The Birmingham age-herald. [volume], May 30, 1914, Page 5, Image 5

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

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U WILL VOTE TO
MDINANCE
Thinks New Law Would
Work Hardship on Small
Contractors
“The best governed city is the least
governed city,’’ said City Commissioner
A. O. Lane yesterday in discussing the
new building contractors’ and foreman
law which has met with much oppo
sition from the building men of the
city. “When I say that, of course,’’
added Judge Lane, "1 except morals and
religion.
“But speaking of business and com
mercial laws which tend to regulation
of commercial and business affairs, the
less we have of them the better we
are off, for there is nothing so detri
mental to good government as a lot
of laws on the statute books which
are not enforced.
\ ”1 have reconsidered this building
contractors’ law since the petition
against it has been submitted to the
commission and I have decided to vote
to repeal It. I do not believe it is
just and fair, for it will encourage
monopoly and work hardship on certain
classes. The clause calling for all con
tractors or anyone who* does work on
a building to pay a license and make
a bond to the building inspector is not
right. Any private citizen who hired
a carpenter to do a little work about
his place would have to go through
red tape and expense.
“Besides the small contractor and the
day laborer who cannot afford any
more expenses is burdened with what
to me looks like an unnecessary tax.
I will vote to repeal it when it comes
up.”
The petition from foremen and smRll
contractors has been signed by a large
number of people ana has been filed
with the commission. They ask the
commission to hear their side of the
case and repeal the law. It is prob
able the commissioners will hear the
contractors and foremen on the matter
at the meeting next Tuesday.
COMMITTEE MEETS
WITH A. R. ROGERS
Nothing Definite Done in Regard to
Making Exhibit at Boston Show.
Meet Again Tuesday
The comimttee appointed by the board
of directors of the Chamber of Com
merce met yesterday with Albert R.
Rogers, the Boston man who has In
vited Alabama to make an exhibit at
the Boston Pure Food exposition this
fall, and discussed the matter with him,
but nothing definite was done. Mr.
Rogers left yesterday for Atlanta and
the committe will meet again next
Tuesday when it is probable the matter
will he decided. It is generally be
lieved that the committee will recom
mend to the board of directors that the
Invitation be accepted.
Many members of the chamber were
heard yesterday to favorably express
themselves regarding Mr. Rogers' in
vitation. It Is believed the exhibit of
Alabama agricultural products which
he proposes at the Pure Food show in
Boston would be of much benefit to tile
state. If the invitation is accepted, it
Is said that the chamber will probably
make arrangements with the State Fair
association to take the winning exhib
its from the fair on to Boston.
wholesaleTtrade
COMMITTEE MEETS
Details in Regard to Coming Mer
chants’ Convention Discussed.
Luncheon Thursday
The wholesale trade committee of
the Chamber of Commerce, Murray
Brown chairman, met yesterday to dis
cuss matters regarding the coming Ala
bama merchants' convention in August.
Reports coming into town lately from
over the state are that "all Alabama"
is preparing to come to this conven
tion. It was one of the most success
ful events last Bummer, its first year,
ever held under the auspices of the
Chamber of Commerce.
The committee is planning to hold a
Dutch luncheon Thursday of next week
at which all wholesalers and jobbers
and all Chamber of Commerce mem
bers Interested in the convention will
be present and discuss the plans for the
entertainment of the delegates. The
Place of this luncheon will be an
nounced later.
A1ABAMA EDITORS
B DIVIDED
OK SUFFRAGE ISSUE
State Press Association
Practically Unanimous on
All Other Points
HILDRETH CHOSEN TO
SUCCEED NUNNELEE
Rosson Continued as Secretary and
Ayers Chosen Vice President.
Guests Shown Over City in
Automobiles in Afternoon
The members of the Alabama Press as- ]
sociation were unanimous In the electing 1
of their officers for the ensuing term. !
were unanimous in reporting business
gcod and money in a state of accumula- \
tion, were unanimous in expressing satis- ,
faction over their entertainment in Bir- i
mingham, but divided sharply—or dodged
the issue—when equal suffrage was put di
rectly before them.
