davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
BURNETT BUYS MOTION LOT ON SECOND AVE. AND WILL
 ERECT $1OO,OOO BUILDING

"t purchased the lot adjoining ths Bell Telephone building on Second avo- nue, between Eighteent: and Nineteenth streets for s15,0o0 from T. II. Moltol. The lot is 90 feet on Second avenue bY l4O feet. running back to the alley ad- joining Loveman, Joseph X Loeb.
 "The price I think was reasonabte enough for that locality. as l believe future developments w-lI justify that amount Of money heing spent in that locality Tho future of Birmingham speaks eloqucntly of the values that will hereafter he attached to property in the business center of the city.
 "1 propose to erect on the lot a com- mercial building which will he either five or six stories high, to be occupied by commercial enterprise which l am not at liberty To disclose. The build Ing will cost in the leighborhood of s100, GOO and will be started in the next 30 days The structure will be In every degree modern, high c--ss and up 70 date. The building details will be ar ranged within a few days by Harry WheelocS, the well known architect. and until that time we do not know tho full details of the building"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
GOOD ROADS CLAUSE
 FEE GRARBERS' CLAUSE

As far back as 1901 the sentiment ill Jef- ferson county in favor of good roads was well developed. Therefore, the board of revenue in making it's convict contract with the Tennessee company inserted a clause to the effect that the county, at any time 1t saw proper. could take from the mines many as 25 and not more than 50 convicts for the purpose of work ing the roads of the county.
 In the contract of 1908, or that which exists today, no such clause is contained.
 In the contract of 1904 the fee grab bers' clause was contained, as follo~s: All that part of the hire of each con vict which accrues from so much of the term of hard labor as is imposed for cosrs of convictions shall be paid in advance on the delivery of the eonVicts, and credit therefor shall be allowed the party oY Inc second part the company on the next or if need be on any subsequent settlement ' At a meeting of the board January g. 1905, by the unanimous vote of it's mem bers John T. Reed, H. W. Crook, Charles K. Dickey and Job Going. that clause was stricken from the contract the expana- tion being that advanced payments would confuse the bookkeeper.
 In spite of that action, however. an identical clause is contained in tls, pres ent contract, that existing between the cOuntN and inc Pratt potDDanV
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
WAS THERE COALITION
 BETWEEN THE COMPANIES?

At the expiration of the Tennessee com pany's contract the board of revenue, as customary, advertised for bids prepara- tory to leasing it's convicts for the en- suing four years The minutes of the board indicate that no company offered, in any respect, as good terms as had been paid previously by the Tennessee company.
 That company, for instance, on Decem- Der 15. 1908, offered SIP per man for every able-bodied convict above the age of l6 whose sentence was for 90 days and over. This bid was promptly rejected,
 On December g the same company in creased it's bid to s12.50. This bid was also rejected The Nauvoo Coal com pany offered to turn over it's mine to the county to be worked by the county conVicts, and agreed to pay the county sI 15 per ton for coal mined and placed upon the cars at Nauvoo. This bid was rejected.
 The board of revenue charged then and charges now that at that time there was a coalition between the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company and the Sloss-Shenield Steel and Iron company, and offered as proof of that charge that the two companies did not enter into competitive bidding in any one county of the state.
 There is no doubt. stated Dr. R. r. Lovelady yesterday, but that the two companies had reached an agreement
 Yesterday morning Frank II. crockard of the Tennessee company declined to discuss the matter when visited in his office by an Age-Herald reporter. George c. Crawford, president of the company,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26

