davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-02-16
CITY BOARD BUSY
WITH STREET WORK
Many Paving and Highway
Matters Get Attention at
Yesterdays Session

Property owners around Thirty-frsr
avenue and Twenty-sixth street. north
appeared before the city commission at
their meeting yesterday morning at 10
o'clock in the city hall and appealed to
that body to take steps to prevent tie
overlooking of branch in that section
of North Birmingham.
delegation composed of Judge Ira
Dement,, f. B. Hennegan r. B. Ustick,
Mrs. J. IA, Call, Tom Screws, Mrs. W.
M Harrison and Mrs. A. N Oldham
called on the city commission in re-
gard to the matter.
They stated that water or gas pipe
across a culvert under the avenue was
the cause of the overflow as it caught
brush and other debris, choking the in
let to the culvert. The water damages
gardens and property, making each house
an island every time it rains hard, the
delegation declared.
On motion of II. P. Burruss, commits
sioner of public improvements, the mat
ter was referred to the departments of
public improvements, public utilities and
properties, the city engineer and the city
legal department.
w. H. Scale appeared before the com
mission and asked for the paving OF
Thirty-sixth street from Thirteenth ave-
nue., north, to the Southern railway
tracks. He was told to enter his petition
in Inc re-; liar manner. Mr.. Scale lives
at 1341 Th'rty-sixth street, north. and
the proposed ;,aving would extend dis
lance of a block and half.
The commission accepted the invitation
of c. M. Cannon, president Of the Fair
view Civic Association, to attend meet
ing there Monday night. Civic matters
will be discussed.
Installation of fire plug at Harmony
street and Fifth avenue in Avondale was
ordered by the commission.
Application for a permit to run an oil
pipe line under Thirtieth street from,
Fifth avenue north, to the sidetrack OF
the Frisco railroad was made by r. e.
Smith, representing the Acme Oil COM
pany of Alabama. which Is putting in a
plant at Thirtieth street~and Fifth ave-
nue., north. 1t was referred to the city
engineer and building inspector
Ordinances providing for paving of sew
eral stretches of streets were adopted
at the morning session Of the commits
sion. These included paving OF Cherry
street from Tenth avenue SOUTH to
Eleventh avenue south, at cost OF
s., 900; Alabama avenue from Eleventh to
Twelfth streets, s1,4o0; Eighteenth street
between Fourteenth court and Sixteenth
avenue, south, sectional repairs. $3.50.
sewer ordinance for some work in
North Birmingham, amounting to $3.50,
was adopted, and number of improve
ment ordinances were confirmed
Paving of Virginia avenue. the center
of contention few months before was
ircluded in these ordinances.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-02-16
What They Think
BY BILL .ERsKINE. HAYES

The question was: What is your
opinion of the semi centennial
celebration as proposed by the
Civic Association?
Where asked. In the Jefferson
County Bank building.
The answers were.
A. r. Dearborn. president of
A. r. Dearborn a.. Co..
We can make a great showing
sinasmuch as we have accomplished
more in short span of time than
any other city.
Ralph w. Quinn. assistant Unit
ed States attorney:
''It helps any city to hold these
semi- centennial and centennial.
celebrations, and as Birmingham
Is just boy at so, we should
make it good and strong"
Argus Spann. real estate, At
lanta, Ga:
We all have to take our hats
off to your old town for her prog
ress, and by George, lit isn't an
old town-that's why we have to-
take our hat off to it,
J. r. Burke, chief clerk, Union
Pacific railroad, Brown-Marx
Let JUS get behind this move
ment 100 per cent We are well
advertised now. and such a cele-
bration will put us on the map Of
the universe in big letters,
Georges p. Bondurant. attorney
at law. First National Bank build
ing:
The movement is most excel
lent and every citizen Of Birming-
ham ought to get out now. and
work to put it over The benefits
to be derived therefrom cannot be
over estima ted"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-02-16
LAWYERS TO ATTEND
The WEAkLEY FUNERAL

