davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-29
BIG REDUCTION IN LOCAL RATES
IF BY-PRODUCT GAS is ALLOWED
FORMAL PROPOSAL FOR
REDUCTION OF RATES

Following is the formal letter to the city
commission proposing to reduce gas rates
in birmingham
Birmingham, January Is, 1914.
Hon. George b. Ward, President: Hon.
A. o. Lane, Hon. James Weatherly,
Board of Commissioners of the City
of Birmingham:
"Gentlemen-Making further reference
to the question of gas rates and the quail
ity of gas to be supplied, as discussed
with you by Mr. Bullock, you understand
that we are now negotiating with the
Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad COM
pany for supply of by-product gas un-
der contract covering a term of years,
by which we are to receive gas of an
average heat value of 525 b. T. T. and a
guaranteed minimum heat value of 500 b.
t. L. This quality of gas will be equal
ly as efficient for heating and fuel pur-
poses as that now required by existing
municipal ordinance. and will also be
equally valuable for illuminating pur-
poses If Welsbach or other like improved
gas mantels are used.
I'VE hope to be able to supply this gas
within six months.
I'm the event an agreement can be
reached with the Tennessee Coal. Iron
and Railroad company. we will obligate
ourselves to begin to deliver gas soon
as we receive the gas from the Tennes-
see Coal, Iron and Railroad company, and
to sell this gas for the first year at the
following rates, viz:
For the first 250o0 cubis feet monthly
consumption, or any part thereof, so cents
gross per thousand; net, IS cents per
thousand.
For the first 5000 cubic feet monthly
consumption, or any part thereof. 10 cents
gross per thousand; 20 cents net per thou
sand.
For the third and fourth 5000 cubic
feet monthly consumption. or any part
thereof, 20 cents gross per thousand; 10
cents net per thousand.
For all monthly consumption in excess
of 100000 cubic feet, Go cents gross per
thousand; 60 cents net per thousand.
1.-The rates last mentioned we will re-
duce both as to the gross and net by
10 cents per thousand for each of the sew
eral quantities mentioned after the first
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-29
MORRIS MANAGEROF
BELL COMPANY HERE
Appointed Yesterday by G.
r. KnOx-TurnbulI Goes
to Atlanta

George II. Knox, recently appointed
district superintendent of the Southern
Bell Telephone ard Telegraph company.
yesterday announced tho appointment of
Richard o. Morris as manager for Bir-
mingham The changes follow the recent
promotion of D. +. Turnbull, who becomes
division superintendent with headquarters
in Atlanta.
Mr.. Morris has been associated with
Mr.. Turnbull in the local offices for the
past eight years, and is regarded as an
exceptionally capable telephone man. ,ts
is a native of Virginia Is a cousin OF
DR.. Lewis Coleman Morris of Birmng-
ham, and has made many friends during
his residence in Birmingham.
Mr.. Turnbull will leave this afternoon
for Atlanta. He was yesterday formally
elected division superintendent for the
company in charge Of two states. ALAG
bama and Georgia.
News of the promotion of Mr. "urnbull
to the higher post was received mere with
intense qualification by his friends who
regretted. however, his necessary change
OF headquarters.
Mr.. Turnbull said yesterday when he
was saying farewell to some friends that
his long residence in birmingham and
the pleasant friendships that had grown
from year to year made In extremely diff
ficult for him to leave this city. He said.
however, that from time to time he would
be back here as this exchange will be
In his territory.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-29

