The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-27
ENSLEY M0RTUARy PLANT STANDS 0UT AS MODEL OF KIND
Merchants Bus Line Handles Over 425, 900 Passengers
 In 120 Days
ENSLEY BUREAU
 THE AGE-HERALD Fnalev. Ala. Anrii 26

m IZU UayS
 ENsLEY BUREAU
 THE AGE-HERALD
 Ensley, Ala. April 26
 At cost in excess of s5o,0oo, Echols & Angwin are erecting nor tuary plant on Avenue between Seventeenth and Eighteenth streets. The plans, which Mir. Angwin per mitted to be shown yesterday. in- clUde all the most modern details in connection with an organization en- gagged in mortuary work. The build ing is to be two stories high and was only approved after the two mem bers of the firm visited cities in'every part of the country in order to pro-. vide the best and most modern plant for this section. It was stated yes terday by Mir. Angwin that archi- tects have given the opinion that no plant in this country will excel the ono in Ensley when completed in many respects.
 The first floor will contain a chapel. administrative offices. parlors and other conveniences. including two morgues. The chapel, which will be the largest in Birmingham. will contain pulpit and will be furnished complete in ecclestical draperies and features. The windows will be of stained glass, such as are customary in churches. This feature of the building will be the last word in such construction and will be suit able in details for funeral services of any denomination.
 The company has made very thoughtful plans for the comfort and conveniences of the families of the dead by providing an apartment on the second floor where an entire fam lily may be accommodated. This fea ture was suggested by reason of the reluctance of many persons to permit their deceased relatives to remain at a mortuary chapel unattended, and also for the reason that many homes are too small to permit services
 MT. Angwin, in giving a general de- scription of the new building. pointed tiled bathrooms. sleeping apartments for employees. large and commodious show room and other modern feat 0res. The building will be ready for occupancy within three or four months. 1t Is stated. The two build ings now being used by the company as a chapel and offices will be moved to the rear of the new build ing, and will be used for storage and other purposes. The Echols & Angwin i building will add materially to the locality in attractiveness of design.
 The Ensley infirmary across the street is also being improved, which will add further to the general ap pearance of the block, NORTH BIRMINGHAM THEATRE
 The North Birmingham theatre, the sixth of string controlled by Joe Stead of Ensley will be in operation stated yesterday. MT. Stead,' with William H. Tomppert of Birming- ham, are constructing the North Bir- mingham theatre, which will be one of the most attractive moving picture theatres in the district. The local Belle of Ensley, the Gary of Fairfield, the Woodlawn. the Five Points and soon the North Birmingham. So far as known MT. Stead has no plans for other additions to his string of amusement places.
 In order to accommodate employees of the Steel plant who were paid yesterday the Bank of Ensley and the Bank of Alabama opened this after noon. The banks were thronged during the two hours they remained plant. The volume of money issued was greater than in some months past by reason of the increase late ly given to employees and also the greater number of men employed at the mills.
 BIG BUSINESS BY BUS LINE
 Over 525.000 passengers have been brought to Ensley during the past 120 days since the Merchants. and Business Mems Bus line has been in operation. That was an estimate placed on the traffic yesterday by George R. Byrum, secretary of the operating company. The extraordin- ary measure of success has not only proven to the suprise to some of the merchants that initiated the bus line tut has suggested the proposi- Ensley feeders. It was stated yes terday that the Ensley merchants are watching with deep concern the jitney situation in Birmingham. And 1t may be stated that If the jitneys are eliminated or placed under such restrictions as to render fewer cars, the Merchants Bus lines from Ensley will be extended to take in quite an additional amount of territory. MT. Byrum said yesterday that the line would not compete with the B. R. l.. & P. company in any way but was serving more or less as a feeder For that company. He also said that the Bus line was rendering a most ap- preciated service to interurban citi- zens and that the purpose for which the line was started had been served admirably.
 The merchants of Ensiey bought stock in the bus line with which to start the operation. The line has caused decided drop in jitney fares charged before, and despite the keen est competition the bus lines have not only been self sustaining, but have earned a fair margin of profit.
 SEEK PERMANENT QUARTERS
 The Ensley Merchants and Asso- ciated Business men are negotiating with Ramsay & Mccormack for permanent headquarters corner Ave- nue D and Nineteenth street up- stairs. It was stated yesterday tha. the association wishes to secure a space 25 by 80 and that Ramsay 6 McCormack are <Willing to let the business men have the quarters. De- tails are being worked out through M M. n. Mcdowell. local agent for Ramsay Mccormack. It is also stated that the Business and Proo- fessional woman will have club room 25 by 50 on the same floor The two places will be entirely separate
 HOLD MEMORIAL SERVICES
 Memorial services will be held at the Methodist church. Ensley. at 2:30 o'clock Sunday, according to an an nouncement of. Mrs. E. T. Fields, chairman of the committee. Stone wall chapter Daughters of the Con- fe0eraCy. will hava chor0o oF thu