The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-05-11
SELMA CITY COUNCIL
LONG SESSION or THE PEREs or
 THE MUNICIPALITY.

THE MUNICIPALfTX
 Report of Commitee on Police and Fire
 Department Received and Con-
 cured In--Passaee of the
 Chicken 0rdinanee .
 Advertiser Bureau.
 Selma. May 10
 In 6 long session last night the City Council considered great mass of mu- Eicipai matters. including a detailed re- port by Mayor Atkins of the condition of the city. and recommendation for the improvement of the fire department.
 The celebrated chicken ordinance was passed over the mayors veto. No ar- rests have yet been made.
 The following report by the committee on police and fire department was re- ceived and concurred fin: President and members of Council:
 We your committee to whom was re- ferred Chief R. D. Walkers suggestions. beg leave to make the following, report: We have with the concurrence Nof the mayor. who was added to this commit- tee. made contract with Eureka Hose Co. for 1.5oo feet of hose.
 As to the suggestion of Chief Walker giving the chief more authority. we cam
 
 ion that he has absolute authority in the management of the fire department As to the suggestion to furnish the chief with horse and wagon, we cannot con- cur In this at the present time as we do not think the city's financial condition will justify 1t.
 As to the suggestion to employ extra men, we ask for further time, and as to the location of additional water plugs in North. Selma and Plattenburg addition, We ask that this be referred to the com mittee on streets and lights. The mat ter of reel and hose in North Selma we cannot concur in. S V The recommendation for fire alarm boxes in West Selma, Riverview' addition, we recommend that the necessary boxes be located by this committee and chief oe the fire department.
 Your committee in connection with these duties have endeavored to get a concurrence of views as to the necessi- ties of the department and have had two or more meetings with the chief and foremen, and assistant foremen of each company, endeavoring to bring about a better feeling. and to improve the de- partment. We suggest that the manage ment of the companies be through the regular channel by the foremen and as- sistant foremen by the orders of the chief of the department. We believe that the foreman of each company should be made more responsible for the property in their charge, and that all acquisitions for supplies should come from the fore men and be approved by the chief. We would also recommend that an or- dinance be passed requiring each com pany to have monthly washing and prac- tices with full company and that each and every active member be required to attend and that twelve men shall be the mlpimum allowed for these exercises and that the foreman, or assistant foreman in his absence, shall make a quarterly re- port to this council, showing number of men present at each washing, practice or fire, and make special report of all fires attended. this report to be approved by the chief of the department, and when made and so approved the city to pay to such company making the required showing $15 for each quarter.
 We also recommend that the fire war dens elected be required to perform their duty as laid down in our laws and in connection with the same they shall be required to make a quarterly report through, the. chief of the department to this council of all fires in their respec- tive wards. showing an estimate dam- ages to property and estimated loss and estimate of all property saved.
 Respectfully submitted,
 George Phillips, Chm. Wm. L. Quinn.
 The passing of the chicken ordinance was the sensation of the evening. The ordinance which makes it unlawful for any person to allow his chickens, ducks, geese. turkeys or poultry of any other kind from running at large in the First and Second Wards. was originally in- troduced by Mir. Phillips of the First Wayd two months ago when in the mdist of much laughter he disclaimed any au- thority for the measure which was heard with good -humored hoots of derision. But 1t soon took on a serious aspect and at the next session 1t was passed. Mayor Atkins vetoed 1t and Mir. Agee of the Second Ward last night again placed the ordinance upon its passage. There were speeches Mir. Hall of the First Ward made long one and every elo- quent, too. Others spoke at less length. When the vote was taken four favored its passage, one dissenting. and two main tained that silence which is alleged to be golden. President Peacock ruled that the vote cast was a two-thirds majority of the Councilmen present and the number required by the charter of the city and the chicken ordinance is now defective" :" Owners of chickens must remember that 1t Is not the chickens that are arrested.
 Mayor Atkins's message was of great interest and showed that the city has greatly improved since his advent into executive authority year ago. The various departments have been properly conducted. His report of the fnanci9' condition of the city. which follows, Is of especially interest:
 The first of May being the end of the city's fiscal year I desire to Submit report, as find upon the books at that date:
 Claims unsettled prior to Nav
 1st in the hands of the city clerk ''''-' ''"''' -" ~'S- clair, Of F. N. Abbott. president
 ordered paid by the committee SSl'oo Claim of Peacock Iron Works ordered paid by the committed Z4S.4e Amount due, monthly pay roll for April .. .. =. ......''.: l'o-''VO Claims for bills of month Of April