The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-01-14
Retail Association viii Have
Committee at Council
Meeting
1000 NAMES TO PETITION
Out Of Members of Council interviewed
Only Three Express Absolute
Friendship for the Side
walk Nuisance.

The fruit dealers who have stands ON
the sidewalks of Birmingham must go
way back and sit down." declare members
of the Retail Grocers' Association. At a
meeting last night they passed resolu-
tions naming committees to solicit sign
ers to petitions similar to the petitions of
the Commercial Club, and to attend the
meeting of the Mayor and Board of AL
dermen Wednesday night when the ques-
tion will be considered.
Mayor Drennen, who attended the meet
ing as a guest, made a short talk and
read numerous letters giving the status
of fruit stands in other cities. He made
no statement as to how he would vote.
Mr.. G. H. Estes of the Commercial Club
committee, who was also invited to be
present. made a speech in which he as
serted that the stands must go. He asked
the association to give particular heed to
securing signers to petitions, laying much
stress on the influence a large number of
signers would have on members of the
Board of Aldermen.
Messrs. Wyatt, Shelton, Spencer, Chill
ders and Kaufman made speeches in
which the stands were denounced. A res
olution was then passed, instructing the
chairman to appoint committees to secure
signers to petitions.
Mr.. II. Copeland and Mr.. T. H. Spencer
were named to solicit this morning; Mr..
s. Kaufman and Mr. II. p. Childers were
appointed for afternoon work; Mr.. r. e.
Orr and Mr.. S. p Fowlkes were selected
for Wednesday mornings soliciting, and
Mr.. G. A. Britton and Mr.. w. C. Brown
were given the afternoon work.
The committee which will present the
petitions to the Mayor and Board of
Aldermen consists of Mr.. T. II. Spencer,
Mr.. w. C. Brown. Mr.. s. Kaufman, Mr..
H. p Childers and Mr.. M A. Wyatt.
Fully 1000 names are now attached to
the various petitions which have been in
circulation for the past week. This num-
Der will be materially added to by the
committees which will work today and
tomorrow
Interviews With Aldermen.
The Age-Herald continued yesterday to
interview. Aldermen on the subject with
the following results:
w. r. Gunn-I have not made up my
mind fully, but 1 am in favor Of moving
fruit dealers are moved.
]. ]. Altman-If l can be shown some
other way to raise the same amount of
revenue equitably I would favor remov-
ing the fruit stands, but until some finan-
cier can show me how we can run town
without revenue I don't see how we can
do It,
j. F. Graham-I am in favor Of moving
the fruit stands from the sidewalks, and
of forcing them within the limits pre-
scribed by law.
c. c. Heidt-One of my chief objections
to the fruit stands is the fact that they
remain open Sunday. No other merchant
1 don't think these fruit stands should
be allowed to remain open. They don't
deal in necessities which people are
obliged to have, and see no reason why
they are made an exception.
r. H. Thateh-If feasible under all the
circumstances at this time. l am in ia
vor of removing them.
Alderman Harry Jones was out of the
city and Alderman H. B. Gray was ill
at his residence. He has, however, ex-
pressed himself as being In favor of the
fruit dealers being allowed to do BUSH
ness on the sidewalks.
r. H. Kerr-I have not formed de-
cided opinion and am open to conviction.
Have Increased Expenses.
J. R. Copeland-We have increased the
expenses of the fire department $4,000
the police department $500 have reduced
the city's income about $4,000 by reduce
ing the merchants license under Section
two, and as a business man / don't see
how l could please the Commercial Club
by agreeing to the opinion OF a few in
this matter of fruit stands. I don't
think the fruit stands on the sidewalk
are as disagreeable to the public as the
scent from the fertilizer works in the
third ward. 1t is nice for the Commercial
Club to say what council shall do, but
l took an oath when l became mem
Der of council to protect the city's in
terests and l don't intend to do anything
to cripple its revenue to please few
persons.
d. R. Copeland-Unless the Commercial
Club or some one else will make good to
tho rifv tho loss NJ reven,,ee from tho
fruit stands am in favor of letting them