The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-19
Estes Charges That An Alder man 'rofted By Purchase
 0fAvenue D Property
COMMITTEE NAMED TO
 LOOK INTO FORNEY CASE
Cooper Offers Resolution Stating That an Alderman Is Employed By Corporation Operating Un-
 der City Franchises.

On information furnished by G. H. Estes. Mayor Ward requested the City Council at it's meeting last night to ap- point @ committee to make an investiga- ton of the charge that 9 member of the council had profted financially in recent deal whereby the city became possessed of half block on Avenue D.
 In addition to appointing this commit tee, the council appointed another com mittee to investigate, to the fullest ex- tent the Eleventh ward land deal where in Alderman Forney held an option on property the city was preparing to ac. quire
 A resolution by Alderman Cooper to the effect that a member of the board, contrary to the laws of the state, was employed by a corporation operating un- der a city franchise, and that this fact should be investigated was referred to the city attorney and the judiciary com mittee
 Save the Eleventh ward land deal, no names were mentioned. The fact, how eyer, that Alderman Klotz is referred to in the Estes charge is common knowl- edge, and that Alderman Greener is the man referred to in the Cooper resolu- ton, and that the corporation referred to is the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company is fact.
 The committee appointed to investigate the Eleventh ward land deal is com- posed of Alderman Heidt, chairman, and Alderman Estes, Hogan, Starbuck and Stockmar.
 The committee appointed to investi- gate the charge that an alderman profit ed financially in the Avenue D land deal consists of Alderman Cooper, chair man, and Aldermen Copeland, D. R., Copeland ]. k. Morgan and Martin.
 The communication of the mayor in ref erence in the Avenue D matter follows:
 November Is, 1908. To the Honorable, The City Council of Birmingham.
 Gentlemen: Herwith find communiea- tion from George H. Estes, alderman from Ninth ward, which states that relia- ble information is in his possession which shows that a member of your body profited financially in a transaction be- tween the city of Birmingham and the Birmingham Realty company.
 Referring to said letter an investigation of our records shows that on June D. l9Oi, the City Council instructed the mayor to buy F block on Avenue D between Fourteenth and Fifteenth street from the Birmingham Realty company for $l6,Voo at per cent per annum.
 As far as the city authorities knew there was not any intermediate party to the trade or the necessity for any as negotiations were carried on direct With the realty company.
 A charge so serious as the one here made demands an investigation in jus
 
 GEORGE WARD, Mayor.
 The information furnished by Alderman Estes follows:
 November Is. 1908. Hon. George B. Ward, Mayor Birming- ham, Ala.
 Dear Sir: Information has reached me, direct from credible sources, that an al derman has concealed financial interests in the purchase by the city of the one half block of property on Avenue D be- ween Fourteenth and Fifteenth streets, for which the city paid sl6,OOO.
 I furnish you with this information so that you can take such action as you '0i'''''-- ~ c. H. ESTES.
 The Mayors communication in reference to the Eleventh ward matter follows: November 1T 1908. Hon. c. C. Hedt, Chairman Special Com
 mittee City Council of Birmingham. Dear Sir: In carrying out your commit tees instructions to close trade Tor io acres of land in East Birmingham With Felix l. Tarrant for $20,000, it developed that an option for $16,000 for the same property was in the hands Of two or three intermediate parties. A more direct investigation developed the fact that a member of the Board or Aldermen controlled this option and the distribution of the $4000 profit; therefore I refused to go further with the matter, and hereby refer same to your honorable body with request that an investigation be ordered at once
 I also herewith transmit an option to the same property to the city of Birming- ham from the owners thereof for $16,00O. This option is good until December l7, 190s Respectfully
 GEORGE B. WARD, Mayor.
 The Cooper resolution, which refers to Alderman Greener follows
 Whereas, It is known that one of the members of the City Council is an em- ploye of the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company and,
 Whereas. Section 1175 of the Code of All abama provides that no alderman of any municipality shall accept employment, after his selection and uring his term of office from any public service corpora ton or company operating under any franchise granted by a municipality, and that any alderman accepting such em- ployment after such election, thereby va cates his office: Now. therefore, be it
 Resolved by the City Council of Bir- minghsm as follows: That the City Coun- cil of Birmingham ascertain whether or not the office of such alderman has been vacated by reason of such employment.