The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-01
THINKS THE WATER RATES EXCESSIVE Exum Begins Action to Se-
 cure Change MAKES A STATEMENT Says Company's Contract Has Ex- pired and Suggests Idea of the
 City's Supplying Its
 Own Water
MAKES A STATEMENT

|
 commissioners introduced resolution be- | fore that body at the meeting yesterday which has as it's purpose the annullment of the Birmingham Water Works com
 pany's contract and the rearranglng of the existing rates charged for water in | Birmingham.
 l Subsequent to the resolution President Exum gave formal statement to the commission wherein he sets out that he | Is of the opinion that the contract made | by that company and the city in 1888 | has expired and that the proposed action | Is in every way reasonable and proper. He suggests that the city take up the question of Birmingham supplying her I own water, either by obtaining the pres | ent water works on a fair basis if prac- | tieable, or else by condemnation proceed | ings, or the construction of an entirely new system for the supplying of water to the citizens of Birmingham President Exum said to representatives of the press that he was friendly to the
 company, but that to his mind the water
 company was charging excessive rates. President Exum, before taking the ac-
  full opinion from Capt. Romaine Boyd. city attorney, upon the question of con- tracts and the reasonableness of the sug gestion.
 Requests from Superintendent O'Con- nell of the Water Works company for a statement, brought forth the reply that President Bert Linn of the company was expected here today and that he would issue whatever statement was deemed proper
 The resolution. as introduced and passed
 over is as follows:
 Resolution Offered
 Be it resolved, by the board of com missioners of the city of Birmingham, as follows:
 "Section | That the franchise contract
 of the Birmingham Water Works com
 pany with the city of Birmingham, in so far as same relates to domestic or meter
 rates for supply water to private con-
 sumers in the city of Birmingham, is
 hereby declared to have expired,
 Sec. ?. That the domestic and meter
 water rates now charged private con-
 sumers in the city of Birmingham by
 said Birmingham Water Works company
 are excessive and unreasonable.
 Sec. 3. That this board proceed with
 in the earliest practicable time to fix and
 establish schedule of maximum water
 rates which may be charged private con- sumers within the territory covered by the said franchise contract at the time of the expiration of same as aforesaid; provided that such rates as so fixed and established shall be fair and reasonable to both the water company, or compa- nies, and to said private consumers Exum's Statement The formal statement of President Exum follows:
 '1n offering this resolution I am thor oughly convinced that under the existing contract, which was made in 1888, that the life of the contrast has been of reasonable duration as to the rates to private consumers, on which no time limit has been fixed in the existing con- tract In fact, the time has been more than reasonable. I should regard 10 years as a reasonable time with city which has changed so materially as Birming- ham, We would naturally assume that in growing city like ours conditions change often, the requirements of this city in the year 1888 would be materially changed even in 10 years. Birmingham has been a rapidly growing city, we might say, from the time of it's incor- poration.
 "I believe that the question of adjust ment of rates can be shown to be in the hands of the commission so far as it affects domestic consumers, and we will undertake to frame a new schedule of rates which will be equitable to both the water company and the consumers. While l do not think there is any possi- bilty for us to fail in having this power delegated to us, still should we not be able to fix the water rates l shall ask the commissioners to appoint from them selves committee at no late day to take up the question of Birmingham sup plying her own water. either by obtain ing the present water works on a fair basis, if practicable. or else by condem- nation proceedings, or the construction of an entirely new system for the supplying of water to the citizens of Birmingham"