For a consideration of s75.000 it is an uounced that R. D. Burnett purchased yesterday lot DO feet by 140 feet from .T. II. Motion, which is located at ISIS Second avenue. The property in ques ton adjons the Bell Telephone build ing and the building upon IL was re- gently destroyed by fire
 Mir. Burnett said yesterday that he intended to erect commercial house on the property but at this time could not go into details. It is said that Harry Wheelock, the well known architect is now engaged in drawing plans for commercial house 10 occupy the site to cost about Si00.000.
 MT Burnett said last night that il all probability the new building he pro- posed to erect would be six stories high, conforming in that respect to the Bel telephone building and would cost h the neighborhood of s100.000 Work up- on the new building will start within 30 days, it was announced Ir discussing the purchase and the further important fac, that a building vii go up on the property at once, MT. Burnett. who personally purchased the site, said yesterday.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
TELEPHONE MATTER ID COME UP TODAY Peoples Company Wants to
 Surrender Franchise EXUM MAY RETURN
Several Important Questions Are Said to Be Involyed-Basis of the Request Made by the
 Local Company

The feature of the meeting of the city commissioners this morning will be the consideration of the petition presented last week by the Peoples Home Tela- phone company requesting that the company be allowed to surrender it's franchise and that it's contract with the city be annulled.
 The petitioners allege that the tele- phone company has been operated al loss and that to continue in business would mean a substantial increase in the rates for service They also allega inability to compete with the Bell Tel distance service.
 The petition asks the board of com missioners that the contract with the city he cancelled that all their fran chises he annulled; that the company be relieved of all it's obligations to the public by said contract and franchises and that it be allowed to sell Its phNsi- cal properties free from all claims against it by the city. such cancellation after May |, 1912.
 Many of the subscribers to the two telephones seem To favor the annullment of the Peoples telephrne franchise on the grounds that it is a doulle ex- pense without a corresponding benefit On the other hand, there are those who favor the double system, putting forth the argument that by reason of com petition rates arc kept down and bet ar eprx-ipa iS ipSttra6 ie understood that petition will he presented to the city commissioners against the cancella- tion of the contract with the Peoples Telephone company
 It Is understood that President Gull pepper kXum, who has been recuperat- ing a French Lick Springs, will return this morning and be present at the meeting today.
 What action the commissioners will take in the matter could not be as- certained as they desire to give the cit izens an opportunity 70 express them selves before passing on the measure.
 Commissioners Weatherly and Lane have given the matter their earnest consideration and will pass on the peti- ton this morning. It Is said that un- der the laws of the state a purely prl- vate corporation can ordinarily abandon it's franchise and go yut of business whensoever 1t pleases, put that a cor poraton charged by ns charter with duties to the public cannot do so and the power granting the franchise can compel through the courts a perform ance of such duties.
 Were this attempted. 1t Is said that it would throw the company into the hands of receiver and the properties would be sold.
 It was stated that the Peoples Tele- phone company had not paid a dividend in 10 years, and that It cannot exist under present conditio-s or give ade- duate service on the local lines and none on long distance lines, This being the case the company says that 1t has to shut up shop and quit business. ar ask for a raise of rates sufficient to en- able it to continue business and really compete with it's rival, the Bell Tele- phone company.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
CAUSE OF GREAT
 SLUMP IN RECEIPTS

Jefferson county leases and has leased for the past eight years from 400 to 500 convicts each month.
 In 1904 contract was made by the board of revenue and the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company under the terms of which athe company agreed to work the convicts of the county for four years, payment to be made on the first day of January, April, July and October of each years, as follows:
 For convicts over 16 years of age.
 whose terms are for 12 months and
 over .......................... .S24 so For conviets over 16 years of age,
 whose terms are for less than F months .................-'... .''.',' ioVo All conyicts under 16 years of age,
 and all female convicts of what ever age ..-..................-.... lo.u In that contract and that which exists today between the county and the Pratt Consolidated Coal company there is vast difference.
 The following are the terms of the pres ent contract as far as payment to the county is concerned:
 For all ableboded male convicts of
 16 years and above .$l0. 50 For all convicts under 16 years of
 age, and all females of whatever
 age ............................ W.O0
 The company, however, in return for the services of the latter class, has bound itself to elothe and feed the young and the women.
 From the above figures it is readily learned why the receipts of the county for convict labor have recently shown d
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26

