davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-24
HUDDLES1ON RIGHTEOUS
 ON ELECTRIC HEADLIGHTS
BY HUGH w. ROBERTS

Montgomery, February 23-CSpecial.)- )-, Dr. Huddleston, representative of Elmore county. made one of his enthusiastically humorous speeches this morning in the house. It was against the bill providing that railroad engines in Alabama must carry electric headlight.
 Dr. Huddleston said:
 MT. Speaker. l am not much Of an authority on lights, but I know about as much about it as the rest of the gentle men who have been addressing the chair on this question befo.e the house. It is A question of doubt as to which Is the best light, the common oil burners or electric lights. The railroads which have the cleo tric headlights have as many or more ac- cidents as the other railroads that burn the old oil burners. I am convinced that the great corporations, with as mucn liability as they incur in carrying on their traffic through the state, if there was any advantage of using electric lights in the preservation of the lives and limbs or their employees or passengers that go over their railroads, would use these lights if there was any advantage 10 be gained and that prudence and econ omy would compel them to adopt the best scheme of safety, and that they ought to be allowed that much power and that much right over their own property. with out the legislature telling them that they ought to have a certain kind of light.
 ..Mr. Speaker. ever since I read where it says let your light so shine l have known that some kind of light was necessary, and the gentleman who has just taken his seat CA1r. Milner), when he used to 'possum hunt in the hills of north Alabama, he would have torchlight made of lightard splinters. which would light the course of his perambulations over the hilltops of north Alabama in the pursuit of the 'possum.'
 MT. Milner: MT. Speaker, I rise to a question of personal privilege, the gentle man is slandering me, in that he states I am from north Alabama, when as matter of fact was born in Butler coun- ty"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-24
FIGHT HARD FOR
 BACK TAX OFFICE
Effort to Abolish Offices Promises to Cause a
 Spirited Contest
By HUGH W. ROBERTS

Montgomery, February 23.-(Special.)- )- While it has been known for some time that a strenuous effort is under way to abolish the county back tax commission CTS of the state, 1t has just developed that there is 8 lobby on the ground lnter- ested in the same affair.
 The fight is to be a bitter one, and at the present time the indications are that the Pegram bill, providing for the aboli- ton of those offices. will pass the house. It will probably be defeated in the sen ate although the vote will be close in that body. Should the bill get through both houses then it is expected that the veto of the governor will be exerted in an effort to preserve the offices.
 There are two bills. The first Is the Pegram bill, seeking to abolish the offices. The second Is the Mulkey bill, which will be resented to in case of the failure of the Pegram bill The Mulkey bill limits the salary of the back tax commissioners to $36O0
 Alex Walker, chairman of the tax com mission of the state, is opposed to the bills aimed at the back tax commission CTS He is endeavoring to prevent the passage of the bills, although he is aware that with the abolition of these offices his duties will be increased and his salary likewise. He states that the back tax commissioners furnish much revenue to the state and serve the purpose of equal izing taxation. The fight against the back tax commissioners is one of the most interesting of all under way at the pres. ent time.
 The lobby referred to has been on the ground for two weeks and has done effec- tive work. It looks like battle to the teeth between the administrationists and the anti-adminlstrationis of the legisla-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-24

