The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-11
WILLIAM H. FINN
 OPPOSES PLAN For Purchase of Anniston Wa
 ter Works Plant WANT PUBLIC OWNERSHIP There Seems to Be No Objection to Present System or Management. Captain McAffe Makes Appeal
 For the Salvation Army.
WANT PUBLIC OWNERSHIP

Anniston, January 10.-(Special. 1.-The proposition for municipal ownership of the water works system launched by the present city council, and which has oc- cupied the attention of men of affairs in Anniston from the beginning, still remains the subject of discussion both pro and con. Many good reasons are advanced by both sides in favor of and against the proposition, the latest argu- ment against 1t coming from William H. Finn, large property holder in the city, who is now in New York for a short stay. Mir. Finn advances the theory that plant can be secured much cheaper for the pumping of softer water through the mains than is furnished by the present company, which would. of course be more attractive to manufacturers than the lime water now furnished Mir Finn letter follows:
 ITO the Citizens of Anniston:
 T have recently seen in the Annis- proposition has been made to the Water supply company to buy its plant for s357, ,000.
 T wish to enter protest. After much time spent on the subject of water supply for Anniston I am satisfied that much better system, and soft water, too, can be secured for about two thirds the sum named above. Why buy an old plant furnishing lime water when we can get new. up-to-date plant supply ing soft water? There should be a check put on the proposition.
 WILLIAM H. FINN.
 New York, January f."
 The agitation on the water question seems to have arisen solely. from the de- sire for municipal ownership alone, 1t being a conceded fact that the service given by the present company is as good as can be had anywhere. and the amount and purity of the water furnished is not questioned. The only objectionable fes- ture to the water itself seems to be that its lime properties are high. The sup ply available from the present source is great enough for a city twice the size of Anniston, it having been estimated that the flow from the spring at Coldwater, where the pumping station is located, is something like 22,00O,0O0 gallons daily, only small portion of this being pumped into the mains
 The chamber of commerce, acting with J. Roland Turner, who has charge of the government demonstration work in this district. to make the farmers meet ing here next Saturday big success, has issued the following invitations which will be mailed to every farmer in the county as far as possible:
 The chamber of commerce cordially invites you to be present at the farmers meeting to be held at the courthouse in Anniston, Saturday, January 15, 1910, at Il a. m. Dr. s. A. Knapp of the de- and address the meeting. Bring your friends with you.
 "J. L. WIKLE, President
 .'V. l.. POWELL, Secretary"
 w. B. Merrell of Hef1in, who was re- gently appointed president of the First District association Knights of Pythias, and who has been making series of visits to each lodge in the district, has completed his intinerary. and the visits to be made yet are as follows: Fruit hurst. January 12; Eli lodge, Delta, Jan uary 15; Calhoun lodge, Anniston, Jan uary "A; Oxanna lodge, Anniston. Jan uary 25 Anniston lodge, Anniston, Jan uary 27: Rathbone lodge, Oxford, Feb ruary 2.
 Captain McAffe of the local Salvation Army corps is making special ap- peal to the citizens of Anniston for funds with which to carry on the work of that organization. The appeal Is made by circulating cards which contain the fol- lowing; :,
 Dear Friend-The Salvation Army is laboring under a heavy expense in this city in visiting the sick, feed, clothing and sheltering the poor. and we wish to ask you to share our burdens with us by giving at least $1 per month toward the above. Kindly fill out blank be- low. We will call for answer in few days"
 The appeal is accompanied by blank for the name of the contributor and the amount.
 MAJOR. PRUETT DIES.