The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-07-19
AGREE TO BILLS
FOR LARGER CITY
Greater Birmingham Measure
Discussed by Committees
BILLS ARE VERY FLEXIBLE
Drawn by E. ]. smyer, Who Is Highly
complimented On His Work.
Mass Meeting to Be Held
Tuesday.
BILLS ARE VERY FLEXIBLE

Advocates of the Greater Birmingham
measure say that 1t is now in a way to
become an accomplished fact. By the
hearty and unanimous approval of the
two bills drawn up and ably presented
by E. ]. smyer at meeting at the Com
merclal club last night, the Greater Biz
mingham committees brought their object,
it is said, fairly within the range Of
vision. The next step toward crystalizing
public sentiment along the lines of posi-
tive achievement will be a mass meeting
to be held at the Commercial club rooms
next Tuesday night at o'clock.
This was decided by the following mo-
ton, presented by Sterling A. Wood,
which was adopted: Moved, That this
committee resolve itself into a mass meet
ing. and that the chairman appoint COM
mittee of Ave to take charge Of the mat
ter. to arrange a time and place, and
call the meeting consisting of the various
elements affected by the bill.
A list of speakers for this occasion is
being prepared by Mr.. smyer, chairman
of the committee appointed, which has
the entire matter in charge.
L he OLH6T lileInDtIS VI Alt NDAliililltC
are: Joseph Beitman, F. Y. anderson,
Sterling Wood, T. II. Motion, John For
ney and j. B. Babb, secretary. Mr. Babb
will issue invitations to all the mayors
of the different towns which, under the
provision of the Smyer bill, may become
a part of Greater Birmingham to be pres
ent at the mass meeting, and their views
with regard to the merger will be asked
for.
The Proceedings.
The meeting last night was called to
order at o'clock by Chairman Joseph
Beitman, who said: This meeting Is
for the purpose of considering the bills
drawn up by Mr.. Smyer, having for their
object Greater Birmingham. l don't think
anything could be more important than
these two bills, not even 100000 steel
plant. I, therefore, hope that they will
meet with your hearty approval. The
next thing in order will be the reading
of the bills"
j. j. Smith moved that as all present
were familiar with their text, that the
reading be dispensed with. Rufus N.
Rhodes then moved that the author of the
bills be called upon to set forth and ex-
plain the provisions of the bills. In re-
Spouse to this motion. Mr.. Smyer arose,
and In a distinct manner clearly pointed
out their scope and flexibility. He said
that while they were broad in their scope
yet no safeguard had been overlooked for
the municipalities or outlying districts
not at present in a municipality which
might avail themselves of the opportunity
offered to come into Birmingham, and
thereby secure better sanitation and 9TH
ser benefits. In conclusion he said: III
you get the bill through, common sense
will effect the consolidation
Mr.. Rhodes moved that the committees
approve the bills He said the bills were
remarkable, both for the ability and in
genuity with which they were drawn; but
more remarkable still for their flexibility.
He said In conception and execution they
ranked with the work of the greatest con-
structive statesman of the day. The bills
were unanimously approved.
other speakers followed, and resolutions
thanking Mr.. Smyer were adopted. The
matter of interrogating the candidates
for the legislature with regard to their
views on the bills was discussed at length.
The speakers were T. H. Motion, Hugh
McGeever, ]. Fl. F. Mosley, F. Y. Ander-
son. Dr. Sholl, j. B. Babb, Sterling A.
Wood. Joseph Beitman and others.