At meeting of the Birmingham Bar
association. held in Judge Dan A..
Greene's courtroom yesterday morning,
presided over by Marvin Woodall. vice
president of the association. it was stated
that the association would pay final
tribute to ope Of the associations recent
presidents. Judge Samuel D. Weakley,
who died Monday morning.
A committee was appointed to draft
resolutions upon the death Of Judge
Weakley. the resolutions to be returned
to an open meeting Of the association to
be held in Judge Greene's court1 pm Sat
urday morning at 10 o'clock. Ell Cab
aniss. chairman, Judge A. G. Howe. ex-
Coy. Emmett O'Neal. Senator Frank s.
White and Col. Alex NJ. CARRIER consti-
tute the committee.
1t was decided that the entire member
ship OF the Birmingham Bar association,
as well as all members OF the bar, should
assemble at the South Highlands Metho-
dist church. Five Points, at 1918 o'clock
thiS morning to attend the funeral, which
will be from the residence on Ridge Park
avenue.
There will be no session OF the civil
division Of the circuit court this morn
ing. Court will convene at o'clock in
the afternoon.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-02-16
RAILWAY BUSINESS
SHOWS MUCH GAIN
AS SPRING COMES
Doughty of Union Pacific
Says Statesmen Are Booking
Much Business and Roads
Getting More Shipments

Two weeks of February
have passed, and marked
changes are noticeable in the
movement of foreign line
freight, according to railroad
officials who yesterday said
improvement was steadily be-.
coming more and more encour-
aging.
Railroads, always considered a
gauge TO general. national BUSH
ness conditions arc showing
steady forging on the upward line
of the national business chart at
this time of year, indicative of
heavy spring season in most lines
of freight, the railway men say
Passenger business in still maxi
ing good showing in face of the
so-cal1ed slack times, summed in
the words of James IL. Doughty,
general agent of the Union Pacific,
who said that most of the hard
times were expressed rs a mental
quality by the people, and much of
what they thought they saw in the
way of business depression did
not exist at all.
Birmingham has everything to
give in the line of industrial pro-
duction.'' Mr.. Doughty continued,
land she Is serving the world. We
who handle freight shipments out
of the local community foreign
lines can best notice this feature.
We know we have here a tremcn-
dous supply, and the period is
right here when there In going to
be need for this supply.
eve have to become conscious
OF this. and 1 think the selling
forces of most concerns arc pound
Ing awny so hard at this time to
put their productions across that
we nre going to see results of
crack snlesmanship very shortly
in the form of wide-open produce
ton, good transportation business
and general contentedness.-
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-02-16

mented by the highest authority on road
building in the United States for the
excellent permanent roads in the county
which he designed and supervised
II | believe in giving every one a
square deal, and / don't believe this
board would be giving the county or
Batson a square deal by changing en-
gineers at this time.
10. Batson on his own knowledge and
ingenuity saved this county more than
$4,000 last year on road construction.
a. Batson. almost single-handed and
alone. has presented Jefferson county
with over Is miles of permanent high
are as good as the best anywhere in the
United States. These magnificent roads
will not cost jefferson county one cent
in the end if we will keep politics out OF
the engineering department. Not only
that but we will be able to go right
ahead with our permanent road pro-
gramme The county has everything to
lose and nothing to gain by losing the
services OF Batson at this very impor-
tant time. We have no right to cause
the public to suffer on account of our
personal or political preferences. l do
not believe the Intelligent public would
indorse such action by the board.
WAS A SURPRISE
The election of Mr.. Rogers came as a
distinct surprise to him, as he had not
even applied for the position. Follow
ing his nomination he was unanimously
elected.
The motion of W. B. Copeland to con-
solidate the positions OF highway engf-
neer and sanitary engineer. how held
by l.. III. Salter, at salary of $4,000,
was discussed. Jere Gwin opposed the
reduction in salary of the county high
way engineer on the ground that
capable man could not be secured for
the position at that salary. He stated
that he did not care who the board
elected. but in his opinion it was poor
practice to try and economic on that
position, at this time, especially when
drafts for 81 miles of road to be COM
pleted with federal aid are being drawn
and If the federal aid is to be secured
must be completed by June /,
NEED GOOD MAN
The position should be filled at this
time by capable man and one ia
miliar with road construction, Mr.. Gwin
stated in view of the fact that the
board is preparing to spend approx
mately $2,000,000 on paved roads in the
near future. The positions were not
consolidated.
For the past several months the sal
lary of the highway engineer has been
$4,000, while that of the sanitary engi-
neer is $500, making a total of $500
month for this department.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-02-16
KILLING FROST IS
POSSIBLE BETWEEN
NOW AND SUMMER
Weather Observer Draws At
tention to Heavy Frosts of
March and Famous Snow
storm of Apri! rs, 1910

