The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-12-30
BESSEMER DECIDES
TO BUY THE PLANT
Flattering Waterworks Report
Made by Experts
TWO ALDERMEN VOTE NO
Mayor VIII Not Pass on Matter For a
Week-census Supervisor Mem
Try Makes Statement-Per-
sonaI and General.

city of Bessemer has obligated itself IA
the purchase of the water works plant
owned by the Bessemer Wnter Works
company. At the adjourned session OF
the council tonight the report of the
special water works committee, which
recommended the purchase of the plant.
was received and adopted. The report
of the experts employed by the city
was received and expressions were heard
from Mr.. Aldrich. When the question
was put to vote there were only two
nays Aldermen Keith and Thomas
voting against the issue.
The report of 7. II. Aidrich, the eN
pert was very favorable as were his
statements in the council chamber He
reported that the supply OF water from
Hawkins Springs was practically mex
haustible. At present the spring is yield
ms about 2,5Oo0O0 gallons per day. BY
removing the surface pressure Mr.. Al
drich believes that the capacity could be
easily increased to 100000 gallons per
day. The water is very pure and will not
be polluted thereby eliminating the pos
sibility of filtering plant. The increase
in capacity could be accomplished with
very little added expense. The plant Is
being operated very economically and is
only working seven hours per day. The
other four springs which are included
with Hawkins yield 10000 gallons per
day and are In first-class condition. The
reservoir of the company Is in good con-
dition. 1t is substantially built and would
last for an indefinite period 1t has
a capacity of 100000 gallons. The city
has ample pressure. On Second avenue
it Is S5 pounds and on Dartmouth ave-
nue., the highest point In the city, it
is g.
These are the main features of the
report Personally Mr.. Aldrtch ex-
pressed himself as highly fsvoring the
deal and predicted that in 10 years the
city would be proud of the purchase. He
also pointed out the self-sustaining char
aeter of the investment and ended by
saying that the city would profit by the
purchase. T. II. Aldrich, Jr., acting In
conjunction with his father, made some
statements that tended to show the value
of the plant and what would be the re-
suit of the deal to the city in the flu
ture.
THE United States geological survey,
said Mr. Aldrich, shows that one-third
of the iron ore OF the nation is In the
south. Twenty per cent of 1t Ia in Red
mountain. The mines in the north are
nearly played out and the Steel corpor-
alton 10 turning 10 tn6 SOURI, aill IL Ma
bama for their ore. This means that one
fifth of the employees of the corporation
will come in time to the Birmingham dis
trict This means immense development
for the two cities In the valley. me
increase of population in Bessemer will
bring a corresponding increase In the
earnings of the water plant In 10 years
1000 will be mere bagatelle to the
city and the water works plant Will be
of
The adoption of the report of the COM
mittee tonight means that but one thing
will hold up the closing of the deal-the
veto of the mayor. Mayor Lewis re-
fused to say whether he would use the
power but said that he would do nothing
within the next week. With the present
vote the council could override his veto.
There was not single dissenting voice
from the audience heard tonight, and this
is taken as a sign of approval from the
people. The city attorney has thorough
ly inspected the contract and says that
tho Objectionable abiguity has been re-
moved, and as the contract stands there
is no chance of misconstruing 1t. The
books of the company will be examined
by an expert auditor, who will pass on
the figures submitted by the company to
the city. The contract will be closed as
soon as the details can be attended to
and the transfer made to the commission
ers.
After the water works matter was fin
ished the council took up the license
schedule for 1910. Small changes were
made, but no important move was made
in the new schedule. The franchise of
the Birmingham Railway, Light and
Power company was passed until the next
regular meeting night which will be next
Tuesday.