davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-09
MAN KILLED BY
 OFFICER RATTEREE
 IS VIM. ]. THOMAS
Identification Made Throuuh Navy of Finger Prints of Dead Man, Whose Home
 Was in Baltimore

Finger prints taken when he en- listed in the United States navy sew eral years ago resulted yesterday in the Identification of the man killed at Trussville Sunday by Special Agent Ratteree of the Southern rail- way as William John Thomas, s1S South Decker avenue, Baltimore.
 Following unsuccessful efforts of local authorities to establish the identity of the slain man, his finger prints were taken and turned over to local naval authorities on the chance that he might have served an enlistment because of the finding of his picture in a naval uniform on is person at the time of his death. The finger prints were forwarded to Washington and yesterday officials of the local navy recruiting station received information from naval Headquarters saying the prints were tkose of Thomas, who was discharged from the navy in 1918. According to information given by him at the time of his enlistment he is the son ot Mrs. Katherine Thomas of the Baltimore address.
 A telegram to the mother notify ing her of her sons death and ask ing what disposition she desires made of the body was sent to Mrs. Thomas yesterday by Lige Loy, local undertakers.
 The dead man, who had been iden- tified at one time as Roy Dickerson, noted Alabama bank robber, and at another as Will Solomon, Garden dale man, was killed Sunday
 he Is alleged to have attacked the railroad detective with a knife when the officer attempted to put him off freight train on which he is said to have ridden from Chattanooga in defiance of the train crew. A yer dict of justifiable homicide was rem dered by Coroner J. D. Russum fol- lowing an investigation.
 Letters found on the dead mans person were addressed to Hugh Queens"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-09
BARGE LINE SEEKS
 RATE REDUCTIONS
TWent y Per Cent Under All Rail Rates Asked in Pe-
 titi0n Filed

The Mississippi Warrior barge line has filed with the interstate com- merce commission a petition asking for the establishment of rates 20 per cent under the all-rail rates to and from Birmingham and East St Louis, and interior western points via Mem phis.
 The line has also filed petition with the same body asking for he same differentials to be established between Birmingham and south western territory. which will include Louisiana and Texas points.
 The dlfferentials are sought on all class and commodity rates.
 This information is given out by Charles E. Jones. secretary of. the Birmingham Traffic Bureau.
 If we secure these rates" said Mir. Jones, "thei Mlssissippi- Warrior barge line system will be enabled to serve very extensive territory. We see no reason why the rates should not be granted, because the com bined Mississippi- Warrior service ex tends from Birmingham to St. Louis via the. two rivers. and the ports pf Mobile and New Orleans.
 The rate from St. Louis to Bir- mingham via Memphis Is regarded with special interest by grain deal CTS, who get large portion of their goods from that direction.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-09
REALTORS DISCUSS
 AUD|AOR|UM PLANS
Clubs Plans for Parks En- dorsed-Ensley Members
 Join Local Body

