davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-31
LOCAL MINISTERS
ARE DIVIDED ON
DANCE QUESTION

Local ministers are divided in their
views regarding the opening of Per-
shlng pier, the municipal dancing
pavilion at East Lake park, some ia
voring the movement of Commission
er w. l.. Harrison and others oppos
ing il. A number OF ministers have
been interviewed on this matter but
while they expressed themselves free
~ in a personal way to an Age-Her-
aid representative, they declined to
be quoted on the question.
Expressions obtained from some of
them yesterday are as follows;
Dr. Morris Newfield of Temple
Emanu-El; II am In favor of open
ing the dancing hall at East Lake
under proper supervision. Il have
been out there and am opposed to i'm
proper dancing at all times. but if
the place is under proper supervision
and chaperonage and If the people
dance as ladies and gentlemen, then
l do not object to IT,
Rev. W. Ray Dobyns. pastor of the
Highland Presbyterian church: q
am opposed to dancing and ] think
the commissioners who oppose tie
opening Of the dance hall at East
Lake are right. do not think dane
ing is conducive to high moral stand
ards in the community"
Dr. Middleton S. Barnwell, rector of
the Church of the Advent: II am
heartily in favor of opening Pershing
pier at East Lake and think it was
a pity that dancing was ever stopped
there. = will he glad to see 1t started
again, but of course | think it should
be supervised. l want to commend
Commissioner Harrison for the idea,
as l think 1t is fine"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-31

by law given control over the issu-
ance of the bonds of the county.
.s Election Ordered
1t is then alleged that December
80 1913, the board of revenue or
dered an election for the purpose of
submitting to the qualified voters of
the county whether It should be aul
thorized to issue 100000 worth of
county road Improvement bonds for
road construction purposes carrying
per cent interest and that at this
election such authority was granted
by the voters
The petition then sets forth that
the board OF revenue, in pursuance to
such authority advertised for bids
during March and April, 1920. for
the construction of a number of road
projects, among which was one des-
ignated as No. A for S14 miles be-
tween Fairfield and Bessemer and
known as the North Bessemer road.
The Dunn Construction company,
it is alleged. submitted to the board
bid for the construction of this
road on April 2S. 1920. at a cost of
$357, $50 rs At the time this bid
was made, it is charged, the cost
of labor and materials had reached
approximately the highest point
during or since the World war, and
that the bid of the Dunn Construe-
ton company was based on these
excessive costs of labor and ma
terial. such bid being. it is charged.
one-third more than the work could
be done for at the present time.
snIe of bonds
1t is alleged that it was understood
at that time by the Dunn company
that in order to pay for the execution
of the work that it would be neces-
sary for the county to sell a part
of the road bonds authorized at the
election, and it was understood that
the construction OF the road should
not be proceeded with unless and I'M
til said bonds were sold.
The petition then refers to efforts
of the board of revenue to market
its bonds at par, and inability to do SO
because of conditions in the bond
market. and alleges that during this
time the CONSTRUCTION work on the
CONTINUED on page fourteen)
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-31
NEW CONVICT CAMP
TOBE ESTABLISHED
Board of Revenue Votes to
Place Camp in BeSSe-
mer Section

Resolutions for the establishment
of an additional convict camp near
Pleasant Hill to care for road con-
struction work in the Bessemer sec
ton of the county in view of the
recent action of the board in abolish
ing the free labor road camps of the
county, which it was stated left that
section of the county without ade
uate road repair service, were adopted
by the board of revenue at its meet
ing yesterday.
The resolution, which was intro
duced by Lacey Edmundson, was ear
ried by a four to one vote, d. c. Bail.
chairman of the board. voting against
its establishment until an opportunity
had been given to try out the faciH
ties remaining after the free labor
camps are abolished.
The resolution adopted also pro-
vides that the warden for the new
camp be selected from persons resid-
ing in the Bessemer section of the
county. This phase of the resolution
brought on considerable discussion
among members of the board. d. c.
Ball stated that he would be unwill-
ing to vote for a resolution which
limited the board to employment Of
a man from any particular section Of
the county.
Thomas e. Huey stated that he be-
lieVed that the same policy should
be pursued by the BOARD in appoint
ment OF the warden as in the case of
other department heads and cited
cases of the deputy tax assessor, dep
uty tax collector, clerk of the board
Of revenue and others, all of whom
are from the Bessemer section.
According to plans OF the board the
new camp to be established will be
made up of men and equipment taken
from the other existing camps OF the
county which will be formed into
new camp.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-31

