The age-herald., 1902-02-08

$<<%~->%%%%%%%- %%%-~%%-%~~%<4-%%% believed if they sent him a chariot to take him to heaven he would decline to ride. - Dr. Coulbourn asked Mfr Jemison some questions about the value of a perpetual franchise.
 MT. B. M Allen. representing J. R. Adams and associates, then appeared be- fore the meeting and stated that they had deposited a check for $1000 with the city treasurer and he had another check for $1000 in his hands which they were to put up with their application for franchise through twenty blocks. He be- lieved in competition between railroads, and said the city needed another railway system. His associates proposed in good faith to build new road. and if the city gave away all its franchises no other road could get into the city, as under the present company's charter a new road could only use their tracks for three blocks.
 If the council thought competition a good thing they ought to defer action on MT. Jemisons franchise. If competition was not a good thing, then they ought to give every street in the city to the present railway system. It was a matter of doubt whether this franchise if passed tonight would be valid.
 At this point MT Jemison stated he was willing to have action on the ordinance postponed to a subsequent meeting, and this direction was given to the matter.
 Twenty-frst Street Franchise.
 The ordinance granting to the present street railroad company a franchise to lay tracks on Twenty-first street between First and Second avenues and on Third avenue between Nineteenth and Twenty first streets was then taken up
 AIY put upon it's second reading.
 MT. Ward moved to refer the ordinance back to the judiciary committee to divide the ordinance into two ordinances relat- ing to Twenty-first street and Third ave- nue. It was moved to table this motion. Alderman Jones corrected a vote of AL derman Wheeler-that is explained to him what he was voting on. Alderman Ward objected to Alderman Jones telling Alder man Wheeler how to vote. Alderman Jones sharply replied that he was not telling MT. Wheeler how to vote and that he objected to being called down by Mir. Ward The chairman rapped for order and the voting proceeded. The motion of ---derman Ward was tabled.
 Alderman Ward then offered as amend ments that the franchise should not take effect until the company agrees to ex- tend system along Avenue H and Mont gomery street and to operate Ensley and Bessemer cars along Twenty-second street between First and Second avenues, and that compensation paid by other com panies for use of tracks be fixed by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen.
 Alderman Linnehan moved as an amendment that the proposed ordinance should not take effect unless the com pany agreed to put in force a 5-cent fare to Ensley.
 Alderman Moore moved table all the amendments. Alderman Wards amend ments were all tabled.
 For 5-cent Fare.
 Alderman Linnehan said his amendment was vital question to the business peo- pie of this city (appause from citizens). It was the last chance to get a 5-cent fare.
 H. A. Markey. representing a labor or ganization, spoke against granting the franchise.
 James l.. Tanner representing certain citizens, spoke, urging that the matter be postponed for thirty or sixty days so as to give the citizens time to present their views. He presented petition and asked that it be filed as a protest against the boards taking any action at this time
 The motion to table the Linnehan amendment was then withdrawn to per init discussion. Alderman Kerr then spoke saying there was nothing being sprung" upon. the public. The whole matter had been fully discussed several months ago. It was question: whether the board preferred to give this fran chise to a company now here and able to do what it promised, or one not yet in practical existence. It was impossible to please every one The question was. what was best for the whole city. He saw nothing to be gained by postponement
 Mr. B. M All- then spoke, saying that since this ol \nance was introduced six weeks ago a new petition for a fran chise had been presented which put O different aspect on the whole matter. He presented a petition from 800 citizens ask ing that no further action be taken on the application of the present street rail road by the Aldermen until they could hear from Mir J. R. Adams and asso- ciates. He said if Third avenue was granted to them the Birmingham Rail- way, Light and Power Company could use their tracks, but that if Third ave- nue was grant ed to the present company the new company could use only three blocks of their tracks.
 In Hurry for Something.
 Here Mr Markey interrupted MT. Allen and said the board seemed to be in a hurry about some things and not about others-that he had presented an ordin- ance several months ago which had gone to the Judiciary committee, and had never yet seen daylight.
 ''They meet at night" replied Mr. AL | len. q am sorry I can't help you, but 1 l have troubles of my own" Oaught er.) 1 Dr. J. T. Coulbourn spoke as citizen | opposing the ordinance.
 | MT. George Harrison said that the out