The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-08-24
PLAN INCREASES
 PARKING SPACE
Bessemer Merchants Are Asked To Leave Bus
 mess Section Open
(Besseuer Bureau. ]

BESSEMER, Ala, Aug. 23.--A movement to provide more parking space in the downtown section will bc started by the Chamber of Com merce, according to Secretary A. E. Ausman. Merchants will be asked to park their cars outside the business section on Saturday afternoons and evenings. Mir. Ausman points out that during thi stime 1t is practically im- possible to park in the business section, and recent survey discloses the fact that most of the machines parked down. town belong either to the merchants or their employees.
 He states that his condition is re- suting in loss in trade to large number of merchants, especially those along Ninenteenth street and Second avenue. Severala have been interviewed and have stated that they will cooperate in this movement. A bulletin will be mailed them by the Chamber of Commerce this week.
 In some sections downtown there have been no observance of traffic laws, and in some cases cars are parked in the middle of the street by shoppers. This is especially true on Second ave- nue between Ninenteenth and Twen- tieth streets.
 The Chamber of Commerce will sug- gest that all merchants and profes- sional men agree to, park their cars west of Eighteenth street, which will be only block removed from the con- gested area.
 Held On Serious gharge--Sterling Womack, young white man, is being held at the Bessemer county jail on 6 statutory charge, in aocase said to in- volve a young girl of Mulga, whose name has been withheld Womack was arrested Friday evening late, and Is being held without bond
 Chief Deputy J. I. Reeder stated tha ia thorough investigation is being made of the case and that in his opin- ion the charge would be changed to rape. A preliminary hearing will be granted Womack Monday or Tuesday evening in the inferior court at Besse- mer.
 Hitchcock Resigns Marcus Hitch- cock resigned his position as scout ex- ecutive at meeting of the Boy Scout council in the circuit court room Fri- day evening.
 The council will be temporarily dis banded, but at the last meeting a com mittee was formed, composed of the members of the former council. A list of prospective scout masters was made up and distributed to the members of the committee, with instructions to call on these men during the coming week. The lists have also been printed and left at the various drug stores in the city, where they can be secured by any one wishing to aid in this work. The next meeting will be held Friday eve ming at the cirruit court room.
 Breaches First Sermon-Ru Johnson, student of Birminghani South ern college, will preach his initial ser- mon at the Brighton Presbyterian church Sunday morning at Il o'clock. JohnsonaiS a former student of the Bes- semer High school, where he carried oft several honors, and since entering Birmingham-Southern he has won sey- eral medals in various debates. He is declared to be an accomplished ora tor and a large number of Beesemer people are expected to attend the Sun. day morning service.
 Wounded Baby DieS-The infant of Jesse James, negro, whom he is alleged to have shot on Monday evening, died early Friday morning. James is said to have fired on his wife, who was car rying the baby at the time. on Nine teenth street and Carolina alley. Cor Oner J. J. Grove will hold an inquest Monday or Tuesday, and in the mean time James is being held at the county jail without bond pending an investiga- tion.
 Church Announcements Bap-