The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-10
MOBILE WILL ASK
 FOR ANNEXATION Petition to Be Submitted
 Tuesday TO BETTER DRAINAGE Mobile Pleased With Saloons-Prep- arations for Gulf Fair--Spring
 Hill College Opens With
 Increased Attendance

Mobile. September 9.-(special) )-Follow- ,np a statement bv Mayor schwarz to committee of citizens who called to see the commissioners with reference 10 the use of city water in the territory lmme- ditely adjoining the limits of the city, to the effect that he would favor anneXa- tion of the territory in question, several petitions calling for an election upon she question have been put in circulation. It ia expected that these petitions will be submitted to the commission at Its "eg- ular meeting on Tuesday next and that, as soon as the necessary formalthes have been compiled with an election will be held to decide the question of Greater Mobile.
 For some time past there has been considerable dissatisfaction among the residents of the suburbs owing to the rule of the city that the fire department shall not cross the municipal limits ex- cepting under special orders and because of a movement to restrict the use Of city water to such residents. There is little doubt of the adoption of the annexation plan, and by it between 5000 and 10000 will be added to the population of the city. The principal sections that desire annex ation are the Government street loop, tfe territory between the western city limits and Crichton, along Spring Hill avenue, and the section contiguous to Dauphin way, lying between the two.
 The city commission has under advise ment the request of property owners In the eastern section of the city. along Water and Front streets, that proper drainage be installed to prevent flooding during heavy rains, when the water in the river, backed up by southerly winds, pre- vents the water in the drains from flow ing off properly. Upon several OCCASIONS traffic has been impossible in portions of these streets and the tracks of the Louisville and Nashville have been inun- dated.
 The water has been so deep that it en- tered the lower floors of stores. Compell- ing the merchants to place their wares on temporary platforms. In fact, almost any storm accompanied by southerly winds tha+ back the water up in the river, Will result in stampede to the wholesale dis- trict. if at night in order that property may be saved from damage. It IS claimed that the storm sewers are not of sufficient capacity to carry off flood waters in this section
 The saloons of Mobile. recently licensed by the excise commission in accordance with the provisions of recently enacted laws, are complying strictly with the pro visions of the Smith regulation measure and it is stated by the chief of police that there has been a marked diminution In the number of arrests for drunkenness since the blind tigers. of which there were over 300 have been superseded by licensed bar rooms. There have been but two ar- rests for violations of the liquor laws since the licenses were granted.
 The work of preparing for the Gulf Coast Tropical fair, with competition open to all Alabama, is well under way and gives promise of being the best exposi- ton of the kind ever held in this section of the state. The premium list amounts to something over $10,000 and prizes are offered. Recent advices from Commis- eioner of Agriculture Kolb are to the eff feet that in all probability the state ex- hibit will be brought to Mobile immediate ly following the close of the Birmingham fair. The fair will be held at Monroe park this year, the purchase of the re- gently acquired fair grounds being too late to allow of their being used for the 1911 fair.
 Spring Hill college, one of the souths most noted institutions of learning, opened this week with record breaking attendance, over 200 students having al ready matriculated. Nearly half of this number come from Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas and a large portion of the re- mainder are from Alabama. Students from nearly every state are represented, as well as several from Mexico and Cen tral America. The medical department of the University of Alabama CMobile Medi- cal college) will open on September IS, and the outlook is good for prosperous session.