The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-07

actment to give Birmingham commis-
 sion, is that we should have it. The
 mere details of what is the proper kind of legislation do not count so much. The
 bill proposed by MT. Percy is fashioned
 after the kind that the people have said
 overwhelmingly they desired It is up to
 the legislature to give the citizens of this city what they have demanded.
 There cannot be any question but what
 @ commission form of government is best for city like Birmingham. The clauses
 as to a referendum, recall and the other
 features should be thrashed out the best way possible. Personally, I think three
 men with good pay could be secured to
 give their entire time and attention to the affairs of the city government. If this is true they could serve us better than 32 or more aldermen who do not get
 any pay"
 Capt. Jack w. Johnson "I favor the commission form of gov ernment on it's face" said Capt. Jack w. Johnson. but there is a great chance for a machines creation. Suppose the commissioners are three men who give up | their work to take the temporary place. l They are not wealthy and when 1t is time for another election the three have a lit- tie dinner and talk over the retirement UT LILO OIl6 IlldH. IL IS d8TccQ lfldl IlS cannot enter business because that has
 all flown from from him while he has
 been serving the people. They say: Well, we have favored this man and the other by offices, so I will run again and we three must see to it that all the employees who have been favored walk proudly up to the box and hurrah for me- "The net result of such frame-up
 would be a machine which would tie up the city as nothing else ever has done before. But there is one loop only. And that is for the best citizens of this city to get together and have heart to heart talk as to the most acceptable men to
 run for the offices and concentrate all the
 forces of good citizenship behind those men. If this is done, and the men chosen make good, then we do not care how long they hold the offices, for life if necessary, just so they deliver the goods If the commission bill has a recall or referen- dunn it woudl deter the operations of a ring.
 T am in favor, as I said, of the com- mission form of government, because it is democratic, progressive and the best of this time and cilivilation. However, the people had best erect stop, look and listen signal before they elect any three men to the jobs."
 Frank w. Smith
 Alderman Frank w. Smith said: "I have no interest in, the creation of a commission for Birmingham, except the desire to see this magic town go forward in the fast march to better conditions. q have always been for commission form of government and believe the citi- zens who honored me by electing me as their alderman knew my position before they elected me. The commission form of government is first the best possible thing for this city, and all those who are in terested here should see to 1t that the bill is adopted.
 "The city of Memphis is operated under
 the commission and that town is about
 the size of Birmingham. They have
 found it to be the best way to operate
 the city government. I am in favor of
 the bill prepared by MT. Percy because
 three men with good salaries could be
 secured to operate the city and they
 would do it we'll The commission form
 of government is nothing new and cannot
 help but benefit this city. I favor the re-
 call and referendum and hope to see
 these features incorporated in the en-
 acted laws"