The Birmingham age-herald. [volume], July 31, 1914, Page 5, Image 5

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

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

                
He Earns Most i
Who SAVES
Most of His
Earnings
The man who earns $10 a week and
saves $1 a .week Is really better off
than be who earns $20 and spends
$20. Get the saving habit if you ,
ever expect to get ahead. This bank (
will help you. Bring us your surplus ■
—that oart of your salary over and
above >our necessary expenses—and
you’ll be protected against loss.
Why not open a Savings Account
here today?
The First National Bank
OF BIRMINGHAM
^ “A National Bank for Savings”
I
Capital and Surplus
$3,000,000
\ Per Cent Interest on Savings.
Compounded Quarterly ,
_
WOULD HAVE STATE
W. G. Bellenger of Gadsden
Thinks This Only Way to
Obtain Relief Arbitrary
Underwriters
That the Southeastern Underwriters'
Association is arbitrary in regard to in
creasing insurance rates, that rates are
and have been steadily on the increase,
and that Alabama should remove the ban
from mutual insurance companies were
observations yesterday of W. G. Beilen
ger, former mayor and recently nomi
nated mayor of Gadsden.
“It is safe to say,’’ added Mr. Bellenger,
“that Gadsden will join Birmingham in
Its fight against arbitrary tactics of the
Southeastern Underwriters’ association.
Some years ago Gadsden initiated a con
test against this association, and was
joined by Sheffield, Talladega and Deca
tur. We went to Atlanta and were given
a hearing. We were successful in that
rates were not then increased. However,
the association very soon renewed its at
tack, and its postponed action was again
put in motion. Birmingham at that time
was evidently enjoying reasonable rates
for this city declined to aid us in our
struggle However, you may depend on
Gadsden to do what it can in gaining re
lief for Birmingham.
"The remedy for the situation is for the
legislature to remove the ban from the
operation in this state of mutual insur
ance companies. At the present time we
are dependent on the Underwriters’ as
sociation. We are at the mercy of that
association, and have very little recourse
^ against anything which it might think
expedient to do. When tlie ban was
laised against mutual companies, the cot
ton mills were excepted. An example of
the good results to the cotton mills is of
fered in Gadsden. The mills have a rate
of from 35 to 40 cents. The dwelling rates
in Gadsden range from cents to $1.10.
As an example of the tactics of the un
d©writers iri gradually increasing rates,
i might recite an experience of my own.
Some years ago 1 paid $2.75 for protection
for a garage. Since tnen 1 have builded
a concrete floor and taken other precau
tions against Are. However, my present
rate is $4.20. *
"There is one thing that I am going to
assist the Chamber of Commerce to ac
complish, and that is the operation of the
Queen and Crescent fast trains through
Gadsden. 1 have been informed that
the officials of the Queen and Crescent
will listen to our complaints in that re
spect, and I believe tin* time is appro
•V priate to start after that concession for
our city.
"At this time ail of the fast trains
pass through Attaila. They issue trans
fer to the street railway line but that
is far inferior to the operation of the
fast trains through Gadsden. I am
firmly convinced that our city is en
titled to this consideration from the
Queen and Crescent railway. Our city is
growing. The freight traffic volume
is getting more important every year
and the time is not for off when Gads
den will be one of the vital spots in
this state so far as traffic is concerned.
"I believe the Queen and Crescent
will give us that accomodation which
will go with the operation of the fast
tiains through Gadsden. We have not
Inaugurated a very vigorous campaign
^ for the trains lately, but that is going
W to be taken up with a vim and 1 hope
^ it can be accomplished.
"By constructing a very short amount
of track the trains can be operated into
Gadsden instead of Attaila as they are
operated now*. We have no objections
to the continuation of the operations
to Attaila, but we do wrant the Queen
and Crescent officials to give our city
Some slight consideration at least. J
am firmly convinced that with our ac
tive Chamber of Commerce, our frineds
in Birmingham, and with t’he persuasion
that we can use on the officials of th€
Alabam Great Southern that this mat
ter can be accomplished."