MT Speaker, that is all the more req son why he should have had a light There is just about as much logic when it comes within the domain of statutory en actment if when the gentleman was per ambulatng over the hills of Butler county in pursuit of the 'possum. if some repre- sentative in the days long gone by had gotten up in the legislature of Alabama and introduced a law making him use a magic lantern to hunt possums with. I want to be just by every interest in Ala hama. Suppose they should get up some law in Alabama that I had to give May apple when I thought calomel was neces- sary. This is on parallel with saying that you have got to use electricity where the good old kerosene oil lamp, that never did forsake them, and that always lights your course, whether you were without the path of right and rectitude or not; that bright light which shall shine on to light the course.''
 MT. Butts: Do you own any stock in the Standard oil company"
 "No, sir; I do not. That don't have anything to do with it; that has not got anything to do with the question. Are you going to let man use the kind of light that he thinks is best for his bust ness. The first thing we know they will be prescribing for you to use artesian water man should have the same au- thority and the same control over his business that he has got his money in- vested in as others have, if it does not in any manner jeopardize the life and limb of the people of Alabama. It is a mooted question, with the preponderance of evidence on the side of the lamp as now used, that 1t gives a better light, a more steady light and light that can be depended upon. There is going to be an electric phantasmagoria If the electric light goes out. and if the man at the lever is like I am-all the time nervous-because I am all the time afraid of electricity any how, and don't know when it is going to get out of order. God said, let there be light and there was light and don't let us as members of the legislature of Alabama try to improve upon that eternal edct of God Almighty, that has been echoed from the hilltops of this old uni verse carrying light into the homes of everybody, by trying to dictate to them that they shall use electric lights on their engines as panacea for all the ills Of humanity"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-24
MANY NEW HOTELS
Industrial Index Tells of Plans in
 Two States

Columbus. Ga. February 23.-(Spe-
 cial )-The Georgia and Alabama In- dustrial Index says In Its regular week. ly issue:
 With the coming of spring wealth CT somewhat in advance of the all manac there has been a thawing out
 of hotel projects in the two states
 with rather interesting results. Sa-
 vannahs 10-story commercial hotel Is now practically assured, arrangements having been made whereby local in- vestors will take $450,000 of the bonds. A hotel of the same height is regarded as a strong probability for Macon, the site having been selected local people of means having become interested, and hotel men of experience having practi- cally become lessees. At Augusta a project was launched to establish U hotel of five or more stories, the stock
 to be subscribed by local company. There is more than one plan now pend ing which if carried out will insure the erection of the large new hotel that is so ardently desired al Birmingham. "A company that proposes to build a railroad between Chattanooga and
 Birmingham as a link in It's system filed s5,Oo0.OO0 mortgage to secure the bond issue by means of which the project will be financed. Definite
 contract for extending the Ocilla
 Southern railroad from Alapaha, Ga. to Nashville, Ga, was closed.
 Mobile awarded contracts for $64,-
 900 of paving and $25,000 of sewer work.
 Americus, Ga, will vote on the issu- ance of sewer and water works bonds. Unfontown, Ala, awarded contract for the installation of a sewerage system. Spaldng county, Georgia, sold its bonds at a satisfactory premium and formally awarded contract for its sS0.000 court house Russell county, Alabama, sold
 s1 %, 900 of road and $20,0O0 of public
 building bonds. Eutaw, Ala, Is invit- ing bids for $120,000 of paving, and
 Rockmart Ga, and Gainesville, Ga,
 are receiving bids for building water works systems. Cordele, Ga awarded a s11 900 school building contract
 "Settlers from the northwest bought S45, GOO of land at Citronelle, Ala. and will engage in farming there along diversified lines. A $100,O00 real estate company was formed at Macon, Ga, a number of the incorporators being northerners A s15,000 farm was bought in Marengo county, Alabama and will be used for stock raising pur- poses exclusively Wesleyan college Macon, Ga, is to erect another build ing. At Brunswick, Ga, contract for erecting a $20,000 church was let
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-24

