The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-25
OPINIONS VARY ON COMMISSION PLAN Aldermen Think People Should
 Decide Que Ytion ABERNEIHY WANTS IT Well Says Business Interests Would Rather Not Have Further Leeis-
 ation of Any Kind In
 Alabama.

There seems to be considerable dif- ference of opinion in Birmingham as to the advisability of adopting the commis- sion form of government to displace the present board of aldermen. Two alder men seen last night were inclined to be- lieve that if the people of the city want the change they should have 1t.
 Mayor O'Brien is i'll at his home, but he has already stated that if a commits sion form of government should be adopt ed in Birmingham he believed there should be three instead of five commits sioners. He believed that five would be an extra expense which would be un- necessary.
 'If the people want commission form of government I don't see why they shouldn't have it, but really I do not believe the city could be operated as cheap1y and as well as 1t has been for the past several months," said Alder man Simon Klotz of the Second ward last night. 'I think that the present sys- tenn is the best from an economical standpoint as well as the general hand ling of the city's affairs. With three commissioners two big salaried men will be added to the city's pay roll, while under the aldermanic rule there is no expense. The present way appears the best to me-"
 q am heartily in favor of the commis sion form of government and intend to support the measure,'' said Judge H. B. Abernethy last night.
 q understand that at the recent con- ference between those interested in the measure in Montgomery, it was decided that the governing commission should be composed of five men instead of three. I believe this was wise step, inasmuch as while 1t is well according to my ideas, to centralize the administration of municipal affairs, it is not wholly safe to place almost unlimited authority in the hands of too small body
 Recent occurrences, incident to the conduct of the municipal affairs of Bir- mingham, have called to my notice the fact that some of our officials have side stepped in order to save their heads and their positions. l mean that with the commission form of government our off cials will not be forced to elect alder men simply for the sake of holding their jobs.
 q am not familiar with Representa- tive Urquhart's bill and do not know ex- actly what the provisions are. but the commission plan is a great idea and it offers much when the present conditions are considered. Properly conducted and with able men on the commission, muni- cipal politics would benefit greatly. be- lieve that the greater part of the internal dissension and strife which Is character istic of city councils would be eliminated and that the body polite of cities, and especially Birmingham. would undergo a cleansing which would be greatly bene- ficial and vastly pleasing to the people.
 ''It looks like a big and great thing to me and l do not believe any mistake will be made in the adoption of the com mission form of government"
 My chief objection to the commission form of government for Birmingham" said M. Well, Ifs the fact that 1t is in line with the continual changes that are keeping things in turmoil at this time. What we want is peace. Give business chance once more. What Is the use of al- lowing politics to have the center of the stage all the time? Why not put business in the spotlight for awhile? Is there never to be any end of this continued agi- tation for change under the so-called name of reform?? I say so-called reform because think our experience of the past two or three years will prove that changes and agitation have not i'm proved things.
 You can simmer my views down to this. All want as business man is to be let alone for awhile Let's get familiar with the laws we have and learn some thing about what they mean before we enact a lot more''
 If the people of Birmingham wish to try the commission form of government I would not put the least obstacle in the way" said Alderman Barnes Morgan of the Eighth ward last night. q have not given the commission matter careful study and do not know much about its workings, but if the people of my ward are not satisfied with my services I would be the last to blame them for wanting a change.
 'Not having gone into the subject fully I cannot discuss 1t in detail, but if the people of Birmingham want a commis- sion forAn of government they should have it.
 
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