The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-06-27
REFORM MEASURE
GIVEN KNOCKOUT
Georgia Legislature Kills BIZ
ennial Sessions Measure
NEW FILTRATION PLANT
City of Atlanta Hns Queer Why of Let
ting Contracts and Bidders Are
Sore-Repcal of Dog Tax
LAW Expected
NEW FILTRATION PLANT

|
Atlanta, June 26.-(Special. Upon the
theory that 1t was designed to turn the
state over to tho interests, the house
of representatives sgnalized the opening
of its 1910 session by killing one of the
foremost reform measures that has been
before it in some time-the measure pro-
viding for biennial sessions.
| Just how the interests could work
upon the legislature more effectively once
| in two years than they can do 1t each
year remains somewhat of mystery.
There may be something in the theory,
| il they are doing that sort of work, that
| it would cost them a little more money
TO have to watch the legislature once
year. but 1t has not been made apparent
how the effectiveness of their work would
be either increased by the one or dimin-
shed by the other.
In Alabama, 1t was pointed out, the leg
islature meets only once in four years,
yet 1t is not apparent where the interests
have got in any fine Italian" work in
that state since the change went into
effect.
It is notorious that the Georgia legis-
lature now loses seven to eight days each
misunderstanding upon which there is
never a quorum present and when a
handful of members spend few minutes
In passing uncontested local bills which
appear upon the journal, however, as
having been passed by a constitutional
quorum. This is done upon the principle
that the supreme court has decided that
the journal speaks for itself; and if 1t
says bill was passed by a quorum, II
makes no difference If there was only
one member present, why 1t was, de 1ure
at least. passed b. a quorum.
Yet, Joe Hill Hall of Bib, who fought
the biennial sessions bill tooth and toe
nail, declared the legislature does not
now have time enough, with 80 days
year, to attend to the peoples business.
On the face of it, it looks, at least,
little inconsistent.
Then, again, the house of representa-
tives meets only about three hours
day; the senate from half an hour to an
hour and half, according to circum-
stances. In the afternoon some of the
members attend committee meetings while
others go to the ball game or seek other
forms of amusement.
But Mr.. Hall and others insist that
there is not now suffif lent time allowed
in which to attend to the peoples busi-
ness" SO the biennial session bills had
to go.
While the house has only acted on the
favorable committee report, it is ap-
parent from that action, disagreeing to
the report by vote of so to 10, that the
measure stands not the slightest show of
passage. Being a &C Institutional amend
ment, it takes 1875 votes, two-thirds of
h. 10 nd votes
kill it, if it should ever come to passage.
which Is now more than doubtful.
Prior to 1884 Georgia used to have BIZ
ennial sessions of the general assembly
but there was no time Unit on them, 80
that the real value of the custom was
lost. In that year the legislature came
here during the summer and remained In
session 140 days There was such a howl
over the state about it that the legisla-
tors did not dare do it again, and soon
after came tho law providing for an
nual sessions of 80 days each.
The money-saving phase of the propo-
siton appears to have had no effect at
all. With biennial sessions the state
could save approximately $4,000 every two
years-enough to support anyone of the
states eleemosynary institutions.
But hope is gone no wand Georgia will
have to be content until she chooses
legislature, as some would put it, more
considerable of the public interests.
The city of Atlanta, through Its official
government, stands in danger of getting
itself in bad repute with contractors
and material supply men as result of
the manner in which one or two bids have
been handled recently.
Particular attention was called to the
matter In the letting of contract The
other day for the construction of new
filtration plant in connection with the
water works system, and for which $780,
600 of the recent bond issue had been set
aside.
Five firms sent their representatives
here, and after looking over the 81 ound,
three of them departed without bidding
making the statement that in their opin-
ion the New York Continental Jewel
Filtration company had the job "sewed
up"
Two bids for an 100000 gallon plan,
were opened. The Continental bid, $42,-
900, and the American Water Softener
company $S0.912.
well" said the committee, III we can
get an 100000 gallon plant for $4,000.
and If we've got 1000 for the work, let's
see about 100000 gallon plant"
So the bids were both rejected and
bids called for at once on 100000 gal
lon plant The American then went up
to $4,000, while the Continental put in
a bid on the larger plant for $4,000. 1t
was reported that the agent for the Con-
tinental stated he was going to have the
lob IL he had to put in the plant for So,
900 and even less.
Then the committee accepted the Con-
tinental's bid of s31 coo. Several members
of the committee who did not like the
way the thing was done will submit a
minority report to the council when tho
matter comes before that body for its &C.
ton.
| Georgia Is promised a letter writing
campaign for governor on both sides.
The statement comes from former Gov.
| Hoke Smiths office that while he will
make few speeches, he will not appear
| on the stump to anything like the extent
which he did in former campaigns.
Mr. Smith 1t is stated, will give out
| no interviews or state1ents except such
as he prepares himself. furnishing type
| written copies over his own signature to
| the press.
| But he proposes, as he has informed his
| friends, to discuss public questions
through such statements as he sees fit to
give out for publication.
This method of campaigning. as is well
known, was original with Gov Joseph NJ
Brown in the campaign Of 1908. At least
no one recalls any other candidate for
governor who followed it.
Governor Brown, 1t is understood, will
stick to his own method. Whatever he
has to say will be given to the public in
| the shape of signed statements furnished
| to the press.
Rnt Governor Brown has alreadv in