The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-27
TUXEDO GAS TANK
 STILL UNSETTLED Negroes Present Case to the
 Commission RUINS THEIR HOMES Complaint Made to Commission That Certain Buildings at the Fair
 Grounds Are in Unsafe
 Condition

 mingham Railway, Light and Power com rany believed the Ensley gas holder tror- hles were over, they were awakened from their repose yesterday when dele sation of negro residents of Tuxedo came before the commission and made a viz orous protest against the location of the holder "in their midst" The result was that the commissioners promised to look over the topography of the land round Eabout the holder and give them relief i. possible.
 | The commissioners. were apparently 1 very much impressed with tho protests of the negro residents and the indica- tions are that the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company will be r-- quested to assist in a further solution of the vexatous matter of location. l The delegation of negro residents was introduced to the commissioners by Rop. ert Daniels of Ensley, attorney. He rrefaced the speeches by two negroes by saying the delegation was composed of the best negroes of Ensley and that they held the esteem of the whites of tha, section.
 | The speakers for the negroes included a professor in the schools there and a minister. They pointed out shat in the Iast they determined to set an example for their race and established little colony near Tuxedo They purchased their homes, planted the front yards with flowers and vines and were living a lie utterly void of unpleasan.ness. Iha negroes spoke feelingly of the privations and sacrifices they had endured to estab- fish their humble places of residence and propoundede question to the commission CTS: will you destroy what we have a.. complished through the most intense 5ardshps and self privations?"
 The negroe, said their colony was com losed of orderly negroes no loafers, and that they had assisted 45 of their race to buy and own homes within circle of 2o0"yards. They said the furthest home was two blocks from the holder and the nearest was immediately adjoining it. l Judge Lane and Commissioner Weather ly will visit the scene of tho proposed structure Saturday, after which it is ex- pected the proposition will finally be set tied. The Birmingham Railway, Lgnc and Power company was requested yes terday to send a representative with the lcommission.
 | The erection of a gas holder at Ensley to supply that territory with good clear volume of gas has caused far more fighting than any other proposition be- fore the commission The company has removed it's work three times already and it is probable that the company will be asked to bear further with the pro- tests of the people.
 The negroes yesterday, according to the general opinion. made out strong case before the governing body. | The commissioners received a report yesterday from w. o. Matthews, building inspector, that the State Fair association had promised to repair the buildings at the fair grounds and place them in good, safe condition. Commissioper Lane re- ceived a complaint that the buildings were unsafe and the report was d result of an inspection by MT. Matthews. Secre- tary Chaffee advised the inspector that every means would be employed to meet the views of the city authorities. Work he said, would be started at once. The buildings in controversy were not named ill the correspondence.
 l The commissioners yesterday declined to approve vouchers refunding money to per sons buying up tax sale property until the city attorney had passed upon such a step. The city has been given money | by owners to clear titles, preferring to deal with the city rather than the tax sale buyers. The commission will per haps grant the transaction after Captain Boyd passes upon the question.