Mr. Bellenger is one of the best
known men of the state. He served at
Mayor of Gadsden some years ago, anil
voluntarily retired. He w'as induced tc
enter the race which has just been con
cluded, and won handsomely. His op
ponent was .Tames Tolson, a prominent
and strong man. He received 559 votes
to Mr. Tolson’s 413. The nominee with
Mrs. Bellenger and guests dined at the
Birmingham Newspaper club yesterday.
i
I
i
WEATHERLY GIVES !
OUT LETTER FROM |
ATLANTA^ LAWYER
Wimbish Tells of Columbus,
Ga.’s Successful Water
1
works Fight
1
1
VINDICATED RIGHT ;
THEN BOUGHT PLANT -
(
1
Indorses Municipal Ownership Highly i
and Advises Birmingham to I mi- 1
late Columbus—Well Known
to Birmingham People
l
In answer to The Age-Herald attack- ■
ing his plan for a municipal waterworks,
City Commissioner James Weatherly yes
terday made public a letter from William
A. Wimbish of Atlanta, one of the most
prominent attorneys in the south.
Mr. Wimbish acted as special attorney
for city of Columbus. Ga.. in its recent
fignt for a municipal waterworks plant.
His name attracted attention in Birming
ham. but recently as the attorney for
the Alabama pig iron makers, who won
the ease before the interstate commerce
ci mmission reducing pig iron rates be
tween Birmingham and points in the
north and east.
The i ity of Columbus only several days
ag > bought the property of the Colum
bus Water Supply company, a private
corporation, for $3*5,000. John B. Weak
ley of Birmingham was president of tlie
company and with other Birmingham fi
nanciers held the larger part of the stock.
! it is understood. Before consummating
the purchase of the waterworks com
pany, however, the city of Columbus
went ti rough a controversy something
like the one now current in Birmingham.
This is what Mr. Wimbish writes about,
incidentally giving some of his beliefs
regarding municipal waterworks. The let
ter follow's:
Letter From Wimbish
“I have your letter of Jhly 27, asking
me t» givd you a resume of the suc
cessful fight conducted in behalf of the
city of Columbus for the establishment
of Its municipal system of waterworks.
“In 1881 the city of Columbus granted
a franchise to, and entered Into a con
tract with, a private company for sup
plying the city and its inhabitants with
water for public and domestic purposes.
The quality of the water and the char
acter of the service becoming unsatis
factory, the city determined to construct
and operate its own municipal system and
voted bonds for this purpose in Decem
ber. 1992. Bending the issuance of the
bonds and their being offered for sale,
the water company, in July, 19U3, filed
a bill in the United Slates circuit court
to enjoin the city on the ground fhat
the construction of the municipal sys
tem would violate the obligation of the
contract between the city and the water
company. The case was heard at great
length and the litigation was quite ex
tended, going twice to the supreme court
of the United States. The city was even
tually entirely successful, and its right to
establish and operate its own municipal
system was fully vindicated in the su
preme court of the United States.
“Subsequently Birmingham capital be
came interested and purchased the prop
erty of the Columbus Waterworks com
pany. Notwithstanding that the water
system had been bettered, and the char
acter of the service greatly improved,
the people of Columbus were firmly -con
vinced that municipal ownership of this
great public utility was essential to the
highest public good. Again bonds were
voted, issued and sold for the purpose of
constructing the municipal system. The
water company undertook to enjoin the
city from acquiring by condemnation cer
tain properties and rights deemed by the
city necessary to the system. In this the
water company was unsuccessful, and
thereupon an agreement was reached
under w-hlch the city purchased from the
water company that portion of its prop
erties and system that could be used in
connection wdth the municipal system.
One motive of the city in buying was to
prevent anything like confiscation of val
ues, since it was recognized that the pri
vate system could not successfully com
pete with the municipal system. This
purchase, I hope, has enabled the stock
holders of the water company to get out
without actual loss.
Public Ownership Best
“It is well recognized that the supply
of water to a city is in its nature a
monopoly, and that the service can be
best and most economically performed
through public ownership. Tt has been
demonstrated in this country and, T
think, in Europe as well, that public
ownership is the only guarantee of sus
tained quality of water, character of
service and reasonableness of charges.
