The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-11

wholesome water, which the people Of
Birmingham will testify is not being fur
nished. He said that leading physicians
state that the recent epidemic of typhoid
fever was due to bad water and that Bir-
mingham could not stand this.
Robert Jemison stated that he believed
the water works company was doing all
in its power, but that water had to be
gotten from some source to supply the
demand in Birmingham. He said there is
enough wasted here to supply all de-
mands. He also. endorsed Major Ander-
son in his statement in regard to water
having to be brought from somewhere to
supply the manufacturing demand.
Rufus N. Rhodes said that the matter
could be settled by few changes in the
report of the committee. He also OBJ
jected to the fiat rate.
MIR. VanHoose Speaks.
J. A Van Hose, former mayor of Biz
mingham and the advocate of a canal
from the Warrior through Birmingham,
supplying free water to all plants, then
spoke. He said
81 do not wish to be discourteous to
Major Miner, but I do not think that
he should have talked all the afternoon.
This was to have been a conference, but
it has been merely a hearing. There Is
but one solution of the question. We
must have municipal ownership, and that
is the only solution. My position in the
water question Is well known. I prefer
to stand the present ills rather than to
go to others 1 know not Of and which
are uncertain. When l was mayor l con-
suited the legal firm of Arnold & Evans,
| considered two of the best attorneys in
the south, and they gave it as their opin-
| ion that the city had right to demand
! clear water and could enforce its de-
mand. The mayor and board of aldermen
passed all reasonable resolutions to pre-
vent the waste of water when 1 was
mayor. and I have no doubt that they
will do the same now.
1.-THE mayor and board Of aldermen
have the right, according to these attor-
neys, to declare the contract with the
water works company null and void, and
the city does not have to pay them for
the franchises which were granted free
of charge and which allows the COM
| pany to occupy the streets, which are
still the property of the people and which
they have the right to control.
Senator Morgan's Idea.
81 tried to get the city to appropriate
funds to investigate the advisability of
building a canal from Swansia, on the
Warrior river through the city and furn-
ish free water to all people and all plants.
| This is feasible and no less parsonage
| that Senator Morgan says that 1t will
have to be done within a short time
| At this juncture Major Miner applaud
| ed Mr.. vanHoose, who instantly replied:
Thank you for that, your heart always
guides your hand" The members of the
club laughed long and heartily at this
sally.
Mr.. VanHoose then continued:
,.'Even ]. A. Miner, who is one of the
best posted men in the district, says this
is the only solution of the matter. 1t Is
the only way to get the degree of pros
perity we need and deserve and we will
have to build the canal, why not for the
present as well as the future. 1t could be
| done for a reasonable amount and would
mean millions to Birmingham" Major
Miner again interrupted and said that
these were flowers which bloomed in the
spring, but faded rapidly. This seemed to
inhame Mr.. VanHoose. who said in reply,
that the gauntlet had been thrown down
and he would show Major Miner and the
water company that the flowers were
not so badly withered as they were gen.
orally considered 1t was inferred that
he will take the matter of the canal up
again and make fight for it.
day afternoon at o'clock.