These were the features of the session
of the editors yesterday. L. H. Nun
nelee of the Centreville Press retired from
the president's chair following the elec
tion of new officers. J. R. Rosson of
the Cullman Democrat was re-elected sec
retary and treasury, and J. H. Hard elect
ed recording secretary. The new presi
dent is C. J. Hildreth, the veteran editor
of the New' Decatur Advertiser. Harry
M. Ayres, editor of the Anniston Star, was
chosen vice president.
Secretary Rosson was asked by a mem
ber if he had had printed the minutes of
the last meeting of the association. He
| replied that he had not, and furthermore
had not taken any minutes. He followed
this by resigning as secretary of the as
sociation, saying that he had not the time
to attend the business.
Ayers Calms Troubles
Harry Ayers opposed the acceptance of
Mr. Rosson's resignation and paid a high
tribute to his work. Mr. Ayers poured
oil on the troubled waters by proposing
that the association create the office of
recording secretary, appoint some member
j to that office and retain Mr. Rosson as
corresponding secretary. This motion re
ceived unanimous ac claim, and J. H. Hard
was elected recording secretary, immedi
ately assuming the position.
One of the interesting features of the
session was the injection by Mrs. J. H.
Gillespie of Cullman, editor of the Tribune
of that place, of polities. She urged the
editors to brush the cobwebs of prejudice
from their minds and embrace the cause
of equal suffrage.
No sooner had the subject of her ad
dress become known than several of the*
more astute of the editors were seen to
retire. Finally, however, a vote was put.
Eleven men held up their hands as favor
able to the cause. Eight expressed vig
orous opposition. One man. Col. G. Al.
Cruikshank, of the Birmingham Hedger,
took a position on the fence. He declared
by holding up his hand that he had not
fully made up his mind in regard to this
question.
Mrs. Gillespie made a line argument
in favor of giving the ballot to wom
en. She presented testimony to prove
that because she %vas without the vote
her rival in Cullman. J. R. Rosson. had
been successful in securing advertise
ment. although her paper had support
ed the governor (she did not specify)
who had the disposition of this ad
vertisement and Mr. Rosson’s paper had
opposed him.
Division Is Sharp
The division was very sharp. The
majority of the members refrained from
expressing themselves. Those who did
declare against equal suffrage were
very vigorous in their action. And fol
lowing the luncheon adjournment the
members on convening were startled
by a writing on the blackboard which
expressed the following:
‘•Business before pleasure! Give the
anti-suffragettes a chance."
Mrs. Gillespie not only made a fine
argument in behalf of the propaganda
w-hich ahe said was near her heart,
but she did not fret or fume when
her suggestion did not meet with unan
imous favor. In conclusion she urged
the editors to deal fairly with the mat
ter and requested them to publish the
news Item which the state association
would send them.
The matter of the association se
lecting an advertising man in Birming
ham to handle all the foreign business
of the Alabama weeklies was of par
amount importance and occupied the
greater part of the afternoon ■session.
Frank Willis Barnett, editor of the
Alabama Baptist, proposed that the
contract he given to the Sparrow Ad
vertising agency, setting forth the per
sonal intergity and ability of the pres
ident of that company, John Sparrow,
as his reason for the suggestion. Wil
liam H. Judson, editor of the Besse
mer Weekly, put the motion before the
house that Mr. Barnett be uaked to see
Mr. Sparrow and make the necessary
arrangements, with the proviso that
the editors of the various papers be
permitted to make terms with Mr. Spar
row. Mr. Barnett asked that Victor H.
Hanson be appointed to serve with him
and this was done.
The two Immediately left the con
vention hall, got in touch with Mr.
Sparrow by telephone and placed the
proposition before him. Mr. Sparrow
hurriedly prepared figures upon which
he could undertake to handle all the
foreign business of the country week
lies. came to the Chamber or Commerce
and presented them In person.
