davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-08-17
REQUEST FOR AUDIT 0F COUNTY BOOKS Old and New Members of Board of Revenue Join
 In Request

rormai request for a compIete audit or Jefferson county books was mailed to GoV' Thomas E. Kilby yesterday. It was signed by the members of the present board Of revenue and the members of the new board who will take office in No- vemoer The letter is as follows:
 Hon. Thomas E Kilhv co,,o,.-
 Montgomery, Ala.
 Dear Sir: The financial affairs of Jefferson county have not been audited by duly accrediteG representative Of the state in some time, and you are per maps familiar in general way through the press with the difficulty confronting the outgoing board of revenue in a financial way. The nominees of the in coming board desire to place the county on sound financial basis and if prac- tical, adopt a budget system or a similar system so that the business and finan- cial affairs may be properly conducted ana the present board is desirous of rendering any assistance possible.
 ITO that end we believe that it is ab- solutely necessary that we have authori- tative information as to the exact finan- cial condition of the county and that this can be best obtained by thorough audit conducted by competent state exami- ner. We would appreciate very much If you will designate a state examiner to make thorough audit of the affairs of Jefferson county and to furnish the un- derslgned, who compose the present and incoming board of revenue, with the re- suit of his labor In doing so you will render great service to the people of the county and to us personally
 Very respectfully yours, Jerry Gwin Rufe Bivens, Thomas F. Huey, w. B. Cloe, J. B. Vines, D. c. Ball, Lacey Ed mundson, W. B. Copeland"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-08-17
Of damage.

The rain was accompanied by an cleo trical display not seen in Birmingham in some time. Street car service was se- rlously hampered and telephone and electric service of all kinds was curtailed.
 The wind and lightning interfered with the big transmission lines of the Ala hama Power Company. For several hours all public buildings were without light or electric service of any kind The elevators of the city hall, court house, federal building and some of the larger office buildings refused to func- tion.
 Tidewater street car was derailed on Forty y-second street, Avondale, by mud and sediment which was washed on the tracks by the torrential rain The car was heavily loaded, but no injuries re- suited. Traffic on this line was held up for nearly an hour until a wrecker could arrive and place the car back on the tracks
 Lightning struck telegraph post at Thfrty-ninth street and First avenue set ting it afire. The Avondale fire station was called out to extinguish the flames. Telephone wires in all sections of the city were blown down, and many people were without service yesterday after noon and night.
 While the electrical storm caused much inconvenience, the rains caused much damage to the streets and hndered traf-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-08-17
KEMP ELIGIBLE
 AS CHIEF DEPUTY,
 RULES WILKINSON

Quo warranto proceedings to oust w. T. Kemp as chief deputy sheriff at Bes- semer were denied yesterday by Judge Horace c. Wilkinson of the circuit court of Jefferson county. assigned to hear this case in the absence of Judge J. C. B. Gwin of the Bessemer division. Several weeks ago quo warranto pro- ceedings were filed in the Bessemer di- vision of the court alleging that Mr. Kemp was ineligible to hold the office of chief. deputy as he was not a quali- fled elector of Bessemer and did not live there.
 Judge Wilkinson held that MT. Kemp did not hold a public office and was not accountable to the people of Jeff ferson county but was an employe of Sheriff Chris Hartsfield of Jefferson county, by whom he was appointed, and was answerable to the sheriff alone. No- tice of appeal was given.
 The hearing of this case occupied the entire morning. and D. N. Wright, who instituted the proceedings was repre- sented by Goodwin & Ross. while Sheriff Hartsfield and Mir. Kemp were repre- scnted by Burgin X Jenkins.
 Much interest has been manifested in the hearing of this case and a large crowd of interested spectators was pre- ent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-08-17