Montgomery, February 23.-(Special)- )- It was another Birmingham day in the legislature.
 The senate this morning passed the commission government bill for Birning- ham by a unanimous vote This nlii' after its engrossment, will go to the gov ernor. After his signatureNis attached, it will become law in 30 days.
 The senate, too, unanimously voted for the passage of the bill of Senator Nor row providing for the closing of certain streets for the construction of viaducts, and providing for the recovery of dam ages for abutting property that is dam aged. This bill Is the apple of the eye of Mayor Exum, and in the interest of its passage he has been In Montgom- cry, with the exception of an occasional flying visit to Birmingham. for several weeks. This bill will receive opposition in the house. but the indications are that 1t will be passed by big vote.
 The bills of Senator Morrow, which passed the senate several days ago, pro- viding that during certain months of the year there shall be no sessions of the circuit and city courts of Birmingham, passed the hoUAe this morning by a unanimous vote. The Jefferson delega- tion had agreed. These bills were the cases belli among the Birmingham att torneys several days ago. As far as known, however, no protests from them were heard. Senator Morrow states that as a result of the bills the courts will grind only two weeks in the year less than at the present time.
 The municipal organization committee. of which Representative Percy is chair man, met at noon today, and agreed to report favorably the bill of Represent tative Motion making the tax assessor nf counties the ex-officio tax assessors of cities as well.
 Before this committed Chief. Bodeker and Attorney Felix Blackburn appeared in the interest of the bills providing for civil service regulations for the po- lice departments of cities of 25,0O0 and more population, and providing for pen sons for policemen who have reached the aged of retirement, 60 years. and pensions for policemen and widows of policemen who are wounded or killed in the discharge of their duties.
 This bill was deferred until next week.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-24
GIRL PAINTS AND
 FALLS INTO FIRE Horrible Death of Miss Drysdale in Selma WAS IN POOR HEALTH Popular Young Lady, Weakened By Illness, Is Found By Her
 Brother in Mass of
 Flames
 
WAS IN POOR HEALTH

Selma, February 23-(Special )-Miss the home of her parents, MT. and Mrs. William Drysdale on Franklin street, this afternoon at o'clock from burns which she received this morning.
 Miss Drysdale for some time past had been in poor health and this morning Mrs Drysdale carried the young woman s breakfast in to her and after tidy ing up the room a little went out and about household duties.
 About half an hour later Harry Drys dale a brother of the young woman, heard groans in her room and entered he saw his sister lying on the floor In front of the fireplace, a mass of flames. With the assistance of his mother, who an- swered his call, the flames were smoth- cred, but not until every stitch of cloth ing had been burned from the body of the young woman and her flesh had been badly charred, Surgeons were quickly summoned and did all possible to alle- viate the suffering of the young woman, but she sank rapidly until death ended her pain.
 II 10 ehouSht thdt 4hisS Diyoudio welt to the fireplace to warm and while stand ing in front of the grate was seized with a fainting spell and fell in the fire. The shoes which the young woman wore were badly burned.
 Miss Drysdale was very popular young woman and her death caused con- siderable sorrow among her many friends
 The father of the deceased is we'll known travelling man in Mississippi He has been notified of the death of his daughter and is expected to reach here tonight.
 Besides her parents, Miss Drysdale leaves a sister and brother and other rel atives to mourn her tragic death.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-24
TUSCALOOSA LAND
 CHANGES HANDS

Tuscaloosa, February 3.-(Special) Messrs. Weatherford, Kyle. Raiford and Simpson have purchased the old Leach homestead, occupying half block on Fourth street. from T. F. Leach, and Mrs. Kirkman, and intend making some decided Improvements.
 The local Young Mems Christiar as sociation has secured the services of Dr. T. J. Searcy to deliver series Of lectures at the regular mems meetings. The subject for the first will be "Heredity and Genealogy,' to be given on Sunday afternoon.
 Bids have been opened for the erec- ton of first class modern gymnasium in connection with the Young Men Christian association. The building Is to be of concrete and will be filled with the latest improved equipment.
 Dr. J. w. Abercrombie. Professor Doster and Dr. Dressler of the univer- sity have gone to Mobile to attend tn Q meeting of the superintendents of the National Educational association, wnicn Is convening in that city pr. Aper- crombe will deliver an address before this noted assembly of educators on Thursday.
 Mrs. H. w. Roberts of Birmingham is the guest of her sister, Mrs. Hugh Prince, on Sixth street. and will be an honoree at the beautiful card party to be given by Mrs. Prince this afternoon.
 MT. J. c. Hollingsworth and Miss Anna Lee Parks of Pleasant Ridge were married in the parlors of the McLester hotel last night, Dr. l., O. Dawson of the First Baptist church officia ting
 MT. and Mrs. Peter Shiras of Ottawa, Kas, who have been spending some weeks in Florida, are again the guests of their daughter, Mrs. F. G. Blair. in Pinehurst.
 The friends of Mrs. Edwin Hardy Eos ter regret to learn of her serious illness at her home at the University.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-24
THEY ARE TURNED UP FORE AND
 AFT AND PRICES ADVANCE

