Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-01-21
CITY FATHERS IN SESSION
Monthly Budget Approved and
Ordered Paid.
81
THE SCRAP IRON THIEVES.
Will Be Attended to By One of the Commits
sioners--Parks to Be Adorned with
Trees-Mayor Pro Tenn Pearce.

The city council met in regular session
last night, all being present except AL
dermen Mcknight, Moore, Harrington
and Altman.
The mayor announced his intention of
going to Montgomery for the city today,
and named Alderman Pearce as mayor
pro tenn.
Mr.. Wesley NJ. Smith appeared in the
interest of the real estate agents, ask
ing for reduction of license ON real es-
tate agents, from $25 to $40, the latter be-
ing the license. of last year. He said the
real estate agents help the town by ad-
vertising it, by inducing people to move
here, by advertising in the newspapers,
etc. He said other business in similar
lines were not taxed so much
Alderman Ward moved that the matter
be referred to the miscellaneous commit
tee to investigate and report TO the next
meeting
The finance committee reported favor
ably on the monthly bills. which were or
dered paid. k
Chairman Gray, of the finance commit
tee, read claim of $85 from the Evening
News, for advertising under contract of
1885, Referred to the judiciary commit
tee.
Chairman Kerr, of the judiciary COM
mittee, read a petition from e. j. Smyer
and DR.. NaberS, asking that they be al
lowed to lay their sidewalks with stone,
taking the cost of same out of the con-
tract with Dunn & Co. Some discussion
took place, and on motion the request
was not allowed, as 1t would be an in
justice to the contractor.
Alderman Hamilton moved that coun-
try wood haulers be relieved of license.
Carried
Chairman Pearce, of the police and
sanitation committee, made several rec
concentrations, which were accepted. In
regard to the crematory, he said it vas
in bad condition and it would take $500
to repair it. In the meantime, the garb-
age could be carried mile further. The
report was concurred in. 1t was brought
out that the crematory cost $4,000 and
a new and better one is needed.
Chairman Williams, of the park COM
mittee, read an offer from Mr.. Norfieet,
proposing to furnish 100 trees at 20 cents
each, or plant them for 80 cents. On mo-
ton of Alderman Drennen the latter Of
fer of 35 cents was accepted, and the
matter was referred to the park commits
sion, with power to act. Alderman Will
liams said further that he had the lum-
Der to fix fences.
A petition for light at the Kansas
City railroad crossing on Ninth avenue
and Twelfth street was read and re-
ferred.
A request from the Decatur Car Wheel
works, through W. N. Malone, was read,
asking that the council not interpose an
objection to its bill before the legislature
extending their plant. On motion of AL
derman McCartin the request was
granted Thel works are outside the
city limits.
Alderman McCartin offered an ordi-
nance amending the license schedule so
that the taxes on scrap iron dealers be in
creased to $500, and sack peddlers to
S25.
Alderman Pearce wanted to know II
dealing in scrap iron was not a reputable
business.
Alderman Drennen thought the tax OF
$25 on sack peddlers excessive; that boys
go round and gather up sacks and sell
them to merchants.
Alderman Hentschel said he didn't
want any business driven outside the
city limits.
Alderman McCartin said the railroads
complained about their scrap iron being
stolen and sold to dealers in scrap. IT'S
hard to detect thieves who steal brass.
They melt it so that it can't be recog-
nized.- The railroads couldn't leave an
engine in the yards but the brass was
stolen off. He wanted to protect the bus
mess men in the city.
Alderman Williams asked if 1t would
break up the thieves by putting high
license on them. 1t was replied that the
high license would reduce the dealers in
scrap iron from three to two, and their
places would be easier to watch.
1t was moved to suspend the rules and
pass the ordinance to it's second reading.
Lost, noes, ayes. Ten votes were
necessary. Referred to the misce1lane-
Gus committee.
The matter of sanitary inspector was
referred to the judiciary committee with
the request that it introduce an or
dinance.
Chairman RAINBOW, of the market COM
mittee, made several recommendations
Concurred in.
A communication was read from Mrs.
Thos. Ward president of United Chart
ties asking that some action be taken
upon the recommendation of the mayor
suggesting an appropriation for the So
ciety. Alderman Gray introduced reso-
luton providing for an appropriation Of
$50 per month, with the provisiof that all
transportation given paupers on request
of the society be charged against said ap-
preparation Adopted.
mi od