year, and beginning with the third year
We Will make sun TURNER reduction OIL
10 cents per thousand both in the gross
and net prices. so that curing and after
the tnlro year the gross anu net prices
VIII be as follows:
For the nrst 1900 cubic feet monthly
consumption, or any part thereof, ~ cents
gross per thousand; % cents net per thou
sand
"tor the second 25o00 cubic feet monthly
consumption, or any part thereof, 10 cents
gross per thousand; 90 cents net per
tnousand.
For the third and fourth 5000 cubic
feet monthly consumption. or any part -
thereof, 90 cents gross per thousand; 10
cents net per thousand.
For all monthly consumption in excess
of 100000 cubic feet 40 cents gross per
thousand, 40 cents net per thousand.
In the event within the first year or
the contract an average uaily consump-
ton of 2,250,0O0 cubic feet shall be attained
prior to the expiration of the year, the
rates mentioned for the second year VIII
then be installed, and in the event that
within the second year OF the contract an
average daily consumption OF S,oVo'uo
cubic feet shall be attained before che
expiration of that year the rates for the
third and subsequent years shall be IN
stalled.
The net rates will be the price after de-
Quoting the prevailing discount or
cents per thousand for monthly consump-
ton when paid within 10. days after the
rendition of the bill
Pending our further negotiations, we
would like to know whether you would
be willing to enter into a new contract
in lieu of the existing contract ana lor
a term of three years in excess OF the
existing contract for a supply OF gas TO
the inhabitants of the city OF the qualty
and at the prices mentioned. Our reason
for asking for an extension OF the CON
tract is in order to secure contract Win
the city for term equal to the term OF
the contract proposed to be secured from
the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad
company.
I'VE may with propriety add that II we
are able to carry out this plan we VIII
have established the lowest gas rates III
the entire south, and very much lower
than the average rate prevailing In TINS
country, and 1t is our opinion that the
rates suggested will be effective In at
tracing Industries and an industrial pop
ulation to the city. Very respectfully
yours, A H. fohD'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-29
-YOU.ENTER
SYSTEM MONDAY ON
FOUNTAIN HEIGHTS
All B. R., L. & P. Co. Lines
to Be Changed Gradually.
AyOndale and Fountain
Heights Lines One

The first pay-as-you-enter cars of the
Birmingham Railway. Light and Power
company will be placed in service next
Monday. The first line to De so equipped
will be the Fountain Heights line, which
will, after next Monday, be a connected
line with Avondale. The cars from Foun-
tain Heights will be operated to Avondale
and from Avondale on through to Foun-
tain Heights
George Bullock, president of the own
ing company; J. S. Previer of the Amer
lean Cities and General Manager DeWindt
of the Birmingham Railway, Light and
Power company inspected the cars that
have been equipped with the pay-as-you-
enter boxes at the car barns yesterday.
They were pleased with the work and
the attachment made to the cars. They
believe the innovation will not only be
efficient but that the public generally will
be we'll pleased with the new innovation.
1t was announced that the additional
cars will be equipped with pay-as-you-
enter boxes just as soon as possible and
that other lines will be equipped with
this system until all of them are SO
equipped.
In regard to the consolidation of the
Fountain Heights-Avondale lines as are
the North and South Highlands lines ths
following statement was given out:
"The line to Avondale and the line to
Fountain Heights will, after next Monday
be operated as one line. The cars will
be operated from terminal to terminal
just as the North and South Highlands
are now operated. This has been agreed
/ upon:
From Fountain Heights to Avondale-
In on Eighth avenue to Nineteenth street
to Sixth avenue, thence to Twentieth
street and thence to Avenue F through
the heart of the city. Thence on Avenue
f tc terminus.
From Avondale this is the roue-In on
Twenty street to Second avenue
Thence to Twentieth street, thence tc
Sixth avenue, thence to Nineteenth street
to Eighth avenue and thence out Eighth
avenue to Fountain Heights, as now ar
ranged.
This system will be more efficient, ii
is believed, and will be in every respect
better"
This change is the first announced by
the company in connection with the re-
routing of cars as announced sometime
ago. The company hopes to effect several
changes which will be advantageous to
the patrons generally.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-29
RECOMMEND ENTERING
RESERVE BANK SYSTEM

That the directors OF the JeHerSoh
County Savings bank had recommended
to the stockholders that the bank enter
the new reserve bank system was an
nounced yesterday by Eugene F. Ensien'
president of that institution. He said
that while this action was not final he
was of the opinion that the recommenda-
tions made would be approved by the
stockholders and that the jefferson Coun-
ty bank would enter the system.
While only four local banks have finally
decided and have applied for membership,
the others have signifed an interest In
the scheme and are at this time working
out the details for the information OF the
stockholders. 1t is believed that practically
every bank in the city will enter the re-
serve system
1t was stated yesterday by Mr.. Enslen
that it was his hope to be in the new
home not later than April l, or perhaps a
week or two earlier than that date.
The work. he said, was going forward
rapidly and although it was an immense
Job the contractors were progressing sat
isfactorily.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-29
B. .R.,L.&P. CO. GIVES
CITY $4,000 CHECK
Valves Exemption From Ii.
cense Tax-COmmissiOners
Appreciate New Spirit

