davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-30
TOTEM WILL TALK ON
PARKS AND FAIRGROUNDS
AT ROTARY LUNCHEON

Members of the Rotary club Will
learn of the plan of the Kiwanis club
for the establishment of an adequate
system of parks anu Fairgrounds at
their meeting this afternoon at
o'clock. Robert l.. Totten of the In
dian aggregation will make the prin-
cipal talk at the meeting on these
plans.
In addition all teams will make
their final reports on the campaign
to raise $4,000 for the operation and
maintenance of the Boys club and the
Boy Scouts during 1922, which is be-
ing conducted by Rotarians.
Splendid reports were made last
week showing that more than halt
of the quota has been subscribed and
indications are that the full amount
will have been pledged by l O'Clock
today.
) David Nixon, violinist of unusual
talent. will render several selections,
and will be accompanied on the piano
by his mother. Mrs. c. w. Nixon OF
Bessemer.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-30
WHISKY RUNNERS
LOSE AUTOMOBILE.
LIQUOR DESTROYED

At least one of the automobiles
making up motor trains which ham
prohibited liquors into Birmingha m
in the small hours of the night over
the highways came to grief without
the interference of the law. accord
ing to Deputies j F. Dowis. p. C.
Cole. Virgil Sandefer and Woody San
defer of the sherffs office
According to the officers, while
they were raiding stills yesterday
near the Montgomery highway, they
found the twisted remains of a five
passenger automobile which appar-
entity had gone too close to the edge
Of the road and had fallen over a So
foot embankment
From an examination of the car
they stated. they believed it had been
in use as a liquor carrier, and began
an Investigation. Approximately 15C
feet from the car. they state. they
discovered cache containing 15a
gallons of corn liquor, which they
believe had been removed blythe wills
KY carriers and cached when the car
turned turtle. The officers destroyed
the liquor. The automobile was left
where they found it.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-30

According to members of the coun-
ty board of tax adjusters yesterday
morning. the present week has been
set for the final hearing on the fran
chise taxes due by the Woodward Iron
company, the Sloss- Sheffield Steel and
Iron company, the Alabama company,
the Gulf States Steel company the
Pratt Consolidated company, and
number of other leading corporations
of the district whose payment OF
state and county taxes for 1920 has
been held up on account of litigation
between the corporations and the
state tax commission over the right
of the latter to examine the books OF
the cocnerns involved in order to de-
termine the amount in taxes due.
s25.O00.ooo Involved
Approximately $25.o00.o00 is In
volved in the questions to be settled
by the coming heatings, 1t is stated.
that being the property valuation OF
the corporations involved as fixed by
the board of adjusters after examina-
ton of their corporate books in &C
cordance with authority for such ex-
animation granted by the supreme
court on appeal in the litigation be-
tween the tax commission and the
companies.
Mr. Mooring is expected to arrive
in Birmingham from Montgomery
within the next day or two and the
hearings will begin Immediately, at
which time representatives of the
concerns involved will be given an
opportunity to show cause why the
$25, 900 valuation fixed by the local
board should be reduced, II they 50
desire, and testimony relative to the
valuations made will be heard
Practically every large corporation
of the district is involved except the
Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad
company, which recently paid fran
chise taxes on n property valuation
fixed at approximately $37,0O0,O00.
Relieve situation
According to county officials, pay
ment of these taxes will greatly re-
Ueye financial embarrassment 20
which the county has been subjected
on account of the refusal OF the cor
porations involved to pay their taxes
pending outcome of the litigation and
which was only partially relieved by
the payments made by the Tennessee
of n
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-30
21PATROLMEN ARE
DROPPED BY CITY

Twenty-one patrolmen will be
dropped from the city forces Decem-
Der l, according to an announcement
made yesterday by w. b. Cloe. com
missioner of public safety. This num-
Der of men who will be dropped con-
stitute approximately one fifth of the
entire uniformed force. it is stated
The names of the men whose services
are to be dispensed with were given
out by Thomas Christian, assistant
chief of police. and are as follows:
j. ID. Cartwright. ]. c. McPhau1 C. e.
stephens. b. F. Towards. C. J. Howell
9. G. Hancock, w. P. Gilbert r. A.
Ballentine. G. l.. Ward, j. W. Wal
drop. w. s. Sigsbee,' P. A. Hambright
O. w Fiddler. c. A. Vaughan. !. A..
Treadwell. r. f. Lee. r. NJ. White.
X. F. Wyatt. H. l.. Robinson. j F..
Barker and J. NJ James.
Mr.. Cloe will appoint Successors to
the men within the next few days, he
stated
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-30
BOY KILLED BY
FALL FROM WAGON

