The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-28
OF CRACKSMEN
At WORK NEAR HERE
Chief of Police on the Alert for
Safe Blowers
VIOLENCE is NECESSARY
Heads of Banking Institutions Ex.
pected to Cooperate With Police to
Avert the Daneer-Enlareed
Police Force Needed.

W E. Wier the chief of police In Bir-
mingham, has information that a skill
ed band of safe-blowers Is operating in
the state of Alabama. He Is watching
their movements carefully and is deter
mined to destroy them utterly In case
they attempt to do their work In this
city.
II am satisfied" said the chief OF
police yesterday at police headquarters,
that number of organized safe-blow-
ers and cracksmen are at work IN this
state. Within the last thirty days num-
Der of attempts have been made at safe
blowing in various sections of Alabama.
These criminals began their work near
Mobile about a month ago. A little later
they blew a safe near Eutaw. Last week
they cracked a safe at Litleton in JEFF
ferson county.
This is getting pretty close to us here
in Birmingham continued the chief of
police. The situation calls for vigilance
and determined action by all sworn Of
ficers of the law 1t requires also prudent
action on the part of persons In charge Of
large financial interests. The police force
is as alert as 1t can be considering Its
inadequate size. We are taking every pos
sib1e precaution to Illustrate any attempt
that the cracksmen may make inside the
city limits.
This work of the force Is. however,
for the reason l have stated, accompanied
with difficulty. Birmingham really needs
an increased police force. Until the force
is enlarged to the size 1t should be,
think certain private interests should CO.
operate with us In our attempt to avert
blowing. Some banks here employ
special detectives and watchmen to
guard their deposits after the banks are
closed. 1t seems to me that this example
might prudently be followed by all other
institutions In which large amounts Of
money are deposited.
1T might be suggested also that GER
tain banking houses keep the interior of
their establishments better lighted. Many
of them are we'll lighted now, but there
are some which are not.
ishment of Duncan would persuade other
craclSsmen to keep away from Birming-
ham," concluded Chief of Police Wier
''but hardly think we should expect
the Duncan incident to safeguard this
city from attacks made by safe-blowers.
The police and the public should not per-
NIT their vigilance to relax
holiday trade was unusually good. The
prospects for next year are exceedingly
bright
T. V. Boardman of the T. V. Boardman
| &c Co.. Our business this fall has In
creased In such volume that the increase
In the Christmas trade was not felt as
materially as it would have been other
wise. However, In comparison with last
year, Will say. it was more tnan double
In volume"
Plano Company.
E. E. Forbes Of e. E. Forbes Plano
company: Our business during 1904 will
show an Increase of at least % per cent
! over last year and our collections are IS
! per cent better this year than last. Our
factories have been tasled TO the utmost
to supply the holiday trade, which was
unusually heavy
L. L. Kleybecker, manager of the Great
Atlantic and Pacific Tea company; "Our
holiday business has shown a decided in
crease over last year. In fact, business
with us mas shown a steady increase
throughout the year and Sill Indications
point to a better trade next year. We
have recently added many fancy groceries
to our stock and find ready sales for
everything we carry.
Our sales of the better grades OF cof-
fees and teas have shown a remarkable
| increase which is an excellent Indication
of the prosperous condition of the dis
trict."
The Floral Trade.
William Lindsay, one OF the leading
and older men IN the floral business in
Birmingham, said:
~ take an optimistic view OF the floral
trade. The town is growing so rapidly.
the influx of new residents is so large,
that I am kept constantly guessing how
! great the demand will be.
Last week / cut 1900 roses, about 1900
| carnations to say nothing OF the hun
| dreds Of narelssl and hyaclnths, and !
had to make heavy purchases besides
from outside growers in order to supply
| the demand. Even then I did not half
supply my customers.
There was this season nothing too good
for the buyer, and II the flowers were SAT-
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