The age-herald., 1900-09-24
IN HOTEL LoDBIES s
 AND ELSEWHERE

 1 uoon."
 "This being thy birthday, success will at- l tend thy endeavors. and thy money and 1 business will increase; thou wilt journey or change with success. "A child born on this day will be very l clever and fortunate and will rise rapidly 1 in life"
 Astrologer Raphaers prophecies for Tues day. September g. 1900: n "A very doubtful day. Beware of losses and do not speculate l nor travel; in thy domestic affairs thou wilt be more fortunate.' "The young will court and marry "A child born on this day will have a quiet life; it will be steady and obllging
 and much respected; 1t will succeed best in employ"
 A proposition to rebuild solomon's tenn pie free of cost in Birmingham would prob ably cause a row because it would not be erected to cover or adjoin every lot in the city.
 That sort of opposition was brought to bear against the present United States
 government building; against the coun- ty building: against the Union Pas StHScI against IUNeHitli, JO-
 seph & Loeb's; against the great Caldwell
 Hotel, afterwards burned; against the
 Morris; and very recently we have seen enmity to the new Hotel Hfllman It is alleged that this continuous con- tention in the ranks of Birn1ingham's own people prevented the beginning of work several months ago on a splendid office building. Certain 1t is that one investor came here recently from the East with large sum of money to invest in central
 property and build upon it; he actually had GOO with him; but he was frightened | away by solemn assurances from conflict ing individual interests that if he invested | in any one locality of Birmingham 1t would be worse than pouring his money Into a sewer.
 Another Eastern investor, reputed to represent millions remained at the Morris 1 a week, when accident brought him to the attention of man whose occupation Is to
 get news for publication. This man ap- preached the investor.
 My Godr' the investor cried, 'T beg you to print nothing about me!' The investor was assured that if he cared to speak in confidence, his wishes would be scrupulously respected. q do contemplate making some invest ments; but if my intentions be made pub lie, I'll have to quit Birmingham to avoid being the cause of local tealouses!' he
 said The reporter held his tongue; but the visitors intentions became known, and he went away
 So 1t goes on constantly. There is no union of purposes for the upbuilding of Birmingham. When one man seeks to go forward others seek to pull backward Yet there are expression of surprise when l a visiting investor refuses to pay four | million dollars for corner lot after hear | ing from reputable citizens that it would l be better for him to empty his treasure | boxes into sewer.
 The question of houses for folk to live 1 in Is now more serious more difficult to l answer than ever before. The demand was never so great, and there has been | never before so little to meet that demand | The situation is extraordinary | Probably two thousand good and alto l gether desirable dwelling houses, ranging from four to six eight rooms, could be l let in Birmingham at this time. It is said l that houses which formerly brought sS or l $3O & month each now readily rent for l $50 to S60 each The rents on some busf- l ness property have more than doubled l All this will be remedied in time. Men of l money will ultimately build houses to | meet the demand. and will be satisfied l with a reasonable percent on their invest l ments. But in the meantime the cry for l houses Is a vain cry.
 l Birmingham was never before so pros | porous as just now. If all the buildings l of various classes that are needed were l provided forthwith, thousands of people | would be added to the population before | Christmas. Beginning immediately, more | than 5000 day will be added to the pay of labor in the city alone from one in dustry!
 So far as increased rents are concerned, any feeling of resentment towards proper ty owners is silly and unjust. It is a question of demand If there wasn't | demand for houses at greatly increased | rents, proprietors wouldn't get the in l crease. Assuredly property owners l wouldn't be ridicu1ously foolish as to 1 rent their property for less than 1t will I bring in the open market MT. A. would l be absurdly foolish to rent house to MT. 1 B. for $50 at the very moment when MT. ! c. is clamoring for the privilege of paying | S190. Assuredly high rents are a sign of 1 prosperity. Lots may be held so high that l purchasers can't be fouud-that is what is l happening in some instances-but if an owner believes he can get four thousand Tor a lot. he can't be expected to take four | hundred!
 There is a story current that a member | of the Birmingham police force who was ir
 neighboring town the other day had a l talk with the spirit of the lamented Off, | cer Krkley, who was murdered on duty | in Third avenue several months ago. The | conversation is understood to have taken | place at spiritual seance, and the spirit
 expressed itself being happy.
 The Birmingham officer talked also with
 l the spirit of George Lambrakus, the we'll l known young Greek who was assassinated | or Fountain Heisl1tS Surir7o Ty,a