The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-10
PROPOSE NEW LIGHT
 PLANT AT GADSDEN
Council Takes Matter in Hand-Dewberry Seeks
 New Franchise

l Gadsden, May s,--(Special.) city council. at special meeting last night | had a very busy session One of the principal things that came up for con l sideration was an application by several prominent citizens for franchise to use the streets of the city for the installa- | tion of plant for the distribution of gas and electricity. It is understood that the franchise Is intended for other parties and that as soon as 1t is granted 1t will be turned over. If the franchise is se- l cured those interested say that it will mean the investment of some two and a half millions in the enterprise. No ac- tion was taken on the matter last night, although prompt response was asked from the council. It was finally agreed that another meeting be held tonight and the granting of the franchise be disposed of. It seems altogether likely that the fran chise will be granted Another matter that came beforesthe council was that of enforcing the stock law in the city limits. Four monster petitions were pre- sented carrying more than thousand names, asking that the law be not en- forced. No action was taken further than
 
 see if some way might be devised by which it would not be necessary to en- force the law.
 J. M. Dewberry of Birmingham ap- peared before the council and asked that he be given another franchise for the building of railroad into this city. He and his associates now hold a franchise, but it is for an electric railway, while he now wants permission to build and te raj lxpa v f1cf matters is also under consideration and will be decided some. time hereafter. Be- sides these leading features a number of minor matters were gone into by the council in reference to the improvement of streets and the building of sidewalks. The suspended policemen were given a hearing and one was suspended for 30 days and the other for 50 days The mayors financial report was not reached.
 The Etowah County Farmers union will meet with the Norton local near Boaz on Friday and Saturday, June 2 and 3. The first day of the meeting will be open for the general public and the second day will be given over to a closed ses- sion for the transaction of the business of the organization. Some of the state officers are expected to be present and help in the carrying out of an interest ing programme.
 It Is understood here that engineers will be put in the field at once to sur yey for the new railroad that former State Senator Shaw and his associates are to build from this city to Tuscaloosa Mir. Shaw is expected to be here in person to see that the work Is started. Mir. Shaw is one of the strong financial men of Massachusetts and is heavily inter- ested in the Alabama Consolidated Coal and Iron company. He recently purchased the Mary Lee railroad, running from Bir- mingham to the Mary Lee mines of the Alabama Consolidated company, and also the Lake Borgne canal. There is every confidence here expressed In his promises to connect this district with deep water within the next two or three years.
 Private advices received in this city are to the effect that the plans for the merging of the Southern Iron and Steel company and the Alabama Consolidated Coal and Iron company are progressing nicely ard will be consummated now within a very short time. It is made very emphatic that there is absolutely no truth in the rumors that have been going the rouns recently to the effect that the merger had fallen through and been abandoned.