davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-30
MOVIE PETITION
REFERRED BY RESOLUTION
TO ELECTION COMMISSION
By Vote of Three to Two the City Commissioners Reject the
AntiSunday Movie Ordinance-Later By Unanimous
Vote the Matter Was Passed Up to the Elec-
ton Commission and Right to Call
Election Questioned

The action taken by the city commits
sion yesterday means that the petitions
shall be presented to the election COM
mission and that they shall call the cleo
ton on the referendum. The petitions
were delivered to this commission yester-
day afternoon. The election commission
consists of Judge of Probate j. P. Stiles,
Sheriff Thomas ]. Batson and William J..
Waldrop, clerk of the circuit court.
The petition demanding the adoption
of an ordinance to prohibit the showing
of motion pictures on Sunday has been
certified
Felix Blackburn, appearing before the
commissioners for the moving picture
operators, yesterday, asked the commits
sion whether or not they were aware that
they would have to pay the cost of the
special election Mr.. Ward stated that
he was and then asked Mr.. Blackburn
it he could stop the city from going to
this expense.
II don't know yet, but 1 might try 1t"
said Mr. Blackburn.
The issue at the present time is whether
or not the election commission has the
right to order an election. Their duties
are said to consist of printing the ball
lot, placing managers and watchers ut
the polls, keeping the polling places open
during the day of the election and cam
wasting the result of the ballot.
Doubt was expressed by some as to
whether or not the election commission
had the right to order an election. it
being the contention that their duties
merely consisted in seeing that the cleo
ton was legal. Judge Stiles stated last
night that he did not care to express an
opinion on this point at the present time.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-30
OPEN DISCUSSION
OF PLUMBING LAWS
Both Sides of Question Will
Be Argued Before City
Commission Today

The commissioners will have their
hands full today when they will formally
take up the investigation of the plumbing
laws of the city. An open meeting has
been called for 10 o'clock this morning.
The complaints of citizens who at pres
ent object to the plumbing laws will be
gone into fully, and the plumbers con-
tentions as to the present laws will be
listened to.
The plumbing ordinance adopted by
the city some years ago came to the at
tention of the commission last Tuesday
when delegation of citizens from Cen
trail Park, headed by ]. o. Chancey, pro-
tested against prices charged by the
plumbers here. Mr.. Chancey stated that
the price of plumbing fixtures were ~
per cent higher when bought from the
plumbers than they would be If pur-
chased from others.
e. P. Inscho, a local journeyman plum
Der, appeared before the commissioners
yesterday morning and stated that there
was no collision between the plumbers
of this city and that the statements of
those protesting were exaggerated. He
said many firms had to go out of BUSH
ness during the past few years on ac-
count of the little money that could be
made in the plumbing business. Mr..
Inscho suggested that Mr.. Truss had
gene out OF the plumbing business for
that reason. Much laughter was caused
when Mr.. Truss replied that he had gone
out of the plumbing business because
The didn't want to loose all his friends"
The commissioners will listen to all
sides before taking any formal action.
The meeting will be open and those who
wish to talk about the proposition will
be allowed to do So,
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-30

The commission yesterday passed a res
oluton to present the petition of the
anti-Sunday motion picture people to the
out any further action.
AT the informal meeting of the COM
mission yesterday morning, Commission
ers Hornady and Weatherly voted to al
low the adoption of the ordinance as pre-
scented by the ants. Commissioners Ward,
Truss and Barber opposed such action.
However at the official meeting held
yesterday afternoon a unanimous vote
by the commission passed the petition
to the election commission without TAX
ing any sort of action whatsoever.
City Attorney NJ. NJ. Ullman was in
ing session, after much discussion, to take
the matter of the moving picture election
in his own hands and advise the proper
action according to the law at the after
noon meeting. Following is a copy of
the resolution, drawn up by Mr.. Ullman,
and passed by the commissioners:
BE it resolved by the commission Of
Birmingham, That the city attorney is
hereby instructed to deliver all papers
and petitions in connection with the adop
ton of the proposed ordinance entitled,
An ordinance to further regulate the
observance of Sunday as day of rest
in the city of Birmingham, Ala, to the
election commission of the city of Biz
mingham, together with the certificate
of c. B. Lloyd, city clerk, of the sueci-
cheney of said petition"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-30
CONSTRUCTION OF
MODERN VIADUCT
WILL BE STARTED

