The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-08
Innocent Resolution ArouSeS All Sorts of Shaky Feelings
 on Beth Sides
MEMBERS DIVIDED ON
 FRUITSTAND QUESTION
Doctors Report on City Jals and Urge Aldermen to Take Steps to In- prove Conditions at
 Once.


 meeting of the City Council last night, went over the body like a ball out of a cannon and >aused stir, the like of which has not been seen for months | The resolution was one offered by Alder man J. R. Copeland, and when it was read before the body every alderman ! saw handwriting on the wall, but hardly knew which way to jump. The resolution, which was the life of the meeting, was one providing:
 That the Mayor of the city of Bir- mingham be instructed and is hereby or | dered to write letters to the mayors of i Bessemer, Ensley, Pratt City, Brooksde and others places in Jefferson county where liquor is being sold, together with a committee from this city, inviting them 1 to appoint a committee of five members to meet and discuss the matter of fixing the whisky license for 1soS."
 The motion in reference to the resolu- tion was that the Mayor appoint a com mittee of five members to confer with the committees from the other cities and towns, and then report back to the City | Council.
 Everybody Wanted the Floor.
 Alderman Copeland had no more than ] finished reading the resolution when every man in the council chamber was on his feet calling for the floor. Alderman Jones, who was then in the chair, recog- nized Alderman Fulghum, and the war of words began. No one seemed to under stand the motive of the introduction of the resolution, but sides were soon taken and no alderman had confidence in any other alderman. With the exception of the Mayor every member of the Council was present.
 Alderman Fulghum took the floor. and stated that he didn't like the resolution, and wanted it referred to the excise com mittee. He stated that Birmingham could take care of herself without going to Bessemer or any other place, and he saw no reason for such meeting
 When Alderman Fulghum took his seat every other alderman spoke for the floor and Alderman Stockmar was recognized "The resolution is a ridiculous one" said MT. Stockmar, and besides the Mayor of Birmingham Is not running Jefferson county"
 " Cooper arose and stated that the resolu- tion dealt with a matter which did not effect Birmingham alone, but that the whole of Jefferson county was interested in the matter of a prohibition fight For this reason he stated that Birmingham might call in her neighbors and see what they thought"
 This was the first time the word pro hibition' was mentioned although each preceding alderman conveyed the idea in his words that the resolution was one which had reference to the wardlng off of the prohibition fight which is scheduled to come tis fall.
 Following MT. Cooper, Alderman John L. Parker succeeded in securing the floor, and took the first stand In favor of the prohibition faction.
 Looks On 1t With Suspicion.
 Alderman Parker stated that he looked with suspicion on the resolution, on &C., count of the side of the house which 1t came from. He said he always suspected anything that came from that side of the house that is Mir Copeland's sde
 Alderman Parker then added: We prohibitionists have attempted to keep down the whisky license for a definite reason" Some of the members on the suspected side, he stated, had tried to run it up to ward off the prohibition fight, but he said, i've have been keeping the license down because we want the prohibition fight. The Council does not want to oppose the prohibition fight"
 Alderman Moore then spoke up and asked MT. Parker If he was ready to vote on the question of prohibition.
 Certainly, I am. Are you?" was Alderman Parker's reply.
 MT. Moore replied to Alderman Park CTS question in the affirmative, adding that he was glad Mir. Parker had been converted.
 Thank God we have had one con vertion to prohibition" called out AL edrman Moore. [
 Thank God I am converted" was Alderman Parker's reply.
 Alderman O'Neill then stated that it was matter of foolishness to put the proposition before the small towns, as, Judging from previous action on their part, they would ignore the proposition.
 Alderman Estes then took the floor, and stated that the resolution had come as surprise to the council and here he took action to table the resolution. He offered a substitute to Alderman Copelands resolution, providing that the resolution be referred to the excise committee. Considerable discussion fol- lowed and when a vote was taken 1t was almost unanimous to table the substitute and finally Alderman Cope lands resolution was referred to the excise committee, instead of the rules being suspended and action taken by the council.
 Divided On Fruit Stands.
 Another matter which caused the council to divide up and take opposite sides was the matter of allowing a fruit stand to be installed on the Dar- gan, or Dude saloon corner on Second avenue and Twentieth street. A motion to refer the matter to the miscellane- ous committee was defeated and tabled. Alderman Estes then presented a peti- tion to the council, signed by all ex- cept three merchants on Second avenue between Nineteenth and Twentieth streets asking that fruit stand on the corner in question be not allowed. ArRnmants for and against the allow