The Birmingham Railway. Light and
Power company yesterday gave the city
comptroller a check for $50 900. 1t was
the money which the corporation recently
agreed to pay the city for the license
tax, having voluntarily waived the ex-
emption from this tax given them by the
state law.
Money at the present time looks good
to the city commissioners. Hence they
We're happy last night. Many corpora
tions, 1t Is stated, paying $4,000 checks
into the city treasury would soon have
some effect on the enormous deficit which
has been piling up every day for the past
several years.
While members of the commission pre-
ferred not to be quoted, IL is known that
they are very favorably impressed with
the spirit of cooperation and friendll-
ness that the new management of the
Birmingham Railway, Light and Power
company has shown toward the city IN
the past few weeks. There Is no doubt
but what President Bullock of the United
Gas has made very favorable impress
sion upon the city administration In his
two visits to this city.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-29
INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL
BOARD MEETS TODAY

The board of control of the Alabama
Boys Industrial school VIII meet to-
ing will be at 10 o'clock this morning
at the Y. w. c. A., and In the after
noon the board will meet at the school.
The board viii elect officers for the
ensuing year and will hear reports.
Superintendent Weakley will make mis-
annual report of the work done dur
ing the year.
The members of the board are Mrs.
r. ID. Johnston Mrs. A. A. Nelson. Mrs.
r. G. Bush, Mrs. Phares Coleman, Mrs.
Joseph McLester, Mrs. Irwin Craig
head of Mobile and Mrs. Thomas M.
Owen of Montgomery. The governor.
the attorney general and the secretary
of agriculture are ex-officio members
of the board.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-29
Real Estate Transfers

The following transfers of real estate
were recorded yesterday in the office OF
the probate judge
s5Ooe-L. ]. Duncan to Elizabeth c. Dun
can. lots l and 2. in block 24-J, Ensley
Land company's fifth addition to Ensley
sl6sO-J. r. Houston to William Il. Dono-
van, lots II. is and 10, according to the
map of the Thomas McAdory lands in
jefferson county.
S2750-Milner Land company to Miss
Sarah Arnall, lot 36. in block 9. Miner
Land company's first addition to Birming-
ham.
$sOO0-Miss Sarah Arnall to j. Beecher
Adams, lot 26, in block q Miner Land
company's first addition to Birmingham.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-29
incorporation

$4OOO-Cardiff Mining company; officers,
Luther B. Pettiford. Birmingham, presi-
dent; Charles Hodge, Cardiff, general
manager; w. r. Pettiford, Birmingham,
secretary and treasurer.
$20O0-P. f. Cheek Real Estate and In
surance company. located in Birmingham.
Officers. p. e. Cheek, Birmingham, presi-
dent and treasurer: f. M. Cheek. vice
president and secretary.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-29
SELMA MAYOR SAYS
UNDERWOOD WILL WIN

]. l.. Clay, mayor of Selma, winch he
declared was the real metropolis of Ala
ba1na, was here yesterday. He said that
in Dallas county last year there was a
greater amount of cotton raised than In
any county in any state of the whole
SOUTH Mr.. Clay referred to the senatorial
race by saving that Mr.. Underwood would
receive a large majority. Mr.. Clay said
that Mr.. Hobson would find that his
efforts in this state were unavailing so
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-29
PARK EXPERT CONFERS
WITH NICHOLSON

w, H. Manning, the public park eX-
pert who has come to the city with
President Bullock of the United Gas COM
pany. visited City Engineer Maury Nichol-
son yesterday and the two inspected GER
tain parts of the city in regard to the
city beautiful plans informally discussed
with the city commission Monday by MT
Manning.
Mr. Nicholson is to make report to
the city commissioners as to exactly what
Mr.. Manning's scheme is and how it
applies here and any recommendations
he may see fit This report is expected
today.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-29
Furniture Men Meet Tomorrow

The Birmingham Retail Furniture Deal
ers association will hold its regular week.
German cafe of the Empire hotel r. B.
Broyles is on the programme as principal
speaker and he will be followed by E. D.
Brown, said to be the oldest furniture
dealer in the Birmingham district who is
now in the business r. w. Rawson,
president Of the association will preside
over the luncheon
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-29
!. b. WADSWORTH WILL
SPEAK HERE SUNDAY

j. B. Wadsworth, president of the Eto-
wah Trust and Savings company of
Gadsden. will speak at the Jefferson the
atre next Sunday afternoon at o'clock
to men only. Mr. Wadsworth's subject
will be "The Failure of a Rich Young
Man" Mr.. Wadsworth is well known in
Birmingham, where he resided for num-
Der of years. He has been prominent
for many years in church and Sunday
school affairs. There will be special
music
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-29
PERSONAL

