davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-06
ROAD PROGRAM
WILL Be CENTER
OF BITTER FIGHT
Board Of Revenue Outs
To Attack ms On Bad
ROebuck Stretch

Some candidates for the board of
revenue are making ready to attack
the road building program of the pres
ent board, with indications that this
issue will play a lively part in the
campaign, it was learned at the court
house Saturday.
Although the opposition candidates
have not yet revealed their plans, 1t
is known that w. B. Copeland, Thorn
as e. Huey and Lacey Edmondson,
members of the present board who are
seeing reelection, will be placed under
fire in connection with the recent con-
struction of the ROebuck Springs road.
To Charge Cheapness
1t will be charged. according to per-
sistent reports in political circles, that
a part of this 12-mile stretch was built
of the cheapest possible material and
that it would not have been built at all
had not this been the year of the pri-
mary.
Five miles of the road were laid with
penetration pavement, said to be the
cheapest kind, and it already is crum-
bling and coming in holes in places,
it was declared.
Mr.. Huey, of the present board, said
he had information that the attack
would be made but that he stands
ready to meet his challengers with facts
and figures.
at is no surprise to me that such
charges are to be made by some of the
candidates in this race" he said. when
the time comes I will produce cold sta
tistics to turn the light on the situa-
ton"
Admits Breakdown
Mr.. Huey admitted that the so-called
penetration pavement is not holding up
we'll. Without going into detail in ad-
vance of formal attack by his op-
ponents, he gave his version of the
project as follows:
"A portion of this road is of cheap
pavement l took the position that we
should not try to build the road for
the whole distance but should lay a
high-class pavement as far as the money
lasted. The board, however, voted me
down.
1T may be news to some of the can
didates, however, that the board of rev.
enue has a bombproof indemnity policy
to cover every inch of the road. There
fore, the interests of the taxpayers will
be fully protected"
Politics Warming Up
Although the courthouse corridors
fairly buzzed with the talk of this turn
in the situation, those who are pre-
pairing to launch the attacks on the
boards road building acts were care
fully avoiding being interviewed. Evil
IDENTIFY their plan is to spring their
charges at the first big political rally
held in the county.
Saturday crowds from over the coun-
ty brought in the information that pol
itics is fast warming up in every pre-
cinct The hectic stage of the six
week campaign will be reached within
10 days or two weeks, according to in
dications.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-06
THANK MIJSGROVE
FOR MAKING RACE
Formal Statement Issued
By The w. C. r. u. Of
Alabama

THE Alabama Women's Christian
Union has issued the fol-
lowing formal statement regarding the
outcome of the recent Alabama presi-
Dental preferential primary, in which
Oscar w. Underwood was successful
over L. B. Musgrove:
AT its state convention, held in At
ITALIA last October, the Woman's Chris
tian Temperance union adopted resolu-
tons opposing the candidacy of Sena-
tor Oscar w. Underwood for president
of the United States, ON the ground
that he had always fought prohibition,
local, state and national. We did not
think then, and we do not think now,
that prohibitionists can afford to sup
port for any executive office any man
who once voted to bring back saloons in
Jefferson county, however apt his lips
maye be in meaningless phrases about
law enforcement.
I'm our efforts to prevent the calam-
ity of Alabama sending a wet delegation
pledged to a wet candidate to the demo-
cratic national convention, we persuad-
ed Mr.. L. B. Musgrove to represent our
cause in opposition to Mr. Underwood.
He did not wish to make the race. He
was and is a busy man. He felt that
some other could better serve prohibit
ton in this crisis of its fate. Only in
response to the urgent appeal Of the
Woman's Christian Temperance union
and other prohibitionists, he answered
the call, made the race, and betrayed
the expense. He Is due our thanks for
his efforts and sacrifices; just as he is
due our continued admiration and con-
fidence, both of which he enjoys in
measureless degree for his life long de-
votion to the cause next to our hearts.
Whatever the future may hold for
our great cause, however or in what
ever way me may have been defeated,
we have shown the people of Alabama
and the country that there is one body
of prohibitionists whose flag is nailed
to its staff, and come whay may, we
keep it flying. If only the friends
# prohibition, on whom we felt we
could rely, had maintained t4eir ranks
unbroken, there would not today be re-
jcieing in the camps of the enemy over
the victory of Senator Underwood. In
stead, there would be fresh rejoicing in
every Temperance union in the lOnd
new hope in the hearts of good mothers
everywhere that their sons would be
better protected from the worst evil in
all the world. That the joy of those
who themselves violate the law and who
advocate breaking down the written
law, may be short-lived, is our earnest
hope and prayer"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-06
COMMANDERY HAD
PROSPEROUS TERN
knights Templar OF WOOdlawn
Elect New Officers

