The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-04
SAM WILL JOHN IN
 FAVOR IF THE BILL
LoveIady Expresses Approval at
 Pratt City Meeting
SELF GOVERNMENT PLANS
Mayors of Incorporated Towns Will Be Made Judges of Local Courts by the Greater Birmingham
 Measure.

Representative Sam Will John was in Birmingham yesterday. and when asked for an expression on the Greater Bir- mingham bill drawn up by Representa- tive Jere c. King. said
 T want to see Greater Birmingham. I think 1t Is an absolute necessity, and the quicker we have one the better it will be. While our constitution calls for a referendum vote l do not think one community should be allowed to impede another, for if Graymont or Avondale vote to stay out the towns on the other side of them would be shut out until those closer in decided to come in.
 T have only had an outline of MT. Kings bill, but consider 1t a practicable one and am in favor of it."
 This expression coming from Colonel John is regarded as being very favorable towards the passage of the bill
 The work of drawing up the companion bills Is being pushed right along, and they are expected to be completed with in the next few days. When completed they will be submitted to the city attor- neys of the towns affected by the bill, and any changes will be made which the at torneys deem necessary to the end that their towns shall receive square deal
 Seek achievement.
 The object of the bill providing for the internal government will be to have IS much self-government as possible. It Is proposed that the bill shall provide for the Mayors of these different towns being appointed as judge or recorder, thus ere ating system of magistrates courts throughout the greater city. There will also be sub-police stations in each of these towns. The city attorney of each town will retain his position with the title of assistant city attorney. It Is pointed out that 1t would be very unfair to arrest a man In Pratt City, Woodlawn, East Lake or West End and bring him all the way to Birmingham for trial.
 Under this plan 1t is believed that the problem of self government will be solved to a great extent.
 The remarks of Colonel John, together with the remarks made by Representative Haley few days ago, are source of qualification to those behind the bill as both men are regarded as being conser- vative and of having the welfare of the Birmingham district at heart
 Pratt City Discusses Bill.
 A meeting was held last night of the Board of Aldermen and the school board of Pratt City for the purpose of discussing Kings Greater Birmingham bill. AS a result a committee was appointed to con fer with Mr. King and request him to present the matter to the citizens of that municipality. explaining the details of the bill. There were several short talks by Representative Lovelady, Mayor Lacey, D. J. Hudnall, pr. G. W. Brown and others.
 Representative Lovelady stated that personally he was in favor of the bill, but was desirous of finding out what the people thought of 1t before saying what action he would take in regard to 1t.
 The committee appointed consisted of Mayor J. E. Lacey, chairman; Dr. z. N. Carraway, J. W. Mills and pr. G. w. Brown, of the Board of Aldermen, and E. J. Hudnall and Dr. J. B. Stagg of the school board.