davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-12-31

Well-informed theatrical men say that
at the present time Orpheum people
have nothing definite in view and II
probably will be months before a de-
cision is reached.
Transfer of the Majestic Amusement
company from the hands Of Bridges &
Tarleton to the Memphis Enterprises.
Inc. marked an important switch in
motion picture circles. Locally all form
er Majestic picture shows as well as
Loew's Lyceum and the Lyric theater.
the latter now Memphis sole legiti-
organization. John Martin is president
and c. A. MeElravy manager.
The last IL months saw but few
changes If any in local show officials.
Mr.. McElravy accepted the manager
ship of the Memphis Enterprises Inc,
thus continuing in practically his same
position. At Loew's Lyceum Ben NJ.
his slxtieth birthday in September, 1919,
remained as manager, assisted BY
Thomas James who at the very flag
end of the year moved to Birmingham
temporarily. John A. Bertram returned
To the Orpheum and with him Vannah
TAYLOR, press representative and as
sistant manager, while in the box office
Louis Carline and AL Loginotti issued
tickets as in seasons past. At ths
Lyric Frank Gray was the chief and
once more surrounded himself with his
familiar staff, Tom Dwyer and Vincent
Carline.
Insofar as circus attractions are con-
cerned the usual quota came this way.
There was some difficulty with one
which resulted in the humor that Tri-
| State Fair officials might take legisla-
tive action toward barring tented at
fractions at certain times of the year..
However, nothing material developed,
The fair itself was, insofar as actual
show connection is concerned, an un-
qualified success. Chief among the at
fractions was the Johnny j.. Jones
United Shows. To be sure the usual list
of varieties came with the exposition,
In addition quite a number OF other
carniyals and shows were here. G. A.
Wortham's two carnivals played Mem
phis Centennial week which came in
May. Hundreds of concessionaires and
individual showmen in addition to he
| Centennial ,Hippodrome, conducted by
the Ethel Robinson syndicate. were here
on the same occasion. IT wal during
Centennial week that Rhoda Royal
formed and started from Memphis his
circus.
Incidentally two tented caravans Sc
lected Memphis as their winter home.
The Mighty Doris Shows after closing
the season in December with a two
week stand on local lots went into
quarters on South Cooper street, Floyd
and Howard King. local boys, brought
the Great Sanger Shows, of which they
ARE owners, TO Memphis to wait the
1920 tours opening.
As to the class of attractions booked
in Memphis theaters 1t can be said that
the climax of the season was reached
at the very end of the year when Rob
ert Mantell i~naugurated a weeks en-
gagement at the Lyric. All told the
shows and vaudeville acts offered for
local entertainment seekers have been
acceptable.
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-12-31

much other valuable work. Mr.. Hardy
succeeded in bringing about q banner
season fnr Mig ard corn club bows
These three agents also had much 10
do with the remarkable success OF the
community fairs held in several school
districts OF the county last fall. Notable
,noBE these fairs may he mentioned the
Silleba fair at CanleNille. the George 7.
James fair and the Rosemark fair,
The farm bureau and the county
agents also played q leading part IN
making the recent Tri-State fair the
most successful since the fair assoGia-
ton was organized. The exhibits MADE
Ly the shelby county communities and
nv various county agents in West Ten.
ntssee and Eastern Arkansas we're OF
such completeness and attraCttveneSs
that agricultural hall commanded the
admiration and wonder OF every vlsitor
ia the fair.
Joe Mottc, poultry expert OF the t2rui
bureau, also accomplished a great deal
during the year and at the Tri-State
fair managed the greatest poultry ana
uipCon and rabbit show ever held IN the
South. MIR. Mettc took a leading part
In the formation Of the Trt-state Poui-
try and Rabbit Breeders association,
which had n great deal to do with the
! success Of the exhibition OF their spe-
%cialties at the fair, He also, In CO.
| operation with Miss MCGOWAN, fostered
the formation Of tho Tri-State Poultry
Breeders association,
The farm bureu now has under way
| several important development projects
which win be pursued during the year
1920. One Of these Is the introduction
, Of Il crop rotation system, combined
with long-term leases to tenant farm
ers In West Tennessee to get away
from the one-Crop system and save the
soil from The damage which acGrues
through farming IT to cotton on the
onc-ycar plan. This will be conducted
IN Co-operAtiOn with the feU"essee Stafh
| Bankers association, Another project
IN 20 take a census Of the eggs, poul-
try, milk, cream, butter, corn, sweet
and Irish potatoes and hay consumed
In Memphis to ascertain Just how much
Of these products is produced In the
territory. This data win then furnish
a basis for Il campaign TO encourage
the buying Of these products by Mem
phls consumers from producers In the
territory to as large an extent as pos
slble, Or. Lloyd plans TO begin the
campaign in February, assisted by Mr..
Watson, Mr.. Landess and Miss Nc
Gowan win conduct a short course In
farming and home economics during
January throughout Shelby county,
Tho farm bureau closes the year IN
| excellent financial condition. II was
financed the first OF the year for a
three-year period by voluntary sub
| scriptiors made by the business men
Of Memphis. planters of the territory
and others. Ninety thousand dollars
was PLEDGED c%ne-thirG Of which was
TO be paid eden year for three years.
The first year's payments were made
promptly and by pr, Lloyd's able man
agement the bureau has been free OF
financial woEies,
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-12-31
ACCIDENTS IN 1919