Woodlawn cOmmandery No. 81.
Knights Templars, closed a very pros
porous term, according to the reports
of the officers subcommittee at the an
nual election and installation of Off
GERS held last week. r. l.. Strong, the
retiring commander, in his report re-
counted the activities of the command
cry during his term of Office, showing
a substantial increase in membership
and prosperous financial condition.
The following officers were elected
and installed for the ensuing term l..
A. McCutchin, eminent commander; K.
w. CLANCY, generalissmo; s. w. Ack-
ley, captain-general; ]. III. Carr, Sc
nior warden r. A. Brand, junior war
den; o. 8. Finch, prelate; q. T. Mos
ley, treasurer r. L. Strong, recorder {;
s. A. Bliss, standard bearer; s.. r..
Hawley. sword bearer; e. L. McCutch-
in, warder.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-06
PROHIBITED TURNS
TO CAUSE ARREST
Brent Announces Drive On
Downtown Speeders

Arrest of motorists violating the
recent city ordinance which prohibits
turns at the intersections Of Third and
Second avenues with Nineteenth and
Twentieth streets will begin next week,
Police Capt. w. w. Brent, In charge
of traffic, said Saturday.
Captain Brent also announced a
drive against speeders in the down
town area.
Abolition of turns has apparently
given some drivers the idea that they
can 60 as fast as they care to-" he
said. This is not the case, of course,
and we are going to take some strenu-
Gus means, if necessary, to stop this
speeding"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-06
SHRINE CLUB OPENS
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
Watkins Announces Body Added
To Temples Organizations

A campaign for new members was
launched at the meeting Of the Shrine
Luncheon club at 1 o'clock, Saturday,
at the Tutwiler, following the an
nouncement by President Hunter Wat
kins that the club had been formally
added to Zamora temples auxiliary Or
CARNATIONS and its name approved by
Potentate M. G. Crelly Each member
of this club is constituted a member of
the campaign committee.
Active work for Zamora temple by
the Shrine club was the suggestion Of
the several speakers, Including Ernest
Matthews, DR.. Crelly, J. w. Donnelly,
Truman Morrison and others. DIR. CreI-
ly stated that some big plans for the
entertainment of Zamora temple were
under way, and called attention to the
fact that the imperial potentate, Con-
rad V. Dykeman, would be the guest Of
Zamora on April 10, and urged the
members to assist in giving a royal
Shrine welcome.
Vocal selections by Byrd Haley, and
music by Holstein's orchestra cmopleted
the program
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-06
PEONAGE PROBE
NOW ON MAY END
IN INDICTMENTS
Hotbed Believed Uncover
ed In Alabama BY Agents
Of u. S. Department
ACTION FORSEEN
BY GRAND JURY
Results Of Investigations
Yelled In Strictest
ShrOud Of Secrecy

Department of justice agents have
uncovered what is believed to be hoe-
bed of psonage in south Alabama and
will seek federal grand jury indict-
ments against six or more prominent
farmers before the end of April, it was
learned Saturday.
G. w. McPhail, agent in charge, said
the cases were being developed rapidly
and that investigation of complaints ID
still in progress.
Although he admitted that grand
jury action is near, McPhail would not
discuss details of the cases for publi-
cation. Sensational disclosures are ex-
pected in a short time.
Local Territory Free
According to Mr.. McPhail, the situa-
ton is no worse now than it was in the
southern part of the state year ago.
He added that the Birmingham terri
tory and all of northern Alabama is
virtually free of peonage.
"It appears from our investigation,
he continued, that some farmers filed
complaints against their laborers ss(Sfy
for the purpose of holding them on their
plantations. Walker and Marengo
counties are in the vicinity Of the ter
ritory where these conditions were
found"
Most of the laborers said to have been
held in peonage are negroes, McPhail
said. He declined to comment on the
report that some of the alleged poems
had been worked in the feds all day
and then locked up at night in order
to keep them from leaving.
Thus far this year only one indict-
ment has been voted in Alabama in a
peonage case. The new cases, investi-
CATION of which has been under personal
direction of Mr.. McPhail, are nearly
ready for presentation to the grand
jury.
Large Property Owners
Compared to Georgia and some other
southern cotton states, department Of
justice agents say, the Alabama situa-
ton is not bad.
The cases under investigation are all
in the black belt, and most of the
farmers under surveillance are extern
sive property owners, it was further
learned.
McPhail is not sure where all the
grand jury investigations will be con-
Quoted, but sessions at Mobile and
Selma are assured, he said.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-06
HARGETT IS READY
FOR MOBILE TRIAL
Predicts Acquittal And Renewal
OF Fight On Liquor

