davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1913-01-24
VOLUME VIII

w dlCIllIl2
Springfield is in the spotlight The eyes of every
Illnoisan who takes any interest at all in public
affairs are turned toward the capital. Folks
watching and waiting, concerned with varying and
conflicting interests which at stake in the leglsla
ture. Two United States senators are to be chosen,
and their partsans anxious Chicago is expecting
legislation that will give relief from the financial
troubles which embarrassing her. She has beer.
sending a continuous C. Q. D. down to the capital
since the general assembly convened Her cry is for
home rule.
Sponsors for many brands Of proposed law are
watching and wondering what the legislature has
in store for them There is such that has
more sponsors than all the rest 1t is the proposed
county option law. From the shops, the stores the
offices and the farms this mighty host of Illinois best
citizens several hundred thousand strong re-
cruted who united in the demand for this just law
To such tremendous proportions has the county option
army grown in the last dozen years warfare that the
acknowledged leader of the liquor forces in the house
of representatives confess the and dry question to
be the leading issue before the general assembly, So
it is no idle boast say that county option has focused
more eyes the Forty-eighth general assembly than
any single issue.
The Farmer Has Proved His Case.
Illinois wants county local option. Her people
have spoken and speaking in no uncertain way to
make this desire known. From every class and voca-
ton the appeal has come. The farmer has made out
his case He has shown himself to be victim OF tax
alton without representation because of the saloon
He has shown that he is the heaviest taxpayer in the
state consequently the heaviest contributor to the
support Of the paupers criminals and insane lie has
+oar &c cir atiO between these
dependents and criminals and alcoholism, and that the
saloon as the best distributing agency for alcohol is
directly responsible for an increase in his taxes He
has shown that he has no voice in determining
whether the saloon shall exist not in his county
The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1913-01-24
NUMBER 4

"a, l9l3 NUMBEN
Springfield
outside Of his township. He has shown that the
county receives compensation of any kind from the
saloon for the damage it does. He has made out
good and confidently expecting redress in the
ballot.
The Merchant, the Artisan and the Professional Men
Have Been Heard.
The merchant, the artisan, the professional man
have all been heard in protest against the lawlessness
of the saloon. They have shown the economic waste
entailed by the license SYSTEM they have shown that
the saloon is the chief incubator of vice in villages and
cities and is the headquarters for political grafters and
to good government They too expect
ing relief by the ballot.
Now Hear the Plea of the Women and Children
But there is one altogether too large army of
silent victims of the legazed saloons whose has
not been prominently presented. They cannot
plead their own cause We plead it for them. In
every village and city in this state where the open
saloon exists these Victims helpless women and
children, suffering persecution If their eyes
not turned toward Springfield in mute appeal for
lief it is because they do know to what great
their happiness is involved in the county option
bill
Baby faces pinched with hunger and aged by
care that are entirely out of harmony with childhood
years. made what they because of saloonkeepers'
avarce and mans appetite enough for the
ballot with which to strike the deathbow to license
That frail little bending over the washtub,
rubbing her life away to feed herself and her babies
forced this slavery because the natural provider OF
the home has not the will power to pass the door OF
the village saloon, is argument enough for the county
option law
This sickly sentiment? Not bit of it. There is
not saloon apologist in this broad state who dares
deny the fact that in every village and city where the
saloon is doing business women and children are
suffering want and abuse who would be receiving the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
MASON DIES AS
RESULT OF WOUND
Was Accidentally Shot at
Trussville Saturday While
Hunting

James Edward Mason aged 80 years,
who was accidentally shot Saturday
afternoon at Trussville, died last night
about 7:30 o'clock at the South High
land infirmary. There had been no hope
of recovery for the wounded man en-.
tertained as the wound was consid.
cred fatal from the start Funeral ar
rangements will he announced later.
Accounts of the accident which cost
the life of Mr.. Mason are that the de-
ceased. with L. E. Dulion. his business
partner, and Arnold Dulion, a nephe W
of L. l1. Dulion. went hunting Saturday
afternoon on the farm of Mr.. Dulion at
Trussville. In some way Mr. Dulion's
gun was discharged and Mr. Mason fell
mortally wounded. He was shot in the
abdomen.
The late Mr.. Mason is a well known
business man and at the time of his
death was a partner I'm the plumbing
firm OF Mason a. Dulion on Fourth
avenue near Twentieth street. The de
ceased Is survived by his widow, who
gesides at PA Nofth Pearl street.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09

