davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-23
RAISES IN WATER
 RATES ARE CHARGED
COMMITTEE ASKS THAT COM PLANTS BE FILED AT MAYORS OFFICE FOR INVESTIGATION WANT CONSUMERS TO AID.

Users of water will be interested in the following resolution. which was adopted al a special meeting of the water com mittee of the City Council held yester- day at the Mayors office Present AL dermen Moore, Cooper, O'Neill and City Attorney Smith:
 Whereas, This committee is informed that there has recently been a re-rating of the dwellings of the city by the Water Works company, and that there has been complaint from many consumers that their charges have been arbitrarily and unjustly raised; and
 Whereas, In order for full investlga- tion of this subject to be made, 1t is necessary that the consumers of water of the city shall cooperate with the com mittee by furnishing full information in the premses now, therefore, be 1t
 Resolved, That all persons who have recently had their flat rates raised In the city of Birmingham be requested to mail or bring to the Mayors office their paid bills from the Water company, to- gether with a statement in writing of the number of rooms. bath rooms and water closets on which the charges are being made; be it further
 Resolved, That all consumers of water, whether paying fiat rates or meter rates, having complaints of oyercharges against the Water company, are requested to fle the same in the office of the Mayor, to- gether with paid bills.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-23
COMPRESSORS AT
 WAR WITH FARMERS
Trouble Arose Over Decision of the Union to Use Burlap Instead
 of Jute.

-Rumor has it that war is about to be declared between the Farmers' union and the compressors, because the union instead of paying what they term the exorbitant prices asked by the iute manufacturers have bought large sun ply of burlap. It is said that the com pressors in some instances have refused to do the compressing with burlap at 1 all and that others charge an addition al s1.50.
 At q meeting of the state executive prices of jute as offered by the iute manufacturers were considered and the committee decided that they were all out of reason. They then looked about for a substitute and decided on getting burlap. Accordingly several cars were ordered and number are already being sent different parts of the state from Mobile.
 The Farmers union some time ago decided to install compressors of their own and this action on the part of the compressors will cause the construc- tion of these congresses to be rushed to completion at once.
 The state executive committee will meet here again in a few days to con state convention which is to be held in Andalusla on the goth. Several hun dred delegates will be on hand and n strong effort will be made to land the convention of 1908 for Birmingham.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-23
KNOCKED IN HEAD
 BY H|GHWAYMEN W. J. Hughes Will Probably
 Net Recover HIT WITH HEAVY IRON BAR No Money or Other Vauables Were Upon the Man When Found, and
 He Is Believed to Have
 Lived in Pratt City.
HIT WITH HEAVY IRON BAR

The unconscious body of a white man who is supposed to be w J. Hughes, a car repairer in the employ of the South ern railroad, was found yesterday morn ing about daybreak lying in the blood which had flowed from an ugly wound in the head, made by blow with a short iron bar. The body was found by a rail- road shop employe while going to his work, near the corner of Thirty-sixth street and First avenue
 It Is supposed that the unfortunate man was held up by a highwayman or high waymen, knocked down and then robbed of whatever he carried on his person. Hughes was seen walking up First ave- nue between 10 and Il o'clock on the pre- eedng night, and it Is believed that he was knocked down by the highwayman shortly after this time. The unconscious man lay on the ground until morning, when he was found, and as soon as 1t was possible he was carried to Copeand's infirmary in an ambulance of Shaw & Son.
 The wounded man said in a few mo- ments of sem-consciousness that he was
 
 approached by another man, who or dered him to halt, and complying with the order the highwayman walked up and struck the blow, which is believed to be fatal.
 The weapon used by the assailant was a piece of iron about eighteen inches long, and probably an inch and a half in thickness. It has two prongs on one end. and this is the end which struck the victim. The murderous weapon was found lying a short distance from where the wounded man was picked up, and was carried to the police station. It still bears the blood stains and particles of the scalp and some hair, showing the force of the blow.
 Several papers were found in the pock- cts of the hlghwayman's victim, enyel- opes in his possession bearing the name w. J. Hughes" By these papers he was identified by the police. There was no money or other valuables on the per son, the pockets being turned wrong side out. It is said that Hughes lives at Pratt City
 Little hope Is entertained for the wounded mans life. His skull is badly fractured on one side and it Is believed that the wound will prove fatal.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-23
SCRIBES COMING
 FOR CONVENTION
New York Will Have Full Delegation and Tennessee Women Have
 Elected Delegates.