George Acheson. manager of the travel
ers' credit department of Brown Brothers
& Co., of New York, was here yesterday
as the guest of Eugene F. Enslen. Mr..
Acheson was shown view of the scity
by Mr. Enslen from tine Press club cafe
on the top OF the Jefferson County bank
building. lie was much impressed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-29
AUTO is STOLEN
Machine Belonging to JemisOn Com
pany Disappears

An automobile belonging to the Jemison
Real Estate and Insurance company was
stolen last night about 3 o'clock while
standing in front of the residence of Mai.
e. M. Tutwier. The tracks indicated
that the car went south from the Tutwiler
residence.
1t was black five-passenger Ford car,
bearing the number 2a6. 1t had the top
down, had two extra tires on the rear
and the lower half of the wind shield was
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-29
MORNING MEDLEY OF
DAYS DOINGS IN CITY

far as promotion In the service of the
people is concerned.
Birmingham is quite nice place, salo
Mayor clay. However, Selma is the
onl, town in the state I am glad to be
here from time to time but for good liv-
ing give me Selma every time
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-29
King at Republic

Jere c. King. candidate for Congress
from the Ninth district. spoke in the in
terests of his candidacy last night at
Republic to an audience of $50. Mr. King
also advocated the election of Oscar W.
Underwood to the United states Senate.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-29
Prosecution and Defense
Rest-Only Arguments
Remain To Be Heard
BARTON CHARGES
HE WAS ASSAULTED
Claims Defendant Beat Him While in
County Jail-0ther Prisoners Con-
tradict Him-Rooney Takes Stand
and Denies Everything

Evidence was concluded last night at
1880 O'Clock in the trial of James
Rooney. alias Harry Petit. alias New
York Harry" in the first division of
the criminal court and the arguments
to the jury Will oegin this morning
at o'clock. Assistant Solicitor Hugh
Locke will make the opening argument
for the state; Ben Davis will open for
the defense; White Gibson win follow
and Circuit Solicitor ]. r. Tate will
close the arguments. The case will go
to the jury today.
AT 7;45 last night Rooney took the
stand in his own behalf. Quietly but
firmly he denied all connection with
the Miller Duncan gang; denied killing
Officer Kirkley; denied being in Bir-
mingham at that time and that he was
not and had never been known as New
York Harry" until arrested and brought
to Birmingham for trial. To all ques-
tions as to former convictions and i'm
prisonments he testified freely and
while he never admitted his guilt in
any of them he admitted that he had
been convicted and served his punish
rent for such crimes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-29
Only One aBROMo QUININE.

To get the genuine. call for full name,
LAXATIVE BROMO QUININE. Look
for signature of e. w. GROVE. Cures
Gold in One Day. 25c.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-29
CAPITALISTS BACK
AFTER INSPECTION
Directors of Alabama Com
pany Look Over Proper
ties at Gadsden

After an inspection of the operations
at Ironton ana Gadsden made yesterday.
Hennings Jennings of Washington, ]. T.
Perkins of Washington and Berkley Will
liams of Richmond, directors of the Ala
bama company, returned to the city last
night. They will spend most of today
in Birmingham and the suburbs. The
officials are making close study of the
general physical condition or the prop
critics in Birmingham and this district
In company with Harry w. Coffin and
~. e. Leake, co-receivers for the Ala
bama company properties They are we'll
pleased with the inspection as far as it
has gone and will doubtless have favor
able reports to make in connection with
this trip.
The three directors have been here
twice in the past and all of them seem
to be quite impressed with the possibili-
ties of this district. 1T is believed by
those interested in the outcome of the
Alabama company situation that the
finest showing ever made by the company
will be made rs this year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-29
p Licenses


The folloj riage licenses were
yesterday Il the office of the
probate judBet
Jean l.. Dan Rle, to Miss Nora
George.
R. Z. Ritch lgham, to Miss
Patsy Adams.
T. P. Fitzgeral nam, to Miss
Minnie E. McWh|
w. s. Adams. I'm, to Miss
Leah Graham.
4 G. H. Robinson, a., to MISS
AAlma Kirkpatrick.
James Carr. Cardiff aggie M.
lrin9ey.
JUmes F. Echols. HI ss Aida
norwood.
o. P. Traylor. LodI IL ellie s.
Duffie. &
w. T. Kiziah. woodstock Iteila
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-29
Denies Making Confession

