davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-17

For the purpose of accepting an of fer for the manufacture of 50.000 how itzer shells to be used by the armies of England and France. the Southern Mu- nitions corporation, organized by James Mitchell, has been endeavoring to raise capital in amount sufficient to equip the necessary electrical furnace.
 It is announced that there is hope that plans may materialize, although a wire received by an official of the Alabama Power company from MT. Mitchell yesterday afternoon, declared that nothing definite had been achieved. It is announced as true, however. that the citizens of Anniston have raised $1o0,00o for the purpose of taking stock in the proposed enterprise. and that if the scheme goes through, the new fur mace will be constructed with the old car plant as nucleus. in Anniston.
 The offer for the shells came from J. F. Morgan & Co of New York, and was one of a series made to various manufacturing companies throughout the United States. On November 6, as is re- membered. J. P. Morgan & Co., closed contract with the General Railway Sig nal company of Rochester for shells. to be delivered on or before December 1. 1916, the total cost to be $7,000.000. The contract offered the Southern Munitions corporation calls for 50,000 12-inch how itZer shells, to be delivered in April. May and June of 1916, and to be paid for at the rate of $19 per shell. or in a sum approximating $950,000.
 If the plant is established, it will be. of course, a permanent business enter prise and will be busied in the future not only in the manufacture of shells for purposes of war, but finished prod ucts of various natures. It will be the fulfilment of a need, it is said, which this district has long felt-a plant ca pablo of transmitting natural produces into finished products.
 . It is said that several local captains of industry have tentatively agreed to
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-17

ing put in shape. It contains most of the steel lathes available in the south and is we'll adapted to the needs.
 The tentative contract calls for 50, 000 12-inch shells and was contingent on acceptance by noon Monday. The Alabama Power company had put up $150,000 to found the company. An other s100,000 was needed to lease the old car works and to finance the com pany while the first lot of shells were being manufactured. It was made plain that time was the essence of the whole contract and that it was necessary to accept the contract by noon Monday of this week, as the option expired on that date and time. But the accept ance of the option on the order could not be obtained without the whole amount of S200,000 being raised
 "The contract for the shells Is very elastic. It contains a clause stating if the war should end at any time the government will pay for all shells that may be on hand and give the com pany a profit of S1.90 on each.
 'It was pointed out that even if the war in Europe did stop immediately after the completion of the first or der for shells, which is highly improb- able, there would be enough profit to prevent loss and there was the chance that Uncle Sam would place an order with the company TOT sneliS fto carry out the preparedness programme.
 There has been much criticism by army officers recently of the fact that all the munitions manufacturing com panies are now located along the sea board within easy striking distance of an enemy, and there is real necessity of an inland plant or several of them
 "A further reason that the plant will be a permanent thing in Anniston is that the Alabama Power compay has promised unqualifiedly to install an electric furnace at the car works for the manufacture of the hard steel used on shells and for the hardest kind of steel that can be made. In the event there is no hitch in the pro gramme as mapped out at present the company will manufacture hard steel for tools. surgical instruments, etc, In addition to shells"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-17

enter into the new enterprise, and that the naturalization of the plans Is awaited in industrial circles with feverish impatience.
 Information regarding the munitions plant was also given out in Anniston yesterday with slight variation from the information secured in Birming- ham. The following dispatch was re- oeived from The Age -Heralds Anniston correspondent last night:
 "Anniston, November 16.-(Special.) Announcement was made here this after noon of the acceptance of a S1,000,00o order for the manufacture of war munitions by the Anniston Ordnance Manufactur- ing company for the British govern ment The project has been pending for sometime. It was definitely sub mitted to the Anniston Chamber of Commerce last Friday and s66.000 to- ward a necessary $100,O00 was sub scribed in 80 minutes, the balance hav- ing been raised since.
 "The details of the movement have been kept quiet but premature and unauthorized dispatches sent out from Gadsden today caused the release Of the story here.
 '1n the event the deal is consum- mated the company will occupy the old car plant of the Illinois Car and Equipment company, which Is now be-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-17
FOR SPICE COMPL THATTHEY HAVE BEEN SPOOFED
Tried In Vain to Find Show Against Which Commis- sion Directed Dras-
 tic Ordinance

