The age-herald., 1900-02-08
ALDERMEN ARE
 WITH THE MAYOR Favor Municipal Ownership of
 Light and Water Plants SOME ONLY ADDITIONALLY Large Majority However Take Firm Stand and Would Vote Affirma- lively on the Question-A
 Few Expressions.
SOME ONLY ADDITIONALLY

That portion of Mayor Drennen's annual message submitted to ahe council last n.sest which refers to municipal ownership of water and lighting plants was listened to with the greatest interest by the members of tine board present Some of the alder 'Jae c:sy should own the water works and lighting plants, but for the frst time m six years the matter was presented to the board from an official source.
 During the Fox administration in 1891 movement was set on foot to purchase sine water works, but it fell through and had never been discussed by the council since.
 The committee on lights and the mayor were authorized by the board to go to Jacksonville, Fla, to inspect the electric light plant owned by that city, and to re- port on same. The present. contract with the Consolidated Electric Lisht company for street lights expires on September 5, 1900, and the board of aldermen will be- tween the present time and that date serl- OhSiy tOlSluef uIt QueSUlOn Ol putting III a light,ng plant.
 Expressions of opinion on the mayors recommendation bearing on municipal own erSIlip were sought by an Age-Herald re- porser from the members of the board present. Alderman Mefghan was absent from the meeting, and Alderman Camp left the council chamber immediately after the reading of the message The question asked was: What do you think of the mayors recommendation in favor of mu- nicipal ownership of water and lighting plants?'' Answers were made as folsows
 Alderman Chris Rambow-I favor muni- c.pal ownership, and introduced a resolution some months ago in regard to the light plant. l want more light and better water
 Alderman J. T. McKnight-Accepting the statement of the mayor in reference to the savings that might arise, I should certainly favor municipal ownership of the water and light plants.
 Alderman Thomas Wheeler-I highly re- commend the mayors report on cheaper water and lights.
 Alderman J. F. Graham-On account of my connection with the water company I beg to be excused from expressing an opin- ion.
 Alderman J. T. Lynagh-I am in favor of the city owning its water and light plants.
 Alderman J. J. Altman-I have been fight ing for municipal ownership for many years and am ready to keep up the fight.
 Alderman R. H. Kerr-Municlpal owner- ship of water and light plants is, in my opinion, still in the experimental stage and I am not prepared to say that conditions in Birmingham will, as yet, justify the ex- pertinent.
 Alderman John F. Harrington-I am heartily in favor of the mayors recom- mendation in favor of the municipal ownership of the water works and the lighting plant if we could see our way financially clear.
 Alderman Syl Daly-I favor the mayors recommendations in regard to the water works and lighting service
 Alderman M M. Walliams-Jt is my opin- ion that there is too much to the city in it to permit it to die, such documents gen erally do. in lonely pigeon hole.
 Alderman R. P. McAnaly-I think it is good thing and ought to be done. The only question is, Could the city in its pres
  bonds be floated to purchase same? The prlnclple to make the purchase is good, but it wont be done unfortunately.
 Alderman Walter Moore-It Is a good thing. Push it along.
 Alderman Harry Jones-I am in favor of municipal ownership when 1t can be shown that the citizens will get improved service without additional cost. My opinion is that the city of Birmingham should first own first-class fire department, then look to further municipal ownership.
 Alderman Henry B. Gray-When Bir- mtngiham has arranged her outstanding dn- debtedness, which has been past due for five years, think we may discuss municip- al ownership.
 Alderman Robert H. nhateh-I ann be- liever in municipal ownership of water and Tight plants, and when feasible shall en- dorse any action looking to that end.
 Alderman c. c. Heidt-I am heartily in flavor of the mayors recomm mendation. We are paying entirely too much for Nights. The past summer the water was unfit to drink,