The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-19
BESSEMER COUNCIL HOLDS BUSY SESSION Plans Outlined for Enter tainment of Visitors to Methodist Convention BOY BREAKS RIM Heavy Rains Do Much Damage to Roads and Bridges in This
 Locality-Repairs Will
 Be Rushed

Bessemer, July 1s.-(Special )-After a lengthy discussion of the sanitary condition of the city of Bessemer at the meeting of the city council tonight and of the report made by the sanitary committee the city attorney was in- structed to draw up ordinances cover ing the recommendation of the sani- tary committee and let the council take action on same at the next regu- lar meeting Alderman Surratt stated that he was a member of the sanitary committee and that they had spent great deal of time preparing the report and that the matter was to be brought up at the meeting of the council July 4, but which was not held until July 5. He stated that he was of the opinion that the proceedings of that meeting, held on July 5, were not legal and City Attorney George H. Bumgardner con- firmed his opinion.
 The council was called to order at o'clock D. m. by President Pro Tenn Dr. J. S. Winters in the absence of President George Ross, with Aldermen Deason, Crotwell, Surratt. Simmons. Huey and Smithson present. After the reading of the minutes the report of the city physician was read and showed that during the month of June there were 23 white births, 10 colored births, fire white deaths and seven colored deaths It was further stated that five cases of typhoid fever were reported in the city The report of Chief of Po- lice R. M. Childress and the report of the chief of the fire department, J. l. Reeder, for the month of June were read and received as information, as was the treasurer's statement for the month. The finance committee, to which was referred the various and sundry bills, recommended that same be paid.
 A petition from Fire Chief J. I. Reeder asking that the city purchase another fire truck was read, in which he stated that the number of fires have greatly increased and during the year there have been more fires than in any year before. He stated that the fires had increased S5 per cent this year over the past year Alderman Surratt stated that he had been looking into the mat ter of fire protection in other cities , ana ndC been IedolnS up on same ana he found that Bessemer was way be- low par. He further stated that if he understood the matter correctly the city would not have to make a pay ment on the new truck if purchased until October, 1920. A motion was made that the matter be referred to the fire department committee to investigate. and report back at the next meeting.
 A petition from the majority of the property owners on Second avenue be- tween Nineteenth and Twentieth streets asking the city to pave Second avenue between the above mentioned streets and that the cost of same be assessed against the property abutting on same. The petition was granted and the city attorney was instructed to draw up an improvement ordidance. A bill from pr. R. w. Waldrop for $io0 for services rendered to Detective J. c. Goodwin, who was shot several months ago while in the discharge of his duttes / was referred to the finance committee. An ordinance was introduced to pro- hibit tent shows or street carnivals from locating and showing within 300 feet of any church or hospital.
 <. A resolution introduced to condemn the crossing of the Louisville and