The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-09-18
No Steps Whatever Taken in
Advocacy of Disposing
of Them
TWO MEETINGS LAST
NIGHT AT COURTHOUSE
Neither Knew the Other Was in Ses-
sion-Bowie and Motion Among
Speakers In Opposition
to the Sale
BY BURR BLACKBURN

Tomorrow the people of Greater Bir-
mingham will vote on an important
question: Shall we sell our municipal
light and water plants?"
When Greater Birmingham became
effective Birmingham went into the
water and light business, taking over
the plant owned by the city of North
Birmingham and for six months the
city has made an experiment in mu-
nicipal ownership.
About month ago the Birmingham
water works made a proposition to
the city to buy the water plant and
Immediately afterward the Birming-
ham Railway, Light and Power COM
pany proposed to the light plant.
The consideration IS simply to take
over the bonded indebtedness.
The City Council decided to submit
the question to the people. Almost
unanimously the election was ordered.
1t was a question proper for the voters
to determine.
The plants are five years old and
originally cost $4,000. Briefly, they
consist of duplex pump with capacity
of 100000 gallons daily, and two
electric producer engines, one of 100
and the other of 200 kilowatt hours
capacity; a we'll $50 feet deep. a solid
rock reservoir, capacity 100000 gall
Ions; water piping, electric wiring and
SO arc lights for the town of North
Birmingham.
Few Favored Sale
Since the election was ordered the
people have considered 1t quietly. Very
few people have favored the sale. 1t is
safe to say that rs per cent of the
aldermen will vote against 1t. Oppo-
sition did not take form until last
week, when meetings were held in the
various suburbs and the sentiment was
unanimous against 1t. Organizations
have adopted resolutions opposing it.
In fact there have been few argu-
ments advanced in favor of the sale.
duced the resolutions submitting the
question, left for Denver as the cleo
ton approached. He thought that the
plants were too small and the prop
erty too slight, being only eight acres
in all, to warrant the trouble of con-
have been run during the last seven
months at slight loss, but when the
cost of s3 arc lights at $40 year,
and the additional cost of higher rates
to the citizens of North Birmingham
are considered, many think 1t more
economic to retain the plants.
The recent discovery of the coli bac-
terra in the water has been the great
est argument in favor of the sale. A
filtration plant will be necessary un-
less the water supply Is changed.
But Birmingham is opposed to the
sale. 1t will never take place If the
council follows the will of the voters.
The idea has been a dead once since
the first minute 1t was mentioned
There has been no cause for any alarm.
1t Is simply business proposition and
the people are going to decide to stay
in the business.
Reasons for Opposition
IlcTc are SoiiC VI tlC OPpOcltiOn dI
guments, as prepared by the campaign
committees:
"a vote for the sale of these plants is
a backward step for municipal ownership
in this city.
III the people of Greater birmingham
vote for the sale of these plants 1t may
be argued with force that its citizens are
not In favor of municipal ownership.
cit will create an absolute monopoly In
water and lights and destroy all compe-
tition.
ut is an opportunity to test municipal
ownership here in our city.
1.-THE splendid health of the people of
North Birmingham proves that the con-
dition of the water is healthful.
THE people of North Birmingham do
not want these plants sold, and the citi-
zens Of Greater Birmingham should not
deprive them of the advantages they
now have in cheaper rates for light and
" eter.
"A filter may be added to the water
plant at comparatively little cost.
No Draft ON Treasury
Although operated under unfavorable
conditions, these plants have not drafted
upon the city treasury for their sup
port.
The governing body of this city has
the power to regulate the rates for fur
tell IL intf l.