Actual construction on modern 80
foot viaduct over the Twenty first
street railroad crossings will, in all
probability, be started within the next
60 days.
The commissioners passed resolu-
ton vesting Commissioner Ward with
the power to institute condemnation
proceedings at once. Practically all
property owners abutting the present
bridge have agreed to waive all dam
ages possible to accrue to their prop
crty by the construction of the viaduct.
At the present time Steiner Brothers
are the only property owners not hav-
ing agreed to waive their rights. 1t
is thought they will agree within a
short time as their decision was not
final.
The building of the new Twenty-frst
street viaduct has been the ambition of
Commissioner Weatherly, who fostered
the idea for many years. The con-
demnation proceedings will take about
so days, more or less. At the conclu-
sion of that time work will be begun,
after an ordinance Is passed requir-
ing the railroads to construct via
duct of reinforced concrete and steel
across the Twenty-frst street cross
ing.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-30
ROOF AGITATION is
SETTLED AMICABLY

The single roof agitation is at an
end. The commissioners pleased insur-
ance men as well as lumber men when
they passed an ordinance Yesterday al
lowing property owners to repair their
roofs with wooden shingles provided
the roof had not deterioated more than
rs per cent.
The main contention of those who
had wooden roofs that needed repairs
was that the building department fig
ured the deterioration of shingle roof
at the rate of 10 per cent year, thus
making the property holder place COM
position roofing for patches instead of
allowing the use of wooden shingles at
the end of two and a half years. In the
future the building department will
figure on the actual condition of the
roof and if it has not deterioated 20
per cent, regardless of the number of
years the shingles have been on the
roof, wooden shingles will be allowed.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-30
PROPERTY OWNERS
FILE APPEALS ON
TAX EQUALIZATION
Equalization Board Will Hold Long
Session to Accom- .lodate Property
Owners-Many Settlements
Are Made

There was another large batch of ap-
peals filed in the circuit court yesterday
against the property valuations of the
board OF equalization. 1t was stated that
these cases would. take their usual setting
on the docket.
In the courtroom of Judge Crow, where
the board is holding extra sessions until
the last of the current month, there were
busy scenes yesterday. Many of the
property owners are anxious to arrive at
a settlement before the hearings are
closed and the equalizers will work at an
average of Is hours daily until Thursday,
when the sessions will end.
The final report of the board of equali-
zation will not be made until about Oc-
tober l to the tax assessor.
Although numerous appeals against the
valuations of the board were taken yes
terday, it was stated that many such
appeals were already being withdrawn
and the cases settled A number of large
property owners who criticized the valua-
tons of the equalizers when first an
nounced, is now stated, have settled
with the board. - .,.e5!.....,.s... ,.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-30
HUMANE SOCIETY
Offices Temporarily Removed to Resi-
dence of President, Mrs, Wood

offices of the Birmingham Humane So
ciety have been temporarily removed to
the residence of the president, Mrs w
N. Wood, at 1901 Avenue E, Ensley,
where she can be reached by phone 1174
Ensley Mrs. Wood will continue the
activities of the society and transact all
it's business from the new office.
The retrenchment policy of the city Of
ficials and lack of sufficient financial
support are responsible for the change.
The society has been in existence for a
number of years, and has been successful
in bringing about many much needed
humane reforms. It's work has been done
and without ostentation and is
considered one of the city's most useful
institutions.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-30

