The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-07
BESSEMER NEWS

Bessemer, January 6.-(Special 1-The local postoffice receipts for the year 1915 show a good increase over the year 1914 ana Assistant Postmaster H. A. Glosson stated this year that the business done by the local office was highly pleas ing to the department officials. The re- ceipts for year 1914 were $2O, ,1S2. 36; for the year 1915, $21, 143.52 an increase of s5ol'lo TOT the year. For December, 1914, the receipts were $1940.72; for December, l9l5 the receipts were $251. IS, an increase or S600A for the month The first quar- ter or l9lo showed a decrease of $51 as compared to the first quarter of 1914 while the second quarter of 1915 showed an n- crease of $436 .3s over the second quarter ot 1914 The third quarter of 1915 showed an Increase of $979.4S over that of 1914 and the fourth quarter receipts were sI265.1O more than the fourth quarter of 1914.
 At meeting of the police committee Of the city council Patrolman Ceph Ross was put on the detective force to fill the vacancy made by the resignation of w. C. Steele. A. M. Spencer, first supernu- erary, was elected to succeed MT Ross as patrolman, and c. Thomas was elect ed first supernumerary. The police com O. ton Moss Crotwell and J. H. Edwards.
 The miscellaneous committee of the city council will meet Friday afternoon at 4 o'clock, in the council chamber for the purpose of deciding the Brown trading stamp matter that has been before the aldermanic body for the past month A number of merchants are opposed to the stamp system and want an increased li- tln loo will hear both sides and anyone interested is invited to be present.
 About 3:30 o'clock this afternoon a vul- canizer in the H. E. Motor Car company on Fifth avenue and Nineteenth street, exploded, breaking several windows and shaking things in general, but no one was injured. The explosion caused much ex- citement.
 The Bessemer Culture club met this afternoon at o'clock in the commit tee room of the public library and of- fcers for the ensuing year were elected as follows: Mrs. E. l.. Huey, president; Mrs. Gardner F. Goodwin, vice pres ident; Mrs Kate Jones, secretary Mrs. George D. Waller, treasurer; Mrs. John Martin, club director; Mrs. Cecil CoWan, state federation secretary; Mrs. J. A. Snider critic, and Mrs. c. K. Gray, press agent. The club has taken Shakespeare's King Richard IT. for its study, the first act being read this afternoon, with Mrs. l.. D. McCullom as leader. Those present at this meeting were Mrs. l.. D. McCullom. Mrs. J. A. Snider, Mrs c. K. Gray, Mrs. J. S. Winters, Mrs Cora Handy, Mrs. Gardner F. Goodwin, Mrs. R. A. Mickle, Mrs. A. A. Persons, Mrs. John Mar tin. Mrs. eGorge Neal, Mrs. J. F. Stur- divant, Mrs. w E. Cunningham, Mrs. c. H. Hodge, Mrs. Cecil Cowan and Ms. w. $. Benns.
 The fire department answered call to Sixth avenue and Twentieth street last night, where the McNeil cotton gin was on fire. The fire is thought to have originated from a spark from passing switch engine. It was quickly extinguished. the damage amounting to about $2 This is the third time within a few weks that the cotton gin has been on fire, but very little damage has been done.