The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-19


 In a long-winded meeting the counci last night finally settled the viaduct prop osition so far as 1t was concerned, pass ing the matter up to the legislature. All now depends upon whether the legisla- tUre will authorize the vacation of the streets mentioned in the agreement The fight Is moved to Montgomery.
 Those aldermen voting for the agree ment were Aldermen Carter. Copeland Gibson, Greener, Hawley, Hogan, Lacey, Mcdonald, Mclaughlin. Martin, w. B. Morgan, Moore. Rogers, Thorpe, John Williams, Weifferch.
 The aldermen opposing the agreement were Ball, Brown, Houppert, Huddles- ton, McArthur, Metcalf, G. B. Morgan Perdue, Frank Smith, Stern, D. U. Will liam Those absent were Hobson, Klotz and Mcdonald.
 Speeches of opposition to the passage of the agreement were made by Graham Perdue, Sam Stern and w. D. McAr- thur.
 The speech of MT. McArthur was his first since becoming a member of the board. T can't sacrifice all my convic- tions for the sake of remaining with the majority he said "This agreement en- tirely ignores the rights of the people. While I don't impeach any man, and think that every man here is just as con scientious as l am. l feel that we are assuming a great deal to agree to give away property of unknown value, as- sume an indebtedness of s125,000, assume the damages to property, and then turn round here and borrow S300,0O0 l say it is absurd.
 Mayor To Borrow S3OO,0OO
 The council voted unanimously to in- struot the Mayor to borrow s300000. The ordinance provides that it Is payable one year from date, bearing interest at per cent. The Mayor Is instructed tc execute the necessary pfomissory ne- gotiable note of the said city, payable to the Peoples Savings bank, or bearer, and provides that the real and personal property taxes due and payable Decem- Der l, 1911, be pledged. as security for the payment of the indebtedness.
 Alderman Walter Moore nominated Bret K. Brown to the vacancy in his ward and MT Brown was unanimously elected, sworn in by President Harry Jones, and took his seat. He cast his first vote against the viaduct agreement President Jones assigned him to the same committees with the exception of the legislative on which Alderman JohI Copeland served-streets, finance, judi ciary, Greater Birmingham, public build ings and water.
 Report on Motor Wagons The report of the special committed on motor-driven fire apparatus was as follows. Your committee begs leave tC report that after going into the matter of equipping the fire department witt motor driven apparatus, it finds that Il pieces of apparatus can be purchased for an amount of from between $60,O0 city.
 Your committee therefore recommend that it be authorized to close a trad with the manufacturers for the appar atus." This was unanimously adopted. | The committee yesterday afternoon re ceived the bids and will award the con tract this week. The bids were made b, eight companies all for different horse power, various kinds of tires and speci | fications. In awarding the contract tn | committee will not be able to conside | simply the price, but the value of tn machine as well. Chief Bennett mad l his recent trip to investigate the variou l types in operation. Here are the bids a submitted
 l American La France, $S25O0. | Webb Motor Car company. for 50-horse power, s4o5O each; for 7o-horsepower $44S | each.
 Knox Automobile company, $7s,200s