The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-09
ROUTINE WORK BY
 COMMISSIONERS  Another Session to Be Held
 This Morning
  LANE SEES FIREMEN A West End Man Threatens Suit Against the City Because Trees
 Were Blown Down During
 Recent Storm

The Board of Commissioners held a meeting yesterday afternoon at which a great many routine matters were passed upon.
 The meeting yesterday was at the re- quest of citizens of West End, who are taking issue with the board upon some street and other improvement work. Com missioner Weatherly arranged to meet that delegation at his office this morn- ing and try to reach compromise, but If necessary the matter will be put up to the commissioners as a body. The ques- tion at issue is the street work authorized by the old council and which has met with serious protest around Greater Birming ham. The meeting was adjourned from yes terday afternoon until this morning at 10 o'clock The commissioners will today have before them the pay rolls of various departments and will have perhaps the financial report of the special auditor. However, the commissioners announced yesterday that the report had not been made yet.
 The question of depositing the funds of the city as outlined at the meeting Satur- day will be up for consideration, provided Commissioner Exum of the financial de- partment is willing to have that topic voted upon.
 Lane Addresses Bremen
 Judge Lane of the Board of Commis- ~f nett of the fire department, addressed the assembled captains of that department Sunday afternoon. Judge Lane happened to be in his office and Chief Bennett happened to have a meeting of his cap tains. He invited Judge Lane to address them. which was accepted gratefully by the commissioner.
 He told the fire fighters just how much the citizens expected of them, and laid great stress upon the fact that in times of peril and excitement they were most needed and most welcome. He paid glowing eulogy to their manifest high sense of duty and then added:
 .yrhe head of your department must be above reproach and a man of command Ing power before the subordinates can be above reproach Such a man you have in Chief Bennett who reflects great credit and honor upon the city he serves so well and faithfully. The commissioners all have a high regard for you men and those under you, and we will take care of vour interests just as far as we can. am glad to have had this opportunity of meeting you. I have always been friend of the fremen and the police, as think they compose two departments by which the city is most frequently judged.
 "I want to be your friends and when ever I can serve you just come and see me-"
 Seeks Damages for Trees
 Because the high winds of April up- turned some fancy Carolina poplar trees in west End, Commissioner Weatherly has been on the gridiron and after all the city may be sued Tn West End the street department did some work, and 1t is claimed impaired the underlying roots of some magnificent poplars. The owner wanted $500 for the damage. That is rather a stiff sum in these days of re- trenchment, so Commissioner Weatherly hied to West End and looked over the matter
 .Now, I tell you what we will do,' said Mir Weatherly to the owner, and as he reported it to the commissioners. The city has no money to pay out just now. However, 1 can see where you have been nut out terribly by this windstorm tear ing your trees up. We will put m some fine red oak trees for you. They are about as gentlemanly a tree as l know 3f and will serve you long and faith fully"
 The offer for the .'gentlemanly' trees was not accepted and it is probable that Capt. Romaine Boyd, city attorney, will have to wrestle with the legal battle, as Commissioner Weatherly clearly indicated his intention of addressing the tree sub feet to that official.
 Pass Their Vote
 The commissioners yesterday indicated clearly their desire to keep absolutely clear of any possible criticism. The novel incident of two commissioners passing their vote occurred yesterday when. Pres ident Exum and Commissioner Weatherly' passed because interested in the subject under consideration.
 The matter of MT. Exum was where a street was to be opened and the Wood- lawn Realty company dedicated right of-way. MT. Exum is vice president of that company and he passed his vote. The other incident was when the Southern Railway company rendered deed to the city, which was accepted, for street near it's yards in North Birmingham. MT. weatherly passed his vote because of his former employment by that company as