The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-02-27
CLUB UNDECIDED
ON WATER MATTER
Committee viii Consult With
Council Members
DIFFERENCES OF 0PlNlON
Dearborn Says City Has Been "Going
Slow and Passing Resolutions
Long Enough'-lt Is Time
To Do Something.

The Commercial club, by the appoint
ment of a special committee yesterday
afternoon, takes up the water question
Jointly with the water committee of the
city Council in order 10 find out just
what is proposed as well as make recon-
mendations to the club at the next meet
ing.
Along with the committee goes a reso-
luton, urging the council to act slowly
and carefully before awarding the con-
tract to North Birmingham for the sipsy
river project. Immediately on calling
the meeting to order, Vice President
Rufus N. Rhodes said that the board
of directors had been informed that an
urgent move is on foot to conclude the
contract with North Birmingham for
cheaper water which involves the issd-
ance of 100000 worth of bonds.
THE board of directors thought that
the matter is not yet sufficiently thrashed
out and that the secretary of the club
should be instructed to advise the board
of aldermen that it regards it inexpedient
to rush into any contract to establish a
system for furnishing cheaper water"
said the chairman,
The board Immediately voted unani-
mously indorsing the idea of the dlrec-
tors but A. R. Dearborn said:
1.-THE water committee of the council
has gone over the Friel scheme, and If
it has found that the scheme is a good
one it ought to be prosecuted to the
fullest extent. This should not appear
as an antagonistlc political movement,
but as cooperation"
Mr.. Rhodes explained that he wanted
to tell just what had reached the ears
of the directors, "that the rumor has
reached the board that according to the
Friel scheme work is to begin in two
years and be completed in five years.
unless storm or panic intervenes in which
case the time is to be unlimited. I do
not believe we should tie the peoples
hands, and absolutely keep them from
adopting some other plan which might
be better. While it might be undone, it
would involve litigation and expense. 1
believe we ought to go slow"
Mr.. Dearborn said, 81 beg to differ with
Mr.. Rhodes. We have been going slow
long enough, for we have done nothing
but talk all these years. We want to
act with care, but it is the clubs duty to
give this water problem more careful con-
sideration than it has in the past. II Is
so simple and so cheerful to pass these
placid resolutions, but the time has come
when actions by this body should reflect
more honor than do these trivial resolu-
tions. ! think committee should be ap
pointed to consider this matter jointly
with the council and get from them
what information we need 1t was sug
gested that the clubs old water commit
tee take the matter in charge.
Mr.. Rhodes said: MY committee is
composed of strong, patriotic, honorable
men of business. We had a meeting, and
after much discussion determined that
the only sensible way to accomplish this
business is to get expert opinion. This
we considered the wisest and most prae-
teal course to be adopted and followed.
This of course will require money. The
club has none. Hence we appointed a
finance committee of five with Walker
Percy as chairman, and he is at work
undertaking steps to raise commensu-
rate sum to get expert opinion to cover
the whole subject. 1t is of course pro-
crossing very slowly. This, however is
not the committee to take up the City
Councils action
He then appointed the following: A.
r. Dearborn, w. II. Messenger, Frank
Nelson, Jr., Robert Jemison, Captain Nc
Crossin, ]. w. Sibley and Walker Percy
who are instructed to be present at the
meeting of the councils committee, ex-
press the clubs resolutions, and study
the problem with the council, to make
a report to the club