Discussion of reasons for selecting the present site of the civic audi torium was taken up by two mem bers of the civic committee which selected the site. at the weekly luncheon of the Birmingham Real Es- tate board yesterday.
 Action which admitted the Ensley Real Estate board to membership in the Birmingham board added 1S firms to the local membership when amend ments to the constitution were finally passed.
 The meeting was held for a dis cussion of the auditorium question. No resolutions were offered, but Mrs. Houston Davis and Frank Rushton, members of the auditorium commit tee which approved plans for progress already made, told the board members why action was taken, on the present site and for the proposed size of the structure.
 Reviews work
 Mrs. Davis reviewed partially the work of the committee and said the present site was accepted upon rec concentrations of experts and archi- tects and to conform to the civic cen ter idea which had been fostered in Birmingham by many bodies.
 MT. Rushton, in discussing the ob jections which had been raised to the present site, stated that he did not believe any site could have been se- lected which would meet with unan- imous approval.
 He stated that very few sites were offered or found at the time of the deliberations of the committee, when such were publicly requested, and that his personal preference for the pro- posed site was due to location suit able to the civic center idea and the fact that experts had favored it.
 Cites Limitations
 When you speak of an auditorium to accommodate 10000 people you must remember that there is limit for seeing and hearing which no con- ditions can overcome" he said.
 Mrs. Davis had previously stated she favored the amphitheatre type as opposed to the arena type of build ing. No action was taken by the board.
 Official endorsement of the Op- timist clubs project of Bring Green Springs park to the people," and of the Kiwanis clubs park plan for Bir- mingham, was given by the board.
 Important Amendment
 One of the amendments passed was when a broker shall accept a com mission from an owner and thereby knowingly render such owner legally liable for any further commissions to another broker the Birmingham Real Estate board. through it's proper au- thorities will, upon complaint. trans fer such legal burden from such owner to such broker"
 This effects the distribution of commissions in cases where one real estate firm shows a prospect prop erty on which a deal is later closed by another dealer.
 Officers of the Ensiey Real Estate board, which will become an integral part of the Birmingham board. are: President. H. S. Meade, vice presi- dent J. J. Walker. and secretary and treasurer, c. w. Lawrence.
 The Ensley agents who become af- filiated with the Birmingham board are as follows: J. H. Perkins, Cole Graham Realty and Insurance com pany, Dupuy-Burke Realty company, Irby Zeigler, P. A. Eubank. Swann and Ingram. J. J. Walker. A. c. Kicks. M. H. Mcdowell, J. c. Darden. Peg ram and Meade. D. F. Faircloth and W. N. Wood
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-09
Zamora Temple Puts POP Notices Across "Hot Sands
Rain Fails to Dampen Spirits of Fez Wearers-RefIeC- tions From "Hot Sands. |" Band Is Feature

The rain didn't dampen the spirits of Old zamora.
 While the Imperial "Pote" looked on 200 trembling novices got theirs"
 And December will be long re- membered by Nobles of old Zamora.
 It's a big job being potentate of a live temple like zamora," he said.
 And those Charters and those band and those Zamora patrol-all diked out and cutting capers.
 Potentate Bethea went to bed last night feeling like he'd been some where"
 They kept out of mischief by ap- bearing before large audiences at the Lyric and Bljou, where they received big hands"
 And the visitors. zamora always has visitors. Many strange fezes were seen on the street, at the cere- monials and theatres.
 Rumor has it there was q grand rush on Birmingham drug stores for arnica, liniment and salve by aboIt 200 new Shriners last night.
 And Sam Foley. big drum major of the patrol. All dressed up in his gala traps and braids, Sam outshines oven the kaiser in all his pomp and glory.
 And the glad hand committee, with Big Bill Currie as chairman. was on the job. Forty-five jolly good mixers of Zamora welcomed these visitors to the old town.
 And F. L. Keiser. "Daddy's" son He's responsible for most of the en- tertainment given the big pote and the gang, too. A hard worker and cheerful Shriner is E. l..
 And zamora band kept the "pep" up all through the day. Dr. A. Hrabs and his bunch of noise makers were welcomed at both ceEemonials and all the theatre performances.
 And the Charters. They brought the house down with their clever rem dition of popular and old-time airs. Steve Allsop, director, has a live bunch of singers in his aggregation.
 And the big ball. It came as climax to day of jovlality, fun and amusement, and was attended by capacity number of Shriners and their ladies
 And those clever speeches the Imp. Pote made. They were confined 70 members of the divan and few of the hardest Shrine workers and news paper reporters, but they surely were appreciated and enjoyed
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-09
CIVIC ASSOCIATION
 MEMBERSHIP GROWS

With the membership of the Bir. mingham Civic Association increased by 200 since moving of headquarters to the Hillman hotel second floor, from the Jefferson County bank building, and with the 1922 program of work Tn outline, big rally meet ing of members has been announced for the Forum luncheon next Monday.
 On this occasion new members will be introduced to old members and the schedule for next year will be dis cussed in detail.
 The revised schedule for the Civic Association includes lending all as- sistance possible to secure the ap- proyaI of Congress to the Ford Edi- son proposals at Muscle Shoals and to improve relations between the Birmingham district and the district adjoining Wilson dam, aid to the 1000, 900 good roads bond issue campaign, work to secure a full-time convention bureau. progress on the city market, for which bonds have been voted. and increase of manufac- turers for the Birmingham district
 The Monday Civic Forum rally luncheon was decided upon at a meeting of 21 directors and leaders of the association yesterday presided over by Dr. K. G. Herschey. Music and other special entertainment will be provided.
 To further the sounding of the key. note for the 1922 campaign commit tees will probably be appointed to substantially further the plans as outlined
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-09
Dance Ends Most Notable
 Ceremonial Ever Staged Here by ShrinerS-Poten-
 tateS Guests at Luncheon