WORK WILL OPEN TO
THE PUBLIC TONIGHT
DIR. Eayes to Lecture Every
Night at Headquarters
of Christmas Seals
Campaign

An exhibit of work being done by the
Jefferson County Anti-Tuberculosis asso-
citation will be open to the public today
at the campaign headquarters Of the Red
Cross Christmas seal campaign, III North
Twenty-6rst street, and will remain open
throughout the campaign from now until
Christmas. At S:15 o'clock tonight Dr
George Eaves secretary of the assoca-
tion, will give a stereopticon lecture upon
the work of the association and spread
of the disease. The lecture will be given
every evening until Christmas.
preliminary meeting of the commit
tee In charge of the Red Cross seal cam
paien was held at the headquarters yes
terdey and the sub-committees organized.
The sustaining members of the associa-
tion will be canvassed the work to begin
immediately, and large returns are ex-
pected The chairmen of the sub-commit.
tees as named yesterday are as follows:
NJ $. Sloan, W. j. Adams John 4
Henley, Jr, s j. Bowie. W G. llnl
Dr. w. l.. Thornton, O. l.. Drake. Franz
Rushton. Hill Ferguson, +. NJ. Hopkins
and George Eaves.
DR.. Eaves, secretary of the association
stated yesterday that he wished publicly
to express his thanks for the donation
from Superintendent j. II. Phillips of
the public schools and which was the
Thanksgiving donation of the public
school children to the anti-tuberculosis
association.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
WADSWORTH WILL GO
WITH w. w. FREEMAN
Resigns Post With Alabama Power
COmpany-Second Man to Leave
in Past Few Days

W. A. Wadsworth, power salesman for
the Alabama Power company, has ac-
oepted a position with the Union Gas
and Electricity company, OF which W.
Winans Freeman, formerly with the Ala
hama Power company, is now vice presi-
dent and general manager with offices in
Cincinnati. Mr.. Wadsworth will become
district manager of lighting, commercial,
industrial and small motor business for
the public utility company. His work
will be outside of the main business CEN
ter of Cincinnati.
Mr.. Freeman has shown a disposition
to offer attractive positions to some of
the men who were associated with him
in the preliminary work in Blrmingha m
for the power company and with the
resigna ton of Fritz Wilhelm Won Voges
and Mr.. Wadsworth, the Alabama Power
company loses two valuable employees
1t was stated yesterday that Mr.. Wads-
worth will leave tonight to take up his
new work. 1t is understood that these
two designations will be followed by
others before January |. In this connec-
tion il is understood that NJ. Webb Offutt.
former vice president of the Alabama
Power company, will offer some of the
local employees engagements elsewhere
within the next few months.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
ORDINANCE WOULD
DECREASE WEIGHT
OF ALOAF OF BREAD
Measure Has Been Drafted
and Will Probably Be
Adopted by Commits
sion Today

Decreasing weight of a loaf of bread
from Is to IA ounces. new bread ord-
nance has been drafted and probably will
be adopted by the city commissioners at
the meeting this afternoon. They state
that the bakers of the city have proved
to them that they could make no profit
II compelled to make 16-ounce loaves and
that the new ordinance is the result.
Jelks Cabaniss, attorney representing
the bakers of the city, appeared before
the commissioners in conference yes
terday AFTERNOON and presented the ba-
kers' case Inspector of Weights and
Measures Hall was also present and gave
some expert testimony on the subject.
The local bakers claim that they are
forced to make smaller loaves in Birming-
ham because they have to secure all their
flour and machinery from a distance. They
sated that the fair way to arrive at the
Birmingham standard was to take the
Chicago loaf as a standard and then al
low reduction in the Birmingham loa {
to make up for the cost of transportation
from the northern and western wheat
markets to Birmingham. This difference
was arrived at as two ounces to each
loaf and the ordinance will be SO drafted.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
CITY To REDUCE RATES AT
MUNICIPAL WATERWORKS