The press organizations In all parts of the country are beginning to make ar engagements for the meeting of the h. ternational League of Press Clubs, to be held in Birmingham on October 2i-26 Communications are being received daily by the general arrangements committee from various clubs, asking for informa- tion and giving plans
 A letter has been received from George H. Howe of the New York Press club. stating that the New York club will have full delegation at the Birmingham meeting, there being a party of about fifty members who will attend from New York City.
 The general arrangements committee has also been notified by the Tennessee Womans Press and Authors club that the following delegates have been elected by that club to attend the convention here: Mrs. Oscar T. Peoples of Chatta- nooga, Mrs. C. N. Grosvenor of Memphis Mrs. L. Crozier French of Knoxville. Mrs Libbie Luttrell Morrow of Nashville. AL ternates: Mrs. Annie Rankin Osborne of Nashville, Miss corrine R. Greenly of Valley Station, Ky, Mrs C. E. Rasbury of Memphis, and Miss Ernestne Noa of Chattanooga.
 Mrs. H. r. Nourse or the Woman n s Press club of New York writes that there gill be full representation of that club.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-23

John T. McCIean. Dr. Percy Nixon, Dr. J. H. Perkins.
 Barbecue Committee-Champ Yeargin, chairman; John Collins. Edwin Dudderer.
 Country Store Commlttee-E. J. Me Crossin, chairman: II. Abel Sam Blach. E. L. Bridges, Ben F. Barbour, H. M Beck, Joseph Brewer, L. A Beck, r. ". Bromberg, Al Campbell, O.. w colgan, O. Chalifoux, B. G. Coyen, W. M. Dren- nen, r. F. Downey, Felix Drennen. John l.. Parker, Harry Rensford, Abe Rich. A sehlllinger. Ben Theiss, Ed Warren. J. D. Donaldson, C. D. Eckerly, c. C.. Fleming, G. Goldman. P. l.. Houppert, E. l.. Higdon, E. F. Herzog, Harry Jones, L. G. Joseph. simon Klotz, T.. & Kates. M. E. Linnehan, A. s. Loventhal, E. r. Montgomery, E. c. Mackey, r. P oBrien T. w. O'Byrne. J. w. ONeill, II. D. odom, E. F. Riley L. M satter- field. s. II. Worcester, J. 1T. Yeatman.
 Aumusement Committee-J. E. Shelby, chairman; Frank Harms, P. L. Houppert, Charles A Webber.
 Transportation Committee-John Ant wine. chairman; o. ". Colgan, J. M. Ritson.
 Park Committee-R. W. Weaver, chair man; R. N. Wheeler, ]. E. Shelby. Louis Rates, B. L. Bridges. A w. Miller R. D. Collins, c. H. Morgan.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-23
Series Of Accidents
 Caused by Fallen Wire

perlenced a bad shake-up, and the am- bulance was badly damaged
 Meanwhile Lige Loy's ambulance went on to the other accident, where Toney Riley. negro, was completely crazy and horribly burned by electricity.
 It seems that Tony and McCarter were on the top of an emergency wagon of the street car company, at Twelfth street and Avenue F, preparing to fix a fallen wire A 23o0-volt high tension primary had fallen over the guide wire to the trolley and when the men touched the wire the circuit was completed. Robert was burned across the forehead, but hap pened to fall backward, a distance of about fifteen feet to the ground and was only bruised by the fall. Toney. however. could not turn the live wire loose, and the driver had to drive his wagon from under the wire, pulling To- ney eff with it. He was carried to St. Vineents hospital where his whole body vas found to be badly burned. His brain seemed to be seriously affected and he may not live.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-23

As result of a rank lack of judgment, three ambulances were called out last night at about g o'clock, where one would have sufficed. The three went dashing down Avenue F toward Twelfth street, where two negroes had been burned by live wire, each driver trying to outstrlp the other.
 Therc gongs were ringing loudly and 1t was the duty of everyone to keep the street clear. However, they did not count on the foolishness of a street car mo- torman who. they report, ran across the street, stopped and then started again, completely blocking the way of the on- rushing horses.
 It was too late to stop, so the driver of Gaudi1's wagon tried to turn up Fifteenth street The curve was too short, and in a second the right horses head and the wagon tongue had passed through a window of the car.
 The poor animals head was horribly battered and he had to be killed shortly afterward. Driver Charles Watley ex-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-23
M. o. LEAGUE IS
 NOT READY TO ACT
Decides the Present Is an lnopportune Time to Start Agitation for Mu-
 ncipal Ownership.