A. w. Hargett, federal prohibition
director, plans to leave for Mobile
Tuesday or Wednesday to defend him
self against charges that he led an IL
legal raid on a private home in that
city during Mardi Gras.
II expect the grand jury to indict
me during the week." Hargett said. Il
expect the case then to be set for an
early trial. My plea will be not guilty
and 1 am ready to introduce witnesses
to prove that the charges are untrue"
The dry director will retain lawyer
to handle his case before the jury.
Several state law enforcement officers
who worked with Targets men in
the port city during Mardi Gras will
be on hand to testify concerning the
circumstances surrounding the raid.
which was made on the home of Carol
w. Hartley.
Hargett predicted he would be ac-
quilted and that he would be back
in Birmingham in a few days, ready
to start after the liquor boys again"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-06

sity of Breslau, Germany; but his pub
lie was skeptical. Interest in the sub
ject was aroused in the United States
when it was suggested that all immi-
grants be finger-printed but again
there was opposition TO the plan. 1t
began to be recognized as a means of
positive Identification about 1885.
The United States army has the larg-
est bureau of Identification in the
world, with approximately 100000 in
dividual finger print records ON file,
or one for every person who has been
a member of the army since this sys-
tenn was introduced. The American
navy comes next with 100000. There
are 100000 such records in Paris,
France; 325,000 in Berlin, Germany,
and $4,000 in Berns, Switzerland. The
finger print system was adopted by
the London police department in 1901.
The Jefferson county bureau of iden-
LITIGATION now has approximately 1000
records, which are constantly being
added to.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-06
DAUGHTERS OF FATHER TIME
RULE BEFORE SWITCHBOARDS|
Pretty, Bob Haired Lassies Tell Time Of Day To
Inquisitive Birmingham

Faced by long row Of switchboards
in the upstairs office Of the Western
Union Telegraph company on First
avenue, and, being both pretty and
bob-haired, and bearing absolutely no
resemblance to the angular, bewhiskered
old renegade, sit Father Times daugh-
tiers. F
Three times a minute, and several
times in three minutes, they answer
a. query which floats over the wires.
There may be some difference in voices,
variance in meditation of the sylla.
bles. but it is always the same identical
question.
what time is it?"
When you stop to consider that these
bobbed-haired daughters of Father
Time answer that question on an aver
age of 5000 times day, or more than
million times year, it is remarkable
how they can stand to look clock in
its face. But they have to for tomor-
row it is the 1900 times all over again.
People, it seems, never will catch up.
Explains Register
Miss Dovie Watson, chief telephone
operator at the Western Union, recent
ly explained just how they know the
number of Birmingham people who run
out of time per day. On the switch
board near one of the daughters" is
a register, or sort of meter, and when
ever one of the operators gets a buzz
from a time customer" the lever is
clicked While she was explaining,
four clicks were clicked, and in the
two hours which it had been working,
1t had tabulated 607.
'"The great majority OF these calls"
Miss Watson stated, come in id the
early morning hours, between 6 80 and
8, or about the time children are getting
ready to go to school.
"They simply swamp us then" she
continued, "and it takes all of our
trunk lines to handle them. Later in
the day it falls off !; picks up again
toward noon when the housewives are
M 30 sat hal -,
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-06

