The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-09-15

of their plans. If you approve of them,
they go. If you disapprove of them, they
simply do not go. Surely the citizens of
the county can trust themselves as to
what they do or do not wish. Our repre-
sentatives should be at once urged to Sc
cure for us the right to exercise our own
judgment about this matter within the
next four years. The state is not asked
for cent 1t is a question which pri-
marily concerns no one but the citizens
Of this county, although, of course, the
enormous increase in taxable values from
new industries which would inevitably
and quickly follow, if they did not actu-
ally anticipate the satisfactory adjust
ment of our water supplies, would vastly
benefit the whole state of Alabama.
Your actions now will settle it for bet
ter or for worse. Cooperate with and
back up your committee by urging the
passage of the act, or sit still, do nothing
and rely upon a few men and fail, and
then wonder why the true and really
Greater Birmingham |. e., the Great
e, birmingham of more water, better
water and cheaper water, more smoke
stacks, more mills, shops, foundries, pay
rolls thrift and prosperity, lags and in
competition with other districts comes
not faster.
This commission being composed, as
it undoubt adly will be. of capable and
trustworthy citizens, should not be bound
or controlled by any special interests as
opposed to others. or by any prejudged
plans or ideas. Many valuable sugges-
lions have been made to our committee
and much practical information given us.
Our committee will, of course, furnish
the commission with all of this data.
One of these statements shows by a de-
tailed survey that approximately thirty
five or forty million gallons of exception
ally good water can daily be flowed into
Village creek above North Birmingham
at an estimated cost of $350.000. This
should certainly be thoroughly investi-
gated This county needs it now, and
will in the very near future need more.
We should not get Weakened or skit-
fish about bringing in too much water
This district will need it, must have IL
to hold its own in competition. 100000
or million dollars is bagatelle COM
pared to the necessity and benefit. 1t
would seem highly advisable for the
county to control that water shed and
supply and from such a. trunk line sup
ply its own needs, that of the sanitary
commission, such municipalities as may
wish to buy water to sell II again. and
pending the time when the excess supply
was needed for other purposes, allow any
and all citizens of the county under the
proper supervision and control to have
this excess water for their own use and
benefit If this should result in a large
supply of practically free" water pour
ing through Village creek from East
Lake to Ensley, and from Ensley to Val
ley creek, passing through Postum val
ley, past Woodward, Brighton, Bessemer,
why should our citizens object? Gran
ting that the railroads, furnaces mills,
foundries and manufacturing establish
ments of all kinds would seek that free"
water, what man. woman or child in the
county, or whose interest would be in
jured? Nay more. when that supply be-
gan to prove too little, we should go
further and pour in more and more wa
ter. With anything like a river of free
water pouring through the district, avail
able for all purposes in all parts of the
county, the widest dreamer could hardly
measure the possibilities of the increases
in our population and new industries.
Hence each and every suggestion and
plan should be Investigated by the water
district commission when organized and
the final plans submitted to the people
for their approval or rejection.
Even at the risk of criticism as chair
man Of your committee, l urge you to
arouse yourselves from this apparent
legarthy or supineness as to your water
supplies. Re-kinde again the fires which
once glowed so strong and true In our
breasts for the prosperity and welfare of
our county, and famous district. Get to-
gether again with our old-time intelligent
enthusiasm, and seek a way to settle once
and for ALL all questions as to our water
supply. There is in sight plenty of water
overflowingly abundant supplies of water.
Let it not be said of us that this great
county of Jefferson is either exhausted by
former efforts or is now asleep or blind
to our best interests.
DO sit down right now, while 1t is on
your mind, each man or interest effected,
and say to your representatives in Mont
that you wish the people of JEFF
ferson county to have given them by this
legislature some way by which they can
handle this whole water question.
May l also beg as chairman of your
that each one who sends a
letter to our representatives, will either
send me a copy of that letter or advise
me that he has written one advocating the
bill. Very respectfully.
j. A. VAN HOOSE,
Chairman.