The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-20

Last nights council meeting was one of note in that 1t was the first in which every part of Greater Birmingham was the entire membership of the Board of Aldermen was present. the full S2 mem bers forming body that loked as for midable as a state legislature.
 The meeting was held in the new coun- cil chamber. which allows plenty of space for the aldermen inside a. rail- ing, which extends completely across the room, while there is plenty of room for spectators on the outside of the rail. The acoustics are perfect, caused by the lowering of the ceiling
 AS far as the meeting was concerned there was nothing of unusual moment done. One resolution was adopted which prevents the further increasing of the present force of employees of the great CT city until tho task of auditing the accounts of the various annexed towns is completed and the board understands Just exactly where 1t stands. No accounts of the various towns will be paid until after the audit Is completed. In his let ter to the council Mayor O'Brien stated that this work was progressing as rap idly as possible under the supervision of Auditor Peterson and would probably be completed early in February.
 Despite it's heavy increase in member ship the workings of the council pro- gressed in much the same manner as 1t did few weeks ago when 1t had 10 less members. It worked like the same old automatic machine somewhat larger but working with that smoothness which has made this Board of Aldermen famous during the past year.
 Roll call found every member but John w. ONefll in his seat and he put in his appearance a moment after. Then followed the swearing in of four new al- dermen, s. R. Hawley Frank W. Smith, A. s. Norwood and J. F. Lacy They took their seats immediately and the routine work of the session proceeded.
 The city engineer was instructed to draw up an ordinance providing for the paving of Eighteenth street from Ave- nue A to Avenue K with vltrifled brick, Alderman J. R. Copeland passing his vote as usual in such instances on &C., count of his being in the brick business The license schedule was amended so that domestic insurance companies will pay license of $20 and l per cent on their gross business. A change in the fire limits was recommended by Chief Bennett and adopted by the board. AL derman Moore introduced an ordinance regulating hack and taxicab hire within the city limits. A franchise for a period of 30 years was asked by the Southern Railway company to cross Twenty-tfird street between Morris avenue and First avenue, this being referred to a commit tee. Alderman Gambill also introduced a resolution compelling the wetting with water or damp sawdust of the sidewalks hofora
 The council failed to take up the mat ter of naming Police Commissioner Carl H. Seals for the place. It had been expected that the board would take some action in the matter put it was not even mentioned. Seals was reappointed last week by Governor Conner but there is a doubt as to whether the board or the governor has the tight to name the per son to fill such vacancy. City Attorney Thach has advised that the power lay within the citys hands and it was ex- pected that they would take some action in this regard. There appears to be but little doubt that Seals will hold the place, indications pointing to the fact that he would very probably be elected by the board.
 Following are the reports of commit tees:
 Miscellaneous Committee.