Jefferson county convicts are leased to corporations because from their labor in the mines more money is re- ceived than would be received were they employed in improving the roads of the county.
 But for this financial consideration there is no doubt but that as a result of convict labor Jefferson county would possess as fine a system of public highways as is to be found in the United States.
 There is no dispute for fhe claim that removing the conyicts from the mines would cause an immediate slump in the revenues of the county. 1n the first place the sum paid by the cor porations in return for convict labor would not be received. In the second place the guarding. feeding and "hom- ing" of the convicts would cause a considerable outlay of money. In the third place, under the present fee sys- tenn as it exists in Jefferson county, 1t is probable that tNe Board of Rev enue would be required to pay the amount of the fines imposed for costs of convictions.
 To balance this financial difference Jefferson county. with convicts on the roads, would ultimately possess mod ern system of public highways which would result in great enhancement of property values of direct and tam gible benefit to every citizen of the county. Furthermore, the argument of the humanitarian, which has aided in
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
AT THE HOTELS

IT, J. Bentley of Huntsville is regis tered at the Metropolitan.
 w. $. Smith of Montgomery is stopping at the Metropolitan.
 William Reddick of Memphis, Tenn, is at the Metropolitan.
 l.. c. Elliott of Montevallo is registered at the Morris.
 J. N. Tally of Memphis, Tenn, is stop ping at the Morris.
 w. A. Gibson of Litt!eton, Ala, is at the Morris.
 l.. c. Jennings of Atlanta is among the arrivals at the Florence.
 A. W. Bates of Jacksonville is registered at the Birmingham.
 F. A Meacham of Goodwater is regis tered at the Florence
 J. G. Daly of Meridian, Miss, is stopping at the Florence.
 J. G. Singer of LaFayette is at the Bir- mngham.
 A. s. Bardelon of Memphis is among those registered at the Birmingham. A. W. Joseph of New Orleans is regis tered at the Hillman.
 T. l.. Becknell of Atlanta Is stopping at the Hillman.
 w. J. Gregory of Atlanta is registered at the Hillman.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
.|MPROVEMENTSBY RIDDEN COMPANY Build 20 Miners Homes and New COmmissary at
 Marvel

An appropriation of s20,00o is being spent by the Roden Coal company at Marvel to erect D homes for white miners and new commissary, according to a local announcement yesterday.
 The company is now mining i3D0 tons of coal daily and is preparing 10 run the out put up to at least 1900 tons. The com pany is preparing to take care of the ad- ditional miners which will be needed for that new step and to also care for the very heavy increase in commissary busi- ness.
 The Marvel mine of the Roden Coal company. of which B. r. Roden, Jr.. is president is held by experts to be per haps the most modern mine in the dis trict, having been arranged by B. F. Roden, Jr., who Is an engineer of large experience. The company has been mak- ing a wonderful record since opening up. and the additional expenditures indicate that further big work is to take place.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
BOOSTING BY MAIL
 BRINGING RESULTS
Chamber Members Sending Out Circulars on Big
 Advantages