His proposition was that a ihimtmum
of 100 papers in the state agree to pay
him $1.50 per week for a year, this
money to be used In the preliminary
work of getting the proposition on
a business basis, and give him full
rttossVl
. 1
CORONER S JURY RETURNS VERDIcYaFTER
PROBE OF B. R., L. & P. FIRE; NO ONE BLAMED
A verdict attaching no criminal negli
gence to any person or persons was ren
dered late yesterday- afternoon by the
coroner's jury which has been investigat
ing the fire of May 8, which destroyed the
general offices of the Birmingham Rail
way. Light and Power company and cost
the lives of two of its employes. Moody
Childress and H. H. Kyser.
Tlie verdict is virtually a recommenda
tion to the city of Birmingham to improve
its Are 'department* It follows:
"The reason of the very unusual
rapidity with which the Are spread
through the building, and the failure
to seriously consider their peril and
heed the warnings of co-workers, who
made use of the means of escape open
to them at the time of such warning
cost the lives of Moody Childress and
H. H. Kyser. We deplore the loss of
time in transportation of the aerial
truck ladder from its place of storage
at Third avenue and Sixteenth street
to the scene of the fire. We think that
had tlie aerial ladder truck arrived
sooner the men would probably have
been saved.
“We heartily commend the board of
commissioners for their concurrence
in the recommendations of Chief A. V.
Bennett for the equipment of all Are
apparatus with motor drive.
“We recommend lirst a rigid investi
gation in all buildings exceeding two
stories in height where stairways and
elevators and hatchways are not now
protected with A reproof or Are-resist
ing material and equipped with auto
matic trap doors, that proper directions
he given for safeguarding of life by
installation of Are escapes sufficient
in number, 'and so located as to be
easily accessible.
“Second—That the chief of the Are
department and his assistants and
captains of companies to thoroughly
familiarize themselves with conditions
which may exist in such buildings, that,
they may more intelligently Aght tires
and accomplish rescues when neces
sary, and that by proper drills the
department he brought sufficiently
adequate in the handling of the aerial
ladder truck, life saving nets and other
rescue appliances and that all com
panies answering alarms in business
districts be equipped with life nets.
“Third—That proper provisions be
made for the storage of aerial trucks
and ladders at locations more con
tiguous to the business district.
"Fourth—The present ordinances are
ins, fficient and that there be speedily
onn such laws and ordinances as
win serve to effectually clear the
str» ‘fc. and driveways for the free
use of ihe Are department when an
swering a Are call; the usual Are
alarm* to be sufficient to be warning
for such clearances and that provisions
be made for the prompt inauguration
for police patrol, on all streets and
alleys adjacent to Ares, that they may
be kept clear for the use of the de
partment in their work.
"J. D. SCRUGGS, Foreman.
A F. BAGBY.
"J. G. STOCK DRLL,
* S. F. TEAGUE,
‘AY. W. BUSSEY,
"ROBERT M*LESTER."
The Inquest began several days ago and j
held several sessions under the direction
of Coroner Spain. The testimony of about
I GO witnesses was heard.
TABLETS BY MISTAKE
Quick Work of Physicians at
Infirmary Saves G. N.
Fitch’s Life
G. N. Fitch, a middle aged traveling
salesman from New York city, took some
bichloride of mercury tablets by mistake
yesterday afternoon at his room in the
Morris hotel. Quick work by the attend
ing physician saved Fitch's life as it was
stated at the Hillman hospital last night
that the New Yorker had an excellent
chance to recover.
According to the management of the
Morris hotel Mr. Fitch took the poison by
mistake. They state that he registered at
the hotel about two days ago and ap
peared In excellent health and also In
good spirits. He was seen about the hotel
lobby yesterday morning and talked with
the clerks. About 3 o'clock yesterday aft
ernoon the clerk of the hotel stated that
Fitch telephoned from his room to send
up a doctor at once as he had swallowed
some poison by mistake.