Automobiles were away out In front
during the year 1919, as a means by
which people got hurt. While acct
dents IN which trains injured people
proved by far to have the highest NOR
taltty, there were very few train acct
dents inside the city limits, according
TO police reports.
There were many ways In which PEG
pie got injured, and on numerous &C
caslons these proved fatal
Auto accident for the year aggregat-
ed 330; trains injured six people; falls
Of various kinds. downstairs, pft
uorches and from vehicle seats, injured
IA and seven Of these falls We're fatal,
Six people were shot accidentally,
and street cars injured ".
Summing I'M the accidents. records
disclose that IS Of the above accidents
we're fatal ones that fl3 people were
seriously injured and 24s slightly in
jured. There were 80 accidents report
ed IN which no one was injured,
Gas Rul kindred explosions killed
tour; fire resulted fatally TO one; horses
| injured eight; dog bites proved fatal tt
three, while the bicycle and drowning
each claimed one victims life.
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-12-31
MEMPHIS LIBERAL TO
CHURCHES AND CHARITY

Memphis, which oyersubscribed each
Liberty loan by millions. and showed
the greatest liberality In all other money
raising campaigns during the war, Is no
less liberal to every worthy cause In
the days OF peace.
During 1919 more than 81, $50 900 was
subscribed to the various nationwide
church funds and to other charities or
funds for the public benefit, There
were eight general campaigns during
the year,
In the order In which the amount OF
subscriptions ranked. they were;
Baptist nationwide fund, 81, 035 900
allotment S3ia, 000l.
Methodist centenary fund, S50b, 900
allotment $3.50. 000l.
Jewish hosritRi, $3.50, 900. (This to be
Increased to $500, 000)
V, NJ c. A. sustaining fund, Slah,0 900,
Chamber Of Commerce special fund,
800, 900.
Episcopal nationwide, Memphis allot-
ment, SIS, 900,
AntltuhcrculosIs fund, $4,000 (allot-
ment $92, 00O).
Rcd Cross membership, $4,000,
During the early months of 1920 the
Presbyterian nationwide drive viii
opon, and the A%ntisaloon league also in.
tends to attempt the raising of $4,000
In Memphis,
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-12-31
BAPTISTS MAKE
. BRILLIANT RECORD

The 80 Ranttst churches comnrisine
the Shelby County Baptist association
made a net gain Of approximately ".
600 new members during 1919, and the
new year oOeus with the spiritual and
material affairs Of every congregation
IN the most encouraging state that the
church has witnessed in many years,
A more brilliant record probably was
never attained than was achieved by
thu Shelby county Baptists in the re-
cent S15, 600, 600 campaign, in which 81
OSA. o0O was subscribed on n quota OF
SS19. 600 The Shelby county Baptist
association led every association in the
southern Baptist church In this great
drive and Central church won the dis
tinction OF subscribing the largest sum
Of any single congregation in the on
tire church,
six Baptist congregations are plan
ming TO build new churches this year,
TO cost from sgb,0 900 to 5000 each,
Tho churches that expect 20 build are,
LaBcllc Place, Temple, calvary,
Speedway Terrace, Prescott Memorial
and Bellevue boulevard. The linton
Avenue Baptist church la now build
! ing a SSb,0on Sunday school addition
10 the church.
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-12-31
AUTOMOBILE THEFTS
EXCEED THOUSAND

