The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-11


 After discussing all day the Birmins- ham Waterworks situation, during whleh time the companS's offers were thrown into the discard. and new one made by tho city, the joint conference of city ana company officials was passed over unui this morning. At 9 o'clock the question or Rirnit eham water rates will again come up and whether any decision will Do reached is entirely prohlematical. Presi- dent A. M. Lynn of the company, who IS here from Pittsburg, will decide today whether the company will accept the city s new proposal. He plans to leave tonig.lt for Shreveport, where he has an engage ment with commissioners there tomor- row.
 The commissioners as well as officials of the company did not get together un- til late yesterday afternoon. The officials were asked to retire from the morning meeting by Judge Lane, although the presence of the officials was not frowned upon by President Exum and MT. Weath- erly President Lynn and Superintendent O Connell absented themselves, returning again when the conference adjourned for 1lncn. AL . U FlOtk AiiC Npihihh'oAphS'7 met again and it was after o'clock when Secretary H. Scudder Ryall in- dlcated to the waiting officials that their presence was desired. The officials were handed a neatly typewriter statement of the citys offer. At that hour the officials left for their homes and announced that nothing definite had been agreed upon.
 n.rc- xU.JaI.,
 The citys proposal differs radically from the the offer made by the company some time ago. and it is the opinion that unless President Lynn becomes unduly philanthropic this morning there is only bare chance that the city's offer will be accepted However, President Lynn said last night that there was no in- dicntion that an agreement would not be reached He added in the same voice that there was no indication that the conferees would agree. It Is known at the city hall that the company believes it went the last clutch when the company proposals were made
 The city is at disadvantage in the ne- gotiations because it Is stated the com pany has now a contract which has been held to be absolutely legal That contract lasts for eight years. It Is said if the space of eight years had passed and the company were seeking to make new con tract the city might under such condl- tions wield the "big stick" if necessary.
 Statements by Commissioners
 Commissioner A o. Lane, who was asked last night for a statement and also for @ copy of the city's proposal, said:
 We are in the midst of the negotiations. And I know if any individual here or company had a big trade under way an announcement of the details would assur- edly not be made We are to meet again Tuesday morning and resume the deliber- ations. Personally, 1 think the company and the city will get together. However, it cannot be foretold what will be the re- suit. The proposition to my mind is now a natter of simple negotiations. l believe we will definitely settle the question to- day"
 President Culpepper Exum, asked for statement, said There is nothing to give out at this time 1 do not feel authorized to give out the elty's side of the case or make any statement of facts. I will say that we are to meet Tuesday morning and take up the question again. We cannot tell yet whether an agreement will be reached"
 President A. M. Bert Lynn said: tThe city proposal to the company differs very radically from our proposal How ever, we cannot say whether any agree ment will be reached or turned down. There Is nothing at this time which would indicate that the offer would be accepted or rejected. Of course, we will go over the citys offer very carefully and give if every consideration"