The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-21
|OVER EXUM PROTEST GARBAGE CANS WILL GARRY ADVERTISING Foreign Concern Granted Privilege at Commission
 Meeting Yesterday PRIVILEGE DENIED
 LOCAL MERCHANTS Exum Thinks It Entirely Wrong to Favor Outside Concern for the
 Comparatively Small Saw
 ing in Money

ONer ana agdi1Sl int SlitnuotS f'CNN~' of C. Exum, president of the commission the city government yesterday made drastic departure from its hitherto accept ed and strenuousy adhered to policy. A contract was entered into with the Ma tional Civic Street Cleaning company, a foreign corporation, whereby In return for the use of few garbage cans, alleged to be of modern and highly improved variety the aforementioned company will be permitted to sell and display advertis- ing on the aforementioned garbage recep- tacles.
 In previous years local firms have vain ly endeavored to obtain a similar con tract, in which, it is claimed, there Is money" President EXum stated at the commission meeting yesterday morning that he had turned down three applica- tions for such a privilege since January l, 1912, each from a resident of Birmng- ham,
 The contract provides that the cans, all legged to be of highly improved pattern are to be furnished the city free of charge and that the company, in return, will De permitted to display on the cans adver-
  After stating his general objection, Pres ident Exum urged, inasmuch as 1t was evident that he would be outvoted, that the advertising firm be compelled to pay a certain sum of money into the city treas ury. After the meeting he repeated the old adage, in a modern form. T fear the Greeks even bearing gifts.
 The contract will go into effect at once. and the cans are to be placed on proml- nent streets of Birmingham. There is difference of opinion to whether or not the improved method of garbage handling will compensate the city for the rather ludicrous appearance of the streets. President Exum thinks not Com missioners Weatherly and Lane evidently hold the opposite opinion.
 "There is certain to be a row. stated MT Exum after the commission meeting Already several firms and individuals have asked me for the same privilege and I have refused. The cans, while be- ing an improvement over those we have at the present time, are not absolutely necessary to the continued welfare of the city, and if they were they could
  ture of money. The local merchants will not appreciate the innovation, and l can not blame them. 1 would not be sur prised to wake up some fine morning and discover every garbage can bearing the strange advertisements dumped in a ditch. What will the advertising be? There is another question to be consid- cred. Of course, the contract made by Commissioner Weatherly provides that the city may regulate the advertising, but 1 fear that some of these days in a most conspicuous manner we will be urged to purchase from Mr So and So of Cincln- natl certain beerine, a certain shaving soap or certain variety Of pink pills for digestion The city reserves the right to abrogate the contract, and 1 trust that the city will exercise that right soon as possible.
 Representatives of the National Civic Street Cleaning company have been in Birmingham for some time in an effort to land the contract. At previous meeting of the board the matter was left in the hands of Commissioner Weatherly. Yes terday he reported the contract and urged its adoption. He was supported by Com missioner Lane and the contract became a living document.
 At previous meeting or the confnls- sion an agent of the company which final ly landed the plum, after going into detail concerning the operation of the magic garbage can, proceeded to illustrate in very forceful style just how much money per annum the city would save by the use of the improved receptable. After a very able harangue he boasted that his company would have the support of the Birmingham press. President Exum does not believe the press will exercise itself even over A pa arha oe can.