The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-04-21


 that Mir Ward. who is taking active steps in the treasuryship matter probably recog- nized that it would not be a wise move as far as he was concerned for the letter of resignation to go in and therefore de- layed the decisive step.
 cohinati.n Proposition.
 Alderman Ward is fathering the proposition known as the "combina- tion." which if adopted will consolidate the offices of city treasurer and of city tax collector Mr Ward has number of active friends in the City Couneial, and infact if he could have mustered one more vote at the meeting Wednesday night his consolidation idea would have been reality.
 It now remains to be seen whether or not Alderman Ward can gain another vote at the next meeting as well as hold his present strength. If he holds his own and gains another vote from the opposi- tion the indications point very strongly to the consolidation of the two offices, and that George Eustis will be offered the position at a good salary, $200 or S225 per month. On the other hand if the combination plan is defeated J. c. Mur- ray seems sure to be elected as MT. Engst- felds successor.
 MT. Ward in no uncertain terms has sounded the slogan of retrenchment at the city hall when he assumes the municipal reins early next month. He has declared from the floor of the City Council that he intends to get results and the other members of the council will do well to join it." His first movements as Mayor will therefore, be looked forward with keen interest with those who keep their eyes on affairs at the city hall.
 As tc Public Parks.
 The City Council has disposed of the matter of naming four public parks. but there are others to be named. This mat the committee on public parks held We'd nesday afternoon. when a report was made to the City Council. Two of the largest parks in the city known now as West End park and East End park, will be given other names, sometime in the future, although it may be long time off Efforts have been on foot for some time past to have the former named in honor of Alderman Thomas Wheeler of the First ward, who has been the chair man of the parks committee for several years. Mayor Drennen has been one of the most enthusiastic supporters of this movement and declared that in his opin- ion the park should be named Wheeler park.
 Behrens park is to be cleared up and put in good condition by the street forces un- der the direction of Commissioner McCar- tin At the next meeting of the City Coun- cil commissioner for this park will be appointed and within a few months the park will be in good condition and will be kept so.
 Congressman Underwood will be notified that the recommendation of the park com mittee with reference to giving reserva- tion in Capitol park as a site for the proposed Weather Bureau observatory. and it is expected that he will take up the matter with the proper authorities in the department of agriculture at an early date. The weather bureau building will cost somewhere in the neighborhood of S10 GOO when completed.
 The first payment will probably be made by the city of Birmingham on certain property in Norwood Place condemned for streets and avenues. The property is owned partly by Mrs. Walter Moore and the city will pay s300O to the owners for the same The first payment of $500 will be in cash and notes for $500 for six, twelve, eighteen, twenty-four. etc.. months will be made until the property Is paid for. This was the subject of a lively n hp (itU Clnpoi1 Wadnpa- day night. Alderman Ward opposing until invested by the finance and judiciary com mittees. One or two other aldermen also opposed 1t.