ments here that the community sings
which have been conducted for a
number of years must be stopped, as
no appropriation has been made for
the sings 1t now seems that the
opening of Pershing pier is also
doomed, and IL the regulations are
carried out, It Is probable that bath
ing will also come under the ban.
MANY people have called to see me
since my plan was made public and
have commended me on it, A prom
inent man from East Lake told me
yesterday that the reason the people
of that section of the city protested
against dancing there was because
it was not supervised, and he felt
sure there would be no objections
from the people of East Lake II the
place was put under proper superYi-
sion by the city"
The statement of Mr.. McLendon Is
as follows:
II am opposed to public dancing
and should tho issue come to a vote
shall vote against it. My past
record has always been against dane
ing | have never danced, and have
never been in sympathy with that
form of amusement. l think public
dance halls are very detrimental tn
the young life OF our community, and
| do not believe that they can he
supervised to that extent that viii
make for the betterment OF society
or the welfare of those participate
ing therein as far as morals are con-
cerned. The statement published in
yesterdays paper was made On joe
uIar manner, and was not intended
10 be taken seriously, as those vino
know me know how l stand on such
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-31
BIRTH RATE EXCEEDS
THAT OF DEATHS IN
CITY REPORT SHOWS

Births in the city of Birmingham
during the month of November ex-
ceeded deaths by 1lS, according TO
the monthly report Of DR.. j. d. Dowl-
ing, city health officer, which has
lust been compiled and submitted to
Mrs. Mary Echols, commissioner Of
health and education. There were 32e
births. of which 219 were white and
40 eolored. while the total number
of deaths reported was 21l, of which
1I3 were white and 9S colored.
The report cites that there were
40 more births during November than
for the same period in 1920. and there
was a decrease in the number of
deaths this year as compared to the
same month of last year
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-31
WESTERN PICTURE AT
CHILDREN'S MATINEE

"MLiss." a thrilling western pic
ture, will be the feature picture at
the children's matinee to be held this
morning at 10 o'clock at the Strand
theatre under the auspices of the Bet
ter Film association, and Mrs. Neil r.
Wallace, amusement Inspector This
film has an all-star cast, including
Mary Pickford. Theodore Roberts.
Thomas Meighan and other we'll
known moving picture stars. In adj
dition. Tony Sarg's marionnettes Will
be shown. All children attending the
matinees are urged to be there
promptly in order to see all OF the
picture. as il is only run once.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-31

theatres in the morning. but | think
it would be a splendid thing TO have
them open in the afternoon. The peo-
pie In Birmingham are starved for
amusement and recreation and this'is
proven by the crowds that attend
every show or amusement of any kind
offered Nothing along This line can
be done until the matter is takensup
by the people and voted on again.
During the time | have held the
position of amusement Inspector [
have had a splendid opportunity to
study conditions here and think Bir
mingham needs Well supervised dance
halls for the young people who like
to dance and have no other place
to go.
This is my last week with the city
and in giving UP my work wish to
thank the press. the public and espe-
cially the managers OF local theatres
who have co-operated with me in my
work and have assisted me In every
way The managers have worked
with me even though / have some
times acted against them. l have
come to appreciate the value Of the
recreation these men are giving the
public In their amusem ents especially
for the young people. J. have enjoyed
my work and regret that on advice
Of my occulist ] am forced TO give
1t up.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-31
CHANGES MADE BY
NEW REVENUE LAW