In accordance with the policy adopt ed by the Chamber of Commerce many of It's members are sending out with their mail literature and circulars set ting forth the advantages of the Bir mingham district.
 The literature consists of carefully prepared statements of the general in- dustrial and commercial interests of the Birmingham district, as well as out lining the many other advantages of the city. There is not a statement made or a fact related In any of the ltera- ture that cannot be subs,antisted by facts, and many hattering answers have been received. The following letter was received yesterday by Dave H. Brown from ". R. Fox. president of the Fox Typewriter company, Grand Rapids Mich:
 "Grand Rapids, Mich. March 95, 1912. MT. Dave IT, Brown, Birmingham.
 Dear Sir: I am more than pleased with your thriving city. You have T magnifying city, broad streets, large and commercial hotels, and a Chamber of Commerce which seems 10 be fully awakened to the splennd possibilities of your excellent city. We're you not so far south l would be tempted to consider planning a typewriter factory in Birmingham,
 The brief sketch given by the sec retary of the Chamber of Commerce m reference to raising of the funds for the splendid building reads almost like a. fairy tale. l doubt very much wheth- CT 1t could be duplicated in any other city in this country. It not only shows that your city possesses men of means but that you are united to push good work to an early and successful issue.
 "W R. FOX.'
 The following letter was received by I E. Babb. secretary of the Chamber of Commerce
 Chamber of Commerce. Clearneld. Pa,
 March 23, 1912.
 "Chamber of Commerce, Birmingham
 .Gentlemen: We received your letter of the 11th inst, and also the litera- ture regarding Birmingham and vicin- itv. You have certainly set d pace which VIII De hdru TUT olHer cltleS lo follow. The record of Birmingham Is remarkable. We have all read about you in the newspapers, but it takes actual figures as shown by your litera- tur to drive the argument home that Birmingham Is in crass by itself among the progressive cities of the day of it's size. Thanking you. we are very truly yours.
 "HL E. BoNDINE, Secretary"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
CARNEGIE IS NOT
 EXPECTED TO COME

Although the Chamber of Commerce wired an invitation to Andrew Carnegie to visit Birmingham, 1t Is not believed that the steel king will come to this city again.
 When he was here short time ago he was invited to stay over a few days. His reply to that invitation, made with purpose. Was that he had long since stopped paying visits to Birmnghams and making speeches. It is believed that MT. Carnegie has an aversion to public ap- pearances on account of the fact that he is in rather feeble health and is quite m -old man.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
Splendid Spring
 Tonic At Small Cost
lrhn unrne poctorl

a,- raco.sarv to the health of the fam ilv than a good blood purifier aud sys- tcm tonic. .An inexpensive, yet onc of tbe very best. tonics known can be made at home by dissolving In F pint alcohol F cup sugar ana one ounce kardene. then adding hot water to make a quart ,
 "A tablespoonful of this tonic taken befora each meal quickly purifiet the blood and rids the system of thosf ac- cnmulated poisons which cause lpim- ples. gallowness. lost appetite andIthat fired wornout feeling. It regulates the liver perfectly. makes rich. Hear blood and is very strengthening and energizing to anyone who feeli all r1n-down. This wonderful tonic, Eood for both old and young. used al ntded Intervals. will ward off sicknesslan keep the family in the best of hedth."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
ATKINSON DID NOT
 COME YESTERDAY

Harry NJ Atkinson president of the At Birmingham and Atlantic railroad, did not arrive in Birmingham yesterday as scheduled, but wired from Brunswick that he was unavoidably detained in that sea coast city. Mr. Atkinson was ex- pected to arrive here for the purpose of going over some affairs with A. H. Wood ward relative to the Birmingham Coal and Iron company merger and to attend to some other affairs.
 It is understood that he will be in Birmingham the latter part of this week or the first of next.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
PISGAH HOME IS
 NOW ONE YEAR OLD
Series of Special Services Will Begin Tomorrow Night to Com
 memOrate Event

In commem moration of it's first year spent in saving friendless men and women, Pisgah Home, 115 Tuscaloosa avenue, will have a series of special services, com menoing tomorrow night at 7;30 o'clock. Among those invited to speak are: Rev. l.. C. Branscomb Rev. J. T. P1unket. Commissioner A. o. Lane, R. s. Munger, ana Chief of Police c. H. Bodeker.
 An invitation Is extended to all persons interested in the Pisgah work.
 The services will continue Friday night at 7;30 p. m., and close with an epecal service in Fraternal hall Sunday at 2;3O D. in.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26

