The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-11-07
Prominent Citizens Are Inclined
to Think County Should
Undertake Work
MANY OPPOSE PLAN TO
HAVE CITY SELL WATER
Senator Miller Thinks Some Arrange
ment Can Probably Be Made
Whereby County Can
Tackle Problem.

water supply is one great enough to re-
quire the united efforts of Jefferson and
all the cities within the county is the
! conviction of those deeply interested. The
Tennessee company and the other great
corporations dependent upon a water sup
ply are also expected to be parties to the
final solution of the problem.
The Commercial club of Birmingham
aided by all other organizations in the
county. has first before it to provide
plan to overcome the many obstacles
that lie in the way. 1t seems that a sug-
gestion has never yet been made which
met with anything like general approval
Those who advocate municipal ownership
are opposed by those who deny the right
of one city to sell water outside its limits
Those who want to see the county handle
the maaeuvers are confronted with the
claim that constitutional limitations pre-
vent Jefferson county's issuing sufficient
bonds.
The plan of T. II. Friel is opposed by
, many arguments of nconstitutionality,
and against saddling off 100000 worth OF
bonds on Birmingham, so it seems that
it is still up to some prophet to arise and
read the handwriting on the wall at the
next Commercial club meeting.
Birminghams efforts at municipal own
ersbip have so far met with defeat. The
bill carried to the last legislature to al
! low Birmingham to build her own plant,
condemn existing plants and sell water to
the outside world, was Billed. State Sem
ator Nat L. Miller said yesterday: II have
always opposed the principle of allowing
city to do a general business, selling its
goods to the outside world. To supply
water for the industries of this district
is duty incumbent upon the county.
and should certainly not be given into the
hands of any one town. AS opposed to
municipal ownership, l think the idea of
Jefferson's building her own system a
feasible one, and think it could be worked
out successfully, although l am not ac-
quainted with the detail objections which
might be brought out.
1.-THE movement, following the defeat of
the new county amendment is timely, and
hope to see it result in good. To at
tract new capital and care for industrial
enterprises the district must be able to
Col. T. G. Bush, who has repeatedly OPP
posed the North Birmingham bond issue.
said last night: Comparatively speaking,
the proposition to furnish Birmingham
with an adequate supply of water is
small thing. Manchester, England, is
supplied from lake 70 miles distant,
while many American cities have gone
even further for their water. 1t has come
to the point, however, where Birmingham
must take the matter up seriously. 1t
seems to me that if. the county is able to
carry the whole burden that plan would
be much better, but ii not, 1 see no reason
why a plan should not be devised by
which the county, Birmingham, Ensley
and Bessemer might jointly tackle the
problem and bring the water which all
three need so badly. That, of course. is
a matter to be considered. / am still
skeptical about the quantity of water
which might be secured from the War
rior river but this is good time to go
at it and thrash out the prelimnaries.
And il the Commercial club, the county
ami the cities will do their best, no doubt
in Il very short time the district will be
well supplied, and many great industrial
strides will result
Emmett Collins said: II hope the new
county amendment was defeated, and
hope it will give an impetus to the work
of bring supply of cheap water to
the dist t. While l have not studied the
circumstances, everyone agrees that in
dustHal plants must be supplied with
plenty of water and we cannot hope to
land many more under present conditions.
Every good citizen will welcome consid-
GRAFTON of the proposition, and as quick
action as possible.
j. L. Shelby, who took a prominent part
in the fight against the new county, said:
IAN effort to come to a conclusion on
this important proposition will be well
come 10 the people of birmingham. Even
those G;liaterested have become tired of
talk and talk about this and that The
proposition deserves action, and | believe
the close call which our great county has
had will serve to wake up many of us
to the Importance of our responsibilities"