1c to certain extent. Records at the office of the United States weather bu- reau showed that g inches of rain fell in fifteen minutes. E. C. Horton weather observer. stated that this was a heavy fall. An inch faii per hour is considered to be an unusually hard rain.
 Due to the sudden fall the storm sewers were unable to dispose of the water. As a result some of the main streets soon became flooded On North Nineteenth street water ran into the lobby of the city hall and backed over the curb on the opposite side of the street in front of the Hillman hotel.
 Street crossings became blocked on Fourth and Fifth avenues by broad streams of water. Automobiles and other vehicles had trouble in making their way along these avenues, while pedestrians became drenched from above and by the water in the streets
 Several reports were received at the office of the comms ssioner of streets and public improvements in regard to damages to suburban streets and bridges.
 Weather Observer Horton stated that the wind did not exceed sixteen miles per hour. No damages were reported from wind. I've are about fifteen inches ahead this year on rain" said Mir. Horton and the worst part of it is there is no promise of any dry weather for the next few days"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-08-17

NIT, Creher IS one of the foremost busi- ness men of Tampa and is well known Tn Birmingham, where he has been a regular purchaser of Birmingham iron and steel products for his Tampa con- cerns In addition to the building of ships, he operates large foundry and machine shop. He has made a number of ships for the government and is also manufacturer of mills for handling Plor- ida phosphate. In addition to the Tampa Shpbuilding and Engineering Companys S plant, the Creher interests also built a shipbuilding plant later leased to other parties.
 MT. Creher's purchase of land at Tar rant City has been kept quiet, but it is known that he has acquired the Ed Hagler tract almost contiguous to that recently purchased by the Lehigh Port
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-08-17
AND REDS DENOUNCED
 BY POSTMASTERS
State Convention Held and Important Measures Are Adopted-B. B. Gather
 Elected President

B. B. Gather, postmaster at Ashville, was named to head the Alabama chapter of the National League of Postmasters at the annual convention at the Tutwiler hotel yesterday. Lot tie c. Reid, postmistress of Odenville, was renamed secre- tary-treasurer.
 The next convention city was not named, nor was the date for the next convention set This will be life to the president and the executive com mittee.
 Resolutions were introduced express ing regret at the death of Senator J. H Bankhead. The senator was sincere friend of the postal employees and was one of the fighters for better postal conditions and post roads over the country
 Resolutions were also introduced
 denouncfng the wave of disIoyalty
 nnd boishevism that is now sweep
 ing the country md pIedging the
 support and influence of the post
 masters. both as n body and os in-
 dtviduais, to fight with every
 means in their power the Reds to
 halt the spread of bolshevism in
 America.
 third resolution was introduced cali- ing the congressman and senators from Alabama to secure, if possible. compen- sation for the postmasters in keeping with the work they are doing and tho advancement of cost of living.
 This report of the resolutions commit tee was adopted
 resolution was introduced from the floor inviting the first ard second class postmasters in Alabama to join tho league. This resolution was heartily received and adopted. Postmaster R. B. Smyer of Birmingham was signed up as a member
 R. l.. O'Neal postmaster of Huntsville, opened the convention. acting as chair man in the absence of the president. He touched briefly on the problems before the postmasters of the country.
 R. B. Smyer postmaster of Birming- ham, welcomed the delegates to Br- mingham. He spoke of the condirrons which the postmasters are facing and welcomed the men and women to Bir- mingham to discuss those conditions. He invited them to go through the Bir- mingham postoffice
 pr. H. P. Caffey of Leeds spoke on in- creasing the membership Of the league Less than twenty-five per cent of the eligible postmasters of Alabama are members he stated He urged that ev- cry member go after one or more new postmaster during the year.
 Augustus Mackey, who has charge of the auditing of the Birmingham orfice, explained the federal system of auditing to the postmasters present.
 Congressman l.. B. Rainey made a talk on postal conditions, following an ad- |journment for lunch. His talk was fol- lowed by a general discussion from the floor on postal conditions and problems.
 More than fifty postmasters rom all parts of Alabama were present. This is a large number, but ifficers are going out after a greatly increased number for next year.
 The thanks of the convention was ex- tended to the hotel management, the speakers for their addresses and the Birmingham press.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-08-17
MAN INJURED BY
 UNUSUAL ACCIDENT
Automobile Runs Over Driver While Cranking Engine With Seri-
 ous Results

