The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-06-07
WEAKLEY IS PRESIDENT
HEAD OF STATE LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES
A B. Joseph of Montgomery Elect ; ed Vice President and Mayor
 Drennen of Birmingham is :. Chosen Secretary.

Birmingham, June 6.-(Special.)- 1.-The Alabama League of Municipalities was organized here today with the follow Ing officers: President, Jchn B. Weak ley. Mayor of Florence; Vice-President, B. B. Joseph, Mayor of Montgomery; Secretary, W. M. Drennen. Mayor of Birmingham; Treasurer, T. T. Huey, Mayor of Bessemer. The organization was the result of meeting of Mayors and other representatives of munich pal government in the State, called two weeks ago jointly by Mayors Drennen of this city and Weakley of Florence, both of whom are members of the American League of Municipalities. The meeting convened at noon in the rooms Of the Commercial Club, being called to order by Mayor Drennen. A good attendance was found to be pres ent. among them the following:
 T. T. Huey. Mayor of Bessencr; John B. Weakley. Mayor of Florence; W. M. Drennen, Mayor of Birming- ham: c. E. Stewart of Attalla; W. D. Wilkins, Mayor of Pbenfx City; T. F. Howze, Mayor of Demopolis; J. E. Blackwood, Mayor of Gadsden; Thom- as Turner, Mayor of New Decatur; O.. z. Henderson. Mayor of Anniston; John McCartin, Street Commissioner and former Alderman, Birmingham; x6s v. Bessemer; Alderman R. H. Kerr, Bir- mingham; Alderman Harry Jones, Bir- mingham; H. D. Wood, City Clerk and Auditor, Birmingham; Dr. Charles whelan, City Physician. Birmingham; J. B. Helm, Mayor-elect of Woodlawni o. G. Simpson. Mayor of Tuscumbia, also editor of The Tuscumbia Dispatch; W. R. Starbuck, Mayor of Avondale; Wellington vandiver, Mayor of Talla-
 rok 1f ei W. W. Worthington, Mayor of Oak man; R. H. Thach, Alderman, Bir- mingham; R. W. Walker, Sanitary ln- spector, Birmingham; J. H. McCary, Chairman Police Commission, Birming- ham, E. B. Joseph, Mayor Of Mont gomery; H. G. Cochrane, Mayor Of Tuscaloosa; s. L. Davis, Mayor of Hob- son City.
 In calling the convention to order Mayor Drennen explained that it was for the purpose of discussing the best methods of running city governments and to organize league with that end in view. Mayor John B. Weakley of Florence, was made temporary chair man. He made an eloquent speech In which he said that the objects and aims of the meeting were not to fur ther the purposes of any man. but to promote the welfare of Alabama mu- nicipalities. He told of the operations of the American League of Municipal ities and outlined the good results 1t had accomplished. He asserted that the most important matter before the American people today is the improve ment and reform in the municipalities. MT. Weakley went on to say that he Is a member of the Alabama Constt- tutional Convention and it Is apparent that the ,ohject-of the ConyentiQn is to disfranchise the negro and 'strangle the cities. He believed there should be regulation of the tax rate, but flood of ordinances has been introduced in the Constitutional Convention and many of them seem designed only to keep down the cities. He suggested lobby by the cities in the Convention to see that they are not mistreated. MT. Weakley thought for this and other reasons the Alabama League of Municipalities was being organized at an opportune time. He was pleased with the good attendance and thought the organization should be permanent. Mayor Drennen was made temporary secretary of the Convention and a list of the incorporated cities and towns in the State was called and those rep resented responded and were enrolled A committee of three composed of Mayors Joseph of Montgomery, Howze of Demopolis and Vandiver of Talla- dega, was appointed on permanent or ganization.| Alderman Harry Jones of Birmingham, Chairman of the Local