In the nature of the case, few cities, if
any, can profitably support two water |
system, and it is manifest that no pri-■
vate system could successfully compete,
or even survive, as against a properly
constructed and economically managed
municipal system.
“Nothing so Intimately affects the
health, comfort and safety of the public
as an abundant supply of pure water for
fire protection, sanitary sewerage and
domestic uses. Adequate provision for
such purposes is peculiarly a public func
tion, and lies immediately within the po
lice power of a city.
“No city, once undertaking the public
ownership of Its water system haH ever
returned to private ownership, so far as
I am aware. On the other hand, the
BIVINS COMES OUT
FOR SKYSCRAPER JAIL
Announces Unequivocally in Favor of Building New Jail On
Present Site—Cameron Now Only Member Favoring Re- j
moval of the Structure to Another Section
_ !
Maj. W. J. Cameron, member of the
•oard of revenue of Jefferson county,
tands alone among his colleagues as
a voting the removal of the county jail
rom its present site to some other
ection of the city. Dr. R. F. Lovelady.
•resident of the board; Hugh Me
Jeever and Lawrence Pennington de
lared themselves as being opposed to
he separation of the county court
louse and the jail. Rufe Bivins took the
natter under advisement and yester
lay came out strongly for the erection
• f a modern building on the present
ite. Major Cameron stands pat on his
emoval scheme.
Yesterday morning Sheriff McAdory.
n conformity with the instructions laid
lown by Dr. Oates, removed about !!.'»
legro prisoners from the county jail,
imi it is understood that further re
novals will follow unless the county
authorities build a jail large enough to
accommodate the necessities of the
county. •
The members of the board of revenue
have expressed themselves as being in
favor of a change, and are willing to
erect a building that will conform with
the growing needs of the county. Pour
[members of the board favor the erection
jof a skyscraper on the present site,
one member favors the removal of the
jail to some other part of the county.
Until yesterday Rufc Bivins refused to i
declare himself, stating that he wanted
time to look into every phase of the ;
proposition. He made a statement yes
terday that put his attitude clear. He 1
came out unequivocally for the sky
scraper plan, and unalterably opposed
the proposition of separating the jnil
from the county courthouse. His posi
tion on this question puts the board of
revenue on record as to the removal
of the jail, four to one in favor of re
taining the present site and building a
eight or ten-story building.
Missing Cullman County
Treasurer In Toils of Law
_ i *••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
CAPTURED AT ROCK ISLAND,
ILL., ON INFORMATION FUR
NISHED BY BODEKER DETEC
TIVE AGENCY
Traced through a “red-headed woman.”
J. D. Searcy, former treasurer of Cull
man county, who absconded with $26,000
several weeks ago, was captured at Rock
Island, 111., Wednesday night on infor
mation received from the George H. Bod
eker National Detective agency, which
has had charge of the pursuit of Searcy
since June 16.
Former Chief of Police Bodeker and
Detective John Wren left for St. Louis,
Mo., last night to bring Searcy back to
Cullman. It Is understood that Searcy
will not fight extradition and wants to
return for trial.
The allegations against Searcy are that
early In June he came to Birmingham
and sold $25,000 worth of Cullman county
bonds and then disappeared. The af
fair created a sensation as Searcy was
known as a respectable married man in
Cullman and there were rumors that
he had taken the money and eloped
with a Birmingham girl for parts un
krow n.
According: to Detective Bodeker, Searcy
was traced through an automobile which
lie purchased locally. He was traced
through Washington, Baltimore, Atlantic
City, Philadelphia and Brooklyn. In New
York Air. Bodeker received reports that
Searcy was very much in the company
of a “red-headed woman" and finally lie
lefi the city in his automobile with her.
Detective John Wren of the Bodeker
agency was sent to New York to ap
prehend Searcy, but missed him about
two weeks. Mr. Wren, however, kept
on the trail and found traces of the al
leged absconder in Buftalo, Sandusky, O..
Kendallville, Ind., and finally managed
to order his arrest ut Rock island, 111.,
Wednesday night.