A moving picture comedy in real life with results anything but Imaginable was enacted yesterday when J. M Smith, who lives at 2351 Sixteenth ave- nue, Ensley, was knocked down and run over by a car he was cranking on First avenue and Twenty-third street.
 According to bystanders MT. Smith cranked his car while in gear. The engine started at the first turn and knocked MT. Smith down, passing over his prostrate body It was stopped some distance away by the curb
 The ambulance of Lige Loy was summoned and the injured man rushed to Hillman hospital. An examination showed that MT. Smith had sustained a broken leg and numerous cuts and bruises about the face and neck He was resting easily at the infirmary last night.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-08-17
THEY WOULD BECOME
 AMERICAN CITIZENS
Eighty Aliens Will Take Naturali- zation Examination September
 Thirtieth

Arrangem ents for the hearing of aliens who desire to become citizens of the United States are being made by the clerk of the United States court. This three -times-a year hearing will take place in the federal court September 30.
 An unusually large number will be examined at this hearing. This is due to the fact that many enemy aliens whose naturalization has been held up on account of the war will take out citizenship papers. So far about eighty aliens have signified their intention of becoming naturalized. Of this number eight are of countries with which the United States has, of comparatively re- cent date, been at war
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-08-17
b|VENS OPPOSED ID INCREASE OF DEPUTIES SALARY Deputy Sheriffs Ask In- crease on Account of H. c. L.-Sheriff Harts-
 field Talks

An increase of S25 a month in the salaries of deputy sher- ifs was vigorously opposed by .Rufe Bivens, member of the board of revenue yesterday when the matter was presented to the board. He was opposed to the increase, he stated, in view of the resolution adopted by the board last November fixing the salaries of officers for the year ending November 1. 1920.
 He declared the sherifrs office was operated at a deficit of between s3o,ooo and SSS,0oO year and he could prove this if he could get his hands on certain data which hs had requested the board of revenue to furnish him for several months, but without results. MT. Bivens spoke for nearly an hour.
 several deputies appeared before the board yesterday and requested that the rate or Sz5 month be allowed on the grounds that their present salary of $50 was inadequate with which to support themselves and their families. They stated that with the enormous increases In living expenses since tneir sa.arres had been fixed, they found it impossible to i've On the money they were getting ana support their families without going continually into deot constantly to sup plement it.
 Dr. J. B. Vines spoke of the Hazardous occupation of these officers who were constantly required to undergo danger ana exposure, to Say nothing of the long hours many times all night. He then made motion that the increase be al- lowed, which was seconded by w B. Cloe Following the opposition talk of MT. Bivens, the matter was taken under advisement
 Sheriff Chris Hartsfield stated that he had taken one man off the force and the amount of the salary paid him to- gether with an additional s4O0 a month which he wanted the board to g1ve would allow the proposed increase. He declared that approximately s7o,0OO year was necessary for the operation OF ,ne sheriffs office. According to figures compiled at this office, only $36 900.S2 was collected last year by the sheriff's office, while for the seven months of 1920 $S7, ,29S. % had been collected The fees of the sheriff are not collected un,m the case is finally disposed of, said MT. Hartsfield and work that my deputies have done will be bringing fees into the county for many years to come Be- sides, he stated there was a larger amount on the books than there was col lected
 My men are required to work all day Sunday, just the same as other days and are up practically all night on Saturday nights, while other employees of the county are home. We work long hours and the work is hazardous.
 Tn speaking of an investigation of my office, would welcome it and I am sure my men would as we'll In my opinion, l have splendid force of deputies and feel that they are entitled to an increase in salary on account of the high cost of liv- ing, which has advanced so during the past few years."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-08-17
GRAND JURY RECORDS ARE TO BE KEPT IN FIREMAN FEN T FORM

All records of the Jefferson county grand jury are being permanently bound, according to a statement made yesterday by Solicitor Joseph R. Tate. These rec ords have formerly been kept in loose leaf ledgers, but this was not proving satisfactory and many were being dam aged so the permanent binding was de- cided on.
 There are four grand juries organized each year in the Jefferson county circuit court in Birmingham. according to Mr. Tate and the record of each will be kept separately and be bound and labelled Jefferson county grand jury and will bear the month and year in which orgon- ized
 When all records are permanently bound. there will be no trouble In looking up records of cases which were investi- gated many years ago and all data sub mitted to the jury will be contained in the records.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-08-17
HILTON ID DEFEND ]. POSITION OF FRISCO
Point of Interchange of Freight With River Serv-
 ice Under Discussion

