The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-11-16
To Pave the Streets.

Both the city officials and members of the Commercial and Industrial association have been working long and patiently in the endeavor to pave the streets of Sel- ma Many difficulties in the way of legal points were encountered and many legal opinions were obtained, but all seemed to converge to one end of law, which could not be overcome without resort to legislation.
 At previous meeting of the Commer- cial and Industrial association resolution was offered and acted upon to inv:'e the | legal representative of we'll known paving company, to confer with the city officials for the purpose of discussing this obstruction and to devise some means if possible, of overcoming it. This conference was held in the mayors office yesterday afternoon. The well known at torney, Mir. Steiner of Montgomery and representative of the paving company were present. together with the mayor, Mr. W. R. Peacock, and members of the Commercial and Industrial association having the matter in charge.
 | It developed that no immediate prog | ress could be made in view of the legal difficulties confronting Selma and like cities, on account of certain provisions in the new constitution. However, It was also brought out that a bilf has been prepared and will be introduced 1 at the next session of the legislature, amending the prohibitory clause, and all | lowing Selma and other cities of the same class to issue bonds for such street 1 improvement, the same not to be con- | sdered as an increased tax, but under 1 a decision of the court on this par | ticular point, to be construed as di- | rect tax on the property owners. Said | bonds will run for twenty years, pay l able one-twentieth each year. Tho ad- vantage of such a bill is obvious and presents the most feasible and, at the same time, the most economical plan of municipal improvement that has yet been suggested. The tax will not fall heavily on tho property owner, and will be such a small increase over his reg ular taxes, that at no time will it work a hardship or prove a burden. Certain members have this bill in hand and will do all in their power to secure it's passage. The legislature will meet in a short time, and this will he among the first bills offered.
 The outlook is, therefore, very en- couraging to Selmians, as in all prob ability no objection will be raised to the bill, and when once passed, the city council and Mayor will see to it that no time Is lost in taking action un- der it's wise provisions.
 Federation Has a Busy Day.
 The Alabama Federation of Women's clubs spent a busy day today, hearing reports of clubs and from committees. The most important feature of the day was the report of the committee on school improvement. of which Mrs. J. D. Matlock of Birmingham is chairman. The committee told of the work accom- plished during the year, and recommend ed that the federation offer a prize of about $l00 or several prizes, if possi- ble, to the county association showing the greatest improvement in the rural schools during the year. The recom- mendation of the committee met with hearty endorsement from the federation, and clubs authorized so to do pledged S105 toward the fund the others eX- pressing approval of the movement and pledging to lay the matter before their clubs upon their return home. The chair man and the committee were given rising vote of thanks for their endeavors.
 Local and Personal.
 Quite q large number of members of the congregation of the First Christian church of this city left this morning for Mobile, to attend the annual con vention of the missionary body of that denomination, which assemblies in the ,t,c 11rfc ffar, ohm s.f Ina .fa1f