The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-01
WORK BEG|NSON
 SCHEDULE TIME Ressemer Gratified at Start of Tidewater Work RETURNS CANVASSED City Council Confirms Carrying of Bond Issue by Vote of 313
 to S1-Other News of
 Bessemer

Bessemer February 2S.-(Special.)-- The Tidewater Realty company bega n the construction of the proposed car line on the county highway between Bessemer and Corey The promoters of the Tidewater railway stated that owing to the terms of the Bessemer franchise the work had to be com menced at some point between Besse- mer and Birmingham before March l.. 1911.
 This condition in the Bessemer fran chise was a voluntary one on the part of the Tidewater promoters and in d large measure was responsible for the franchise being granted. and 1t Is un- derstood that the city authorities noti- fled the new railway company that In the event the work was not commenced at the time specified under the terms and conditions of the franchise it would have been forfeited.
 The people of Bessemer and that vii cnity seem to be much in favor of the new project and are gratfied to know that the actual work of build ing it has been commenced. It was intended to first start the work in Birmingham. but owing to the oppo- sition that developed In Birmingham changes were made in the original plan proposed by the Tidewater company and new plans and specifications will have to be submitted to the City Coun- cil of Birmingham for approval before the work can be commenced at that point.
 Council CanvasSeS Returns
 The city council of Bessemer held a special meeting tonight and canvassed the returns of the bond issue election which was held yesterday. The returns show the bond issue carried by avote of 313 to S1. The result of the cleo ton was very gratifying to citizens generally and is taken as an indica tion of the confidence the people have in the present city administration.
 The city attorney was instructed 10 take the proper legal steps to float the bonds. The proceeds will be used to pay off the floating Indebtedness of the city which has been accommodating for several years past. on which the city has been paying per cent, which will be reduced to per cent by the Sdie ol tHS DoiuS.
 Damage Suit on Trial
 The s110,000 damage suit of T. J. Fitzpatrick against the Southern rail- way is on trial before the city court of Bessemer, and the pleadings having been settled the testimony is now be- ing given. Probably the largest num- Der of witnesses ever summoned In Bes- in iS case, each side having a large number which will aggregate S1.
 The case is being stubbornly fought and it is expected it will last the en- tire week.
 Local Items
 Lacey Edmundson of the sheriffs office of Bessemer has been notified that the $500 fine assessed against Dink F1tz- patrick and Gus Clewis in the city court of Bessemer had been reduced to $50 in each case by Governor O'Neal. Notice of the application for the reduction Lad been published in the local papers.
 The funeral of H. M. Bryan. who died at his late home at Arnod's chapel, sev eral miles below Bessemer, was held this morning from the family residence The deceased was GO years of age, and leaves a widow and four children te had lived in this section all his life and was held in high esteem by large cir oie of acquaintances.
 Fifty new books have been added to the Bessemer public library which has now over two thousand volumes covering all classes of literature on it's shelves. The book committee are comtemplatins tag day for the purpose of raising funds to buy additional books. M. w. Jones of the Long-Lewis Hard- ware company has sold his interest in the stock company to the other mem bers of the concern and will engage in other business.
 Rev. Allen R. Moore, DID,, will deliver an illustrated lecture on the Holy land as it is today. at the Christian church on Thursday night. The lecture will be under the auspices of the Baraca class.