The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-06
MT. cooper's Letter.

Birmingham. November 27, 1906. Mai. D. J. O'Connell Superintendent Bir- mingham Water Works Company, Birmingham:
 Dear Sir-As chairman of the water works committee of the Mayor and Alder men of Birmingham, which is now en- gagged in Investigating the question of the municipal water supply in it's various phases I beg to request that you sup ply me at your earliest practical con venience, with the following informa- tion:
 1. What is the gross income of the Bir- mingham Water Works company from all sources? What is the net income, and what is the gross income from the city of Birmingham?
 2. What is the income from meter rates from all sources and what from flat rates from all sources? What from meter rates in the city of Birmingham, and what from flat rates in the city of Bir- mngham, and, if practicable, what pro- portion of the income from meter rates, both in and outside of the city, Is de- rived from manufacturing, and what from domestic uses?
 B. How many dwellings, how many wa ter closets, HOW IDdliy DdlH tubS dO Soh collect for in the city of Birmingham? What are the classifications of such dwellings and closets-in other words how many dwellings are there with three rooms or less, how many with ten rooms or less, and how many over ten, and how many first water closets are charged for and how many additional closets?
 company's Property. f. Tn a general way, in what does the property of the Water Works company consist? State the cost and value of the | filter plants, the cost and value of the various lands owned by the company, and the cost and value of various coal mines, railroad tracks, pumps, pump houses and other machinery. You will un- derstand that in the answer to this l do not desire any sections, townships or ranges mentioned, or information as much | in detail as this, but simply to know roughly how much land and property, and l what character of land and property is | held by the Water Works company and | the purposes for which 1t is held, together with its original cost and present value | should like, however, to have as de- | tailed statement as can well be given l of the amount of mains and their sizes, both in the city of Birmingham and out side thereof.
 | 5. To what other municipalities is the Birmingham Water Works company sup plying water? Please give me copies of 1 the contracts had with these municipali- ties, with the dates of their signature or execution.
 6. How many men are employed by the Water company, and in what capacities, and what salaries?
 As to Capital Stock. | '. What is the capital stock of the com | pany and by whom owned? What is the | bonded indebtedness of the company, and where is it placed? Does the company owe any money which is not included in the bonded indebtedness. and if so, to whom and in what amount? Is there any mort | gage or trust deed covering the property | of the company and if so, to whose ben eft does 1t inure and where is the indebt- edness which it secures held. | s. Give the names and residences of the officers of the company, and of the di- rectors. | If it is impossible for you to give me all of the information called for right away. but it is your desire to comply with my request, please let me have such in formation as you have at hand at the very earliest practicable date, and do not delay giving the information you have, for the investigation as to the other I of course do not desire to put your com pany to any extra trouble or expense, but I am very anxious to have from the com pany the information sought, and l as- sume that it is present on the company's books, where 1t can be readily had.
 An early reply will very much oblige Yours very truly, B. H. COOPER,
 Chairman.
 The Answer.
 The reply to the above letter follows: MT. B. H. Cooper, Chairman, City:
 Dear Sir-I have your favor of the 27th, and in reply beg to say that have re- ferred same to our general office and will advise you further soon as hear from them.
 I have not at my command anything like the information asked for. and would not feel justified in making any report of this kind without authority from our gen. eral office. Yours very truly,
 D. J. O'CONNELL. Superintendent.
 CRAWFORD ENTERS RACE.