The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-18
SARCASTIC CROW SUBURBAN MAYORS Perryman Says Somebody" Is
 Deluded Candidate SMITH HAS WARM ONE Mayor Ward Makss Cutting Reply to smlth-Another Chapter In Plan
 to Immediately Annex
 Suburbs,

The proposed immediate annexation of the suburbs to Birmingham. started through Mayor Wards letter to the va- rious suburban mayors, asking for the privilege of an investigation of the finan- cial condition of their several towns be- fore definite action is taken on the mat ter, has been conducive to an interesting line of conversation. Communications from two of the suburban mayors, Perry man and Smith of Wocdlawn and Elyton, would indicate that the feeling toward the matter of immediate annexation is not the kIndliest.
 After the exchange of three letters be- tween Mayor Ward and Mayor Perryman of Woodlawn, the later has come direct ly to the point and has refused as mayor, to furnish the desired information with reference to the financial status of af- fairs of his town, unless he can be shown in what way the people of Wood lawn are tc be benefited by the pro- posed change. He states that the people of Woodlawn, with whom he has dis cussed the matter, are of the unanimous opinion that there is no reason for im- mediate annexation.
 Perryman's Fling.
 Mayor Perryman also takes a fling at the proposition by intimating that the movement is the result of a political scheme of one of the candidates for mayor of Birmingham. He states that he is advised that the somebody" who re- quested the extension of the invitation to the suburbs to become immediately an- nexed 'is a certain candidate for mayor of Birmingham, who is laboring under the delusion that he is very popular in the suburban towns, and that he simply wants this annexation to take place be- fore the primary with the hope of pro- noting his chances for election to this office"
 MT. Perryman states, however, that he will be pleased to turn Mayor Wards letters over to the Woodlawn council, and promises to report on that body's action
 Mayor Perryman's second letter to Mayor Ward follows:
 Perrymans Letter. Woodlawn Station Birmingham, Ala,
 May IS, 1908. Hon. G. Ward Mayor, Birmingham, Ala: {: Dear Sir-I have your favor of the 14th and note contents.
 You say Birmingham is making no ef- fort to annex Woodawn.
 If Wodlawn is making any effort to an- nex itself to Birmingham, or has ever re- quested Birmingham to annex 1t, I have never heard of it.
 In fact, the people of Woodlawn, with whom have discussed this matter, are of the unanimous opinion that there is no reason for immediate annexation.
 You also state that these resolutions extending the invitation to the suburban towns to annex themselves to Birming- ham immediately was at Somebody's request. am advised that this some body is certain candidate for mayor of Birmingham, who is laboring under the delusion that he is very popular in the suburban towns, and that he simply wants this annexation to take place before the primary with the hope of pro- noting his chances for election to this office.
 I agree with you fully that this is strictly a business proposition. and I contend that this resolution having orig mated in your board inviting Woodlawn to annex itself to Birmingham without any solicitation on its part, that it is up to you to show the people of Wood lawn in what way they are to be bene- flted by the change.
 In the absence of this showing, as mayor of the town, I shall refuse to furnish your representative the information requested. I shali, however be pleased to present your letters to our City Council at it's regular meeting and will advise you of it's action in the matter. Yours very truly,
 W. E. PERUVIAN, Mayor.
 Mayor Smith Sarcastic.
 With reference to this same question of the immediate annexation of the suburbs to Birmingham Mayor Ward has received @ reply from Mayor Frank w. Smith of Elyton. The communication abounds with sarcasm.
 Mayor Smith, according to his letter, de- sires to know something of Birmingham's financial condition before the thriving town of Elyton takes upon itself the re- sponsibilitiy of immediately becoming 8 part of the Magic City. In response to the request for a statement of Birming- hams fnancles Mayor Ward has written Mayor Smith that copy of the annual