The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-21
COUNCIL IN SERENE SESSION AFTER SIX WEEKS INACTIVITY Parker PresideS and Mayer Spends the Evening in
 His Office
ONLY MINOR SUBJECTS
 UP FOR CONSIDERATION
Clerk Murray's Resignation Accepted With Regret, and Flagmen Ordered Stationed at Certain Crossings.
 Wards Recommendations.

After six weeks in the land of nod the one-time board of aldermen awoke last night a full fedged, gray bearded city council. Feeling around on the ground, it found that it's trusty matchlock had fallen to pieces. The councils bones were aching and it's joints stiff.
 However, it picked up it's knotted staff and shambled on down to business. where it had long been forgotten. Poor Rip
 Three sessions were held last night in the council chamber. The first and second were merely adjourned meetings, which were taken up with making assessments final. In the last meeting recommenda- tions from Mayor Ward were received, Clerk J. c. Murray's resignation was ac- cepted, fiagmen were ordered at certain crossings, and other minor business was transacted.
 President Parker's Entrance.
 The feature of the evening was the en- trance of President John L. Parker Six weeks ago he called the council to order by standing on a chair and rapping with his pencil on a post, afterward being put out of the room. Last night he walked to the rostrum, took the gavel in his hand and declared "The city council will please come to order'
 It did. Present were Aldermen R. D. Burnett, J. G. Greener, John w. O'Neill. Simon Klotz, R. H. Eggleston, Walter Moore, J. R. Copeland, B. H. Cooper, w. R. Gum, John c. Forney, F. "A. Full ghum, c. c. Heidt, M J. Gregg, Harry Jones' D. A. Hogan, and G. H. Estes. Absent, Stockmar. Mayor Ward was in his office but did not attend the council meeting.
 Not once during the night was that oft repeated word illegal heard on the lips of a single alderman. Communications from the mayor was the first item on the programme. These were read and re- ferred to the finance, judiciary, and rail- way committees.
 Mayor Makes Recommendation
 November 20 1907. To the Board of Aldermen, City:
 Gentlemen: I hereby recommend that the office of inspector of weights and measures be either abolished or placed on a self-sustaining basis I am advised by the city attorney that the law is now in such shape that this can be done.
 In order to keep up with the heavy building operations and to provide proper inspections there was appointed tempo rarily last spring an assistant to the building inspector; also to the electrical inspector; also an additional sanitary in- spector; also an inspector to keep up with plumbers ditches and other excavations made in our streets
 I herewith ask the board to advise me whether these assistants shall be retained or released from service.
 It has become necessary to settle the differences between the health officer and the meteorological and meat and milk de- pertinent. In order to prevent further friction and conflict of authority between them I herewith ask the board to desig- nate the official head of said department and define his powers.
 Enclosed find letter from Chief Bennett in regard to use of cement blocks. His recommendation should be given vigorous and prompt attention. Respectfully,
 c. WARD, Mayor.
 November 20, 1907. To the Board of Aldermen, City:
 Gentlemen: You are herewith advised that SIS, 662.O2 was placed to the credit of the sinking fund account of the Mayor ana AlOeffnen or BlrmnSndm on OctOner 22, 1907, in the Birmingham Trust and Savings Bank at 3 per cent per annum. For account of this fund on November 6 there was purchased 5000 City of Bir- mngham per cent bonds, due 1922, at lO5 and interest. At this price these bonds net 51a per cent per annum.
 l herewith ask that above transaction be ratified and suggest that if further purchases of bonds can be made that will net the city 51a per cent or better that same be done.
 In regard to this fund recommend that the city attorney be instructed to draw an ordinance providing for it's safety and proper handling by the city authorities; also providing for the custody and hand- ling of such bonds as may be purchased for it's account.
 This fund must necessarily grow to larger proportions as the years go by, and too many safeguards cannot be thrown around it. Respectfully, G. WARD, Mayor.
 Bennett's Recommendation. 'MayOr George Ward