The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-01
WALKER COUNTY WELL REPRESENTED Has Eight People In the Special
 SessieR BUSINESS NEWS LEAGUE Will be Launched at Jasper Tomorrow. People Waking Up To Their Great Advantages for Ma
 terlaI Advancement.
BUSINESS NEWS LEAGUE
BY FRANK V. EVANS.

BY FRANK V. EVANS.
 Jasper, July 1.-(specia1. )-Jasper has delegation of eight workers in attendance upon the special session of the legisla- ture whose names rightfully embellish the payrolls. These are Senators Leith and Gum, Representatives Crawford and Lacey and Clerks Gamble, Moore, Fite and Miss Douglas Rowe, all thoroughly competent. popular and greatly missed at home. Many Jasper eyes are turned to- ward Montgomery for more reasons than one.
 The delightful showers of the past few days have greatly pleased Walker coun- ty. Rain was the one thing needful to pull the farmers out of a low state of despond and now they are hopeful of good crops. They say that good corn yield is well assured and the average is larger than usual. Cotton Is steadily inn proving and a small advanced price over last year will even up the staple product in Walker.
 Jasper is awakening now to her possi- bilities for material advancement A num-
 
 next Monday and organize business mems league. the object of which Is to put forth organized effort for the build ing up of Jasper. The geographical. geological and climatic position of this town presents a most inviting position for growth and development. With immense deposits of coal, forests of timber, rioh agricultural lands, abundance of water, five railroads already touching here and more to come, Jasper really presents the best proposition for advancement to city rank of any point in the south This she would have attained years ago if her people had presented solid front and ex- tended the hand of invitation to capital and labor. This they seem now deter mined to do L. B. Musgrove, at the head of the Jasper Land company, and J. H. Cranford, of the Cranford com pany, control most of the vacant land in and around Jasper, and these gentlemen now declare their purpose to unite in a liberal effort to induce development.
 A number of dwelling houses are now in sourse of erection. The handsome new residence of MT. P. P. Hunter is rapidly approaching completion and will be one of the most attractive homes in the state Mr. Hunter, who is president and prin- c1pal owner of the American Carriage company of Cincinnati. is warmly att tached to Jasper, financially and socially, and is doing much to advance the growth of the city He now spends much of his time here. though busy man and much on the go." MT. Hunter Is delight nd hic hat, xrr41I Ixo center of social attraction.
 There have been issued by the United State government 47 liouor licenses for dealers in Walker county. While few of that cover locker clubs and drug stores, most of them are incognito, and must be blind tigers" Frequent arrests are made by state officers for violations of the prohibition laws, and numbers of the offenders are paying the penalty in the coal mines at Bessemer. United States Commissioner Shields has been doing a live court business for the past few weeks, hearing numerous cases of illicit distillers and dealers. The revenue off, cers are finding many among the hills of Walker, Winston and Franklin counties. AS Jack Cranford puts 1t, "A man can get his drink if he wants 1t, even if there ain't any,
 The coal mines in Walker county are gradually increasing their forces and 1t is confidently predicted that most of them will be in full operation at an early day. Merchants say that about one-half the business of Jasper comes from agricul- ture, the other half from mines and saw mills. so 1t will be seen how much Jasper will be benefited by a full resumption of mine work.
 Jasper is still suffering the absence of railroad depot accommodations and her people feel that, in this respect, they have been much neglected. Promises have been made, and postponement asked by the railroads, until patience has about ceased to be accounted a virtue in this respect. It is very clear that the absence of organized effort on tho part of the people here has been the chief cause of this continued neglect; and 1t is earnestly hoped that when the proposed Business Mems league is organized its first work will be an appeal for relief before the railroad commission in this behalf. No town of like importance to Jasper in all the state has been so grossly neglected in this respect by the railroads. A small contribution from each of the great rail- roads entering and doing business here would give a depot for the comfort and convenience of their patrons if not prove ornamental to the town. This the people have right to demand.
 The petition to the county commissioners for a good roads election, involving the issuance of $250.000 of county bonds for this purpose. is gaining rapidly and It Is confidently believed the question will be submitted this fall It Is estimated that this movement will enhance values