The dragnet manned by Sheriff Me Adory and Chief of Police Bodeker to draw In those supposed to be connected with the murder of Felix Ellard at Lewis burg last Monday Is not closed yet and there are still few who are to be brought to jail. The sheriff stated yesterday that he had in his possession several unserved warrants which would be outstanding only day or two.
 The investigation of the murder by the coroners jury will begin today by the iury being taken to the scene of the crime and shown as nearly as is known just how the killing happened. The jurors have been notified to report at coroner Brasher's office promptly at S:3O o'clock this morning. The jury comprises J,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
TODAY CORONER'S JURY VISITS
 SCENE OF THE ELLARD KILLING

w. Mcqueen ]. A Yam, (. l.. Thomas, l.. w. Friedman, (. H. Mandy and E. II. Cooper.
 Sheriff McAdory stated that approx imately 60 subpoenas had been served upon witnesses 10 appear before the cor oner's Jury Wednesday morning at o'clock. He said that no hearing would be made today. practically the entire day being given over to the visit to the scene of the crime.
 There is still much discussion of the crime. As time passes it seems that in- terest is growing more pronounced and he officers are besieged daily for some thing new in the Lewisburg situation. What the officers know they are keeping strictly to themselves. =
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
SAYS UNDERWOOD IS
 STRONG IN NEW YORK

Wilson Brown returned yesterday from New York city. where he has been en- gagged on business for many weeks. He said yesterday that Mir. Underwood had vast number of strong friends in New York city.
 He said that the opinion was in New York that Taft would be the republican nominee and that T. Roosevelt would be far from answering the alleged popular call when the convention rolled around.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
Germans to Visit America

Berlin, March 25.-The division of the German fleet which is to visit the Unie- ed States in June to return the visit of the second division of the United States Atlantic fleet to Kiel in June, last, is to be composed of the armored cruiser Moltke, the protected cruiser Bremen and one of the modern pro- tected turbine cruisers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
PRESENT CONTRACT
 EXPIRES DEC. q, 1912

The present contract between the county of Jefferson and the Pratt Consolidated Coal company will eX- pire December 31, 1912. By that date a new board of revenue will be in office. Public sentiment, as has been exemplified, is against confin- ing the convicts in mines. It is probable that. as a result of this sentiment, for the next several years, at least, convicts will be worked on the public roads.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
Marriage Licenses

The following marriage licenses were issued at the probate office yesterday: George A. Silvia of Bessemer to Miss Myrtle Tyler.
 McClain Castleberry of Leeds to Miss Ruby Wright.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
H. ". WITCOYER

A special meeting of the Chapter of Rose Croix, Alabama consistory, will be held tonight at the Masonic temple, com at : o'clock The 15th 16th and 17th degrees will be communicated and the IS degree conferred on a class of candidates by II. w. Whitcover, 8 degree Macon and inspector general for the Scottish Rite of the state of Georgia. All members of the chapter are requested to be present.
 The work will commence promptly at [
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26

O clock, The officers of the chapter are; Dr ". P. McAdory, wise master; Nat l., Mewhnney. senior warden, and II. R. de- Holl, junior warden.
 Mir. Witcover will arrive in Birming- ham at noon today on the Seminole lim- ted and will be at the Florence hotel. He Is one of the most widely known Scottish Rite Masons of the Southern jurisdiction, and one of the best informed in the country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26

crystalizing the sentiment against con fning the convicts in mines, is due it's share of consideration
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26

the great difference in prices between the contract of 1904 and that of 1905"
The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1912-10-19

Those applicants which reacned the pen
sion office before May 20 have all been
adjudcated. The force is now working
on the $1,000 which arrived on May 20.
No application which arrived after that
date has yet been granted and cannot
be until it is reached in regular order.
1t will take more than a year to put
through these $4,000 applications.
The regular force at the Pension office
is not large enough, and under an emer-
gency appropriation several hundred
clerks are now being employed for two
years to enable the department to has
ten action on these cases, ana handle
them more promptly.
Before any of these applications can
be granted. the Pension Office must ascer-
tain the exact length of the applicant S
service during the war and his age at
this time. These are the two factors
upon which the service and age pension
is based. 1t will not be necessary to &c
into the disabilities of the applicant as
these do not figure in the ascertainment
of facts regarding the age and service OF
the applicant.