The Municipal Ownership league met yesterday afternoon in an executive ses- sion in the City Council chamber at the city hall with full attendance of the league, and business of general interest to the public was discussed. The meet ing being executive, details of the pro- ceedings were not given out for pubIica- tion.
 It is understood, however that the meeting was prompted by the action of the special committee of the City Coun- cil at the session held in the Mayors of flee yesterday morning. looking toward an investigation of the complaints regard ing the increased water rates of the Bir- mingham Water Works company, 1t be- ing thought that now might be an oppor- tune time to start a movement for the municipal ownership of water works
 The league decided however, that the present time Is less opportune for start ing the movement than later date. Con- sequently the agitation of the question will probably be delayed until the first of next year. It is believed that then. with the prohibition campaign out of the way, and the Greater Birmingham ques- tion quieted to some extent, the move ment will bring results more quickly and more satisfactorily.
 It Is stated that the present plant of the Birmingham Water Works company could not be purchased for less than s. 100000, while plans and specifications show that water could be brought from the Warrior river at an expense not greater than $1,50o,0Oo.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-23
ESTES SAYS LIQUOR
 MEN ARE IN SADDLE
BUT BELIEVES VICTORY IN THE COUNCIL WEDNESDAY NIGHT WILL NOT AMOUNT TO MUCH AFTER JANUARY 1.

"The whisky crowd and the brewery faction has gotten hold of the Board of Aldermen" said Alderman G. II. Estes yesterday afternoon. we unfortunate prohibitionists seem to have very little to do with city affairs, henceforth.
 ''rhe election of Alderman Parker, and the defeat of certain resolutions Wednes- day night goes to show that the saloon men have gained the upper hand. That was one of the slickest pieces of legisla- tive engineering I believe I ever saw.
 However, though they may have charge of the council for time, by Janu- ary 1 we will see what little good 1t will do them. We will see what good the brewery's aldermen will do them. l earnestly believe that by that time Jef- ferson county will have put the whisky men out of business and the white flag will be victorious.
 "If the Pastors union had not brought the matter to a crisis l believe Wednes- day nights council meeting would have done SO As one of the aldermain sais, the council has quibbled for so long q time that the people are going to take it out of their hands, The boldness of their moves would. I believe, have resulted in a prohibition fight. even if it had never been thought of before.
 'I am against whisky from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet, and if that don't mean that I am for prohibit ton I don't see what else 1t could mean. I intend to do all I can for the cause and expect to see things looking different on the first of the year.
 "Anti-whisky is a winner.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-23
TAX VALUATIONS
 FIXED AT LAST
PRACTICALLY ALL OF $50 CASES HAVE BEEN SETTLED EITHER BY AGREEMENT OR FORFEIT URE-suBMlTTED TO POWELL.

The Board of Revenue yesterday completed the hearing of the tax as- sessment cases. There were about 95O cases and practically all were settled by agreement or forfeit. Back Tax Commissioner B. A. Thompson was up held in practically every case by the board with the exception of the First National bank and Birmingham Trust and Savings company assessments, and in these two cases the tax commission overruled the Board of Revenue and set the valuations at higher figure.
 The tax commission has final author ity on tax assessments and can set aside the assessments placed by the Board of Revenue. In the case of the First National bank Mir Thompson fix ed the assessment at $1,400000. The boal reduced this to S90O,0O0 John B. Powell of the state tax commission was in Birmingham Tuesday and We'd nesday and this matter was placed be- fore him by Mir. Thompson. MT. Powell did not think the value set by the board was a correct one and fixed the value at $1,0s2,000, which the board accepted.
 Last years assessment on the Br- mingham Trust and Savings company was $506,000, and MT. Thompson raised in accordance with the raise he had placed against the First National bank. The board, however, in order to make this valuation In line with the valua- tion they had placed upon the First National bank, were compelled to re- duce the assessment even lower than the assessment of last year. putting 1t at $464000 This case was also submit ted to MT. Powell by MT. Thompson, and he placed 1t back at last years assessment.
 The cases of the American Trust and Savings company and the Jefferson County Savings bank were both settled by agreement.
 All of tho large companies settled their cases by agreement. the Tennes- see Coal. Iron and Railroad company accepting q raise of $1 ,450.000, and tho other companies in proportion.
 During the early spring the state tax commission ruled that tax values were too low in Jefferson county and de- manded that they be placed at 60 per cent of the real cash value of the property, which resulted in the raising of the assessment on these 95O pieces of property,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-23
PARKER NOW HEAD OF C|TY'S AFFAIRS Is Acting Mayor in the Absence
 of Ward COUNCIL IN TWO FACTIONS Ant-Administration Forces Are In Con- troI, But the Mayors Veto Power
 Will Even Things Up
 When He Returns.
COUNCIL IN TWO FACTIONS

