The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-17
VAN HOOSE INSISTS
 ON INVESTIGATION Says Vague Newspaper NOto- riety Is Hurting Town SUGGESTS FURTHER PLAN Editor of Aee-Herald Dsasrees With Writer as to the Advantages of
 "cost of Living" Cam
 pagn.
SUGGESTS FURTHER PLAN

me in the matter of the cost of living in the Birmingham district, it would seem my duty as well as my privilege, to further press the matter of a business like and thorough investigation by com potent parties, as outlined in my recent letter to you.
 To let this matter founder along in this aimless and vague way is to need lessly continue a newspaper notoriety that has already hurt this district in
 ways that are far-reaching, and if not corrected, may prove almost disastrous. Much of this Is naturally repeated by
 our competitors, both publicly and pri
 vatey. The suggestions I made to you
 as to a committee were entirely prac-
 ticable provided, of course, it was really
 desired to make business-like inyesti-
 gation. Analyze the men and the sub
 ject matters suggested, and see how
 easily, how naturally the following sub
 division of subjects and collection of
 facts suits each man and vice versa.
 Will any one for a moment admit that
 MT. Barrett is not or cannot quickly be-
 come familiar with rates of and all ques- tions pertaining to advertising in Birming-
 ham, and in other cities? That MT Hedt,
 with his wide experience in many mat
 ters, is not personally already familian
 with much of such questions as cost of
 ice, lights, water, fuel, lumber, kinding
 wood, coal, etc. |? That MT. Drake, the president of one of the most powerful and respected organizations in the entire
 district, Is not already familiar with such
 n al TI,ok Judge Lane, three times Mayor of Bir-
 mingham, and man of varied experi- ence, and recognized ability, is not fa- miliar with such questions as taxes H-
 censes etc.? That Mr. Wood, as president of the Commercial club, Is also even
 now without any special preparation pre- pared, and so states, to do his full share Of any subdivision of labor or thought assigned him by the committed
 In addition, it must be borne in mind that Presidents Drake, Heidt and Wood have at their disposal, l imagine, sim ply for the asking, extremely competent and well organized office forces and ma l ehinery, which will gladly be put to work l by each of their respective organizations.
 In this service of the people. I say service of the people," because if there
 is anything more important to the whole
 Birmingham district than getting at the
 real facts as to the comparative cost 1 of living in this district, I frankly do not know what that subject is or can be. The Commercial club alone has nearly l looo members, high-toned capable hon | orabie men, who are banded together for and pledged to attempt any and all things that may properly help this dis l trict. l will leave it to the citizens of
 lhis city who know these men and these respective organizations, if am not with
 In the reasonable bounds of practicabilitv l when l say that an investigation under ] taken by these men and these organiza- tlons through their respective officials. who will be on this general committee. will get, and get quickly, right down | to facts
 In addition MT. Underwood can be Of :! great help in this subdivision and worl. by making a thorough personal investt- satioh or conditions in Washington. His 'raiaihg on questions of ways and means should be of great help in getting
 up data at that center. where govern
 ment statistics in addition are at all times available at the request of com sressmen. In addition MT Underwood could also make a searching investiga-
 ,Ion as 10 cooperative buying and sell Ing in Washington, and would also m doubt be willing to make a recommenda- tlon at first hands as to whether if is or IS not advisable to try this in the Birmingham district
 lne committee will have no need of any power to compel men to speak out Every
 man who loves his fellow man and he
 eity Will gladly help this committee in setting al facts. As to the question of iiioney' let thls committee, when they
 meet, estimate what this investigation will l cost in dollars and cents in the way of
 employing extra stenographers and be- | yond question the public-spirited men of Blrmlngham will do as they have always | done in regard to all questions affectin- Birmingham's interest and the money will be forthcoming.
 Now. therefore. MT. Editor and citizens of Birmingham, let us all get to work on this matter. Let every man and wom- an, especially those who are dependent on labor or salaries, who are really in earn est about this question of the cost of liv- ing in Birmingham compared with other
 cities, and honestly wish to see it fully ventilated and settled, sit right down and i; write to MT. E. w. Barrett care Age Herald approving of this business in- vestigation, and ask him as acting chair
 man, to call that committee together at once and for the purpose heretofore indi- oated. MT Barrett quite properly seems
 to have been waiting for such expressions
 from the people. Hence, people of Bir- mingham, If you want business settle
 ment of a question which is of the most absolute and vital importance to every
 man, woman and child in this district be willing to spend cents In money and two minutes of time in sending personal let ter to MT. Barrett, which, of course, will
 not be published, but will be simply an indication of the wishes of the people. Also when you have written your own
 letter, do tell your neighbor what you
 have done and get him or her to immedi-
 ately do likewise. You may rest assured that MT. Barrett will carry out your
 wishes with that fidelity, thoroughness
 and faithfulness for which he Is so well
 known in this district Very respectfully. J. A. VANHOOSE.
 Birmingham, March 16 190S