The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-16
INTO THEIR POCKETS
CITIZENS MUST co
BeSsemer Board Makes Assess
mentS on Storm Sewer
TO PROHIBIT POOL ROOMS
Mayor Is Given Authority to Close BY
Proclamation All Disorderly
Houses Where intoxicating
Liquors Are Sold.
TO PROHIBIT POOL ROOMS

of the most important actions of the
Board of Aldermen, which held its regu-
lar meeting last night, was a decision
that the assessm ents on the storm sewer
be made according to the area and not
according to the valuation of the prop
erty. This is one of the livest issues
that has hung fire for a long time,
and had 1t been settled either way would
have resulted in litigation. As it is, all
property owners from fifteenth street
to Twenty-first street and from the Ala
bama Great Southern railroad to Fourth
avenue, will be assessed from SIS to $40
per lot. according to its size.
The city engineer reported that he mad
drawn up the assessments and that lots
50x140 feet are assessed $40 and the other
two smaller sizes. $35 and s28 respectively.
After the city attorney had stated that
this would be the only legal way to
carry the matter through, the report of
the engineer was adopted and February
10 set as the date to hear petitions and
complaints
Three Radical Ordinances.
Following out the radical reform pace
which the council has set recently, three
ordinances we're introduced, which If
passed will materially affect number OF
business in Bessemer.
The first ordinance introduced by Al
derman O'Garra seeks to prohibit the
running of pool rooms and billiard halls
between Alabama avenue and Fifth ave-
nue.. and between Eighteenth and Twen-
tieth streets, thus practically doing away
with pool rooms in the city, as this in
cludes the businesses portion. Such action
has been under consideration for some
time.
Another almost as radical was intro
duced, giving the Mayor authority to
close by proclamation all disorderly
houses where Intoxicating liquors are
sold This is done by way of following
up the license schedule ordinance. so that
if the agreement which petitioners for
licenses sign is not carried out, their
places can be imm ediately closed. 1t was
referred to the saloon committee.
The third and last introduced by AL
derman Lewis. aimed at the filthy bone
and fish stands on Nineteenth street,
providing for the punishment of all per-
sons who conduct or operate any place
or business in an Objectionable, unsani-
tary or unclean manner. This Will I'M
doubtedly be passed, and when such
places are closed the streets will cease
to be blocked UP with negro women
who hang around for the purpose Of
drinking beer and whisky which is handed
through a window in the rear of these
restaurants.
Sundry Petitions.
When the petitions were called for s..
B. Capps and John S. England they were
granted permission to peddle on the
streets without a license. Mr. England
very unfortunately lost his leg sometime
age ned is ',rable to do ,pi; 60 =
Tenth avenue and Twenty fourth street
that an electric light be placed on that
corner was read and the matter referred
to the street and light committee.
All of the money lenders In the city
were allowed to pay three months
license, instead of a years license, pend
ing the action of the legislature on sew
eral bills which. if passed, would practi-
cally do away with their business. The
report of the saloon committee granting
licenses to several saloons was adopted.
A committee consisting of Aldermen
Crook. Ross Chief Nolan and Mayor
Sullivan was appointed to sell the GRIP
pied stock of the fire department, con-
sisting of old Tom, the veteran fire horse,
whose leg was ruined several months
ago and a mule. They were also in
structed to buy a new horse for the fire
department.
Mayor Sulliavn was granted a leave of
absence for a few days. January 19 was
set as the date of a special meeting Of
the council at which bids for sidewalk
Improvement ordinances II, is. 10 and 20
will be received and the contract
awarded. The Bessemer Liquor company
was granted permission to pay its license
in two installments. Complaint was made
by Alderman OGara that the barber
shops are keeping open on Sunday