The appalling total OF 1889 automo-
biles were stolen in Memphis during the
year 1919, Automobile records, checked
to 80 days sgo, show that 204 machines
still are missing Blu police claim that
this tota! should be cut down to about
80 machines which still are missing.
Some cars they have located, but have
not yet brought back to their owners.
Other cars, reported as stolen, are found
by owners CT friends, and police never
are notified,
The t,0S9 automobiles listed at head
quarters do not all represent the work
Of automobile thieves who make a pro-
~fession OF pilfering cars, The Joy rider
who takes a car and abandons 1t after
having completed his ride, makes one
more car listed as stolen on police
records, for once a car Is SO reported II
goes on the list and is inclued in the
annual total.
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-12-31

salers, together with veneer plants and
lumber mills. Resides this. many firms
already established here have Increased
capitalization and made considerable
expansions. And a new hotel, Of 500
rooms, costing 81, 500, 900 is TO be built
early in the new year by a local com-
pany,
The success Of the Southern Hard
wood Traffic association in securing a
return of milling in -transit privileges
TO Memphis caused several lumber mills
and other wood working plants to eX-
pand their operations during the last
few months. And much greater eN'
pansion Of this kind is certain to take
place during the new year, restoring
Memphis to It's full status as the great
est hardwood manufacturing and dis
tributing center in the world, ]. II.
Townsheud, secretary-manager OF the
traffic association, is now fighting TO
have the transit privilege extended 20
include yarding OF lumber and this will
mean the establishment Of many more
lumber yards here II successful.
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-12-31
CITY ELECTION UNLIKE
ANY OTHER IN HISTORY

Memphis had but one election in 1919,
the o~uadrennlal election Of a mayor
and commissioners, but that election
was unique in the 100 years of the
city's history,
On one side were a set of candidates
backed by Il group Of professional poh-
tiCians. drawn together by the prospect
Of spells and patronage, There was
nothing unusual In that,
But on the other side were five men,
selected as candidates of the Citizens
League, not because of their personal
popularity, desire for office or political
following. but because each man by
the special training in his profession OF
business was especially qualified TO I'LL
the office which he consented 10 ac-
cept and for which he was nominated,
The Citizens League, which noni-
mated and supported the candidates,
has been made a permanent Hrganlza-
ton. But II was not the support or
the sieague, or the clean, hard-fought
campaign alone that won,
The women Of Memphis contributed
much to the victory. The women Ct
Tennessee won the ballot In municipal
and presidential elections in 1919
through the action of the state legis-
lature. In the city election Nov, 9
the women Of Memphis first had the
opportunity TO vote, and they TOOK tull
advantage OF It. Out OF a registration
OF 10000 a third were women and prob
ably not less than 5000 women voted.
Both sides had women's committees,
both held numerous rallies at which
women as well as men spoke, both
used newspaper space literally.
Out OF a total vote of more than 20,
900 the Citizens League candidates
won by majorities of from $500 to
nearly 1000. The league campaign
slogan. Better Government, Economy.
Better Schools" and the elaboration OF
that slogan In the platform appealed to
| men and women alike who were hearth
" tired OF old political methods, and
the result demonstrated that a major
ity Of the good citizens OF Memphis are
looking forward, not backward, and
that better municipal government Is
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-12-31

II Is estimated that during the year
IS, 900, 900 In foreign capital was invest
ed in these new enterprises and local
capital to the aggregate Of $l0,o 900, 900.
Not less than 5000 men and women
will be required to operate the new ma
chtnery and conduct the new businesses.
One new plant alone, the Kelsey auto
mobile body plant, represents an invest
ment Of $500, 900 and will employ over
1000 hands. The Quaker Oats company
arranged to erect a plant which will
represent several hundred thousand dol
lars invested capital and employ sew
eral hundred persons. And Just the
other day Mr.. Fenton announced the
advent OF a biscuit company which will
employ 500 hands.
The industries and commercial enter
prises locating here cover an extern
sive range, including a packing plant,
beverage companies. bottling works,
chemical manufacturing concerns,
ready made houses. toy factories,
stockyards and distributing offices and
warehouses for large iobbers and whole
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-12-31


