The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-07-16
BOARD OF TRADE
 HOLDS MEETING
Bessemer Organization Acts on
 Important Matter
UNION DEPOT QUESTION
Alderman Benton Is Opposed to New Road Machinery-Detective Cap- ture Thieves in short Order.
 Baseball Game Today

Bessemer. July 15.-(special.)-A meeting of the board of trade was held this after
 noon in Rebie hall and several important
 matters decided upon. A committee of | three was appointed to look into the feas- ibility of the city making an exhibit at the Ohio Valley exposition, which will be held In Cincinnati during the fall. The | committee, consisting of J. A. B. Lovett, chairman; I. A. Lewis and w. S. Gilbert, | will ascertain the willingness of the cor I porations in the district to contribute to the cost of making the exhibit. It is es- timated that s10O0 would be sufficient to provide for large exhibit. It is believed | that the amount will be raised and the ex- hibit made
 The secretary is in receipt of an invita- tion to prepare views of the city and of the various industries in the district which will be used in a course of lectures that will be given at the exposition The cost of making the slides will be very small and 1t Is practically assured that they will be prepared. The opportunity to advertise both Bessemer and the south is regarded as a good one by members of the board, and they are very enthusiastic in the matter. The committee will report back
 
 Invitations were received from the sec retaries of the Eighteenth National Irri- gation congress and the National Conser- vation congress to attend the congresses, and delegates will be appointed by the chairman to attend. The congresses will be held in the fall. The Frisco railroad rendered the services of their industrial commissioner to the board In their at tempt to secure new industries.
 The matter of a union depot was not gone into only insofar as to instruct the secretary of the board to write to the commission protesting against waiting until the railroads are ready for action in the matter. There is great indfgna- ton felt among the members at the post ponement of the matter, and they ex- pressed themselves freely. It was pointed out that the passenger business out of Bessemer alone amounted to nearly $780, 900. and that 1t could be greatly increased by better depot facilities. A great number of those who leave Bessemer go to Bir- mingham on the street car and take train from there. This Is done because of the poor depot facilities. The board of trade intends to continue to agitate the matter until action is taken that they feel Is Justified by the size of business done.
 A proposition was introduced by W. s. Gilbert to have week in the fall set aside for a fall festival. Encour- aged by the success of the Fourth of July celebration the members believe that a large number of people could be attracted to Bessen,er by week used for exhibits of the industries of the district. It is intended to have a midway and to generally exploit the town. E. L. Huey was appointed as chairman of a committee to be selected by himself to investigate the feasibil- fly of such plan. A report will be re- ceived at a future meeting and action taken.
 The board of trade feels greatly en- couraged over the success of the Fourth of July celebration. A large number of people were attracted to the city by the affair in spite of the bad weathe-. It Is understood that the committee IT, charge had ample funds to provide for the expenses of the parade. The com mittee appointed at a recent meeting to formulate new plan for attract Ing industries to the district asked for further time. After the disposal of meet next Friday.
 Opposed to New Machinery
 q am much opposed to the purchase of the road machinery that is being tried on the streets at present" said Alderman Percy Benton today The machinery is heavy and unwieldy. It would crush the streets. In addition to this the cost of excavation Is great CT than by contract. A system such as Is at present being used can ex- cavate 60 yards of dirt per day. It would cost as follows: Ten laborers at SIPS. s1250; one foreman at s2, one engineer at S350, one fireman at &2.25. nd of ofl dentals, $1, making a total cost of $2S.26 to excavate 60 yards of dirt which is 30 cents per yard. The high est price ever paid a contractor to excavate dirst is 25 cents. In addition the city does not have to worry with the labor. believe that the city would be foolish to buy an outfit of this kini that Is more costly and less useful than the system now used'
 report will probably be received at the meeting of the council next Tues day night of the work of the machinery and 1t may be bought or refused. An ordinance will be introduced Tuesday night creating the office of weighing in spector. Considerable complaint has been made about short weights in ice. coal and other commodities and although an ordinance covering this has been passed by the council 1t is not enforced, and 1t is believed that a weighing inspector would bring results,
 --s THTYmMu
 Good Work By Detectives
 A neat bit of detective work was ef- fected tonight by w. s. Patton of the city force. At 7:b5 J. M. Shipp reported to the police station that a pocketbook containing $50 or $6o had been stolen from his trousers. At 1e4o the thief had been arrested and half of the money recovered It seems that while MT. Shipp was talk ing bath at the Athletic club thief en- tered that building and got the purse. boy giving his name as Harry Sharpton is charged with the crime. The purse was found In his possession by Detec- tive Patton. The boy is wanted in Bi-- mingham for escaping from the reform school He will face Mayor Lewis in the morning on charge of grand larceny.
 Baseball Today
 Undismayed by the three straight de- feats in Selma. the Bessemer team plays the Birmingham Athletic club tomorrow afternoon at the local park. According to the dope Bessemer should win Tucker will be in the box and if he keeps up his present gait will win In a walk. If Bessemer wins tomorrow and the hith- erto undefeated Y M. tr. A. team loees the Suburbanites will be right on the heels of the association men. The team has not played in Bessemer for over a month and the fans are hungry tc see battle. It Is expected that they will t,xrv tv loxr tnvvp +1