Morris Keener, age 10 years. was
fatally injured yesterday afternoon
about o'clock at the corner of Eigh-
teenth avenue and Twenty eighth
street, Ensley when he was run over
by wagon loaded with sand and be-
longing to the Morgan Construction
company.
1t is alleged that the child had
climbed upon the wagon and by acct
dent lost his hold and fell to the
ground, when the left rear wheel of
the wagon passed over his body.
He was Immediately removed to the
Ensley infirmary by Echols and Ans
win ambulance, where he died about
an hour later
The child was the son of Mr.. and
Mrs. J. p. Keener, who reside at 1905
Twenty eighth street, Ensley. He. is
survived by his parents and one small
sister, Vivian Keener. Funeral ar
rangements have not yet been made.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-30
SPEED BREAKERS
URGED BY BOARD
Citizens of Rural Communi-
ties to Petition for Speed
Limit Near Schools

Citizens of the various rural COM
munities of jefferson county are
urged to petition the board of reve-
nue. to place speed breakers on both
sides of the school building along all
highways passing in the vicinity Of
the school as a measure of safety to
the pupils according to bulletin
issued yesterday by the county board
of education.
The bulletin recites that the law
limiting the speed of automobiles in
the vicinity of school buildings is fire.
quently broken. the county board of
education thinks that as a measure of
safety the placing of speed breakers
should be made.
AS soon as sufficient signers have
been obtained and the various petit
lions are in the hands of the board
of education, which is expected to be
the case in approximately two weeks,
it is stated, they will be presented to
the board of revenue for action.
The bulletin, which is signed by
DR.. n r. Baker superintendent of
the county schools, recites THE coun
ty board thinks that as a matter of
safety there would be no objection
to persons starting a movement in
their respective communities to ask
the board of revenue to place speed
breakeps on both sides of the school
building along all highways passing
in the vicinity of schools
There is already law limiting the
speed in the vicinity of school build
| ings. This law is frequently broken.
Since what is worth doing is worth
doing well, you will, of course, secure
as many signers as possible.
IF you will bring or send these
petitions to the office of the superin-
tendent within the next two weeks
they will be examined and presented
to the board of revenue at one time.
If you desire to undertake this work.
suggest something like the follow
ing for your petition We the under
signed citizens of ........... school
district, petition your honorable
body to place speed breakers in the
vicinity of our school building as a
measure of 50 fety to the pupils at
tending "
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-30
INVESTIGATION Of
DEATH OF REED
Accident or Suicide Is Cues
ton for Coroner to
Decide

Further investigation into the
death of Charles e. Reed, salesman
Cor the r. ID. Burnett Cigar company,
Who died some time ago as result
of a pistol shot wound sustained at
the home of his mother Mrs. Ida
Wright, near Ensley. will be com
pleted today by Coroner ]. d. Rus
sum.
on preliminary investig cation held
shortly after Reeds death the coro-
ler pronounced the case one of sui
side. but on the application of Mrs.
Mareline Reed. wife of the deceased.
has consented to reopen the investi-
cation and hear further testimony
before rendering a formal verdict.
According to the contention of Mrs.
Reed. her husband shot himself acct
dentally. Her contention is sustained
by Dr. Il. c. Ray. who testified before
the coroner yesterday that on one oc-
casion while Reed was in the hospital
he told the doctor to remember if
anything happened that it was acct
dental.
on the other hand. Mrs. Wright.
mother of the dead man, came to the
coroner's office yesterday in answer
to summons and told Mr.. Russum
that she was convinced that her son
had committed suicide, and that
while in the hospital. where he lin
gered several days before his death,
he told her that he had committed a
cowardly act and was sorry on her
account that he had done so.
She told the coroner that on the
day he was shot, her son, who had
separated from his wife, was in a
very nervous state. and that immeci-
.ately after supper he went 10 MS
room and prohibited her from follow
ing him when she wanted to do so,
and within a few minutes she heard
the pistol shot,
Peed died as result Of pistol
wound through his left lung immedi-
ately below the heart.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-30

