The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-03-15
DOES BIRMINGHAM
NEED MORE WATER2
J, |, GhaIifoux Talks of City's
Development
rs WONDERFUL" SAYS He
To Go Forward, However, as 1t Should,
the Distrio- Needs Large Water
Suppl; -Nas snaI Demo-
cratic Outlook.
rs WONDERFUL" SAYS He

]. L. Chalifoux of Lowell, Mass, the
senior member of the firm of ]. L. Chali-
foux & Co., of this city, and the demo-
cratic candidate for state treaurer of
Massachusetts at the election last Novem-
Der, talked interestingly yesterday of the
Birmingham district and of the national
political outlook
Since coming here on this trip said
Mr.. Chalifoux, Il have taken occasion
to ride throughout the city and the Bir-
mingham district, and to examine eondi-
tons here at close range. Wherever I've
been I've been confronted with evidences
of unusual prosperity. l think the growth
and development of Birmingham have
been truly wonderful. My observation
convinces me that we are soon to have
here city not less than thirteen miles in
length, and that each mile of this ex-
tended urban area will be thickly popu-
lated. Unless all signs fail. the city of
Birmingham is destined to be one of the
greatest If not the greatest urban centers
In the southern country.
More Water Needed.
but for one deficiency" continued Mr..
Chalifoux, the Birmingham district
would today be leaping forward with
tremendous strides in its onward march of
progress and prosperity. L do no. Know
what others may think, but l for one
am satisfied that the one ming needful
in birmingham at this time is an ade-
quate supply of cheap water for manu-
featuring purposes.
Compressed into two words. the SUI
preme need in the industrial development
of the whole birmingham district at this
time is more water
when 1 make that statement, think
l know whereof l speak. Unless the
districts water supply be enlarged, it
may be said that Birmingham has
reached the material limit of it's de-
velopment. BY that I do not mean that
the city Is to go backward, but that
its progress is to be gradual and slow
and what might be called normal On
the other hand, in crse the water sup
ply be made adequate to the needs of
the district, it is difficulty to circum-
scribe the possibilities of this city's de-
velopments.
Investors Discouraged.
II happen to know mat persons of
ample wealth have been discouraged
from investing money in million dollar
plants here for the reason that sufficient
water could not be hau for the purposes
they had in mind or. If obtainable, 1t
had to be purchased at practically pro-
manufacturing plant rea- this city that
pays 1900 a year for its water. That
amount represents 4 per cent. invest
ment on 100000. So long as such con-
ditions obtain. we can not expect that
money in large amount will seek invest
ment here.
''Birmingham's industrial emancipation
may be attained by an increased water
supply and by that means alone Unless
f11r fcl,l i'm
portant matter 1 apprehend that the city
will soon be made to regret it's dilatori-
ness. There is reason to believe that some
other city in Alabama, where the water
supply is adequate, may become the in
dustrial center of the state. l am not
an alarmist, but I feel that it is high
time that some one spoke out on the
highly important subject. 1 might add
that many of the more progressive citi-
zens here have expressed views similar
to those | have sought to enforce"
In response to an inquiry, Mr.. Chali-
foux then proceeded to speak of politics
in Massachusetts and of the democratic
national outlook.
A Democratic Governor.
Governor Douglas is making an ex-
cellent record in Massachusetts" said he.
He was elected by the people, as pro-
test against certain repelling features in
the state and federal administrations He
is satisfying all the expectations of the
people. He Is carrying out the platform
upon which he was elected, namely, to
vouchsafe to every man in the state a
square deal, without fear or favor.
$50 far as I can see, the national polit-
icaI outlook is badly mixed All the poll
teal forces are in a condition of fiux.
President Roosevelt, elected as a republic
can, is essentially a democrat, and his
democratic principles and democratic
policies have awakened a feeling of ex-
pectancy throughout the country. If he
succeeds in carrying out his policies, the
republican party will ~ecome entrenched
in power If he fails, the democrats will
be presented with a fresh opportunity.
1t looks to me as though the President
would not succeed. The republican sem
ators will thwart his plans. The rail-
way rebate bill will be defeated, and the
republican party will go before the coun-
try as the defender and protector of class
privilege and lawless capital. In that
case, the people will look to the demo-
cratic party to rescue them from the
iniquities and injustice worked by the
trusts
bossism In national elections, at least, is
past The independent vote is decisive.
The cause of the people-the idea of CIV
ing to every man "a square deal-wil win
in 1908, no matter what may oe the party
that endorses it,