The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-02-28
LACK OF ACCESS ID
 BOOKS PRECLUDES
 ESTIMATE OF LOSS
Merchants Whose Stores Were Damaged In Fire Thursday Not Ready
 to Announce Plans

No definite statement could be given out by the owners of the Rhodes-Carroll Furniture Company, the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company and Levy's stocks that were de- stroyed by fire Thursday after noon, with regard to the eX- act amount of loss sustained owing to the fact that access to the records and books was inn possible yesterday.
 The books and other records of the various companies are covered with debris, which had not been cleared up to late hour yesterday evening, which fact made it impossible for the own CTS to gain access to their files.
 It was stated yesterday by the diff ferent owners of the stocks that they intend to continue their business opera tions, provided the space and suitable location can be secured.
 J. w Carroll. president of the Rhodes Carroll company. made the fol- lowing statement last night;
 lowing to the fact that we cannot gain entrance to our files and other records, an exact statement of the amount of damage done by the fire will be almost impossible. However, rough ly speaking, the stock is conservative ly estimated a $100, 900, of which about 75 per cent is covered by insurance TheN facts are not to be relied upon as exact With regard to our future plans for a new store that is also hard to map out. Of course, we expect to open up @ new business. but where and when, remains to be seen. We have already established box at the postoffice in which we receive oui mall, stc. and suitable place for 2 temporary office is still being consid- cred"
 Joe Levy whose store was damaged stated: "Just as soon as I can ge strengthened out with the insurance companies and adjust other matters pertaining to the future location of th' store I expect to open a better ane larger store have not even a vague idea of what the damage to the stocl will amount to on account of not be ing able to see my records. but l dc believe that the majority of the stock is covered by insurance"
 The total value placed on the build. 1nES IS appTOAlIHdttly Ri-otVVVs anu ls mostly covered by insurance.
 J. NJ Gillespy and pr. J. s. GillespS of Birmingham are the owners of the building occupied by the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company and, accord ing to Dr. J. s. Gillespy, the build ing was put up about 40 years ago and is valued today at about $12.000 partly covered by insurance.
 The building occupied by tht Rhodes Carroll Furniture Company i. owned by the Beidman estate and i: partly owned by Sam Rich of Birming ham, who placed value of about s6o, 0o0 upon his share.
 D. c. Cooper of Oxford Ala, is thu owner of the building occupied b, Lew and it is estimated to b. worth about S12.000.
 No official of the A. & P. Compan, had been able to give out statemen last night about the future plans o the company, and it is understood tha information from the main offices il Atlanta will be received today.
 Fireman M. c. Tucker of Station No 1, who was seriously injured internal ly when he was struck by a falling piece of timber while on the third floor is reported to be resting comfortably at the Birmingham Infirmary, where h. was taken
 Fireman F. H. Russell of Station No and Henry Hays of Station No. s who were also injured. are resting well according to reports received last night Several other firemen who receive' minor Injuries were able to resum work today.
 The Burger Dry Goods Company building was not damaged by the fir building as was at first believed ant business there is going on as usual
 We are fortunate in having escaped the flames and falling walls of th' burning building" stated Arthur Phil lips, advertising manager of Burger g land we are open for business as usual Our stocks are complete and undafn aged by the fire or water and we stant I re 11y n cerva 0i1r cnStOnerSp