The age-herald., 1901-11-07
RAILWAY COMPANY OFFERS ID.
 ACCEPT 4 99-YEAR FRANCHISE

Mir Thach explained that it went to the
 judiciary committee and that the peti-
 tion now stood before that committee with the change from pcrpetuity to thir- ty years.
 Aldermen Ward asked Mir. Thach if Mir. Jemison had not withdrawn the or
 dinance from the committee. "The or-
 dinance petition could not be with
 drawn" said Mir. Thach He merely
 withdrew the request"
 Makes Lively Talk.
 MT. Linnehan said the Board of Alder
 men were standing in their own light,
 but he was not so sure what ought to be
 done. He said the railway company in one
 place was charging 10 cents for a mile
 ride and that at one time they made the
 people get out and walk in the rain when
 they crossed a track at Woodayn. He
 said he once paid 10 cents fare from
 Thomas to the next station. about one mile distant. When they had opposition,
 here" said MT. Linnehan. we had more
 improvements than we ever had before"
 All I want" continued the speaker, is
 fair play"
 Speaking of the 10 cent fare from
 Thomas, MT Jemison interrupted the
 speaker by saving such was against or
 ders of the Street Car Company Well, I had to pay 1t, replied MT.
 Linnehan.
 Then you are entitled to rebate, and
 IT pay it." said Mir Jemison Continuing,
 MT. Jemison remarked, T think you were
 travelling on a pass"
 T waa for awhile" warmly replied MT.
 Linnehan, but I was told that the
 passes received by Aldermen were is consideration for something they had
 done for the Street Car Company"
 Mir Jemison asked to make an explan-
 ation, but the Mayor ruled that Alder
 man Linnehan' had the floor. When Mir. Linnehan had finished speak ing, Alderman Ward raised point of order, and asked for the question before l the board The Mayor ruled that the 1 petition of MT. Jeinison was under con- sfderation
 City Attorney Called In. l At this juncture sharp discussion arose as to the exact status of the ordi- nance granting the franchise. MT. Ward said he was finder the impression from
 the mayors ruling. that the ordinance ] was not before the board at all as the 1 withdrawal of MT, Jemison's first proposi- 1 ton carried the ordinance with it. Sev- l eral Aldermen quickly gained the floor and the mayor was bombarded with opin- I ions. To settle the squahble Bobert J.. l Lowe, city attorney was called in. It then l developed that the ordinance had been prepared by the Judiciary Committee and I reported formally to the board with the petition. The petition was subsequently withdrawn and the position of the ordi- nance was regarded as questionable. 1 Mir Lowe after examining the records said they showed that no member of the board had introduced the ordinance hut ] 1t appeared that it had been introduced l by a committee. He was under the im- pression that to be legal and valid an ordinance must be intruduced by q mem l Der of the board Mir. Lowe concluded by saying that he was in doubt and could | not render an intelligent opinion without further reference.
 1 MT. Thach said in view of the circum- stances he would reintroduce the ordi nance.
 | MT. jWard-Called for question as to the petition being referred to the Street Rail- way committee
 Mr. Kerr moved as a substitute that the l Judiciary Committee he added. MT Ward objected and Mayor Drennen | put the question. The substitute was | adopted fs
 Mir Thach then reintroduced the ordi- nance and 1t was read by Alderman Moore. It provided for ninety nine year franchise and was referred to the
 Judiciary and Street Railway Committees. Ward Offers Amendments. Alderman ward offered amendments to the affect that workingmen be granted
 PIE cents fare on all lines from to a.
 m. and from to D. m. That the fran cliise be ineffective until transfers are
 granted and that cents fares be granted to Ensley and Pratt City.
 l MT. Ward asked that certain gentlemen present be allowed to speak in opposition to granting the franchise,
 Alderman Kerr moved that the mayor 1 be requested to call special meeting of the board next Wednesday night so 1 every one may be heard. This was adopt | ed Several members insisted on hearing some of the citizens, and Oliver Chalifoux was recognized Mir Chalifoux, speaking 1 for the Board of Trade. said he thought l 1t would be a great mistake to grant this | franchise for the paltry sum of $500 He l said the Birmingham Railway, Light and | Power Company had $30000 GOO of common stock and had already sold s10oo. 900 of
 bonds. He further stated the company
 was capitalized at s11.0000 900 and he asked l How was that valuation fixed?' An swering himself he said: 'I suppose it | represents dividends. though cannot 1 say how much water there is." Continu- ] ing. MT. Chalifoux said that this fran l chise was very valuable and the city needs money. He urged that the city l get per cent, of the gross receipts of | the company and said that 5-cent fares should be granted from Wylam, Ensley and Pratt City, As to Bessemer he i thought the Board of Aldermen should l decide.
 | When questioned as 10 whether he l thought granting the franehise would in- | crease the value of property and whether l 1t would be beneficial to the city, Mir. Chalifoux said he thought 1t would. l As to taxation, Mir. charlifoux said he
 understood the railway company was as- sessed at s2QO.0O0. 1 MT. Jemson interrupted by saying, 1 The gentlemen Is just 200 per cent. l wrong. The assessment is over s40O 600, and lots of that will have to be thrown | away" Several questions were fired at Mir. l Chalifoux in rapid succession, and he I finally admitted that no great benefit 1 would be derived if the franchise was l killed entirely, but he insisted that the | city should be well paid for granting 1 such privileges.
 Harry Morkee, representing the 1 Trades Council, then addressed the board and he said the street railway company | should give a better service. especially | more cars during the hours working men were going to and from work. He also spoke of persons being killed by the 1 cars.
 BOARD HEARS THE