The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-07
HEID1'S CHARGES SIR
UP MANY POLITICIANS
contlnued iron FIfth Paael

Continued from Firth Pane)
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futed the charge made by Mr. HEIDI that
In enforcing It, the Mayor had been guilty
OF discrimination.
Mr.. Murray pointed out that the
weights and measures ordinance con-
tained no section that directed the Mayor
to purchase weights and measures and
that In the absence OF such provision
the Mayor was inhibited from making the
purchases. In support of this view of the
case Mr.. Murray opened volume and
pointed to these words in section 20 of
the city code:
"chaIrman May Contract Debts."
1.-THE chairman Of the various commit
tees, and no one else. except the auditor,
as hereafter appears, without special au-
thprity from the board may contract
debts to an amount not more than s25,
between the regular meetings of the
board, for anything within the soopt of
their respective powers and duties. but
the same must be reported to the first
regular meeting of the board thereafter"
Mr.. Murray thought that this provision
in the city code prohibited the Mayor
from purchasing the sets of weights and
m measures. There was no provision In the
weights and measures ordinance that
empowered the Mayor to make the pur-
chases, and without such a provision the
Mayor was, according to the city code,
prohibited from making the purchases.
Mr. Murray thought these facts furnished
convincing refutation of Mr.. Heidts
ol,o ,f y. H..
ment of the ordinances.
Now" said Mr. Murray '1et me say
a word regarding the letter written to
members of the board December 20 by
the Mayor On that day was called into
the Mayors office. With him at the time
was Mr.. A. j. Hall, the inspector of
weights and measures. The Mayor held an
undated letter. written in pencil. In his
hand. The letter was signed by Mr.. Hall
and read as follows:
+" Mr.. Drennen:-I thought l would call
your attention to ordering weights and
measures to commence inspection on the
first of January. If you have not ordered
them I think it would be a good idea
to order from Fairbanks a regular in
spectors outfit of weights. I would like
very much to go to work promptly on the
first, as you know I have already lost
two months time. By giving this your
attention you will greatly oblige yours,
ETC., A. j. HALL, Inspector.
1.-THE Mayor held up tina. letter and
said he was in doubt what to do He said
he wanted to do the right thing, but
he didn't have a clear idea of what the
weights and measures ordinance required
I brought him copy of the ordinance
The Mayor then asked Mr. Hall If the
ordinance required the inspector to in
spect the fixed measures In the stores.
such. for instance, as the yard measures,
indicated by lacks driven in the counters,
anG he asked him If the ordinance en-
powered the inspector to charge a fee for
examining these fixed measures. Mr.. Hall
said 1t did. The Mayor said he didn't think
that was fair, and he didn't believe the
board so understood 1t when the ordi-
nance was passed. So he told Mr.. Hall to
wait till he dhe Mayor could bring the
matter to the boards attention. And that
very day he dictated the circular let
ter to members of the Board-the letter
which Mr. Heidi says he didn't receive
and which, he also says, proves that the
Mayor Disseminated in the enforcement
of the ordinance.
II feel" said Mr.. Murray in conclusion,
that, inasmuch as the Mayor is out of
town. and inasmuch as l am acquainted
with these facts in the case. 1 should
make this statement"
Weights and Measures Ordinance.
Here are principal provisions of the
weights and measures ordinance:
Sec 3. Be it further ordained, That it
shall be the duty of said inspector, by
himself or by deputy, to inspect test,
measure or weigh and mark all articles Of
commerce or merchandise usually inspect
ed, tested, weighed or measured, and par
ticularly to inspect, test, weigh and meas
ure and mark the articles hereinafter
named 1t shall likewise be the duty of
the Inspector to have, keep and preserve
all instruments, standard weights and
measures books, etc, belonging to his
Office and to deliver all such as belong
10 the city to his successor in office or
to the Mayor or his order
Sec. 3. Be it further ordained, That he
shall not deal or trade In any articles
subject to inspection, weight, measure
ment or test by the ordinances of the
city, neither for himself or as agent, and
shall never solicit or interfere in any
trade, sale or purchase between others.
And any inspector who shall violate this
section shall be fined not less than $25
nor more than 800, and such act shall
be just cause of removal from office.
Sec. 4. When called upon by any person
or persons he shall inspect and mark
oils or liquors of any description in
tierces, casks. barrels or kegs; any flour,
sugar, molasses, lard, tallow or butter
by the barrel, half barrel, keg or firkin;
any pork or beef by the fierce or barrel
or any other articles of produce herein
after enumerated; and such articles shall
be subject to voluntary inspection only.
Sec. 5. All stove coal sold by retail in
this city shall be sold by weight, and
when coal shall be sold by car or offered
to be sold, or in such quantities as to
make it greatly inconvenient to be weigh
ed, the Inspector may gauge 1t, and it
shall be sold accordingly.
Sec. 6. 1t shall be his duty to try, test
and correct the weights. measures. scales,
steelyards and cloth measures of all mer-
chants in the city or others who buy or
sell any article of commerce by such
scales, measures and for trying, testing
and correcting as aforesaid the inspector
shall keep correct steelyards, etc, in his
office of the same quantity. weight and
standard as are fixed by the laws of the
state of Alabama
Sec. s. And no dealer shall measure or
sell or buy any article except by such
marked measure. or by scales, weights.
steelyards or cloth measures stamped by
the said inspector every three months
is required to pay over, at the end of
each wall all poIIectiopa in hie hands