The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-26
POLITICAL.
DRENNEN ASKED TO
 ANSWER QUESTIONS
DlSPoSlNG OF THE STREET RAIL WAY FRANCHISES AND OTHER VERY PERTINENT MATTERS. DRENNEN AND THE MACHINE.

Who best represented the interests of the people of Birmingham? Drennen in favoring the giving away of franchises to the street railway company for a pitt tance of $I0O,O0O a block; or Ward, in opposing and vigorously protesting against this gift, and doing all in his power as alderman to obtain proper re- muneration to the city?
 Why did Drennen favor giving away these franchises and what was the value of the gift?
 The market value of the securities to- day follows:
 $6,OO0000 bonds at l0S .... ......$ 61s0,O00
 $1,5000O0 preferred stock at 115. 1,725.O00
 $3,5OO000 common stock at 96 q. 3,3G e0O
 Total . . :. . .. ...... .$11, ,265, ,OC0
 The actual value of the property and money put into it Is less than $5.000,0 000
 Now, what is the value of the fran chises? The value of the franchises Is the difference between the value of the secu- rities, $11, GOO. and the actual value of properties and Improvements $5,0O0,0c0, which is the nice sum of SG,265,OOO which was given away by Drennen and ma chine over Ward and his vigorous protest and efforts.
 Alderman Ward has never been inter- ested in any contracts made with the city other than to see that the rights of the people were protected. Can Mayor Dren- nen say as much, and, if so. why does he not deny the charges made against him?
 Drennen against the machine and ma- chine politics, Say, isn't it the funniest joke of the entire campaign? It has caus- ed broad smile throughout the city. 
 MT. Ward offered resolution that the city attorney be instructed to enter suit to recover one thousand dollars license from the Birmingham Water Works com pany Drennen voted to refer 1t to committee where it remained for eight months. Mir. Ward again offered the same resolution and forced action and it's pas sage What has the city attorney, who is devoting all of his time and talents as assistant manager of Drennen's cam paign, done to force this collection?
 It is said by many that Drennen as mayor has given permssion-whateve authority that is-to a friend of his to sell beer, when. as a matter of law. no such license can be issued What is the consideration for this special favor to one saloon over all the others in Birming- ham? Will Drennen deny this?
 It is openly declared on the streets by certain persons that they are going to vote for Drennen because of promises made him when fines against them or some friends were remitted by Drennen. Will Drennen deny these open declara- tions?
 It is What Drennen Has Done' that the people protest so vigorously against, and they also censure him for what he has not done For instance, his failure to protect the rights of the people to purchase tickets on the street railway.
 In the platform of Drennen. What I Have Done," he neglected to give credit where 1t was justly due and was forget ful of the fact that the property own CTS paid the bills for all improvements and per cent interest added. and that they will have to pay for those lovely and picturesque parks purchased from Behrens and others at fancy real estate prices. Oh. yes, Drennen did It. until the time for paying up comes then the people cash in. How much does Drennen pay?
 The machine was smashed four wears ago, was it? Well, why did Mayor Dren nen surrender and become 'incornora ted, in the "defunct understanding of the big four?''
 The cry from Drennen's headquarters. "vote for Drennen, thereby keeping out machine politics. deserves space in a comic paper. The agitation of the Dren- nen committee has effected their mem- ory as well as their sense of the ridicu- 1ous
 Why should Drennen be given the ex traordinary honor of a third term. when his equal if not more distinguished pred ecessors, Thompson. Lane, Fox, Van Hoose and Evans received but one nom- ination and election. if hszuuEszuzQvz,uulzu