The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-29
CONSIDERING THE
 MATTER OF TAXES EnsIey Councils Finance Com- mittee Believes Money Due THE BREMEN HAVE A RUN Merchant Gets Himself Into Trouble By Selling a Pessimistic Negro
 Pair of shoes-Steel
 City News.

Ensley. December 2S.--(Special.)-A special meeting of the finance committee Mayor M. W. Scott and City Attorneny R. Boyd was held in the city hall this evening to discuss the liability of cer- tain property owners for taxes The property in question is situated Tn that portion of the city which was taken Tn when the city limits were extended last February The owners claim that they should not have to pay any tax until last year, and have refused to do so unless proven liable
 City Attorney Boyd. who has looked into the legal status of the case, report ed to the finance committee that the property was assessable, and, after dis cussion, it was decided that the property owners were liable and would have to pay.
 Bremen Have Exciting Run.
 The fire department had an exciting run today Great volumes of smoke Wertheimers' saloon, and the alarm was given. The department turned out in short time. and made the run, followed by an immense crowd. Fully 700 people arrived on the scene shortly after the firemen, only to discover that it was a false alarm. The smoke arose from the burning of a good deal of suit which had collected in the fiue.
 The volunteer fire department is be- coming very popular here. The boys were remembered by W. O. Garrett, with an immense Christmas cake. and by Mr. Wertheimer with box of cigars.
 Amusing Case Before Mayor.
 An amusing case came up in the may or's court today. arising out of peculiar circumstances. It appears that negro went to the store of J. Applebaum and purchased a pair of shoes. After taking the shoes home he became dissatisfied with his bargain and returned them with an excuse that they did not fit. The storekeeper offered him another pair in exchange but this the negro would not agree to and demanded his money back.
 The money was refused and the negro swore out warrant and had Appiebaum arrested for embezzlement. When Police man Rust attempted to make the arrest Applebaum resisted but was eventually brought before the mayor. The charge of the negro was dismissed but for re- ssting the officer the defendant had to pay 8 and costs.
 Mayor Scott Out.
 Mayor w M. Scott, who has ben seri- ously i'll for the past three weeks, is back at his office. Mir. Scott is not com pletely well yet, but his many friends were glad to see him out on the streets again.
 Week of Prayer.
 The first week in January will be recog- nized as a week of prayer in Ensley churches. The programe is as follows:
 January 3-Sermon at all the churches. Subject, 'The Kingdom of God"
 January f. at the Presbyterian church. Sermon by Dr. George w. Read. Sub ject 'The Warrant the Privilege, the Power of Prayer"
 January B. at the Baptist church-Ser- mon by Rev. J. w. Orr. Subject. The Enthronement of Christ on Earth
 January 6, at the Baptist church-TallSs by the pastors. Subject, All Nations and Peoples Loved of God
 January [. at the Cumberland Presby- terian church-Sermon by Dr. M. H. Pro- vence. Subject, Missions, Home and Foreign"
 January S.. at the Methodist church. Sermon by Rev. F. l.. Wear. Subject, "The Home and School"
 The merchants all claim that they have had healthy Christmas trade. They are taking advantage of the reaction to straighten things up that were unavoid- ably neglected during the holidays. The merchants are far from being of a pessi- mistic nature. The stores exhibit an unusually bright and extensive line and are up-to-date in every particular.
 The feeling in general is that in the near future the industries of the town will be running in full force. man who is identified with some of the most impor- tant enterprises of the district stated to- day that the great force of men engaged on the repair improvements of the steel mill were making strenuous efforts to complete their work. This fact bespeaks that the mill will resume operations at the earliest possible date.