With extreme interest, Warrior river shippers and transportation authorities await the conference to be held tomor- row afternoon at 2:3O o'clock in the Chamber of Commerce, between A. Hil- ton. vice president of the Frisco and the civic organizations protesting change of the point of interchange of freight with the river transportation service at the port of Cordova.
 Theo Brent of New Orleans general manager of the Miss:ssipp- Warrior transportation system, has telegraphed Henry I. DeBa;deleben, manager of Warrior river transportation. that he will attend the conference. MT. DeBardeleben will also be present. These two are in- innate with every detail of the Missis- sippi- system.
 Until MT. Hilton personally explains to this meeting precisely what the Frisco contends for as to point of freight inter- change at Cordova his position will not be known with accuracy. At first 1t was understood that he would insist on the Frisco station at Cordova and de- mand switching charge for delivering cars to the tracks of the port.
 Later President Kuhn of the Frisco wired in response to Birmingham's pro- test that he thought the Frisco should interchange freight al the lnterSectloH ol the railroad tracks with those of the government. connected with the river side. MT. DeBardeleben's contention is that the Frisco should maintain the same point of interchange that 1t has done the past five years, that is the river side tipple He sees no argument for a change merely because the government has succeeded the DeBardeleben Coal Company in ownership Of the Cordova terminals.
 What Warrior river transporta-
 ton managers and shippers say
 they will bitterly oppose is any
 change that will tend to eat away
 the 20 per cent freight differen-
 tiaI allowed for transportation via
 the Warrior.
 They declare their apprehension Of the establishment of principle that might work hereafter to the disadvan- taee of the Port of Birmingham. as well as at Tuscaloosa. and the ports to be established at Demopolis and other points on the river.
 They will attend the Cordova confer ence with the Warrior as a whole under watchful guardianship.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-08-17
EVENTS OF TODAY
 IN BIRMINGHAM

Community Club meets ef 1 o'clock at Southern Club.
 Fair rent and housing board meets at 2i3O o'clock Tt the city hall. Luncheon of the Kfwanis Club at o'clock at TutviIer hotel
 ADJUSTMENTS Lyrfc-Keith vaudeville and pictures, Loewss Bijou-VaudeviIle and pic lures.
 Strnnd-DousIas Mclean and Doris Mny In 'T-et's Be Fashionable." Trianon-katherfne Mcdonald in <sThe Notorious Miss Lisle.o Alcazar-Edith Storey in "Moon Mad ness.'
 Rialto--Mary Pickford in "Heart O the Hills.'
 CoIonial-Douglas Fairbanks in 'eThe Good Bad Man,
 Princess--@sLost City," No. 15. Odeon-"Efmo, the Fearless" East Lake-Bathing and amuse- ments.
 Edgewood Park-DanctnS and bath ing.
 West Lake-Dancins Apd bathing. Miles School of DaYDfng-Dancing from 9 to 12
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-08-17
HAY TO TALK ON STATE HARBORS COMMISSION

T. P. Hay, Jr, will talk to Rotarians tomorrow afternoon at 1 o'clock in the ballroom of the Tutwiler hotel on the state harbors' commission, This subject Is one of more than usual interest at the present time and Mir. Hay has some im- portant facts and figures to present to members of the Rotary Club at this time
 In addition F. l.. Woodruff, general man. ager of the Southern Bell Telephone Company, will make a short talk, giving the reasons why the telephone rates must be increased. Several other reatures will be presented and President Percy Wood- all requests all members to be present.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-08-17
FRED S[OSS DIES
 0F HEART FAILURE Pioneer Furnace Builder and Mineral Expert Dies
 Suddenly at Oakman

