Birmingham state herald., 1895-11-21
MEETING IF TIE COUNCIL The Behren's Street Railway
 Called Up Again. SOME RECOMMENDATIONS By the Mayor-Resoution Passed Providing Fer An Assistant City Tx
 Collector.
RECOGNIZE

were read and approved.
 Mayors Recommendations.
 That all Instructions. curtains. blinds, etc., be removed from saloon doors Sat urday nights at 12 o'clock so as to offer clear and unobstrueted view of the interior to passershy in front in order to restrict the sale of intoxicants on Sun day.
 That tenants. agents and owners of premises be required to clean hues twice a year.
 That early in the year 1896 the street committee open up all streets and alleys accessible to the public, which are now closed by private inclosures.
 None of the recommendations received final action.
 The mayor stated that President Jem- ison of the Birmingham Railway and Electric company requested hearing by the board before the board should take definite action in regard to enforc- ing the operation of the Behring street car line. Mir. Jemison was granted hearing, and said that the line had not paid the expenses of the driver for the past five years. He recognized that the mule system was not satisfactory to the roads patrons, and he asked the in dulgence of the board until the company can equip the line with electricity. He requested moderate action on the part of the board, and pointed out that discour- agement to capital already employed here will keep away other capital When asked by Alderman Kelly how long it would be before the electric system would be applied to the road Mir. Jemison replied that the company would do so IS soon as the company can dispose of bonds they are trying to sell. He thought the road would be operated within year. Alderman Enslen asked if the com pany would lease the road. MT. Jemison said yes that the company, had here tofOre offered cars and the track free to any one who wanted to operate the line. MT Jemson said that he would make a recommendation to the directors with the same offer to any responsible party who will operate it. A resolution pre- vailed that the city attorney be instruct ed to stay proceedings tending to enforce the opeation of the road.
 Petitions.
 MT. Dorns attorney requested that the case against Dorn, which was ap pealed by the defendant to the city court, be dismissed at the cost of the defendant. Referred to the judiciary committee with power to act.
 Attorney McMaster offered a petition requesting a release of attorneys license by reason of an existing contract be- tween himself and the mayor and alder men of the previous administration in regard to the matter. Referred.
 The petition of the citizens of Fifteenth street and Avenue G requesting market was referred to the market committee, the mayor added, with power to act. The mayor exhorted the members of the various committees to act promptly on matters coming before them.
 City Accounts.
 Alderman Kettig, chairman of the f. nance committed, introduced the batch of city accounts. Ordered paid. Total, $500.
 Alderman Kettig introduced resolu- tion that the sum of $21,070 be set aside for the purpose of paying March interest on city bonds. Carried.
 Lights and Water.
 A statement was read showing the city indebtedness to the Electric Light company of $9432: water works s9s72. Warrants were ordered drawn for $2540 in favor of the electric company and $3160 in favor of the water company. , A resolution was passed providing for an assistant city tax collector until Jan uary 1, at a salary of $50 month.
 To Retrench.
 The following report and recommenda- Hons were submitted by the finance com mIttee:
 To the Mayor and Aldermen:
 The finance committee regrets to re- port that notwithstanding the recent eX- tension received from the bondhoiders, the expenses of the city still continue to be larger than it's income. It now ap- pears that after having extended about S48000 of interest, due on bonds, there will still remain a deficit Of about S25. GOO making a total deficit for the year 1895 of $73,000,
 Your committee begs to state that it will be absolutely necessary to practice the most rigid economy for the next Twelve months in all branches of the city nrn faI 6oo oorns must be done away with. Without rigid economy the city will be unable to main tain it's fire department, sanitation, po- lice, schools, etc., all of which are of vital importance to it's citizens. Your committee further reports that while the board of mayor and aldermen have con- Iro,l of the income of the city, that owing to the action of the last legislature they have very little control over expendi- lures. While we control the expenses connected with the fiIe department and the cemetery, the police department and the schools are entirely outside of our authority. In answer to our request the board of education has several times reduced their expenses. The schools are now being conducted at the lowest cost possible; in fact, lower than at any time in the history of Birmingham.
 Your committee recommends that special committee be appointed to inves- tigate all the expenses of the city of Bir- mfngham and report to this board what deduction, if any. can be made. We rec ommend further that said committee also be directed to call on the police commits sion and explain to them the financial condition of the city, and also request . them to reduce the expenses of the po' lice department in the same proportion that reductions have been made in the fire department and the schools.
 w H. KETTIG, Chairman.
 Aldermen Kettie McCartin Mcknight and Meade were appointed to confer with the police commission in regard to the above.
 Sanitary Committee.
 An ordinance was passed providing for sewer Improvements near Second av- enue and Eighth street.
 Judiciary Committee.
 A resolution was passed cancelling the balance due on a certain lot and granting a deed to the property.
 Chairman Mcknight of the committee recommended an investigation of lots owned by the city in Oak Hill cemetery.
 Female Prisoners.
 Chairman Enslen of the street commit