Dr. Retrain Fox was the first physician
to reach the scene and he quickly sent
for Johns’ ambulance, which removed
Fitch to the Hillman hospital. At a late
hour last night the infirmary authori
ties stated that Fitch was resting easily
and would recover.
On the police docket the case of Fitch
is reported as an attempted suicide.
(iiven Preliminary Hearing
Oscar White. Jack Wilsort and Henry’
Wilson, the latter two negroes, were
given a preliminary hearing yesterday
before Judge R. B. Watts, United States
commissioner, on a charge of violating the
interstate commerce act by breaking into
a freight car and stealing goods in trans
it. Wilhite and Jack Wilson were bound
over to the federal grand jury on a $3001
bond. Henry Wilson was discharged.
They were accused of stealing a ease of
whisky and 50 pounds of tobacco from a
car while in the railroad yards at Boyles.
The defendants made bond.
power to make contracts for them. He
stated that the agreement to pay $1.50
per week would be In force only a
year, and if at the end of that time
lie had made the proposition a paying
one to the newspapers it could be car
ried on under a commission plan.
Matter Not Definitely Settled
Mr. Sparrow had an engagement and
was unable to remain at the meeting un
til the end of the discussion. Several
members of the association stated that
they could not afford to pay $78 a year
for a proposition of this kind, saying Mr. 1
Sparrow hn«l offered them no guarantee.
The only guarantee Mr. Sparrow offered
was that he would see to it that they
were “not defrauded out of any money
justly due" them.
Several members testified to Mr. Spar
row's ability at getting money due his
clients, but the matter was still undecided
when the convention adjourned for an
automobile tour of the city at 6:30 o'clock,
under the auspices of the Chamber of
Commerce. Most of the members of the
association had been to Birmingham be
fore. and those who had not, had had
Birmingham dinned in their ears until ]
they were familiar with practically every |
phase of the city's life. But it was an
astonished crowd that viewed the many
beautiful residence sections here and
many expressions of delight were to be
heard.
Among Those Here
Among those in attendance at«the meet
ing are: L. H. Nunnellee and Jim Nun
nelee of the Centrevilf* Press. J. R. Ros
son of the Cullman Democrat, M. D. Wig
gins of the Hartselle Enterprise, R. L.
O’Neal of the Huntsville Mercury-Ban
ner. J. A. Rountree of the Dixie Manu
facturer, H. D. Collins of the Educational
Exchange. G. M. Cruikshank of the Bir
mingham Ledger. W. T. Treadaway of
the Geiger Times, W. D. Sowell of the
Pine Belt News, Rrewton; H. H. Smith of
the Collinsville Courier, C. W. Hare of
the Tuskegee News. Frank B Law'rence
of Tuscaloosa News, Sam H. Oliver of the
Lafayette Sun. Frank Willis Barnett of
the Alabama Baptist, William L. Wilkin
son of the Geneva Reaper, S. J. Darby of
the Alexander City News, John
C. Williams of Our Mountain Home,
Talladega; F. H. Manning of the Talla
dega Messenger; O. H. Stevenson of the
Roanoke Leader; B. B. Gather of the
Ashvllle Aegis: J. E. Whiteman of the
American Press association, Atlanta; Phil
Painter of the Birmingham Advance; A.
D. Bentley of the Rockford Chronicle;
G. Ernest Jones of the Clio Free Press;
Harry M. Ayres of the Anniston Star;
C. E. Allen of the West Blocton En
terprise; R. B. Vail, Western Newspaper
Union of Birmingham: William H. H.
Judson, Bessemer Weekly: Edward Doty
of the Andalusia Star; Joe H. Simpson
of the Western Newspaper Union, Bir
mingham; H. S. Doster of the Prattville
Progress; E. S. Connlsh of the Demopo
lis Times; L P. Hill of the Ensley En
terprise; C. J. Hildreth of the New' De
catur Enterprise; F. W. Stanley of the
Greenville Advocate; James H. Hard (life
member), Birmingham; G. G. Fennall of
the Guntersvllle Democrat; John T.