Are there any immoral or lewd or other wise offensive shows in Birmingham?
 This question was regarded as pertinent yesterday when the city commission adopted An ordinance, at the suggestion of Commissioner Barber. providing that managers of theatres in which lewd or immoral shows are permitted, as well as actors. may be arrested and fined--and the license of such theatre revoked.
 Because of the rather mild nature of Birmingham entertainment. surprise was the result of the adoption of the ordi- nance Commissioner Barber was asked to explain.
 Was your ordinance the result of con- plaint?" he was asked.
 T have heard complaint" was his re- ply.
 Against any certain theatre? and a certain theatre was mentioned
 The commissioner inclined his head.
 T have. had complaint against that theatre-and others,'' he finally said.
 He was then asked if his ordinance was directed against any certain theatre. He replied in the negative. It was pre- pared. he said. to deal with all of them, or to serve in emergencies.
 The news that a drastic "anti-bad- show" ordinance had been adopted. caused considerable excitement among boys and blase old boys. and it is said that a search for the offendinf joint" was instituted
 It is said. too, that the searchers finally gave up in disgust complaining that the commission had "spoofed" them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-17
|C|TY COMMISSION ID
 MEET INFORMALLY AT ENSLEY MONDAY
No Fixed Programme Pre- pared-TO Get In Closer Touch With Outlying
 Sections

The commission on Monday afternoon at 3 o'clock will sit fin informal session with the citizens of Ensiey.
 Just what the programme will be is unknown. George B. Ward, president of the commission. said yesterday afternoon that there would be no programme, but he admitted that in all probability the people would shake hands with the com missioners and say something, gentle or Ingentle, according to the disposition of the speaker.
 The commission is preparing to get in closer touch with the people of the out lying district. It Is declared that din- ner would be out of the question sonS ac- count of the number of commissioners ard candidates-and people. And another argument against the dinner idea was advanced in the fact that as a result of the activity of the Rev. Brooks Lawrence banuuets are not as pleasant or as eff fective as in the day before all men were moral.
 Each succeeding Monday the comnis- sioners will visit suburb It is thought probable that in the long run. some pro- gramme will be adopted. But at present the commissioners will simply meet the people. talk with them, hear their com plainte and profit from their sugges- tiors.
 Inc innovation is the direct result of a movement by Commissioner Barber. all though in his campaign some years ago Mir Ward declared that the plan was good enc and should be put into effect. Yesterday he said:
 ''This government has long needed to get into closer touch with the people. The commissioners are hopeful that the residents of the various suburbs will ap- pear and talk frankly on any subject in which they are interested. We want to hes complaints if there are any reas- ons why complaints hould be made. We wans suggestions. In other words. we want to hear the people, talk with them, learn the sentiment and prepare ourselves to act accordingly wherever expedient."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-17
ADDITIONAL PLANS FOR ELECTRIC WEEK Meeting Held Yesterday At B. R., L. & P. Building to
 Systematize Work

