The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-10-19
MEETING OF The
CITY COUNCIL
Three Surprises Were Sprung in
Shape of Resolutions.
ONE BY ALDERMAN GRAY
Provides for Adjustment of Street Tax
After Jan. l, 1eoo-More Street
Railway Franchises Want
ed-The Proceedings

A resolution providing for the repeal of
the street tax law, the application for
new street car franchise and a resolution
calling for the investigation of increased
city expenses, were the only features OF
a long drawn out session of the city coun-
Gil last night.
Alderman Grays resolution to abolish
after January 1, 1900, the existing street tax
and also the resolutions of Alderman Camp
calling for an investigation of increased ex-
penses of the city, as well as the resolution
introduced by Alderman Mcknight asking
for more franchises for the Birmingham
Railway and Electric company, all came
as surprises
After roll call and the regular preliminary
work Mayor Drennen stated to the board
that he had the report of Special Examiner
Rosson, and while it a public docu-
ment he did not know exactly what to do
with it. Alderman Graham made a motion
to have it read which was defeated with
substitute carrying with 1T the referring of
the report to a special committee composed
of Aldermen Moore, Altman, McAnally,
RAINBOW and Lynaugh with instructions to
report at the next meeting.
The resignation of Detective Steve Wig
gins, together with a full report of work
done while in service, was read and on mo-
ton was accepted The report gave de-
tailed statement of the work, except that
part yet regarded as secret done by De-
tective Virgins and Sullivan and showed
up very complimentary for these two
officers.
Bids for the Fifth avenue extension
IL, n cnmOlete
this work before the opening of the fair,
were sold to the Peoples Savings Bank
and Trust Company for 1902 1-3, aggregating
49, ISL 80. An appropria ton of So,0oO meluo-
ing the poll tax collections, was made to
the school board.
Alderman Kerr, of the joint committee
appointed to confer with the school board
stated that the school committee was ask
ed to figure out what they wanted ana re-
port to the board.
Following this report was resolution IN
troduced and passed recommending that no
additional obligations be assumed by tne
city until after the disposition CT the mat
ter of bonded Indebtedness.
In reference to the Nineteenth street ex-
tension, Alderman Graham reported that
deeds to the property in question were IN
escow with Alderman Kerr, and recon-
mended that the work be done at once.
This resolution carried with it the payment
of $500 to Mrs Eckstein for part of a lot to
be covered in widening the street;
second Avenue Storm Sewer
The contract for the extension of the
Second avenue storm sewer was let to the
Oak Hill Marble and Stone works for s43,-
rs.
An ordinance to provide for the grading,
macadamizing and curbing of Eighth ave-
nue. between Thirteenth and Fourteenth
streets was introduced by Alderman Ora
ham of the street committee. There was
also another ordinance calling for curbing
on Twentieth street from Fifth to Sixth
alley.
On request of Alderman Graham the city
engineer was directed to make out the
grade on Rush to Ware and from Ware to
Sixteenth street, in order that the water
company can proceed with the construction
of a main along the described route.
Mayor Drennen announced that work had
been held up on the Birmingham Railway
and Electric company's line on Twenty
second street until it could be investigated
and Mr.. Robert Jemison, who was present,
was allowed the privilege of addressing the
hoard Mr.. Jemison pleaded ignorance OF
a resolution forfeiting certain franchises of
his company and stated that he had never
been informed of the passage of the ordi-
nance After some little discussion the
noint of the question of this company's
having forfeited rights ON Twenty-second
street and Fourth avenue having been
raised by Alderman Moore, the board
oil nrin Ia 8irminP-
ham Railway and Electric company TO go
on with the work.
A petition of the Northwestern Life In
surance company asking for quarterly
license was refused.
Chairman Jones, of the sanitary commit
tee. introduced resolution providing that
sanitary inspectors being instructed 10 keep
a strict watch on all dairymen and see
that the milk standard was as nearly Kept
I'D as possible until the appointment OF
milk inspector is made on January l.
Alderman Williams, of the public build
ines committee, reported the need OF more
heat facilities in the public schools and
PRESENTED a resolution directing that this
work be done at once. The resolution went
to the finance committee. ~
On A motion introduced by Alderman
Gray the United Charities were relieved
from the payment of paupers' tickets. 81
On motion of Alderman Gray the board
instructed the police commission to employ
twenty extra policemen for duty during the
twelve days of the state fair.
On motion of Alderman Jones the Robin
son and Ringing circusses were allowed to
show here for $500 each.
The committee to whom the report of
Snecial Examiner Rosson was referred will
meet this morning at $3.50 o'clock in the city
hall in public session.