Bealle of the West Alabama Breeze,
Northport; J. T. Graden of the Albertville
Banner: Irby Pope of the Marlon Times;
B. F. Moss of the Birmingham Progres
sive Farmer; F. G. Stephens of the One
on ta Southern Democrat; J. H. F. Mos
ley of the Birmingham Labor Advocate;
N. G. Cobb of the Dothan Eagle, and
Mrs. J. H. Gillespie of the Cullman Tri
bune.
Struck With Chair
Lula Williams, a negro, was struck on
top the head with a chair yesterday morn
ing by John Hargrove, a negro, and prob- j
ably fatally injured. The negro Hargrove
escaped. The assault occurred at M
South Twenty-third street*
• ••
LETTER TO FORD EXPRESSES
REGRET OF CIVIC CHAMBER
The committee named by the board of
directors of the Chamber of Commerce
Thursday to convey through a set ot
resolutions or a letter the high esteem 1n
which A. H. Ford, retiring president of
the Birmingham Railway, Light and
Power company is held by the board and
members of the Chamber of Commerce
yesterday, made public the following let
ter which they had drafted and sent t<>
Mr. Ford. Mr. Ford will leave for his
new home in Portland, Me., tomorrow.
The letter is as follows:
“Mr. A. H. Ford, Birmingham. Ala.
"Honored and Respected Sir: At a
meeting of the board of directors of the
Chamber of Commerce this afternoon,
your departure from our midst was tha
subject of discussion, and it was the de
sire of everyone present that some evi
dence of the chamber’s appreciation of
your sojourn in this city, and the high
esteem with which you have been held
by this organization, should be given you.
But learning that you would leave short
ly, it was realized that there was no op
portune time between now and your leav
ing to express in a public way our appre
j elation of you as a man, as a citizen and
•••••••
RS a member of the Chamher of Com
merce. *
It. was, therefore, deemed advisable to
appoint a committee of five to convey to
you the chamber’s regrets at losing so
valuable a member as you have been, and
further, to tell you of the high esteem in
which you are held, not only as a member
of the chamber, but as a citizen and a
Christian gentleman. We heartily express
the sentiment of this whole community
in saying that we regret to see you leave
us, and extend to you our heartfelt in
terest in your future, and wish for you
In your new field all that should come to
a man of your parts. Whenever you re
turn to Birmingham you may rest as
sured that you will receive not only from
the members of this chamber, but from
everyone who has known you, a hearty
welcome.
"With the assurance of the highest
esteem, wo are yours faithfully,
“F. M. JACKSON.
“F. B. FOWLKES,
“J. D. ROSEN BERGER,
*J. B. GIBSON.
“H. K. MILNER.
“Committee.
“Birmingham, May 28, 1914.”
MEYERS INQUEST
WILL BEGIN TODAY
Ernest Price Visited by His
Bride of a Day—Confi
dent of Acquittal
Tho Inquest Into the death of J. H.
Meyers, the railroad man from Atlanta.
Ga., who was killed in the early hours
of last Sunday morning at Twenty
first street and Avenue F. it is alleged, ;
by being struck by an automobile, be- |
gins this morning at 9 o'clock In the
office of Coroner Charles E. Spain. The
hearing is expected to prove interest
ing.
At the city Jail last night Ernest
Price was glad when told the news
that the inquest would begin this
morning as he is confident that the
coroner’s jury will clear him of all
blame In the death of Meyers. He has
been in the city jail charged with
murder in connection with the death
since last Monday night.
Yesterday at the city jail a frequent
visitor was Price’s bride of a day. She
visited him yesterday morning and yes
terday afternoon and last night came
again and sought the permission of
Chief Eagan to see her husband again.