He denounced the statements of the
various ex-convicts who swore to al
legged confession he had made while
in prison false
why should | have made such state
ments?' he asked. In reference to the
testimony of Barton. the one-armed
federal prisoner. who swore that
Rooney was a crack shot and could
burst dime at so PAGES" the de-
1endant made the only attempt at lev
ity when in reply to question if it
was true he could hit a dime at 80
PAGES he replied with smile: Il don't
think l could hit balloon at so PAGES
and be sure of it,"
The state consumed the greater time
while he was on the stand in cross
questioning him about former offenses
and beyond asking him a few questions
relative to his being a member of the
Duncan Miller gang and his alleged
connection with the shooting of the
two policemen brought out nothing on
the cross examination that actually
connected the defendant with the crime
number of photographs taken at
various times by the prison authorities
were submitted but on objection of
cluded with one or two exceptions A
kit of burglar tools offered in evil
dcnce by the state was overruled on
the grounds that the defendant had
admitted serving time for the burglary
and that that was not an issue in the
case.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-29
Denies Assaulting Barton

In regard to an alleged difficulty
with George Barton in the Jail Rooney
denied assaulting him but admitted
calling him down for coming to tes-
tity against him. and said that he OBJ
Jected to Barton calling him Harry"
when he knew his name was Jim.
With the testimony of Rooney the
defense closed its case. The only wit
ness in rebuttal presented by the state
was Albert Stratford, former chief
deputy sheriff, who testified to a scar
on the defendants lip when brought
here for trial in 1907. He was asked
to examine the defendant as to the
scar. which he said had disappeared.
Sensational charges were made yester
day against Rooney by Barton, who was
brought from Mobile, where he Is fed
eral prisoner to testify in the trial.
Barton stated that about 1880 o'clock
yesterday morning Rooney forced his
way into his cell at the county Jail
calling him foul names, assaulted him
with his fists and kicked him three
times. He stated Rooney accused him
of coming to Birmingham for the pur-
pose of swearing falsely against him
in the hope of securing a pardon for
himself Judge Fort ordered Sheriff
McAdory to make an investigation of
the alleged charges and report to him
the status of the affair.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-29
Prisoners Contradict Barton

Later during the trial four prison.
ers confined in the county Jail ap-
pearing in court and flatly denied Bar
tons charges as to the assault. They
stated, however, that Rooney did ap-
proach Barton and shook his finger in
his face and accused him of joining
the other pardoned safe blowers in
swearing falsely against him in the
hope he would get pardon himself.
They further testified that Barton
stated he did not know Rooney as New
York Harry" The four prisoners .weer
C. r. Allen. Cullen Ray N. ID. Jones
and r. S. Tefelteller. There was some
confliction in their testimony but the
main facts were the same. Judge Fort
stated he would go further In the de-
tails of the alleged assault later.
AS was the case on Tuesday the state
introduced several alleged former
pals" of Rooney and prison associates
who swore that the prisoner was New
York Harry" and that at various times
he had confessed to them that he got
two bulls" (policemen) in Birming
ham.
The first witness yesterday morning
Was c. T. Wofford who was cashier of
the Standard Oil company at the time
the safe was blown He identified a
wallet taken from the safe which is
figuring in the trial. John Rowlett,
desk sergeant of police at the time the
two policemen were killed. testified to
havig a light overcoat and other ar
ticles placed in his charge shortly after
the murder.
Mickey Bremen identified the pris-
oner as the man he saw with other
members of the Miller and Duncan
gang in O'Hare's saloon few days
previous to the murder
c. e. Baldwin testified to have seen
a man wearing a light overcoat rum
ming down Third avenue just after the
two officers were shot.
w. A. Disheroon testified to hav-
ing seen the defendant with other
members of the Miller and Duncan gang
several days before the shooting
BOdeker Testifies
George H. Bodeker was questioned
at length about the details of the shoot
ing and Its subsequent developments
and of the arrest and conviction of
Miller and Duncan. He told of con-
yersation he had had with Rooney after
his acuuittal on the charge of safe
blowing and robbery in which he said
ne believed the prisoner was New York
Harry" and that he was guilty of COM
pl;city in the murder of the two off
GERS, to which Rooney replied he knew
potbine about ii. He told of the iden-
tification of Miller and Duncan by Po-
liceman Adams and of Duncan's denial
OF the crime.
John Il. O'Donnell. recently released
1C0ntinued On Page Eighty