davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-11
NOW IS THE TIME
 ID BUILD HOUSES
Efficient Labor Plentiful and Material at Rock Bottom,
 States Wood

In an interview yesterday with w w. Wood of the Wood Lumber com. pany he gave interesting facts regard ing the renewal of building activity in and around Birmingham, particularly so by real estate firms ana private in- dividuals who anticipate the acute sit nation of housing facilities that exist in the city.
 MT. Wood states that in his estima- tion, which coincides with that of many other prominent business men of the city, that now is the opportune time to build. Efficient labor is plentiful and all building materials are at rock bottom prices. Lumber. concrete. roof ing, etc, are 50 per cent lower than prices that existed at this time one year ago.
 MT Wood attributes the marked building activity to the foresight os those who wish to take advantage of the lower prices cheaper labor and the different concerns who are now in j position to finance building enterprises cost. Tn direct line with other lumber companies, Mir Wood states that his plant anticipates an increase in lun- Der prices within the next few months this being due to the spring building activity which is the natural result oE demand and which will consume tho present surplus, and it being a known fact that present output is far below normal
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-11
AUTO DRIVERS ARE SLOW IN SECURING
 PERMITS ID DRIVE
Only Five Hundred Applications So Far-PenaItieS to Be Im- posed for Violation of
 Traffic Laws

Only 500 permits to drive motor vehicles under the new traffic code had been issued up to yesterday afternoon at o'clock, citizens be- ing very slow to respond to the re- quirements. Birmingham has 10,- 900 automobiles and trucks, it is estimated, while nearly 15,0o0 per sons drive these cars. Under the law everyone must file application with the department of public safety and be issued a permit before being legally qualified to drive a motor vehicle on the streets of Bir- mingham.
 Desks were placed in the lobby of the city hall yesterday, at the instance of John H. Taylor, com missioner of public safety. On one side of the lobby. applications and examinations were taken care of, while on the other the permits were being issued. Before the per init can be issued, the application must be sworn to. This feature of the plan was taken care of in the detectives office. the document be- ing handled free of charge.
 Copies of the traffic code are is sued with each application, so that persons issued permits may famil- iarize themselves with the laws. Many changes in traffic regulations are contained in the code. especial ly as relates to parking and turn ing.
 All persons must obtain permits to drive motor vehicles before April 1, under penalty of being subjected to fine and possible imprisonment under section 1916 of the city code, according to Commissioner Taylor.
 More attention must also be paid to the traffic signals by pedes- trians. Many violations of the law which provides that persons on foot must wait until the semaphore sig nal is set for them to go ahead are being reported. At present the of ficers are disposed to be lenient. Next week violators will be sub- jected to possible arrest.
 Persons who disregard the sem aphores are also exposing them selves to injury and possible fatal accidents" said MT. Taylor yester- day. Waiting until the traffic is going in the direction in which one is walking is a whole lot better than being injured or killed"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-11
COURTHOUSE A DISGRACE TO COUNTYLS REPORTOF GRAND JURY.
 SOLICITING LAWYERS SCORED
Jury Recommends That Board of Revenue Take Steps to Build New EdifiCe-County Institutions Well Kept and and Given Praise.

Declaring that the Jefferson coun- ty courthouse is a disgrace to citi- zens, voters and property owners, the grand jury, in its final report sub mitted to Judge William E. Fort in the criminal division of the circuit court yesterday afternoon, recom- mended that the board of revenue of the county take immediate steps look ing to the erection of a new court house, either through the medium of bond issue or otherwise, at it may see best.
 Practice of some lawyers in soliciting business in the city and county iais and receiving a portion of the fee, and when the case is called, refusing to defend the prisoner, or to refund the fee that has been paid in part, was condemned. Rec concentrations were made that the Dir mingham Bar association should look into this matter and take immediate steps toward the disbarment of lawyers guilty of undermining. unethical and H.
 