The curtain rang down at mid night last night on one of the most successful and notable ceremonials ever staged by zamora temple.
 Following a day of fun and amuse- ment, when POP novices were put over the 'hot sands" to the delight of sev- eral thousand interested shriners, the day of fun was topped off with splendid dance at the Tutwiler hotel.
 Four bands furnished continuous music for the dancers. So great was the crowd that it was necessary to hold two dances, one in the main ballroom and the other on the meg zanine floor.
 Ed Keiser, chairman of the recep- tion and dance committee, assisted by Lew Salter, made arrangements for the mammoth event which delighted several hundred Shriners and their ladies.
 Shrine festivities began yesterday morning, when Zamora temple band serenaded the imperial potentate in the lobby of the Tutwiler.
 Promptly at l o'clock feature shows started at the Lyric and Bijou theatres. which were free to shriners and ladies. Also the first consign- ment of trembling novices were en- tered in the caravan that crossed the desert at the Jefferson theatre.
 An 5:S0 another ceremonial was held in which the remaining candi- dates were-put through.
 The Lyric and Bijou also put on another Shrner show 'at o'clock and the Biiou followed with a show at 9 o'clock.
 Potentate John B. Bethea and of- ficers and workers of Zamora tenn pie were hosts to the imperial po- tentate at luncheon at the south ern club at noon, after which the po- tentate viewed the first and second ceremonials at Jefferson theatre
 T am certainly glad to find that Zamora temple is working in peace and harmony and is making great strides forward in Shrinedom," the imperial potentate said. ''Zamora .s in undertaking to build one of the and Shrine temples in the country they are doing a great work. pre- dict continued success for this tenn pie under the able leadership of Po- tentate Bethea and his successors in office"
 Following the banquet, in a private dining room at the Tutwiler last night, Potentate John B. Bethea led the grand march which opened the ball.
 Imperial Potentate Cutts left at midnight for his home in Savannah.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-09
DOG LICENSE TAGS
 ARE DUE JANUARY ]

All dog licenses become due Jan uary 1. according to an announce ment made yesterday by c. E. Arm strong. chief clerk in the city comp troller's office. The fee charged for canine pets is s2 regardless of the sex. The tags have been received and will be ready for distribution. After February 2S a penalty of s1 will be charged. bringing the price of the tag up to s3. If the license tag is not obtained before that date the dogs found without tags will be taken up by the dog catcher and killed. Several thousand were issued last year and indications are that the number to be issued this year will exceed that of last.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-09
FEW CHANGES
 MADE IN C|TY'S
 LICENSE SCHEDULE
Merchants Will Not Get Re- duCtion-Beauty ParlorS and Pawn Brokers Must
 Pay Small Increase

City license schedule for 1922 with a few changes was adopted by the city commission at an adjourned meeting held yesterday morning in the council chamber.
 No change was made in the li- cense schedule on merchandise de- spite the fact that representatives from the Merchants association and the Retail Grocers and Butchers as- sociation appeared before the mem- bers of the commission last week and asked for a reduction of 20 per cent. The licenses collected on merchandise for the fiscal year end ing September 30, according to S. E. Armstrong, chief clerk in the city comptroller's office, was approxi- mately $80,000 while the entire amount collected for licenses during the period was $769,000.
 A change was made in the licenses charged professional bondsmen who make appearance and appeal bonds for consideration, so that the H. censes, instead of being $250 for each firm, is now s150 for each solic- itor. Where there are several men in one firm this will materially in- crease the amount of licenses.
 License on hair dressers and beauty parlors has been increased from $10 to S25 per year.
 No licenses will be charged barber schools according to the new sched- ule. This license last year was $50.
 Pawn Brokers Increased
 Pawnbrokers who have formerly paid s450 a year for licenses to do business will now pay $500, the 1922 schedule being increased $50 a year.
 Real estate dealers handling only sales of property, where less than three men are employed, will pay SS5 license, and where more than three men are employed the license will be $50.
 The license on green meats has been reduced from $35 to $25 a year. This license was made on gradu- ating scale from s25 to $150 a year, based upon the amount of sales.
 All other licenses will remain just as they were last year. it is stated, and the license schedule will be turned over to the printer immedi- ately. It is expected that they will pC AOadJ Oy OScCiioCi oV. RGNSl dt thousand copies will be printed.
 All licenses for the fiscal year be- come due January 1, and under the law become delinquent after that date. However, it is stated the pen alty will not be added until after March 31.
 Members of the city commission are most anxious to hav- as many people as can pay their licenses as early as possible as the city is in need of the funds, it is stated. It is pointed out that the city at the pres ent time Is carrying a large number of delinquent street assessments, as well as unsettled claims on assess ments made against property for street improvements.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-09
PROGRESS MADE IN
 ADJUSTING TAXES.
Settlement of $3,000,000 of S26,OOO,O00 In Dispute
 Effected Yesterday

