The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-20

The $500O,0O0 waterworks bond issue election will be held in North Birming- ham today, and indications point to a rent in twain by the proposition. The proposed issue has been the one source Of conversation for the past month wher- ever group of North Birmingham citi- zens gathered, and the vote boiled is ex- pected to be the largest ever cast in that town
 Some of the leaders of both sides were interviewed last night and their ex- pressions are here given
 Mayor George B. Ward is very much opposed to North Birmingham's dispos- ing of such a bond issue, and says that Birmingham will fight it thorugh all the courts in order to prevent such a sale In discussing 1t last night, he said:
 Mayor Ward Objects.
 q think the people of North Brmfng- ham are wasting time voting on a s5,00O.- GOO bond issue First, such a sum cannot be fioated by so small a town. Second the city of Birmingham will fight their issuance in all the courts in the country and prevent sale.
 Third. neither the city of Birmingham or Greater Birmingham will consent to assume them. The act providing for the assumption of suburban debts by the greater city does not authorize the as- sumption of any debt made by the smaller city since the acts was passed. Further more, it absolutely precludes the assump- tion of debt incurred since the Greater Birmingham election.
 The credit and debt-carrying capacity of Greater Birmingham will be limited by law. It will also be limited by it's taxing powers. Therefore, Birmingham and all the other towns composing Greater Birmingham are certainly not going to stand by and see North Bir- mingham absorb at one fell swoop all their capacity and rights to obtain credit and sell other bonds.
 Were this project less fantatsic and more feasible or in the hands of men whofa the public felt were able to handle 5000, ,0O0, their sale would be stopped just the same. One corner of Greater Bir- minglam should not be allowed to swamp aii the rest of it.
 The rest of it has made up it's mind that before they assume such debt they will have to know more about the prop osition than they do now and have some- thing to do\with handling it. The inter est on this batch of bonds would require as much as the city of Birmingham now receives from it's real and personal taxes"
 Friel Enthusiastic.
 Those North Birmingham citizens favor ing the issue say it will be the best thing that can be done for Greater Birming- ham. T. H. Friel, who has engineered the movement, spoke as follows last night about the issuance of the bonds:
 There is no doubt about the proposi- ton being a good one, and I also think there is but little doubt that it will carry easily at the election. The Birmingham Title Guarantee company has agreed to. handle the bonds for us, and there is no doubt about our being able to dispose of them.
 North Birmingham will hardly get started on the project by the time Greater Birmingham goes into effect in October of next year, but the work can be con timed by the greater corporation. In fact 1t will be finished according to the way North Birmingham contracts for it, as Greater Birmingham will have to as- sume the contract and debts of North Birmingham.
 "The plan is a feasible one and one that will result in giving Birmingham cheaper water. It will be a great thing for Greater Birmingham, and will be something which will relieve her of the handicap rnder which she has been labor ing for years
 Loveiace Opposes Issue. J. M. Lovelace of North Birmingham is among those who oppose the issue. In expressing his feelings on the sub ject he said:
 The proposition of North Brming- ham issuing s5.OOO,O0O worth of bonds is anything but a practicable one Our town is in debt now and the amount of the proposed issue is way out of line compared with her resources. It is too great an undertaking for town of the, size of North Birmingham, and Fl am very much opposed to it." In contrast to this sentiment c. M. Green of North Birmingham expresses views favoring the issue, and in the