The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-08-18
BOARD IF TRADE
 HOLDS MEETING
Arrangements for Entertaining
 Convention About Completed
HEADQUARTERS AT GRAND
interesting Phenomenon Seen On Bes- semer Street-cleaning Campaign Tldying Up the city-sohool
 Census About Finished.

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 special meeting of the board of trade held this afternoon final matters looking toward the entertainment of the delegates to the Farmers union convention, which begins in this city next Tuesday, were arranged It was decided that the of- fcial headquarters of the convention shall be at the Grand hotel The management of this hostlery has been recently enlarg- ing and decorating the lobby of the hotel and a fine square of floor space will be provided for the desks and other furniture to be placed. The character of the house and it's central location make 1t well suit ed for the purpose.
 The financial committee and the enter tainment committees rendered reports showing that the respective ends of the convention which they represent are well in hand. The financial committee has only been at work for a short time, but some thing over $200 has already been contrib uted for the convention expenses. Il Is lh- tended, if the funds prove sufficient 10 give the visitors a grand trolley ride. A brass band will be engaged for the oe- casion. The entertainment committee mas already provided homes in private dwell ings for about 300 delegates. Both of the foregoing committees will begin the cam paign with renewed vigor in the morning, and they are confident that all arrange ments will be completed by next Monday night.
 Interesting Phenomenon.
 Pedestrians in the vicinity of Third ave- nue and Twentieth street were entertained by the unusual sight of genuine little whirlwind this afternoon shortly before o'clock. It started near the juncture or the two streets mentioned and danced merrily around the corner and was hnaily dissipated up the street by the failure Of the fitfnl wind that gave 1t birth.
 The phenomenon is rather unusual in this locality especially when 1t attains the height and strength of the one seen this afternoon. Dust and leaves and bits of paper were twisted into a rapidly re- volving funnel that gained in volume un- til 1t reached higher than the tops of the nearby one-story buildings. It was of course harmless.
 Street Cleaning.
 The work of cleaning and tidying up the city for convention week Is being pushed and the result of the operations of the street cleaning department and of private citizens is beginning to be quite notice- able. The city is expected to present very pleasing appearance when the dele gates begin to roll in for business and sightseeing.
 Several days ago the city put in com mission a horsepower grass cutter to clean off the vacant lots and the mar gins of the streets. This machine cuts a wide swath as it is driven through the rain-nourished vegetation that has sprung up during the last few weeks. It Is found to be great labor and time saver. Owners of the vacant lots in the vicinity of the city hall will also cooperate with the city in toning down the somewhat dlsheaveled appearance of their property. It is felt that the prospect from the con- ventlon hall ought at least to be inviting to the eyes of the visitors in order to allure them to investigation of the hand- some resident districts on the outskirts.
 Notes and Personals.
 Mrs. N. D. Lanier, who has been ill at her home for several days, Is reported as having entirely recovered today.
 Work on taking the school census for the city has about been completed and will be ready for announcement in a few days. It is thought that a large increase in the children of school age will be not ed as in addition to those who have passed the year mark since the last cen sus was taken. a considerable number of new families have moved to within the bounds of the school district of Bessemer. This all tends to accentuate to the board of education the necessity of increased school facilities for the town.
 Five small cases composed the docket of police court this morning. Carl Lewis, a negro, was given sixty days for lar- eeny.
 The Rev. J. L. Britain, former pastor of the First Methodist church of Besse- mer, is visiting friends in the city for a few days.
 The recently appointed members of the new police commission received official mo- tifcation of the action of the governor today As soon as they have sent the necessary dollar for and received their commission, which if is announced will be at an early date, former Chairman E. A. Little will call them together and a permanent organization will be effected, It Is supposed that the commission will assume entire control of the police body,
 Miss Lule Hard and Miss Lucy Car rel entertained the Sans Souci club at the home of the former on Second avenue at it's last meeting.
 J S. Shoemake, who was taken to the Robinson X Hanby infrmary yesterday suffering with fever, was reported to be resting we'll at late hour tonight His fever Is about broken up. J T. Thorn burg, the manager of the Peoples Home Telephone company, who has been at the nfirmary for several weeks undergoing treatment for injuries received from fall and burns from a live wire Is expected to be able to leave the hospital tomor-