The permission was readily granted as
Chief Kagan Is interested in making
the young people happy. Price und
Miss Evie Maddox were married Thurs
day at the courthouse by Judge H. B.
Abernethy. Following the marriage
Price returned to his cell In jail and
his bride went home to her parents.
STEWART ATTEMPTS
TO COMMIT SUICIDE
Uncle of Man Who Killed Himself
Last Saturday in Critical
Condition
W. J. Stewart, whose nephew, Riley
Custer, killed himself last Saturday
morning by swallowing a large dose of
carbollo arid, attempted suicide yester
day morning in a hallway at 127 4
Twentieth street, south, also by tak
ing carbolic acid. Stewart is at pres
ent In the Hillman hospital and there
Is no hope for his recovery.
Accounts of the attempted suicide
are that Stewart, holding in one hand
the clippings from newspapers of the
account of the suicide of his nephew,
walked into the room of Mrs. Ruth
Hellix and told her to tell his 17-year
old nephew, Ray Stewart, to make a
man of himself. Then etepplng out In
the hall Stewart took a small bottle
of carbolic acid and saying, “Here
goes,” drank its contents and fell to
the floor. Lige Hoy's ambulance was
at once summoned and Stewart was
removed to the Hillman hospital.
According to the people living at
1274 Twentieth street, south, Stewart
attempted suicide Thursday night and
was prevented by his nephew, Ray
Stewart, snatching the bottle of poison
from bis lips.
Suits Filed
The following were among the suits
filed yesterday in the city and circuit
courts:
J. B. Nabors vs. Roden Coal company;
$1500 damages claimed for alleged per
sonal Injuries. ■*
Russell Frazier vs. Jim Morris; $5000
damages claimed for an alleged assault
and battery.
Ben Roebuck vs. Republtc Steel and
Iron company; $2900 claimed for alleged
personal injuries.
Granville E. Harris vs. Ira L. Sel
lers; $50,000 damages claimed for an al
leged violation of section 6216 code of
Alabama.
C. O. JaggerB vs. Southern Bell Tele
phone and Telegraph company; $aooo
damages claimed for an alleged failure
to provide reasonable telephone eervlce.
GEO. M. REYNOLDS
COMING NEXT WEEK
Will Be Guest of Harding
and Widely Entertained
While Here
George M. Reynolds, president of the
Continental and Commercial National
bank of Chicago, who was unavoidably
detained for the dinner given Wednesday
night in honor of W. P. G. Harding, pres
ident of the First National, and recently
selected as a member of the federal re
serve bank, Is expected to visit Birming
ham, probably next Saturday. Informa
tion has been received by bankers of this
clt ythat Mr. Reynolds had not given up
his plan to visit Birmingham. Mr. Rey
nolds has in a letter to local people ad
vised that* he has arranged to be here
during the forthcoming week for a. stay
of a day or more. During that time it
Is stated that Mr. Reynolds will be the
house guest of Mr. Harding, and that he
will he. entertained by other local bankers.
Mr. Reynolds, who is held to be one of
tlie best and most influential hankers in
Chicago, has never visited Birmingham.
He has been trying to get here for some
time and it is stated that he has at last
found the opportunity.
In the absence of absolute information
on this subject, it Is slHted that no de
tails can be given as to the entertainment
of Mr. Reynolds. However, it Is stated
that it is assured that he will be given
a dinner at the Newspaper club, one at th©
Roebuck club, a ride about the city and
he will be shown all the points of indus
trial interests that go to make Birming
ham one of the most important cities in
this country. He will also be entertained
by Mr. Harding at his home In Glen Iris
park.
SOLEMN HIGH MASS AT
ST. PAUL’S TOMORROW
Music Will Be Sung by Pupils of the
Parochial Schools in Gregorian
Chant
-..The services at St. Paul's church to
morrow at 10:30 o'clock will he especially
Interesting. Thero will a solemn high
mass anil the pupils of the parochial
school will attend In a body.
