The age-herald., 1898-10-30
HEREAFTER BIRMINGHAM FROM NJ A COMMERCIAL STANDPOINT

the case in the city of Birmingham, Wlsh to say that on a former occasion the town of Woodlawn issued S20,OOO of bonds and sold them, but this was effected during the boom and only because the bonds bore the very high rate of 8 per cent. interest: but they were in default for several years, dur ing which time they paid no interest what ever, thus entirely disregarding their. ob- legations. They are now unable to pay more than one-half of the interest. per- hitting one-half of 1t to lap over and ac- cumulate for period of five years. The past due and defaulted interest was funded about a year ago by the issue of some A,- 500 of new bonds, making the total bonded indebtedness today $24,50O and not the fig ures stated in the Woodlawn meeting; but no provision whatever Is being made to -liquidate the unpaid. deferred interest, now accruing; and when the compromise agree. ment at the end of the five years expires, these coupons will be rendered in payment of taxes, ncnses, and other dues to the town of Woodawn, as provided by law, and 1t will then find itself in a condition unable to even maintain municipal existence. Bu. believe, and am so informed, that what It costs tn etown of Woodlawn to maintain a separate municipality, In the way of fees, salaries and other expenditures necessarily incurred thereby, If applied to the payment or It's interest, would enable 1t to fully dis charge its obligations to its creditors, and this much, at least, would it be the gainer by annexation.
 l mention this merely because it Is called forth by the boasting utterances at the Woodiawn meeting, on the part of those totally uniformed, and not that it "cuts any fgure,' or is even worthy of a mo- ments consideration in connection with the great project As termed at the citizens meeting here the debt of Woodlawn, if but "bagatelle," and were it five times as much it should not stand in the way. This and other details sink into absolute insig- nifcance when compared with the gigantic and possible results, and the opportunity for advancement, insuring a standing worldwide advertisement of our growth and population for a term of ten years could pay for or procure and the next ten years will seal our fate.
 That Woodlawn should have water works and sewerage is evident, if the statement made to me by prominent banker of this city (who has very large property interests in Woodawn), and by some of the largest taxpayers there. to the effect that they have had a perfect epidemic of typhoid fever and other sickness there this past summer, is correct. It has always been ap- prehended that if an epidemic God spare usD should visit this valley. it's origin would be found in the unsewered outlying districts which are beyond the control, su- pervision, or protection of the city.
 If Woodlawn will come into the city limits she can reasonably expect water lt. of the Gate City and Roebuck springs and which could be brought through East Lake, Woodlawn and Avondale into the the city. but as mattersThow stand the supply is too far from the city limits at present to justify capital in investing in the bonds With the addition of the towns of Avondale. Woodlawn and East Lake the supplyl would be almost on the lines of the corporate limits. and the piping would not be considered as waste for miles. but would at once commence to distribute the water in city of large population, thus insuring an earning ca pacity that would justify the investment in It's bonds necessary to be issued for its construction. speak from experience when say that an attempt has been made to carry out this very purpose. when the point that the supply was far from the city limits and the population too small to justify another water works was made by those who were approached to un- derwrite the investment.
 There Is one thing. however. that appears eminently just and proper. and that is that these outlying districts. if they are ab- sorbed. should be given not only full repre- sentation in the citv council. but the full and exclusive benefit of all revenues de- rived therefrom as we'll or any way for a term of years and the bill creating the great city should provide that at least all of the income and revenues derived from these outlying districts, wards boroughs. or subdivisions as may be formed and annexed shall be set aside. applied and expended exclusively therein for their sole use and benefit. and. from the same standpoint, the outlying districts should not become a burden to the city. In this way a saving would be made by the outlying districts that are are now maintaining separate municipalities by spensing with the salaries of their pres ent town officials; and this money. together with other revenues derived if applied to local betterments and improvements could but be to their ad- vantage, and at the same time give the central government control over their san itarv regulations and their school system, (which means nine months of free school ing) and other essential features to prepare for the future as now confidently antic- pated, requiring uniform concert of ac- ton.
 Much opposition to the proposed enlarge ment has been made by people who have been annexed and who alege that they have not received benefits corresponding with the taxes paid by them. While this is denied, and in no instance borne out by facts at the same time, in order to avert this, and as a matter of common equity and fairness the annexed territory should at least have the full benefit of everything it pays for.
 Let not the people withhold this aid. which is so urgently needed. and which will render such assistance to the aspira- tions of that progressive element that has, in the past, devoted it's best efforts. its ime and it's money to the upbuilding of the town. .,
 Let us get together and take our stand before the civilized world as a large and important city, sustained by facts and figures, such as the opportunity will pre- sent in 1900. It will not only prove A local benefit but will redown to the pride and glory of Alabama
 SIGFRIED STEINER.
 A Remedy