The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-12
AGREEMENT ON WATER RATES IS ALMOST REACHED Said That Only Few De- tails Remain to Be
 Considered
ALL THE CONFEREES
 REFUSE TO TALK
Final Demands of City in Hands of President Lynn, Who Will De- eide Upon Them by This
 Morning

The city and the waterworks com pany have almost agreed.
 At least, when the session which last ed all day long adjourned last night at 7.sO o'clock, it was practically admitted that only some details remained to be threshed out by the company and which will be presented to the commission at a meeting this morning.
 The commissioners declined for the second time to give out one hint as to what points had been causing the tieup in the negotiations. It is stated that President Lynn was given few mem- orandums last night of the concessions wanted by the city and which he would go over and indicate his opinion to the official body this morning. It is said the most vital point under negotiation are the minimum rate for water and the quarterly maximum rates based upon the size of the houses using the service. The sanitary betterment of the North Birmingham water supply was a point at issue, but it is understood that this has been amicably adjusted
 After the close of the days session last night President Exum was the only commissioner or conferee who would make any statement one way or the other. The other participants in the meeting seemed to have learned suddenly how to keep silent in about 25 different languages. The president of the commission only said, with a trace of affection:
 Will Reach Agreement
 My boy, we will, I firmly believe, reach an agreement. All that I can say Is that we are nearer together now than we have been at any time and that we will complete our deliberations tomorrow morning Wednesday,. After MT. Lynn completes his study of what we have requested we will meet again I may add that the city has asked for considerable concessions, and if they are granted We will have reached I think a good bargain"
 What was the concession asked was not divulged by the members of the conference. In respect to the minimum rate it is said the city was first of fered a minimum of SIP. which the city asked reduced to smaller figure. The company it is understood in turn of fered $10 as the minimum, which is now one of the disputed points in the negotiations.
 Convened at O'Clock
 The meeting convened at 9 o'clock yes- terday morning. From that time until lunch the commissioners discussed the case and after lunch only met as a com mission for a few minutes to transact some financial affairs. Immediately the commission resolved itself into the com mittee again and took up the water rates. At o'clock President Lynn and Super intendent O'Connell were called in. In % minutes they came out and the meeting adjourned. 1t was stated that during the last 30 minutes the commissioners asked for the further concession which Presi- dent Lynn said he would look over and answer this morning. MT. Lynn, after the session, seemed to think that there was a better chance for the success of the negotiations than before. He said, how ever, that he did not consider anything accomplished until the papers had been signed.
 Commissioner Lane only said when the meeting adjourned You may say that we have done the best we could for the people And I believe the matter will be adjusted
 1t is said if the final agreement Is reached today the committee from the city commission will report to the com mission Friday the ordinance or contract which will then be passed. It is said the meeting Friday will see the contract ex- ecuted.
 President Lynn and Superintendent OConneu express the hope that an agree ment wh be reached, for they say the concessions were made for the sole pur- pose of affecting an understanding be- tween the city and the company and to create friendly business relations