Yesterday morning the following tele
gram was received from Chief of Police
Blinn, of Rock island:
"Have J. S. Searcy in custody, with
red-headed woman. Have also the Hud
son automobile, lie will go back with
out papers. Send officers. 1 will swear
out fugitive warrant till you get here.
Had two thousand five hundred when ar
rested.”
In the persistent search lor Searcy the
Bodeker agency lias been unusually ac
tive Over :jf*4>u circulars were sent out
throughout the country and in one day
Mr. Bodeker stated that he spent $9S for
telegrams alone.
Yesterday morning former Chief Bode
ker received the hearty congratulations
of the Cullman county officials.
BENNETT IS GUEST
OF NEWSPAPER MEN
Entertained at Press Club by
City Hall Reporters Past
and Present
A. V. Bennett, whose resignation as
chief of the fire department will be
effective tomorrow morning, was the
guest of reporters at a dinner at the
Birmingham Newspaper club last even
ing. Other guests were Judge A. O.
I jane. George B. Ward and .lames
Weatherly, city commissioners, and H.
Scvdder Ryall. secretary of the com
mission.
The hosts were Be Roy Jacobs and
Beon Friedman of the Birmingham
News. B. H. Mooney, Paoli Smith and
Thonms H. Sherman of the Birmingham
Bedger. and R. R. Silver and Hugh W.
Roberts of The Age-Herald. These
newspaper men are serving or have
served the local newspapers in the role
of city hall reporters, and in this way.
have daily encountered Chief Bennett,
for whose ability they have profound
respect.
While in the Informal remarks which
were made. Chief Bennett was praised
for what he has accomplished as fire
chief of Birmingham, and while wishes
were expressed for his success in his
new enterprise as an agent of the Bir
mingham Waterworks company, with
fulsome praise, the diner deeloned to
permit the appetite to become cloyed.
Considerable fun was injected Into the
cjir.ner, and it was pronounced a most
successful affair. The meal was served
with the characteristic success of the
Birmingham Newspaper club.
books are full of cases illustrating that
private ownership has proven unsatisfac
tory.
Step Is Inevitable
“Perhaps it is unnecessary for me to
say that 1 have neither interest nor
prejudice for or against the company sup
plying the city of Birmingham with
water; nor am I familiar with any griev
ance that the city or Its Inhabitants may
have against the company. My views,
above expressed, are based upon general
observation, and have no direct reference
to your particular situation. I may he
permitted to say, however, that municipal
ownership for a great city like Birming
ham is inevitable. Atlanta would not for
a moment tolerate any other system, nor
do 1 think that any other progressive
city would surrender public for private
ownership.
“In my opinion, the city of Columbus
pursued the proper course by first vindi
cating its light to construct a municipal
system and then by purchase enabling
the existing private company to retire
without serious loss. Very truly yours,
“WIBBIAM A. WIMBISH.”
SUCCESSOR NOT YET NAMED
McNeel Will Not Appoint Nunnellee’s
Successor for Several Days
James H. Nunnellee, deputy revenue
collector, and former recording secretary
to ex-Governor Comer and the present
governor, has tendered his resignation,
to take effect tomorrow. Mr. Nunnellee,
who was only recently appointed to his
post by John D. McNeel, collector of in
ternal revenue, will resume his newspaper
work, and will exert his talent In behalf
of the Tuscaloosa Times-Gazette.
Mr. McNeel stated yesterday that he
had not made the appointment of Mr.
Nunnellee’s successor, and would not do
so prior to the passage of a few days
at least. In connection with the appoint
ment and resignation of Mr. Nunnellee. it
is Interesting to recall that Mr. McNeel
was private secretary to the present gov
ernor when Mr. Nunnellee was recording
secretary, and that both on the same day
were relieved of their duties.
NO DECISION YET
ON SCHOOL SITE
Commission Considers Pro
posals Submitted at
Conference
For over an hour yesterday after
noon. the city commissionert) conferred
with a large delegation of real es
tate men regarding the purchase of
a lot for a site of a Southside high
school. No decision was reached. It
was stated after the conference. that
a conference would now be held with
the board of education and a dec'slon
probably made. The city’s reason for
buying a site now is that It is believed
much more would have to be paid for
the same lot later. No school will be
built for sometime, but the object Ik
to bnve the site ready when the money
is secured for the school building.
