The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-01-24
REDUCTIONS MADE
IN LICENSE TAXES
BeSsemer Council ReconSiderS
Several Items of Increase
WANT LOWER INSURANCE
w. II. Dennis and others viii Go to
Atlanta in the Interest of Cheaper
Fire Insurance at Bes-
semer.

Bessemer January 2s.-The City Council
OF Bessemer opened its heart in special
session tonight and reduced a number of
the license taxes that had been Increased
in the making of the 1906 schedule
Following are the reductions made to-
night:
Steam railways reduced from $500 to
$3.50.
General contractors reduced from $50 to
sS5. An exception was made in the case
of Mr.. Billiard who asked that he be
relieved of all license on account Of his
being a Confederate veteran. The relief
was granted on condition that he formed
no partnership.
Fire insurance companies doing business
in the city reduced from S25 TO so.
Pawnbrolxers and moneylenders reduced
from $500 to $3.50. Or in other words a
tax of $40 for one of these branches al
lows the firm or person to engage in both
under the same license.
C. E. Jones and W. H. Dennis protested
against assessment of license against indi-
vldual members of one firm of insurance
agents. After SOME discussion the ordl-
nance was changed so as TO assess only
individuals, firms and corporations.
In his address Mr.. Dennis stated that
he had been appointed as a committee of
one by the board of trade at a meeting
this afternoon TO request the City Coun-
ell to appoint a committee to join him
self as a general committee to call upon
the members of the Southeastern Tariff
association In Atlanta i'm the interest of d
reduction of the insurance rate in this
city. Just before the close of the ses-
sion, Mayor Sullivan appointed the fol-
lowing on that committee: Rudolph Wege-
lin, G. L. Van Trump and w. F. Nolan.
Want Cheaper Rates.
1t was stated by Mr.. Dennis that Bes-
semer could secure a reduction in the
fire insurance rate by enforcing some
| needful rules in the way of having old
wooden exposure removed and cleaning up
the premises of business houses. He stated
that he believed small reduction could
be secured on the basic rate by going
| after 1t and that the rate could be ma
terially reduced by cleaning up and tear
ing away unsafe buildings.
| After the reduction in the license sched-
| ule had been made resolution was
adopted that no other petitions asking for
| reductions would be considered. A petition
! from Councilman O'Gara, who was absent
| on account of Illness, was then presented
by Councilman Crook, but was disallowed
on account of the final action just taken
| by the council.
Mayor Desires information.
Mayor Sullivan asked for instructions
as to the charging of separate licenses
for saloons operated by one concern but
in adjoining rooms which are connected
! by a door. He stated that the city at
! torney had held that under the provisions
of the code such places should be consid-
cred as separate saloons and should be
| taxed accordingly but he wanted a con-
struction on the question from the mem
bers of the council.
On account of the absence of Council
man O'Gara who, 1t was stated. is in
terested in the matter, motion was in
troduced. by Councilman Lewis that the
question be deferred until the next meet
ing, when Mr.. OGara would likely be
present and could defend his position.
Ex-Mayor Huey was called upon for
his construction of the matter and he
stated that while such saloons had here
tofore been treated and licensed as one
saloon he believed the law was other
wise and that under the provisions of
the code they should be taxed as two
separate saloons. A vote was taken and
the matter was passed until the next
meeting.
An ordinance providing for the regula-
ton of sanitary service closets intro
duced by Councilman Van Trump, was
referred to the judiciary committee.
All members of the council were present
except Mr.. OGara.
Notice to Odd Fellows.
To the Members of Bessemer Lodge 100,
Independent Order of Odd Fellows
You are hereby notified to be at our
hall in Bessemer at l o'clock p. M, today
to attend the funeral of our deceased
brother, j. r. Wick who died this morn
ing at o'clock. All odd Fellows are
requested to attend
]. L. OWENS, N. G.
Notes and Personals.
At the regular meeting of the Besse-
mer Board of Trade held in the city hall
this afternoon about twenty-five members
were present. Several matters of import
! ance were discussed by the members but
nothing of Importance was definitely dis
posed of except the appointment of w. II.
Dennis as committee of one to secure
committee from the City Council and
call upon the Southeastern Tariff associa-
tion In Atlanta in the interest of a reduce
ton in the fire insurance rate in this