The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-30
OUR NEW DlA YOR TALKS 70 DOLLY
 DALR1D1PLE ABOUT CIT2'S AFFAIRS Times
 Pro Law 0 Great Interxto 0

, way, and which Mrs. Johnston has ex- emplified so entirely as you suggest in re- gard to the Industrial school at East Lake" said But returning to the city s affairs, I suppose you found everything just ready for you to take hold-no dis agreeable eonditionS-but not great amount of money?' l remarked.
 "I found no money in the coffers of the city that might properly be said to be- long to the treasury. The revenues Of the last year were all pledged to the payment of a loan negotiated by my pred ecessor through Messrs Henry B. Gray and W. P G. Harding for S176O00. The departmental condition was in 'apple-pie' order 1t could not have been otherwise Under the able management of the gentle men who preside over the various de- partments the most perfect system mas been inaugurated which would make plain sailing for even man Of medlcre aDn- ity,' was the response.
 1T understand that you have had to borrow some money, and 1t occurred to me to ask If it was a difficult thing to do in these times?" I suggested.
 Absolutely no; this is the first experi- ence l have had during a business career of 45 years where I have enjoyed asAing the fellow who holds the money bags to loan me money. The ease with which have succeeded in securing the loan l have been authorized to negotiate is really and truly a revelation said Mayor O'Brien And as to financing the city, there Is nothing so easy as the securing of money for legitimate purposes from those who have money to loan, especially when the security offered. Is as gilt edge as is the faith and credit of dear old Birmingham
 Thinking of the many automobile rides I have taken around Birmingham and re- calling the condition of the roads in vari- ous vicinities l was prompted to ask if the Mayor had anything to do with the good roads question, to which the answer was made:
 "The Mayor of the city has nothing to do with good roads, but much to do with good streets, hence he should delight in the discussion of that end of the city beautiful. The 70 per cent oil asphalt ex- pertinent just completed on one of the streets in Norwood has demonstrated that it is the best and most economical way of dealing with the streets in the resident portion of the city. The streets can be finished, where ordinary balasting Is re- uuired, at cost of not exceeding 50 cents per square yard.'
 And what are the things you propose to do as Mayor?" I inquired. You predec- cessor will go down in Birmingham's his- tory as the City Beautiful Mayor and l thought perhaps you mlght take up some particular feature like that during your administration"
 "I prefer to go slow on the promising act I will be better qualified to answer that question October 1. 1910. George has builded we'll insofar as the city beauti- full is concerned, said the Mayor
 And what do you think about an extra session of the legislature" I inquired. But that's politics-and maybe you don't want to talk politics to woman"
 "Governor Conner is better qualified to answer that question than I am. I am now devoting my spare moments, away from the dizzy whirl of office work, to the study of political economy" was the part ing remark of our new Mayor.