The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-02
Commercial Club Committee Avoids Mr. LondOn's Threat-
 ened Injunction
BOARD OF REVENUE ACTS
 IN PROGRESSIVE SPIRIT
Members of Committee Have Lively Run for the Money and Part of 1t Has Already Been Spent.
 A Unique Method.

spurred on by characteristic letter from Alex T. London and outsprint- ing an impending injunction more than twenty walking delegates from the Commercial clubs worlds fair collecting committee sprung a big surprise on the county board of revenue and came away with s5OOO warrant rolled up with the rest of the Vulcan fund
 Under instructions this committee com posed of some of Birminghams most prominent citizens, dispensed with long talks and with a few pointed remarks made the members of the board under stand that they were in a hurry. The board saw the point and joined heartily in the movement to make Jefferson coun- ty contribute and "sidestep" the threat ened injunction of MT. London.
 The former resolution appropriatng 5000 and fixing the time of payment in January, was rescinded and a new one adopted which meant the immediate pay ment of the money.
 Hardly had the unanimous vote been cast when Rufus N. Rhodes politely in- formed Captain Tarrant that unless warrant was forthcoming instanter the advance guard of the enemy was liable to put in an appearance armed with pa- pers to block the donation.
 Warrant Ordered Drawn.
 MT. Morrow, you will please draw warrant for s5OOO. payable to F. M. Jack son of the Commercial club, as quick as you can write it" said Captain Tarrant, while the determined committee stood in suspense.
 While MT Morrow scratched away every eye and ear was turned intently on the door. A slight knock came but it proved to be an old Confederate soldier on other business bent and the crowd breathed easy The telephone rang but no one responded In less than a minute which seemed like ages a white fluttering warrant was handed to MT. Jackson and broad grin spread over the assem- blaze.
 ''Sic semper tyrannis, ct tn quoque Lon done," was the thought which fitted through twenty brains as another chase was started for the county treasurer
 Before leaving the office of the Board of Revenue the committee promised the board that if the appropriation was found to be illegal the members would be pro- tected from any loss to themselves or their bondsmen. It was also stated tha. the county treasurer would be given an I,;,~ ing over the actual coin.
 Hurried From Court House.
 With these plans in view the committee hurried from the court house vending their way down Third avenue in columns ' of two. Many pedestrians who spied the formidable array of citizens thought the grand jury had been excused for dinner while some offered the opinion that with those men some criminals fate hung in the balance.
 Without a halt the committee moved down toward Twentieth street and Sec ond avenue and then made bee line for the Peoples Savings bank where they ex- pected to find County Treasurer Henry B. Gray.
 He's not in" politely said the teller, ''but he may be in the government build- ing
 Determined to outwit the injunction the q ment building they failed to find Mi. Gray and after slight halt the column retreated up Second avenue anS soon thereafter mysteriously disbanied.
 In less than half an hour Secrc. Try Gibson and President Jackson were ob- served smiling and fondly holding on 10 something valuable It proved to be the residue left out of that 5000 appropriation after paying off some of the exhibit in- debtedress. To whom this money vent and the location of the balance is a pro- found secret which no injuncti ,n can re- veal.
 Cause of the Trouble.
 These remarkable proceedings were brought about by the reading of q letter at the committee meeting addressed to President F. M. Jackson from Alex T. London. MT. London wanted to know by what authority the board of revenue could appropriate s5000 and asked Mir. Jackson to point him out the law bear ing on the subject. He said he felt sure the Commercial club would not like to have an appropriation that was illegal. despite the worthiness of the cause MT. London concluded by saying that as a citizen and a taxpayer he intended to in- vestigate the matter and would stop the payment of the appropriation by means of an injunction.
 It was decided to refer this letter tc the next meeting of the club for definite an- swer which Is some days hence
 Notwithstanding the disposition of the letter the committee felt itself called upon to get busy, and for some reason everybody felt desire to work. Then the brigade formed and marched upon the board of revenue.
 Board of Revenue Progressive.
 The members of the board proved to be lust as patriotic as the visiting citizens. and in public spirited manner Captain Crook and MT McGeever urger the inn mediate payment of the money. They both explained that it meant more to