The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-22

would like very much to get an express sion from the Mayor and the members he would be glad to vote for the grant of the franchise. The matter was refer red to the judiciary committee, and every member of the board present stated that he would be glad to vote for the frant- ing of the fre nchise at the proper time. Mir. DennIs stated in this connection that his main object in asking the question arose from the fact that the road had been badly handicapped in the last few weeks from the fact that they did not care to keep on with the work unless they could feel assured that they would receive a favorable answer when the matter came up. This puts an end to the much mooted question. and the road now has a chance to prove just how quickly 1t can have the Birmingham Rail- way, Light and Power company's cars running along Second avenue.
 Ask For License Reduction.
 MT. Harris on behalf of the Birming ham Railway Light and Power company, stated that the company did not feel that they could afford to pay the proposed increased license. He stated that last year they paid to the city of Bessemer sl91S, and this year, on account of the intangible tax which had been assessed, they would be compelled to pay s2s53, or an increase of s935.6O over last year.
 In making up the license schedule for the year 1908 the council decided that the company should be raised $500 per year for the railway license and $500 per year for the lighting license, thus making an actual increase over last year of $1935. MT. Harris then said that the com pany was more than willing to do any thing in reason, but that they did feel that this would be too much. The ques- tion of granting transfers from the North Bessemer to the South Bessemer cars and from the Jonesboro line to either of these lines then came up for discussion. MT Harris stated that the company was perfectly willing to grant the transfers from the North to the South Bessemer cars, provided that the other $1000 was not tackled onto the license, but that the company did not feel that the business that was being done on the Jonesboro line at the present time would justify them In giving transfers to and from this line. Nothing was done regarding the reduction of the license, but com mittee consisting of Messrs. Lewis, Bat son and Thomas was appointed by the Mayor to take the matter of the Jones' boro transfers up with the company and see if some satisfactory agreement could not be reached. The clerk was then in- structed to call upon the power company for partial payment on their license for the present year
 mild sensation was sprung when one ardent citizen arose and stated that he hoped the council would raise the com pany's license to s50OO per year, unless they could be made to give transfers and better lights. Everyone decided that he was out of order and was taking up good time for nothin6
 Petitions and Complaints.
 A petition was read from the contrac- tors in the city in which they asked that their license be reduced. This was re- ferred to the miscellaneous committee. Regular order of business was then gone into. Water works committee recom- mended that a fire main be run out to the works of the Bessemer Erie Brick company. The report was adopted and the matter will be taken up with the water works company.
 duced from $50 per year to s35. The pro- duce license was made $50 per year. The wholesale meat license was reduced from s25O per year to $50.
 The license for telegraph companies do- ing business in the city was left as it was originally.
 The report from Engineer McInary re- garding the installation of another large sewer was received as information.
 The report of the engineer regarding the laying of some new sidewalks in the city was also received as information. but he