Chances of escaping a kill
ing frost this spring are ex-
tremely problematical.
Snow has fallen in Alabama
as late as the third week in
April, and as far south as
Montgomery.
@At this season OF the year
everybody wants to know the
prospect of n killing frost. This
information is particularly desira-
BILE now, ON account of the mild
weather of the last few weeks, and
the advanced stage of Develop
said e. G. Horton of the weather
bureau, yesterday.
cit is impossible to make
forecast for SO long time ahead,
The best the weather bureau is
able to say is that mt the Bir-
mingham station there have been
four years since 1896 when the
latest killing frost occurred In
February. In 1897 the latest kill
Ing frost of the season was OBJ
served ON February IS; in 1908 ON
the y; in 1904, ON the 10, and in
1905, ON the 49,
1--WE must draw our individual
conclusions from this as to our
chances of escaping n killing frost
this season.
''The average date of the latest
killing frost in spring is March
Is. The latest date of killing
frost of record here was April IL,
1918
"It is not to be forgotten Also"
Mr.. Horton continued. "that we
had decided snowfall on April
p, 1910, and although the tenn
perature did not register below 81
degrees Fahrenheit, many young
plants were kflIed.''
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-02-16
Lost Tag Means Repayment
OF Dog License is Ruling
Of State Tax Commission

afternoon. stating that numerous
persons in his vicinity hnd dogs
and the pets had either lost their
license tags or they had been
stolen and they were alarmed for
fear the officers would kill the
dogs.
"In some instances the children
take the tags off just to play with
them" he said. .'whiic on the 9th
err hand they are small and very
soft and are easily torn off by
the dogs themselves. We feel that
IL Is a shame to make us pny the
dog licenses twice and especially
now when the delinquent MS well
as cOnstnbie's fees ARE added to
the price OF Jthe tag. All we want
IL "A chance, but we do not feel
that 1t il right to have our dogs
killed after we have paid the Ii
censes on them. When automobile
drivers lose their tags. the state
gives them duplicate and it
seems TINT similar action should
be taken in the case OF dOEs.v
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-02-16

me ne" engineer is graduate of
the Alabama Polytechnic institute at
Auburn. being a member of the class
OF 1907. He was for 10 years con-
necSed with the Tennessee Coal Iron
and Railroad company at Ensley in the
construction department. For the past
three years he has been in the employ
ment OF the county, being first assist
ant to Mr.. Batson.
While the election was quiet and with
out comment there had been a good deal
going on under the surface which sound
cd like echoes of the recent election of
board members. Jerry Gwin, the former
president of the board, and Capt Lacy
Edmondson stood out for the reelection
OF Mr.. Batson as engineer until they saw
that the three other members-Ball, Huey
and Copeland-were against him, and
that there was no indication of one of the
trio changing his attitude
In this contingency. when the nominal
ton of Mr.. Rogers was made the board
found 1tsesf unanimous, Mr. Batson's
supporters feeling that after all it was
a compliment to Batson that his assistant
should be chosen for the place.
SUBMITS Id POINTS
Jerry Gwir in his advocacy of retain
ing the engineer who had pn9ven his abil-
ity and who was familiar with all the
details of the work. submitted the fol-
lowing IA points;
Batson has demonstrated his ability,
proven his competency. honesty and eff
ficlency as an engineer.
2 In all the attacks that have been
made on Batson by his enemies when
given chance to be heard. has won out
in every single instance.
3. | am thoroughly convinced that the
fight made on Batson is purely political.
4. Batson has the fullest respect and
sympathy of his own organization.
5. believe it is unwise and unbusiness>
like to change engineers at this time for
political reasons only. lass
6. The American Association of Civil
Engineers has officially declared Batson
to be competent and efficient and other
wise qualified to fill the position of coun-
ty engineer of jefferson county.
7. Batson has made the plans and speci-
fcations for all the permanent road work
the board of revenue expects to do in
the next three or four years
s. 1t would be morally wrong and I'M
fair for someone else to get credit for
what Batson has already done.
8. Batson is thoroughly familiar with
the rules and regulations of the state and
federal aid road acts.
TO- Batson is member of the state
highway commission of Alabama and
represents on the commission the NINTH
congressional district, which is jefferson
county,
II. Batson was recently highly compile
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-02-16
MILK STATIONS
TO Be ESTABLISHED
Red Cross to Furnish Free
Milk to Undernourished
Children

