The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-12-06
Effort Made to Modify Closing
 Order in the Shopping District
Coal Used By Alabama Pow CT Company Not Availa-
 ble for Commercial Mar ket-No Relief in Sight From Rise in Water Flow

Negotiations are now pend- ing through which it is hoped the 4 o'clock closing restric- tions may be modified to the extent that stores in Birming- ham and other places, served with light and power by the Alabama Power company, may keep their places open until the usual hours of closing.
 The request for this modification is based on the fact that none of the coal used oy the Alabama Power company at it's steam plants is withdrawn from the commercial market, but is mined near its planrs and is not accessible to either rail or river transportation
 The Warrior auxiliary plant at Gorgas gets it's coal from mines in that vicinity, leased by the. Alabama Power company, and all that IS mined is consumed at that plant. It is claimed that enforcement of the regulations with reference to closing in the territory supplied by the Alabama Power company would not result in the conservation of coal. whereas the sus- pension or curtailment of work at indus trial L.ants would throw large numbers of men out of employment, thereby worA- ing a hardship on them.
 DEE unIIDAy SH0ppJNG
 As this is the busy pre-holiday shop ping season, crowding the extraordinary business due to this fact into seven hours of each day overworks the clerks anu makes it impossible for large numbers or persons who work throughout the day 10 visit tfe stores and make necessary pur- |chases.
 While no intimation has yet come from the regional coal committee of any pron- able relaxation of skhe rules those who have interested themselves in the matter are hopeful that the request will De granted.
 The Coosa river is rising slowly, but there IS yet rlo indications of a sufficient volume of water in sight to justify the hope that the Alabama Power company's hydro plant at Lock F will be able to generate enough electricity to supply the territory supplied by it. Vice President Thomas w. Martin of that company yes terday made the following statement relative to the stage of water in the river and the probability of furnishing all hydro-electric power:
 COOSA RIVER WATER LOW
 There is some slight improvement in the water flow of the Coosa ricer, put the rains have not been sufficient to en- able the company to reduce the load which is being carried by its reserve steam plant. The weather forecast still indicates rain in the Coosa watershed, but the Alabama Power company cannot at present make any substantial reduction in the steam generated power which it IS selling through it's system. At the earliest possible moment that the CooSa river per mits the company will operate it's nydro plant without steam power and will do everything possible towards cooperating with the public in the situation"
 Four passenger trains on the Frisco will he discontinued next Monday on ac- count of the cca1 shortage. This step was taken by the management of the road be- cause of the urgent need of coal in the west and middle west, to which Birmins- ham coal is now being shipped over the Frisco.
 The trains to be discontinued are No. 105. Kansas City-Florida Special, which arrives rom McHlpliiS dl 4 p ib., ~NO. 'yS' Kansas Citv-Florida Special, which de- parts ct 12:So p. m.; No. 925, Amory local which arrives at 10 a. m., and No. s-t, Amory local, which leaves at 40 p. m
 EMBARGOES IN EFFECT It was stated at the Frisco offices yes terdsy afternoon that all embargoes on coal shipments heretofore in effect VIII continue in effect until further orders. ha oil roads have announced any train discontinuances so far. and unless the situation grows worse there IS said to be no prospect of any Of the pres ent passenger trains being taken off The Frisco occupies a position some what different to the other railways en- tering Birmingham, for the reason that II trayerses territory ordinarily supplied by the coal fields of western Kentucky, llii- lnois. Kansas ana Oklahoma. The mines in these districts have been practically closed ever since the strike began on No vember 1. and surplus stocks previously laid in by railroads, industrials and ctaer consumers are exhausted. When the Iuel administration took over the distribution of coal two or three weeks ago it issued l an order directing the Frisco to send all i coal loaded along it's track to the vest | and his order is still in effectE BARBER SHOPS | The barhers of Birmingham are asRing that the regulations be modified so thit | thev nay be permitted to keep .neir nlaces open until 9 o'clock 5Satui day nights. They say that merchants are not required to close until that hour on Sat urdavs and they believe they should pc given the same privilege
 l The matter was taken up with the re- pional coal committee in Atlanta iast night and change in the rules to thae extent may be granted today.
 There was no change in the strike sit- nation. locally, yesterday. It was rumcl cd that miners in the Cahaba fields. that IS Ribb county, had voted to return to worE. hut inouiries at offices of operating com
 nanies in Birmingham failed to confirm ! this rumor
 l Reports from mining operations last
 week continue to reach the Alabama Coal onerators association office additional tonnage reported yesterday bringing the total for last week up to nearly so''ooo tons.
 Negro Charged With
 Shooting Policeman nvoJ Trndor Arrest