The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-06
Council Accepts Proposition of
 Realty Company
WATER MATTER COMES UP
Resolution Passed lnstrueting the City Attorney to Take Steps to Declare Alleged Contract With the
 Water Company Void.


 adopted accepting the proposition of the Birmingham Realty company by which a clear title will be acquired by the city to three parks along Highland avenue which have been in litigation for several years.
 This gives the city three more public parks situated in what is destined to be- come one of the most elegant residence sections of Birmingham. Mayor Drennen, 1t was stated. has been working assidu- ously on the matter and has given 1t much of his personal attention. The reso- lution was introduced by Alderman J. J. Altman who. 1t is said, has also made a careful investigation of the proposition of the realty company.
 Another resolution of importance which was adopted last night provides that the city attorney be instructed to take ap- propriate proceedings to have declared void an alleged contract between the city of Birmingham and the Birmingham Water Works company by which the water company obligated itself to fur nish water to the city.
 The members of the board at the meet ing were the mayor and Aldermen Wheeler, Greener Barbour. Copeland D. R.. Copeland J. R.. Gum. Altman, Stock mar, simms. Ward. Jones and Forney.
 The adjourned session was first called to order at which an ordinnace was pass ed providing for the establishing of grades on Twenty-ffth street between avenue F and H and on avenue H from Twenty-fifth to Twenty-seventh streets.
 At the regular meeting the report of the mayor on fines remitted from June IS to July S1 was approved and filed.
 Accommodation from pr. A. ". Sims was read. informing the board that Dr. James s. McLester had been elected by the Jefferson county medical society to fill the position of city bacteriologist.
 Back Taxes.
 In the report of the finance committe. which was adopted, there was a recom- mendation that the mayor make the same contract with B. A. Thompson in the matter of looking after the back taxes which was formerly made with R. P. Wetmore.
 The judiciary committee recommended that Chief w. D. Wier be authorized to act in the bill of complaint filed against the mayor and aldermen by F. F. Brown.
 The cemetery committee presented a resolution which was adopted recom- mending the repainting and repairing of the sexton's house at Oak Till cemetery. It is also recommended the preparation of ordinances preventing the planting of honey suckles or magnolia trees within the grounds, to prevent the building of brick walls and iron fences around lots and to prevent building of steps which extend into the streets.
 The resolution provided that the chair man of the cemetery committee, the city engineer and the mayor be requested to report and recommend the improvement of certain streets and walks in the ceme- tery together with an estimate of the cost of such improvements.
 Improvement ordinance 174 providing for work on Montgomery street was favorably reported The contract for laying side walks, grading and guttering under im- provement ordinance 167 was awarded to the Birmingham Construction company. It was voted to receive bids for improve ments under ordinances 173 and 16S. The assessments were confirmed in ordinances 152, 9S. 119 and 135 Improvement ordi- nance 175 was introduced.
 A fire plug was authorized at the corner of Charles street and Florida avenue.
 Municipal Ownership Matter.
 The municipal ownership committee of which Alderman Altman Is chairman re- ported good progress in the water question and introduced the following which was adopted:
 "Be 1t ordained by the mayor and al- derman of Birmingham, That the city attorney be and is hereby directed to take appropriate proceedings at law or in equity in the name of the mayor and al- dermen of Birmingham or otherwise as he may deem proper to have duly declared void an alleged contract between the said city and the Birmingham Water Works company. in which alleged contract said water company obligated itself to furnish water to said city"
 Several applications were made for the pooilicii DA DHiiNAtb i-toPI1tCA oiiOHb lntil being those of Thomas F. Lappage, P. w. McDuffie. Henry Allen and L. T. Coleman. The application of MT. Coleman was &C., companied by letters of recommendation from the plumbers union. Miller 6 Mar tin. Carpenters district council, Trades council. Ullman & Thompson and A. J. Krebs
 A resolution was adopted which provided that the city attorney be instructed to draw up an ordinance to compel ice wag- ons to carry standard scales in order that the consumer may tell when he gets full weight.
 An invitation to the mayor and alder men to take part in the Labor Day pa- rade was accepted and the mayor was given power to make the necessary ar engagements for such participation.
 A resolution instructing Chief Weir to abate the nuisance of certain restaurants on Twentieth street near Fourth avenue was referred to the mayor with power to act in the matter.
 Wm. Reckling has moved