The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-09-19
WILL BEGIN WORK
 WITHOUT ANY DELAY
Waterworks Company is Plan-
 hing Its Filters
ALTMAN AND PURE WATER
Says the City Has Authority to Issue S1,ooo,ooo of Bonds for This Pur- pose if the People Vote
 for lt.

The committee on filtration plants was in conference yesterday in the office of Mayor Drennen. with General superin- tendent A. M. Lynn and Local superin- tendent George Reyer of the water works company. MT. Lynn was in the city only a few hours, coming up from Meridian, Miss in the morning and leaving at 4;40 for Plttsburg, Pa
 Present at the meeting were Mayor Drennen, Alderman Altman, City At torney Smith and City Engineer Ken dricl of the committee, and Superin- tendent Wynn. and Reyer of the water works company
 MT. Lynn stated to the committee that work would commence on the filtration plant at North Birmingham next week and that work on same would be pushed as rapidly as possible He also stated that the plans for the Cahaba system would be decided upon in very short time, and that as soon as this was done work would begin on the filtration plant there He stated there was no intention of unnecessarily delaying the work, but
  such magnitude as Is to be installed in the Birmingham district practically the largest in the United States, certain period of delay was necessary. He could not state, however, just when the work would be completed.
 The committee adjourned until Septem- Der 29. at which time Superintendent Lynn was of the opinion he could state positively and definitely when the filtra- ton system would be in full force and effect.
 Alderman Altman Talks.
 Alderman J. J. Altman when seen after the adjournment of the meeting. and asked regarding the resolution introduced at the meeting of the city ouncll Wednes- day night looking to the granting of au- thority to the city of Birmingham by the legislature for the issuance of bonds necessary to construct a water works system, said
 "The legislature of 1S9s-99 authorized the city of Birmingham to issue N,0OO,OOO of bonds, provided the people of Birming- ham voted for it, to build water works system for this city. I, with others, went to Montgomery and worked for this measure, and although there were others who opposed it, the bill passed. and the city of Birmingham today has the power to issue $1, ,000, 900 of bonds to buy or build and mairtain a water works plant but | these bonds cannot be issued except by majority vote of the people of Birming- ingham. I have no doubt but that the peo- ple of Birmingham will, by an almost unanimous vote authorize the board of mayor and aldermen to Issue the bonds, not withstanding we wish no further bonded obligation. We are so tired of the prices and the quality of water we are now getting that some relief must be had. Surely a people who have clamored for help for so long. paying full price all the time for a bad article, have a right to demand relief.
 Furnish Good Water.
 'It may be that s1.O0o,oOO of bonds will not be sufficient to buy the present water works plant. It Is reasonably sure, on the present basis of profits. that they would not be willing to sell for this price. but we can build a water system for a reason able sum, without regard to what figure the present company would sell their sys- tenn for, and for one, will be willing to agree that If we can't furnish better water than the present company is fur nishing, that we ought to quit business before we start in. Not only that but we will furnish cheap water and pure water at the same time, or not go into business. If we need more money the next legisla- ture will help us get it.
 Municipal ownership is the last resort when the people are treated by those who hold charge of public utilities in such way that they are apparently helpless to defend themselves. I have not thought that the rrice of water was so important a question as the quality of water, yet the price is certainly high enough.
 Doubtless the other members Of the board feel as l do. that we should act conservatjvely and should not deal un- fairly with an cid institution-an institu- Birmingham with many of us. This thought inspires me to be very conserva- tive; but times have now changed, as they say, and l believe 1t Is true so far as this district is concerned that we are having prosperous times, and in view of this prosperity the Water Works company should treat us fairly on the question of quality of the water as well as the prices to be charged If they will do this. I Will stand by them. If they fail I shall fight them to the end for relief'
 
 WILL REPORT TODAY.