Under the new revenue law which
goes into effect January / the use
of revenue stamps on parcels requir
eliminated
There will be no further sale OF
proprietary stamps at stamp win
dows. inasmuch as proprietary
stamps after the first are eliminated.
The post office department has in
augurated a training school for new
~ appointed postmasters, and the
Birmingham post office has received
two applicants for training, Mr..
Rowe from Elba and Mr.. Vance from
Dahpne
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-31


On final hearing the court is asked
to make the Injunction final, and to
issue an order perpetually restrain
ing construction of the road by the
Dunn company on the basis of prices
as they existed in the spring of 1920,
when the construction of the road is
alleged to have been entered into.
Unlawful Division
II is charged in the petition that
to allow the Dunn Construction COM
pany to carry on the construction
work and to receive $4,000 worth of
per cent county road Improvement
bonds at par and accrued interest
and an additional premium OF per
cent in payment would constitute an
unlawful diversion of public funds,
and would violate state statutes re-
qIiring construction work on roads
to be let to the lowest bidder where
the estimated cost is more than
$3.50 for a money consideration.
1t is contended that the considera-
ton for the contract by which Dunn
agrees to surrender a claim to
cause of action against the board
for loss of profits for failure to carry
out this and other construction pro-
iects does not come within the mean
ing of the statute which it is al
legged contemplates nothing but
monetary consideration.
Violation of Statutes
The petition alleges that there has
been no contract completed between
the board and Dunn because of this
alleged violation of the statutes; be-
cause it was understood and agreed
between Dunn and the board that the
work was not to be proceeded with
until a sale of sufficient per cent
bonds was negotiated to cover the
cost OF construction. which it is al
legged has not been done because the
purchase of the bonds by Dunn on
the terms fixed does not constitute a
sale within the meaning of the
statute and because the bonds cannot
now be legally sold.
After reciting that the complainant
Is taxpayer of the county and re-
citing the official character of the
defendant board and its members,
the petition sets forth that the boara
of revenue has charge and control OF
the construction and maintenance OF
the public roads of the county and Is
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-31


D. q. McLendon. president OF the
commission, who stated Thursday
afternoon that he would probably
favor the issue, il 1t was properly
supervised and jazz music was omit
ted. declared yesterday that he was
opposed to dancing and had made
that statement in a jocular manner
and did not expect to be taken Sc
rlously. despite the fact that he had
been asked what stand he would take
by an Age-Herald reporter in the
presence of Commissioners w. 70.
Dickson and William L. Harrison and
several other people
He stated yesterday that In MS
opinion a public dance hall could mol
be properly supervised, and il 1t came
to a vote then he would oppose the
opening of this dance hall.
Commissioner w. l.. Harrison of
parks and Fairgrounds announced
a few days ago that he was planning
to have Pershing pier reopened this
summer under proper supervision
When notified yesterday that the
vote would probably be three to two
AGAINST the proposition, he declared
all he wanted was a chance. II 1
am allowed to open up this dancing
hall / will have 1t directly supervised
by the city and will invite commit
tees from any organization, church
society or any others who wish 10
come to visit the place. and II 1t Is
not properly supervised then ] viii
be the first to vote to close II. l
do not want to operate any form II
amusement that will be detrimental
TO our Young people.
THE city has so regulated amuse-
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-31
DWELLING HOUSE
DAMAGED BY FIRE

The residence of f. G. Chandler.
1928 Thirteenth avenue. south, was
badly damaged by fire yesterday
morning shortly before noon. Mr..
Chandler estimated the loss at be-
tween $4,000 and $4,000. The home
was we'll protected by insurance.
The fire is thought TO have started
from sparks on the loof. Practically
the entire roof was burned and a part
of the upper floor of the house. Both
Mr.. and Mrs. Chandler were away
from home when the blaze started.
Mr.. Chandler compliiEented4 the fire.
men on their work, especially for
their care in removing furniture from
the burning rooms.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-31