Settlement with corporations in- volved of approximately s3,000,0O0 of the s26,00O.000 in ad valorem taxes in dispute between them and county or ficials resulted Thursday from con ferences between representatives ot the concerns involved and the local board of tax adjusters.
 The assessments are being made at practically the same figures as were set by the local board before the litigation between the state tax commission and the corporations. The conferences will probably continue several weeks. according to members of the board of tax adjusters, before the entire amount involved is finally settled between the officials and the corporations.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-09
PICTURES
 WIN FIRST ROUND
City Commissioners Vote to See Private Showing of
 Carpenter

Members of the city commission will view the Carpenter prize fight pictures this morning ac- cording to a decision reached at an adjourned meeting of the city com mission yesterday morning. This &C., tion was taken following an appeal of W. c. Rudolph who has charge of the picture from the ruling of Mrs. Neil R. Wallace, theatre in- spector, who refuses to allow the picture to be shown here.
 At the meeting yesterday Mrs. Wallace stated that she did not think the picture should be presented in this city, and as an official she was given authority under the city ordi- nance to stop the showing of any picture not indorsed by the national board of censorship. She stated that it was a violation of the federal law in regard to interstate commerce. and on that ground had refused to allow the picture to be shown.
 Mrs. Echols, commissioner of health and education stated that she did not care to see the picture, but would accompany the commission if they decided to view it. At that point Commissioner W. E. Dickson stated that the question involved was how the commission wanted to act on the appeal, and if MT. Rudolph has the right to appeal, then he thinks the members of the commits sion should hear it.
 MT. Rudolph invited the members of the commission, a number of neWspaper men and others to view the picture Wednesday morning, but all of the commissioners were busy and were unable to attend the per formance.
 J. A. Jenkins, assistant city attor- Eey. stated there was no ordinance prohibiting the showing of prize fight pictures in the city, and that the matter was one for the commits sion and the theatre inspector to handle.
 After viewing the picture the com mission will then decide whether or not the picture will be shown in Bir- uingham.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-09
HOWELL RELEASED ON
 BONDS OF $2, 300

c. J. Howell former Birmingham policeman. who has been held for grand jury action by Judge Aber- nethy in the Jefferson county court of misdemeanors on two charges of robbery and one of grand larceny was released from the county jail yesterday on bonds aggregating $2.300 in the three cases. Bond was fixed at s1.000 each in the two rob- bery cases and at $500 in the larceny case.
 Howell is charged with having robbed several negroes some time ago within a few hours after he had been notified by the city commission of his discharge from the police force. At his preliminary trial How ell waived hearing on the charges and was held for the action or the grand jury. He claims the charges are . frame-up-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-09
EMPIRE NEGROES
 WILL CELEBRATE
Miners Arrange Special Pro- gram for Emancipation
 Day Festivities