In the effort to decrease the infant
mortality rate of the city and county,
the social service department of the
Jefferson county chapter, American
Red Cross, will establish two stations
for the free distribution of milk.
At meeting of the executive COM
mittee Of the social service depart
ment held yesterday, DR. Morris New
field, chairman, was authorized to ar
range for the establishment of one or
two Red Cross milk stations, where
milk of desirable quality may be OBJ
tanned for infants and children
throughout the city and county who
are undernourished, or who are unable
to obtain sufficient amount of milk
through lack Of fundss on, the part of
parents.
According to the mortality rate of
the county, IA per cent of the deaths
are of children under the age OF one
!, ear, and the committee express the
Hope that the free distribution Of milk
may tend to decrease the percentage
ma terially.
For the present, it is the purpose of
the committee to establish two sta
tions. one on the Northside and the
other on the Southside. with others to
follow as soon as is possible.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-02-16
RAMSAY
TELLS HISTORY OF
LITTLE ERSKINES'

Ersklne Ramsay unfolded the history
Of the little Erskines'' for the benefit
of Kiwanians at the club luncheon yes
terday afternoon at the Southern club
1t developed there are 81 namesakes OF
Mr. Ramsay, to whom he has given bank
accounts of 500 each in the Bank OF
Ensley.
Mr.. Ramsay told how the idea had
started from a conversation with Dolly
Dalrymple of The Age-Herald and how
he had evolved the plan. The offer ex-
PRED on January /. 1921
The idea Is to show appreciation Of the
action in naming the children for him.
according to Mr.. Ramsay. and also to
teach them habits of thrift. The birth
dates range from 1900 to 1878 Mr.. Ram
say disclosed. The money must remain
in the bank until the child is q, or 10
years If he is older than 10 years
Henry Gesmer told of his experiences
in connection with ladies' night and said
he was through with ladies' nights, at
least until after the post-Easter dance
to the Rotarians.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-02-16
NEW TRAFFIC CODE

(. The new traffic code containing the
revised ordinances covering driving Of
vehicles ON the streets Of Birmingham
will be in operation about the middle
OF next week, according to Fred Moore
city attorney.
The printer has been delayed in pct
ting out the code, due to the additions
Of ordinances amending it. The left
hand turn has been eliminate through
an ordinance cancelling this provision
of the code. Y
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-02-16
BLAMES BUSINESS CON-
DITION
Examiners Say Liquidation Due
To Investigation
CLASS Keeling UNDER BLOWS
Resignation of Attorney Of Oregon
Exchange and Other Develop
ments Set Forth.
RECIPROCAL SUMMARY.

Wichita Great Western Undervrite~.
quits business following examination ~
California department on top Of the Woolsto
examination for Texas, Colorado. Oregon and
Washington.
Brokers badly bitten by failure Of Central
Casualty Underwriters. Chicago whose con-
dition was disclosed by Illinois Industrial
Commission.
Automobile Insurance Exchange r.fusea
Kentucky license to issue nonassessablo
policies and Standard Auto Insurance Ado
citation Of Vincenne agrees to stop practices
and cancel policies SO issued.
b. b. Sawyer, attorney In fact. Oreenn
Auto Indemnity Exchange, Portland, cults
job in disgust and seeks to return stock
insurance and s'be good"
Attorney -in-fact a. T. Rector Of Reeiprocal
Risk Underwriters, Chicago, attempfs Is
lam Lott and Sherman and asks The In
surance Field to keep up its campaign. He
will be accommodated.
License Of Lumberman's Reciprocal Asso-
citation, Houston, Texas, revoked in Alahana
after row with Insurance Ccmmissiouer w
A. Briscoe.
Justin B. CAlland gives opinion that Re-
ceiver kusbler of National Merchant Ex-
change collect from holders OF soeaIlna
cash" Or nom Assessable policies.
Proposals. of weak Chicago reciprueals q
recr ganize under mutual laws o. 1s ueYds
bring prompt Withdrawals Of subserihers
and are abandoned.
Southern Lumber Underwriters, New Or
leans, makes assessment on subscriher. u
100 per cent to meet heavy loases 81 Lat
six months Of l920--lnsurance Fieid.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-02-16