Smiths Park
1t is ten blocks south from the Tut
wiler and Motion hotels and from
the Southern and Birmingham Ath
letic clubs and the Young Men S
Christian association to Avenue Z.
1t is ten blocks due west of this
same group of buildings down Fifth
avenue to Smiths park on the Tide
water car line.
This was pointed out by Jesse f.
Yeates, who regards Smiths park as
the ideal site for the auditorium.
Mr.. Yeates named other points
which he asserts render Smiths park
especially desirable as an auditorium
site. He said:
The Tidewater car line runs due
west down Fifth avenue to the cor
ner of Smiths park and then goes
through the park. bisecting 1t. There
is a double track all the way.
Third avenue is a short distance
from the park and is the thorough
fare for automobile and street car
traffic from Fairfield. Ensley, Besse-
mer and Wylam. The West End and
Elyton cars are but another block
away.
The Birmingham Railway. Light
and Power company has track cir
cling the west end CT the park and
connecting the Third avenue and
Eighth avenue car lines. thus max =
ing connections with the cars from
Owenton. Pratt City, Thomas and
that section. The car barns are close
by the park, so that additional cars
can be run out at moments notice.
Good Parking Spnce
THE 40 acres OF the park or such
portion as the city might choose to
obtain, would furnish all the auto
mobile parking space that could be
desired. / believe an advantageous
deal could be made with the Smith
heirs for part or all OF the acreage.
The park is in the center of popii-
latlon. We must consider Ensley and
Fairfield and the teeming hive of in
dustry out that way when we visual
ize Birmingham and the habitat OF
its masses An auditorium at Smith 8
park would be more convenient to
more people by car line and automo-
bile than any site / can imagine. It
is ideal from a standpoint of quiet
AMI from and automobile parking
standpoint.
Besides, why congest everything
we have in one section? Our attrac-
tions should be spread out SO that
the city will have a real symmetry.
II am not talking Smiths park
from hearsay, but from knowledge of
every foot of ground out in that di =
rection. l am a Birmingham prod
uct and know my city"
Let Bum Do 1t
E. G. Chandler said.
Il am in favor of an auditorium,
seating not less than 10000 to 49,
900 persons. A smaller one would be
a joke. We have coolies of small.
ones already and more of them are
being built. Suppose you do not need
an auditorium every day; when you
do need it you need it to be big.
Il am heartily opposed to the pres
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-30

Final settlement of the differele
between tho contending compa 50
and the state officials will bring
an end matters in dispute for sew
months over the amounts due as fl
chise taxes by the various corpo -a-
tions which involved several mon
litigation in the courts over the ri ls
of the state tax commission to exs ~
inc the private books and records -
the various corporations and VIII f
resulted in the corporations wlthhc +
ing payment of their franchise ia
on account OF the litigation.
Financial Embarrassment
This resulted In serious temporary
financial embarrassment to jefferson
county and made it necessary for the
board OF revenue during the past sum-
mer to negotiate several loans at local
banks In order to meet their monthly
pay roll and other current expenses.
Differences between the corpora
lions involved and the state tax COM
mission over payment OF the taxes
began several months ago, when the
tax commissioners set aside as too
low the assessment valua alton of the
corporate property fixed by the JEFF
ferson county board of tax adjusters.
Following setting aside of the orig
inal assessment, the state tax COM
mission demanded of the corporations
involved the right to examine their
corporate books and records in order
to determine the amount OF taxes
due. This right was denied by the
corporation and they refused to allow
examination of their books.
Test Case
Following this refusal the tax COM
mission filed mandamus against
the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad
company in the circuit court of JEFF
ferson county as test case to deter
mine the legal questions involved.
At hearing on these proceedings
Judge Richard ". Evans sustained the
contention of the corporations and
held that their books and records
were private property and not sub
ject to examination by the state Off
Gals. On appeal the supreme court
reversed the decision of the lower
court and decided that such examine
ton should be allowed.
Following this decision, an exam
nation of the records of the concerns
was made which has just been COM
pleted according to the board of tax
adjusters and on this examination the
local board has fixed the property
valuation of the involved corporations
at $4,000, 900,
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-30
BACHELOR IS HELD
FOR GRAND JURY
Preliminary Hearing Result
ing From Death of Frank
Beckham Held

