The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-09
NEW DECATUR
Southern Bell Taking Over the Busi- ness of American Telephone and Tel egraph Company-SynOd of Alabama COnvenes Today

New Decatur. November S.-(Special) G. l.. Smith. manager for the past two years here of the American Telephone and Telegraph company, will remain as local manager of that company, and also ing. over the local exchange and business of the A. T. X T. Co.,, under the provis- ions of the franchise recently granted by New Decatur council to the Southern Bell. MT Smith made this announce ment today on his return from Atlanta, where he had gone to confer with high telephone officials. J.. B. Cassels will remain as district manager of the South ern Bell MT. Smith announced that for the present no change would be made in the telephone service furnished the De- caturs, the long distance business con- tinuing to be handled by the American company, and the local business by the Southern Bell, except that the contracts of the latter company would be sub- stituted for those of the former They are identical. Eleven employees of the A. T. X T. will be placed on the South ern Bell pay roll, but their duties will be th. same as before.
 The synod of Alabama will convene here tomorrow night at Westminster Presbyterian church, and will be opened by the address of Rev. s. G. McCluney Of Gadsden, the moderator. Organiza- tion will follow, then adjournment. The principal business of the synod will be transacted Wednesday. Already the ad- vance guard of delegates is coming in, and 1t is expected that about 100 lay men and ministers will be in attendance. Sunday Rev. George J. s. Browne, secre- tary of the American Bible society, oc- cupied the pulpit of Westminster church. He stated during his discourse that more than 6,00O.00O Bibles had been printed and distributed by the society during the past year.
 Col. Christopher J. Hidreth, editor and owner of the New Decatur Advertiser, dean of the local newspaper corps foi~ mer president of the Alabama Press as sociation. and one of the best known newspaper men of the state, celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of his marriage here Sunday with dinner at a local ho- tel. Only members of the immediate family, including a number from other states, were present. Colonel Hildreth is receiving congratulations from many friends.
 J. R. White of Hartselle. who was se- riously injured when his Studebaker Six derailed street car in collision here Ae'sO prove. MT. White stated today that he was compelled to ram the car or to, be run down by it, and that he accepted the former alternative as the only means of saving his life. Three other members of the party escaped serious injury.
 Local good roads enthusiasts are pre- pairing to send strong delegation to Nashville on November 10, at which time the Jackson highway will be routed It is expected that at least half a hum dred persons will go from Morgan and some of them will make the trip over land by auto. A brief outlining the ad- vantages of the ''bee line" route, with especial reference to the counties of Giles, in Tennessee; Morgan, Limestone. Cullman and Jefferson in Alabama, has been prepared and forwarded to Nash vile by committee composed of Hon. Samuel Blackwell w. A. McCalla and Judge William F. Skeggs of the Deca- turs. and Hon. w. T. Sanders of Athens.