Among the propositions considered
are the following;
U B. Clark, 220 feet on Tenth ave
nue by 140 feet on Twenty-first street,
$30,000, or if allowed to name the
school. $20,000. It is understood that
the commissioners lean toward this
proposition.
Samuel B. Weakley. 189^ feet on
Alj.gnolla avenue by 191 feet deep and
17i> feet on Sycamore street, $25,ooo.
W. T. Underwood—Underwood hill—
three acres, $55,000. The commission
ers like tliis proposition.
George Watley, Seventeenth street
and Avenue I. 200x252Vs feet, $30,000;
Avenue G. between Twenty-fourth and
Twenty-fifth streets. 400x190, $14,000.
McDavid, Meyer, Gold mail A Terry.
485 feet on Twenty-second street by
190 feet on Avenue 1. and 230 feet on
Magnolia avenue, $53,000.
The Clark proposition is about 57
cents per square foot, and has two
houses on It, the Weakley proposition
is about 85 cents per square foot, and
is unimproved, the Underwood propi
aitlon is about 42 cents per square foot
and has a large residence on it, the
Watley proposition is about 60 per
square foot, and is unimproved and the
McDavid proposition is about 62 cents
per square foot, and has seven houses
on it.
Farmers Stood Tax Raise of
$350,000 Without a Whim
per, Says White
Henry P. White, member of the state
tax commission, after adjusting certain
eases involving raises in taxation in Wal
ker county, has come to Jefferson to re
sume his work in connection with adjust
ing cases in Jefferson tounty now pend
ing before the board of revenue.
"Tax raises in Winston county,” said
Mr. White, “will amount to »360,000. It is
an interesting feature that the farmers
of that county uttered no complaint, but
walked up to the county with an agree
ment. Tlie howls came from the rich
owners of mineral property.”
Mr. White did not discuss the matter
of taxation on solvent credits or its prob
able effect of driving Industries out of
Alabama. Ho intimated, however, that
the decision of the supreme court In
the matter of solvent credltH was sat
isfactory to t tie state, which won the
verdict, and that action towards the col
lection of the new lax will b» under
taken at unco.
v. i -r . • •
TO INTERFERENCE
IN STATE FIGHTS
Ridiculous Story Circulated
That He Saved Underwood
by Withdrawing Clayton
GOSSIP CAUSED BY
RESULT IN TEXAS
President Will Most Likely Make
Number of Speeches This
Fall in Advocacy of
Democracy
By 111 Gil W. ROBERT*
Certain Alabama newspapers have re
cently taken President Wilson to task
on account of his alleged "interference”
in the politics of the several states.
The chief executive was advised in lan
guage as polite as language can be
made, to desist.
And in this connection, the old story
to the end that but for the activity
of the President in the recent cam
paigns in Alabama, certain "desired"
ends might have been achieved was re
vamped. Up to the present time. Mr.
Wilson has not deemed it necessary to
make reply, and his intimate friends
are contending that very probably he
will continue to have nothing to say.
In Alabama comparatively little is
known concerning Mr. Wilson's course
in connection with the recent cam
paign in Texas. It is said that he in
dorsed the candidacy of Colonel Thomas
Ball, prohibitionist, who was over
whelmingly defeated by ills anti-prohi
bition opponent, Colonel .lames Fergu
son. it Is safe to state, however, that
tlu indorsements did not cause the de
teat of Colonel Hull. For It is almost
the invariable rule that the indorse
ment of any individual without the bor
ders of a state, has comparatively lit
tle effect on the fate of candidates.
In Texas, there is a wholesome lack
ol friendship for state-wide prohibi
tion, and contempt for the methods em
ployed by prohibition leaders to ad
vance their own ends. In view of that
taut. Colonel Hall’s friends in Alabama
can with little justice attribute his de
feat to the activity in his behalf of ths
President.
