The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-07-22
.ROTTENNESS IN
SEWER CONTRACTS
Captain Elliott Causes Sensation
Before Gadsden Club
WORTHLESS CEMENT USED
Negro Boy Drowned BY Running Into
Water to Escape Pursuer, From
Whom He Had Stolen
Watermelons.
WORTHLESS CEMENT USED

Gadsden. July H.-(Special) quite
sensation has been created here by the
remarks of Capt. ]. NJ. Elliott before the
Commercial club last night. In a speech
lasting more than an hour he took oc-
casion to score the city officials and the
contractors who are putting in the sew
erage system here. In the course Of his
remarks he said:
.I'll tell YOU gentlemen. it Is more rot
ten than the beef scandal" referring to
the sewer system, land whoever is allow
ing our money to be spent in this manner
is either dishonest or is incompetent
Captain Elliott has been making an in
vestlgation of the work now in progress
on the sewer system, and his statements
are the result of that investigation. He
stated that he did not propose to fix re-
sponsibllties on any one, but that either
the contractors, the engineers or the city
officials were to blame for the state OF
affairs, and 1t was due the members OF
the Commercial club that thorough inves-
legations be made at once and the mat
ter brought before the proper authorities.
The charge is made that the cement be-
ing used is worthless and Is not accord
ing to contract, and that the pipes are
not being laid as per specifications. many
of them being laid in mud for founda-
tons. Mayor Smith is out OF the city and
no action will be taken until he returns.
Club Elects Officers.
An important matter to come up before
the club was the election of officers nomi-
mated at the last regular meeting and
the following were elected;
President s. Z. Jordan.
First vice president, A. d. Simpson.
Second vice president, r. H. Cross.
Secretary, J. r. McMulltn.
Treasurer, Joseph Balfour.
Directors. Capt. ]. M. Elliott, Jr., E. w.
Whips, T. S. Kyle, A. T. Stocks, NJ w.
Bush. c. S Ward, Otto Agricola
The chair then appointed Messrs Otto
Aerfcola and C. S. Ward committee to
escort e. S. Jordan the newly elected
president, to the chair. Mr.. Jordan made
a neat speech on assuming his new duties
and pledged the best that was in him for
the success of the association and called
for the cooperation of every member OF
the club.
Mr.. T. S. Kyle moved that a vote of
thanks be rendered the retiring president,
E. w Whips and also all officers. for eff
ficient service rendered during their terms
of office. This was UNANIMOUSLY adopted.
E. W. Whips then in a short speech
urged all the members of the club to hold
up the hands and cooperate with the new
president to make the Commercial club
a greater force than 1t has ever been
The remainder OF the evening was taken
I'D In hearing special reports and short
speeches by the members present on va
rious subjects of interest,
VIII Build Foundry Plant.
The Gadsden Foundry company have let
the contract for a modern brass and iron
foundry. The plant will be situated on
sixth street and the Southern railway.
This company has been leasing the foun-
dry department OF the Proctor Foundry
and Machine company. but so great has
been the increase in business during the
past six months the company has been
compelled to build it's own plant. The
main building will be 35x100 feet and in
addition there will be boiler. pattern and
finishing rooms Fullington and DeLorme.
both Of whom are practical foundrymen.
Crops Damaged BY Rains.
Farmers coming into the city today
from different parts of the county say
that several thousand acres of corn have
been ruined by the recent overfiows and
back water The worst damage seems to
have been done on the Coosa river south
OF this city, where the banks of the river
are lower and the overflow quicker. Great
damage has also been done throughout
the wills creek valley. which is one of
the Richest and largest corn producing