A new ordinance has been prepared
which probably will be adopted by tie
city commission today which will lower
the water rate for consumers using water
from the municipal water works plant at
North Birmingham. The new rate will be
10 cents per thousand feet. 1t heretofore
has been 20 cents
In view of the fact that a vigorous legal
fight is now going on between the city
and the Birmingham Waterworks COM
pany to lower the water rates of the en-
tire greater city, the fact that rates have
been lowered in the city's own municipal
plant is regarded as significant The Bir-
mingham Waterworks company furnishes
the city with the water that is dispensed
through the municipal plant, which is To-
Gated in North Birmingham, and has
some 1000 or 5000 consumers The new
rate will go into effect January l.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
MOTHER OF JUDGE
FORT PASSES AWAY
Dies at Family Home at
Blakely, Ga.-Funeral
This Afternoon

W. l.. Fort, senior judge of the crimi-
pal court, received a message yesterday
conveying the sad news of his mother 8
death at Blakely, Ga. lie left yesterday
afternoon for the family home and will
be absent several days. 1t Is understood
that the funeral services will be held this
afternoon.
Mrs. Fort has been critically i'll for the
past three weeks and Judge Fort spent
the entire time the court was recently re-
cessed at her bedside From the time
she was stricken with her last illness the
attending physicians held no hope of her
recovery, but she rallied last week and
was apparently improving when the end
came.
Much sympathy is expressed for Judge
Fort for In addition TO the Illness and
death of his mother his little eight year
old son has been seriously i'll with scar
let fever At late hour last night was
much improved and unless a relapse oc-
ours. physicians say he will recover when
the fever has run Its course.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
CAPT. MCDONALD TO
co BACK ON BEAT
Former Chief Detective
Asks to BeRelieved of Duty
in That Department

Chief of Detectives w J. Mcdonald
goes back to a patrolman's beat this
morning
He firmly declined to accept the po-
sition of lieutenant of detectives ana
serve under the newly appointed chief,
Steve Virgins, yesterday morning and
petitioned Judge Lane to place him or
a beat as patrolman. The petition of
Captain Mcdonald was Immediately
granted.
Capt. Jack Mcdonald is a member of
the we'll known Mcdonald family of
jefferson county and has been a mem
Der of the Birmingham police depart
ment for the past 81 years, and for the
last two years chief of detectives. Cap
tain Jack, while making no public
statement intimated that walking a
beat as a patrolman is not the worst
job in the world and that he was not
too old or too good a man TO go back
and work as a patrolman.
Chief of Police Bodeker had moth
ing to say about the resignation of
Captain Mcdonald as lieutenant of de-
tectives or the causes that led to ii.
He simply said:
Captain Mcdonald goes to work on
regular beat tomorrow morning"
Steve Virgins, the new head of the
detective department, refused to dis
cuss at length Mr.. McDonalds deci-
sion. His only comment was:
"If Mr.. Mcdonald desires to go back
to work on beat that is a priv
ilege that he is entitled to-"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
RADIATOR PLANT
TO BE DOUBLED

The American Radiator company in
tends to double it's building space and the
capacity of its plant here. The plant has
been so successful and the trade condi-
tions are said to be so flattering that the
increased facilities are required
The general officers of the company
are in Chicago and no confirmation can
be secured at this time to the pro-
posed new building, but In industrial cir
cles it is generally understood that such
action is contemplated by the officials of
the company. An announcement as to
the plans may be given out during the
latter part of this month.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
WANTS THE CITY TO- /
RESUME STREET TAX.
r. T. Parker Calls Attention
to Hundreds Who Con-
tribute Nothing to City
To the Editor of The Age-Herald

To the Editor of The Age-Herald.
Permit me to suggest that the an
healthy financial condition of the city,
is disease contracted in large measure
by unwise legislation. Especially now
do i refer to the repeal of the ordinance,
some years ago, which provided for the
collection of street tax from the male
inhabitants of Birmingham, who if they
lived outside the city limits would be
subject to road duty.
There was never more just, fair and
equitable tax imposed than was the
street tax. Just figure the number of
men, white and black. In Greater Birming
ham, between the ages of IS and so. able
bodied who pay not one cent for the city
privileges, which they enjoy-paved
streets and sidewalks, lights. sanitation
and school privileges. Many of these men
receive incomes far in excess of the cot
tage home owners who are taxed for the
shelters of their families
The plough boys of the country bear
the burden of 10 days labor on the pub
lie roads, while the young gentlemen"
and able-bodied loafers as well, of this
city, who walk and ride on paved streets,
are immune from any cost of the luxuries
which they enjoy.
Take the able-bodied negro, non-prop-
erty holder the children of whose race
are being educated at the expense of
the property owners in this city, and not
one cent do they contribute to the sup
port of teachers. Where is the justice
of this exemption?
A street tax is simply road tax, and
the men of the cities are no more justly
entitled to exemption from it than are
the men who live in the country.
Someone may say the imposition OF
street tax would be unpopular. Maybe
so, but all taxation, no matter how neces-
sary or just 1t may be, is unpopular
Birmingham is confronted by condition
that calls for the substitution of right
and justice for any and all things that
smack merely of popularity or dema-
gogery, and / am sure reasonable,
sane and unselfish citizen of Birming-
ham can doubt the justice of a re-enact
nent of the street tax ordinance. Very
respectfully, I. +. PARKER.
Birmingham, December s, 1913
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
F FRANCHISE Is
DISCUSSED AT CONFERENCE