preliminary trial of Smith Bachlor
and s. q. Williams. on charges of
murder in connection with the dea tn
Of Frank Beckham. electrician at the
Jefferson theatre several weeks ago
resulted in the discharge of Villa ms
and the holding of Bachlor for grand
jury action on a charge of man
slaught- by Judge Fl. B. Abernethy
IN the Je: terson county court of mis-
demeanors yesterday afternoon.
Beckham died on the way to local
iafirmary shortly after he is alleged
To have engaged in tussIe with
Bachlor in the alley near the Jeffer-
son theatre. According to charges
against Bachlor, he is alleged to have
broken Beckham's neck in the tussla
iii which both men fell to the ground
according to witnesses for the state.
Following conclusion of the testi-
mony Judge Abernethy held that
there was nothing in the evidence to
connect Williams with the affair, and
he was discharged. Bachlor was
held on manslaughter charge and
his appearance bond was fixed at
$500
According to the testimony of John
Horne, witness for the state, he saw
Bachlor and Beckham scuffling in tn !,
alley and fall to the ground together
Bachlor got up. he. said, but Beck
ham did not. Similar testimony was
given by other state witnesses, some
of whom testified that apparently the
two men were playing.
Lee Noa, witness for the defense,
testified that Beckham died in his
arms in an automobile on the way
to a hospital He declared that he
saw no evidence of Beckham's neck
being broken. 1t was contended by
the defense that the two men were
merely engaging in friendly scuf-
file at the time and that Beckham
died from heart failure from over
exertion, and not from a broke en- neck
or other injuries inflicted by Bachlor.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-30
KENNAMER AND CLEMO
SLATED FOR REELECTION

1t appears assured that J. r. Ken
nan,er and J l.. Ciemo. president ard
ser rotary of the Alabama division of
the United Mine Workers of America.
have been re-electt In the referen-
DUN recently held. District convep-
tion will be held Monday at 10 O'CLOCK
In the morning in Union temple and
the result If the election will be
canvassed.
There is mucn speculation as TO
who will have been chosen to sue
coed w. l.. Harrison. international
organizer, who resigned when elected
to the city commission.
The convention call has been 10.
sued. No special topic for discus
sion IL mentioned In the call.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-30
Events of Today
in Birmingham

Rotary club luncheon at 1 O'Clock,
southern club.
Association of colleges and second
nry schools in session at TutSiIer
hotel.
ADJUSTMENTS
Jefferson Theatre-"Chu Chin
Chow matinee and night.
Lric Theatre-keith vaudeville. ans
pictures.
Loew's Bijou-yaudeviIle md pic
lures.
Majestic-"Uncle Toms Cabin by
Madocks-Parl< Players.
Strnnd-"The Sheik.o
Aicaaar-"The Bnrrfcade."
RfaIto-"Over the HILL"
TrfanOn-Rupert Hughes, "Danger-
GUS Curve Ahead"
Five Points Theatre-Mae Marsh In
"NObOdy's Kid"
Gaiax-Wiliiam Duncan In "Whcrs
Men Are Men,"
odeen--Seriai drama md comedy.
Roya.-Feature drama, comedy and
news.
Princess-Serial drama and COM
cdy
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-30
CORONERS' INQUESTS

Investigation into the death OF
Henry Silver. negro employe of the
Republic Iron and Steel company who
died at local infirmar.- as result
of injuries sustained when rock
fell on him in the mines at Sayreton
several days ago. will be held by
Coroner ]. D. Russum today.
Investigation will also be made in to
the death of Will Johnson, negro
who died at the Hillman hospital as
a eesuit of fractured skull. No
information had been obtained by
the coroner yesterday as to the cause
Of the Negroes death.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-30
OFFICERS DESTROY
80-GALLON STILL

