The Sylacauga News – 20 March 1924

Sylacauga News
24 March 1924

White Way Again Looms Up With New Interesting Developments

Plans, Specifications, and Cost Submitted to City by Contractors

IS A CITY PROJECT

Exchange Club Promises To Back It

A special representative of the Westinghouse Electric Manufacturing Company was in Syolacauga this week discussing the white way proposition. This company has gone into the matter in a more elaborate way than any other who have sent representatives here, and they have worked out the system so clearly and definitely that it seems that the white way is merely a question of a decision. They have a complete survey of the town, accompanied by blue prints and descriptive documents in which every item of cost is shown specifically. It is so plain that the city authorities and the Exchange Club committee can easily see every feature of structure and cost.

The plan calls for forty-five lights to be distributed over Broadway from the Opera house to the L & N railroad, and on Third street from Broadway to Norton Ave. Sixteen of these lights will burn all night as regular street lights while the remainder will burn only during he early hours of the night. The posts will be 14 feet high and will contain one light on each. These lights are (of) the most modern design that reflect the rays over the territory to be illuminated and not up into the air like the old systems did. Each post will be made of cast steel, not easily broken and will be mounted on concrete posts

The financing looks might simple. (sic) The total cost of installation with lights ready to turn on is $6,344.40. We understand the city has agreed to only half of this. If this is the case it will reduce the cost to $3,177.20, or $1.05 per foot front. The average business lot in the town is 25 feet which would make the average cost $26.25 per store, which is pretty low.

How long the city will hold its offer open we do not know, but we do know that the city treasury is pretty much depleted at present due to the heavy expenditures on school buildings for the past year, and it may now be too late to look to them for the white way.

The meeting of the Exchange Club Tuesday night was largely de__ted to a general discussion of the white way problem. This was one of the most enthusiastic meetings in a number of weeks with an attendance nearly double the average. The plan was discussed from many angles and the prevailing opinion was that it is not the duty of the Exchange Club o saddle the white way upon the property holders of the town, but it is a problem to be solved by the city government. With this conclusion as its verdict the club authorized Mr. J.J. McDonald to take the matter up with the city administration at the next council meeting, and find out just what the city wants done about this matter, and if it wants a white way, the Exchange Club will lend every effort to help the government secure it. It will be thee weeks before Mr. McDonald can make his report to the club.

As the News views the white way situation in Syoacauga we see two possible courses of installing one. After analyzing these plans we are showing here the conclusions we have reached about the matter. The first plan, as originally introduced at the Exchange Club, was to have the club devise some means of raising half of the cost of the white way from the business men and the property owners of the town. The town agreed to pay for the other half and at one time appointed a committee from the council to work with a similar committee from the Exchange Club to raise the money. For some reason it dragged and stopped with no results, while many business people expressed their willingness to help finance this. It seems to the News that if the business men of Sylacauga could rise $1,500 in cash to give a barbecue as they did on the Fourth of July two years ago; and raise about $1,000 to give to the Gorgas Memorial at Tuscaloosa, there should be no reason why $3,000 should not be easily raised to make this permanent and beautiful improvement to our business district. It does not appear to the News that the Exchange Club is over stepping its authority to ask the property owners to contribute $1.05 per foot for this work as it is explained in another article in this issue. The property owners have the right to refuse this donation, if they so desire, but the asking will not hurt, and will help as we will show later.

The other plan to put in the white way is for the city to do it as a regular city project. The present city government has only a few more months to be in office, and what their successors’ attitude on this matter will be, we do not know, but we do know this; that if the city puts in the white way the city will have to pay for it, and the city will have to get this money from somewhere. If you will study the history of the present administration you will see that it has been a constructive government, and in being such has practically depleted the city treasury. The white way can’t be financed from a surplus, the money must be raised. And from conditions as they now appear the city will be forced to put in a white way through necessity. The city is now violating its own ordinances by not removing its polls from the business section. In keeping with their obligation to the Telephone Company they must move these poles at once. To light the streets without a pole system the city must lay undergrouond conduit and put up steel or concrete lamp posts, which will cost about half as much as a white way. We do not believe the city will put this much money into a temporary lighting system that may be torn out any day to be replaced by a white way, but that it will go ahead with a white way on its own authority. If the city had the power to pass an ordinance to make the Telephone Company remove its pole systems off the streets at a cost equal to what a white way will cost; the city will pass an ordinance also that will permit it to put in a white way, and assess the business property it serves just as it makes similar assessments for pavement. If this is done it will cost the property owners just twice as much as he original plan.

