The age-herald., 1901-11-13

petition be withdrawn.
 AS a matter of fact" continued MT. Jemison, "the board of directors of my company are not heartily in favor of taking this franchise. I was at first anxious to have this franchise granted. as thought it would mean much to the city of Birmingham, and again I was anxious for it as the constitutional con- yention was about to pass limiting fran chises to thirty years. Our board of di- rectors objected to expending money on thirty-year franchise on an issue of fifty-year bonds, and I consequently withdrew our former petition, asking for perpetual franchise, but at the re- quest of large number of citizens l renewed with the s9-year provision in stead of perpetuity.
 Now if you find a large number of people against this franchise I would re- spectfully ask my friends to withdraw this petition as we do not want it if it displeases the people,
 Five-cent Fares Impossible.
 Discussing the question of five cent fares to Ensley Mir. Jemison said that was impossible under present conditions. He said, however, that he had directions to build a new line to Ensley from either Owenton or the Fair Grounds and that 1t would be completed within sixty days, If the territory on this new line developed fast, MT. Jemison said five cent fares might be granted later on.
 In conclusion MT. Jemison said if the petition and franchise were not granted unanimously by the joint committee and the Board of Aldermen he would not ac- cept it and would not recommend 1t to the board of directors ol his company.
 ''Do you want to withdraw it now?" asked Attorney James L. Tanner
 T do,' replied MT. Jemison, If there is a strong current of sentiment against it."
 As MT. Jemison left the room four or five citizens sprang to their feet and tried to speak, and MT. Tanner, who first made himself heard, said, "Withdraw the petition.'
 "There Are Others"
 Hold on," said D. H. Cabaniss. You are not the only one here"
 Well, represent majority here" re- SpOIlQtu 1diluSis
 You don't know what you are talking about" said a voice from the crowd.
 There was 0 short wrangle over the time limit for discussion, and Chairman Thach finally decided to let MT. Cabaniss, who favored the franchise. speak first.
 MT. Cabaniss said he didn't appear for the railway company, and he thought there were good citizens on both sides of the question.
 q have a petition here with 600 names on it." he said.
 T don't want to contradict you" said MT. Tanner@ but there are not 600 names on that petition"
 Well, how many are there?" asked Mir. Cabaniss.
 There are SsS' was the reply. land 33 of them are duplicates
 Mir. Cabaniss said he had not counted them, but was told there were about 60O signatures of the most substantial men in Birmingham on the petition.
 Continuing, MT. Cabaniss said the peo- pie who had no street car facilities in Birmingham were anxious to have this franchise granted, and he thought they should not be denied the privilege. He said the 5-cent fare to Ensley would. of course, be better. but he didn't think that ought to keep the people in the ter ritory in question from having some street car facilities.
 In answer to questions MT. Cabaniss said he cared nothing about @the down. town franchises.
 MT. Linnehan asked about moving the track from Twenty-second to Twenty third street. He inquired if that would not hurt the people on Twenty-second street.
 MT. Cabaniss said he understood that was done to avoid Instructions in the way of coal and ice cars at avenue E and Twenty-second street. Interfered With Park. Captain Bush was the next to speak, and he said he was in favor of the gen. | eral franchise, but he offered a protest as to a small line from Twelfth street to 1 St. Charles street on account of 1t in terfering with park for children near St. Charles street. Attorney James l.. | Tanner then gained recognition and be- | gan the argument for the protestant. He l said he coincided with what MT. Jemison had said, and that what the people want | ed they should have.
 "Who do you representa-" asked Colonel l Altman.
 ] q represent the Retail Clerks Associa-