Chicago, February 23-Because his majesty. the King of England, Is to be crowned three months hence, the pre- vailing theme in feminine beadgear for 1911 will be coronation
 This pronunciamento comes from dele gates to the annual convention of the National Association of Retail Mlliners, which will be called to order here to- morrow night. Some 5000 delegates are said to be in the city today. Among the Easter creations are:
 Empire bonnet. close-fitting affair; a glorification of the hoods worn by aviators and automobile racers.
 Helmet hat, reduced size of design usually given to large hats; resembles the hat of a London Bobby
 Louis XIV turban, draped hood in two styles: (a) Soft for dress; (b) high and round, of less clinging material for the street
 Others include the classical Rembrandt,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-24

the Louis XIV shape which is turned up behind and down in front; the Rey- holds hat of 1870, with the side front turned up; the Gainsborough and the Leghorn. For the out of doors girl burlap will be affected. Hs
 As to trimming it is asserted that rib- bon flowers have come to stay, and llke- wise lace flowers The latter must pe white. Among the flowers roses, butter cups, daisies, dandeions and sweetpeas find favor. Coronation colors will pre- dominate in the spring, but these prob ably will give way to individual needs as the season progresses.
 The correctly gowned woman, in. ad- dition, will add to her spring f1nery a large huff of tagal straw and maline in the same shade as her hat.
 A male reporter with a large family bashfully inquired as to the latest style in prices, but was frowned down. He claimed to; have learned from other sources. however, that the style in prices would be high and round, turned up fore and aft and port and starboard.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-24
DISCUSS ENTRANCE
 INTO BIRMINGHAM
TENNESSEE, ALABAMA AND GEORGIA NEGOTIATING WITH
 RAILROADS-THE COLLEGE STREET SCHOOL COMPLETED

Gadsden, February 23.-tSpecial)- The talk in this city today Is that the Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia rail road, the old Chattanooga Southern. IS making an effort to get into Birming ham by a new route. It is understood that negotiations are on by the road to get an entrance to the Magic City over the line of the Alabama Great South ern from Attalla or over the Louisville and Nashville from this city. Either route is a feasible proposition for the company and 1t will surprise no one here if one or the other is selected with in few weeks.
 The case of Mrs. Crosby against the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis railroad has gone to the jury and yer dict Is expected at any time Mrs. Crosby brought suit against the com pany for damages in the sum of $20,0O0 because she was seized and searched In the depot of the company at Albertville by two officers without a warrant and because the agent of the company would not render her any protection against the indignities offered by the officers, although called upon by her to
 
 that has never been passed upon by the courts of the state and has been hard fought by both sides.
 The new College street school is at last complete. and will be entered on Wednesday of the coming week. The building was to have been ready for use directly after the holidays, but one day followed another until this time. The heating plant was the last thing to worry the school board but this has at last been put in shape to give complete satisfaction and the children will have the benefits of the new building with ing a few days. Proper dedicatory services will be carried out at some later day. when the weather becomes settled and at that time the building will be named.
 The coming of the men who will probably effect a merger of the Ala bama Consolidated Coal and Iron com pany and the Southern Iron and Steel company Is causing the greatest op- timism in business circles in this city All recognize the fact that such a com bination could but result in much ad- vantage to this city and everybody is anxious to see 1t brought about.
 There are all sorts of wild rumors as to what is to be done in the way of expansion here If the merger Is effected and rosy pictures are drawn of the fu- ture of the city. While nothing def mite of the plans of the promoters is known 1t Is realized mat as the princi- pal plants of both these companies are here in Gadsden this city twill neces- sarily become the chief beneficiary of any developments that may be under taken by the management of the com bined properties.
 The obvious purpose of the merger would be to convert the raw material of the Alabama Consolidated furnaces into a finished product at the steel plant of the Southern, ich Is so near by that the molten metal of the fur naces can be delivered at the steel plant for immediate use in its open health furnaces.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-24
GREENSBORO WINS
 FROM TUSCALOOSA