With the city adopting the second plan, a man owning a 190 foot front will pay about $200, while if the Exchange Club plan is put through the same man will pay only about $100. From this conclusion it appears to the News that the property holders would not look at the Exchange Club as trying to saddle a white way on them, but would look at the Exchange Club as trying to lighten the load of the white way.

________________________

Unseasonable Snow Falls

For the first time since 1917, and the first time in the memory of our oldest citizens for this season of the year a snow storm visited Sylacauga last Thursday. Snow began falling about noon, very large flakes thick and fast and soon covered everything in a mantle of white. There was no wind, but the snow fell thick and fast, to an average depth of 8 inches. The ground was warm and the snow melted to begin with, and continued to melt even through the night. It was a very unusual sight as many of our trees were budding and peach blossoms appearing here and there, making a pretty spectacle where they were peeping through their covering of snow.

The snow was so heavy that it broke the light poles and wires in many places, throwing the town out of service the day following.

____________________________

Smelley Injured By Automobile

Thursday afternoon during the snow storm while a number of men were playing snow ball, Mr. G.S. Smelley ran in front of an approaching car and was thrown into the wind shield sustaining severe and painful cuts about the face, arm and knee. He was rushed to the Sylacauga Infirmary where medical attention was rendered, and latest reports show that he is doing nicely, having sustained no serious hurts. The car was driven by Mr. Perry Williams, and belonged to Hagan Garage. Witnesses state that neither the driver nor Mr. Smelley were at fault. It was just an accident pure and simple.

____________________________

Boys Are Caught Robbing Stores

One Confesses To a Number Of Offenses and Implicates Other

The City officials arrested two young boys Tuesday morning by the name of Frank Allen and Ralph Martin on the charge of general burglary, and gave them a preliminary trial before the mayor. After the trial they were sent to Talladega to jail. The boys are about fifteen years old. These boys were arrested on suspicion when they attempted to sell goods here that appeared as stolen property, and Frank Allen confessed to having broken into the following business houses. Levie and Son Milling Company, J.H. Hastie, and Broadway Shoe Shop, and he implicated Martin as assisting him on the job at the Levie Milling Company. The boys only took small articles and some cash. Several old coins were taken from the cash drawer of J.H. Hastie and a pistol from the Broadway Shoe Shop. These crimes were committed over a period of two weeks. The Allen boy had a collection of keys that had been used in entering the buildings.

Frank Allen has been in similar trouble here beore and was sent to the reform school in Birmingham several years ago, but had come home when his old trouble developed again.

_____________________

Woman’s Club Has Loan Fund

Mrs. J.V. Haralson, president of the Business and professional Women’s Club is desirous of getting in touch with some girl who would like to take a business course. She must be a high school graduate. This club participates in a fund set aside for this purpose. A loan of a $100.00 at 2 per cent interest can be gotten from this club to apply on this business course. The applicant does nothave to begin to pay it back to the club until she has finished the course and worked two months, then she starts to paying $10.00 each month until she pays it all back. Where the applicant can not provide her living expenses while taking this course an additional loan of a $150.00 can be made if approved by all the scholarship committee. This club would like very much for some girl to take advantage of this splendid opportunity. Apply to Mrs. J.V. Haralson or Mrs. Marion _____.

______________

Death of J.B. Spradley

Mr. J.B. Spradley died at his home in Childersburg Wednesday night after a lengthy illness. The funeral was conducted at Fairmont church at 10:30 Friday morning and the interment made in the Marble City Cemetery in Sylacauga. Mr. Spradley was reared in this section and he spent many years of his life in Sylacauga, having moved to Childersburg a couple of years ago. He was the father of sixteen children, thirteen of whom are living. Besides these he is survived by his wife. Three of his daughters, Mrs. H.W. Hawkins, Mrs. J.H. Whitten and Mrs. S.Y. Baker live in Sylacauga. He was a farmer and a man of many friends. He was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church.

______________________

Local Happenings

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Kimbrough, at Walco, a baby girl last Saturday. Both are doing fine.

Mr. Joe Hebson Roberts, of Montgomery, was a visitor to his parents one day last week.

Miss Fannie Norton, of Ramar, and Mr. John Norton, of Auburn, were visitors to their parents Sunday.

Mrs. Bailey, of Georgia, is the guest of her sister, Mrs. W.C. Hurt.

Best Garden seed can be found at Hagan’s.

Mule and wagon for sale. Apply Mrs. Ross Edwards, Sylacauga, Ala., Phone 29.

Hagan knows the seed game, you know how to garden. Lets get together and have a good one this year.