 legal practices for the purpose of in- creasing their fees and the number of their clients
 The final report of the grand jury fol- lows:
 ''To the Hon. William E. Fort, Judge
 Circuit Court of Tenth Judicial Circuit:
 We. the grand jury, empaneled by your Honor on January 3, 1921, for the January term, having completed our labors, beg leave to submit this final report of our work of investigation.
 We have been in session 13 days, dur ing which time we have examined 735 witnesses, found PIP true bills and 42 no bills, having docketed cases, and are asking that cases be continued for investigation by the succeeding grand
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-11

Under the rule of the board aIl county cnrs arc kept under lock and key at the county garage each night, on Sundays ana holidays, md no empiOye is allowed to take car out except on business for the county. On the other hand, each mnn must give to the man in charge a receipt for the gasoline used by him. In this manner, 1t is pointed out, the board is enabled to keep an accurate check on the actual amount of gasoline used by ench cmpioye.
 This new rule of the board ap- / plies to all county cars except those used by the sherITs depart ment. An addition which cost ap- proximateIy $3,OOO has recently been completed on the county
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-11
TOWN YOUR HOME" EXPOSITION WILL TELL COST ID BUILD
Concrete Facts for Home Builders Will Be Presented. Realty Values and Cost of
 Building Material

The "Own Your Home" exposition to be held in the Chamber of Com merce building and under auspices o. that body from March 26 to April 2 is intended to visualize home building in such manner that the householdel will be able to tell at a glance what i will cost to build.
 It proposes to bring to the eyes of the householder plans and specinca- tions of different kinds of buildings with cost of structure.
 / Realtors are to exhibit maps of lots and houses for sale. together with cost of same, terms of sale, interest on deferred payments and statement of the amount and terms of financial as- sistance which they may be willing to afford the homeseeker.
 Architects will supply plans and pho- tographs of houses of the type suited to the ordinary family.
 The exposition, it is so declared in a circular letter calling attention to it, is intended to reach the great mass of people who are now paying up to $50 per month rent. but up to this time, on account of the high cost of material and lack of knowledge of where assistance in building could be obtained, have not become home- 9 builders"
 In addition to the exhibition there will be talks from day to day on ma terial prices, building loans. real es- tate values, small house designs and lhe like.
 The building and loan associations. which furnish the bulk of the money going into building of homes of the modest and average class. will supply figures showing how a man can best buy or build a home.
 The exhibit as a whole will bring all the data connected with the build ing of the average home, including cost and financial assistance, directly to the eye of the householder and without expenditure of time and go- ing about in an uncertainty as to where and how to ascertain how and given character.
 The chamber has addressed a cir cular letter to the material dealers. building and loan associations real tors and architects of the city, re- questing them to supply the exhibits and data for the exposition, and an- ticipates a generous response.
 The chamber officials are confident that the visualization of home ac- quisition thus provided will stimulate home building by reducing it to con- crete form understood by any house. holder who attends the exposition.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-11
JUNIOR CHAMBER
 HAS BIC. BANQUET
Notification Order of Evening at Southern Club Einner.
 Entertainment Unique

Approximately 250 members att tended the Junior Chamber of Con- merce banquet in the ballroom of the Southern club last night.
 Dozens of entertaining features were introduced and the fun was kept go- ing all evening. Tables were lined around the sides of the ballroom.
 Promptly at 6:45 o'clock about 225 of the members assembled at the tables The others. numbering about 9, who were late. were taken behind the build- ing. made to take off their shoes and come into the banquet hall in their stock ing feet.
 None of the members except the enter tainment committee knew what was com ing next. A strong arm committee as- sisted the members to their chairs, and immediately following the dinner the hall was put in darkness. An excellent jazz band instantly struck up the latest popu- lar songs and entertained for several minutes.
 The unwritten but observed law of
 the banquet was that there were to
 be no speeches. Another strong arm
 committee with par of hooks es-
 pecially prepared for the occasion
 was sworn in to see that this law
 was enforced.
 Three dancing girls next came upon the floor and were greeted with rounds of applause. At first the members were inclined to believe that the dancing girls were being impersonated by members of the entertainment committee. But when the spotlights, which were arranged at the other end of the hall, were thrown upon them, did not question their belief again.
 The encores were so many that the girls were forced to come back several times after the regular programme was completed.
 The concluding feature of the eve nings entertainment was battle royal staged among half dozen negro boys. The fun here was fast and furious. and howls of laughter went up each time would-be fighter would bite the dust.
 The banquet closed with three cheers for the progressiveness of the Junior Chamber of Commerce.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-11
WHAT THEY SAY
By BILL THOMPSON

