The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-06
CITY COMMITTEE
NAMES JUNE 70 AS
DAY FOR PRIMARY
Heads Of City Departments
Will Be Placed on the
Ticket
TO SUBMIT COMMISSION
FORM OF GOVERNMENT
Judge Abernethy, by Skillful Political
Mnneuverins, Makes Committee
Practically Solid "Anti-
Ring" Body

Like the crushing of peanut shell by
the fingers of Hercules, did the city DEM
ooratic executive committee crumble the
plans of the ring element of the Board
of Aldermen at the meeting of the COM
mittee last night. 1t was brilliant dis
play of smooth political maneuvering
and resume of the sessions doings re-
vealed Judge Heustis B. Alternately
leader of the anti-administration forces,
as being quietly but very decidedly in
control of the situation with voting
strength of 81 to /, and, counting the
chairman, 80 to l.
And the committee simply carried out
the promises upon which its members
were elected and to which by signed af-
fidavit they had sworn to remain true.
Every plan of the leaders of the Board
of Aldermen was thwarted. They desired
to keep the heads of departments on OIL
the ticket and neither do they relish the
idea of government by commission.
The heads of departments will go upon
the ticket. as instructed by an over
whelming vote of the people at the last
primary, and to which action the alder
men made affidavit to abide by. Chief
of the fire department and city bac-
teriologst are the only two positions ex-
cepted.
The people will also be given a oppor-
tupity of expressing themselves on the
question of a commission form of gov
eminent Of Birmingham.
Both aldermen from the five wards Gre
ated by the newly annexed territory VIII
go upon the ticket, the highest man TO
receive the four-year term and the next
highest two-year term.
The primary will be held June 20.
An immense audience packed the large
council chamber and tumultuous applause
greeted move after move, which further
exemplfied the strength of the anti
ring forces The first surprise came
lust after the converting of the meeting
when Judge Abernethy passed his vote
on the matters which came up first rel
alive to the acceptance of proxies and the
filing of vacancies in the original COM
mittee The real surprise came rev
moments later when Judge Abernethy
arose and rendered his resignation as
a member from the First ward, stating
that he had moved into the Fifth ward
some six months before. @s4
Everybody sat up suddenly at this
move and wondered what was coming
next. Committeeman Finch of the Fourth
ward revealed it when he arose and
asked that vacancy be declared in the
place held in the committee by Commit
teeman Phil Harper, who was also elect
ed as an alderman several months ago TO
fill a vacancy on the board. Mr.. Finch
gave as his reason for asking that
vacancy be declared in Mr.. Harper's seat
on the committee, the fact that Mr..
Harper would be in the race for alderman
during the primary. A slight tilt followed
between Finch and Harper. when the
latter arose and denied that he was run
ming for office. The matter was dropped
for the time being, but few minutes
later Mr.. Harper rendered his resigna-
ton. 1t was accepted and Judge Aber-
nethy Immediately elected to the va
cancy.
Then followed in quick succession the
proceedings which relegated the plans OF
the administration further and further
to the rear.
Chairman Metcalf Resigns
Alderman Walter Metcalf who was re-
Gently elected member of the Board OF
Aldermen to fill vacancy which occur
red, and who was chairman of the COM
mittee. presided during the first part OF
the meeting. He rendered his resignation.
however, before matters pertaining to the
governing Of the city was concerned. He
explained that he was a candidate.
Vice Chairman Martin of the Tenth
ward was elected permanent chairman
and presided during the latter part of
the meeting.
Abe Rich, secretary of the committee,
stated that he had some proxies and
moved that committee be named to
| consider them. This was Immediately
blocked by a heavy vote for the COM
mittee as whole to consider the
proxies.
The first proxy was that Of Commit
teeman Enslen of the Eighth ward. 1t
was turned down on the ground that he
was no longer a resident of Birming-
ham and not entitled to representation
on the committee. A vacancy was de-
clared in his place. and J. L. Drennen.
an ANTI man, Immediately elected to
it. The proxy of w. H. Johnson for
! J. d. Dabney Of the Eighth ward was