The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-22
COUNCIL ID GRANT
 FRANCHISE ID ROAD
Arkright Makes Speech to BeS-
 semer SoIonS
MUST HAVE THE TERMINALS
Ordinance VIII Be Drawn Calling for Big Bond Issue--Alderman Crook Seeks Investigation-other
 Bessemer News.

Bessemer May 21-(Special) 1.-The City Council met in regular session this even ing and the session was very busy one. On motion of the Mayor the regular order of business was suspended and MT. Ark right, the vice president of the Atlanta, Birmingham and Atlantic railroad, was heard from in regard to the granting of the franchise asked for by the road.
 Mr. Arkright stated that Bessemer need ed the road and that the road needed Bessemer badly as a terminus; that his road did not crave any special conces- sons at the hands of the council, but that they wanted the council to do as much for them as they had done in the past for the other roads. He stated that the road was an independent one and had no connection or agreement with any other road. The road is now $50 miles long, has ample terminal facilities at At lanta and Brunswick, and what they most needed now is a good terminal at Bes- semer.
 The road owns two concrete piers in Brunswick 400 and 700 feet long. They operate four steel freight steamers and one passenger steamer between Bruns- wick and New York.
 The road has acquired valuable coal and iron lands at Muga, and it naturally means that Bessemer would be greatly benefited.
 The road wanted the privilege of closing Alabama avenue for five blocks, and MT Arkwrght cited as an instance in that the Atlanta council had granted them the privilege of closing a street next to one of the principal streets in the city They have acquired 16O acres of land in the northwest portion of the city and 1t is proposed to erect the shops on that site The depot will be situated on Alabama avenue, somewhere between Nineteenth and Twenty second streets. MT. Ark wright stated that the original ordinance as introduced stated that franchise was wanted by the Atlanta, Birmingham and Atlantic railroad. but as a matter of fact the Atlanta, Birmingham and Atlantic railroad could not afford to make the outlay for property and rights of way that they were making, and for that req son company had been formed to be known as the Alabama Terminal Railroad
 
 if the franchise was granted, to grant it in the name of the latter company.
 He explained that he understood that ih order to have the franchise granted in the name of the latter company a new ordinance would have to be introduced, and as 1t would mean great deal Of de- lay and very heavy expense of the com- pany he asked that the council grant them the temporary right to push the frf- a,.I ft,f. tlo fal, done.
 The matter of the issuance of bonds for $l57050 for the purpose of erecting an electric plant, putting in storm sewers building a new school and adding to the fire department was read and the city att torney was instructed to prepare the necessary papers.
 A petition was read from the residents on the corner of Eighteenth street and Fifth avenue to have a hood placed around the arc light, as the light shines directly in the windows of the different houses ana was very annoying. A hoou was ordered placed around the light.
 A petition was read for @ light to be placed on Sixteenth street and Berkeley avenue, and was referred to the street and light committee.
 Alderman Crook stated that he under stood that the dirt being taken from the streets by Bigler & Co.,, who had the contract for putting down the sidewalks, was being hauled away by the teams of the city, and he wanted to know if the city was being paid for the service. The city engineer was instructed to look into the matter.
 An ordinance to compel the property owners to keep their property in good condition was read and passed Dr. Robinsom chairman of the Board of Education, asked the school committee of the council to meet with the Board of Education with reference to obtaining two or four new school rooms, as he stated there would be more scholars in the schools next year than in the past year, and 1t was very necessary that more room be obtained at once.
 Public improvement ordinance No. 21, for sidewalks, curbing and gutters, was passed