Fred Sloss, pioneer furnace builder and pert, died suddenly of a heart attack near Oakman, in Walker county, yes terday afternoon at l o'clock.
 The funeral arrangements have been placed in the hands of the Johns Un- dertaking Company. A special ambu- lance will be sent to Oakman through the country and the body VIII be brought to Johns chapel Funeral services will George R. Stuart, pastor of the First Methodist Church, officiating. The time of the service and the place of inter ment will be announced later.
 MT. Sloss had been in that vicinity for some time as mineral expert to pass on lands belonging to the Tuskegee h. stitute, for which a deal was pending. He was eight miles out or town in d buggy when the attack came.
 MT. Sloss was a son of the late J. w. Sloss, founder of the old Sloss Iron and Steel Company and builder of the Sloss furnaces in Birmingham He was one of the foremost upbuilders of the Bir- mingham district. He died in 1890.
 SLOSS COMPANY
 He was assisted in the early manage ment of the Sloss Company. of which he was president, by Fred Sloss who was vice president and secretary. and the late Maclin Sloss as superintendent
 Later, after the death of their father and the taking over of the old Sloss Company by the Sloss-Sheffield Steel and Iron Company. Fred and Maclin Sloss organized the Birmingham Mining and Manufacturing Company at Gate City and conducted that several years. Subsequently, they devoted their time to locating mining properties and the like as mineral experts. Maclin SloSs died about eighteen months ago.
 The children of the late J. w. Sloss by his first wife were Frederick, Maclin and James w. Sloss, Jr., Mrs. George Mason of Athens. Mrs. k. T. Taliaferro of New York and Mrs Arthur w. Smith of Birmingham. All of these have now died except Mrs. Smith. Children by the second Mrs. Sloss, who now resides with her sister in Oxford. Miss, are J. Lundie Sloss, Mrs. John Min3e and Bax- ter Sloss.
 Frederick and Maclin Sloss were in the mercantile business at Athens, under the firm name of George Mason & Co.
 MINERAL EXPERT
 The deceased was about 72 years of age. but very active for his years. He and his brother, Machn oioss, were sought by dealers in mineral lands for !. charter of a century as being experts in that line, and Fred Sloss died while engaged in that kind of work.
 Mr Sloss was one of the most lovable of men, and the pioneer iron and steel operators of the district were deeply att tached to him. He was a devoted mem her of the Methodist Church.
 Speaking of Fred Sloss, w. N. Malone who came here from Athens about the time the Sloss family did and knew them intimately, said:
 ~Neyer a finer man lived than Fred sloss. As he aged he grew nobler and nobler man until in his advancing years a was as near spiritually perfect as men get to be. He did his fuii part Tor nioneer Birmingham and a great part ;-ter on in locating and letting the world become acquainted with this districts resources. Birmingham owes much to the name Sfoss."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-08-17

land Cement Company. land adjoining this tract belonging to the Tarrant Land Company. and still another tract AL together about $35,oo0 has been paid for the site of the new industry.
 It is understood that Mr Creher in- tends to engage in the manufacture of several iron and steel products and that the building of small tractors is one kind of manufacture in which hs will engage. His various interests in Tampa Will probably be supplied with parts made m Birmingham. These may in- clude fabrication of steel for ships
 It is understood that Mir. Creher openlv aVows the reason of his coming to Bir- mingham. It is his desire to get o<ose to the Birmingham supply of steel and pig iron. Birmingham's advantages as q point Of distribution were also mentioned Dy hiti' as It was by the parties locating the plant of the Lehigh Portland C,ament Company.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-08-17
AUTO DEALERS TO BOOST CARS AT THE
 KIWANIS LUNCHEON

No matter what kind of automobile a Kiwanian may own, he will probably learn something about it he never knew before at the luncheon of the club today at the Tutwiler hotel. Auto deal CTS of Birmingham will be- the guests of the club and will explain the merits of their particular car.
 The meeting will be known as Auto Day" All dealers will be allowed two minutes in which to set out the salient features of his car. E. w. Brownell has been named chairman of the occa sion.
 Other events including the singing of several Kiwanis songs. will take place.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-08-17

recently been declared defective
 by the attorney general of the
 state, which hill it is found does
 not apply to any county having
 population of 200,0O0 or more or
 having assessed valuation of Sf0O.-
 0O0.O0O or more.
 This exclusion covers Jefferson an both counts.
 Tn regard to handling the business of Jefferson county in the future, my recommendation to the legislature would be to establish the office of comptroller so that some person com Ietent and with authority could check up and gather in all of moneys that are due the county through differ ent sources and would then see that all moneys paid out in any direction whatever would be paid according to law. This officer would take a tre. mendous amount of detail and clerical work off the county treasurer and board of revenue SIS well as respons'- bility."