In Alabama Politics
The charge that President Wilson In
terfered with politics in Alabama is
absurd. No more ridiculous story was
e'er, related than that two politicians
i from this state induced President Wil
son to "save Oscar VV. Underwood” by
[withdrawing tleury D. Clayton as a
[candidate for the Senate. In the first
| place, the President would scarcely
know either of the politicians were
he to meet them face to face, and in
the second place, the preservation of
Mr. Underwood at his hands was not
necessary. Had Mr. Clayton remained
in the race, for the Senate. Mr. Under
wood would have disposed of two oppo
nents. in the light of the present, no
sane man can doubt that fact.
They were not the enemies of Cap
tain Hobson who prompted the Presi
dent to his one act which might he con
sidered an act In behalf of Mr. Under
wood. They were his friends. For it
was freely charged by them that Mr.
1 nderwood did not stand for those
"progressive" ideas for which the Pres
ident stood, and it was even hinted
that between the two there was noth
ing of the nature of friendship, politi
cal or otherwise. Mr. Wilson promptly
served a dinner in honor of the Ala
bama leader. He served that dinner
rot to aid Mr. Underwood in his poli
tical aspiration, but to rebuke his op
ponents who had endeavored to misrep
resent the true situation.
If Mr. Wilson interfered in Alabama
politics, he did so with The delicacy of
a political genius, and only then when
forced In behalf of truth to do so. Had
he not served his dinner, the result
would have been the same. Had lie
spoken for Captain Hobson, Mr. Un
derwood would nevertheless have won.
The Fall Campaigns
In Washington the idea prevails that
Mr. Wilson will not "interfere" this
fall in the contests for congressional
seats. Efforts will be made, It is prob
able, to induce him to change his mind.
It is safe to prediot, however, that he
will not attempt to turn the tide in
lavor of any candidae. although it is
highly probable that he will deliver
several addresses during October in sup
port of democracy, and in defense of
that legislation which democracy will
have accomplished.
In this direct manner, he may he in
fluential in returning a magnificent
democratic majority to the House.
Should he take up the fight for any in
dividual candidate, it is believed that he
would accomplish little of material
good.
Mr. Wilson, if he had "interfered" in
the politics of other states no more
extensively than he has "interfered" in
the politics of this state, he should be
absolved from blame, and shielded from
tiie poison-tipped barbs of his enemies.
Steiners Will Not Sail for
Europe—Situation Not
Satisfactory
Mr. and Mrs. L#eo K. Steiner and their
two boys who left for New York Tuesday
morning with the intention of sailing for
Europe Saturday, have virtually abon
doned their trip on account of the war
like situation abroad.
They engaged passage sometime ago,
and last Monday when the war cloud
was threatening Mr. Steiner telegraphed
the New York agent of the North Ger
man-Liloyd to inquire if he had any in
formation from Berlin as to the prob
ability of war. The answer to his tele
gram was to the effect that the war
scare was exaggerated and that the sail
ing list was larger than usual.
But when Mr. Steiner reached New
York he found the situation gave enougii
to render a tour for pleasure anything
but satisfactory. He wired his brother,
Carl Steiner, who is temporarily in charge
of the Steiner banking business here, that
unless the war situation cleared up be
fore Saturday lie and his family would
return homo shortly.
Children Cry
FOR FLETCHER’S
CASTORIA
pjy^^|Vlysterystories pale
UU glar, unless you can |]4|
wl | qJU mentally wave him away by
I * mn knowing there’s nothing spe- rLJJJ
lll> aTyi cial you can lose. Store val- //’Tk
" ^*ere • ^ar^es are *n" JLfjj
—
TO DEFER INCREASE
Secretary of Southeastern
Underwriters Says Insur
ance Men Do Not Care to
Have Conference Either
In a li tter received yesterday by
i President George Ward of the city com
mission from Secretary J. S. Haines of
the executive committee of t|ie South
eastern Underwriters' association, the
request of the Board of Trade and the
city commission that the committee sus
pend the operation of the IB per cent
increase in tire Insurance rates, was
tlutly refused.
Mr. Haines suggests, however, that a
committee of experts come to Birming
ham to confer with city officials and
civic organizations to see if anything
can lie done to remedy conditions here,
which the underwriters say compelled !
them to make the rate Increase. It Is
prohahle this conference with experts
will he held soon.