At a meeting of the electrical men held at the Birmingham Railway. Light and Power company building yesterday aft ernoon at o'clock, additional plans for electrical week were discussed at length by more than 30 members of the various committees who were present.
 Tn. plans for the big show from Mo- vember 29 to December 24 have been /completed, and the meeting of yester- day was for the purpose of systematic ing the work of each committee. Differ- ent stunts to be pulled off that week were discussed by those present. and every indication points to one of the big eesr electric carnivals that has ever been held in the south. The most noticeable feature of the meeting was the willing ness and earnestness of those present to get out and hustle to make the Bir- fningham show the finest that can pos sibly be gotten up. The committee of arrangements reported a generous re- sponse from all the jobbers and mer- chants in the electrical business in the Birmingham district In speaking of the progress made thus far Frank Hammond, local chairman of the general commit tee. said:
 T am delighted to see so many of the business people in the city enthused over the idea of real electrical week display. feW peOple TedllZo Wlldl lIilS SlOW VIII mean to Birmingham people as well as every one in the surrounding country. The city will be decorated in a wonder ful dress of thousands of electric lights Prices on various electric apparatus will be reduced and the best experts in the business will be on hand to demonstrate to the business man as well as to the housekeeper their merits. There will be any number of unique features connect ed with the show, and not dull moment will be spent by any one who wishes to see the wonders of electricity as well as its magnificent beauty when used prop- erly to display. Thus far there has not been a single hitch in our plans and we anticipate none. Everyone has entered into the spirit of the electrical show and its success is assured. It makes one feel good to see how quick the public of Birmingham is to grasp an opportunity of further exploiting the city and at the sayre time show everyone what a wonderful thing electricity is.''
 More than 50,000 small stickers with printing Of the electrical week upon them were received yesterday. Preparations for a publicity campaign have been made, and advertising will be in order for the few days between now and the opening day. Letters. circulars and data on what is to be done electrical week have teen sent broadcast throughout the state, and it is expected that Birmng- han, will be host to thousands of visitors begiT ming November 29.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-17
$16,ssS.941.44
TODAY'S EVENTS
At The Theatres

I,yric-Keith vaudeville Matinee at 2:30 D. m. Evening at 7:S0 and p. m Bijou-"The Deep Purple Matinee al 2:30 Evening at S:30 p. m.
 OrpEeum-Burlesque. Matinee at p. m Evening at 7:45 and p. m
 At The PhotOplay Houses Strand--Charley Cherry in ''The Mum. my and the Running Bird"
 Trianon-Nance O'Neal in "A woman Past Princess-Charles Chaplin in "A Night at the Show"
 Odeon One--'In the Hands of the Enemy"
 vaudette-"Lil Nowester." with Mary Fuller.
 Odeon Two-Charles Chaplin in "A Night at the Show.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-17
Likes Rotogravure

T cannot say too much in praise of the Rotogravure Section of The Age-Herald, :" said Sheriff Thomas J. Batson. During my recent illness I looked forward to each issue with increased interest as it presented current eveatss. in the most attractive manner that has ever come to my notice. The artistic beauty of the section. together with it's intensely inter esting and widely selected pictures. makes it a most valuable addition to the paper snd should increase it's circulation by many thousands
 Especially interesting are the war scenes as they give one clearer insight to the real conditions that prevail in the dreadful conflict that is being waged in Europe than all the reading matter that comes to my notice.
 T sincerely compliment the manage ment of The Age-Herald on acquiring such a splendid feature.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-17
Forward Moytng cltlren.

The PrOtectlVe Ilfe InSurance company, a conservative company from the begin ming. Birmingham organized and con trolled institution. is offering it's new and up-to-date policies from it's new home of fee building, on First avenue-in conn petition with all companies-to the for ward moving citizens of Birmingham. The way to buy Birmingham products is to talk about buying them and then to do it. Phone Main 4O65 and we will send either MT. E. P Bean, Mr. E. w. Bran don or Mr. Oscar Turner, our city repre- sentatives, to see you.-Adv.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-17
Marriage Licenses


 The following marriage licenses were issued yesterday at the clerks office of the probate court: Edgar A. McKeel. Bessemer. and Miss Florence Marie Stokey.
 Fred R. Dobbs, Bessemer, and Miss Polly Waldrop.
 Roy E. Wilkinson. woodlawn. and Mss Wina Mosley
 L. T. Goodwin, Oxmoor. and Miss Eula Lee Wills.
 E. M Burnes. woodlawn. and Miss Ethel Estell Kinnett.
 John Petros. Brookside, and Miss Helen Klesca
 P. D. Reese, West End, and Miss Buena Belle Smith
 Mabarn Doss. Bessemer. and Miss Lillie Quick.
 W, H. Dial. East Lake. and Miss Ruby Carter.
 H. Olson. AvOndaie. and Mrs. R. L Walker.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-17

