The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-11-06
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
Increased Water Supply.

To the Editor of The Age-Herald.
Mr.. Walker Percy. who is as we'll in
formed as any man in this district has
said in several public addresses recently
that hardly another important industry
could be built in this district until the
water supply is incretased
Mr.. w. P G. Harding has recently
written very able letter practically TO
the same effect
| merely mention these two. Concurrent
testimony from 500 or 1000 other competent
sources enforce the same conclusion. In
fact, there is no conflict in the testi-
mony from any quarter.
[ have been informed that if the rod
mill at Ensley were to attempt to start
up tomorrow it could not do so for
the lack of water More industrial de-
Xelopments in this district on an inn
portant scale are absolutely contingent
upon wet weather. Any dry spell of or
binary duration in the summer time or
in the fall of the year would put some
of our industries out of business if
the number we already have We're sub
stantially increased. Such a condition
OF affairs is intolerable. and an artificial
obstruction is placed in our way which
the patriotism and good sense of this
district ought to combine 70 remove. For
tunately, this obstruction is easily re-
moved and at a comparatively limited
expense, and by an enterprise which will
be self-sustaining from the time it starts
in operation, and which will reduce the
cost of water to private consumers and
to industries by more than one-half
If it were known tomorrow that 5000,
000 worth of bonds were sold and all legal
obstruction removed as they can easily
be, and that the money would be devoted
To the bringing of a water supply in this
district of 10O,000.00 gallons daily, and
that such a plant could and would be
erected within two years. greater i'm
petus would be given to the district than
ii has ever experienced in all its his
tory. Then would surely come to pass
the prediction of a million people in this
great valley, the richest in natural wealth
of any corresponding area in the United
States This is no idle dream-it is the
well considered and we'll thought out
conviction of our wisest and most con-
servative citizens.
The immediate increase of our water
supply is the one thing needful to COM
plete the splendid development of this
whole valley.
Then why do we hesitate? Why should
we delay any longer work which has
TO be done at some time which can be
done at a less price now than at any
it is started the better it will be for
all of US?
1t has been suggested that the county
of Jefferson should undertake the work
The vice of that suggestion is that it
cannot be now carried into effect There
is neither statutory nor constitutional
power on the part of the county of JEFF
ferson, as such, to undertake this work.
1t would require a constitutional amend
ment, as well as a statutory enactment
to vest such an authority in this coun-
ty. Assuming that it would be possible
tc obtain these things, it would require
a delay of several years to do so, prob
ably at least five or six. The proposal
of an amendment to the constitution could
not be authorized until 1911, and in all
probability it would not be submitted to
a vote of the people until the November
election in 1912, and after that all the
necessary machinery would have to be put
in operation, thus insuring a probable de-
lay in any contingency of at least five
years.
Some of us will be, and many or us may
be, dead before that time, and none of US
can afford to have the development of this
district tied up and delayed during this
period.
What we all should do is to act, and
to act at once. The question of the
source from which the act comes is of
secondary Importance. Any municipality
in this county having over 5000 popula-
tion has the right under our present con-
stitution to issue the bonds. There Is
no limitation to a municipal bond issue
for the purpose of erecting water works.
There is a constitutional limitation upon
the power of counties issuing bonds in
excess of three and one-half per cent of
the taxable valuation. Assuming the tax
able valuation of Jefferson county was
800, 900 (but it is not) this would au-
thorize a bond issue of only $3,500,000,
from which must be deducted its pres
ent indebtedness amounting to more than
s., 900, 900. We would have less than ST.
10000 even if all other conditions were
favorable, from which Jefferson county
could erect a water works system. The
inadequacy of this amount is too obvious
for discussion.
AS already stated there is no limitation
upon the bonds that may be issued by
municipal corporation for water works.
1t was the general theory of the trainers
of the constitution, and it is the general
theory of business men dealing in such
matters, that mortgage upon the plant,
properly constructed and planned, issued
under municipal authority will take care
of itself, and an Indebtedness for water
works secured by mortgage is not includ-
ed within the general Indebtedness of a
municipality. either under our constitu
ton or the usages pertaining in the COM
mercial world
The city of North Birmingham has
adopted the legislation necessary to the is
suance of S5.0O0,000 of bonds for the build
ing of this water works, sufficient to sup