All state and county taxes on real
and personal property will become
delinquent at midnight tonight, after
which an additional fee of 90 cents
and a penalty will have to be paid
by all persons who have not made
the required payments by that time.
Both the tax assessors and the tax
collectors office win remain open I'M
til a late hour tonight in order to
accommodate as many of the late
corners as possible. Crowds of tax
nayers thronged both offices through
out yesterday In an effort to make
their assessments and payments be-
fore the final day. while the office
of the tax collector was deliged with
mail containing checks to cover pay
ments of property taxes.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-31
BATSON CLAIMS
BOARD MINUTES
ARE INACCURATE.
Declares He DiSapproved the
Dunn Contract, But Minutes
. Show 0therWiSe-Fo Take
Legal Proceedings

Formal demand will be made on
the board of revenue at its meeting
Tuesday by S. R. Batson, former
county highway engineer, that min
utes of the board of April %, 1920,
reciting that he, as county engineer,
recommended award of the contract
for construction of the North Bes-
semer road to the Dunn Construc-
ton company, be amended to con-
form to what he declares are the
facts in the case, he stated yester-
day.
Although the minute entries of the
board show that the county engineer
recommended that the contract be
awarded to the Dunn Construction
company as being the lowest bidders,
Batson denies that he ever made sucn
a recommendation. on the contrary
he says. he protested against award
ing the contract to the Dunn com
pany. which. he declares, was not
the lowest bidder for the project.
Verbal Demand
Batson will accompany his verbal
demand for amendment of the min
utes with a formal demand in writing
that this be done, he says, and Ii
this does not produce the desired ae-
ton he will file such legal proceed
ings as may be advised to secure the
required action by the board.
Batson expressed his determination
to force amendment OF the minutes
following an examination of them
yesterday, as a result of which, he
says, he found that the entry recites
that the county engineer recommend
the letting of the contract to Dunn
as the lowest bidder. Although my
name does not appear on the min
utes," he stated, and | am merely re-
ferred to as the county highway en-
gineer, everybody knows that l was
engineer at that time and that it Is
10 me that the reference applies.
IF there is any way in which it
can be dons L propose to fofce the
board of revenue to amend these min
ute entries to conform to the facts
in the case, which are not that 1 ever
recommended the award of this CON
tract to the Dunn Construction com
pany.
Not Lowest Bidder
Instead of making any such rec
concentration. l protested against the
award of the contract to the Dunn
CONSTRUCTION company which was
not the lowest bidder on the work.
My subsequent discharge grew partly
out of this very matter. in which
opposed the giving of this contract
TO Dunn.
"The minutes of the board of rev.
enue have been tempered with when
they show that l made any such rec
ommendation. If they showed the
truth they would show that I OPP
posed letting Dunn have the contract.
since l have been drawn into the
matter and things imputed to me that
did not do j intend to have my Of
fetal record in this respect cleared
up by the prop% amendment of these
minutes If there is any legal way to
do So"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-31
NEW YEAR PLANS OF
COMMUNITY CLUB

Plans for the new year will be dis
cussed by members OF the Commu-
nifty club at the meeting TO be held
today at 1880 o'clock in the ballroom
of the Southern club. A resume of
the work OF the past year will be
given by some members, and a report
on the costume ball will also be made
at this time. The meeting promises
to be of more than usual interest.
and the definite work OF the organi-
cation for 1922 will be decided.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-31
BUDGET
EXCEEDS INCOME

Adoption of the city budget was
passed until the meeting Tuesday
morning at an adjourned meeting OF
the city commission held yesterday
morning. This action was taken as
the total of the tentative draft Of the
budget was more than the income,
and it is necessary for some changes
to be made before 1t can be adopted.
Immediately following the meeting
the members of the commission. to-
gether with N. M. Taylor city comp
troller, held a conference to discuss
the plans. The budget will probably
be ready for adoption next week.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-31
UNLA WFUL DIVISION OF PUBLIC
FUNDS CHARGED IN A PETITION
TOANNUL DUNNROAD CONTRA CT
White Filed Petition Restrain Board of Revenue and
Dunn Construction Company From Building Besse-
tract Is Alleged-Other Violations Charged
Judge Locke to Set Date of Hearing

