The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-12-02
Will Not Provide New School . Building.
Mayor Joseph and Aldermen Express Opinion That Clayton Street Property Can Be Sold Ad- vantageously-Routine
 Matters.

The Montgomery City Council last night rescinded the contract awarded the Riverside Brick Company some time ago to remodel the Billing residence on Clayton Street for school purposes and the matter is left where 1t was immedi- ately after the property was transferred to the city.
 This action was not reached until after much discussion. and an effort on the part of Alderman Roeder to have the matter referred to select committee of the Council.
 So far as the Council Is concerned no provision nas been made for use Of the Billing property which was acquired by the city in part payment of dividend due the city by the banking house Of Jo- siah Morris & Co. It was intimated at the meeting of the Counci last night that an offer would soon be made the city for the purchase of the Billing property to be used as a residence and that any change in the building might lessen it's value.
 There were present at the Council meet ing Aldermen Fleming, Anderson, Farley, Gunter. Hartley. Haygood, Hudson. Kohn. May, Mcintyre. Roeder. Rushton and Toole.
 Message from Mayor.
 The discussion of the Billing property was brought about by the following mes sage from Mayor Joseph:
 .ofice of the Mayor. Dec. l. 1902 "To the City Council.
 "Gentiemen:-Referring to my commit nication of October 27, in reference to alterations in the Billing residence prop erty, and your action thereon at your last regular meeting, Iswould say that so strongly am of the opinion that the money to be expended under contract awarded to the Riverside Brick Company for said alterations will be useless for present purposes of the city. that I am constrained to ask your further consid- eration of the matter. While this prop erty can be made useful for Boys Hign School purposes, which will necessitate comparatively small expense, without in turing it's value for dwelling purposes, we are advised by the Board of Education that it cannot be used for grammar school or primary purposes.
 repeat my recommendation that only necessary expenditures be made on this property to enable the same to be used as a Boys High School; and as also here tofore recommended, that the Chiffon school property be strengthened in ac- cordarce with recommendations Of the Citv Engineer This will enable your honorable body to provide such adh- tional school building or buildings. as may he required after the next session of the Legislature.
 Throwing Away 52,500.
 ''If the work awarded to the Riverside Brick Company Is done and tt should be found desirable not to use the Billing property for school purposes, 1t will mean an absolute throwing away of S,5OO
 q attach hereto letter from the River side Brick Company to whom this con tract was awarded, who through its general manager, Mir. L. Davis, has been ks | enough. to await our action on this communication I desire to say that the action of Mr Davis has been at my re- quest solely and in justice to them ac- ton should be taken by you tonight s'I attach hereto letter from these par ties in response to my request. Respect fully, 10. B. Joseph
 The accompanying letter from the brick company merely stated that immediate action by the Council was desired.
 Opposed by Alderman Roeder.
 Alderman Roeder opposed the sugges- ton made by Mayor Joseph. He said the City Board of Education had asked for more school room. The committee had gone over the matter carefully, visiting the schools. Nothing was left, but to fix up the Billing property which had been agreed upon
 Alderman Roeder said he thought the Mayor was late in re-opening the mat ter. It had been the opinion of the com mittee that the Billing property should be placed. in condition for a school and there should not be further delay to the work. He said he was constrained to believe that the action of the Mayor was not what it should be. He therefore moved that the communication be referred to the Committee on Public Works and Schools to report at the next meeting of the Council
 Alderman Anderson called attention to the restrictions. made by the contractors that action should be taken at this meet ing
 Alderman Rushton said he had talked