Greensboro, February 23.-(Special)- The Tuscaloosa High school met the Southern university in fast game of basketball this evening. The game was featured by fast teamwork and accurate goal throwing by the Southern university. The visitors. although composed of mere boys fought gamely until the last whistle blew. The game was cleanly played and was devoid of any rough play whatever. It was early seen that the visitors were outclassed and at tho end of the game the score stood 20 to 5. with Southern university on the long, >ud-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-24
DR. AKED CALLED
 TO SAN FRANCISCO

San Francisco, February 23.-Dr. Charles r. Aked, pastor of the Fifth Avenue Baptist church of New York of which John D. Rockefeller is a member has been formally called to the pastorate of the First Congrega- tional church of this city, according to an announcement made last night.
 Dr. Aked, who is at present in Santa Barbara has been in California for several weeks preaching in various cities. According to one of the truS- tees of the First Congregational church, Dr. Aked will accept the call.
 A few days ago a sanctioned pubica- ton of letter by Dr. Aked was made in an English paper setting forth tha fact of his dissatisfaction with hls clerical work In the east.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-24
LIBRARY PLANS ARE <
 ALMOST COMPLETED

Union Springs, February 23.-(Specialo Plans for the new public library are be- ing completed and will be forwarded to Andrew Carnegie soon for his approval. The library association Is at work rais- ing funds to supplement the amount given by MT. Carnegie so that very handsome structure can be erected. They are to have a masque party at the Eey opera house tomorrow night.
 Prof. w. R. Harrison. superintendent of the public schools of this city. Is at- tending the meeting of the department of superintendents of the National Edu- cational association. which is in session in Mobile this week.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-24
ENTIRELY NEW REVENlJ E.
 BILL IS BEING DRAWN
BY HUGH w. ROBERTS

Montgomery, February 22.-(Special) The original draft of the revenue bill has been dropped into the waste basket. A new one is being prepared.
 The governor this morning requested the following gentlemen to draw up the bill: W. P. G. Harding, president of the First National bank of Bir- mingham, who led the state-w wide fight against the original draft; Sydney J. Bowie, the Birmingham attorney who has recently added laurels to his repu- tation by defending the Louisville and Nashville trailroad in the famous rate cases; Representative Brindley of Eto- wah, chairman of the ways and means
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-24
EXAMINE CADETS
 FOR HOOKWORMS

Baton Rouge, February 23.--The ca- dets of the Louisiana State university are soon to know whether they, are just naturally lazy or whether their occasional desire to slight "Math" and cut Greek" is due to the hookworm An official investigation is to be made by pr. A. S. Hyde. connected with the state board of health, and while the faculty is not charged with desire to skip over pages of virgil or jump pages of "trig,' they will also be test ed to see whether they are food for hookworms. The >hookworm test is to begin at once.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-24
Neero Woman Injured

Daisy Highes, negro woman, was se- riously injured yesterday afternoon while getting on an East Lake car at Forty second street and First avenue. Wood lawn The woman claims that the car started before she could get on. One of her limbs was broken and she was badly bruised about the head and body She was taken to St. Vincent's hospital
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-24

committee of the house: Ed. DeGraf- fenreid. legal adviser of the admins. tration. and H. Y. Brooke, the author of the first bill.
 These gentlemen got down to work immediately after they had accepted the commission, and have been busy all day. It Is probable that they will con tinue busy for several days, and possi- bly for two weeks.
 The plan Is to draw bill which shall divide the burden of taxation and make every interest toe the mark without causing distress and possibly fi- nancial panic.
 That the first bill was presented by MT. Brooke as feeler' Is generally understood.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-24
Meeet Emporer in Vennice

Kail, February 23.-The imperial yacht Hohenzollern sailed today for Venice, whence it will take Emperor William and Empress Auguste ,. Victoria and their grandchildren to Corfu early in March. It is expected Crown Prince Frederick William and the Crown Princess will join the party later.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-24
SOlOns Pass More Bills
 Affecting Birmingham
By HUGH w. ROBERTS

Tn the meantime. according to the agree ment the bills will be submitted to Judge A. O. Lane, who, in all probability, will soon be a commissioner of the city of Birmingham.