time; dull between 1 and 4 (; then on
with the rush for three more hours.
1--WE give the time to. the minute ex-
cept when they want it closer than
that, and some do, even to fractions Of
seconds.
''Of course" she added. that isn't
all the girls do up here. We have our
own business to take care of, but at
times, it's the biggest part of our
work."
Huge Wall Clock
Some of Father Times daughters
who answer calls when you want the
correct time are: Mrs. Aleen Hall, Mrs.
Estelle Seals, Grace Stone, Helen Ford
and Stella Brown.
The aforementioned daughters get the
time from huge clock on the wall the
wires of which lead to still larger
clock, and another interesting story of
how the Western Union keeps Birming-
ham even with the times is involved.
The larger clock is in charge of T.
j. Boone, chief operator of the mechani-
cal end of W. u, and it varies, at
times, about one second in "a hours.
If 1T runs up to two seconds, it's
no good, and we have to get to work
on it," Boone stated.
Wires from this clock are connected
with the naval observatory in Washing
ton which keeps the time in perfect ac-
cord with their own scientific instru-
ments.
And then there are some more wires
to be taken up. These wires lead to va
rious lesser clocks in Birmingham which
are being controlled by the naval
observatory. Hourly these timepieces
are brought up, or back, as is necessary,
by ticking messages from the capital.
'We only have 465 of these clocks
out now" p. ID. Pinkhard, manager of
the Western Union here, half-apologeti-
cally explained. l"Only 465, but we
hope to have a whole lot more when
people come to realize just how valua-
BILE it is to have time, correct to the
sonnud hafora their nvna -
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-06
TWO HOUSES SOLD
AT $4,000 PRICE
JemisOn Salesman Announces
Property Transfers

II. NJ. Adele, manager of the Fuller
Brush Co, and Richard A. Clayton,
president and treasurer, of the Educa-
tional exchange, have purchased homes
in the fashionable southside residential
district which cost $4,000 each, it
became known Saturday.
Both sales were handled by i. J..
Hammond, salesman for Jemison & Co.
Hammond declare the homes were
among the finest in Birmingham.
Mr.. Adele Dough 1.-THE residential
property at 1928 Clairmont avenue, in
the County club section. Mr.. Clayton's
new home is at No. Glen Iris Park
According to the Jemison company,
activity in the residential line is I'M
usually heavy this month. Officers of
the firm declared the trend in Biz
mingham is strongly toward better
homes"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-06
TO SEEK SUPPORT
FOR SCHOOLFlJND
Endorsement OF $1,000
Campaign For Monte
vallO To Be Asked

Endorsement of the $1,0O0,000 fund
drive for Alabama college at Montevallo
will be asked of the Alabama State
Federation of Women's clubs at its an
nual convention next week in Monte
vallo, according to Mrs. ID. f. Rucks,
president of the Birmingham chapter
of the Montevallo Alumnae association.
Telling of the many needs for in
creased financial, support at Alabama
college, Mrs Rucks declared Saturday
that this drive will be the first ever
launched in Alabama for the exclusive
benefit of the young women of the
state.
: The drive presents an opportunity
to put the education of women in Ala
bama on higher basis" she said. 1T
is an opportunity to aid the entire cause
of higher education, and particularly
to equip Alabama's emily state college
for women in such way that it may
take care Of the ambitious young women
of the state.
Buildings Needed
Although rnaked ut present in the
highest grade of colleges, the apprOpria-
tions needed for buildings and equip
ment were not given at the last session
of the legislature, and the present drive
is being launched in an effort to obtain
the financial assistance needed.
Inadequate equipment and build
ings have resulted in the turning away
of women DESTROYS of entering the col
lege, and many now are going to other
states to secure an education that
could be given to them in their own
home state. The present enrolment
for the coming fall term is greater than
was the enrolment in July, 1928, for
the last fall term and this means that
hundreds of girls must be denied admit
lance" f=.t.,,
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-06
u. S. GRAND JURY
TO MEET APRIL IA
Probe OF Rum Running Activi-
ties In County FOreseen

The federal grand jury will meet on
or about April IA to begin investigation
of rum-running activities in Jefferson,
Shelby and other counties in this dis
trict, it became known Saturday.
None Of the cases to be presented
would be discussed by officials, but it
is understood that scores Of indictments
in liquor cases will be sought and that
some of the cases may develop sensa-
ti9ns.
The jury also will inquire into .
number of narcotic cases in which al
legged offenders already have been
placed under arrest.
Other cases will be sifted, but the
district attorneys office is not giving
out any advance information.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-06
PLANS ARE MADE
FOR STATE PART
NBIGEXPOSITION
Chamber OF Commerce
Secretaries From Seven
Alabama Cities Meet
10 STATES IN SOUTH
TO BE REPRESENTED
February 2-14, 1925, Dates
For Southern Exhibits
At New York