Temporary Injunction restraining the jefferson board of
of its
further construction attempts to construct approximately eight miles
North Besemer between Fairfield
an alleged contract between the board and the Dunn
Judge Hugh Locke petition of William l. White of the
Bond required of the complainant fixed which
MADE NO date Tor nearing the petition had been yesterday
afternoon The petition the
Benners White
body D. c. Ball. Thomas
W Copeland individually members the board
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-31
Usual Eleventh. Hour Rush
At Tax Collectors Office

All clerks in both offices were kept
busy throughout the day waiting on
those who appeared and even. larger
crowds are expected to be ona hand
throughout today
According 20 officials in the tax COLI
lector's office all checks TO cover pay
ments on taxes must be In hand not
later than the Sunday morning mad
or the penalty will be imposed REF
gardless of the time when the letters
containing the checks were actually
mailed. Under the law. IL is stated
the books for the year must be closed
Sunday In order that they may be
sent to Montgomery Immediately and
the Sunday morning mail is the last
in which credit for mailed payments
can be given.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-31
OLD RESIDENCE SOLD

Huntsville, December 30 Especially
The old Harrison residence on East
Holmes street, which was for many
years the home of the Harrison fam
lily and later of Judge Ben P. Hunt.
who married a daughter of the fam
lily, has been sold to the Catholic
Church of the Visitation and plans
are being made for the establishment
of a school there. There viii be IA
classrooms and sacristy and chapel.
The building will be. stuccoeJ an the
exterior.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-31
sso.441.4ss.o7
Events of Today
in Birmingham
Community club luncheon mt 1913
o'clock Mt the Southern club.
ADJUSTMENTS

Community club luncheon mt 1880
o'clock mt the Southern club.
ADJUSTMENTS
jefferson Theatre-"Greenwich Viii
lage FoliiPs," matinee and night
Lyric--I<eiih vaudeville and pie
lures.
loves Understandable and pie
lures.
strand-GlOrin Swanson. Wallace
Reid and Elliott Dexter In '.DOn't
Teli Everything"
Atcazaar-PauIine Frederick in
''rhe Lure of Jade" and Black Twins
special act.
Trianon Norma Tnlmadge in
"L0ve's Redemption."
Five Points Theatrc-CIara kfmbaii
Dung in 'Charge It,"
Riaito--Carpentfer-D Fight
picture.
GaIax--William S. Hart in "White
OaIS.o
RoyaI--Feature drama, comedy and
news.
Odeon--SeriaI drama and comedy.
Princess-Serfal drama and comedy.
Miles school for Observation-Disclosures
at o'clock.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-31
HOME BREW SEIZED

Three hundred and ninety bottles
OF "home brew" were seized yester-
day by Deputies Virgil Sandefer.
Woody Sandefer and r. G. Cole from
the sheriffs office IN raid at 721
North Seventeenth street. According
to the deputies, the brew was at the
home of Mrs. Annie Brown. for whom
a bond to answer charges of violating
the prohibition laws was left, they
stated
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-31
PERSONAL

Erskine Ramsay and Andrew Ram
say were called to Pennsylvania last
Wednesday night on account of the
serious Illness of their brother,
GEORGE Ramsay. who has pneumonia
Their many friends hope that they
found the condition of their brother
improved upon their arrival.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-31
Dancing and Sunday
Movies ADVOCATED by
Amusement Inspector
Lack of Wholesome Amusement Tends to Delinquency
of Young People, States Mrs. Wallace-Has
Studied Conditions While With City.
Gives Thanks for Cooperation

Dancing Pershng Lake under
Neil Wallace we'll Sum
according made by her yesterday
this she stated that had been
hall
supervised through her she had
what amusement to the general public
Mrs Wallace stated if there
properly
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-31
WATCH SERVICE AT
SOUTH HIGHLANDS

Watch service night at South High
lands Presbyterian church will be
held tonight at 1890 o'clock. The
program viii include, prayer. praise
and remarks. The service will close
at midnight.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-12-31
McLendon Changes Mind
on Dance Proposition; Says
He Was "Joking" Thursday

Pershng pier municipal dancing pavilion at East Lake park will
not be opened summer has announced poll of the city
Yesterday member of the commits
sion had changed the will be three
4ka=a