The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-19

MT. Lovelady regarding whether or not an executive session should be held. MT.
 Lovelady said 1t had been the custom of the board to consider the matter In this way and that he saw no reason now for n change Mr Rogers stated that the na- lure of the question which they were de- ciding and circumstances surrounding the case he thought made 1t advisable to give tho proceedings full publicity.
 "I am not counting publicity for myself or any other man." stated Mir. Rogers. Il am not actuated by personal feelings in
 the matter. This matter concerns the public and I think the public has right to know what Is going on. l thought It
 was tho wish of the board that we hold this session publicly. 1 thought that was the understanding when we came out here, and do not understand why this point has been brought up again. However, If MT Lovelady or any other members of the board believe that we should go Into executive sessions. l will agree to do so, although do not agree that this is what we ought to do.''
 Asked to Continue "I move that MT Rogers continue his speech" said MT. Lovelady. T do not wish to get into a controversy with | him nor any other member. l do not wish this matter quoted in the news | raise this point when I asked MT. Rogers for the authority of the opin-
 ion which he was reading. l move that Mr Rogers proceed. l just asked him
 who his authority was.'
 "E. J. smyer," said MT. Rogers. "Pret- ty good authority. Is he not?'
 "Oh, yes. Yes, sir" said MT Love- lady.
 l MT. Rogers then sat down and MT. 1 Going, president of the board. said that
 he believed that 1t was the wish of the members to hear MT. Rogers; that
 the legal opinion of Mir. Smyer which he had been reading was very interest ing and that he should proceed. Mir. Going made q motion to this effect; 1 it was carried and MT. Rogers pro- eeeded with his speech.
 "A word of explanation perhaps is necessary" he said. "I secured this ad- vice from attorneys of the county be- cause I did not want to trust myself to interpret the law on matter which I consider as important as this ques- ton which Is before us now"
 "I did the same thing" said Mir Loyelady.
 "so did l." stated MT. Haigler.
 T. H. Motion Appears
 At this juncture T. II. Motion, one of the heaviest taxpayers in this coun- 1t an interested listener. Mir Rogers con- tinued his argument. saying that he believed that If a uniform rate Che laid especial stress on the word "uniform") was levied on exery taxpayer of the county at even 40 per cent of their property valuation that the income of the county would be increased from 10 to 25 per cent.
 As MT. Rogers was seated Dr. Vines put a question to MT Motion. MT. Motion, if we refuse to docket these cases, do you think the state tax commission will take them up and act | on them?'
 1 "I wouldn't like to answer that ques- ton. gentlemen" said Mir. Motion. "I | merely came here to see what the board of revenue had done as l understood | they were going to take some action | on the tax increases at 10 o'clock this morning"
 "welI, I just wanted to know your 1 opinion of the matter" said pr. Vines. 'I am not able to tell you the ex-
 act law on the matter" then stated Mir.