Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-10
 ACTION WAS DEFERRED
 -s The BehrenS' Park Car Line
 Discussed, tc BUT N0THINGDONE ABOUT IT Does Failure to Operate That Line Forfeit the Charter to All Other Lines7-Some
 Claim That It Does.
 
BUT NOTHING DONE ABOUT II

The city council met last night for the purpose of adjusting the matter of com polling the Birmingham Railway and Electric company to- operate the Beh- rens' park street car line, though con- siderable business. of different nature was transacted. '
 Present were the mayor, Aldermen Harrington, Ward Enslen, Pearce, Jack son, Kettig, McCartin, Meade, Mcknight and number of visitors, among whom were committee of citizens from West End and President Jemison of the Bir- mingham Railway and Electric com pany.
 MT. McMu1len, acting as spokesman for the citizens committed, was invited to address the board. He made brief, but forcble argument, asking that the company be compelled to furnish trans portation facilities to the citizens Of the community and in support of the re- quest he read the city's contract with the company. MT. McMullen was of the opin- ion that the company would forfeit the franchise to it's entire system in the event that the board should so declare.
 MT. Jemison would not commit himself to an expression as to whether or not the charter of the company was in jeopardy if the company should refuse to operate the line He merely stated that the com pany just at this time Is not prepared to equip the road with electricity, but said that a, good service would be given the people of West End as soon as possi- ble.
 The mayor suggested that some person might be induced to accept the com panys proposal to furnish cars and the road free He was of the opinion that a good paying horse car service could De put on the road at small expense with in short time.
 Alderman Harrington took the floor. Said he: "Esteemed mayor, am sorry I can't agree with you. l am here to do justice to the people of my ward We don't want to go back to the mule car service of our sgrandfathers. We want electricity on the road and l have .resq7: lution which want to introduce. HOW ever, we want it understood that we ale making no war on the street car corh-. pany. We want the rights that we are entitled to under the companys contract with the city" 70 J
 He then read a resolution, the terms of which were that the company should operate the line by the 20th of January, 1896, or forfeit it's entire charter.
 There was .siIencein the board. The mayor asked if the resolution had sec ond. Alderman Ward responded. ss-
 Before the resolution went to a vote the forfeiture of the charter was limited by amendment to operate only against the Behrens' park line. Discussion fh1-f lowed and another motion to defer action on the Harrington resolution until the next meeting gained precedence, and was adopted, Aldermen Harrington and Ward voting no.------------
 The board meets again on Wednesday, the 17th instant. -.ss1
 Alderman Enslen, chairman of the street committee, was instructed to buy five cars of gravel for street purposes. It will cost the city $25.
 Permission was given the Columbian Equipment company to build a switchson Avenue E, between Twentieth and Twenty-first steets. the mayor voting against the motion.
 Alderman Meade requested authority to purchase a. ma chine to clean oats for horses of the fire department, but Alder man Kettig of the finance committee protested and the matter was referred to the fire committee "
 The ayor was instructed to have two holes cut in the door of the city prison, so that the wardens could see the inte- rior He was also instructed to place speaking tube inside the prison leading to the warden's office.
 A resolution prevailed revokng certain powers hitherto conferred On the street and finance committees.
 Mir Fox's petition regarding an ordi- nance concerning cornce on buildings was referred to the building committee, with power to act.
 The judiciary committee was author ized to appoint two appraisers of prop- erty, to act in conjunction with the state and county appraisers.
 The mayor was granted a leave of ab- sence to visit Atlanta.
 On motion the council adjourned.