The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-17
BIG CITY CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED
 IN EAS LAKE LAST NIGHT
CONTINUED FROM PAGE s.,

duty of the City Council of Birmingham to add new wards, created out of the new territory to be added. In cities of 50,0O0 population and more, which applies to Birmingham, the council may create not more than 20 wards with two aldermen from each ward. There is now pending before the City Council of Birmingham, which will be acted on at their next meet ing a resolution which provides that the Greater Birmingham territory shall be divided into wards on a population basis, preserving as far as possible the identity of the respective towns included in this territory. I hope this resolution will be passed, and I feel sure it will be, for the City Council of Birmingham has at all times displayed a very great sense of fairness toward the municipalities on the question of this consolidation. I have talked with a number of aldermen, and they all seem to think this resolution to be perfectly fair. l think East Lake, to- gether with Rugby Highlands and a part of Gate City, included in the Greater Bir- mingham territory, should constitute new ward, as 1t will have more than 5000 population, and you would have two al- dermen from East Lake in the City Coun- cil of Greater Birmingham.
 Under the municipal code, the city of Birmingham can establish a recorder s court at East Lake to try her police cases If she has any You have such a good citizenship, and such a peaceful peo- pie that I do not think you have much business for a recorder. This all stands to your credit.
 By concentrating all these towns into one great city, we can establish and own our own water supply and lighting plant With the small area now fn- cluded in the present city of Birming- .1% T.. rvo1J established. But, with all the towns united under one central government, firmly believe that we ought to set to work to build and operate our own wa ter works and electric light plants. As an independent proposition l think all cities should own their water and light plants. The city of New York Is now spending $1600OO 900 on her water sup ply alone. Atlanta owns her water works and besides furnishing water at much lower rate than is furnished the people of Birmingham, made clear profit of $10O,000. Under Greater Birmingham we ought to do even bet ter than this.
 f Atlanta has more than a thousand foreign corporations and large business concerns with southern headquarters, due to her good showing in the census reports for the purpose of distributing shipments to other cities and towns in the south. Birmingham is much more centrally located, and when she moves into the 100000 class, great many Of these concerns will move here besides hundreds of others from all parts of the country. It will require at least dozen ofice buildings to furnish room for the influx of business concerns when we show that we have 100000 people. People go where other people are going, and people will come to Bir- mingham if the official census shows that Birmingham jumps from Ss,o0O to more than 100000 within ten years.
 The greatest blessing that can come to Birmingham from the outside towns will be the splendid citizenship added. A