The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-15
ARRESTS ARE MADE
 BY CHIEF SUGGS Railway Employees Held tor
 Trial at EnsIey WILL MAKE A TEST CASE Legal Decision Is Desired as to Basis Upon Which to Determine the Amount of License Taxes
 to Be Paid.

Ensley. February 4.-tspecial.) )-F'our conductors, one on each of the four lines of the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company operating in this city, and the local agent of the company were arrested by Chief of Police D. E. suggs today on the charge of operating busi- ness without having first secured license.
 Each of the five men arrested made bond and there was but a few minutes delay in the operation of the cars. The cases are set for hearing before Mayor Scott in police court tomorrow morning. It is understood that attorneys repre- senting the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company will be present to de- fend it's men and it is also understood that the defendant company will take an appeal from the inevitable decision of Mayor Scott to the higher courts.
 While, of course no definite advance statement is made by the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company it is the natural conclusion under the con ditions surrounding the case that the appeal will be taken to the criminal court of Jefferson county. Indeed 1t is under stood that this is the contemplated plan of the company's attorneys.
 Final Decision Desired.
 From the criminal court the case will almost certainly go to the supreme court of Alabama, where final decision will be sought.
 
 While it is understood that the Birming- ham Railway, Light and Power company has withheld the payment of the license tax in most of the towns through which it operates. The arrests in Ensley today is the first movement that has been made to force the payment and it is under stood that this will constitute test case for the purpose of securing decision as to an equitable basis upon which to as- sess such license taxes.
 The license assessed by the city of Ens- ley against the Birmingham Railway, Light and Pawer company is 5000
 Council Meets Tonight.
 The City Council of Ensley will meet tonight and the most important business to be considered will be the annual elec- tion of officers in all departments of the city administration outside the Mayor and members of the council.
 Several contests are scheduled in the various offices and the election promises to be very interesting.
 It is said that the results in some Of the contests are very uncertain and it is very probable that the session will be attended by a large number of spectators and friends of the various candidates. Another matter of importance that will engage the attention of the members will be resolution to pave two of tho principal business streets of the city. The resolution has been prepared and will be introduced tomorrow night.
 Lyceum Entertainment.
 Mary II. Hammer, a noted entertainer, will appear at the opera house in this city Friday night under the auspices of the Ladies' Aid society of the First Meth odst church.
 This is the last of q series of five public entertainments that is being given by the ladies of the Methodist church, and 1t promises to be one of the most interesting and best attended.
 Most of the tickets for the entertain ment have already been taken and the att tendance promises to be above the aver age for such affairs in this city.
 Mrs. Hammer has a wide reputation as public entertainer and all who attend are promised an evening of rare enjoy ment.
 Notes and Personals. Alderman J. l.. Brierton left tonight for Cleveland, Ohio, where he will remain for several days on business. | Steel City Lodge, Knights of Pythias, 1 held a very interesting meeting last nigh. | which was attended by number of prom | nent visitors from Birmingham, Bessemer and Fairview. Appropriate addresses were made by Judge B. Clay Jones of Besse- mer. J. C. Elder of Birmingham and oth- | CTS. After the business of the evening had been dispensed with refreshments were | served and a social session was enjoyed. | A number of valentine parties of social 1 interest were held in the city tonight.
 ]. w Morgan and daughter, Miss Vera, will leave Saturday for Macon, where thev will spend several days visiting l friends and relatives.