The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-02
BIRMINGHAM BELT GETS A FRANCHISE Will be Permitted to Lay Track
 on Thirteenth Street NEW NAME FOR PARK Square at Magnolia Street and Tenth Avenue to Be Called Magnolia
 Park"-Routine Busi-
 ness Transacted.

Upon the payment of 5000 the Birming- ham Belt railroad will be granted per mission to lay tracks on Thirteenth street from First avenue to Fifth avenue
 This decision was reached by the City Council last night, and was based on a report of the joint committee on Judiciary and railways which met in the mayors s office in the afternoon.
 The work will be done under the di- rection of the city engineer, and the con- tract will be made under the direction Of the city attorney and the city engineer
 There was considerable discussion in the committed room before the decision to grant the franchise was reached. It was pointed out that the Frisco already mas tracks from Fifth avenue to Ninth ave- nue, and the motion to grant the eXten- sion finally prevailed. When the report reached the council there was little dis cussion.
 Business Transacted.
 Although last nights session or the council was short, considerable business of importance was transacted. The meet ing was called to order by Mayor Ward at 730 o'clock. and there was good at tendance. During the evening delega- tion from Little Rock entered the room and occupied seats until adjournment The delegation included the mayor Of T nH of street com missioners.
 Reports from the meat and milk in- spection department of the city showed that s3s9S7 had been collected in fees dur ing the month.
 The plumbing inspector reported s3so.5o.
 Assessments under several improvement ordinances were ascertaned and the as- easements under two were confirmed
 Magnolia Park. A resolution of Alderman Heidt of the Seventh ward to have the park at Mag nolia street and Tenth avenue named Magnolia Park caused each alderman to explain his vote. A delegation of citi- zens from the Seventh ward was pres ent, and R. B. Smyer acted as spokes- T. %-- the vicinity would purchase 100 magnolia trees and make other improvements II the council would allow them to call it Magnolia park. He said that 1t was the intention of the residents to employ a landscape gardener and beautify the square.
 When put to vote the mayor and a number of aldermen failed to vote. Alder man J. D. Copeland said he understood | the square had always been called Dren- nen park, and he saw no reason why It should be changed. He declared that the magnolias would be just as fragrant and bloom just as pretty in Drennen park as in Magnolia park. Others were of the same opinion, but the motion to call 1t Magnolia finally prevailed. Alderman Heidt also introduced an ordi- nance having to do with the improvement of one of the streets running near the park and S. B. Weekly was named by the council to act as park commissioner. | without salary. The police commission will be asked to give him the power of arrest.
 After the city engineer was instructed to advertise for bids under certain im- provement ordinances, Alderman klotz introduced a resolution with reference to the placing of lights at railroad cross ings, and at places where railroad and street car lines intersect. It was in the shape of an amendment to have the lights placed at the expense of the rail- road or street car company having the most tracks.
 The matter of issuing bonds in the sum of s55OO for the work under improvement ordinance No. 145, was referred to the judiciary committee.
 The following reports were submitted and approved: