The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-07-22
Opinion Seems to Prevail That Separate Taxing
 District Cannot Carry
BUT MANY FAVOR
 DIVIDING COUNTY
Only One Man of Those Seen Yester- day Is Still Opposed to Split ting Up Jefferson
 County

The consensus of opinion seems to be
 that Birmingham as a separate taxing district can never be realized; but that
 an amendment providing for the divis-
 ion of Jefferson county into three frac- tions would have a successful Issue in a
 campaign before the people of the state The reason advanced for the belief that an amendment providing for taxing l district would be defeated is based on the l fact that it would encounter first, the l opposition of every voter in Jefferson
 county who is not a resident of Birming- ham, and, secondly, the opposition of peo- pie throughout the state who are little
 suspicious of this county end jealous Of it's power wielded in the legislature of
 the commonwealth.
 The reason advanced for the belief that
 an amendment providing for Birmingham county would be successful IS based On
 the fact that the citizens of the Bessemer district, already anxious for county of
 their own, would actively support the
 measure, and. secondly, it would receive
 the support of great many people in other sections who are anxious to see l imperial Jefferson divided. Terry in Opposition
 Only one man was found yesterday who opposes the division of the county. That person was William K. Terry. MT. Terry 1 said
 T can see no reason for the agitation 1 favorable to division of Jefferson coun- l ty. The natural growth Of the city will take care of the city's finances. And
 rather than division, it would be better, in my opinion to increase the tax rate. Birmingham county would be rich, true
 enough, but 1t would be impossible for
 the other counties to maintain their
 roads, and their schools, and their sys-
 tems of sanitation. And, in reference
 to the fact that Birmingham pays two thirds of the taxes of the county, think | it right that the rich section should aid | in the care of the poor.
 ''The trouble seems to be that Birming ham gets very little of the road and bridge money. That could be rectihed ! by an act of the legislature. No amend
 ment to the constitution would be neces-
 sary.'
 Parker FavOrs Idea John L. Parker on the other hand, Is
 ardently in favor of the amendment to be proposed whereby Birmingham county l will be created
 | Small counties, it is generally rec ognized,'' he said, 'are prosperous There is no doubt but that with Birmingham county in existence, Jefferson and Pettus 1 could take care of themselves.
 "We have to make arrangements for the finances of the city. And there is only
 one way in which that end can be &C., complished An amendment providing for
 an increase in the tax rate would be over whelmngly defeated. An amendment
 making Birmingham a separate district for taxation would probably carry in Jeff ferson, but in no other county of the state But an amendment making Bir-
 mingham a county and q city under one government would certainly win.
 "The need of revenue is pressing. Our school population, it will be seen when the new school period arrives. has in- creased about 20 per cent. We have an inefficient school system. We need a great deal of money to build new schools and to repair the old. And we need a better police force, better paving and better sanitation. In other words. we need money badly, and there is but one
 
 l mingham county be created Others in Accord | Solon Jacobs and Crawford Johnston were others who expressed identical senti- ments.
 II am in favor of the three counties" stated MT. Crawford. T am in favor of this because it is the only feasible plan whereby Birmingham can obtain enough money to operate upon, and at the same | time give the citizens that service and l that protection to which they are en- | titled.
 "In Birmingham we spend too much | time in quarreling over little matters in- ! stead of getting together on big princi-
 ples and putting them through. I am satisfied that with the understanding that Pettus county shall be created the amend-
 ment can be carried"
 That is certainly the proposition" stated Mir Jacobs. "The combination Of | the county and municipal governments will save a great sum of money every l year, especially after we have carried the | 'anti-fee grabbing amendment which will l be voted on this fall. With Birmingham county a reality, we will grow like the rose. It Is ridiculous for Birmingham to support Jefferson county and get nothing
 in return. We build the roads for the | farmers, but the farmers do not aid us in | laying our pavement
 Pettus County Certain | It is to be noted that that sentiment which some years ago defeated an amend-
 ment providing for the creation of Pettus county with Bessemer as it's capital has
 died away.
 l There are very few people In Birming- ham at the present time who would not
 support an amendment having for its ob- | feet the division of Jefferson. Further more, it Is true that for some weeks a
 quiet programme, operated by Birming- | ham people, has been under way in an
 effort to feel out the sentiment in rel-
 erence to Pettus.
 | In the next regular session of the leg
 islature this proposition will certainly be submitted and 1t would cause little sur
 prise were the amendment rearranging
 the boundary lines of this county, to score an overwhelming victory.
 Tikwath Zion Society Meets | The Tikwath Zion society held a
 regular meeting yesterday evening at
 the vestry rooms of the Congregation Knesseth Israel. New officers were
 elected as follows: pr. I. Michlin. pres