Mrs. J.H. Haynes, of Birmingham spent last weekend with Mr. and Mrs. E.T. Bright.

__________________

Missionary Society

At the home of Mrs. J.W. Brown, Sr., one of the best meetings ever held by the Methodist Missionary Society was that of Monday when sixty guests assembled in this open meeting at which time a very profitable and enjoyable program was rendered. The devotional was conducted by Mrs. C.C. Polk, who in her usual sweet manner made the time devoted to this part of the program a very impressive feature.

The Bible lesson which was “Paul’s Journey to Rome” was given by the leader Mrs. J.P. Roberts. “The new spirit of understanding in race relations,” being the subject for discussion, was ably presented by Mrs. Boozer and a short talk of a visit to the Bethlehem House in Birmingham.

___________________________

Sylacauga Chapter D.A.R.

Mrs. S.E. Thomas was hostess to the Sylacauga Chapter D.A.R. on Friday afternoon March the 14. This proved to be a most interesting and helpful meeting with almost a full attendance. The chapter appreciated a short visit from Mrs. Jordan, local chairman for the visiting conference and the very appripriate speech made by her to the chapter in which she stated her appreciation of the loyal support given her by this chapter before and during the conference. To this the Regent, Mrs. Roberts responded and in a very fitting way thanked Mrs. Jordan, in the name of her chapter for all services rendered.

The Sylacauga Chapter is mindful of every courtesy to the Conference and realizing that it was extended in a co-operative way, has in this same way tried to express appreciation.

After hearing the enthusiastic reports of the Mouontain School, and the need of funds for same, the Chapter unanimously voted to observe Flag Day with an ipen meeting on June 13th and sell flags for the benefit of this school on June 14. Gleamins from the conferences made up the afternoon program, several splended talks being given, special emphasis being stressed for the work of Mrs. Lane who for the past four years has served as member of the executive board, and for her slendid service rendered as chairman of the Program Committee.

At the close of the meeding a lovely salad course was served by the hostess.

————-

Miss Sylacauga

The leading candidates who are in the race for Miss Syloacauga are Misses Ione Moore, Mae Powell, Marie Hightower, Dorothy Roberts and Alma Stewart. There are a number of others who have been nominated, and they may forge to the front before the contest closes. The funds raised in this will be used in furnishing the Home Economic Department of the new school building.

——————

People who are all wrapped up in themselves generally make a very small package.

—————-

High School Contest

In a recent contest put on at the High School for the best advertisement, the sum of five dollars was paid by Mrs. Hagan for this contest. The judges for same being Mr. Scoggins, Miss Blackburn and Mr. Robinson. Two being teachers in the High School and the third an employee of Mr. Hagan.

The successful contestant was Edwin Hebson, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.P. Roberts.

_________________

Mignon News

There are twenty-five live candidates for the school team who are practicing ball every opportunity that they have. The prospects for the season are good. The first game will be played Saturday and then thereafter a good many more will come along. A game will be played with Anniston High on the 29th in Syloacauga and a return game in Anniston the following Saturday. Games are being arranged with Oxford, Ashland, Lineville and a number of others.

The Avondale Mills Minstrel went to Talladega last Friday and put on their show at the Elks Theatre. They had a good crowd and the people who saw the show complimented it very highly.

Miss White’s class gave a program at the chapel Thursday.

A box supper will be given by the ladies of the Methodist church from 5:30 to 7:00 o’clock Saturday.

The Parent Teachers Association will meet on March 27th.

Mrs. Liner and Mrs. Grov__ returned home from T___ where they attended the state ____ fare convention.

The 25th of April has been ___ the Field Day exercises and  Mignon children are working hard to win the prizes that will be offered. Already Sylacauga, Walco, Herd’s Gap, and Sycamore have agreed to take part in the exercises and several more are expected to enter. The morning programs will be made up of literary contests and the afternoon will be devoted to ____ exercises.

_______________

Order and Notice To Resident – In Equity

To Sam Frank Seales.

A bill has been filed in the Circuit Court of Talladega County, ___ Docket, against you by Pearlie Seales alleging certain ground__ Complaint and it appearing __ affidavits to said bill that you __ non-resident, and over twenty years of age, and your place of residence is unknown and cannot be ascertained after due and reasonable effort.

The Register hereby orders __cation of these facts, and this __ in this newspaper, and require__ to answer or demur to the said __ before the 12th day of May 1924.

This, the 15th day of March 1924.

M.R. Joiner
Register of Circuit Court

Tags: 1924, alabama, history, newspaper, Sylacauga talladega walco