The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-07-07
ALL WHO HAVE NOT
 CUT WEEDS WILL BE
 PUT UNDER ARREST
Drastic Action Decided Upon at Meeting of Officials at the City Hall
 Last Night

Beginning today all persons who hav not cut the weeds on their premises vii be subject to arrest and fine.
 The word was given last night wher a meeting was held at the city hall a the city commission presided, and there were present members of the street health and police departments.
 ''The time has arrived for Us to per form the job we get thanked less and 'cussed' most for" said President Ward in opening the meeting. "rhe weeds have got to be cut, and I have called this meeting so that we may form an organized campaign and all work to- gether in cooperation"
 Recorder Alvin NJ. Douglas was present to hear the difficulties under which the officers labored so that he could handle with the proper force the cases which come before him in recorders court. Chief Sanitary Inspector Walter Burson, Street Commissioner Frank Gafford, Capt. Mike Donlan and others made talks.
 It was decided to begin making ar- rests at once The belief was expressed that If some arrests were made and the news of the fines was published in the newspapers it would have a decided moral effect in the encorcement of the law. Persons will be compelled to cut the weeds from the curb line back to the middle of the alley. Street Commissioner Gafford will endeavor to have his depart ment cut all weeds found in the streets.
 MT. Gafford asked MT. Burson to make him out list of all the places such as parks and city property of all kinds, upon which it would be required that he cut the weeds. He said he would put his men at the work at once. and thus endeavor 10 set an example to the wayward citi- .zenship
 Begin Making Visits Today
 Both the police officers and the health officers were instructed to begin placing people under bond todly. The procla- nation of the city stating that all weeds would have to be cut by July 1 has been published for 30 days in the news papers. It is stated that it would be impossible to accomplish anything to call on people and give th-m notice and then go back in several days and place them under bond. Ample notice has been given, 1t was said, and all who have lot cut their weeds are now liable to arrest. The fines for first offenders, it Is said, will range from $5 up according to the circunlsta 1oes. President Ward stated to Recorder Douglas that it was imperative that 'stiff" fines be imposed to show the people that the city meant business
 The officers were instructed to use dis eretion, not to be arbitrary and try to treat everybody fairly, but above all things to "get results"
 Therefore, it is being predicted with great hU rda cts that the docket blackboard for the next few mornings may contain some names Of prominent citizens charged with failing to cut weeds"
 The reasons for cutting the weeds are that they breed mosquitoes and, there many instances foul and insanitary con ditions, and that they are unsightly The city ordinances covering the mat. ter are as follows: ,f5l
 Law on Subject
 Sec. 495. Occupant of dwelling tC keep sidewalk free of weeds. It shall bt the duty of every occupant of or persor Tn possession of or in charge or contro of the lower or ground floor or story o any house, building or structure, whether the same be used for dwelling or othel purpose, and If every owner or agen or person in charge or control of any va cant lot abutting, situated on or facing any sidewalk which has been provided with curbing. or which has been paved macadamized or otherwise improved tt keep such sidewalk so bordering suci premises and one-half of the street botl in front and on the side thereof. ire, from grass, weeds or other voluntary ol slcntar eous growth of like nature. anc any owner or agent occupant or per son in possession of or in charge or con trol of any of the premises described ir this section who shall permit sucf ers ss, weeds or other voluntary or spon tsLeous growth to obtain a height O over four (D inches shall be held t, have violated this ordinance.
 Sec. GOA, Rank growth of weeds { nuisance Any owner, lessee, or occu Tant or any agent. servant, representa- tive or employe of any such owner, Jesse, or occupant having control of any l O giopnd, or any part of any lot, who shal allow or maintain on any such lot an, growth of weeds to a heignt of over on, foot shall be deemed guilty of a misde meanor, and upon conviction shall b. fined not less than $10 nor more than s1OO
 Sec. 605. Definition. The word weed as used in the prec ading section, shal be held to include all rank yegetab bl growth which exhale unpleasant and nox ious odors, and also high and ranl veg etable growth that may conceal in se nitary conditions or filthy deposits"