The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-17
Senator Miller WithdraWs His
 Opposition
GRAY AND OTHERS WILL FIGHT
Felix Blackburn Will Attend Confer ence Today and Urge Objections. King Heads Asylum lnves-
 tigation Committee.

Montgomery, July lb.-tSpecldl. l.l-gocnd- tor Miller went before the senate commit tee on municipalities this afternoon and stated that nasmuch as his constituents seemed to want the Smyer Greater Bir mingham bill, he would withdraw objec- tions to it and agree not to vote against 1t in the senate. The committee did not make report for the reason that Lieuten- ant-Governor Gray asked that the matter lay over to tomorrow that he must ap- pear and have a word in opposition to it. Word was also received from Felix Blackburn, of Birmingham, that he would be here tomorrow and urge that the bill be not passed. Among those who were here today In the interest of the Greater Birmingham proposition were President Wood and Secretary Babb of the Com mercial club; s. J. Bowie, Mayor Ward and W. N. Nesbitt w. E. Fort, private secretary to the governor, also made one of the attendants and urged that some thing in the way of expansion legislation be passed.
 Lieutenant-Governor Gray is opposed to the Smyer bill or any other bill that leaves large interests out of the taxing list. q am unalterably opposed to the Smyer bill" said Governor Gray tonight. "So far as I know it was gotten up to subserve the interests of five or six large property owners. I have never seen any body for the smyer bill except those .n- terests or their friends. I certainly will oppose any bill that looks to the exemp- ton of taxes of several hundred thousand dollars in large estates and makes every man who owns fifty-foot lot pay taxes on It.
 Governor Gray said, however: "I do not favor the Smyer bill but am for Greater Birmingham. I for bill that will give the city expansion without those features which are not fair to those who pay the taxes" An amendment to the smyer bill has been suggested by Senator Leith in the elimination in that part which would exempt ten acre tracts.
 The King Bill.
 Incident to the situation is the fact that the King bill is on the way in the house and may be up tomorrow. It is also inter esting that the three bills, with that of the civil code committee, do not conflict. It is reported tonight that the prospect is good that the objections made by Bir- mingham people to the new civil code will be either removed or modified so that they will accept it. Another meeting is to be held tomorrow at which 1t Is expected that the bill will be brought in line with the ideas of Birmingham people without sacrificing anything specially, at least with everybody in a good humor about 1t. Walter Moore and Harry Jones have been on the ground all day and with Lieutenant Governor Gray, have been so well pleased with the reception they have received they are right happy as a result
 Messrs. Moore and Jones went to the ball game and came back doing the mol lycoddle act good and hard. "So glad you lost" said MT. Jones. Bully game" chimed the Walker county coal operator. But I am glad we went" said Harry Jones. T am so well pleased with the game, the car service and the park that ] am coming again. Me and Walter both like the town. It may never be as lively as Birmingham, but it's mighty fine place to come and see once in a while. Yes, tell them we are glad we came and saw the game Of course, it is not like the Birmingham team, but we did not ex- pect that. We are no hogs"
 King Heads Committee.
 Speaker Carmichael today appointed the committee to investigate the charges against the management of the insane asylum. It will sit in Montgomery and Birmingham, as well as Tuscaloosa, and mae thorough investigation of the all legations of cruelty even to the point of murder. The committee of the house IS King of Jefferson, who introduced the resolution; Gunter of Montgomery, and Arnold of Calhoun.
 Ar. King said tonight that the closest investigation will be made, and every charge of cruelty looked into. The com mittee has the dignity and power of a court tc summon and examine witnesses and use all means to get at the facts, no matter who they hurt, or to clear up the charges and the consequent cloud that hangs over the institution. The sen ate members of the committee are Hays ana Spragins.
 Prohibition Bill.
 Representative Henly today presented straight prohibition bill in the house the liquor men to keep out of the fight against early closing and anti-shipping bills now pending. The action of Georgia fin adopting a prohibition bill in the sen ate has given the anti-lquor forces en- couragement to believe such a bill can be passed in Alabama. Better posted men think such a bill. if pushed would stand a good show of success.
 
 BRUMBY IS RADICAL