The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-21

new set of people which is rather im- probable. The result is, no crime. There hasn't been 8 hold-up in Woodlawn in two years. You can go anywhere at night in perfect safety, cnd your way will be well lighted too.
 Social conditions. 1t is scarcely neces- sary to add. in view of what has been said already are charming. There is little or no show of wealth or fryolity, and the atmosphere is cordial and sins cere
 On a Cash Basis. AS to the municipal cleanliness ot Woodlawn. the absence of graft In the management of affairs. it is sufficient to say that Woodlawn doesn't owe a dol- lar outside of improvement bonds, has money in the treasury and pays her bills monthly-that is to say, the city is on casn basis. The town in this respect re- sembles the average citizen in it-spend- ing some money for improvements and putting by some for rainy day. The board of mayor and aldermen do not hunt for constitutional objections when asked to donate q hundred dollars to the public library for new books and they do not expect the men who turn out to fight fires to work for nothing. The fire de- pertinent has ben on n semi-paid basis for a long time and three stations are soon to be equipped with hose wagons. reels and horses, and then the department will become ful-hedged professional. To already has fine record-no fire in Wood- lawn has ever resulted in total loss. Tho cit is expendng ten dollars a day in the removal of garbage and keeping tho streets and alleys clean.
 Figures Illuminating Growth. Now, as to the question, How fast ia Woodlawn growing? exact figures are not iaa A 1paa at dred houses have been built every year for several years in succession. Estimat- ing five to a family, this would indicate an increase in population from outside sources of 500 souls annually, and then. of course. there is the increase by tho birth rate. The population of Woodlawn is given as 5000. but tho attendance in the public schools would indicate nearly q thousand more people than the accepted figures show. The tax values are now $1. .100.OO0 and 1t Is expected that this years assessment will show an increase of s2OOO0O as against s100,000 last year. In other words, Woodlawn is now devel- opng in the ratio of to l.
 Real Estate Values. A conservative estimate of the increase of values in real estate credits the aver- ago lot with gain of Sl00 year for five consecutive years, but there are
 
 changed hands in -ne past twelve months at an advance of 50 and 75 per cent and sometimes even more. Car line lots range in price from Sl500 10 SlOC0 and lots off the lines bring from S5O0 up, according to nearness or remoteness of transporta- ton facilities. The greatest growth in the past two years has been In the western portion of the town along the double tracks of the Birming gham-East Lake car line, and if building activity in that quar. ter continues at the present rate West Woodlawn or Gibson Way will soon be- come one of the most densely populated districts in the county.
 Favorable location and exceptionally good rapid transit facilities have of course contributed materially to the growth of Woodlawn. but I maintain that cleanli- ness in the several senses has made Woodawn the premier home town of tho Birmingham district.
 Other cities and towns in the United States might take this leaf from tho history of Woodlawn and apply It's lesson profitably to themselves