All persons whose dogs lose
their licenses tags must buy new
tags, according to ruling of the
state tax commission. A letter
from the office of the state tax
commission in Montgomery was
received yesterday by william
Waldrop, clerk of the court. which
Is in part as follows: "Under the
dog registration law there is no
provision made for duplicate or
replacement tags. The commission
has ruled on several occasions that
in event of tag becoming lost. 1t
will be necessary for the owners,
of the dog TO re-registcr and pur-
chase new tags
Following the numerous re-
quests for duplicate tags, Mr..
Waidrop wrote the state tax COM
mission to which he received the
above reply. III. Ii. Northington OF
II r. ID. No. s appeared MT the Of
flee OF The Age-HeraId yesterday
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-02-16
HEALTH REPORTS
SHOW FEWER CASES
Births Led Deaths In January.
Remarkable Showing In
Social Diseases

Births led deaths in Birmingham by
ing to the report of DR.. j. D. Bowling,
health officer, compilation of which
was completed yesterday
During the month there were 245
deaths, as compared with 252 during
the same month last year, and 337
births against 339 in 1920. The death
rate has been reduced from 1892 per
thousand in 1920 to 1880 per thousand
this year. -
With one exception. there were fewer
cases of communicable diseases in the
city during January of this year than
in 1920. That exception is scarlet
fever. there being 20 cases last month
as against l6 cases last year. None of
these resulted fatally, however.
Fourteen deaths during the month
were .ascribed to pulmonary tubercu-
losis, 16 cases being reported. For
January, 1920, there were 81 cases re-
ported, with rs deaths Other deaths
We're apportioned as follows: Syphilis,
y; pellagra. 8; typhoid fever. q; i'm
ported typhoid fever 2; whooping
cough, /.
\ A. remarkable showing has been
made with regard to congenital dis
eases. In January, 1920 there were
$40 cases of venereal disease reported,
with II deaths from syphilis This
year during January there were re )
ported 81 cases of venereal disease
Smallpox cases reported in January
1921. showed sharp decrease over
1920, 43 being reported this year as
against So last year. There were 312
vaccinations last month. compared
with 667 in January, 1920
The bureaeu of child hygiene re-
Gently established, made 1890 calls
during January. 612 of these being to
instruct mothers and other persons in
the proper care of children Nursing
care was given in 80 cases.
Thirty six smallpox patients were
carried to the pest house in the am
Dulanace during the month against 81
last year
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-02-16
SPENCER is ROBBED OF
COUNTRY CURED MEATS

Epicurean tastes were responsible
for the depression yesterday of T. Fl.
Spencer, Tenth avenue. south. and
Eighteenth street.
Thieves broke into his pantry early
yesterday morning and quietly re-
moved several months supply of hams,
bacon and other delectable bits OF
pork raised on Mr. Spencer's country
place.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-02-16
NEW GENERAL AGENT

Effective February Is, Hugh c. Mont
gomery is appointed general agent OF the
Monon Route. G. /. & L. R. r., at Bir-
mingham. to- succeed the late Henry
Hidden. Prior to federal control OF rail-
roads. Mr.. Montgomery was for several
years connected with the Norfolk and
Western railroad. and later with the
Big Four route. Since October l. 1920
he has been connected with the New
York Central lines at Birmingham.
charlie De Vaux and nenson Manning
will be his travelling freight agent and
|city freight agent. respectively
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-02-16
"THE JEWISH OUTLOOK

A. Leo Oberdorfer. well-known at.
torney. will deliver an address in the
Sunday school room OF Temple Emanu-
FL tonight under the auspices OF the
Council or Jewish Women. His subject
will be The Jewish Outlook for the
Twentieth Century, and the public is
cordially invited to be present.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-02-16

Papers of incorporation were filed in
the office of j. P. Stiles. judge Of pro-
bate. yesterday by the Alexander Cons
struction and Manufacturing company
with an authorized capital stock Of 5000.
The new firm will begin business with
50 800 paid in. Officers are Jesse W.
Alexander. president and treasurer; Rob-
ert b. Alexander, vice president. and z.
NJ Alexander secretary.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-02-16

B N. l.. Pierce. federal prohibition en-
forcement officer. and Jack Horton.
deputy in the office. are in Tuscumbia to-
day testifying before preliminary hear
ing Of the 10 defendants in the alleged
killing Of Don Stephenson. deputy officer
and also on charges Of violating the fed
eral prohibition statutes They will res
turn to Birmingham late tonight.