Tho question was: Now that the ezs, ,ooo,o road bond issue has been cancelled. do you think that the legislature should hold an extra session to try and find some, means of meeting the emergency?
 Where asked: Here and thASe there about town.
 The answers were:
 Harry Greenwood, 315 Twentieth street, north: The cancellation of the $2s, 900, GOO road bond issue was a great blow to the people of the state. I am for good roads and plenty of them, for believe they build. a city and help to draw bHsi- ness. The governor. believe. will call an extra session and will do the utmost in his power to remedy the situation"
 H. c. Kelley, IT,, 2717 Avenue G, south: q am in favor of Governor Kilby calling an extra session of the legislature at once to find some means of assuring the government that the state of Alabama will in time get the s2,100.000 needed be- fore the government will give an equal amount for building good roads in this state."
 Fred c. Anderson. Eighth avenue and Twenty fourth street. north: ''The county has made more prog ress during the past two years in Z building good roads than the city has. However. we nesS plenty more good roads, and I am in favor of any legislative action within req son that will get them"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-11
DAUGETTE FOUND NOT
 GUILTY BY JURY ON q A CHARGE OF ARSON

J. NJ. Daugette was acquitted of the charge of arson in the first degree by the jury yesterday afternoon. This case was taken up Wednesday before Judge H. r. Heflin in the criminal division of the cir cult court, and large number of wit nesses were examined. After being out short time the jury returned the follow ing verdict: .'We. the jury find the de- fendant not guilty as charged in the in- dictment."
 x The afternoon session was taken ur with the hearing of the case of Jim Gal ioway, a negro, charged with robbery The defendant is alleged to have robbed Henry Swedding. another negro. on Ave- nue C and Twenty-second street. severa! months ago, taking 35 cents ava? from bfr,,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-11
EXPERTS TESTIFY ON
 ANDERS0N'S SANITY
Defense In Robbery Case Seeks to Prove Plea of
 Insanity

Hearing of the case of Claude l.. Anderson, charged with robbery, which is being tried before Judge Will liam E. Fort in the criminal division of the circuit court was featured yes terday by the testimony of Dr. w. D. Pa rtlow of tuscaloosa, superintendent of the Alabama insane asylum
 about three hours and attorneys for the state and defense asked him quese tions regarding the actions of persons mentally unbalanced. While he did rot examine Anderson, at the conclu- sion of his testimony Dr. Partlow stated he was of the opinion the de- fendant was mentally defective judg- ing from the questions he had been asked
 Matthew H. Murphy, who was cap tain of the military company during the war of which Anderson was a member, testified that Anderson had pany, At times he was afflicted, he stated, with some kind of spells at which time he apparently was devoid O. understanding. S. H. Richardson. who was commander of a company to which he was transferred, also testi- fled that the actions of Anderson while in his company were similar to those described by Captain Murphy, as did Hopson P. Davis, a former ser geant. Other witnesses introduced in n effort tO ba afa sane were Mrs. M. Killingworth and J. F. Roper.
 It is expected that the state will have Dr. B. l.. Wyman, who has ex- amined the defendant it is stated, on the stand today. As there are still a large number of witnesses to be ex- amined. it is expected that the case will not go to the jury until late this afternoon
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-11
HOOP AND TIE MILL RESUME OPERATIONS
Duration of Activities Prob lematicaI-0ther Plants
 to Start Up

