The needs of Rome as seen by J.D. McCartney, managing editor of the Tribune-Herald, a half-century ago were outlined in a lengthy article. Heading this list was a clearing house, so that banks could keep up with what the others were doing and simplify their customers’ financial life.
Rome also needed a better system of teaching school children how to read and write. Applicants applying for a business course not only had poor handwriting but were generally bad spellers. Mr. McCartney recommended a return to the old “blue back speller” and the copy-book.
The dial ought to be illuminated on the City Clock, so that the people could see what time it was at night as well as during the day, he wrote.
Was the old eye-sore of a hole in the hill on Fourth Avenue to remain there after the street was paved? Mr. McCartney asked. It would be ridiculous to pave and beautify that thoroughfare, and let that ugly rock ravine at Third Street remain. It should be planted with trees and grass and made into a park or filled in and offered as a site for a residence, he stated. Enforcement of the law prohibiting the use of any warning signals on automobiles except the ordinary bulb horn, was urged. Half the automobiles in Rome were equipped with these horns that sounded like a mixture of the bleat of a billy goat and the screech of a soul in torment, but were the joy of many a chauffeur. Rome needed a meter system in the sale of city water. Other needs listed by Mr. McCartney were a general hospital, a Y.M.C.A., a modern hotel, a new opera house and, of course, new concrete bridges.
News of national and international importance was filling the front pages of the Tribune-Herald this week in 1913 and absorbing the interest of its readers.
Fierce fighting in Mexico City Sunday between the rebels and federals resulted in the overthrow of Francisco Madero and the installation of Felix Diaz as president of the storm-ridden republic. By week’s end the city was wrecked and crimsoned in the wake of the seven-day cannonade, which had been expected to end the revolution until Madero announced that he would not resign, so the reign of terror was expected to continue.
The White House was sending three additional battleships to the west coast of Mexico and two armed transports to carry troops to Mexico City for the protection of the lives of Americans. Friends of Mr. and Mrs. Warren Neel of that city, formerly of Rome, and of Miss Mary Daniel, who was visiting them, were glad to learn that they were in no danger.
Another article read with interest announced that the first step in the execution of an elaborate plan to recognize the United States’ plan to reorganize the United States Army began on February 15, 1913.
In the light of this, another announcement came that military experts throughout the world learned many lessons from the Balkan War. Probably the foremost lesson gleaned and taken up in practical fashion was the example of military effectiveness in the use of the aeroplane. Little Bulgaria, with only a handful of aircraft, proved conclusively that future wars would be largely dependent upon efficient aeroplanes and aviators. At this point a half century ago, the United States stood 13th among nations in the advance of aerial military strength.
Another happening of special interest to women was the New York dateline story which declared: “Votes for women, votes for women, Washington, Washington, Wilson!” This was the shrill feminine yell that attracted crowds of early morning workers to the Hudson tunnel to watch the departure of the army of suffragettes who were going to take part in the women’s suffrage pageant on March 3. Leaving by the Hudson tube, 16 regulars promised to march all the way and many accompanied them for the first day, when they covered 18 miles.
The Southern National Highway Association selected an ocean-to-ocean route at its convention held in Asheville, N.C., and urged federal help in its erection.
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F.W. Quarles Sr., pioneer citizen, died at his home on Kingston Avenue. He was born in the town of North Rome, helped to secure its first charter and was its first mayor. … Capt. J.J. O’Neill, one of Rome’s oldest and most respected citizens, died this week in 1913. … Lathrop Barfield, young son of Mr. and Mrs. Emmett Barfield, was suffering from severe injuries at his home on the South Side which were inflicted by a mule. The boy was playing about the mule in the yard when he was kicked in the jaw, which was broken. … W. Ed Bower, general delivery clerk at the Rome Post Office, was in Harbin Hospital suffering from a broken leg and scalp wound, injuries sustained when the bicycle he was riding down Second Avenue collided with the automobile of Dr. Will Harbin. It was at night in the rain, and both were traveling on the street car tracks, Bower with an umbrella held before him. When they saw each other, they both swerved the same way, causing the collision. …
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Fourth Avenue was torn up with the grading in progress, and as a result of the rains, could be used but little by vehicles. … On East Second Avenue rock was being put down from the bridge to the Southern tracks in preparation for paving. … Work was being done on West First Street between Second and Third avenues, where the street had been impassable for pedestrians for some time. … W.M. Hardin appeared before City Council for the residents of Avenue B asking for the paving, curbing and macadamizing of the street, which was described as often impassable.
… A new and up-to-date passenger coach had been added to the local train between Rome and Anniston. It was equipped with electric lights and other modern conveniences. …
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