The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-18
Seems to Meet General Ap-
 prova| In Legislature
PLANS DIFFER WIDELY
Jefferson County Representatives Are More Favorable to Com
 mission of Five
BY HUGH W. ROBERTS

Montgomery. January 17.-(Special.)- Interviews with the majority of the mem bers of both houses of the legislature make simple the deduction that the coni- mission form of government idea has taken such firm root all over the stata that any plan to fight the idea will be frustrated.
 There is great variance of opinion, on the other hand, as concerns the terms and provisions of the bill bringing into existence the successor of the ward rep resentation idea, in general vogue at the present time.
 To obviate the long discussions which will follow the presentation of the several bills which have been prepared, a scheme has been launched as result Of which one bill will be framed for introduction into both houses, this bill to contain those features or details of government to which the majority of both houses are favorable. tf
 The plan was put into movement sev- eral days ago following resolution in the senate by Senator Screws providing for the appointment of joint commit tee of both houses, which committee will be expected to frame the one wise meas ure for adoption. The senators to be members of that committee are Screws of Montgomery Allen of Lauderdale and Kilby of Calhoun. The house committee which has not been named as yet-will probably consist of Percy of Jefferson, one of the representatives of Mobile and Montgomery, and one other.
 mi
 The bill for Birmingham. as is known, was framed by MT Percy after the peo- pic had voted almost unanimously in favof of the submission of a commission form of government bill to be enacted into law by the legislature to them for approval.
 Montgomery is practically solid for the commission form of government idea, and the bill has been prepared by Senator Screws. . ll. ....,t. ts F
 There is no unanimous expression conl-s ing from Mobile, but Representative Al bert Bush stated today that Mobile want ed commission government.
 The members of the Jefferson delega- tion, Mir. Percy excepted. are opposed to the idea of three commissioners. Five commissioners are wanted. Mobile seems to be in favor of five commissioners, to be named by the governor and opposed to the recall and referendum.
 In his message, released today, Gov ernor O'Neal advises to go slow as concerns commission form of govern ment, although he concludes with what seems a compromise, as fololws: But l am convinced that the best practical results can be achieved by amending and modifying our present system to meet the undoubled evils which exist by adopting such provisions of the commission method as are sound in theory and principle. l am not pre- rared to give my approval to that pro- vision generally found in laws estab- fishing a commission form of govern ment known as the recall
 Views of Birmingham Men
 Culpepper Exunl. mayor of Birming ham, states that he Is in favor of a commission. eAf4A
 Harry Jones of Birmingham, formor mayor. states that the people should have what they want and agrees that they have indicated their desire to try the commission form. He calls atten- tion to the fact, however. that the peo- pie of Birmingham voted that the bill shall be submitted to them for ap proval.
 Lieutenant Governor Gray, whose opposition Is believed to have defeat ed the Birmingham proposition put be- fore the last legislature. has stated that he will not fight the commission form of government iden before the present legislature t
 1t Is not beiisvSd that delegation from Birmingham will come to fight the commission government bill as was rumored in the beginning and rumored again when the city council refused 70 announce itself favorable to com mission But it Is probable that some such delegation will come probably to muddy the waters bit AD to wheth- CT technical flaws will occur in the bill, which subsequently, will render 1t un- constitutional, remains. of course, to be seen. d
 The members of the legislature are in favor of the general commission form of government idea and of that there can be no doubt.