The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-11
CONTINUE COLEMAN
 INQUEST TODAY
OYER WHETHER AN ARREST IS TO FOLLOW THE CLOSE OF THE INVESTIGATION

Renewed interest has been aroused in the poisoning of Guy R. Coleman and Stephen II. Strickland by the fact morning continue the investigation into the death of the two men which was begun a week ago.
 Whether an arrest will or will not follow the conclusion of the inquest is causing much specula tion among those who are familiar with the case When the question is asked Coroner Bra sher he merely smiles and says nothing. City Detectives Murphy and Williams state that there are no new developments in the case although they expect some thing this morning when the inquest is over. Sheriff Hgdon's deputies have nothing new on the case although the best talent on the force has been work ing on 1t.
 The poisoning of the two men is one of the most mysterious and baf- fling crimes that has ever been com mitted in Birmingham. Immediately af- ter the killing on December 20 the de- tecllNes went to work on the case and have labored untiringly since, but without visible results. In spite of the combined efforts of Sheriff Hie-
 
 CT the murderer of the two men is stiIl at large
 what the coroner's inquest will bring to light that is not known already to the detectives is the ruling question In official circles.
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 ilei deny that it will be impossible to con- tinue to conduct said city and adminis- ter LIS affairs without a bond to conduct said city and administer it's affairs. but If such bond issue should become nee essary defendants aver that it eouId he alleged e''' a'
 Detendants are informed and believe ana on such information and delief deny that the damages which said city would Incur under said proposed agreement would exceed S200,00O or anythinp like such amount. Defendants aver that these viaducts will be permanent Improvements and will last for many years in the f,I- ture' and II deemed proper the entire cost of both viaducts and all damages could probably be financed by a bond is- sue at total annual interest expense of about 5000 or 5000.
 Authority of City
 Defendants admit that there is some question as to the authority of said city to vacate and close certain portions of the streets and alleys proposed 10 he VA cated and closed by said proposed agree- ment but defendants aver that if has been agreed and fully understood that thls question is to be settled by legislative action, and said proposed contract shows on It's face that same is contemplated be- fore said proposed contract is to become effective. And defendants aver that the parties to said proposed contract which are financing said viaducts expressly stated after the terms of said proposed contract were agreed for submission to said City Council same were not to be- come effective unless same were ratified in toto by the legislature of Alabama. tflat such has been the common under standing of defendants and that 1t was repeatedly stated in the meeting of the joint committee of said council to which said report of said special committee was referred that unless action was taken by said council on said proposed agree ment in time to permit of same being ratified by the present legislature that all of said proceedings would have been useless and wasted and said dealings with said companies would have been abandoned. And defendants expressly deny any purpose or intention present or past to close or vacate said streets and alleys or any portion of same under said proposed agreement or to take any other action under said proposed agreement un- less the same is ratified or authorized by said legislature. Defendants repeat, how ever, that complainant said property does not abut on any part of said streets, avenues or alleys which is proposed to be vacated or closed under said proposed agreement.
 Defendants aver that no resolution or order has ever been passed requiring said railroads to build said viaducts. And defendants are informed and believe and on such information and belief deny that the cost of the approaches to said via duct would amount to anything like S135,000 as alleged or that the same would be donation and defendants aver that under the terms of said proposed agree ment the Sloss-Sheffied company and the railroads waive or donate all abutting damages which will release more than 80 per cent of all property damages and commence same that the city will not have to execute any notes until after said viaduct is completed and will not have to commence paying said notes un- til year after that without interest"
 Train Schedules A., B. & A. Information cheerfully furn- ished at A., B. & A. city office,