The age-herald., 1902-01-30
Next Step Is Conference With Suburban Representatives
 on Definite Plans.
HOW ID MEET WANTS
 OF OUTLYING TOWNS
Delegates Point Out Reasons Why Their Citizens Oppose Annexa- tlon--They Want to Know Ad-
 vantaees to Be Derived

The meeting at the Mayors office last night in the interest of Greater Birm- ingham was a success. It was well att tended both by members of the Birm- ingham citizens and Aldermen and by representatives from the suburban towns which have been invited to become part of the greater city. The object of the meeting was merely to have a discus sion and exchange views.
 No definite action was taken except the adoption of a resolution offered by Dr. R. M. Cunningham of Ensley, to have a committee appointed of one from each of the suburban towns to confer with representative of Birmingham, to take the whole matter under considera- tion and report at a subsequent meet ing. This committee has not been ap- pointed yet.
 One fact developed from thc discus sion was that Greater Birmingham is a gigantic matter to handle an that 1t will take some time and much work to accomplish it. It was also pointed out by MT. Robert Jemison that no one at the meeting fully understood or real ized all the advantages that would &C., crue to both city and suburbs from a consolidation and that the people of both required education on. the subject. THOSE PRESENT.
 Among those present were Aldermen J. G. Greener, F. H. Linnehan, R. H. Kerr, Walter Moore, R. P. McNally, J. F. Graham R. H. Thach and A. Stock mar.
 Representing Birmingham as citizens were Emil Lesser, John w. O'Neil, M. ". Joseph, Robert Jemison, E. N. Cullom and Otto Marx.
 The following representatives of su- burban points were present:
 woodlawn-Mayor J. B. Helm and J. B. Gibson.
 East Lake H. c. Miller.
 Avondale-Mayor W. R. Starbuck and c. P. Beddow.
 Pratt City-Mayor W. J. Outlaw and William Grady
 Ensley-Dr. K. M. Cunningham.
 Elyton-F. E. Blackburn.
 0dbS SltS-ooiii 1(i66iho'
 East Birmingham-John w. Jones.
 North Birmingham-w. E. Hansberger.
 mithfie1d-Thomas M. Dyer.
 Owenton-Rose W. Owen.
 The meeting was called to order by Mayor w. M. Drennen at o'clock and the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.
 
 ject of the meeting. We have met here tonight" he said ito discuss in a friend ly way whether 1t Is advisable to extend the city limits and to discuss also the amount of territory which should be talk en in. The Mayor then asked MT. R. E. Kerr to express more fully the object of the meeting.
 Mir. Kerr said he was not present at the last meeting. but that he understood the object of the present meeting was to have a friendly discussion and to give the views of those present. The question is what would be the advantages and disadvan- tages of a Greater Birmingham? A GREAT FUTURE.
 city the size of Birmingham looks forward to a greater future, its limits should be extended, and the only ques- ton is how and when that should take place. He referred to the annexation or Fountain Heights. which had been done without consulting the wishes of the peo- pie, and said that all were now agreed that 1t was to their interest to have been taken in. Birmingham offers better ad- vantages today to her suburbs than it did then.
 It is conceded that a Greater Birming- ham would give the city the advantage of borrowing money at lower rates and all the advantages which come from in- creased population. Annexation would make 1t possible to have more symetri- cal city by extending the streets on uniform plan.
 The question of schools Is an important one. Birmingham cannot under present conditions spend large sum for a high school. If she is expected to spend 1t for the benefit of the suburbs then they should come in and bear part of the bur- den. He referred to the new schools built on the North and South Highlands, and said that new schools would be built in the added territory. He hoped there would be a full and dispassionate discus- sion of the subject of a Greater Birming- ham at this meeting.
 The Mayor said MT. Kerr had clearly outlined the objects of the meeting, and great interest in the subject. He would be glad to hear from any of the suburbs. WooDLAWN DIVIDED.