Commissioner Truss caused Commits
sioner Barber to sit up suddenly and
take notice yesterday morning when he
presented some figures to show that the
garbage department was costing the
city more to run than ever before. The
question of selling the city junk came
into the rather acrid discussion when
Mr.. Truss said the city, according to
figures, was really paying to sell its
junk.
The garbage and junk department
has been under the supervision Of Mr..
Barber for the past three months. 1t
was formerly under the control of Com
missioner Truss. Mr.. Truss stated that
formerly, when the department was
under his supervision, one foreman in
each district handled the street, the
junk, and garbage departments, where
as at the present two foremen were
employed instead of one.
The figures cited by Mr.. Truss and
prepared by Comptroller Levy showed
that the cost under the old system was
approximately $4,000 per month, while
the present system was costing the city
approximately $4,000. Mr.. Levy ex-
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-30
FOWLKES ENTERS
INSURANCE field
Prominent Business Man
Becomes Joint State Man.
ager of Manhattan Life

Walter r. Fowlkes and Charles r.
Hogue have been named joint general
agents for Alabama for the Manhattan
Life Insurance company, according 10
announcement made yesterday. MI
Hogue, who has represented this company
as general agent for number OF years.
and Mr. Fowlkes have just returned from
New York, where the details OF the agree
ment were arranged and the cohlfacts
signed. Mr.. Fowlkes and Mr.. Hogue nave
had this plan for joint representation as
state managers under consideration for
sometime, and their proffers to the nome
office have been accepted.
Mr.. Fowlkes, who is one OF the lead
ing business men OF the dlstrict has
been a resident of Birmingham FOR ~
years He was engaged In the real estate
business being member OF the firm
of Fowlkes Brothers, who have played
prominent part in the development or the
CITY and district. Mr.. Fowlkes is widely
and prominently connected not only here
but in other sections of the state.
Mr.. Hogue. who will be joint manager
of the company with Mr.. Fowikes, mas
represented the Manhattan Life company
in the state for many years, and mas
large and established business, especially
throughout north Alabama. All inc
business which the company handles In
the state, with the exception or certain
counties in south Alabama, Will De nan
died through the local office. w. L.
Lancaster, state treasurer, has charge
of the southern counties not included III
the local agency
while in New York, Messrs. Fowlkes
and Hogue arranged with the Manhattan
Life company, which is one OF the oio
line organizations, and one OF the Oldest
in the nation, to make loans next year
at low rates of interest on farm lands
in Alabama The company has ALREADY
put out large sums of money IN the oe-
yelopment of the state and the 1ace
that it will in the future make loans on
farm lands is expected to contribute
much to the improvement of agricultural
conditions, especially at this time when
large sums are needed in order to change
from the one-crop system to i've STOCK
and diversification.
Mr.. Hogue and have had TINS mat
ter of a partnership as JOINT manassas
for the Manhattan Life Insurance COM
many under consideration for some
time" said Mr. Fowlkes yester-
day 1--WE already have large
and established business throughout TINS
section which has been built up under the
direction of Mr.. Hogue and we are conn.
dent that with the constant Improvement
in business and industrial conditions
which seem assumed that we can sun
further extend the business. | Will enter
Ilpon the new work Immediately. one OF
the best features is the fact that She
company has agreed to make loans on
farm lands at low rates or interest," pe-
c;,ninr next wear, We expect this to
result in aiding. materially in developing
tho agricultural resources of our state.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-30
Committees Are Active
Regardless of RumOrs

Full plans for the Alabama Mer-
chants convention scheduled to be held
in Birmingham next Tuesday, Wednes-
day and Thursday are still being
pushed to completion, regardless of the
rumors of nationwide railroad en-
ployes' strike. The various committees
are continuing their activities in be-
half of the entertainment, and every
thing will be ready.
More than 10000 copies of the Ala
bama Merchant are being mailed out
today to the merchants of the state,
and all of the committees are busy
with preparations for the coming con-
VentiOn.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-30
ADVISORY BOARD
PLAN COMPLETION
OF HIGHWAY WORK
Jackson Highway Associa-
ton Discusses Plans to
Build Proposed Route
Through Alabama

