The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-20
WEIGHTY MATTERS
 CONFRONT TIE CITY Probably Over S1,OOO,OOo tWiII Ee Spent This Year MORE TALK OF COMMISSION Rumors of Extra Session Accompanied By Reports That Legislature Will
 Be Asked To Put City on
 Commission Basis.
MORE TALK OF COMMISSION

Ward and the apparent dissolution of the two factions of the council, have caused an outward calm in. municipal circles within the circle there is much pending, and the chances are that a storm of business will follow within short while.
 At the present time the general belief that the legislature in it's special session which Governor Conner has stated will be called together will consider the es- tablishment of a commission form of government in Birmingham is causing the aldermen to consider. Certain of the members of the council, as is known, among the number R. D. Burnett, are ] In favor of the tablishment of a com mission on business and equitable basis, while others are seriously opposed. But i the knowledge that this matter will be discussed by the legislature is having it's effect, and is proving the subject of much gossip and speculation.
 And the aldermen have their hands full. In the first place within the year it is probable that more than a million dollars will be expended in improve ments. This vast sum of money is con sidered a matter of such importance that the aldermen are determined to act most circumspectly, and with the greatest care They desire that their action be not followed by the slightest criticism, in spite of the fact that as one of the gen. tlemen stated yesterday, somebody is go- ing to complain it matters not what is done.
 The construction of the system of san itary sewers for the southsde will, in all probability, be begun this year. This sys- tenn will cost the city about $SOO,0O0. This week the street committee, as is remem- bered, prepared to award the contract for half this work, but rescinded it's &C., ton. At the present time a new ordi- nance authorizing the advertisement for bids for this work is in the hands of the judiciary committee, which commit tee will make a report at the next meet ing. Then will follow the advertisement, and the awarding of contracts. Certain aldermen are in favor of following the customary method of awarding the con- tract to the lowest bidder, while others are in favor of disposing of the work on the percentage basis.
 At the present time, too, II. D. Shrop- shire, Jr., city clerk, is preparing to act on the authority of the council and advertise for bids for the s35O,OO0 school bond issue. The advertisements will be ! inserted in The AgeHerald in the imme- diate future, and soon the contract will 1 be awarded. With the money realized i from the sale of these bonds, each of the city schools will be improved, and in the majority additional accommoda- ton will be provided. One new school npl a m will hn n1 Other matters of the greatest impor- tance are the petition for a water fran chise by T. H. Friel and associates of North Birmingham, and the petition for ah extension of the Aldrich electric light ing franchise MT. Friel states in his petition that he has a scheme whereby Birmingham can be supplied with abun- dant water at cheaper rate than the people now pay. The investigation of 1 the project will necessarily entail the expenditure of a considerable sum of money, and in view of the fact that a Birmingham franchise is considered Of great value, the aldermen are determined to know every detail before they take the plunge. In a way, the same is true concerning the Aldrich franchise.
 As is known, the city has just granted the Birmingham Waterworks company the right to erect a standpipe on Red Mountain and to put the people in that section on a meter rate. HIS matter Is not settled in it's entirety because of the suits pending against the company. If the city wins these suits, the waterworks company will be compelled to offer the people fiat rate in the neighborhood of the new standpipe.
 Two other matters of importance that are pending are resolutions of B. H. Cooper the one endeavoring to obtain cheaper lighting for the people of the city, and the other to authorize the elec- ton of purchasing agent for the city. MT. Cooper contends, and has figures to substantiate his argument, that Birming- ham pays more for its electric lighting than many other Southern cities. In his resolution for the election of purchas- ing agent he contends that such an of ficial of the city is badly needed. City Auditor Petersen. too, who. at present does the purchasing for the city, has expressed himself to the effect that such an official is necessary. On the other to the move, and it is predicted by Isev- teresting developments, and probably a split on the board
 Of such importance are the matters be- fore the board, that it is probable that all the business will not be concluded prior to the expiration of the term of Mayor George B. Ward. The indications therefore, are that Captain Frank P O'Brien, when he assumes charge of the mayors office in May, will enter upon most busy period of the city's history.
 
 Real Estate Transfers.