President John L. Parker, who was elected to the chairmanship of the city council Wednesday night, is now mayor pro tenn. of the city of Birmingha am. Although Alderman Walter Moore was holding down that office during the ab- sence of Mayor Ward. under the old regime, after the reorganization under the municipal code bill, the president is mayor in the mayors absence.
 MT. Parker took charge of the city affairs yesterday morning early, and his first official act was to sign A s1o.- 900 note. He will occupy the chair un- til some time in about the middle of September. when the mayor will return.
 On his return Mayor Ward will find all his hopes for the passage of saloon regulation ordinances blasted, with the anti administration set on the box and his committees, which he reorganized few weeks ago, entirely changed
 President Parker holds the power to appoint all the committees of the city council and Is now busily at work on the proposition. He will announce tn em within the next week. Certain 1t Is that the chairmen of all the committees will come from that faction which up- held aldermen O,Neill and Parker Wed nesday night, who are all against any further saloon regulation and are ei- ther anti-prohibitionists or lukewarm- Burnett, Greener, ONeill, Klotz, Gum, FnlRhnu1 Hai6t Do rlr Stockmar.
 These men make up the anti-admin- istration faction which Is now in au- thority In the council chamber.
 Although these aldermen will be in a position to block all administration legislation, Mayor Ward will still hoYd the upper hand in the council chamb CT. Practically nothing can be passed over his veto, as 1t would require twelve men or a two-thirds vote
 It Is peculiar fact that had Mayor Ward and Alderman D. N. Copeland been in the city Wednesday night Park CT would probably never have been elected, as the vote would have stood at tie. The split in the council comes about by the long drawn out fight against the saloons which Mayor Ward has made, his attempts to raise the saloon license and to regulate the sale of whisky.
 Except on the subject of saloons it is not believed that the council will be so sharply divided, as in most of the meet. ings aldermen have usually voted for what they thought to be the best in- terests of the city, and will likely con-. tinue to do so. On the saloon ques- tion the board will have to remain at standstill, for the saloon men can not repeal anything already passed over the mayors veto, and the mayor can not secure any further Legislation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-23
ADJUSTMENTS.
Lake Como Rink.

An immense crowd enjoyed the skat- Ing at Lake Como last night and were also delighted at the initial apIlar- ance in +his city of Miss Corrie Scott as a fancy skater.
 One of the pretty features of Miss Scott's performance was the "rhread- ing of the Burning Forest" with all the electric lights turned out and the rink illuminated with red fire She skated through thirty lighted candles on her heels and toes with marvellous skill and grace.
 After the performance Miss Scott re- ceived a beautiful bouquet of flowers presented by her admirers.
 Miss Scott has a most promising fu- ture as a fancy skater, as she has had only a years experience upon the roll CTS and learned the art in Birmingham.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-23
ETKS PLAN BIG
 CHARITY PICNIC
Barbecue VIII Be Big Feature of An nua Outing at Germania Park
 On Thursday.