The negro miners at Empire mines and vicinity announce the fifty ninth celebration of the emancipation pro- elamation at the Union Baptist church in Empire on the evening of January 2.
 Wesley Eatkins is president and Frank Dabbs secretary and orators of the day will include Rev. w. A. Bartee and Rev. Thomas Ware. Leona Jones will read the proclama- ton.
 Marshals of the day, music com m.ttees, committees on decorations and the like have been appointed and are making elaborate preparations for the event. Company officials are contributing to the occasion. wal- ter Moore IS president of the com pany, Charles F. Moore. general man. ager, and Person Moore. assistant general manager.
 Prof. David W. Parker is chairman of the program committee. Fol- lowing slogans appear at close of the printed announcement of the forth coming celebrations:
 We have many things for which to thank God:
 "A new $5,000 school building.
 "A fair and square deal from Gen. oral Manager c. r. Moore.
 The opportunity to work. save money and educate our children. Our people are 100 per cent loyal to the engagement of the Empire Coal company, for we appreciate tho peace, prosperity and protection guaranteed to us by the company
 I've take no stock in the socialis- tic doctrines of labor agitators. car petbaggers and scalawags.
 "Everybody works at Empire.
 Come onei Come 'all!'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-09
SEMI CENTENNIAL
 PAGEANT SCENERY
 BOUGHT BY CITY

All electrical equipment and seen cry used in the pageant given during the semi i-centennial has been pur- chased by the city. An appropriation of s700 was made at the meeting Of the commission yesterday morning for the purchase of this equipment.
 I. C. Turner was appointed custo- dian of the city hall at salary or s110 a month. c. L. Harrison was made foreman of East Lake park at a salary of $50. and James McDill, watchman at the Ensley swimming pool, at salary of $125 per month. These appointments were confirmed by the commission and were effective December 1.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-09
LADIES DEBATE TO BE
 HELD THIS EVENING

The ladies debate at Birming- ham Southern between the freshmen of the Clariosophic Literary society will take place this evening at 5 o'clock in the college chapel. The question debated is whether Congress should pass the soldiers bonus bill as it now stands.
 The debate is termed ladies de- bate, because all of the judges are ladies. An oration. two declamations. piano solo and orchestra music will fill out the program and large crowd will be present, leaders of the q s.cietv say
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-09
GETS MrssIssIPpI CONTRACT

Announcement was made yesterday by Dunn Construction company of the award to them of the contract to pave Griffith and Gillespie streets in Jackson, Miss.
 This company will begin work at once and has already dispatched ap- paratus to the Mississippi city.
 The streets are to be paved with asphalt and the same method used on the Birmingham streets will probably be used, 1t was stated.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-09

The plan of the Kiwanians is an intensive one for the added develop ment of the park space the city now has, though their attention also is directed toward getting more park space donated. since the city has, in all, only little over 600 acres.
 However, the first work is toward getting additional ball diamonds some of them inclosed-additio tional tennis courts, swimming and wading pools, sand piles and such things.
 Robert L. Totten and Ted Brownell form the committee, with power to act, for the Kiwanis club.
 Mir. Totten outlined the work of the proposed commission thus:
 "It would have as it's work to
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-09

evolve a complete park plan for the city, showing where the recreational centers should be located; find out how much funds would be needed to develop the parks, and to prepare the necessary legislation. This would be put before the state, which would create a permanent park commission composed of members who would serve without pay. Their duty would be to construct and maintain the parks of the city.
 "Out of the 2S cities, to whom we sent a questionnaire on the park de- velopment of their cities and the pro- visions for their maintenance, 26 have park commissions like the one which is being proposed for Birming ham"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-09
EUents of Today
 Il, Birmingham
sso.441.4es.o7
ENTERTAINMENTS


 Jefferson Theatre-"Listen Irene.s Majestic, "over the Hill To the P0orhouse."
 Lyric--KeIth vaudeville, news and cartoon.
 Loew's Bijou--vaudeville, feature picture, news.
 Trianon--PaOIl Negri in "One Arab ian Night and Hawaiian Troupe act. Strand-WiIliRm s. Hart in "The Three Word Brand" Five Points Theatre-"Whats n Wife Worthf"
 Aicazar-VioIa Dana in "The Match Breaker"
 RiaIto-LioneI Barrymore fin "The Devils Garden"
 Galax-Jack Holt in "The Call of the North"
 ROyal-Feature drama, comedy and news-
 Princess-serial drama and conn., edy.
 Odeon--seriaI drama and comedy. Miles School of Dancing-DancinS at Q o'clock.
 Civttan luncheon.