The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-08
MAY INVESTIGATE
 SHORTAGE OF CARS
Coal Operators May Take Up Matter With Com
 merce Commission
By REUBEN A. LEWIS


 move the coal of the mines in the Btr- mingham district continues acute, With no relief in sight, the coal operators are investigating the situation and with the support of the southern railroads are seriously contemplating taking up the matter with the interstate commerce com mission.
 The basis of the appeal is that northern railroads are confiscating the freight cars of the southern roads and that, by virtue of this practice, the southern railroads are without the normal equipment. It is not contended that, if the southern rail- roads had their freight cars there would be a surplus of cars. But it is believed that if these freight carriers were re- turned, the shortage would be less se- were.
 Figures have been gathered to show that some of the northern railroads have more than 100 per cent of equipment. By holding the cars carrying shipments from the south to the north, 1t Is con- tended that the railroads there have vir- tually coniscated the equipment of the railroads operating in the south.
 As to whether the interstate commerce commission could give relief, there is doubt expressed. It is known that coal operator are Investigating the situation, and that the aid of some railroad in- terests has been lent them. The oni- cials of the southern carriers are CO., operating to the greatest extent in seek ing to find some relief from the vexing situation.
 During the past month, the vast coal interests in this district have operated their mines on an average of about three days a week. Approximately 25,000 miners and other employees are dependent upon the coal mines for their living Operating three days a week, some of the workers are having great difficulty ir making ends meet.
 1t is considered extremely probable that the interstate commerce commission will be appealed to by the operators in an effort to bring relief.
 Jonesboro Baptist church, Sunday morn ing at Il o'clock. MT Hill comes to Bessemer from Glenwood, Ala, where he has been pastor for four years and is a splendid preacher. Services will be held at the church every Sunday instead of only twice a month as has been the case in the past. He succeeds the Rev. George w. McRae, who has taken charge of the Wylam Baptist church. MT. Hil was educated at Newton college, and is married He will remove his family to Jonesboro. The public is cordially in- vited to come out. and hear him.
 At the First Baptist church Sunday morning the Rev. M K. Thornton, tho pastor, assisted by Dr. J. M Shelburne, president of Howard college, will ordain three deacons, J. M. Brooks, w. M. Cobb and J. M. Shipp.
 The regular quarterly communion will be held Sunday morning at the First Presbyterian church. while at the evening hour, at 7:3O o'clock, the pastor the Rev l. F. Swallow, will fill the pulpit taking for his theme, "Opened Eyes"
 The Junior Matrons club was delight fully entertained yesterday afternoon by Mrs. Kittrell Trotter at the home of her parents. pr. and Mrs. NJ c. Ragsdale, Sr, on Arlington avenue. The reception rooms were pretty in their decorations of autumn leaves and goldenrod. Four tables were used for forty two, score be- ing kept on cards designed in autumn leaves by Miss Rachael Ragsdale The club prize, a pretty cut giass vase. was won by Mrs s. w. Wright while the guests prize cut glass pin tray, fell to Mrs. Howard McEniry while the con solation, a box of handkerchefs, was cap
  the games salad and ice course was served Those incvluded in this hospital ity were: Mrs. J. H. Blue, Mrs. $. w.. Wright Mrs. John Egan, Mrs. Jim Don aldson, Mrs Allen, Mrs +. D. Hixon, Mrs Mac Batson. Mrs. Guy Wilson, Mrs. Ed DeShazo, Mrs. Moses, Mrs. M. C.. Ragsdale, Jr., Mrs. Howard McEniry, Miss Corinna Trotter, Miss Sadie Sturd1- want and Miss Bessie Lovett.
 
 pr. J. H. Hays of Birmingham has come to Bessemer to reside and has opened his office on the fourth floor of the Realty building. Dr. Hays is a graduate of the Birmingham Medical college. Last year he took special work in Boston and since his raduation he has been practic- ing in Birmingham. Dr. Hays has many friends in Bessemer who are giving him cordial welcome.
 There will be a meeting of Bessemel chapter No 110 Royal Arch Masons, Tuesday evening, October 10, at 8 o'clock at which time there will be work in the Royal Arch degree. All members are urged to be present. The meeting will be followed by banquet
 PERSONALS
 Mrs w. ID. Taylor has returned iron | Montgomery, where she spent Weeh with relatives and friends.
 l Berney Crook of Canton O., is the gues of relatives in this city for two weeks Judge and Mrs J. c. B. Gwin have named their little daughter, Dorothy. 1 Henry Perry, who has been visiting his parents, MT. and Mrs. w. J. Long, has gone to Perth Amboy N. J., where ht l will join his wife, who is visiting rela | tives there
 | MT and Mrs. W. w. Hollingsworth hav' 1 returned from Annston, where they spen several days the past week.
 | Njss Corrie Cray and her father F. M