVEMENT
FOR AUDITORIUM
Convention Committee of Chamber of
Commerce Adopts Resolution
Pledging Support
Indorsing tlie proposed bond issue to
erect an auditorium in the city of Bir
mingham and pledging their earnest sup
port to the auditorium committee, the
members of the convention committee of
tiie Chamber of Commerce passed resolu
tions at a meeting yesterday morning fa
vorable to the movement.
The committee, composed of Henry tlf
den, chairman; George C. Oliver, R. T.
Brooke, W. M. Clemens and D. B. Turn
bull, held a meeting in the directors’
rooms of the chamber. After several
speeches on the advantages to Birming
ham of o. large auditorium and the In
ducement such a building would be to
bring some of the big conventions to the
city, a resolution was adopted in which
the proposed auditorium was indorsed and
the convention committee pledged to co
operate with the auditorium committee in
properly presenting before the people tile
advantages of the bond issue for the pur
pose of erecting a suitable building In
which religious, fraternal, political and
social gatherings could be held.
NELSON FAVORS
25TH STREET WORK
Stating that extensive real estate im
provement would be made by Frank
Nelson at tbe bead of Twenty-fifth
street, north, provided that street was
paved according to the desire of some
of its residents which already have ap
peared before the city commisslon, A.
A. Gambill, agent for Mr. Nelson, ap
l»eared before the commission yester
day. He wan told to confer with Wal
ter Moore and other citizens of Twenty
fifth street, who are to appear before
the commission in the near future- and
again discuss the Twenty-fifth street
Improvements.
Mr. Gambill stated that Mr. Nelson
jwned considerable propery at the hea i
of the street which would be subdi
vided and cut up into lots, streets and
rather improvements made and some 50
or 60 houses built.
Arrested on Robbery Charge
•Joe Strickland and John Spltzer were
arrested yesterday morning by Detec
tives Burge and Crenshaw on the charge
of highway robbery. The detectives al
leged that Strickland and Spltzer held
up and robbed \V B. Crisp, a street
1 ar conductor, at Avenue A and Twenty
second street aboim II o'clock Wednes
day night. The men are being held In the
rlty jail awaiting the swearing out of
k warrant.
INSPECT STEEL
PLANT IN SHEFFIELD
Officials of Sloss Iron Works
Spend Several Days in
Tri-Cities
Sheffield, August 15.—(©pedal.)—Some of
the leading men of the Sloss-Shef field
Steel and Iron works, have been looking
after the interest of that, corporation for
the past several days. They have In
spected all the company’s works, both
here and in Florence. Among the num
ber are J. A. Maben. vice president; W.
P. Dovel, consulting engineer, and R. J.
Fulbright, official master mechanic.
On August 21 the Catholic Social club
of the Tri-CRies will give a basket din
ner, and dance at, the Tri-Cities park.
The Sheffield National bank has made '
a very creditable report to the state
after winding up the business for the
year, showing its resources to be $417,618.71,
and its liabilities $417,618.71. This report
was sworn to by G. E- Rhoulbac, cashier
of said bank, and signed by BewiS Gus
inus, Sam C. (N)oke and R. H. Wilhoyt,
directors of the bank.
D. C. Almon, solicitor of the Eighth
district, has been visiting in Sheffield this
week.
FIFTEENTH* STREET
TO BE IMPROVED
An improvement ordinance for Fif
teenth street, north, running east from
Allen street, was passed by the city
commission yesterday.
The ordinance to compel the Tide
water Street Railway company to
sprinkle its tracks was called up ami
passed over. Commissioner Weatherly
states that the city Is now sprinkling
the Tidewate tracks and that the com
pany is paying for It. The Birming
ham Railway. Bight and Power com
pany Is sprinkling its own tracks.
Permission was given the? light in
spector to install another light at the?
Avondale zoo.
Considerable other routine matters
were transacted, although the meeting
was short and lightly attended
HOBSON TO TEACH
AT SUNDAY SCHOOL
Joel F. Webb, who has charge of the
Baraca class at the Southside Baptist
church, announces that the class will
be conducted tomorrow morning by Con
gressman R. P. Hobson.
The Sunday school opens at 9:30 o’clock
and the officers of the Baraca class ex
tend a cordial Invitation to all men to
be present.
-———
CHARGES DROPPED
Edna Bailey Given Into Custody of
Father and Brother
The charge of vagrancv preferred
against Edna Bailey, a young white girl,
by the officials of the welfare depart
ment of the city, was nolle pressed yes
terday afternoon at the request of the
prosecution by Judge H. B. Abernethv
of the court of comon pleas. The girl
was tukyu in charge by the welfare de
partment on the grounds of delinquency
but was ordered released by Judge C.
W. Ferguson of the city court on habeas
corpus proceedings on the ground that
no legal charge had been preferred
against her. She was Immediately ar
rested on a charge of vagrancy and gave
bond to appear for trial on August 15,
when the case was disposed of as above
stated. The girl was given in charge
of her father and brother.
••• —
Suits Filed
The following were among the suits filed
yesterday in the city court:
Will liarirs, Mittie Shepard, Ada Shep
ard and Frank Shepard pro ami vs. Dr.
H. A. Elkourie; each of the plaintiffs
claim $1000 damages for alleged* injuries
received in an automobile collision.
Kauai Griffin vs. Seaboard Air Line
Railway company; $1500 damages claimed
for alleged personal injuries.
J. W. Byram vs. Louisville and Nash
ville Railroad company, $1500 damages
claimed for alleged wrongful carrying be
yond his destination.
Homer Overstreet vs. Ixiuisville ai"i
Nashville Railroad company; $3000 dan -
ages claimed for alleged personal injure -
Marshall Smith vs. Solon Jacobs; $pnjo
damages claimed for injuries In an auto
mobile accident.
