The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-28
BESSEMER ID HAVE
 A CANNING PLANT
New Industry Expected to Greatly Improve Agri-
 cultural Conditions
INSURANCE REDUCED
Burkes Temporary Principal of Bes- semer Schools to Succeed the
 Late Dr. Persons

Bessemer February 27-(Special.)- IA meeting of the Farmers Cooperative as- sociation of Pleasant Hill will be held Wednesday night when plans will be com pleted for the installation of the new can ming plant there. The stock necessary for the erection of the plant has been subscribed and this will be the first plant of it's kind in the Bessemer district. The following are the officers E. C. Kelly. president; B. Fl. Andoe, vice president; A. F. Ausman, second vice president; D, P. Hodge, secretary and treasurer. The organization is composed of 46 farmers who with their families represent a mem- bership of 200. Prof. T. w. McAdory, who is farming on large scale in this district is an active worker i'll the es- tablishment of the plant.
 Within the next 30 days the erection of the plant will be started, according to President Kelly, and the building will be constructed so that additions may be made as the needs of the enterprise are manifested. The necessary machinery will be placed and tomatoes, beans and .PO summer and such machinery as is needed to handle such staple crops as peas and peanuts will be installed later, making the plant be in operation all the year.
 In the vicinity of the proposed plant the farming land is the best in the Jones valley and the soil will permit of a di- versifcation of crops. Much interest is being manifested in the proposed plant and an effort will be made to have the farmers of Hueytown and Dolomite CO., operate with the members of this organ ization.
 A reduction of 30 per cent in the insur- ance rate in Bessemer affecting fourth class policies has been announced by the Tariff association. The present rate is S1 and it was formerly $1.50 The change will affect number of policyholders in the outlying district, as there is great deal of property included in the fourth class rate. This Includes all property 1000 feet from fire protection.
 R. l.. Burkes, principal of the Bessemer high school, has been appointed by John w Brooks, president of the board of edu- cation, to act as superintendent of the Bessemer schools to fill the unexpired term of Prof. A. A. Persons, who died Sunday morning. MT. Burkes will con- tinue to act as principal in addition to his duties as superintendent until April when the regular election of officers will take place.
 Professor Persons has been superin- tendent of the city schools for the past eight and one-half years, and the att tendance of the schools during that time has increased enormously and the respon- sibility of the position has been much enhanced. For the past few months Pro- | eQ- ergy to the erection of new high school building, which was one Of his dreams for the near future, to give relief to the present crowded condition ot the schools
 The jury in the case of Eob Curran vs. the Atlanta, Birmingham ana Atlantic Railroad company, which was tried today in the Bessemer division of the circuit court, returned verdict for the defenu- ant company. At the conclusion of this case the case of Boyd Lagle, pro ami, vs: the Gulf States Steel company was taken up. A number of witnesses were examined and the plaintiff was repre- sented by Goodwin & Ross while Stoke ly, Scrivener & Dominick represented the defendant company
 All bands of the Pastors Helpers of the First Methodist church held a meeting this afternoon in the parlors of the church at which time the meet ing was presided over by the president, Mrs. w. B. Baty. Each circle made report and No. l turned in s15,SO; No. 2 turned in $14.15, while No. 3 turned in SS25, making a total of $38.20. Cir cle No. was only reorganized two weeks ago, and is now doing splendid ly. Plans were discussed, and it was decided to have a Tag Day on March IT, There was large attendance, and lz nr.fh IT c q c n the work.
 Ashford Kirkland and Miss Lula Dees were married last night at the store of William Lefkovits on Third avenue and Nineteenth street. the cere- mony being performed by the Rev. M. K Thornton, pastor of the First Bap- tist church, in the presence of a few witnesses. Both of the young people are from Fossil, where they are well known and very popular.
 George H. Stevenson has received his reappointment as notary public. which makes his fifth consecutive commits sion for this office. He was one of the first appointees in Bessemer, and has served under six governors.
 The Bessemer Playground associa ton will hold it's regular meeting Friday aft ernoon at o'clock at the public library and all members as well as anyone inter ested in thi, work is invited to attend. Plans will be completed for the opening of the playground for the summer. Mrs h. NJ. Martin, president of the organiza- ton, has a plan to put before the body. The Wednesday Music club will meet Wednesday afternoon at 3 o'clock at the home of Mrs. Cecil Cowan on Clarendon avenue. An excellen. musical programme has been prepared and will be rendered on this occasion.
 PERSONALS
 Mr. and Mrs Tom Harris and little daughter have gone to Gadsden, where they will reside in future.
 H. c. Hatcher has returned from Selma