The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-04-12
BESSEMER PEOPLE
REGISTER PROTEST
Complain of Excessive Water
Charges
COMMITTEE TO REPORT
About Fifty Citizens Register Com
plants With Committees Appointed
From City Council and Bes-
semer Board of Trade.
COMMITTEE TO REPORT

Bessemer. April -CSpecial)-Abuto one
hundred of the best citizens of Bessemer
assembled at the city har tonight and
conferred with the joint committee APP
pointed by Mayor Sullivan and the pres
ident Of the Board of Trade in the matter
of alleged overcharges and diserimna-
tons by the Bessemer Waterworks COM
pany.
Councilman l. A. Lewis presided over
the meeting and large number of citi-
zens made speeches, charging the Water
works company with serious overeharges.
1t was shown that since the installation
of the meters over the ci,y that water
bills are several times larger than before
under the fiat rate
1t was also charged that the consumer
who had paid for the water they We're
charged an additional sum if the water
was heated, or in other words. the CON
sumner pays for the privilege of heating
his water.
Bills for water showing the prices paid
for the same service before and after the
installation of the meters were put on
exhibition showing that the rate is much
higher under the present system. IN some
instances the differences amount to SD
and 500 per quarter.
About fifty citizens, including many of
the best people of the town. registered
complaints and denounced the methods of
the water company
Cannon Explains.
j. 7. Cannon, superintendent of the
Bessemer Waterworks company, was
present and addressed the meeting, stat
ing that he believed that after the meter
system had been properly installed and
all leaks had been stopped that a ma
terlal reduction in the rates would be
secured. He stated that many closets
where overcharges had been claimed were
defective and that after these were put in
proper shape the rates would be more
satisfactory.
The committee will prepare a report on
the complaints, which will be submitted
to the city council at the next meeting.
The Board of Trade has taken up the
matter and will assist the city council
in every way possible to adjust the alleged
Irregularities.
c'tfN'
of this city has volunteered its services
to the council committee in the investiga-
ton and will take care of the legal end
of any proceedings that may follow.
The people of Bessemer are very much
aroused over the present state of affairs,
and the investigation will no doubt be
prosecuted until some relief is secured.
Jonesboro Council Meets.
The town council of Jonesboro held It's
first meeting at the residence of Mayor
John ID. Martin last night and some of
the prellminaries Of the administration
were taken UP and considered. After
some deiberation a special meeting was
called for next Friday night when all
plans will be completed to begin active
operation next Monday.
Charles Il. Deaderick was elected clerk
and was instructed to open the necessary
books for the administration Of the mu-
nicipality and prepare for the collection
OF taxes and performing the other duties
of his office.
All the members of the council were
present at the meeting last night and sew
oral matters of Importance to the muniei-
palty were discussed a length. There
were also a number of the citizens
present.
Notes and Personals.
n
the building of the new electric ear line
from this city to Jonesboro. The building
of the new line will be pushed as rapidly
as possible, and it is the intention of the
company to have 1t completed and the
service Inaugural ted carly in the summer
The remains of r. II. Cooper who was
shot at Billiard Shoals last Sunday night,
and who died at Readers hospital Mon
day, were carried to Carbon Hill today
for burial. The circumstances of the
shooting of Cooper are still shrouded in
mystery. Coroner Paris IS investigating
the matter.
An invitation has been received by Bes-
semer Beaver dam No. 7 to attend a
special meeting of Birmingham dam to-
morrow night TO assist in tho initiation of
100 new members. A large number of the
Bessemer Beavers will attend in a special
car.
Mrs. George RandelI of Columbus. Miss,
is the guest Of her parents. Mr.. and
Mrs. j. +. Rogers, on Arlington avenue.
Johnstons Candidacy.