"What we are kicking about." said
President W. R. Kwing of the Board
of Trade, yesterday, "is that the insur
ance men are not toting fair with us.
We do not assume an arbitrary position
in the matter and attempt to say you
do this or don't do that. All we want
is Justice, and when they raise our rates
we want to know why.
Have Violated Agreement
"l^ast .seal1 the underwriters made an
aglenient with us that if we did cer
tain tilings the rate would not be
raised. We have done those things, the
city has passed a shingle ordinance, and
a. clean-up ordinance, and has Improved
tin* tire department up to tin* top-notch,
hut before these improvements are in
force long enough to show their ef
fect. the underwriters, apparently with
out Investigation, violates their agree
ment and raises our rates anyhow.
That's what makes us sore.
"Their suggestion that a committee
of experts confer with us shows that
they raised our rates without confer
ring with a committee of experts, or
iti other words raised them when they
didn't know what they were doing. If
they did, what's the use in experts
coming here now?
“The shingle ordinance has been in
force but a few months, the clcan-up
ordinance is being inferred by the city
government to the limit, at least it is
at my place; it looks as if we were
doing everything in our power to re
duce the fire hazard, ever.\ thing the un
derwriters asked us to do, and now by
way of thanks we get. a 15 per cent In
crease.
“Chairman A. W. B. Johnson and his
committee are working hard on the
proposition and we don't propose to
give up until we accomplish some
thing." ,
The commissioners and the Board of
Trade officials declined to give out
the entire letter from Mr. Haines set
ting forth the reasons of the increase
in rates, the latter part of the letter
was made public ns follows:
Part of Kaine'a Letter
“These are the reasons why the com
panies have insisted upon an advance*
in rates at Birmingham, and we re
gret that we cannot meet your request
and suspend this advance, even tempor
arily, nor do wo feel that anything
would be accomplished through an im
mediate conference, as the facts as
stated in this letter are correct and
could not be changed through any con
ference at this time, nor would such
conference avail anything unless it
were in possesion of data compiled by
competent experts, showing in what
direction improvements and changes in
your fire department, waterworks and
general physical conditions would bo
necessary to give promise of better re
sults in future.
“We would therefore suggest that
such conference lie deferred and in lieu
of sumo, that you appoint a committee
of exports who shall meet representa
tives from our engineering depart
ment to investigate the* entire situation,
completing their work as rapidly as
possible, and when they are prepared,
we will then be pleased to have our
committee meet your board to consider
their report and to take up the general
situation on Its merits.
“Assuring you that we have every
desire to co-operate with you in plac
ing your great city on a profitable
basis, and hoping that you will concur
in the suggestion set forth in this let
ter, we remain, yours very truly,
“JOSEPH H. RAINES. Secretary."
JUDGE CAMPBELL
IS HERE FOR A REST
Han Cleared Docket of Federal Court
of Appeals and Made Fine
Record
Judge K. K. Campbell, chief justice
of the federal court of appeals, is en
joying a short vacation in Birming
ham, the guest of his daughter, Mrs.
Uewis Underwood.
"We have cleared our docket," said
Judge Campbell, “but to do so, we were
compelled to work hard and long for
many months. The court is in good
running order now, and we were given
an opportunity to rest a couple of
weeks. It is always a pleasure to re
turn to Birmingham."
Mr. Campbell lias made a fine repu
tation on tiie bench. Attorney General
McReynolds lias been quoted as saying
1 tiiat the appointment of Judge l!amp
jbell was one of the wisest of the ad
' ministration.
FOREMAN SHOT AND
FATALLY INJURED BY
Lee Hill Instantly Killed
When Suspicious Char
acters Are Ordered
From Car
Athens, July 30. (Spocial. > Last
night at Peeden in Tennessee across
tin' state line on the I^ewisburg and
Northern road. Lee Mill, a contractor, or
foreman, working an extra gang of ne
groes, was shot urn! fatally Injured by
two negroes, one of whom is said to
be named Leroy Johnston, and the other
Kid Matthews. Hill had Just finished
the day’s work, the pay car had passed,
and paid off the men, and there were
two negroes hanging around who were
known as camp followers—never work
ed. hut always shot era pa with the
v orking negroes—and these were wait
ing for the gambling hour to conic.
