The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-16
HOTEL LOBBIES
Cannot Take Care of Business

This weeks market very closely re- sembles that of last week with firmer holding to prices and an upward ten dency' says Rogers, Brown & Co.'S weekly letter Northern No. is being quoted at $S5 to $s6 f, 0. b. cars furnace and in the Birmingham district iron of a similar analysis is about to realize a general SSO market. A considerable ton mage was placed last week and inquiries continue active. There is more busi- ness at this time than can be taken care of. The export trade has assumed a brisker aspect. and the indications are that it will continue at this accelerated rate.
 The railroad situation is even more serious just now than it has been for some months past, in view of the threat ened strike of the employees by the end of this week. Unusual rains and de- structive floods in the south have seri- ously hampered shipping from that dis trict.
 Spot coke is very hard to find and the little relief experienced last week in the Connellsville field has eased and prompt shipment fuel is firm at SIS ovens. The West Virginia coke fields have suf- fered much from spring rains in the last two weeks. Contracting for the last half of 1917 and year beginning July is very heavy. and in consequence of the increas- ing volume of orders many operations are rapidly being sold up.'
 Improvement of TutwiIer Corner
 Preparations for the formal opening of the Tutwiler Drug company next Wednes- oay are rapidly nearing completion, ac- cording to an encouragement made yes- ter6ay by the management. The hand some souvenirs that will be given to all visitors at the formal opening have ar rived, and are now being prepared for distribution.
 Ever since we opened the doors of the Tutwiler drug store,' said Richard F. Lusser, vice president of the com pany, i've have been showered with the hearty and appreciative congratulations
  citizens in all walks of life and also the travelling men and other visitors to Bir mingham on the improvement our ven ttHe had wrought on the corner of Fifth avenue and Twentieth street. They not only say that we have a very pretty new life into Fifth avenue, and that we are the vanguard of business and com mercial egress into the north end of Twentieth street in the center of club 6om and palatial hostelries.
 '"rhe management of the Tutwiler hotel has recognized our progressive commer- mercial tendencies by installing several white way posts on both Fifth avenue and Twentieth street in order to illumi- nate a formerly dark corner. If the Southern club, the Birmingham Athletic club, and the owners of the vacant lot opposite the Tutwiler hotel will now fol- low the good example set them by Manager Fred Shireman, and light up,' the white way posts on their properties Fifth avenue and Twentieth street will come into its own.
 "We believe that the natural trend of commercial activity is towards Fifth avenue, and that with the completion of the new postoffice at Fifth avenue and Nineteenth street, and the possible erection of large department store on hotel. will prove conclusvely that there is new spirit in Birmingham. and that we are spreading out
 Fifth avenue, as commercial asset, looks mighty good to me right now. And by the way I extend an invitation to all to come to our formal opening next Wednesday, and then besides seeing our little drug store, note for themselves the improvements and possibilities of Fifth avenue, which have been enhanced great ly since the consolidation of the Tide water and the Birmingham Railway. Light and Power company"
 Cultivate Vacant Lots
 "The Birmingham Real Estate ex- change is keenly interested in the ques- llOi Ol lloiuc 6diuCiAS, S'~lo Aso''~As ~'.-> David, Jr
 That is the reason we have offered all of our vacant lots free to persons wishing to cultivate them. We have sent out 5000 little leaflets offering those sites, and also giving few instructions as to how to go about raising home garden.
 .'And l ought to know a little about this question myself, for have two acres out at Roebuck, and do little gardening. We believe that the people will take advantage of our offer. and we hope that before spring is' far ad- yanced, there will be little green sprouts showing on every vacant lot in Birming- ham,
 Gussen's Compliments to Lawrence When it comes to a real asset in mu- sical circles in Birmingham," said Will liam Gussen, one of the most eminent musicians in this community. T regard Robert Lawrence as one of the biggest we've ever had.
 particularly is this true in regard tc his directorship of the community chorus. He is an ideal man for the DO sition MT. Lawrence has personality and temperament; he knows how to get a chorus together and what to do with lit after he's gotten it together. His mu- I steamship serves him well in all hi