The Woodlawn steel hoop and tie mill of the Conners-Weymann Steel com pany has resumed after being idle Tor some time.
 Duration of operations at the Wood lawn plant are understood to be prob- iematical, owing to the state of trade.
 Report has come from Gadsden that the Gulf States Steel will resume in the rod and wire mills prior to March |, the date set for resumption, when the plant recently closed down in entirety, with the exception of the by-product works.
 As far as could be gathered at the of- flee of the company In Birmingham, early resumption at Gadsden is proble- matical.
 The United States Cast Iron Pipe com pany declared dividend of per cent on preferred stock, payable quarterly, first payment to be made March b.
 Following closing down of the only ac- tive furnace of the Republic Iron and Steel company last week, practically none of its plants is in operation outside of the Sayreton mines, which work two oc three days a week, mining coal for the Semet- t-Solvay by-product works at Ensley
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-11
NEW QUARTERS FOR ANIMALS HOUSED IN
 ATTIC OF CITY HALL

With warm weather near at hand. the city bureau of laboraPries is presented with the problem of obtaining outdoor quarters for the guinea pige and rabbits used for experimental purposes. At pres ent the animals are housed in the attic of the city hall. but with summer ap- preaching, these close quarters must Le vacated.
 Icrm.ssion to use an acre of ground adjacent to the city stables at Sixth avenue south, and Fifth street will be asked of the city commission at it's meet ir.g next Tuesday, according to Dr. J. D. Bowling lealth officer. It is planned to establish a city stock farm here, where the sheep which are bled for blood smears may be kept, s well as the ami lnals now in the city hall attic. N
 For housing purposes a small hocse now on property adjoining can be used. according to pr. Dowlins's idea The entire proposition will involve very little mcncy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-11
PARK AND PLAYGROUND
 COUNTRY CLUB DISTRICT

Location of a city park and play. ground in the Country club district, street. south, is regarded as probable, following a visit paid by members of the city commission to the site yester- day morning, accompanied by Robert Jemison, Jr. t
 Paving projects were asked in petl- ticns filed with the commission at it's meeting Tuesday were also looked into by the city commissioners. The pro- posed work is on Eleventh avenue, south, from Thirty ninth to Forty first streets, and on Thirty-ninth street south. from Tenth to Eleventh ave- nues
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-11
ADDITIONAL GLASSES
 FOR BUSINESS WOMEN

Glasses in English, public speaking ana Business and Professional Women's club. and members are being solicited for them. These classes are in addition to the num- Der already being taught and shows that much progress is being made by the educational committee, of. which Miss Grace Delaney is chairman.
 Glasses held by the organization in the club rooms are as follows: English Miss Claire Lynch instructor, meets Wednes- day evening at 6 o'clock. Public speak, ing, Miss A. Bess Clark. instructor, Fri day. 7;30 o'clock. Millinery, Miss Eva Moore. instructor. Monday. 6 o'clock. Shorthand (Gregg}. Miss Katharine Holt, instructor. Tuesday. Spanish, Prof. F. F1orent, instructor. Wednesday and t'ri- day, o'clock.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-11
HINDU LECTURER
 DELIGHTS DELI AUDIENCE
India of KipIing and Tagore Is the Subject of Fine
 Address

A cultured audience gathered In the Tutwiler ballroom yesterday after noon to hear the brilliant Hindu lec- turer, Dhan Gopal Mukerji, who so charmed the Drama league with his interpretation of India when he spoke here last year under its auspices.
 He was introduced yesterday by pr. Middleton s. Barnwell, rector of the Church of the Advent, who before in troducing him spoke eloquently and interestingly of what the west could learn from the east and of the fascina- ton of the Orient.
 The distinguished lecturer was at his best as he greeted an audience, among whom were many who had heard him on his former visit. He is not only man of rare education whose life has been divided between the Orient and the Cccident, but an author of reputa- ton and successful playwright.
 His handling of the personality and writings of Rudyard Kipling was most sympathetic, and he made his hearers feel that at least one Anglo-Saxon had lifted successfully the veil of true h. dian life and thought. It was ex- pected that his interpretation of Tagore would be Illuminating as one speaking with authority. He quoted some beautiful verses from Indias great poet in a most delightful way.
 The entertainment unit of the Church of tho Advent, of which Mrs. o. l.. Stephenson is chairman. and Mrs. Ned McDavid, vice chairman, were con- gratulated on bringing MT. Mukerji to Birmingham to lecture in the interest of the organ fund, as it gave pleasure to those who heard him and added quite 8 worthwhile sum towards the fund.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-11
Euents of Today
 In Birmingham
Statement February 2ist, 1921

