The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-21
BESSEMER NEWS

Bessemer, April 2o.-(specia1) )-The Bes- seiner city council met in regular session
 tonight in the council chamber with all
 members present. After the reading of the minutes, the treasurer statement for the month of March was read and re- ceived information. The report of the
 meat and milk inspector, Robert D. Hazel wood, for the month of March, was read and received as information.
 l The judiciary committee and city attor- ney, to whom were referred the matter of Investigating the validity of the s40,- 1 900 lighting bonds. recommend that as l there was np valid election held for the issuance of the bonds. that steps be taken
 looking to the issuance of bonds for pur- pose of erecting. maintaining and operat- ing an electric plant
 The finance committee. 10 which was referred the various and sundry bills of the city for the month of March, which amounted to s2671 .S9, recommend that the bills be paid. MT. Baltar, Of the Besse- mer Gas company. petitioned the coupcil not make the company install gas stove in the kitchen of the jail, and furnish them gas to cook with free, as the city hall building burned between $50 and $75 worth of gas month. The gas company agreed to furnish gas for lighting and cooking in the city hall building when the franchise was granted, and the peti- ton of the company was not allowed. Alderman Winters asked that the city take up the matter with the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company and ask that the motormen on the electric cars of the company in Bessemer be re- ouested to turn out the headlights in the city proper. The matter was referred to the street and light committee.
 Joe Austin was unanimously elected as alderman from Fourth ward to fill the vacancy made by the resignation of AL derman Brooks. who was elected to the board of education.
 Alderman Surratt moved that Arthur Roberts, who has recently heen elected assistant chief of the fire department be given an increase In salary of S5 prr month for the additional work put upon him. The motion was adopted. Alder man J. $. Winters, chairman of the police committed, stated that the committee had met in his office last night and drawn up number of rules for the po.;ce e-e- partment and asked that the council ratify the action of the police committee. This was done.
 Alderman Milton made motion second cd by Alderman Smthson that the 10 per cent cut in salaries of all city of ffclals, which was to have gone into effect sometime ago. be restored Alder man Surratt then made motion second- eo by Alderman Simmons to table Mr. Milton's motion. The motion to table lost by vote of six to five, Aldermen Deason Winters, Milton, Austin, Smfhson and Ross voting mo" and Aldermen Crotwell Surratt Simmons, Edwards and Huey voting aye The original motsn was then voted on and was carried by a vote of six to five, Aldermen Deason Winters Milton, Austin, Smithson and Ross vot- ing aye" and Aldermen Crotwell.' Sur ratt, Simmons, Edwards and Huey voting "no.''
 Chief of the Fire Department J. l. Reeder thanked the council for what they had done for him and assured them that ne would give them the best service he could.
 No further business the meeting ad- journed.
 With a large number of lodges repre- sented and over 200 visitors present, the fourth annual York Rite reunion of Bes- semer lodge No. 45S. Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons and Bessemer chapter No. ll0 Royal Arch Masons, which convened at the Masonic hall on Twentieth street between Second and Third avenues, this morning at 10:30 o'clock was the greatest most interesting and instructive in the history of the order. From the time the reunion was called to order this morning until it's close at a late hour tonight the greatest enthusiasm and interest was displayed in it's proceedings After the reading of the minutes the address of welcome was delivered by John T. Me- Eniry, worshipful master The afternoon session was devoted to the exemplfica- fion of the secret work and the comforting of entered apprentice and fellowcraft de- gress, with Roy E. Osborn, worshipful master of Farrar lodge No. 8. At D o'clock adjournment was made for supper.
 At 7:30 o'clock the reunion reconvened and work in the Master Mason degree was done with John Thompson, worship ful master of Ensley lodge No. 56O. This was followed by an address by Past Grand Master Dan A. Greene, who spoke on Masonry in Civic Life. At the conclu- sion of this address, Ben M Jacobs, past grand master. spoke on 'Amendments to the Constitution Now Before the Subordi- nate Lodges and Home.' The meeting then adjourned. Thursday will be devoted to the work of the chapter and will be called to order at 10:30 o'clock. MEVTTANTC ETDE AN