The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-02-16
LIVELY TIMES AT
 BESSEMER COUNCIL Alderman Ross Filings Out
 Some Graft Charges
CONTRACT IS CANCELLED
Claim Made That City Would Be Com peIIed to Purchase Road Ma chinery Whether It Wants
 It or Not

Bessemer, February 15.-(Special)-A sensation was created in the council to- night when Alderman George Ross made some bribery charges in the matter of the contract with w. A. Neal & Sons to show some road machinery to the city. It will be remembered that at the last meeting of the council representative of the Neal firm made proposition to the council, the substance of which was that the na- chinery would be shipped to the city at the expense of Neal & Sons. It was to be tried for 30 days, and if at the end of that time the council was not satisfied the machinery was to be returned. The mat ter was turned over to the street and light committee with power to act. Some of the aldermen misunderstood this and thought that the committee was to report back to the council tonight. Upon the reading of the minutes tonight Alderman Ross made a speech that de loped the trouble He said that Nhe did not think that a matter of the magnitude of this should be turned over to a committee with power to act.
 "When the city spends $650O,' said he, 'the whole council should vote on the matter" He also said that If the con- tract that the committee had entered Into, and that the mayor had signed, was fn- dorsed by the council, it practically meant that the city would be forced to pur- chase the machinery. The terms of the contract provide that if the machinery was as good as that shown the committee which went to Atlanta, then the city would be bound to purchase 1t. He stated that the proposition would not stand and claimed that the Neal representative had tried to bribe one of the aldermen. "This man." said Alderman Ross, offered MT. Percy Benton s250 to help him carry the contract through" At this point MT. Car llsle, one of those who signed the con- tract, arose and an altercation ensued be- tween him and MT. Ross. It looked stormy for few minutes but matters were set tied without more serious trouble than some strong language.
 MT. Ross then moved that the minutes be amended to read Ito report back>at the next meeting night" This motion was lost but later in the meeting a motion was made to rescind the action of the council in purchasing the machinery, which was carried. The Neal firm was telegraphed not to ship the machinery.
 The prohibition ordinance was reintro- duced tonight by Alderman Ross. It was referred to the police committee. It Is thought that the ordinance will be passed this time.
 rrt. <~ff |. nfn ftxrn laraa artr ant was received and showed large percent age of convictions. The report in full is as follows: Cases investigated 154; ar rests, 11S; convicted and fined, ST; dis missed. 15 bound over to the grand jury 12: nolle prossed.4. Fines assessed amount ed to s1090 .50; fines paid, $721; stolen prop erty recovered, $3l4.
 The city physician reported that he had discovered two new cases of small pox, making a total of Is in the city, but had the epidemic under control. He re- ports that the vaccination is going for ward rapidly. So far there have been 1900 vaccinations. The birth rate for the city is 22 per 1000, the death rate F.
 The treasurer's report was received as information.
 The complaints against the improvement assessments made by Ben c. Perry were not allowed.
 petition was received asking the coun- ell to improve Twelfth avenue between Twenty-fourth and Twenty-ninth streets. It was referred to the street and light committee.
 Work was resumed at the Central Foun- dry company's plant this morning with Paul C.. Ray in charge The plant was suspended one day. but the work will not be interrupted again.
 The Bessemer Athletic club will play the Anniston High school next Friday night on the floor of the local club. A good game is looked for as the Anniston team is said to be a good ane.
 Kennedy Bros. are establishing branch office in Ensley.
 Chester Tubb who has been travelling for the Simmons Hardware company of St. Louis. has accepted a position with Long-Lewis. II