The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-05
CITIZENS DISCUSS PERCY'S PROPOSED
 COMMISSION PLAN Generally Favor Idea Although Some Object To Certain
 Minor Features FEW FOUND OPPOSING CHANGE FROM PRESENT One Man Thinks It Should Be Put On People Without Giving Them An
 Opportunity To Vote On
 Proportion

ffOpOTtlOn
 The publication of the plan of Rep resentative- e-elect Walker Percy for mu- nicipal government by commission has caused widespread comment. Citizens seen yesterday were generally in fa- vor of MT. Percy's plan although ob- jections were found to some of the minor features
 We have got to get behind MT. Percy's bill,' said City Attorney Ro- maine Boyd, and I believe that he will draw one best suited to the needs of Birmingham. I am very anxious to see the bill cover the ground of a city charter and clear up the vagaries of the present municipal code. Either this will have to be done or the code entirely revised
 While l would like personally to see five commissioners I do not think the question one on which any of us should disagree.
 q certainly am in favor of a com mission form of government and will do all in my power to aid in its pas sage"
 Fnvors An Election
 Said Alderman W. Barnes Morgan: 'I am in favor of giving the people what they want, but I do not think any form of commission government sh ould be foisted on the public until they have first had an opportunity 10 vote on it.
 If commission form Is adopted by the legislature it should not become effective until indorsed by majority of the voters of the municipality.
 T think there should be five com missioners, instead of three and l do not think we should jump headlong into any referendum or recall schemes, as nothing, in my opinion, could more effectively tie the hands of the ad- ministration."
 Hlgdon FavOrs It
 T am heatrily in favor of the commits sion form of government" said Sheriff E. L. Higdon yesterday, and I believe that it is the only sensible solution of the difficulties in which we find ourselves at present. It Is always better to have some one upon whom we may place the responsibility and the commission form of government would do this. Having the commissioners as heads of the depart ments would not only be more economi- cal, but a better conducted city would result.
 While MT. Percy's plan for commits sion government has some features of which I do not approve, on the whole it is all right I agree with MT. Percy in favoring the recall power vested with the people and believe that without this a large part of the benefits of commits sion government would be discarded"
 q am very much in favor of the com mission form of government said John B. Bethea, a local real estate dealer, yes terday afternoon. 'The commission form of government makes the operation of the city less complex, is more economical and places the responsibility directly on the commissioners.
 'The greater part of MT. Percy's plan believe is practical. However I doubt the advisability of having only three commissioners. In large a city as Birmingham l do not believe that three men could run the city as it should be run. However, this plan has it's good points, as it will centralize the responsi- bility.
 Dr. F. F. Snedecor said: 'I am very partial to the idea of governing cities by commission. I have not closely studied the bill of Walker Percy as pre- scented in The Age-Herald of some days ago. but from a superficial glance I am inclined to the belief that he has about struck the nail on the head"
 Commission Form of Government
 ''I am very much in favor of the com mission form of government said W. A. Porter, president of the Merchants and Mechanics bank. However I have been out of the city and cannot give an opin- ion as to Mir. Percys letter. l think we should have three commissioners, paid good salaries per year so that they will be interested in their work. Where every one essays to run business there will certainly be some mistakes.
 Tn private corporations and business one man is at the head of affairs and they are operated successfully. It is i'm possible for any one to seriously affirm that successful corporations with one head are not more to be desired than cities or corporations operated otherwise I hope the wishes of the people as to the commission form of government will be needed by the forthcoming legislature.
 Have Three Good Men
 "The commission form of government is the best way for Birmingham to show her confidence in three good men," said Robert A. Brown. "The commission gov ernment has been tried in many places and has been demonstrated to be efficient think the city should have three com missioners with the present mayor as chairman. This would solve many large problems for Birmingham
 Put On Business Basis
 q agree with the principal parts of the letter of Walker Percy in The Age Her aid a few mornings sfnce," said T. R. Brown. q think the city should be gov erned by three men, at good salaries, who will have nothing to do except to guide this city through the troublesome periods that are to come soon. I think we could three men. A person could talk for hours as to the good of a commission form of government. However. the best and most forceful argument seems to be the fact that any corporation or business would go to the wall if there were "A men try ing to run it. There are a great many corporations here larger than the city of