The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-06
MEDICAL SOCIETY URGES
 SIGNING OF KING BILL

The regular weekly meeting of the Jef- ferson County Medical society was heio last night in the city hall and the so- ciety was in full attendance. Being the first in the month, the meeting was de- voted to the reports of cases and discus sion of the cases reported. Quite a mum Der of interesting cases were put before the society.
 After dispensing with the usual routine of business, the president, Dr. Wyman read a letter from Senator Nathan L. Miller referring to petition signed by eighty-one physicians urging the senate of Alabama to pass the King Greater Birmingham bill.
 Senator Miller, judging from the letter, was under tho impression that the medi- cal society had passed resolutions con tradictory to the statement issued in a circular. In this circular 1t was stated that i've are afflicted with local cpl demc of typhiod fever" President wy
 
 Three months ago when l took up the fight to help create a greater city l did so practically unaided and alone. This is a day of consolidation and the idea is universal It even applies 10 churches The great industries, the rail- roads and the whole atmosphere Of the business world is for consolidation, 1 concede to no man greater patriotism than Governor Comer and l know when he sees what the people of Birmingham want that he will respond to their wishes.
 '"rhe governor mentions the rolling mills and other large industries as being exempt from taxation. l want to say that Elyton has already taken in the roll ing mill and other towns are incorporat- ing which will take in the rest.
 MT. King then went Into the details o1 his bill explaining the installation of a police district, judge, city attorney, fire and school district for every 400O people; and explained how it had been drawn up by the city attorneys of the different municipalities
 MT King won several minutes more of applause with his closing words of Gen tlemen, when Governor Conner signs my bill Birmingham Is a reality. l also hope the governor will sign the smyer bills. ;
 Smyer Condemns King Bill.
 MT. Smyer was then called upon, and condemned the King bill as being un- constitutional, speaking in part as fol- lows:
 ''The King bill takes fin all of the  Under the terms of this bill 1t is pos sible for the people of Birmingham to vote this territory into the city, al- though every vote in the outlying dis tricts is against it. I leave that to your reason as to whether it is fair and just and Is in conformity with the spirit of our constitution"
 .dr. Smyer then went into the details of the King bill, pointing out in which ri md ayO1 a frpH the workings of his bill-how the con tract would be signed up between the outlying municipality and the corpora ton of Birmingham and how the matter would be put before the people. He then took up the tax exemption feature of his bill and stated that 1t was his belief that the placing of 1 per cent tax upon the industries located in this outly- ing territory would drive out every in- dustry
 Pratt City Man Speaks.
 Dr. George Brown of Pratt City, was then called upon Dr. Brown asked MT. Smyer to explain how Pratt City could come in in case the intervening territory voted against it. MT. Smyer informed him that Pratt City could not come in under these conditions and Dr. Brown said. Then we don't want the Smyer bill"
 LIT. BTOWn Sdlu that 1Tdll 1lly nau declared itself in favor of the King bill, and then took up the sewerage question. He stated that Pratt City was bonded to the limit and could not issue the neces- sary bonds to install a sewerage system, but with the credit of Greater Birming- ham behind 1t could issue bonds up to s75,000. The making of a Greater Bir- mingham, he declared, would increase property in Pratt City g per cent on account of that suburb being in posi- tion to install sewers.
 The crowd had yelled for King after Smyer's speech and began calling for him again after Dr. Browns.
 Van Hoose Speaks From Gallery.
 Chairman Wood then announced J. A. Van Hoose. MT. Van Hoose was in the balcony and addressed the meeting with his coat off, stating that he had been away, from Birmingham and had not had an opportunity to take his coat off and fight for Greater Birmingham, but that he hoped he would be allowed to talk for it with his coat off now.
 Governor Conner had asked fin his speech that the mere matter of senti- ment be forgotten. but MT. Van Hoose thought otherwise. He said: This atter has been called one of sentiment
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