The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-16
Mr.. Wards Statement


1T would be well for every citizen TO
call on Judge Lane to hold up the water
contract three or four weeks for further
thought. The sooner they call the better.
1t goes to a vote on Tuesday
MIR Weathery has already gone on
record as favoring delay.
Judge Lane proved in the electric light
referendum that he favored letting the
people have a say on public utility mat
tiers.
1.-The two cases arc very similar, only
the water situation is a thousand times
more important and fraught with more
serious possible complications.
In fact il there was ever a situation
that the people should demand be met
with an ordinance instead of a contract
that situation is now present,
For years it has been a dream of the
people of Birmingham to own their water
ably will never be anything more If this
proposed water contract is ratified.
1T is apparent that the present move of
the Birmingham Waterworks company is
the first step in an effort to extend it's
franchise.
Every man has known It was coming
sooner or later. The company has been
preparing for It for years And now at
the last minute we find the city unwit-
tingly and actively assisting in the prep
aration.
This modified contract Is the turning
point in the matter of municipal owner
ship for the city of Birmingham.
Does Two Things
ut does two things, viz;
4. 1t blocks the path to municipal
ownership
20. II ties the city to the Birmingham
Waterworks company for a period cover
ing the length of its longest suburban
franchise.
This is done by assuming and validat-
ing a bunch of suburban contracts run
ming all the way from 1925 to 1910. some
of which have undoubtedly been preached
and are subject to attack.
This valuation forces the city of Blr-
mingham to remain a permanent GUS
toner of the waterworks company on TO
the furtherest date. 1t precudes the city
from being its own customer should IT
wish to build a plant. And a city is al
ways the largest customer of any water
plant There would be meager support
to the municipal plant.
by validating these long contracts the
eity's trading position will be rendered
impotent when the original contract
shortly expires With the outer half OF
tho city absolutely protected until 1870
the water company will not fear dis
turbance of its mains or stoppage of flow
through the inner half to the various
suburbs. Neither will it fear any coer-
eion about rates. 1t will be absolutely
master OF the situation.
THE mere signing of the agreement
gives immunity to the water company.
by innovation. for all past violations OF
its contract. Yet the violations have
been so steady, fragrant and arbitrary in
recent years 1t is common knowledge that
the contract can be attacked and abro-
gated.
AT present there IS a more acute reali-
cation Of this knowledge in the company
office than anywhere else. Hence the
apparent concessions that are being allur-
ingly held out to individual consumers
and to the municipality. These conces-
sions are trhing compared with the seri-
Gus general situation and should be
waived by individuals for the public good.
Rates in Atlanta
Even after the boosting II will be no.
tlced that the amount Of water furnished
for 60 cents per month In Atlanta will
cost $i20 in Birmingham
Besides. It is generally believed that
the company's receipts will increase under
the new rates rather than diminish.
THE situation Is about this: II the new
ARRANGEMENT Is ratified the city Of Bir-
mingham may consider itself tied to the
Birmingham Waterworks company for at
least Is years longer.
IF 1t is not signed we are In position
and should act before too late TO enforcs
rights that have accrued by reason Of
the company violating its contract.
along with this a beginning should
be made for municipal ownership, or St
least for clean cut contract covering all
of Birmingham, without strings tied to f..
and dating from the expiration OF the
main contract in 1918 or 1921. as the case
may be-"