The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1917-08-09
MORE HOMES FOR
WORKMEN IS BIG
ADMISSION PROBLEM
Mass Meeting Is Held to
Discuss Plans to Relieve
Situation-MOre Car
penters Arrive
nv HARRY nj. AYERS

Admission, August 8.-(special. AT a
meeting of the Calhoun county commits
soners this afternoon the board voted
unanimously to widen the road to Camp
Mcclellan, which is the chief highway in
the county, making it 6O-foot pike in
stead of 80, as at present Maj. c. L. Du-
lin and a delegation from the Chamber
of Commerce addressed the commission
ers on the need
At meeting of the Chamber Of Com
merce this afternoon the Civic associa-
ton went on record as being in favor of
a comprehensive health survey Of Annis-
ton and Calhoun county. Representatives
of the United States health department
addressed the emeeting. Frank Willis
Barnett representing the Birmingham
Age-Herald, also spoke to the members
present. during which he mentioned Bir-
mingham's fight against typhoid fever.
PLAN TO BUILD HOMES
Initial steps were taken at a mass
meeting in the courthouse Tuesday night
that will insure permanent homes for
Admission workmen Several plans were
outlined, but the most practical was a
rent paying plan Of buying houses which
has met with success in other commune
ties. Mayor Scarborough, c. r. Bell Con-
gresham Fred L. Blackmon, A. Dishman
H. M. Ayers and others made brief ad
dresses, the keynote of each being the
necessity for immediate action in making
plans for the construction of more dwell
ings in Admission.
The suggestion was made that a stock
company be organized, along the lines of
a building and loan association, each
member of which would pay a stated
amount each month. Whenever the treas
ury of the association accumulated
enough money to help one of the members
build house, he could borrow certain
sum, based on his monthly payments, and
give the association a mortgage on the
property until his payments were COM
pleted.
Congressman Blackmon expressed the
belief that there are 100 men in the city
who would subscribe 500 each, as charter
members, to perfect the organization of
such an association, and 1t is estimated
that at least 500. mechanics. who are anx-
ious to own homes, would be glad to take
stock in the venture.
A committee was appointed to go over
the situation with the various manufac-
turers and leading merchants Of the city
and solicit subscriptions to the initial is
sue of stock. This committee consists Of
Arthur Golling, chairman; ]. L. Gwin, L.
P. Cooper, H F. Trammell, w. p. Knigh-
ton and C. D. Kline.
Several hundred dollars were subscribed
before the meeting adjourned last night.
CARPENTERS AT CAMP
1.-Two more passenger carloads Of car
Fpenters arrived in Admission yesterday
lfron Cincinnati to work at Camp Nc
ySClellan. The number of men now en-
sployed at the camp is nearing 1000, but it
is difficult to arrive at an exact figure,
as additional men arrive on almost every
train that comes to town. While the
carpenters are in majority many other
trades are represented. Recently num-
Der Of expert caulkers were brought
here to caulk the joints in the miles Of
water pipes that are being laid to sup
ply the camp with water.
The heavy rains have somewhat de-
layed the work this week, but consider
able progress is being made Material
is coming in rapidly, and quarters for
the first lot of men are about ready.
ALL-TIME HEALTH OFFICER
The commissioners of the county court
Tuesday discussed the edvisability of ap-
pointing a health officer for the county
on a salary which would permit him to
devote his entire time to the work OF
safeguarding the health of the residents
of the county. At the present time the
health officer receives only a nominal
salary, and several physicians who have
the interest of the county at heart have
urged that an "all-time health officer
reached, but It is believed that a major
ity Of the members Of the board are con-
sidering the matter in a favorable light.
The local draft board announced its
readiness today to begin the work Of
examining the first lot Of selected men
for their physical fitness for army serv-
ice. The examinations will commence
promptly at o'clock Thursday morning.
Ninety men have been ordered to report
on the first day of the examinations.
4s1 will report on Friday. and 90 on Sat-
rurday All men who have been notified
to appear are expected to do SO without
second invitation. Their failure to re-
port may result in trouble for them
During the first eight days Of August.
over nine inches of rain has fallen in
Admission. There have been showers
every day this month, and for the last
week Of July While no great damage
has been done, the work Of farmers has
been hindered.
The excess of rainfall since January
/ amounts to a fraction over 20 inches
This Is believed to have broken all rec
ords for precipitation in this section.