The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-28
bESSEMER NEWS

Bessemer, March 27.-(SpeciaL) )-The en- ginia mines of the Gulf State Steel com pany was badly damaged by fire about 3:S0 o'clock this morning, and work is practically stopped at the mines until temporary repairs can be made. The damage is said to be about $20,000, and about $50 men are without work. The origin of the fire is unknown, but it started in the engine room, and on &C., count of the heat bursting the pipes con- meeting the pump that made the water supplies there was no fire protection at all, and the engine room, tophouse and coal bin were destroyed. This will neces- sitate shutdown of about 10 or 15 days until the buildings can be replaced, and during this time about $50 men are idle. At the time of the fire the mines were running on full time and were turning out about 1000 tons of coal day.
 number of local Shriners met this afternoon in the office of A. C. Mitchell in the Realty building and organized a Shriners' club. Its purpose is to promote good fellowship. The following officers were elected: Andrew c. Mitchell, presi- 1. Baty, secretary and treasurer. The com mittee on entertainment is composed of J. F. GammOn Dr. E. R. Smith, J. F. Haffner and A. c. Mitchell. The club was organized with the following mem- bers: Lee Moody w. A. Simmons, Gard ner F. Goodwin, J. T. Martin, J. F. Gam mon, w. c. Baty, M. H. Fleishman, W. l.. Martin, w. J. Long, E. L. Mitchell, T. J. Batson, James Estes, H. M. Sharp, Es Spoit ArfI Jacobs, J. E. Haffner, Dr. s. F. Nash, Clarence Abbott, W. l.. Coston, J. P. Green, Richard Faull, w.. B. Rue, Joe Sachs and I. D. Davis
 The Bessemer city court convened this morning with Judge J. c. B. Gwin pre- siding, and after the impaneling of the juries a jury civil docket was taken up. The first case was that of George Lit tleton, pro ami vs. the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company for dam ages for alleged personal injuries. The jury brought in a verdict in the amount of $25O Messrs. Goodwin and Ross rep- resented the plaintiff.
 The five literary societies of the Bes- semer high school held most interesting meeting this afternoon at the high school auditorium. Frank Scott presided The meeting was opened with the high school song by the school body The programme included a piano solo, Lilly of the Val lev" by Miss Bessie Hunnicutt; pleas ing reading, by Miss Lucille Lytle. 'The Soldiers Chorus (FausD, and The Anvil Chorus" Ql Trovatore) were excellently rendered by the High School Glee club. The feature of the occasion was the de- bate, Resolved. That the Philippines Should Be Granted Independence in the Next Four Years" the affirmative being presented by Farris Batson and Sanford Persons, while the negative was defended by Joe Houston and Thompson McRae. All of the boys made splendid talks and after some consideration the judges. Miss Poyner. Eugene Hawkins and Luney Ragsdale, decided in favor of the affirma- tive
 All four bands of the Womans Mis- gionary union of the First Baptist church met this afternoon at the church at which time short business meeting was held The treasurer was instructed to send S44 to home missions. Following the business meeting a missionary pro- gramme was rendered on the subject, Home Missions and the Social Prob lems." with Mrs John Perkins as the Headcr. Short, interesting talks were made by Mrs. M. K. Thornton, Mrs. Crawford. Mrs. Milton Brooks and Mrs. IT. F. Reynolds.
 Much interest is being manifested in