F. H. Chamberlain, general man. ager of the Alabama Power com pany. last night stated most posi- lively that a munitions contract had not yet been closed by the in- terests he represents. Mir. Cham berlain added that no information had been given out by officers of the company. as they had none to give. He said negotiations had been pending but was fearful that pre- mature publication of their plans might endanger the success of the entire project.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-17
NOTICE

All members Wo0dlawn Fraternal lodge No. 525, A. F. & A. M., are re- quested to meet at our hall, 54O0 First avenue at 9:S0 o'clock today to attend the funeral of OurfbrOther, Capt. James dence, 4905 First avenue at 10 .. m.
 J. A. COLLINS. w. N. w, w. WHxTEIEI1Ds Seo'y.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-17
Real Estate Transfer

The following real estate transfer was recorded in the probate court yes- terday:
 $35OO--Lee c. Newman to Mrs. Mat tie B. Henderson. part of section 20 in township IT.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-17
Ineornorafion

Southern Silica Products company filed articles of incorporation in the probate court yesterday with capital stock of $50,000. Officers; Robert J. Underwood, Jr., secretary: and T. F. Rorebeck. vice president.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-17
DAN HAS THE RIGHT
 DOPE ON TAXATION

You've certainly got the right dope" said the reporter.
 'Tt is common knowledge" replied he in his easy, drawling voice, "everyone knows that the man who can least bear the burden of taxes pays the heaviest while the large property own CTS are lodging the natural respon sibilities of their citizenship in this city. I have been in business in this city for upward of 16 years and l am not speaking from hearsay but from actual Knowledge of the facts. am also q property owner and pay taxes. am proud to do so. I am glad to step up to the tax assessor and tell him just how much property I've got. However, there are many in this city who lack this pardonable pride and that answers the pertinent ques- tion of. what is the matter with Bir- min gham?'
 est music in the world. You're Kin Gred soul" said the now enthusiastic scrivener.
 Yes. and there's another place where there should be capitalization" said Dan.
 'Where is that?"
 There should be an equalization of the city privilege licenses" was the reply ''Of course. if it were possible. this form of revenue should be eliminated. but as 1t Is not polite at this time, care at least should be taken that equal treat ment should be given to all the mer- chants in the matter of paying the li- cense tax"
 What is there favoritism shown2
 ''I do not care to enter that phase of it. said Dan, smiling. "but would urge that the whole thing be systematized 90 that the merchants in the suburbs might secure the same treatment as the iner- chans in the center of town know a Nxy.s. ~~~1.~ l eral business and who pays privilege license on hardware. dry goods. shoes. soft drinks, groceries. fresh meats. crock cry and tobaccos. This merchant doeA gross business of s36000 year and yet pays approximately Si0o to the city in taxes. It is not fair to the small nier- chant to be taxed in that manner and the system should be revised So that the
 tCsntinuea eA Page EigAtA
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-17

