The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-17
BIRMINGHAM CROWD IS SURE OF VICTORY Smyer Bills Now Have Excel
 lent Prospects WOOD AND PARTY RETURN President of Commercial Club Says Senator Miller Decides to Vote for
 Bills, Although Gray Is
 Opposed.
WOOD AND PARTY RETURN

With all the appearances of victory the delegation that was headed to Montgom- cry yesterday morning by President Sterling A. Wood of the Commercial club, returned last night on the late, and brought with it good news for Greater Birmingham.
 Said MT. Wood: "The special commit tee of the senate on municipal and coun- ty organization met this afternoon at 5 o'clock for the purpose of consider ing the Smyer Greater Birmingham bills. Senator Miller. J. B. Babb, Jesse Stall ings, S. J. Bowie. w. E. Fort, the governors private secretary; W. E. Mill Ter, E. H. Dryer, w. D. Nesbitt, Mayor George B. Ward and E. D. Smith.
 Lieutenant Governor Gray had been specially invited to attend by Secretary BaDb, but for some reason he was not present The matter was presented to the committee by Senator Miller. MT. ioobb e.iiN iiS SCllt dANOA "iiiSiY mum 'O our pleasure, the committee expressed itself unanimously in favor of the Smyer bills.
 However, although every man was in favor, the chairman stated that Lieu tenant Governor Gray had requested per mission to appear before that body before any action was taken, and for this req son they decided to see him before doing anything.
 We took recess to allow the chairman and MT. Babb to confer with MT. Gray, and if he desires to come before the com mittee they will set date for his hear ing We intend, as a delegation from Birmingham, to return and be present at that hearing. to see what MT Gray has to say for or against the bills.
 Will Vote for Bills.
 q can say with much pleasure tha. Senator Miller stated before the commit tee that he would carry out all the pledges which he had made to vote for the Smyer bills, although he objected to some parts of them"
 In case MT. Gray has nothing to say, the Smyer bills will be favorably re- ported to the senate tomorrow and may come up for passage about Friday. At that time I will carry a large delegation to the capitol. and every effort will be made to secure the passage
 q have little doubt but that all the bills with the referendum provision will pass the senate. While there seems to be some opposition to the King bills, we will get them through also, I confidently ex- pect, as both the King and the Smyer bills will serve their purposes distinctly and separately.
 From what I could learn, there will be a compromise on the municipal code bill so that matters can be adjusted to suit Birmingham. City Attorney E. b. Smith remained on the ground and will see that the city's interests are pre- served
 Mayor Ward returned to Birmingham last night, having been in the capitol since Friday. He left the city attorney in charge of Birmingham's interests, and thinks all of her measures will go through with little trouble, including Greater Blr- mingham. the grade crossing bill and others.
 Among the others who returned were J. c. Maben, Walker Percy. Lee Bradley, stephen s. Harris. Dr. E. M Cunningham and State Treasurer Seed.
 One Party Gets Left.
 A peculiar incident occurred yesterday afternoon, when a party intending to mount the afternoon train for Montgom- cry talked about the hog law while their train pulled out and left them. T. H. Motion, J. J. Smith, Felix Blackburn and John w. O'Neill expected the train to pull through the station, as usual. but as it backed in from the west they dl1 not see it.
 MT. Blackburn was especially dsap- pointed, since he wanted to appear before the committee on the Smyer bills and en- ter his protest. He was one of those who bitterly opposed the bills during the last session on account of the tax exemption