atr. Bates secured a total Of II con-
v~sctions out OF 80 cases tried for muir.
der during his first year In office, end.
Ing Sept. 1, 1919. a total OF 30 per-
sous were convicted on charges OF MS
sault to murder out Of 70 cases tried,
An addition 90 nan Convictions Tor
larceny and other crimes, the states
attorney made "a great record IN prose
cutting whisky cases, A total or Nv
persons were convicted for violating the
liquor law out OF 3tS cases tried Pistol
toters also came to grief during. the
first year OF Bates term. out OF 2Oi
cases tried for this offense 1872 were
convicted.
apsauOt cases we're tried and the de-
PENDANTS convicted during this time. Re
cnntly the states attorney convicted
/ Allen' j. Mcnamara and he was sem
fenced to die FOR an alleged assault ON
a Young girl
that OF Hunter Raine, former rreal-
4 dent az tfa old Mercantile bank, Raiue
wears ano had lost SL,09l 900 OF the
banks deposits gambling on cotton tu-
lures.
Mr, Bates office FOR the first year OF
ihs incumbcncy. dating from Sept 3,
1918. to Sent l. 1912!
HEecured u convictions out OF &c muir
Der cases tried 80 oonytctions out oi
4 III assault To murder cases tried, NJ
\ aut of 2S eases tried on robbery
uhnrycs, 20S convictions out Of 1874 cases
n tried Cor larceny, convicted 30 out OF
81 ~ cafeS tried on charges Of house
N~reRllnR; one conviction for perjury
~etv one case tried, two convictions fol
yin abandonment out Of only tNy,
rvs tried two convictions on nassag,
x had checks, or'y two eases tried, nj,
convictions for forgery out Of MIN
cases tried three convictions for en-
begzlent and fraudulent breach OF trust
unly three cases tried, three ConvIc
lions for obtaining money under falls
rretnnseS out NJ five tried six con
yictions out of eight cases Chargiu
attompt 60 compound a felony; one con
Victton GU Of two cases tried for fe
loniousiy keeping gaming houses, 81
convictions for violating the liduor LAY
cut of 2is cases tried 1879 conviction
for carrying pistol out OF 2oi ease
tried three convictions for assault an
battery out OF seven cases tried. on
conviction out 81 one ease tried on
charge Of breach Of trust, 10 couVic
Nons out ~ l5 cages tried on charge
Of u~nlowfullv using automobiles or
conviction nut NJ two cases tried chars
ing disposal Of mortRRped nrnperty, OF
conviction fOr Nrspn, only one ca,
tried two convictions out of thr,
cases tried. charging Violating the al
~ consent, three convictions out
three eases tried charging rape; on
81
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-12-31

1t played a leading part in the or
ISOLATION and the Mississippi River
Scenic Highway association, a Mem
phian, Hugh Humphreys, having been
elected a vice-president and head of
Zone 2 Of the former association, and
Thomas B. King, chairman of the
chambers highway committee, presi-
dent of the latter. Many important
conventions were held within its quar-
ters; its farm bureau spread the doc
trine of cooperative marketing through
out the territory and started a move
ment for the marketing of territory
farm products in Memphis, which is
destined to make this city an important
live stock and yet more important o
and feed market. Its industrial bureau
participated in the establishment of 1870
new industries n commercial enter
prises here during the year. 1t fought
through its foreign trades and mer-
chant marine committee for the fair al
location of ships to the Southern ports,
and for expansion of the government
river transportation fleet. Its members
were appointed to the commission which
has arranged for the proper equipment
and enlargement of the barge terminals,
The jefferson Davis and Mississippi
River Scenic Highway associations con
ventions were held in Memphis under
its auspices and 1t kept alert and con
tinually in progress the movement for
better highways in the delta regions
of Mississippi and Arkansas, the hill
regions of Mississippi and all of West
Tennessee.
From w. H. FitzHugh. president, and
W. H. Hayley, secretary, to the last
one, II executive secretaries and heads
OF departments worked indefattgably
throughout the year for the good Of
Memphis and its trade territory; Only
In the past week its convention division
under Fl. r. Chears was able to an
nounce that 1t had succeeded in LAY
ing formed in Memphis a corporation
10 build a 5OO-room 81, 5000 0 hotel tc
answer the crying need for more hote
accommodations in the city.
A building adjoining the chamber OF
Monroe avenue has been purchased a
a cost of $4,000 and plans were mad
for the ~remodeling some time durini
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-12-31

