The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-02
WEATHERLY GOES
 INTO DETAILS OF
 RECENT CONTRACT
fc0NTINUED FROM PAGE 3

= .-. -- ~~-O-~.---@~-~-~-~O~e~~ the request that the proposition be not given publicity for the time being
 ''I am glad that the veil of secrecy ias bacn removed from the proposition, be- cause it enables me to communicate 10 inc people of Birmingham the concrete fact that the Tidewater company is pre- pared to enter into competition with the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company in respect to the rates under the contract which has been entered into by that company with the city.
 Had il not been for this declared pur- pose of the Tidewater company to cohl- pete with the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company on the rates fixed bv the contract with the city we might have been confined to mere predictions as 10 what would occur. Now we know that there will be a competitor Of the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company, but all other competitors Tn the furnishing of lights to the people of Greater Birmingham, and I now state that I shall be pleased to vote for the rridewater contract for reasonable num- her of years covering the subject.
 "In this connection every one should remember that the Board of Commission CTS is given the power by law to regulate the prices charged for gas and electricity in Birmingham. Me propose freeiy 10 exercise that right.
 ..T should never have signed this con tract but for the fact of potential com petition expressly reserved, and yet, the only objection that I have seen any where to the 10 year term is that it ties 1ip the city for 10 years to one company. 1t is not clear from what has been said that this objection is based purely on ignorance or prejudice or politics or dem agogy. I do not care which, one IS Npift bqd as the other
 Wylam Delegation
 "A delegation from the city of Vivian appeared before the board to object to both contracts, on the ground that Wy lam was discriminated against in not be- ing let in. If the contracts are good, l could understand their position.
 "If the contracts are bad, do not un- derstand why the citizens' of Vivian should kick because they were not let into bad thing. Surely, it is the reverse of the ordinary selfish principle of hu- man nature that sensible people should kick because they are not punished, as others are punished
 "As l understand it, Vivian was not let in because it was two miles further out than Ensley. Corey was not let in because 1t was also further out than Ensley and because it was not in the city of Br 1ningham and did not apply to be let in
  ing in or out of the city of Birmingham is not material Il is the question of dis tance and the cost of hauling the passen- gers. We may take in Bessemer some day-many people think we will.
 We may take in Irondale-many people think we will. We may take in points on the line of the Birmingham and Edge wood ear line, in Shades valley. sone people think we will If these things is tD ha 4 is regarded why not prepare ourselves for , cent fare with universal transfers in- cluding all these places?
 T am simply stating the reasons given by the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company for it's refusal to include Wylam, as well as Corey and Vinesville.
 Ut was said by one of the Wylam del egation at it's meeting with the board that Wylam was left out because it would moi be a competitive point with the Birmng- ham Railway, Light and Power company but Corey is much nearer to Ensley thar Wylam and is on the Tidewater railroad and will be a competitive point. Why then, was Corey left out, unless it be of account of distance?
 Now, 1t is proposed to get up a refer endum solely on the lighting contract. do not object to referendum. If my sig nature IS needed to make up the 100 qualified electors necessary to a refeFen dunn of this question, I pledge myself t give it, although I will vote in the refer endum election to sustain this contract.
 q believe in the ferendum system. am a progressive, and l believe also il municipal ownership, and all my frend know that l am in earnest in this mat ter. However, it strikes me as not beinj exactly the fair thing to strike down on of these contracts, namely, the lightin; contract, when the universal cent far and transfer system could by no possl bility have been obtained from the com uany. except for the lighting contract and if by a referendum election, the re suit will work perverson of the term upon which the universal } cent fare aE transfer system has been secured iron the company.
 Submit Both Contracts
 ''Nhy not submit both contracts to referendum, so that the voters can pas upon the Identical propositions which th rd acted mon? | challenge any one f