The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-09
THATCHER SPEAKS
At HIGH SCHOOL
Bessemer People Hear Good
Roads Apostle.
INDUSTRIAL SOLICITOR
Man Employed by Board of Trade Re-
ports for W0rk-Prisoner Held for
Georgia Authorities-BOardi
House Burns.

Bessemer. March S.-tSpecial.)- "A
large and enthusiastic audience greet
ed Charles w. Thatcher at the high
school auditorium tonight. The house
was comfortably filled with listeners
to the lecture on good roads. Mr..
Thatcher has been in the city all day
and addressed a large meeting this aft
ernoon. He stirred up great enthusi-
asm among the school children VIII o
were out in force to greet him tonight.
Mr.. Thatcher's appearance upon the
stage was the signal for a spontan-
eous burst of applause that did not
cease for several minutes.
Mr.. Thatcher spoke along the lines
that he pursued last week, merely pre-
senting the problem of securing good
roads in a new light and at a new
angle. In part, Mr.. Tha tcher said:
Good roads mean more toward
building up a country than any other
factor to be reckoned with. All the
great centers of culture are famous for
their good roads and have been for
years. Good roads tend to central
ize the communities and broaden the
interests of the different parts of the
country, thereby promoting culture and
better feeling. Good roads are as nee
essary as deep water ways and rail-
roads and the modern meth cd of travel
demands the most improved method of
road construction. 1t is said that the
roads will not last and will not serve
for the purpose for which they are
built, but In my native state of West
virginia there is a boulevard that is
over 100 years old and the foundation
Is practically intact at present. If we
open great boulevards into the south
northern millionaires will sink their
millions in the iliimitable resources of
the south rather than In holes in the
Rockies. L have been in the greatest
copper and coal mines in the world and
can truthful1y say that the unde-
veloped resources of Bessemer and the
district are not to be compared with
what they have.
AS to the lake-to- tn e gulf boule-
ward. Why do the American men go
TO Europe to spend their vacations and
use their automobiles? Because there
are no roads In America that can be
used as the European roads are Mil
hons OF dollars are spent in Europe
that would be spent in America If the
roads were built. On such highway
hotels. and road houses would spring
up, towns and cities would follow and
the ERECT would be immea sureable"
A number of new members for TN e
Good Roads club were present and the
meeting closed with enthusiasm.
>. II. wilson, the man who has been un-
der consideration by the committee of
the board of trade as industrial solicitor
arrived in Bessemer today and was met
by the committee composed of r. F.
Smith, Lee Moody and T. A. Weller. Mr..
Wilson was shown over the district and
states that be Is much pleased OVER the
prospect for the city
Mr. Wilson has been recommended to
the committee and it is expected that he
VIII aid materially in the upbuilding of
the district Industrial conditions are
considered very favorable in Bessemer
at present and foreign companies are be-
ing oHered every inducement to locate in
the city They have been granted a ten
year exemption from license by the city
council and it is expected that they will
be furnished water at reduced rate
when the city has purchased the water.
works plant. The board of trade will
make every effort to smooth the road.
both for the upbuilding of the plant and
the district. With these inducements
and the putting of a trained man in the
field for Bessemer 1t is expected that
There are ample funds in the hands Of
the treasurer for the maintenance of the
solicitor and 1t Is very probable that he
Will begin his work at once. He will be
furnished with literature data and other
information to advertise the city.
e. w. Jordan, alias Brock Hanson
was arrested by local officers last night
in the Louisville and Nashville yards on
charge of being an escaped convict
from Decatur, Ga, where he is said to
have been serving a five-year sentence
for forgery.
Jordan has been working in the yards
for some time as switchman and when
arrested admitted the charge and stated
that he would return to Georgia without
requisition papers. He is being held for
the Georgia authorities
The boarding house owned by the Ten
nessee company and operated by Mr. and
Mrs. James Barber was totally destroy ed
by fire last night. The structure was a
| large two-story frame dwelling and the
blaze could be seen all over the valley.
The house has only been built about
three years and is a total loss. At the
time of the fire the building was crowded
but no one was injured.
A paper is being circulated this morn
ing by Mallory men and it is probable
that a Mallory club will be formed this
week.
Today was tag day with the ladies and
they worked hard. nice amount was
secured for the library.
Bessemer Chapter No. 1870, Royal Arch
Masons, met this evening and conferred
the degree on three candidates.
The ladies of the ST. Agnes Guild will
serve luncheon at the schools Thursday