Members of the advisory boards OF the
Jackson Highway association of Ala
bama met yesterday at 1890 o'clock and
informally discussed the plans for con-
tinuing the highway work until compile
ton in Alabama. 1t was decided that
regardless of what action the general
highway association took toward routing
the highway, it would be built through
the state Several interesting talks were
made by Capt. John Craft of Mobile,
president of the association; w s. Keller.
state highway engineer; Morgan Ricn-
ards, secretary of the Selma Chamb er
of Commerce, and Earl Lay, secretary
of the Gadsden Chamber of Commerce.
All the members were very enthusiastic
over the building of the highway and
are determined to make a strong tight IN
an effort to secure the road for Alabama
The competition between this state ana
Mississippi for the road Is keen, and the
Alabama delegation seems to realize that
they will have to be up and doing TO
come in on the award. They, however
are Of the opinion that this state mas
the best chance Of getting the highway,
and are sparing no effort to condition
as much as possible the proposed route
by the time of the meeting.
The only drawback to the Alabama
division in the road contest between this
state and Mississippi is the fact that
there were only two ferries to be left
and they were to be power ferries with
out charge to the public. The Tombigbee
river was to be bridged. The committee
on this matter arranged at once to re-
move this condition, and secured the con-
sent of the two counties. Clark and WASH
ington, to pay equally for the bridge,
and the financial arrangements were made
whereby the bridge could be built. 1t was
the plan to build this bridge with 100
foot open span, and the two counties
had set aside $4,000 for the construction
of the bridge. Just prior to the letting
of the contract the war department sent
in the ultimatum that no plan consisting
OF less than 200-foot open span would
be considered. Realizing that it was
useless to attempt to build the bridge with
less than $4,000 and as the two counties
did not feel able to make further dona-
ton, or able to buy the bridge at that
price. the matter has been temporarily
held UP.
1t will be recalled at the recent Nash
vile meeting, Alabama was outvoted py
about two to one on the selection Of the
route, but suspension of decision was
obtained through the sportsmanlike action
of the Mississippi delegates, in agreeing
to road building contest between the
two states for one year. The decision of
the best conditioned route Of the two
states was to be decided by experts in
dependent of any further action Of the
executive board.
While Alabama considers that the con-
test has been won in point of road con-
struction, the committee looking after
this matter has been giving much con-
Germ to the building of this bridge, and
hope to see their way clear to fill the
condition.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-30
OBJECTION RAISED
TO FALLING PERSONS
WHOCAN MAKE BOND
Commissioner Weatherly
Protests Against Alleged
Oppressive Practice"
and Cites Case

Commissioner Weatherly objected
strenuously to the tactics at present
employed by the police department i'll
holding prisoners in custody all night
when they could furnish ample bond.
at the conference of the commissioners
yesterday.
Mr.. Weatherly protested against the
practice of holding those arrested on
any charge other than one that con-
sisted of capital offense without bail,
and cited a specific instance of what
he termed unreasonable and oppres-
sive practice 81 know of case
where a negro working for the Five
Points pharmacy was arrested for vio-
lating the prohibition law" said Mr..
Weatherly. This negro was arrested
by the officers and hauled to Jail. His
employer, Mr.. Dugan, offered to make
bond for his negro. who had been a
good employe. 1t was refused and the
negro spent the night in Jail.
"On the following morning Judge
Anderton released the negro as no
case could be made out against him.
That same night this negro was rear
rested on the same charge and con-
fined in the city Jail. He again Of
LoIcO 10 ludfA6 d. SOOu pOuu anu was
refused. and the next morning he was
again released by the recorder. The
officers arrested him because he had
half a bottle of liquor, for his own use,
in his house. The negro was arrested
for the same amount of whisky in the
same bottle on both occasions. I pro-
test against this action and shall all
ways do so. There should be some re-
lief for those who wish to make bond
and are incarcerated."
Mr.. Weatherly referred to the pernici-
Gus practice of professional bondsmen
around the Jail and intimated that the
unfortunate who refused to pay tho
price for a bond and an attorney had
to remain in Jail. Mr.. Barber took
issue with Mr.. Weatherly by saying
that the city often jailed a man on
vagrancy and let him stay in Jail I'M
til he was investigated. I'VE have no
right to allow bond for a felony" said
Mr.. Barber"
1.-THE right of the United States con-
stitution. the state constitution and the
city code allows bond for those not
held on charge where the guilt is
overwh elmingly against the one arrest
ed No bond applies to the capital
cases only" said Mr.. Weatherly.
The commission referred the matter
of examining the present city laws on
the subject and Offering some relief for
the obtaining of bonds to Commissions
err Weatherly. Mr.. Weatherly stated
that he intended to look into the con-
ditions that had come to his notice and
that some relief would be obtained for
those Jailed when they could make good
bond
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-30
PRINTED DOCKETS
OF CIRCUIT COURT
ARE NOW ON HAND
Many Cases Are Set for Trial and
Report Sent to Chief Justice
Anderson

