The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-01
Willing to Enter Larger City on
 Suitable Terms
TEXT OF BILL APPROVED
Committee Held Conference Yesterday. Towns Owning Public Utilities Will Get Same Benefits
 From Them as Now.

JC---N the city attorneys of a number of munI- cipalities affected by the bill which arbi- trarily extends the limits of Birmingham, and which will be introduced at the July session of the legislature by Jere c. King. The sentiment, we are willing to come in If we can get a square deal,' was ex pressed by one of the suburbanites which was quickly seconded by the balance of those present with "thems me sentiments, also'
 The committee is composed of Jere c. King, chairman; Mayor Frank Smith of Elyton and Dr. George Brown of Pratt City. The attorneys present were: Tom Hewlett, East Lake; John S. Kennedy, Woodlawn; J. B. Aird, Pratt City; T. M. Raney, Graymont, and Ed Smith, Bir- mingham. The city attorneys for West End, Avondales and North Birmingham were unable to be present on account of stress of business, but it is believed that they are in favor of a Greater Birming ham if they are assured of a square deal.
 To Regulate the Affairs.
 A general bill to be entitled An act to regulate the administration of the af- fairs of any municipal corporation which has been absorbed, or its government ex- tinguished by the alteration CT re-arrange- ment of the boundary lines of another city or town" was read and readily approved by those present. Companion bills set ting forth the proposed limits, providing for a system of courts and similar mat ters will be taken up at the next meet ing.
 The general bill which was approved provides for the assumption by the Greater Birmingham of all the liabilities, bonded indebtedness contracts and other obligations for which the corporation ab- sorbed may be liable; also for the oper- ation of public utilities owned by any of the municipalities at the same rates at which the citizens of that town are now being supplied. This covers particu- lariy the case of North Birmingham which owns it's own water works and cleo tric light plant.
 Willing to Make Changes.
 Chairman King stated that if there was anything objectionable incorporated in the bill to any of the municipalities that the committee would be glad to cut 1t out, or if there was anything not incorporated in the bill which it was thought should be there that they would be glad to insert it. He also stated taht if the towns to be taken in did not receive a square deal it would be their fault, as they will have nine men to Birminghams one. and all of the members of the committee live beyond the corporate limits of Birmingham.
 MT. Hewlett stated that East Lakes taxes hardly met it's expenses and that there was no hope of their ever getting connected with a sewer, as they were bonded to their limit The same state of affairs was also reported at Pratt City.
 Ensley is not to be taken in under this bill. as the sentiment there is so strong against it. The opinion expressed by those at the meeting was that Ensley was going to feel very, very badly after it sees how much benefit these other towns, and es- pecially her sister, Pratt City, Is receiv- ing from this extension The sentiment in Pratt City is strongly in favor of being brought into Birmingham.
 The providing of courts in each of these towns, policing them, voting precincts and division into wards will be taken up in the companion bills and another general bill. which are to be drawn up within the next day or two.
 The general bill approved yesterday aft efnoon is as follows:
 Text of Bill.
 BILL
 To he entitled "An Act to pag,,1a+a rka
 Administration of The Affairs of Any
 Municipal Corporation Which Has Been
 Absorbed, or it's Government Extin-
 guished by the Alteration or Rear
 engagement of the Boundary Lines of
 another City or Town"
 Be it enacted by the legislature of Alabama:
 Section 1. That when any municipal corporation has been absorbed or it's government extinguished by the altera- tion or encouragement of the boundary lines of another city or town, the city or town so altering or re-arranging it's boundary lines shall assume and pay any and all debts. liabilities, bonded indebt- edness and interest thereon, of every kind and character, when the same shall become due, that may have been lawful ly contracted by the city or town so absorbed, or whose government has been extinguished, and said city or town so altering or rearranging it's boundary lines shall assume all contracts for any municipal improvements that may not be completed of the city or town so ab- sorted, or whose government has been extingu;shed at the time this act shall go into effect
 Sec. 9 That the city or town so alter ing or rearranging it's boundary lines shall become vested with the title and ownership of all property, both real and personal, including taxes, moneys, school buildings and grounds, parks, fixtures or town halls, equipment and apparatus of fire departments, city or town jails, water, gas or electric light systems, in- cludfng all mains or pipes used for con- ducting the water or gas, or electric lines, wires, poles, conduits and all ap- paratus connected with any water works, gas, or electric light systems, belong ing to the city or town so absorbed, or whose government has been extinguished, subject to the same conditions. and to be held for the same uses and pur- poses. and subject to the same condi- tions as heretofore.
 Sec. g.. That the city or town so alter ing or rearranging its boundary lines, aho1 afa int tft,