The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-05

It was suggested by President Par ker that a committee be appointed by the commission to investigate the prop osttion of the city securing the Coosa River Electric Power company. of which R. H. Cobb Is president. That company has certain charter rights from the government at Ten Islands, . between government locks and 3. In a communication to the president of the Board of Trade, President Cobb says that the power there will produce 25,000 horsepower delivered at the North Birmingham plant and he Is willing to sell to the city.
 President Cobbs Letter
 The communication of President Parker will be studied by the commis- sion. both members of which were ad- vised of the proposal informally sev- eral days ago The commission will see that Walter G. Kirkpatrick, city engineer. looks over the proposition thoroughly.
 In Birmingham MT. Parker suggests there is an intense desire for the city to own the water plant and the cleo tric light plant. He says that ipas- much as considerable development of the water power kind Is stirring up the state he hopes the city will look into this proposal carefully and 
 The communication of MT. Cobb to MT. Parker follows:
 "Mr John l.. Parker, President Board
 of Trade, Birmingham, Ala:
 Dear Sir-Do you think that the city of Birmingham would be interested in securing by purchase outright or otherwise one of the best water power properties in the south on terms to be worked out along such lines as would enable the city to own the property?
 This water power Is classed with the II largest in size In the United States. Under ordinary conditions the completed plant can be placed at the city's disposal within 25o working days. It will produce 25,000 E. H. F. deliv cred at the North Birmingham plant This equals 60,0o0,0 900 kilowatt hours per year.
 This power could be delivered to consumers at an average wholesale price of Il cents kilowatt hour, which $660,000.
 When necessary. installations can be increased to 50,000 horsepower with out increasing cost of dam construc ton. Our charter grants us the priv ilege of using the waters of the Coosa at this point of development for mu- nicipal purposes also. Sooner or later will find this the most and available source of wa ter supply.
 ' We believe this power site 10 be the only large commercial water and mower property in the states of Ala bama. Georgia and Tennessee now available that will meet the present and future needs Of the Birmingham district.
 Lessen Tax Burden
 with conservative management 1t should yield during the next 10 years a net revenue of over $5,000,000. By securing such a property the city of Birmingham would be enabled to pay off its bonded The citizens of Birmingham also will be enabled to support all or their public institutions without being taxridden as at present.
 "If the citizens of Birmingham would become alive to the advantages Of owning such valuable property, the city com missioners would doubtless find way by which this can be accomplished. Bir- mingham bonds would be sought by the public at home and abroad, at advanced nrices if 1t were known that the 9ty had secured this reliable revenue proyuc. ing property of ever Increasing value
 q address you, as you are the presi- dent of the board of trade. These Iacts arc conseryatively stated. 1 would thank you to present this subject through your to the city commissioners of Rirmiu 2 ham for their inyee' 'tgaJon and yours truly.
 ROSWELL II. COBB, President
 MT. Parker's Letter
 The communication of MT. Parker, in- closing the note of MT. Cobb, follows
 september 1, 1912 'sro the Honorable, the Board of Com
 missioners, City:
 s'At the request of MT. Roswell II. Cobb, president of the Coosa River Electric Power company l communicate as presi- dent of the board of trade the inclosed which Is self explanatory.
 ''The necessity of municipal ownership has been realized here for some time, and I take 1t that in. Birmingham there is a desire for the requirement by the city of some properties that will give 10 Birmingham the benefits that accrue from such plants owned by the city. The plan of MT. Cobb as explained in the ac- letter has received the ap- proval of the Birmingham board of trade and the Birmingham Chamber of Com merce The plans he outlines here, wh,e new. have been before the two bodies in either an official or an unofficial way for some time
 'I would suggest, in all respect to your body, that q committee of ac- credited experts and business men of Bir- pfngham be appointed to study the plans herein submitted by MT. Cobb to the end hat such action as is consistent may be taken without unnecessary delay. This committee report to your body as early as possible.
 Recent developments in this section of water power companies have convinced many persons that the time is ripe for such action as is being taken. l feel as a ,ltizen of Birmingham interested in the growth of this city that would be dele jet to neglect to give my indorsement 70 the development of water power prop critics in Alabama. It is needless for me 70 point out in this connection that the properties of Mir. Cobb are, just at this lime, in constant demand from prospec- i've buyers.
 Tn the meantime I have the honor of yours very truly,
 "J. l.. PARKER, President Birmingham Board Of Trade"