The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-04-20
VIII Probably Go in at the Next Regular City Council
 Meeting
ALDERMAN WARD HOPES ID
 EFFECT 4 CONSOLIDATION
His Motion Was Voted Down Last Night By One Vote--Site Given for United States Weather Ob-
 servatory in Park.

The City Council at its meeting last night did not receive the resignation of City Treasurer G. c. Engstfeld as was ex- pected. MT. Engstfeld several weeks ago made known his intention of resigning from the position in order to engage in other business.
 MT. Engstfed was present at the meet ing. It is said that he had the resigna- tion In his pocket, and that 1t was in fact turned over to City Clerk J. c. Mur- ra~ to be read before the City Council, but was twice withdrawn. This is said to have been done by MT. Engstfeld at the solicitation of Aldermen George B. Ward and other members of the City Council. The resignation will probably be presented at the meeting of the City Council-May s-when Mayor-elect Ward and the new members of the counicil are sworn in. It is stated. however, at the city hall that the old council, headed by Mayor Drennen will receive the resignation and fill the vacancy.
 The City Council by a vote of 9 to 8 turned down a resolution offered by AL derman Ward to consolidate the offices of City Clerk and City Tax Collector on May 3. This is what has been termed the now almost famous combination resolution. It has proven to be the hardest fight that MT. Ward and his friends in the council have had for some time past The meaning of the resolu- ton is that should it be adopted Judge ]. T. Garreston, the present city tax col lector, would be dropped and that the combined office with a snug salary would be offered to George Euatis. who served for many years as city treasurer and city tax collector. The final defeat of the combination" resolution probably means the retention of Judge Garreston and the promotion of City Clerk Murray to the office of City Treasurer
 Wards Motion Defeated.
 The City Council last night defeated motion to refer the combination" resolu- ton to the finance committee. and then by a narrow margin killed it as a whole. Near the end of the meeting however, Alderman John w. o'Neill friend of the measure, re-introduced it and. there was no opposition to its being referred to the finance committee for consideration.
 Mayor Drennen presided at the meeting
  ci was present with the exception of Alderman Henry B. Gray of the Eighth ward and Alderman Robert II. Thach of the Seventh ward
 Just after the report of the finance com mittee introduced the following resolu- ton:
 Be it resolved, That on and after May 3. 1905, the separate departments known as
 "Office of city tax collector,
 "Office of city treasurer,
 'Be consolidated into one department and operated under direction of one of- ficer to be designated as the city treas- urer and the tax collector"
 Alderman ward moved the adoption of the resolution and this was quickly sec- onded by Alderman O'Neill. Alderman John R. Copeland of Fourth ward said that he understood Capt. J. w. Bush was present with a petition regarding the pro- posed consolidation of the two of- fees.
 Captain Bush Explains.
 Captain Bush was granted the privilege of the floor. and he. as chairman of committee appointed from Camp W. J. Onlleu COnteu0Fate NeleTHNSt presented a petition signed by sixty-fve members of the camp, asking that Judge Garretson be retained as city tax col lector, position to which he was elect ed for the year 1905,' as he expressed it. Captain Bush said that the camp always appreciated it whenever a comrade was elected to office by the people or by legislative bodies. He argued that Judge Garretson should be retained from a moral point of view, if not a legal one. The petition was filed with tEe city clerk. Alderman Greener: "This Is a very in- terestng matter, and l think that we should have as much light on the sub ject as is possible. I, for one. would like to hear from other members of the board"
 Alderman Moore; "Mr. Chairman, do not think that this is the proper time for the Alderman from the Second ward to intorduce his resolution. The time is not r1o