The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1900-09-06
NO new CITY HALL
FOR YET AWHILE
Proposed Ordinance Referred
Back to the Committee
AGAINST MAYORS ADVICE
Alderman Altman Pleads for Delay and
Whole Council Fostpones Indef-
nitely the Greatly Needed I'm
provement-Not Ready
AGAINST MAYORS ADVICE

gang AIT aglee, and the Mayor ana otner
enthusiasts who had hoped to have the
city hall ordinance passed by the City
Council last night met with another de-
lay. The entire matter, with every side
issue pertaining to it, was referred to the
City Hall committee for their considera-
ton, at the instance of Alderman Altman,
who was of the opinion that there was no
necessity for hurried action.
The debate was precipitated by a recon-
mendation from the Mayor, which was
read to the body Immediately after the
calling of the roll. 1t follows:
Mayors Recommendation
The question of building a new City
Han and three new public school buildings
having been agreed upon at a cost of not
exceeding $250,000, and the judiciary COM
lnit t having been requested to prepare
Such resolutions and ordinances as will be
necessary to issue bonds for this specific
purpose, and the city having recently dis
posed or $269O00 per cent bonds at par
anu as Inc proposed issue amounts to $780,
oVo, and having additional security of real
estate amounting to not less than $4,000
ana the value of the buildings erected
.hereon equal in value to the amount of
ponds issued, l therefore respectfully re-
commend TO you that you advertise such
, nonus 50 ior SAFE In the usual way and dis
pose OF same to the highest bidder"
Alderman Jones moved that the recon-
mendations be concurred in. This met with
second. "NN-
Alderman Moore then moved that the
recommendations be referred to the special
pond committee, this also meeting with a
second.
Before either motion was put Mr.. Jones
said he thought the city hall committee
IL any, should take up this matter.
Alderman Altman then moved as SUBJ
stitute that the recommendations should
be referred to the city hall committee
AS the Mayor was about to put the ques-
ton Mr. Jones urged that the matter be
directly voted on. He created quite a laugh
by saying: You're just cumming the cards
for two weeks, and we had just as well
finish the matter right now"
He then urged that the suggestion of the
Mayor be adopted and that the council au-
thorize the advertisement of the bonds for
the purpose named in the recommendation.
Money is Ready
Sigfried Steiner who was present, then
asked permission of the Mayor and board
to be heard for a few minutes. Mr.. Steiner
stated that on August l contract was
entered into between the city council and
the firm of Steiner Brothers, by which the
firm of Steiner Brothers was to negotiate
the sale of the bonds for the building OF
the new city hall and the three public
school buildings. Concluding, Mr. Steiner
said: 81 am willing to submit it to any
fair minded man that it is not fair to go
behind our back and advertise these bonds
for sale after we had made arrangements
to dispose of them under the agreement"
b. Steiner, who was also present, then
stated that the money had been secured
and was ready, subject to the order of the
board under the contract.
While the discussion of the bond ques-
ton was at it's height Mr. Altman arose
and made a lengthy speech, urging that
the city hall matter be not acted upon at
this time. He said in part
Altman Plead for Delay
I'VE are getting the cart before the
horse. We should not commit ourselves to
an issue of bonds until we know what kind
of building we going to build and
how much money we will need. Let us
first have plans and specifications. We
must not go into this business blindfolded.
1 want this hall erected so that it can pay
the freight God knows Birmingham has
enough Indebtedness now. If you don't be-
lieve it just trot through the streets of
New York and try to sell some bonds.
II insist that this whole matter should
go back to the committee along with the
ordinance, and let them consider when they
have plenty of time. l insist that all these
matters go back to the committee"
Alderman McKnight-'I ask to have the
contract with Steiner Bros. be read, and
if they have the money in the bank await
ing our order, why, we ought to settle this
matter now"
The clerk then read section of the con-
tract which authorized Steiner Bros. to ne
gotiate for the bonds.
Alderman RAINBOW moved that Alderman
Moore be added to the city hall commit
tee This was done. The Mayor then put
the substitute motion of Mr.. Altman that
all matters pertaining to city hall be re-
fered to that committee This was carried
by an unanimous vote.
Aldermen Altman and Heidts names
were also added to the city hall commit
tee.
Committee Reports
The Mayor then called for the reports
from the standing committees. Mr. Alt
man, chairman of the judiciary committee,
rendered a lengthy report, introducing
several ordinances and communications
He read two ordinances providing for the
erection of city hall and three public
school buildings. In both OF these 1t was
provided that notes and mortgages be
issued with interest coupons attached and
payable semiannually. These notes and
mortgages were to contain lien on the
buildings and lots on which the buildings
were to be erected. The two ordinances
were referred to the city hall committee
as we'll as several communications from
Steiner Brothers in regard to some past
bond tranactionS.
Mr.. Altman also called attention to a
resolution which had been passed author
izng the taking up of $4,000 of per cent
bonds and issuing instead per cent bonds,
These arc known as the sanitary fourth
series bonds. This was referred to the ju-
dietary committee.
Several other reports of minor impor-
lance were submitted.
Street Improvements
Alderman Wheeler introduced an ordi-
nance authorizing Improvements in Third
avenue from Seventeenth to Sixteenth
streets and in Eleventh. avenue from Tenth
to Fourteenth streets.
The following petitions were granted:
Hotel Hillman Company to excavate In
the alley and under the sdwaIk for the
purpose of ventilation and storage of coal.
r. s. Allen to sell fresh meats
Petition from the butchers not to allow
grocerymen to sell fresh sausage was re-
ferred to the market committee.
A petition from merchants and property
owners along Second avenue between Nine
teenth and Eighteenth streets not t. allow
the opening of saloon at 1921, Second
avenue, was granted. If the license is re-
quested it will be refused.
Women in Saloons