Chamber Of Commerce secretaries
from seven Alabama cities met in Bir-
mingham Saturday and perfected plans
eor full participation by this state
In the Southern Exposition to be held
In New York from February 2 to IA,
1925.
Ten southern states will send great
exhibits of their products to the EXPOSE
tion, and Alabama is off to an early
start in an effort to make the most inn
posing showing. 80
I'VE are going to take the south to
the north" said j.. e. Addicks, secre-
tary of the Mobile chamber, who was
named secretary of the Alabama execu-
tive committee. o. L. Bum of Bir-
mingham was named chairman.
Tell Full Story
The exhibits will be planned so as to
tell the full story of Alabama's progress.
Every corner of the state will be asked
to contribute products, the exhibits to
include the products of factories, in
dustries, mines, agriculture and horti-
culture, public utilities, transportation
and maritime and education institu-
tons.
The Grand Central Palace has been
selected as the place for the EXPOSE
ton. Virginia, North and South Caro-
lima, Georgia and Tennessee have per-
fected organizations, and Florida, Lou
isiana, Texas and Kentucky are about
to get their plans shaped.
The Tennessee Coal, Iron and Rail-
road company will take space for a big
e@niolt ana mas appointed w. "a. Dren-
nan 70 get u IN shape. Brennan az
tenaeo tne SATURDAY meeting OF tne
commerce ehamDer secretaries.
Wv. Sirrine' UreenNhue' .. ", eA-
Position presluent' tolu tne seeretaries
OF the peneIits the south wouiu receive
from Ine Dig snow.
-, 10 reveal SCUM
VIII snow tne world what tne
eoatn mas accompiisned, ne SAID. ~
Will attract 10 our seet1on many Vlsl-
tors' gam US new cltlzens, investors,
nanu1acturerS' farmers, PROFESSION ana
business men, anu VIII De the Dlggest
advertisement the southern states ever
mad:
fne undertaking Is not profit
making venture, put Is cooperative
movement. Leading men OF tine south
are supporting US. All trade puoica-
lions nave indorsed the plan, the
chqmDers Oh commerce, n-anuracturing
amp trade Dodles, 1arm organizations,
dFeiopment boards, lnaustrlai bureaus
aPd fallroaa' minlng, umper' iahd ana
power companies VIII ald us IN putting
ON national advertising campaign. 1t
Is obvious tnat .ne exposltlon WIN De
one OF the biggest events OF the year
and that the display VIII be original
ana interesting as wen as hlghiy IN
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-06
APPEAL
NOTICE rs GIVEN
Convicted OF Murder, Man Sem
fenced For Life

Charles Ratliff, convicted several
weeks ago of the murder of hsi wife,
was sentenced to the state penitentiary
for life Saturday by Judge William q.
Fort, who tried the case. This penalty
was recommended by the jury.
An appeal was made for new trial
on the ground that the alleged murder
took place in the Bessemer cutoff and
that Ratliff should not have been tried
in Birmingham, but the motion was
overruled. Notice of appeal was given
Immediately.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-06
TO RESUME CLASSES
School OF Law Review To Present
Legal Subjects

The Birmingham School of Law Re
view will resume it's classes April 10,
according to announcement Saturday by
Hunter Armstrong, a member of its
faculty. The purpose of this school
is to give a complete review of the va
rious subjects Of the law together with
the Alabama code and the leading cases
tried before the Alabama supSeme court.
Mr.. Armstrong called attention to
the record of the school in the Febru-
airy examinations, eight of the nine stu
dents passing with a creditable grade.
Besides Mr.. Armstrong, the faculty
includes Frank cambridge and S. 70.
Thomas
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-06
TO FORM JURY
Probe City Affairs To, Be Resumed
Next Week

The new Jefferson county grand jury
will be organized Monday morning by
Judge William E. Fort, according to
information given out at the courthouse
Saturday.
Solicitor Jim Davis said he expected
to resume the investigation of city af-
fairs begun by the last grand jury as
soon as possible, although he stated
that routine indictments probably would
be returned first.
1t is not expected that these will
require more than two days, and the
investigation of city affairs, beginning
with the public improvement funds de-
partment. will be well under way by
the middle of tire week.