Melvin Smith vs Birmingham Railwa; .
Light and Power company; $10,0*0 claimed
fur alleged personal injuries.
Willie Hunter by next, friend Ellen
Pray tor; Birmingham Railway. Light and
Power company; $10,000 damages claimed
for alleged personal Injuries.
Nathaniel W. Williams vs. S. N Sut
ton; $5000 damages claimed for an alleged
assault and battery.
—~— —
Election Ordinance Introduced
An ordinance was introduced at the
city commission meeting yesterday au
thorizing the president pro tempore of
tHe commission and the secretary to
publish the announcement of the com
ing election September 15 for a pres
ident of the commission to succeed Cul
pepper Exum. The ordinance will go
over for more details to be added. It
Is stated that before it is passed the
election managers should he named and
that before doing this the candidates
may he allowed to suggest names for
managers. The ordinance must be
passed before August .’tk
Dr. Nelson's Report Shows
301 Births and 231 Deaths*
Five Deaths From
Pellagra
Seldom has Birmingham been enjoying
better health than at present, according
to the monthly report of the city health
department, issued yesterday by Dr. Rob*
ert Nelson, city health officer, Thor*
were no features to the report except that
the state of the city's health 1s exeep*
tonally good, especially so for the mids*
of the‘summer season.
Tuberculosis, as usual, heads the list
of causes of death, and diarrhoea and en
teritis come a close second on account of
the summer season. There were 12 death*
from typhoid. The report follows:
“Birmingham, August 15, 1913.
“Honorable Board of Commissioners, Cityf
“Gentlemen—I herewith submit my re*
port for the month of July, 1913:
DEATHS BY CAUSES.
Typhoid fever, white 6, black 6—total 13.
Malaria, white 3, black 4—total 7.
Measles, black 1—total 1.
Whooping cough, white 2. black 1—total 3,
Pellagra, white 1, black 4—total 5.
Tuberculosis of the lungs, white 4, black
22- total 26.
Other tuberculosis, white 5, black 2—
total 7. ,
Orebro-spinal meningitis, white 1—
total 1.
Broncho pneumonia, white 1, blacky
total 3.
Ijobur pneumonia, white 3, black 9—
total 12.
Diarrhoea and enteritis, under 2 years,
white 12. black 9—total 21.
Diarrhoea and enteritis, 2 years and
over, white 4. black 3—total 7.
Suicide by poison, white 1 total 1.
Suicide by firearms, white 2—total 2.
Homicide by firearms, white 3, black 8—
total 11.
Homicide by other means, white 1#
black 4—total 5.
Other external violence, white 10, black
9-total 19.
All others, white 47. black (3—total 110.
Grand total, white 106, black 147—total
253.
Non-resident deaths, white 11, black 11
total 22.
Total resident deaths, white 95, black 136
—total 231.
Hate per 1000 per annum, exclusive of
non-resident deaths, white 11.40, black
32.64—total, 18.18.
DEATHS BY AGES.
1'nder 1 year, 38; 1 to 6 years, 21; 5 to
10 years, 5; 10 to 20 years, 19; 20 to 30
years, 40; 30 to 40 years, 38; 40 to 50 years,
37; 50 to 60 years, 19; 60 to 70 years, 17; 70
years and up, 19.
BIRTHS.
Live births, white 204, block 77 total 281.
Still births, white 9, black 11—total 20.
Grand total, «whlte 213. black ks total 301,
Hate per WOO per annum, exclusive «>f
still births, white 24.48, black 18.48 total
22.48.
('t) \1 MI7N1CAB1 jK D iSEAS ES.
Typhoid fever, whites 39, black 19—total
58. , ;
Measles, white 33, black 11—total 47.
Diphtheria, white 3—total 3.
Scarlet fever, white 3—total 3.
Chicken pox, White 9—total 9.
Tuberculosis, white 11, black 5- total Id.
Whooping cough, white 9—total 9.
Cerebro-spinal rmningitis, white 2, black
2—total 4.
Mumps, white 3. black 1 -total 4.
Infantile paralysis, white 1 total L
Pellagra, white 1, black 2 total 3.
Smallpox, white 2, black 12 total 14.
Respect fully submitted,
ROBERT NELSON. M. D„
City Health oficer
-i—— -.-—•
Heal Kstate Transfers
Deeds were placed on record yester
day in the office of the probate court
showing the following transfers of
property, the consideration being $1000
or more;
$30,000—C. M. Strickler, trustee, to
Interstate Development and Trust com
pany, lots 1 to 22 inclusive, block 1,
Zion Heights survey.
$1250—B. E Webb to W. G. Taylor,
northwest diagonal half of southeast
quarter of southeast quarter, section 5,
township 19. range 2 west.
$1750 Zack P. Smith, Jr., to P. A
Eubanks; lot 9, block 2. Eisley Land
company's seventh addition.
$3500- .1. P. Walker to S. C. Appleby,
south half of block 65. Walker Lasid
company's survey of the Wad# tract.
$5500—rWilliurti Walker to B. C. Au
pleby. south half of block 6 1, Walker
Land company's survey of thel Wade
tract.
$12,00u- .1. K. Boggs to P. H. Taylor,
lot 4. block 8, Helena Heights survey.
$15,000—Birmingham Realty company
to C. M. Stickler, trustee, lots l to 22,
24, 25, 26 and 29 to 52, in blocks 5, 6. 7
and 8 of the Oakhurst survey.
$1*500- Central Park Land company
to D. S. Peeble. lot In second addition
to Central Park.
$166.66—Mrs. A. S. Hopspn to Mrs. M.
J. Carter, lots 1, 2. 3 and 4, block 121,
Elyton Land company's survey ot Uk#