Mill found them near his car at the
box car used for a depot and asked
what they were doing there, to which
they replied that they were waiting
lor a train. He ordered them away
end at the same time, it is said, drew
iiis gun. whereupon Johnston opened
fire on him. shooting him through th*
arm and again through t lie bowels. Me
sank down and the negro walked off.
Mill’s breast; he sang t the ground
Mill's breast; he sank to tlie fround
and the negroes scattered Friend*
rushed to him. hut he died in a little
while after telling v\ ho shot him.
Three negroes are now locked up
in the? city Jail here, two of whom were
pointed out to the roadmaster and con
ductor on the Lewisburg and Northern
passenger train this morning as the ne
groes who did the shooting. John San
ders. a Birmingham negro, sa>he ;,.vaa
standing within 10 feet of Mill when
lie was killed. and he only knew
Johnston by sight, but he and Kid,
another Birmingham negro, have work
ed together for 15 years.
The Johnston negro admitted being
present at the time of the killing, but.
said another negro named Rrokenback
Johnston, did the shooting. Kid de
nies being present. Handers states he
was present and knows the guilty par
ties. The negroes tell practically tho
fame story, but the missing negro is
said to have done the killing.
Mill’s body was brought to Athens
and prepared for burial, lie is 43 years
of age. resides In Virginia, was a Ma
son. and a most excellent man. The
negroes who worked for him gave him
a good name. Mis remains will be sent
to liis old home What disposition will
bo made of the negroes is not yet
known. The officers are hunting for
Brokenbaok alias Henry Johnston.,
mmmmm ■■ -«•*
Ft ml Estate Transfers
The following real estate transfers wers
yesterday recorded in tlie* office of the
probate Judge:
W530— I. G. W. Yancey and wife to
! Lena Broom, lot 23 fn block 64, survey of
West End Improvement company. *
$25,00)— R. F. Smith, W. J. Long. W. H.
T.ewls and Louis McLain lo Bessemer
Realty company, lots 3. 4, 5, 6 and 7 In
block 260 city of Bessemer.
$1000—William I jay cock to t lie Mouse
Building company, part of lots 12, 13 and
14 in block 78. survey of Birmingham*
Ei.sley Land and Improvement company.
$2HU0~».\ YVItlv and wife to J. D. Stew
art and wile, lot hi in block 6, Woodlawn
Realty company’s addition to Woodlawn.
Scaly Like Dandruff. All Hair Came
Out, Cried at Night. Could Not
Sleep. Cuticura Soap and Oint
ment Completely Healed.
2127 Division St.. Baltimore. Md.—“The
trouble on my child's face and head ap
peared as a rash and llien it got so that the
skin looked drawn and water and blood
would run out. That, would cause a scab
and her head and face were a mass of sores.
They would crack aud bleed and then her
head began to get scaly and 1 thought il
was dandruff. I started to take the scab
off and found her head was a mass of them.
When she would cry it seemed worse be
cause the water would stream down her
face and Itch and she would dig and scratch.
Her little head was bald as it was so sore
that all the hair came out. My baby used
to cry at night and I could not sleep.
“ Then 1 decided to get Cuticura Soap and
Ointment. I would make a lather of the
Cuticura Soap but her face and head wore
so sore I hated to touch them so I would
take a soft cloth and wash her head. After
I dried it with a soft towel 1 would gently
apply the Cuticura Ointment. With thn
first treatment I could see a change In my
baby aud before t used the whole treatment
she was completely healed and her skin le
beautiful. Since her head and face got well
her hair came back. It only took seven
weeks and she has no scars whatever.*
(Signed) Mrs. Lillie Owens, Jan. 31, 1914.
Samples Free by Mall
Although Cuticura Soap (i!5o.) and Cuti
cura Ointment (50c.) are raid hr druggiat*
and dealer, throughout the world, a aamplo
or each with 32-p. Skin Book will bn aont
free upon requeat. Addraaa poat-onrdl
“Cuticura, Dept. T, Beaton."