Birmingham age-herald., 1895-03-21
With Acting Mayor Ullman in
 the Chair, Transact Business
FOR THE CItY'S WELFARE.
License Tax the Main Feature. Some Street Improveme
 Ordered Looked Into.

the city council was held in the council chamber last night, Acting Mayor Ullman presiding. The following members of the board were present: Acting Mayor Ull- man and Aldermen Harrington, Duncan, Enslen, Pearce, Jackson, Kettig, McCar- tin, Gillespie, Meade, Parker and Sims. The regular order of business was sus pended aud MT. J. W. Smith given per
 mission to address the board with refer ence to some resolutions adopted at re- cent m seting of the real estate agents of the city. Each agent is required to pay an annual license oi S25. which the agents think is too much. MT. Smith fsaid he thought the agents were entitled to some credit for the work they do. They are constantly working to bring people here Of course they "have an ax to grind," said Mr. Smith, ''but at the same time they are working for tbe interests of the city," He said there were other busi- nesses with greater trade, but which paid much less license. The resolution was in the shape of petition requesting that the license be fixed at S10 for each agent and in cases of firms S5 for each additional agent. The matter was referred to the miscella- neous committee.
 Acting Mayor Ullnan stated to the board that the new teiepnone company had signed the contract prepIred by the board. Chairman Kettig of the finance commit tee reported favorably a number of bills, which were ordered paid.
 Bills of salaries of Judge Montgomery and Clerk Whatley of the inferior court were referred 10 the finance committee. MT. John F. Martin was given permis- sion to address the board. he stated that the organizers of the proposed new tee- phone company had signed copies of the contract and also the bond required. The company was given until tue return of Mayor VanHoose 10 sign the original con- tract and bond.
 An ordinance repeating an ordinance imposing certain duties on the clerk of the recorder's court was adopted.
 Chairman Enslen of the street committee reported Twenty-fourth street to be in bad condition where the electric line runs. He says the company put slag along it's track, although an ordinance requires them to put tue street in good condition. He rec commended that the city marshal or chief of police be instructed to enforce the ordi- nance, and it was 80 ordered. Mr. Harrington said 1t was almost i'm Epssi bie- to walk from Avenue g to F on Fwelfthstreet. The streets around there, ae said, had been fixed up, but nothing was impossible for wagons to pass along the street.
 fence extended into Twelfth street, be- tween Avenues D aud F. On motion he was instructed to take the street force and remove the fence.
 Chairman Meade of the fire committee recommended the postponement of the purchase of fire heater and the recom- mendation was concurred in. The same committee reported that four horses could be bought and delivered here for S60o. Also that four horses could be purchased in Birmingham for s625. The committee suggested reference of the matter to the fire committee and chief of the fire department, with power to act. On motion of MT. McCartin the sugges- ton of MT. Meade was concurred in.
 Chairman Meade of the fire committee recommended the purchase of 500 feet of wire and fifteen globes for incandescent lights to be used in the fire departments. The committee at former meeting was in- structed to have Weshback burners put in the departments, but MT. Meade said they had ascertained that the electric light com- pany would exchange fifteen incandescent lights for the three arc lights now in use.
 MT. Sims said the gas company was un' der contract to furnish fifteen street lamps anywhere the city might desire and he sug- gested that those fifteen lights be put in the fire departments, as there were no gas lights now in use on the streets. The whole matter was referred to the fire and gas committees, with power to act.
 MT. Meade called attention of the chair man of the street committee to the condi- tleb OI pIluko at Wch9 hAoc otloee auu Avenue Il. He said it is too short, and a repetition of the East Lake accident of few days ago might occur.
 Chairman Enslen stated in reply that the city engineer had under consideration an extension of the sewer through that vicin- -ity.
 Petition of some of the market men for refunIing of one months stall rent on ac- count of cold weather and dull business was not allowed. Also Wilson Bros.' peti- ton was not granted.
 MT. Kettig stated that the matter of the Sloss Iron and Steel company's tax had been adjusted.
 The matter of purchasing chains for buuks in the city jail was referred to the police and sanitation committee with power 10 act.
 A number of petitions were read and re- fefred to proper committees.
 The city tax appraisers presented peti- tion asking an increase in the rate of their pay from $2. 50 to $3. 50 each.
 Mir. Enslen suggested that if the ap- praisers were not satisfied with the com pensation they are getting they can get out and men can be secured who will work for that amonnt.
 MT. Meade moved reference of the mat ter to the judiciary committee, and the petition was so referred.
 Mr. Kettig said great many people were doing business in the city without license, and called on the chief of police to know if any arrests had been made.
 Chief Mcdonald said a few arrests had been made, but the parties were discharged by yMayor VanHoose.
 Mir Ketug moved that the police be inc all nj hrroi inao