The music, of the mass will be sung by
the children In Gregorian chant. The
older pupils, especially trained, will form
a choir and will be heard from the organ
gallery. The smaller children will alt In
the body of the church and will sing
certain parts antiphonally.
After the mass the graduating class will
approach the altar and receive their
diplomas. The class prises will also be
awarded at the altar rail. Following
these exercises solemn benediction of the
blessed sacrament will be given.
DEBOW SUES FOR $50,000
Alleges Malicious Prosecution by In
surance Company
Claiming $60,000 as damages for an al
leged malicious prosecution, A. T. DeBow
has filed suit In the circuit court against
the National Fidelity end Casualty com
pany of Omaha, Neb. The plaintiff al
leges that the defendant company malici
ously and without probable cause had an
Indictment returned against him, charging
him with embezzlement and that he was
prosecuted and placed on trial on the
said indictment. He further alleges that
the matter was Judicially Investigated and
that he was found not guilty of the charge
and «SB discharged. He claims damages
to the above amount.
DeBow has tried os the above charge
In the criminal court before Judge W. E.
Fort this week, the trial lasting two days.
The case went to the Jury Friday night
at 5:30 and after a short deliberation a
verdict of not guilty was returned. Yes
terday morning the damage suit was filed
In the circuit court by bis attorneys,
Slnnot & Keene.
. . Jsa m
I— .... ■ .—. —
tYour Children
Think Way Ahead%
A small boy told his mot her the
other day how his fortune had been M
read and all the derails even to ■
where he was going on his wedding ■
While they are thinking ahead
—and they'will do it—What’s going H
on now to show them how to have M
the money for that “wedding trip” m
and other th ngs beforehand and M
afterward? Are there money lessons of J
any kind at your house ?
mcanTrust^avingsRanr
_ BIRMINGHAM
KELLER PLEASED
WITH PROGRESS
MADE1HIGHWAY
State Engineer Conies From
Montgomery Over the
Proposed Route
WILL BE COMPLETED
IN YEAR AND A HALF
Much Interest Being Manifested in
Clanton "Thousand Dollar Barbecue”
on June 12 and Will Be Attended
by Many Good Roads Men
Br f* *. BETTY
Tho Birmlngham-Montgomery high
way is assured. Within six months
more than two-thirds of the road will
have been completed and before a year
and a half have elapsed there will be
a continuous boulevard connecting the
two cities.
As proof that the Birmlngham
Montgomery highway is soon to become
a reality, Shelby and Chilton counties,
through which the road will pass, have
already let contracts for the construc
tion of the highway through practical
ly the entire extent of their boundaries
and a movement is on foot looking to
tlie early construction of the road
through Autauga and Elmore counties.
More than two-thirds of the road will
have been built before January, 1915,
and probably by October of that year
the entire roadway will have been com
pleted.
Progress in the construction of the
Birmingham - Montgomery highway,
which will he by fat* the most import
ant road in Alabama, was reported to
W. S. Keller, state highway engineer,
while making a tour over the proposed
route yesterday. Mr. Keller came
through the country in a large Buick
touring car and was driven by Otto
T. Barr, who accompanied Mr. Keller In
his trip over the state last summer.
The state highway engineer was also
accompanied by a representative of
The Age-Herald.
The automobile trip from the Capital
City was made in about five hours and
no difficulties were encountered in the
matter of bad roads. The principal ob
stacles which tho touring car had to
surmount were encountered in passing
over roads under construction—for
there are probably 25 miles or more of
the Birmlngham-Montgomery highway
that are now passing through the
stages of modern construction.
Progress in Shelby
• MorI noticeable of the construction
work along the highway connecting
Alabama's largest city with her capital
city was shown In Shelby county,
probably the most progressive county
In the state at the present time in the
matter of road building.
