The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-05-11

Mr.. weakley answered that q limi-
in all, instances prevented ownership
1of telephone system, adding:
only the dispensary towing can own
their own water works systems"
Then all the towns ought to have
dispensaries," Representative Crawford
declared promptly.
nicipal ownership of waterworks, ugnt-
ing plants. telephones and other pubic
utilities. Mr.. Weakley spoke OF the IN
auire even waterworks systems be-
cause they could not raise sumcient
funds.
On this account. he said, it was expe..
dent that too stringent regulation Of
privately-owned public utilities shoulo
be avoided because of it's tendency 70
discourage foreign capitalists from az
bama what they were unable in some
instances to AFFORD themselves HIS re-
marks were particularly aplfcaple 20
suggestion that chancery courts might
by the public utility companies.
On Grade Crossings. A
Another interesting point affec
public utilities was brought out III
discussion of the right OF cities az
towns to require raiiway companies am $40 20
pie by the construction Of overhead ana
roadways. Mr. Weakley bespoke
fear that smaller towns, IL they were
invested with the same privileges 70
compel railway companies as were
granted to the larger cities. might de-
Velop conditions that would work unjust
hardships upon railway companies. The
smaller towns. e course, were entitled
to the same prot, 9''on as the people OF
ctes but as : saur tne Of =. ra m~sS
danger as those int the crowded centres
of population.
The question of granting to small
TO laTge towns Srought up the plan Of
classification, which, however. was dis
cussed but briefly yesterday. Chair
man Gunter incurred IT, fog ,, example .o
provide ample police protection for
themselves; and Representative Gran
ford said that the bill ought to show
as If made as much for the small in
corporated town as for the largest city
In the State
Here again the topic of overhead
sion, and Senator Gum asked IL the
question of whether they were needed
In this or that condition might not be
Mr. weakley answered In the mega
tive; that the mingling of powers, a
resultant from an exercise OF conttroi
over the Mayor ana hcs Alde cnart w C
be inadvisabIe, and he added that he
Thought as much power as possible
should be conferred in the ONCE OF
Representative sherrod stated that
the committee ought not to lose sight
of the fact that the safety OF the In
Of the small tSs neop1s of
the big towns. Upon this suggestion.
Mr.. weakley touched upon the prac-
tice of incorporation Of small towns ny
the probate courts which. he said, was
antiauated and ought to be changei
because the powers granted in such
charters were too limited.
Elections Under Gener-' Laws.
1t seemed to be the consensus that
municipal elections should be conduct.
ed under the general election laws or
the State, and should not be held too
nearly preceding or following state or
national elections. Early spring seemed
to be the time deemed best for the hold
ing of elections and the time of inaug-
uration into office was --oted point.
Alderman T. Gardner Foster OF Mont
eomery. explained local conditions to
the committee, and raised laugh by
saying that the Inauguration of office rs
after elections
You mustn't keep them out too long
htav are very anxious to get in"
Mr.. weakley favored a uniform meth
cd of assessing and collecting taxes. and
said one assessor and one collector
ought to assess and collect for state,
county and municipality He spoke of
the failure of cities to derive their just
apportionment OF money from the sale
of lands sold for taxes. He favored the
right to pay taxes in installments.
Alderman J Lee Holloway of Mont.
rornery. spoke generally of proposed
legislation, and advocated extreme eau
tion lest the committee in securing new
hsnef,ts might lost. the old The NUM-
cipaI charters, he said, were in most In
stances gradual developments, tried and