A conference was held last night be-
tween President George lie Ward of the
city commission Commissioner James
Weatheriy. and City Attorney Romaine
Boyd in regard to the Avenue f. Fran
chise. Nothing was done. it was stated.
to be made public at this time. Judge
Lane could not be present.
The Avenue f franchise will not come
Up at the commission meeting today. il
was stated by the commissioners. About
the only things so far known to be
scheduled for today's meeting outside Of
the regular routine are the bread ordi-
ance and the new water rate ordinance
for the municipal waterworks plant at
North Birmingham.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
DAUGHTERS PLAN TO
UNVE|L BOULDER At
TUSCALOOSA IN MAY
Alabama u. ID. C. Will Hon.
or Memory of University
Men Who Went to Front
in the Sixties
BY FIRED :. sTIekNE,

University, December S.-(SpecialD
Plans of the Alabama division of the
United Daughters of the Confederacy
for the erection of a monumental boul-
der honoring the memory of the stu
dents of the university who went to tho
front during the civil war and also
those who took part in the defense of
Tuscaloosa against Croxton,s raiders on
April 3, 1S65. are wen under way and
it is probable that the stone will be
unveiled at the next meeting of the
L. u. C., which will be held in Tusca-
loosa in May
The monument that has been decided
upon is monolith of Georgia grey
granite, six feet high, five feet wide.
and five feet thick Upon the stone will
be fastened a bronze tablet with an in
scription in raised letters. The boulder
will he placed on the site of the old
rotunda, which was destroyed along
with practically all the university
buildings by Croxtons raiders in 1865.
on account of its prominent position
just about the center of the campus
proper and in the middle of the main
driveway which dill divide to pass on
each side of it, the boulder will be seen
by almost every visitor to the univer-
stty
In addition to this boulder, the
Daughters, at a later date. propose also
to place a memorial window in Clark
hail.
The arrangements for the boulder are
! being made by a committee consisting
Of President George II. Denny of the
university, DR.. Eugene A. Smith. DR..
Thomas NJ. owen and Mrs. Ellen Peter
Bryce.
President Denny announces that he
has received subscriptions to the boul-
der fund from the following alumni.
James Robert Maxwell r. n. G.
Snow, Robson Brown, Frank NJ. Moody,
DR.. j. T. SearcY. Caldwell Brothers, v
Hugo Friedman, Tuscaloosa John 7.
Cochrane, Edward w Faith, MOBILIZE r.
+. Manly, James Weatherly John II.
Frye, Ivey T.. Lewis, Robert Jemison.
Jr., Birmingham; }. NJ. Foster, Judge w
IS. Thornston, Montgomery; Henry
Pearson, New York J. J. Willet, Annis-
ton; j. O. Banks. Eutaw, Col Hilary a.
Herbert. Washington, Adhemar Brady.
Titusville Fla; r. T.. Spragns, Hunts
Vile; II. p. Morrssett. Lower Peach
tree; j. w Beeson, Meridian, Miss:
Judge j. r. Dowdell. Lafayette; W. L.
Lee, Columbia; Judge a. +. Pace. Doth
an: j. l.. Mcconnell. Centre; w w.
Campbell. Tnskegee: j. NJ. Francis. De-
troit Mich. Lloyd NJ. Hooper, Selma.
The average contribution has been a
little in excess of S. 1t is believed that
many other alumni viii desire to help
I'm this great patriotic undertaking.
More than fourth of the amount
needed has been raised.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
STUDENTS TO GET TWO
ADDITIONAL HOLIDAYS