The Elks are making extensive prepara- tions to entertain a large crowd at their annual outing at Germana park on Thursday, August 29. A fine barbecue will be served and all kinds of spor,s and amusements will be provided. Pro- lessor Harms orchestra will furnish the music for dancing.
 Cash prizes are offered for the most graceful lady and gentleman waivers, as follows: First prize, $l0 in gold; second prize, s5 in gold; third prize, s2.5O in gold.
 The price of admission has been fixed at 25 cents for gentlemen, ladies and children free.
 As the the money realized is for the benefit of the Elks' charity fund, a large attendance is expected. The various com mittees are hard at work and each Elk has appointed himself committee of one to see that every person attending has d good time.
 Below is list of the various commit tees:
 Executive Committee-L. N. Archer, chairman; C. W. Frckhoeffer, treasurer; IT. F. Shropshire, Jr.. secretary; Fred Conradi J. J. Curran, Sam Worcester. E. ]. McCrossn. J. E. Shelby. John Ant wine, R. w. Weaver. Champ Yeargin.
 Ticket and Advertising Commlttee-C. w. Frickhoeffer. chairman; II. E. shrop- shire, Jr., Val Glib. Jr.. D. r. Evans, J. E. Holllngsworth, J. r. Glover, A. J. Schmidt, Frank Gardner. r. P. Gray, A. " Bennett, R. N. Wheeler. T. C. Hay good.
 Refreshment committee-Fred ConradI, chairman; Hugh Odom. M. l.. Satterield.
 Music, Dancing and Floor Committee - J. J. Curren, Frank Harms, Ray Marques. B. M. Allen, Ell Smith, Walter Moore B. II. Cooper, H. E. Gray, C. ". Ferguson. II. P/Hehin, John Bradley, James flaw klns, Ed Smith. Steve Smith, John War ren, John Abbott, Dan Hogan. c. s. Sim mon, August Shillinger, J. H. McCary, w. J. Varley, C. P. Mcclure, Herman Saks, Lee Slaughter. Hugo Marx, J. El- finger, J. M. McCartin, E. A. Fox, c. w. Shropshire, s. r. Cornelius, Leon Hous- man, Bert Brown. John s. Leedy, S. l.. Nabors, Jack Greener J. T. VanArdale, T. P. Curran, Tom O'Hara, John Me Carthy. Nose Levy J. B. Thompson, Ji., Logan Trousdale, O. J. Greener, Warren Tice, Guy White, Bart Harris.
 Soda Water and Ice Cream Committee Sam Worcester. chairman; John Meyer,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-23
F FUNCONTROLLABLE
 CUT THEM ALL OUT
This is Alderman Moore's Atti-
 tude Toward Saloons
WANTS TOSEE MORAL TOWN
Believes In High License and Suppress sion of Dives-Thlnks Conserva- tive Element of City
 Should Control.

Alderman Walter Moore spoke openly yesterday on the subject of the whisky question. Said he:
 'I am tired of hypocricy. I want the board to speak out in no uncertain sounds on the liouor question, and I have worked to this end, since my election, and before. I am in favor of, first genuine excise law, a drawing in of the lines and high license Especially do 1 desire high licenses, which means that there shall Do no sawdust dives on the outside, no sale of cut-throat whisky, and no oarroom where the ignorant the malicious and the thoughtless shall infringe upon the moral atmosphere of our great city.
 .If this thing cannot be accomplished; if the morals of the community are still to suffer under the hazard of damnable low dive proposition then I shall favor and vote for pohibition. l know there are two sides to this question; the ono robs the city of an enormous revenue and throws many men out of employment empties houses and causes some suffering along the line.
 But, there is another side of this ques- tion and I shall not be retarded in my efforts for a betterment of conditions by the calamity hunters neither the preach CTS. priests nor bartenders. There is a great conservative force at work antago- nsitic to both of these, and it means genuine solution of the problem which confronts us. Put me down as absolutely opposed to both radical measures; but strictly in line with real temperate and conservative element; one that means for the upbuilding of our great city both in It's business and It's moral clements
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-23
GETTING oAYETY READY.
After Thorough overhauIIng Theatre
 Will Open on Labor Day.

Everything is being gotten in readiness for tho opening of the New Gayety thea Ire on September 2 Labor Day
 Manager Harry Yost has been hustling ever since his arrival to get the build Ing thoroughly renovated and overhauled The patent renovatlng machine spent two l days In the building and the dust was removed. Painters and scrub women were then put into tho building and the whole interior will present different appear ance Everything will be done to make the interior attractive and clean.
 The following have been announced as the staff of the theatre for the coming | season:
 Manager: Harry F. Yost for years with the Gus Hill organizations, as business agent. and well known in the theatrical world.
 The treasurer will be Dan w. Mack, whose former experience was also gained by long connection with the same com- pany.
 The advertising agent will be Frank C. Raymond who has had considerable experience In the advertising business.
 Walter Eddleman. the well known stage manager, will continue in his position. His assistants on the stage will be Ed Sawyer. property man; Don Donnelly, as- slstant carpenter; Harry Williams. cleo trician and John Horan. hyman
 Dave Sarli of St. Louis will be the leader of the orchestra The season will open Labor Day with two performances of the Lid Lifters'', the organization which made favorable impression on It's last appearance here. The box office will be opened for business Thursday, August 29th, when tickets for the opening performance will be sold