Birmingham age-herald., 1894-12-27
THE CITY COUNCIL x
 Does Not Increase the Police Force
 for Next Year. STREET TAX INCREASED. More License Ordinances Passed and the Garbage
 Contract Let.
STREET TAX INCREASED.

The city council met in called session last nigot with the following members of the board present: Mayor VanHoose and Aldermen Ward, Harrington, Ullman, Enslen, Jackson, West, McCartin, Gill lespie and Parker.
 Reading of the minutes of the previous meeting was dispensed with. N
 The mayor stated that he had seen Dr Parke, county health offer, and that he had agreed to accept the position of city health officer, which had been tendered him. ea
 Mir. Ullman moved that Dr. Parke's let ter be received and ordered spread upon the minutes and the election of pr. Parke ratified.
 The mayor stated that he had letters from two city physicians in regard to the posi- ton of city health officer.
 Mir. Ullman thought it would be nothing but courtesy to have the letters read. Mir. McCartin d d not think so, as the matter had been disposed Of. The mayor said, with he perms ion of the board, he would take the matter in charge and address com munications to them, stating the s1tua- ton.
 Alderman Jones came in during the dis cusson.
 Mayor VapHoose said the rain of Tues day night had developed some weak spots, oue of which was leak ln the roof Of the city ball and another in the Southsde mar ket house. He said he had received two bids for repairing the roofs, and he thought the matter should be referred to the mis- cellaneous committee, with power to close the contract.
 MT. Ullmgn thought the board might dispose of the matter at once.
 The bids were read and the contract let to William H. Rogers, who offered to do the necessary work on the Southside mar ket house for $10
 Mayor VanHoose stated that the bid of one man for repairing the city hall tower was not in his possession, and thought 1t not advisable to read any of them in open board. Mir. Ullman moved that the con- tract be let at once, and it was given to George F. Wheelock for S10.
 The mayor said he had communication from Capt. F. P. O'Brien, which escaped him at the last meeting. It related 10 bill before the legislature changing the city boundary lines so as to leave out of the city the Birmingham Rolling m ill and ihs Alice and Sloss furnaces.
 MT. Gillespie and Mir. Ullman thought the matter might be deferred for while, as the legislature does not meet again for some tlme, and 1t was so ordered.
 The mayor had letter from the mayor of.Atlanta responsive to a letter of his own in regard to the disposition Of women con victs. The mayor of Atlanta said the women there were worked principally on 2 certain parties to Birmingham.
 The mayor said he wanted 10 see if the merchants would not agree to put incan- descent lights at the rear of their stores abutting on alleys. He thought that would be good metbod of olecting their stocks and aiding the police 10 more eff ciently guard the same. He thought at the end of year the city would be able to take the matter up. He wanted 1t left 10 the mayor and street committee. The chief of nulica and Cantain had nrpSEpQ if their opinion that hese lights would afford pro- lection equal to several policemen.
 Mayor VanlIoose had communication from Aldermen McCartin regarding prison farm, in which the latter indorsed the views of the former as heretofore ex- pressed The letter was not read.
 Mrs. A. l.. Blliheimer, president of the United Charities, accompanied by three other ladies, was present 10 see about the garbage contract. She had addressed communication 10 the mayor and 1t was read. They wanted control, not as con- tractors, but as agents of the city, of the removal of the garbage. It would afford work for several people who could not thought they could do the work in a thoroughly satisfactory manner. They named $500 as basis for the work.
 Mrs. Billheimer addressed the board in cleaning of Chicago had been done under the inspection of lady commissioners ap- pointed by the mayor of that city. Mayor Stiong Of New York had appointed lady as chairman of the street commission. She thought women would look more closely to the cleaning of the city than men.
 The plans, as submitted, were to hire wagons and mules, which they can get very reasonably, CT sub-let the contract into four divisions. They would put three divisions under these sub-contractors and reserve the fourth, in which the unem- ployed of the city would be worked. This $500 would include sweeping the Belgian block twice week and operating the crematory and dumping ground. he second proposition was to the effect that the street sweeping be left with a com- mittee of the ladies of the United Chari- ties.
 Mrs. Billheimer thought the street sweeping and removal of garbage should be under the sames supervision, as other wise confusion might arise. The contract would also include inspecting alleys, va- cant stores, etc.
 Chairman Mudd of the police commis- o .rd. lie said the commission was in session, and be and Mir. Stevens were pres ent to ascertain how many policemen they would be allowed for next year.
 Mayor VauHoose said he wished to ss- sure the ladies that the board appreciated the interest they manifested h the matter Of cleaning the streets.
 Mir. McCartin said that the streets had to be swept al nlgnt tlme, ana that 1t Woulu hardly be practicable for the charity ladies to take charge of it. He didn't think the unemployed would agree 10 work at those hours.
 Mrs. Bilheimer said the ladies would conform to whatever rules in that respect tho city might make. Shs said if the unemployed would not work when 1t was offered them, then they should be de- ported.
 Mrs. Johnson read clipping from newspaper, stating the condition of one city in which the ladies had been given charge of the matter. She thought the administration should give the ladies this work, as she was sure the work would be done la perfect order should they do so.
 Mr., West said hs would like to give the ladies this contract, but be thought 1t ad- visabie to wait while and investigate the matter further. He wanted to do some- thing that would decrease the expenses; the city is not able to appropriate as much for that purpose next year as 1t had the past.
 Mir. Jackson had nothing to add to wha.