Civitan club luncheon at 1 o'clock Southern club.
 ADJUSTMENTS Jcfferson-"Experien Lyric-Ixeith vaudeville and pie lures.
 Loew,s understandable and pie lures.
 AIcazar-@The Small Town Idol" Black Sonnet comedy. Trianon-HBlind Wives" Strand-aerhc Passionase Pilgrim" Gafix--DOris keane in ssRomnnce'" RiaIto-"Nomads of the North" OdeOn-Seriai drama md comedy. Princess-SeriaI drama nnd comedy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-11

Earagr. where all ears are kept when not in legitimate use.
 Figures complied by the board of revenue show that the total gasoline bill for all county ears during February amounted to S1,OOO, aS compared to S5.50S for the month of December. Numerous complaints were made to the board with reference to the practice of employees using cars of the county for pleasure purposes and inc cx- cessivc gasoline bills and damage to cars sustained while in the hands of county employees nt night and on Sundays and holidays caused the action of the board fin curtaiijng the use of all county cars. 1t is stnted.
 During October, 1920, the gasO- line for GIFTS amounted to $5,39f. according to figures compiled by the board. In NoyemDer It was S5,397; in December. x5.5N9; Janu- nry, 5,1l3, and February, $i,040.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-11
-s---------------- POST B. P. T. A. TO MEET

Post B. Protective Travellers asso- citation. will hold meeting Saturday evening at o'clock at the auditorium of the Chamber of Commerce. Col. K 0. Harvey. president. urges a., nenN bers to attend. as important business will be on hand
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-11
PERSONALS

Ben Corenbium, proprietor of the Hotel Bencpr, who was operated on re- cently for appendicitis. Is rapidly re- covering and was able to be down town yesterday.
 Judge H. B. Abernethy of the Jeffer- son county court of misdemeanors, continues i'll at his home.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-11
Marriage Licenses

The following marriage licenses were issued yesterday at the office of the pro- bate judge:
 Charles W. Fucker and Miss Josie Holeson.
 Robert CT Cooper and Miss Madeline Slimp.
 James NJ. Brown and Miss Lillie New man.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-11
Joy Riding By EmpZoyes
 Cost County $1, 900 Monthly

More than $1000 been county gasoline bills in
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-11

been constructed, in connection there with. for the purpose of finger printing of all prisoners and the taking of their photographs, that this room is we'll arranged, and that this work is now being carried on, so that system of records will in the future be kept and preserved We find that the bedding in the jail is clean and ample, and the food sufficient and wholesome.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-11
CHEAP LAWYER

We find that it is not infrequent thai the county jail and other county institutions are molested by cheap law yers who are desirous of increasing their clientele by unfair. unjust and unethical means, such as by going tc the county jail and calling for clients Of theirs who are confined therein and ascertaining who have recently been confined therein, sending their business cards in, and asking their clients to go 10 the newly confined persons ana boost them as the lawyers they should employ. We find that it has been a practice among certain lawyers to re- ceivA a part of a fee for defending prisoner, and when the case is called for trial they refuse to defend the pris- oner or to refund the fee that has been paid in part. It is the concensus of opinion of this grand jury that the Birmingham Bar association should look into this matter. and take inn mediate steps towards the disbarment of lawyers guilty of undermining, un- ethical and illegal practices. for the purpose of increasing their clientele and fees.
 Now, in conclusion. we wish to thank Judge Hefiin and your honor for your very clear and exhaustive charges be- fore entering upon the discharge of our duties; and. having completed our labors, We now ask to be discharged Respectfully submitted.
 LOUIS H. CULLEN. Foreman
 This. the 10th day of March. 1921.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-11

This grand jury as body. inspected the county jail, which we found to be well kept. very clean and sanitary
 and that great pains have been taken by the sheriff and his assistants to make the jail comfortable and as sible for a jail to be- We further find that the jail has been recently i'm proved and provided with a large comm odious iwell-ventilated and we'll lighted chapel for the concuc. of reli- gious services, and that room has