The age-herald., 1899-08-29
IN HOTEL LcBBIES
 AND ELSEWHERE

Billie Williams, the former minstrel and philanthropist is in the city and he will make Birmingham his homo possibly during the winter months. At one time Mir Williams was the featured star Of many of the leading minstrel organizations of the country. He was for many seasons the brightest fun-maker in the great Primrose and West aggregation, and his name was up until a few years ago household word throughout the south.
 Owing to a throat affection the erstwhile burnt cork favorite Is unable to do any professional work. While filling an en- gagement in Chicago during the past win ter he was attacked by grip. The malady settled in his bronchial tubes and physi- clans advised him to come south for his health. First he came to Nashville and put on a show made up of local favorites very successfully He next went to Mem phis and managed a show for the Elks. He contemplated getting up something of this kind in Birmingham. The Elks have a proposition from him under considers tion and it is likely that they will get up an entertainment of some kind
 Billie" Williams deserves the best treat ment possible at the hands of the south. It was during the yellow fever scourge years ago that MT. Williams quit his work and gave his time and money to suffering humanity. He was a member of the old Howard association and then a wealthy man he contributed in the neighborhood Of $15.000 to the sufferers. In recognition or his services during that scourge he was presented with a gold medal by Pope Leo XIII and he wears it now. It is not doubted that Birmingham will receive the man with open arms who has made thousands laugh by his antics and hun- dreds comfortable with his money.
 Billie" has gone on for more benefit performances than almost any man in the profession. He and Augustin Daly estab- lished dozen years ago the custom that prevails in New York of giving a benefit performance for St. Vincents Orphan Asy- lum each season. There was one benefit performance that he refused to go on for, and there is a good story in this connec- tion. A benefit was going to be given to send the treasurer of a certain theater to the seashore for a vacation. This man was always spending his money freely and made good salary. Billie" was asked to take part.
 "If Mir - will donate third of his receipts to those poor girl shirtmakers who are working in a sweat shop just back Of the theater, will gladly go on"
 The treasurer did not agree to the dona- ton. and Billie didn't go on.
 A knight of the grip, with headquarters in Atlanta, was discussing that city in comparison with Birmingham. in the lobby of the Morris, yesterday; and although loyal to the Georgia town, he acknowl- edged, to quote his phraseology, that ''hs was afraid Atlanta didn't stand much show with the Magic City,
 Atlanta has one thing that is absolutely indispensable to any city desirous of rapid growtn," he said, and that is her enter prising citizenship. Atlanta's citizens can't be surpassed In this respect. Let any new project be proposed for the city's welfare and the people of the city become unit for the purpose of advancing that project. They put their shoulders to tine wheel and work in unison. e.
 Birmingham has the same advantage. Her citizens are indefatigabie workers: and, in addition to this, she nas hundreds of things that Atlanta ihas not. Atlanta can never attain such a population as Bir- mingham will have ten years from now. And to be perfectly frank, the Magic City already surpasses us in some things. for instance the street car system here. I am a native Alabamian. and, naturally, take great deal of pride in Birmingham, all though have been in Atlanta for several years.'
 
 An ex-street fakir was talking of the de- crease of this "profession," as he termed it. and thought the city councils in southern cities were little too hard on this class of trade.
 Why look at Birmingham" he said, 'it hasn't been long since you could see a 'fakir' on almost every corner Then the city council jumped on us with both feet We make as honest a living as anyone else. We never try to cheat anyone"
 A bystander gave an incredulous smile and the ex-fakir turned to him.
 "Oh, I know everybody thinks We are class of scoundrelS who won't hesitate to filch a man out of his last dollar; but that's not so. We make profit on our goods Of course That Is natural, and our gain in some cases is higher than in others Some members of our profession will lie to the crowd they have around them, just as some merchants will cheat a customer. There are black sheep in every family ss the saying goes, and this class of men are a disgrace to the trade. But take the pro- fession a whole, and you will find them good. honest. honorable men, although there is a strong prejudice existing against them" "
 John T. Shannon. Supreme Dictator of the Knights of Honor, Is in the city. visiting the lodges of that order here.
 ''The Birmingham Board of Trade is &C., tive and progressive and is much in evi- dence in every movement looking to the advancement of the mercantile interests of the city" said Secretary William Isya1i. For a young organization 1t has certainly made good record. It started with largo