wyers in the district and others in
tel ted in the procedure of the courts
are ow able to get the printed dock
etf I the circuit court for the term
op ng on Monday, October 8, and con-
tinuing through to January. On the
published docket there are 1929 cases,
OF which 1888 are civil cases, ESQ are
state cases and 261 are chancery. cases.
The third week in December and the
first week in January are nonjury
weeks.
In the ~ weeks comprised in the
docket there are about 600 jury cases
cases set for the last two weeks in
November, as those are the supreme
court weeks.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-30
LABOR CELEBRATION
AT EAST LAKE PARK
TO BE BIG EVENT

Arrangements have been completed
for the biggest Labor Day celebration
ever held in the Birmingham district.
The official celebration will be held at
East Lake park and everything is be-
ing done to make it a success.
There will be an extraordinarily
large number of special events for the
day and valuable prizes will be award
ed the various winners.
The large skating rink is being thor
oughly overhauled, as dancing will be
in order continually from to IL p. m.
The floor is in excellent condition and
Davidson's orchestra of eight pieces
has been engaged for the dance.
Besides the various special events,
there will be speeches by many of the
prominent labor leaders of the city,
and an immense barbecue will be fea-
tured
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-30
Lowering of Sewer

Routine matters occupied the attention
of the board of revenue yesterday Some
small bills were approved, and another
minor matter was the order given to Dr.
e. p Hogan to repair the grounds of the
Hillman hospital at a cost not to ex-
coed $40.
The board of revenue also adopted a
resolution providing for the lowering Of
the sanitary sewer in the vicinity of East
Lake, so that the city of Birmingham
can reconstruct sanitary sewer and
avoid trouble in case OF a heavy rain
The agreement with the city is that the
work will be taken up at once
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-30
Captain Wright in Charge

Capt. James N. Wright has been
placed in charge of the United States
secret service department in Birming-
ham temporarily. He is also in charge
OF the Atlanta district. and has been
in Birmingham since Sunday working
on two counterfeiting cases. He left
yesterday for Atlanta on business, but
stated he would return to Birmingham
soon to look after other matters
Captain Wright is looking after the
Birmingham district, which embraces
all of Alabama and parts of Tonnes
see and Mississippi, temporarily filing
the vacancy left by Captain McAdams.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-30
Fugitive Arrested

William Grossman was arrested yester-
day morning by Detectives Garner and
Cartwright on advices from authorities
at Little Rock, Ark, where he is wanted
on seven charges of embezzlement, ac-
cording to the detectives. He Is being
held at the Northside city Jail without
bond. Detective Garner stated that
Crossman did not deny the charge. and
was willing to go back to Little Rock.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-30
Marriage Licenses

The following marriage licenses were
issued yesterday in the office of the
probate clerk:
j. M. Dean and Miss Lillian Bing-
ham.
Henry Boyden and Miss Minnie Hard
ing.
orie Harrell and Miss Malene Nc
Bride.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-30
PERSONAL

Louis Pizitz ana his family have re-
turned from a vacation at Wrightsville
Beach. During the time he was absent
from Birmingham Mr.. Pizitz went to New
York and other eastern markets to super
wise the heavy purchases Of fall stocks
which have been made for his depart.
ment store.