An so-.yallon Illicit still, together
with 900 gallons of mash. was de
stroyed yesterday by Deputies J. F.
Dowis, P. C. Cole. Virgil Sandefer
and Woody Sandefer from the
sheriff's office in a raid IL miles
south of Birmingham on the Mont
goilery highway.
According to the officers, the out
fit was warm from recent firing bur
wills not in operation. at the time OF
tho raid and no arrests were made
and no liquor was found. The out
fit was concealed beneath the sur
far of the earth and was covered
with brush and pine needles, they
sta ted. The still and mash were
des troyed.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-30
4OO-TON UNIT ADDED
TO COAL WASHER

IA The Monro- Warrior Coal company
has added 400-ton unit to its coal
washer at Sterling Black Creek min,
near Nauvoo in Walker county. The
company is also installing re-
screening plant. Storage capacity
has been provided for 1000 tons Of
unwashed coal and at least 300 tons
of washed and screened sizes.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-30
Yeates Gives Views
On Smith S Park as
Auditorium Site
Asserts That Park Has Many Advantages Over Other
Sites Proposed-Harry Moore and Others Declare
For Present Site With Proof Building

That Smiths the
opinion of Jesse Yeate secretary of the Drug
In the following interview Mr. Yeas points number
of advantages which he make the desirable for
the auditorium
A. Harry Moore contractor out in favor of the present location
and the alleged noises coming erefrom could be with the
building which
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-30

ent site. do not believe worst
one could have been chosen.
Any desirable location will SUI
me.
II would make this suggestion
Turn the matter over to O. L. Bum
manager of the Chamber of Com
merce. He is business man and on,
of hard horse sense. He has the cor
fidence of the community and repre-
sents the biggest interests of tn,
community and its chief civic organ
ization. Let him take charge of tht
entire matter and leave it to his gooc
judgment. l am sure the result
would be pleasing to all Birming
ham"
Sound-Proof Auditorium
Il have read with much intere :.
the discussion for and against thu
present site for the city auditorium,
said George d. earns, land | have vel
failed to see a suggestion that in my
opinion is any better than the pres
ent location.
"Of course. the proximity of tn,
railroads is somewhat Objectionable
but the noise from this source can.
understand, be overcome by the con.
struction of sound-proof building
Practically all of the larger au-
ditoriums of the east are located in
the center of the business distrist
with all OF its attendant noise. which
has been overcome by the moderr
methods of construction.
What the city needs is an aud
torium and it seems to me that hav-
ing gone thus far with the PROPOSE.
ton on the present site, it should b
carried out to its conclusion
Has No Objection
II see no objection to the present
site of the city auditorium" said
Harry Moore. 1T is certainly con.
venient to the city folks and ths
many street car lines in close prox
unity make DIT also convenient for
those who dwell in the suburbs.
AS to the alleged noise from the
railroads to the rear that is merely
matter of construction and with the
modern methods of building such
structures 1t can be obviated
THE city has gone to considerable
expense in bringing the auditorium
to its present status and it seems to
me that it would be a waste of money
to drop the work already done and
select some other location, to which
no doubt. many objections could be
raised"
"As I understand =. the large au-
ditoriums that are now being built
arc constructed on the proposition
that all outside noises will be elimi-
mated said Marshall Hanbury al
this be the case, it occurs to me tina:
the present site is as good as any
that has been suggested thus far
re CT
and probably reach as many direct
lines as any site in the city. Then
again, the parking facilities are good
in that all the streets adjacent are
wide and some of them without car
lines, but If they are not sufficient
a part of the Wilson park might be
used"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-30

MARRIAGE LICENSE

One lone marriage license was the
output of the probate court yester
day in the race Cupid has been wag-
ing in jefferson county for several
months in an effort to beat the di-
vorce records of the chancery court.
The single license was ISSUED to
Dean F.. Parker and Miss Katherine
e. Middleton.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-30
Adjustments of Taxes
of Corporations to Be
Made This Week
Representatives of Corporations and Tax Adjusters to
Hold Conference Valuations of Over $250O0,0OO
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of Books of Concerns
Completed and Settlement In Sight

Payment Alabama several hundred thousand
dollars of the of the
follow of conferences
Birmingham the week between representative eff
jefferson adjue
cha rnnan of the tax