The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-04-13
HAPPENINGS
SUBURBAN ROAD
 OPEN TO TRAFFIC
Connects $ Birmingham With Industrial Centers.
 Dedication On April 29
(Ensley Bureau)..

Ensley, Fairfield and Bessemer by wal of Rutledge Springs, is open for traf flee after having been under construc. ton for nearly eight months, necessitat ing detolfrs from Fairview by way oi Powderly to Bessefner and from Fair. field by way of No. 8 mine The direct route will shorten the time consider. ably between Birmingham, Ensley and Bessemer; as we'll as to the Warrior river and other points.
 The road has an interesting history in that it was subjected to a long legal fight before Newell Brothers secured the contract for it's construction. The first contract was given nearly two years ago to the Dunn Construction company at a price considered excessive by some taxpayers. An Injunction was secured and work stopped, even after the Dunn conipany had it's tents and working forces camped at Fairfield. The l project was abandoned. the case won by the protesting taxpayers and the work relet to Newell Brothers last summer The company expected to break all con. struction records on the road and sue, cceded, The work was completed so far as the important part was concerned by l February l. However, bridge across l Valley creek held up traffic until the road was opened. sss
 The contract price for the work was $2SS,000, although n member of the Newell firm said sthe work involved about $320,000. st- z
 The citizens of Fairfield and Besse- mer, as well as Ensley, being grateful for the highway. intend to celebrate its completion April 20. ,,
 It was stated Saturday that a holiday would be proclaimed ou the day to be observed and that floats, bands, march. CTS and automobiles would make up a mammoth parade. 1 A committee from the Exchange club of Fairfield, in cooperation, with all civic bodies of Ensley and Bessemer, plan to have 1000 automobiles in line, occupied by at least 5000 persons. There will be three floats, each occupied by the prettiest girls in the three cities. One will be the queen and the others will be maids in attendance. There will follow several speeches in the Fairfield park, at which all the candidates for office will be present, not to mention state, city and county officials.
 Library Opposition--A letter in op- position to the proposed bond issue for library in Birmingham is, being pre- pared in Ensley. It was stated that d copy of the letter would be sent to every voter who lives outside of the old Bir- mingham city limits. The letter, it was said. will suggest that Birmingham alone twill profit by the erection of a 1 library, there being no provisions to erect any new buildings outside the old city. It will also be pointed out that the cost of the bond issue will be $75, 900 per year.
 School Fund-The fund for Howard High school was increased materially l Saturday through receipt of donations from persons to whom letters were re- gently mailed by the committee. It was stated by James Dupuy that each hail brought additions to the fund The work of soliciting funds will be con tinued until $25,O00 is secured. At this time the fund is safely over the $15,O00 mark.
 Tidewater Endangered d-Abandon- ment of the Tidewater tracks through Shadyside is a certainty, local Ob- servers believe, following the announce ment of the offer made to the city com mission Friday. If the city commits sion permits the turn in Birmingham, it is stated that the Tidewater cars will be operated to Owenton Junction, near the college, and then routed to Ensley over-the Ensley- -Owenton lines. This will place the cars two, three and four blocks from the residents of Shadyside, and while it will not completely deprive them of service it will render the situa- ton less convenient than at this time. There is widespread regret in Ensley over the prospects for the change.
 Banks to CIose-The Ensley post office will not observe a holiday on Thomas Jefferson's birthday. Although the banks will be closed, R.. S. Hick- man, postmaster, said the postal de- pertinent has made no provisions for the observance. The Bank of Ensley, the Bank of Alabama, the First Ma tional Bank of Fairfield, and the Pratt City Savings Bank will not open until Tuesday.
 New Parking aw-Merchants of Ensley were pleased Saturday to re- ceive word from the city hall that the new ordinance allowing thirty minute parking on Avenue E, between Eigh- teenth streets, and or Nineteenth street, from Avenue c to Avenue I, would be passed at the meeting Tues day. The new ordinance has been written by City Attorney Wynn, and repeals an, old law prohibiting parking on the narrow street running north and south through the heart of Ensley. Recently the police department has strictly enforced the law and the measure to allow the short time park ing has been approved by the mer- chants. Captain W. w. Brent, in charge of traffic, brought a copy of the ordinance here for approval and it was carefully gone over. The opinion pre- vails that the new law will prove satis- factory.
 Fort To Speak William P. Fort of Birmingham, will address the Mems class of the Pike Avenue Baptist church Sunday morning. The an- nouncement of his visit is expected to draw a large crowd. Judge Fort re- gently spoke to the First Methodist Bible class, and made marked i'm pression upon the 150 men who heard him.
 MatrOns' Class-Mrs. Keener Mat thews will direct the organization of a young smatrons' class at the Ensley Highlands Methodist church Sunday morning. Those interested in joining the class are invited to attend the pre- liminary meeting. A class name and officers will be, selected following the organization.
 A BEGGAR'S REPROOF
 Chauncey Depew relates that he was