The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-03-17
MAKE NO REPORT ON COOPER RESOLUTION Lights and Telephones Con-
 mittee Met Yesterday WATER ISSUE STILL ALIVE Several Aldermen Oppose Spending $5ooo for lnvestieation-ResoIution for Commission Election
 May Come Up.
WATER ISSUE STILL ALIVE

6At the meeting of the council tonight there will be no report on the Cooper ordinance providing for chea per charge for electricity.
 The lights and telephone committee held special session to discuss that ordi- nance yesterday afternoon and because the alderman who introduced the ordi- nance, B. H. Cooper, was not on hand. and because the attendance of the mem bers of the committee was so limited further time was asked and granted.
 Those who attended the meeting were Chairman simon I<lotz Aldermen Heidt. Causey and Gunn President Ford of the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company was a spectator.
 As is remembered MT Cooper after writ ing the mayors of several cities of Bir- mngham's size and importance from whom he obtained data concerning prices charged by the electric lighting com panies, reached the conclusion that the people of Birmingham were paying too much. He therefore introduced resolu- ton resetting the prices to be charged He left the price blank this space to be filled in by the committee which would recommend its adoption. The resolution was first referred to the judiciary com mittee, and then to the lights and tele- phone committee. As stated, it will not be acted upon at the meeting tonight
 All of the committees of the council meet today, and will make reports to be submitted to the council tonight The meeting promises to be an interesting one. The finance committee this after noon will discuss the resolution of the water committee that $5O00 be appropri- ated for the purpose of making an ln- vestigation of the several schemes of supplying Birmingham with abundant and cheap water
 Members of the committee, as are mem- bers of the council, it is learned. are divided, some eontending that the mat ter of postponing the procuring of a bountiful supply of cheap water is most serious, and others contending that the times are too hard at the present time to hand out $5GO0 for experimental pur- poses. The advocates of the plan of buy ing the plant of the Birmingham Water- "DAhS NCAhPeiiiS dlt iuCItdSlnB m nufnDef, 1t Is reported and between the three little factions interesting developments are expected.
 It has been reported that at the meet ing of the council tonight Alderman Coop- CT Will introduce a resolution expressing the willingness of the council that the people decide for themselves by a spe- cial election whether or not a commits sion form of government will obtain in Birmingham.
 This matter has its friends and oppo- nents, too. There is a sentiment among certain of the aldermen that the time is not ripe for another political election in Birmingham The report that this mat ter will be brought up was not con firmed yesterday.
 It is learned, too that there will be a discussion relative to the matter of the franchise for an electric lighting plant that was awarded some years to T. H. Aldrch and associates, and which has been often extended. The company has represented to Mayor Ward that it has begun work on the erection of a plant, that certain poles have been pur- chased, and certain wires, and that ar engagements have been made with North Birmingham to furnish power for a time If the council decides that work has actually been begun, it is probable that no acton Will De taken. In case the council, on the other hand, decides that the contract has not been lived up to, the franchise, which would have expired Monday, will be revoked
 Alderman Burnett stated yesterday that the company should have the franchise in case work has been done, but if no work has been commenced and the com. pany obtained the franchise to dispose of it to other parties they should not have it
 It Is probable, too, that the decision of Judge Coleman in the case of Dr. Shol versus the City of Birmingham which suit was instituted for the pur- pose of determining the relationship be- tween the city health officer other of ficials and the Mayor. will be formally made known to the council. It is prob- able, too, that the council will there upon proceed with the election of City Health Officer Hardness. Dr. Hardness was nominated some time ago by the medical society, but in view of the filing of the suit referred to above, his election by the council was held up.
 The council meeting promises to be in teresting, and it is probable that there will be a healthy attendance of the peo- pie.