The age-herald., 1901-03-27

OuipSppcT ENuH'
 The meeting held in the Commercial Club at noon yesterday to start the move ment to raise a relief fund for the storm sufferers was largely attended by the ous- mess and professional men of the city. The reading room of the club was packed to its capacity and every man present was deeply interested in the work before the meeting.
 Tn calling the meeting to order, Mayor Drennen told of the plans adopted Tor protecting the property damaged by the storm, and for providing for those who were unfortunate enough to lose their property, or to sustain injuries
 The Mayor stated that the three local militia companies had been called out iiil-, mediately after the storm passed over the city. and that they had been con stantIv on duty since, shortly after noon Monday. He said the devastated district had been roped off, and guards stationed at convenient intervals along the track or
 
 the ste il. So well had they discharged their duty that only one arrest had been made for attempting to steal.
 No reports had reached him of any ef- forts to molest the exposed property.
 MT. Roden Called to the Chair.
 He called B. F. Roden, president of the Birmingham Gas Company, to the char and I. B. Gibson, secretary of the com- mercial Club, was elected secretary of the meeting.
 In assuming the chair, MT Roden out lined briefly a plan for the distribution of the relief fund, saying he had given the subject considerable thought
 Rufus N. Rhodes made a motion to the effect that the Mayor and Aldermen Of Birmingham be urged to pass an ordin- ance prohibiting the building of houses within the city limits of the character Of the great majority of those destroyed by the tornado of Monday. He said that where the storm struck houses that hao heen constructed of good material, and ,, substantiaI manner it had left them comparatively unharmed, whereas those o, less substantial character had fallen at the first approach of the storm.
 MT. Rhodes moved that the funds raised bv the committee be used only for the relief of those who are destitute ana that none of the money collected be used Tor the construction of houses or for any nurnose whatever except where the per sons are in need of the necessities of life.
 Took Different View.
 Fred M. Jackson and M. V. Joseph op- posed the motion of MT. Rhodes and the former stated that in his opinion what surplus funds may remain over after supplying the immediate needs of the sufferers should be applied to the pur- chase of furniture and other articles where any one had lost everything they had. MT. Joseph agreed with MT. Jack son.
 
 CTS took the same stand with Mir. Jo- seph and MT. Jackson. MT. London said that there was an excellent organization of ladies in Birmingham which understood thoroughly the conditions in the city and which had been engaged in practical charity work for a number of years. He suggested that any funds that might be left over after supplying the needs of the storm sufferers be turned over to the United Charities, who would know just what to do with it and where to place fl to the best advantage
 While on his feet, MT. London read a telegram from William Halls, Jr., of New York, president of the Birmingham Realty Company directing that he be drawn upon for $500 for the relief fund. pr. J. P. McFerrin, pastor of the First Methodist Church, suggested that the United Charities be requested to appoint
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