The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-11-22
COMMISSION Gets
NE W CONCESSION
At EAST LAKE PARK
Construction Of ThriIIers to
Start at Once, Lessee Has
Informed the City
Officials

Launching program of Commits
sioner William L. Harrison for reju-
venatinE East Lake park and making
OF 1t real amusement place" the
city commission Tuesday authorized
a 10-year contract. leasing space in
the park to Elmer. Smith & Schwab,
n New Orleans firm, for the erection
and operation OF two mammoth rides.
the Giant Dip Coaster" and the
'Dodgem." The construction of tho
two projects will involve. according
to the contract, minimum of $4,000,
and it was estimated that tho cost
would go considerably over that fig
ure. probably to 100000.
II. ID. Smith, representing the New
Orleans firm, was present at the
meeting. He said that work would
be begun on actual construction as
soon as materials could be assembled,
which would probably be within
three weeks Construction will re-
quire about three months. he said.
The Giant Dip Coaster" or tho
Scenic Railway" is an undulating
affair, with a total trackage of some
thing more than a half mile. The
track dips from a height of 65 feet to
one of five feet above the ground.
WY bfNt tOhthsAFt
The "Dodgem" is a new project for
Birmingham although it is said that
IL had been employed successfully for
some time in other cities. It consists
of self-propelled carriages, which OPP
crate on a moving platform and
which present puzzhng difficulties to
manipulators.
Both structures are to be of wood
and steel, properly painted. The con-
tract between the city aud the
amusement company is an exclusive,
franchise for the operation of these
particular kinds of projects. Under
the agreement the city is to furnish
electric current up to a cost of one
per cent of gross receipts, and also a
cashier and tickets for each attrac-
ton. The city is to receive gradu-
ated percentages of the gross re-
eeipts, reaching % per cent after the
third year Commissioner Harrison
declared that this was the best con-
tract the city had ever made with an
amusement company.
Commissioner Harrison also an
nounecd another project which he
had under consideration. Sea
Plane" a sort OF aero-dip affair, In
which airplanes are employed. COM
missioner Harrison said that it was
his purpose to rehabilitate East Lake
park completely and make or IL
place Of rest and recreation to chit
dren and tired business men and
women. All OF the new projects VIII
be ready at the opening of the PARK
season in May, he said.
Gas Main Authorized
Permission was granted the Ala
bama By-Products company by the
commission for the laying of Il
inch gas main from its plant in East
Birmingham to certain industrial
concerns in that section. including
the Stockham Pipe and Fittings COM
many and the Virginia Bridge and
Iron company. Request for such
authority had been made at the pre-
vious meetings of the commissions.
A fee OF $4,000 was required Of the
Alabama By-Products company.
The Louisville and Nashville Rail-
road company was given authority to
run a spur track across wilkins ave-
nuosdn East Birmingham TO serve the
virginia Bridge and Iron company.
Rodcrick Beddow. attorney. APP
peared before the commission and
asked a reopening of the case Of the
Olympic hotcl. 25201s Fourth avenue,
the license Of which was revoked at
the last meeting of the commission.
Rehearing was asked on the ground
that the nolel was not repi osotiecu ~
legal counsel, and that promise had
been given that no action would be
taken until counsel could be present.
The commission voted to reopen the
case two weeks from the date OF this
meeting. Reopening of the case of
the Venice hotel, 6011s Twentieth
street, north, whose license was re-
voked at the same time, was also
asked by Boddow, an was referred to
Commissioner w. 3. Cloe for action.
Assistant Appointed
The employing of Mrs. Nellie Logan
as assistant cashier in the office OF
the comptroller to succeed G.. A. AL
Hson, resigned, was confirmed, effec-
tive November 20. Salary was fixed
at $125 per month.
Coupons for five interest periods of
the $1,000,000 school bonds recently