Shelby county has let contracts for the
constructing of a trunk line of roads
from the Jefferson county line to the j
Chilton county line, which will be a part
of the Birmlngham-Montgomery highway,
and from the Bibb county line to St. Cl&lr
county. These roads will bo built at a
cost of probably several hundred thou
sand dollars, but the people of 8helby
county are content to bear the burden,
looking to the future for recompense.
The road through Shelby from the Jef
ferson line to Chilton county will be,
when completed, about 30 miles in length.
Near the Jefferson line the road is beln^
cut through the hills, and within a few
hundred yards of the Cahttba liver there
is a place where the road builders are
making °a 30-foot excavation. The road
Is being built according to modern meth
ods.
Road Through Chilton
Chilton county Is alno making progress
along the linen of road construction, and
(Continued on Pact Ten)
INSPECTOR OF FIRE
ESCAPES PROVIDED
FOR BY COMMISSIWI
Will Also Look After Eleva
tors—Another Step in
the Campaign
MUST COMPLY WITH
BUILDING LAWS ,
Proclamation Issued Warning Owners
That They Must at Once Make
Such Changes as Necessary
or City Will Act
In addition to the appointment of a
special Inspector of Are escapes and
elevators, the city commissioners yes
terday issued a formal proclamation to
all property owners, agents and occu
pants of buildings In the city that they
must at once make such changes in
their buildings as are necessary to
comply with the building code or the
city will institute proceedings against
them at once.
This Incident together with the re
cent authorization of additional tire
fighting apparatus has convinced many
citizens that the commlsioners are fol
lowing a deflnte policy of Improvement
of the five department and added pro
tection to the city from fire. The series
of changes and new fire and building
regulations began immediately after
the big Birmingham Railway, Light and
Tower company fire, and the end of the
campaign in apparently not yet In
sight. Tlie commissioners decline to dis
cuss the matter, and Indlcafb that there
Is no connection between the many in
cidents that have occurred since a few
days after the Blrjnlngham Railway,
Light and Tower fire when »Sid Middle
ton was appointed as a second assist
ant chief of the fire department.
Proclamation of CommiHaion
Tlie proclamation Is as follows:
“Whereas, we arn advised that
many buildings in the business sec
tion of our city do not conform to
the requlrments of our building
code, especially In regard to the
protection of life in case of fire.
“Therefore, we, A. O. I^ane,
.lames Weatherly ami George R.
Ward, board of commissioners of
the city of Birmingham, do here
with proclaim to all property own
ers, agents and occupants of all
buildings in the city that they must
proceed at once to muko such
changes in their buildings ns in re
quired in the building code, for the
protection of life and property, and
notice Is hereby given that the city
will proceed against afT such own
ers, agents or occupants who have
not conforpied to the requirements
| by July 1. 11114.
The appointment of a special Inspector
of elevators and flrescapes has been au
thorized by the commissioners and ha
will he put to work at once, it Is stated.
To Rigidly Enforce Laws
Tn line with a general tightening of the
fire regulations and fire protection of the
city, the commissioners say they Intend
to sec that there are fire escapes at the
proper places on all buildings in the city
where they are needed. This will apply
especially to the old buildings of the city
which were built. It Is said, before ade ft
quate fire escape and fire protection regu ,
1st Iona were In force and which ha.j
never complied with them since. II
The commissioners have recently a,l
thorized the purchase of some $3S.mi
worth of tire fighting apparatus, they
have called for several recommendations
regarding Are protection and building
laws from Building Inspector Matthews
and from Fire Chief A. V. Bennett. They
have passed new laws regarding con
tractors complying with the building laws,
and in every wgy are trying to guard
against another catastrophe such as the
Birmingham Railway, Light and Power
company Are some few weeks ago, and
(Continued on Pnge Ten)
I Capital and Surplus $1,100,000.00
Birmingham Trust & Savings Co.
Capital $500,000.00 8urplus (Earned) $600,000.00
This Bank is open on Sat
urdays from 4 to 8 P. M. to
receive Savings Deposits
,*•:/. . - ■•,.•... ... ,'iifva