The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-19

ana this contract Will be executed by the Nashville Roofing and Paving company and work will commence shortly.
 
 1 of Alabama increasing the salary of the judge of the police court of Birmingham is unconstitutional, and,
 Whereas, The said increase in the said salary was applied for to thu Legisla- ture of Alabama without the knowledge or consent of the aldermen of Birming- ham, and,
 Whereas, The Board of Aldermen of Birmingham have seen fit to reduce the salary of the Mayor of Birmingham and other expenses, because of the necessity of economy, and in obedience to the law,
 Therefore, be II resolved by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of Birmingham that the salary of the judge of the po- lice court of Birmingham be $500 per I annum and payable by the city In &C., cordance with the original act heretofore adopted regulating the said court"
 Alderman Heidt-"At the last meeting presented a resolution providing for the purchase of weights and measures by the city auditor and I would like l. renew that resolution" Alderman J. R. Copeland-"I second that motlon''
 Weights and Measures. Alderman ONeill-"I was requested to attend joint, meeting of the Retail Gro cers and the Board of Revenue this af- ternoon. The following resolution, which the clerk will read. was adopted:'
 Here is the resolution read by the clerk:
 Be it resolved, that the Board of Trade and the Retail Irrocers' association, representing the retail merchants of Bir- mingham, in joint meeting assembled, re- spectful.y ask your honorable body the Mayor and Board of Aldermen, to repeal that part of the ordinance relating to the fees of the inspector of weights and measures, and suggest that the salary and expenses of the inspector be de- frayed by the city.
 "Be it further resolved That, inasmuch as the merchants of Birmingham are already burdened with taxation that the city defray the expenses and salary Of the inspector.
 Be it further resolved, That this Is | our only objection to the ordinance"
 'In this connection I desire to say" said Alderman O'Neill that my under standing is the weights and measures ordinance will cost the merchants of Birmingham something like s1O,oOO per year."
 The Heidt resolution was then adopted.
 Alderman Gray-'I desire to offer a res olution which provides that until this matter is entirely settled the inspector of weights and measures of the city of Birmingham shall receive slO0 per month as a salary, and all fees received by him shall go to the city auditor"
 J. E. Davis, president of the Retail Crocers' association, spoke, explaining the position of his organization. After hearing MT. Davis the council voted to refer the Gray resolution to tine Judiciary and finance committees for a report at the next meeting.
 Mayor Drennen Explains.
 Mayor Drennen-"As a. matter of ex- planation, I desire to say that l ad- dressed a letter to each member of the City Council with reference to the weights and measures ordinance. I expressed my self in this letter to be of the opinion that the ordinance would work a hard ship on the merchants of Birmingham And I am still of the same opinion. I desire to say, further, gentlemen as long as I am in office, when ordinances or resolutions are introduced in this body which l think will work a hardship on anyone, l shall call your attention to the fact, In this ordinance you can take, for instance, the requirement. of inspect ing hopper scales. This will amount to sS per year alone, while the scales only cos. $6.5O"
 Alderman Jones-'I would like to in- form the chairman there are only about three hopper scales in use in Brming- ham. They are only used by millers.' Alderman Moore-"The ordinance Is good one. The people of Birmingham have certainly been robbed long enough by certain merchants and coal dealers on short weights and measures"
 Alderman Heidt-"Mr. Drennen, you waited three and a half months to call the attention of members to the ordi- nance which, in your opinion, if properly enforced would work a hardship on the merchants of Birmingham. You certainly neglected you duty as Mayor of this city by not taking up the matter immediately. I blame you and you alone, as Mayor, for this. It is your fault solely Mayor Drennen-"That is only your opinion, Alderman Heidt. You see, how ever, the ordinance has never been en- forced.'
 Alderman Moore-"In my opinion the Mayor has the right to suspend any ordinances that he may see Tt to. Parts of the ordinance under discussion may work hardship, but there are good points In the new laws. Contractors Fees. The following resolution was introduced | and adopted:
 Be 1t resolved by the Mayor and 1 Aldermen of Birmingham, that in all | cases where a contractor is to be paid | for work done, as assessments for same are collected by the treasurer the treas urer be and is hereby authorized to pay | said money to the contractors to the run | amount of his estimates without further | order from this board" 1 The meeting then adjourned. POLICE EQUIPMENT.