The board of education yesterday de-
cided to give two days additional as hon-
day recess for the teachers and student
body of the schools. At a meeting of the
board the question was discussed and it
was decided to make no change in dates
originally set, but to add two more days
vacation after Christmas. The vacation
will begin December 10 and school Will
resume December 81.
1t was announced by President John
L. Parker of the board of education that
in this way the schools will be closed two
days more than had been previously
agreed upon.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
f FA|RFAX HARRISON
.HEADSC.,N. 0. ZIP.
Elected at Meeting of Direc-
tors at Cincinnati
POWELL A DIRECTOR
Succeeds Finley on the Board-Harri-
son Gives Out Brief Statement.
Says Administration Policy
Will Be Continued

Fairfax Harrison was elected presi-
dent of the Cincinnati. New Orleans and
Texas Pacific railroad to succeed the
late w. W. Finley yesterday at meet
ing of the directors, held in Cincinnati
At that meeting Thomas c. Powell was
elected a director to succeed Mr. Fin
ley The election of Mr.. Powell as direc
tor of the line over which he has been
operating vice president for some time
will be received here with interest.
The election of Mr.. Harrison was
generally expected, as the line is a
part of the Queen and Crescent route,
which is operated by the Southern Rail-
way company. After his election Mr.
Harrison made brief statement to the
effect that there would be no change in
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
PRESIDENT PALMER
VISITS FA|RF IELD
AND INSPECTS PLANT
Head of American Steel and
Wire Co. Spends Day Here.
Is Accompanied by
Several Officials

After inspecting the American Steel and
Wire company plant at Fairfield, accom-
panied by a party of officials of that
company President w. p. Palmer left
here last night for the east lie spent
practically all of yesterday at Fairfield
going over the properties there with min
ute attention to details Later he called
on George Gordon Crawford president OF
the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad
company, and the two presidents had a
chat lasting some time. Later Mr.
Palmer and his party We're shown over
the city.
The party included Mr.. Palmer, c. L.
Miller, vice president; j. S. Keith, vice
presidents f. E. Stone. general purchas-
ing agent and f. Backus, general sales
Wire company.
Mr. Palmer was extremely well pleased
with the progress of work on the plan
at Fairfield. He was well pleased that
he expressed the opinion that the work
here had been done with remarkable
speed. He said that he did not have any
offhand statements to make as to the
opening of the plant, but could not see
any reason To anticipate any change from
the original plan which was to open the
plant about January 8 or l. That is the
accepted official time for the beginning
of operations at the Fairfield plant
The party of officials, after spending
the day here and at Fairfield, left last
night on a private car of the Elgin,
Joliet and Eastern railroad
The trip here at this time has no spe-
cial significance. Mr.. Palmer has been
engaged in looking over the various
plants lately in the east and north and
came down here on the inspection trip
at this time TO avoid a special trip later
He completed the inspection tour with a
look at the Fairfield plant
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
Whipped Inhuman Stepfather

Anniston, December Especially
Having numerically whipped his ,
year-old stepehild. John William Henry
Reid has been confined in the Calhoun
county jail and will have a hearing
before Probate Judge Arnold Friday.
This is despite the fact that Reid has
already been punished outside the law
for his offense by indignant citizens.
who administered the lash to him with
hickory switch. lie Is said to have
consented to this, provided that the
matter would not be taken to law
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
NEW PIPE PLANT AT BOYLES
OPENS EARLY NEXT MONTH

The National Cast Iron Pipe company
plant at Boyles will begin operations
about January ). Announcement to this
effect was made yesterday by A. II. Ford,
president of the company. The plant will
employ 500 workmen most of whom will
reside at Boyles and a large number will
200 tons of iron per day.
The plant is being rapidly completed
and the machinery is now being installed.
1t is stated that operations will begin
just as soon as possible and the officials
think the first week in January will be
about the exact time The plant has been
financed by local money exclusively and
represents an outlay of 100000. The COM
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-09
DECATURS PLAN FOR
BANKERS MEETING

Decatur. December Especial The
Alabama Bankers convention meets in
the Decaturs ON May -. 3 aud Il. and
already there is much activity among
the local bankers i'm preparing an en-
tertainment for the visitors when they
come. The various committees have just
been appointed and are now actively
at work on the arrangements.