The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-23

"A city of Birmingham number of
 \ years ago which prohibited pedes-
 trians from crossing the streets at any
 point other than the intersections.
 This law, the wisdom of which may
 be seen by the most casual observer, was
 rigedly enforced for time. Suddenly,
 the ordinance was forgotten. and the
 promiscuous crossing from one side of
 the street to the other in the heart of
 the business section became prevalent.
 If a careful analysis of automobile ac-
 cidents were made, one would find that
 nine times out of ten the accident oc-
 cured at some point of the street other than the intersection or crossing. It is a
 common sight to see scores of people, specially women and children, crossing the street in the middle of the block on
 First, Second or Third avenues. This crossing ordinance, which entails little inconvenience, is the only law in
 the city code of Birmingham regulating pedestrians As for the automobilists, there are scores of laws; all of which are strictly enforced. The man who Is fortu-
 nate, or unfortunate enough, to own a
 machine must be careful not to go too fast. He must patiently await the signal of the traffic officer to move forward. He must stop while the gates of the street cars are open. He must keep sharp lookout for the numerous people who de- liberately walk directly in his path and look at him as if to say, T dare you to hit me; I am just waiting to sue you"
 If he does not, obey these laws he is dragged before magistrate and fined heavily and sometimes unjustly.
 The pedestrians should be regulated as
 to crossing the street in the middle of the block. It is nothing more than plain
 justice for the minions of the law to help the motorist in his every effort to use the practical slogan of Safety First thus minimizing accidents-and exorbi- tant damage suits.
 F. c. DeMers, owner of the Birmingham
 Automobile company, and one of the best secondhand automobile dealers in
 the city, is doing an immense business.
 DeMers is an expert appraiser of the
 used automobile and his ability as a salesman is shown daily by the number of old cars he disposes of. His good fel- lowship, evidenced by his smiling coun- tenance, coupled with his square dealing, makes him an ideal automobile man to do business with
 E. C. Hightower formerly with the Birmingham-R company, has joined the sales forces of Paul Crawford, Chandler distributors. Hightower is a salesman of marked ability and is sure to place some of the popular Chandlers on the streets of Birmingham.
 Jack Lewis and M. G. Silliman, Stude- baker representatives, were in the city last week. Clever fellows representing Q clever concern.
 Every body knows that Tom Morris Of the Detroit Motor outfit, is a clever salesman. Most folks also know Tom is a clever fellow, but what most people don't know is that Tom is some classy chef. When it comes to cooking spaghetti he is in a class by himself. Ed Patillo says if Battery c could eat some of Tom s connections for few days they would never want to leave the army. Ed ought to know, and if he doesn't the writer of this column will gladly give testimony
 that he is cook par excellence. It was
 quite party-there was plenty to eat and-well, what's the use in making a
 fellow feel bad.
 Bill Pape, formerly known as Wild Bill
 Pape, bids fair to renew his old title.
 This boy simply drives a car off it's bear
 ings and when it comes to handling a car on a demonstration where hills and curves are the main factors he fairly eats up everything in sight. He sells ma
 chimes almost as fast as he drives them.
 and that is going some.
 kAI rry3f Y, Haynes in Atlanta, is now with the Dren-
 nen Motor company. He anticipates big
 season. A A
 1 Fred Hill, Cadillac factory representa- | tive was in the city last week. Hill is optimistic over the outlook for big Cadil- lac business. He said the Cadillac factory would turn out 2S000 cars this year. He I succeeded in seeing the city thoroughly with the aid of Red Smith and Clark | Jones.
 Paul Crawford departed for Cleveland Thursday morning in a Chandler. Despite | the condition of the roads, Paul decided | to go through the country. depending upon the staunchness and durability o1
 the Chandler to see him through safely He will be accompanied by Mrs. Craw- l ford, MT. and Mrs. D. S. Echols of Deca- 1 tur, and J. D. Harding. a newspaper man. His car was equipped with Silvertown Cord tires. n
 l Sam Jones and Hubert Drennen went on a little fishing trip last Wednesday | If they caught anything they didn't bring back any evidence. It may be safely said that they enjoyed the wet weather i and balmy air of the countryside. | She was sitting in the rear of tonneau | of a big machine. A weazened little man whose clothes smelled strongly of gasoline l was endeavoring to explain something. | Her face was shaped like the rear end of an old-time water pitcher and an awful | gash was noticeable each time her Ian | tern jaws came in contact with huge
 wag of Jumbo chewing gum. Upon l closer observation one could see that this gash acted as food chute, and had evil
 dently been worked overtime. Her nose
 was tilted at an angle of 45 degrees and | each time gentle zephyr of breeze blew her way the pungent odor Of sassafras 1 perfume" famed those nearby into | stupor of bandon. Her emerald colored | hair was balled into knot that would
 have put sailor to shame. Innumerable wisps consistently spanked her cheeks | with no apparent reason. Her voice re- minded one of two-cylnder motor badly l in need of a new brand of gasoline whicn was warranted misfre every other revolu- l tion That she was corn-fed no one doubted, and that she could carry sack l of wheat on her shoulder as easy as she l could steer a flivver was certainty