The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-06
Meeting Finally AdjOurns Over
 Until Next "Wednesday
MAJOR MILNER EXPLAINS
Discusses the Details of Ills Report. Mir. Oliver chalifoux Makes a
 Statement Concerning Ills
 Experience With Meters.

Just at the time when the debate on the report of Maj. ". J. Milner, chair man of the water committee of the Com merclal club. was getting heated yester- day afternoon, a motion was made by B. Steiner to adjourn until o'clock Wednes- day afternoon. and 1t was passed. A re- quest was carried with the motion that all the members of the club be present, as the matter to be discussed is an im- the people of the city.
 After several matters of business had been attended to, Major Miner present. ed his report, which has been published in full. It sets forth that the present meter rate is 30 cents, and 1t suggests that this be lowered to IS cents. It fur ther recommends that the water com- pany be allowed to place meters in pri- vate residences and that the people be allowed to demand meters. It further recommends that the fiat rate be changed slightly. It allows the water company to charge rent on all meters above a certain size. It further carries a pro- vision for more fire plugs at a reduc- tion of $15 year for each plug, provid- ed the new plugs are put in. It makes some change in the city contract.
 These recommendations have been re- jeeted by the Board of Trade, and they will be fought in the Commercial club. Much opposition was in evidence yester- day, and there was a decided show of fight by the patrons of the report. Both sides are out to win in the meeting Wednesday afternoon, and it is expected that there will be quite a gathering of the clans.
 Discusses Report.
 When Major Milner finished his report he commenced taking up the various items and discussing them. Several mem- bers claimed that he was out of order, as there was no motion before the house, and finally President Roden sustained this contention. While he was discussing the question Sig Steiner rose and asked to be allowed to ask a question. He was given permission and put the following:
 T want to know if any members of the COiAAhlllGC nave IL lhG WdltT company will agree, if they are allowed to put in meters, that the cost of water to any man shall not be in excess of what 1t is under the present conditions. You argue that the water company merely wants to decrease the waste of water and that this recommendation will de- crease the price of water to the con- e IF the water company would be glad to make a promise that the water shall not cost any more under the new rates than 1t does under the old rate, provided the recommendation goes through the city council I assure you that I will not use as much water if know 1t is going to cost me more"
 Major Milner replied: of I were su- perintendent of the water works com pany would most certainly refuse such a proposition, which is clearly one sided' MT. Steiner then repeated his statement that he could not see how It would hurt the water company, as the new proposi- ton claims to decrease the amount of water used and also to lower the rate by use of meters. He said if the meters would do this he did not see why the water company would not consent to make such promise.
 Major MiIner Has Decision.
 Major Milner then replied to the criti- csms of his recommendation made by the Board of Trade. He sad he had re- ceived an invitation to appear before that CT 1ganization ard had been received with courtesy except from one or two mem bers. He said the Bosrd of Trade report said that the present contract between the water works company and the city council is not valid. He presented a de- cision of Chancellor Carmichael which says the contract is good and that a con- tract does exist. This was dated several years back. and one of the members ot the Commercial club called attention to this. John W. O'Neill, chairman of the