The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-06-19
TEXANS VISIT CITY
TO SEE THE SIGHTS
Came Especially to See Cham
Der of Commerce
ADOLPH BOLDT TALKS
Secretary of Business League Tells of
Great Things Houston Has Done
Under the Commission Form
of Government
ADOLPH BOLDT TALKS

Five enthusiastic, whole-souled boost
ers from Heavenly Houston Tex
were. for a few hours, in Birmingham
last night.
The party was en- route to New Or
leans from the T. p. A. convention
held at Chattanooga and came to this
city for the express purpose of view
ing the Chamber of Commerce build
ing and of seeing the steel plant at
Ensley.
The party consisted of Adolph Boldt,
secretary of the Houston Business
league, Seymour C. Brasher. state pres
ident of the T. P. A.; d. w. MichauX
e. r. Hollond and Frederick W. Par
mer.
Mr.. Holdt, after paying high compi-
ment to the city of Birmingh am, spoke
enthusiastically of the commission
form of government as applied to
Houston.
81 do not see how it is possible
for any city to remain under the old
order of things" said Mr. Holdt. KS
pociall yafter reading of the wrongs
committed against the people by the al
dermanic system. 1t is especially
strange to us because of the excellent
results we have attained under commits
sion government. Our plan is very
simple and when boiled down is moth
ing more than a business proposition.
I'VE have a mayor and four com
missioners The present mayor Is
Baldwin Rice, who was mayor when the
aldermanic system was in service. lie
is assisted by four commissioners. Tn
der the old plan it was very seldom that
| a day passed unless the great cry of
| graft was sounded by someone. Now,
Mr. Rice the same mayor, has charge
of things and he runs them to the sat
| isfaction of everyone
1T is considered a high honor to
be oh osen commissioner for the city.
We business men get together and
choose the most available men for
the jobs. If these men object to serv-
ing we prevail upon them until they
consent to serve. In this manner we
have no trouble In selectiong the best
timber.
Should your city adopt the COM
mission form of government, and the
OBJ lection is raised that too much
power would be in the hands of
few, sipmly point out that if the wrong
men are placed on the commission it
is fault of the voters.
THE commissioners when elected are
pledged to give their whole time to
municipal affairs. For this service
they are paid good salary and they
never fail to get on the job and pro-
tect the city in every way. We place
the greater amount of power in the
mayor. He can discharge airy employee
of the city without a moments warn
ing and replace him with someone Of
his own choosing. Although this power
is placed it is seldom that Mayor Rice
exercises it to this extent. He rare
ly fails to consult the other commits
sioners.
1T may not be amiss to mention
few of the many public improvements
we have accomplished under the COM
mission form of government. By eco
nomc measures the commissioners paid
a debt of 100000 floating bonds with
in 10 months after assuming charge of
affairs. They did this by getting after
the delinquent taxpayers ard making
them pay up The old crowd was afraid
of wounding the feelings of few
voters and thus several hundred thous-
and dollars was lost annually to the
city. 1t seems strange to see mile
after mile of street paving being done
with out a bond issue. Yet we do that
In Houston, and never Issue bonds Tor
payment. The city owns its sand pits,
its shell reefs and sand bars. and
they buy brick from the yards at the
wholesale prices. Think of city buy
ing these necessary commodities
through contractors or in the market
This plan saves US annually a healthy
sum. After all, It's only q simple
business proposition.
I'VE are constructing a public audi
torium to cost S350.000. This auditorium
is to be used for conventions and will
be absolutely freproof. The building
will also contain our manufacturing
and agricultural xhibits.
I'VE have recently purchased our wa
ter works system and have 1t paid
for. These are only few of many
public acts which have taken place
by reason of our plain business ddt
ministration of civil affairs.
1.-THE commissioners are held in check
by the recall and referendum clauses.
No bonds can be voted that are not
approved by the people. The voters
can also challenge any act OF the COM
mission and If enough votes are against
1t the commissioners do not force the
question.
II hope your city will adopt this form
of government at your election Mon
day. We wish to see every southern
city blossom and we are very much
interested in Birmin CHAM.
Il cannot but congratulate your city
upon the Chamber of Commerce build
ing. l have seen few better and my
Information. from Secretary Babb, is
that local money erected the structure.
That is most commendable and truly
demonstra ton of your civic interest"
The Texans We're very much inn
pressed with Highland avenue and With
the steel plant at Ensley. They left
Birmingham last night, singing the
praises of this city and with many kind
expressions for the Birmingham district
in general.