The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-22
CHIEF WEIR REPLIES TO
 ALDERMAN WARDS CHARGES
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When seen last night after the meet ing of the city council at which a resolu- | ton was introduced complaining of the manner in which the police department is handling the question of gambling Chief W. E. Wier made the following statement
 Alderman Ward has no foundation of fact upon which to base the charges he made at the council meeting tonight. While I will admit that there are few gaming houses running now which were not running under the former administra- tion, on the other hand several which did run during the former administration are not running now.
 Gamblers and Confidence Men.
 During the state fair there has natu- rally been a great influx of gamblers and confidence men to the city, and we have been so busy that it was practically inn possible to give the proper attention to gambling houses but we mad intended to begin a crusade on both gamblers and vagrants as soon as the fair finished l think some of my opponents have learned
 
 and have brought the matter up at this time for political capital.
 "The raid made last Saturday night by deputy sheriffs was made after an under standing with the police. They realized that we were busy in handling the state fair crowds that we could not pos- sibly give the gamblers proper attention. ~~><<<ss-~-s~-sS-t rental agent of the building and the paid attorney representing them while all the people of the South Highlands were op- posed to it. J. s. Kennedy, attorney made statement before the council saying that Alderman eidt had stated before the committee that if they wanted a sa- loon on that corner to have it done while he was out of the city. Alderman Heidt denied this.
 Well, what did you say then?" asked MT. Kennedy.
 ''None of your business" retorted AL derman Heidt.
 Alderman Ward, speaking on the motion said that this was the only street the residents of South Highlands asked to be kept free for the passage of women and children.
 "The owner of the saloon says that he has expended $S50o for furniture" con tinued Alderman Ward There is noth- ing in that building that cannot be picked up and moved across the street except the kalsomine on the walls. Capt. Graves the owner of the building and T. H. Mol ton, the rental agent. worked before this board for three months at one time to keep saloon away from that corner, but they changed their tactics only when saloon wants to remain in their build ing and pay a little higher rent than anyone else would pay"
 The motion to accept the recommenda- tion of the miscellaneous committee that the license be not issued after January 1 vas passed when the matter was put to vote.
 Adjourned Session.
 The council met first in adjourned ses- sion last night and assessments were made final on improvement ordinances 134, providing for macadamizing, paving and guttering certain parts of Twenty fourth street 153, providing for sanitary sewers along Third and Fourth alleys. be- tween Tenth and Eleventh streets; and 160. providing for sanitary sewers along certain parts of Twenty-second street and Palmetto avenue.
 When the regular meeting of the coun- cil was called to order there were present Mayor Drennen, Aldermen O'Neill, Cope land, D. R., Copeland, J. R.. Ward. Coop er, fOrney, bdrDOur, Jones, te1QI, stock mar. Moore, Gray and Greener.
 Board of Education.
 The following resolution introduced by the finance committee was adopted: That the sum of s20o0o be appropriated to the board of education for the pay ment of salaries and other expenses and the mayor be authorized to borrow s15O0O in addition to above appropriation, $75OO lxI .f,.trr lo., in sixty days, and deliver the proceeds of same to the board of education, said ad- ditional amount to be used for payment of salaries and other expenses"
 An ordinancs was adopted providing for the sale of certain property to pay the improvement assessments upon it, which assessments have not been paid by the property.
 Circus Parades Taxed.
 The following resolution was adopted: Be it resolved by the mayor and alder