The government allotment for levee
work was distributed as follows:
White River levee district, $500. 900;
lower st. Francis levee district, $400,-
900; upper st. Francis levee district,
$3.50, 900, q total of $3.50, 900, and to this
amount is added 1926, 900. which is pro-
rated among the districts.
The excessive rainfall during the
spring and fall, together with the UNI
usual stages recorded by the river dur
ing the fall have greatly handicapped
the work OF the engineers and contrac-
tors working under their direction. I'm
der ordinary conditions a great amount
OF work is done during the fan months
and dry weather, but three rises
during the fall that have carried the
stage above the normal for the season
have deferred the work to a consid-
cradle extent.
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-12-31
SIS, OO0,O Infested
5000 People Employed
In NeW Manufacturing

Like unto the tabled beanstalk, which overnight sprouted a lad
der upon which our worthy friend Jack could climb beyond the clouds,
Memphis has grown industriany and commercially during the year
1919. One hundred and thirty new enterprises, some of them of real
magnitude, were established during that time. Credit for much of this
prodigious growth is due to Mark Fenton, director of the Chamber OF
Commerce industrial and commercial division, who, like an able gar
dener, has kept the growing plant well watered with direct mail or
personal advertising, pursuing every prospect until it either developed
into a new enterprise for Memphis or outran him. And the prospect
which got away from him had to be very fleet of foot.
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-12-31
arm Bureau Added
Much to Prosperity
Of Memphis Section

Under the direction and inspiration of the Chamber of Commerce
farm bureau the development Of diversified agriculture moved at a
aoodlv pace IN the tristate territory contiguous to Memphis through
but the year just passing into history. The farm bureau worked for
beveopment chiefs through the medium Of marketing, DR.. +. X Lloyd
the director. whose term of office began with the opening OF ISlS' ne
leving the first essential of agricultural expansion is discovery or crea-
tin AS the case may require. Of convenient and profitable markets for
the produce Of the farms. He holds to the theory that the production
hi farm commodities will generally rise to meet the opportunities OF
market. and that after the market is found the problem Of increasing
nroduction and improving methods will be of comparatively easy solu-
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-12-31
LdW-B Breakers Suffered
At Bar of Criminal Court

Although hampered by suspension OF the two criminal courts for
long periods OF time due TO the employment OF the attorneys in aiding
men in the selective draft for the great war, and the closing of the
courts during the influenza epidemic. S. o. Bates, states attorney and
his assistants, w. T. McLain and John Exby, made a splendid record
during 1919. In fact, the number of convictions obtained by the
states attorney. and the number of arrests made by 0. II. Perry, sheriff,
brought from Gov, A. II. Roberts high praise for their work, in which
he said The present law-enforelng officers of Shelby county were with
out equal in the state, This included, in addition to the states attorney
and the sheriff, the two judges of the criminal court, Judge ]. ED
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-12-31

conviction out OF two cases tried, charg-
ing violation OF the a%ntinarcotic law;
two convictions out Of two cases tried
charging disturbance Of public Worship;
out Of two cases tried. charging de-
linquency. A total OF 72s convictions
were procured out of i,i4s cases tried,
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-12-31
Memphis Takes Lead
As Amusement Center
Of Entire Southland

Electrically Memphis enjoyed a twelyemonth that undoubtedly
never before has been equaned, and alone can be compared with pros
poets for 1920. The past year saw contracts closed for three new
theaters, all of which now are under construction. Tentative plans call
for the erection of a fourth,
1t was in 1919 that Marcus Loew definitely decided to invade
Memphis in full force. Likewise, Alexander Pantages, the Pacific coast
show magnate, chose this city as a stop in his move eastward. Com
sequently Memphis now has under construction:
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-12-31
SOcietyis Loom WOUe Fabric
Of Rare Beauty and Color

On the last day of the old year, as We take the fabric of 1919
from the loom of life, we cast our eyes over the pattern, hoping that
there are not many flaws and that we may point with pride to our
finished product. AS we glance back over the warp and wool OF hopes
and fears, days somber and gay. W e find here and there a beautiful
golden thread, marking some happy hour, which will remain bright
and shining when the gay coors shall have faded into the more somber
tones-untl the entire fabric is a dim thing of almost forgotten beauty,
with only these gHnts of gold to remind us of glories past.