The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-05
BESSEMER CITY
COUNCIL MEETS
Railroad Franchise Is Discussed
BY the Members
REPORTS BY OFFICIALS
Waterworks Committee Report Is Car
ried Over and City Warden's Re-
port on Bad Jail Is Received
and Commented Upon.

Bessemer February 4.-(Special.) 1.-The
Bessemer City Council met this evening
and those present at the meeting were
Mayor Rush, Aldermen Winters, Lewis,
Ed1nundson Batson, Long, Ross, Thomas
and Copeland
The most important matters that came
up for consideration was the granting of
the franchise to the Atlanta, Birmingham
and Atlantic Railroad company for the
Birmingham Railway Light and Power
company to run a line along Second ave-
nue.. After much discussion as to wheth-
er or not the granting of the franchise
would in any way conflict with that al
ready granted the Tidewater Develop
ment company 1t was decided that the re-
port of the street railway committee should
be accepted. This was done and the or
dinance was passed as read. This ends
the trouble up TO date of the now famous
Atlanta, Birmingham and Atlantic rail-
road, and it is not thought that they will
experience any more trouble.
Some question was raised as to whether
or not the Atlanta, Birmingham and At
lantic railroad would be forced to pay
for any crossings that might in the fu-
ture be put down by the Tidewater De-
velopment company.
On Paper Only.
AS every one knows this Tidewater CON-
pany is simply a matter of paper and
T. T. Huey stated on behalf of the rail-
road company that he did not see why the
railroad should be expected to help look
after the interests of the development
company. This argument took place after
an amendment was offered to the original
ordinance by Alderman Edmundson. He
was turned down as was also the amend
ment.
The next best thing was the report of
the special committee that was ap-
pointed by Mayor Rush to take the
matter of transfers from the Jonesboro
line to the North and South Bessemer
lines up with President Ford of the
Birmingham Railway, Light and Power
company. 1t has all along been under
stood that If the electric company
would agree to allow these transfers
that the city would not raise their
license for the year of 1908.
In consideration of the fact that
President Ford agreed to allow the
transfers that the amount of the license
for this year should remain the same
as it was last year.
There were a number of petitions and
complaints but since this is nothing
unusual for the council they were &C
Cepteu as q matter Oh ldcl. Inc ISpOIl
of the chief of police for the month
of January was read and received as in
formation.
The report of the city detectives for
the month of January was read and
received as information.
The report of the day warden for the
month of January was read and re-
ceived as information.
Reports of Officials.
The report of the keeper of live stock
was read and received as information.
C. L. Young a cripple, will be allowed
to conduct a moving picture show on
Second avenue for six months without
being forced to pay any license.
The petition of J. NJ Cousins, in
which he stated that he would like to
know what amount of license he would
have to pay in order to conduct mar
ket on Second avenue. near Twenty
first street, was referred to the marke.
committee.
The purchasing agent of the city was
given the power of purchasing 500 feer
of fire hose, provided that the sample
as submitted came up to the required
specifications.
The following report of the cemetery
committee was adopted regarding the or
dinance that was introduced by Alderman
Lewis, and as he stated at the time OF the
introduction, "by request
Having conferred with various citizens,
the general opinion seems to be that this
ordinance is useless. The cemetery com
mittee having dug the grave for this ordi-
nance. we herewith ask the council to
consign the ordinance to the grave, and
ask that DR.. Winters, who moved TO
refer the ordinance to this committee,
lead the funeral services.
J.. A. LEWIS, Chairman
e. d. THOMAS,
IT, j. LONG.