How about a business man?
 This brought to mind the name of Dan Hogan.
 And thus the dramatis persona is intro- duced.
 Daniel Alexander Hogan. aged 37 years, born fin Bibb- county, but weaned away from that locality at the age of four. and brought to Birmingham where he settled amid the prospective slag piles with much eclat, whatever that is. Dan enjoyed all the hardships of the average American youth in that he went to all the public schools that were in the neigh borhood, including the High school and finally tried four years at Howard col lege at East Lake where he graduated with honors. So strictly speaking as it mingham product
 You are in buisness?'' said the reporter mindful of the assignment to get ''busi- ness mans interview SOLD NEWSPAPERS LIKE A REGULAR BOY
 'I am grocer" replied Mr. Hogan "and have been ever since I graduated from Howard college. Every candidate for city commissioner I notice has spoken of his hardships and I will be no excep- tion for I have worked especially hard." And with merry twinkle in his eyes, Hike all the boys raised about this grand old town I sold The Age-Herald, like a regular little fellow
 Dan Hogan spoke in slow and well od,,latad toras If was an aasv i- ous kind of voice. It entrusted with his spare frame for he is slightly over six feet tall. broad shouldered, blue-eyed and has determined face. However, he spoke calmly, surely. He was big man. a self-made man. He knew 1t. so why accentuate it with loud tones-thus the soft voice:
 "As for interviews" said Dan. q am entirely unfamiliar with such things. l have been too busy to break into the pa pers, and the only statement that l can make unprepared is that my friends urged me to make the race for city com- missioner because they said the people wanted business man."
 That's. Robustness man." said the scribe. thinking of his earlier mental processes.
 WHAT IS WANTED
 IN OLD BIRMINGHAM
 Well. as business man I am running on platform of efficiency and economy in civic affairs
 Efficiency and economy"
 Certainly" was the suave reply. De spite MT. Scott Chesnutts facetiousness l regard the plank efficiency and economy in the administration of civic affairs as my strongest appeal towards the favor of the public.
 That is what Is wanted in Birming- ham. Efficiency is wanted in all the civic departments and also wise economy. l believe that the people want man at the city hall who has made suc- cess of his business. I believe that they don't want promises of efficiency and economy but a man who they believe can carry out such q plank in his plat ] form.''
 Well. other than 'efficiency and econ crny' what is your particular panacea for the common weal?" said the reporter. q think. of course. that the five commissioner bill has remedied sew eral faults in our civic admtnistra-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-17

tion,' was the reply. "The initiative and referendum sections in the bill now place the city government abso- 1uteIy in the hands of the citizens and
 1t Is my belief that a better and more constructive civic administration
 will naturally follow There Is seldom
 misrule when the people are in the
 saddle.'
 What about the lack of revenue in
 the city's coffers7'
 That could be remedied if Birming-
 ham was separate taxing unit"
 piled Dan.
 How about the equalization oc taXes?'
 ''That suits me fine. I favor the equalization of taxes and believe by this means that sufficient revenue cal be obtained to maintain every depart ment of the city government on an efficient and economical basis. Tue taxes should be capitalized and if elect l ed commissioner l would urge that q committee of reputable citizens in each precinct of the city be selected to ar- praise the value of property in their respective districts and that thes valuations be given consideration by the county board of equalization. There 1 can be no lodging of the issue by the | people who are now avoiding the pay | ing of taxes are the people who can best afford to help support the city government. And eventually the city's
 accumulated debts must be paid by
 these tax dodgers or their heirs"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-17
MUNITIONS CORPORATION HAS
 CONTRACT FOR 5OOOO BIG SHELLS FOR THE
 ALLIES IF TT CAN RAISE ENOUGH MONEY

James Mitchell
  mm sdb be
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-17
DAN HOGAN RUNNING
 BECAUSE OF THE CALL FOR A BUSINESS MAN

Successful Grocer Expounds This Idea On What's the Matter With Birmingham?"- m?"-Taxation Is Biggest Issue Before the People Now-Empha- sizes ''Economy and Efficiency" Despite Scott Chesnutts FacetOusness
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-17
First National Bank

OF BIRMINGHAM. ALA. Statement November 10. 1915
New Britain herald., 1915-04-19
l cL8UDb4 HlAN58lPY

New York, April 19.-Their theories and conclusions completely upset by the discovery that Claudia Elizabeth Hansbury the sup posed victom of d murder is still alive, the police were baffed in this mysterious case. Miss Hansbury, who came here from Troy to prove that she was not the victim of the murder and who is still in this city is reported to have given Acting Cap tain Wines, head of the Bronx detec- tive bureau, important information concerning Raffaele Piciullo, the con- tractor under arrest. She knew sev- eral women with whom he was ac- quainted, and it is believed she has given the police their names and ad- dresses and that they are Investigating to see if any of them is missing. It has been hinted that Miss Hansbury has already given the police some val uable information in regard to the contractor and that she has agreed to remain in the city to aid them until the case is cleaned up.