The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-10

In the opinion of both Judge A. O. Lane and Commissioner Weatherly, the water works situation is just as 1t was January 1. They think the defeat yes terday of the contract executed by MT. ENum and Judge Lane wipes away all worN 10 solve the water rate proposi- ton. With the contract yesterday. MT. Weatherly affirmed last night. went down the Lane ordinance regulating the rates which ordinance merely con- firmed. so he says, the rates embodied In the contract which yesterday met a waterloo. Judge Lane says his ordi- nance Is still in force
 The announcement was made last night that a new ordinance will be drafted at once to regulate the water rates. In the preparation of that ordi- nance MT. Weatherly, who will dra W it up, will consult Judge Lane and oth- CTS In regard 10 the details.
 MT. Weatherly said last night that absolutely no provisions had been con sidered by him as he had not been able to get down to any definite work on the matter He said. however, that many new regulations will be provided.
 Ten Old Contracts in Effect
 The result of the election yesterday defeating the contract places into ef- feet the 10 old contracts held by the company in the opinion of Judge Lane and MT Weatherly. They both say that the whole proposition has been undone and the company is now operating. or Will be very soon, only under the con- tracts held before the execution of the one voted down yesterday.
 The company officials do not concur in that opinion. On the contrary, 1t was given out yesterday by the company management that the rates charged at the beginning of the current auarter which they hold are lower than the old contract will be the same October l. when the new bills are mailed out.
 Judge Lane Gives Views
 In reference to the situation as 1t now exists, Commissioner A. o. Lane said last night:
 The ordinance went by default. Mr Exum and I executed an ordinance and submitted it to the people. They rejected it and exercised therein their soyeretpn rights. The whole thing is now as 1t was in the beginning, excepting that the Lane ordinance, as that instrument is known regulates rates and is in effect. The 10 oi' 'ohtihctS Dy the company are in force or will be. We will in conformity with the wish of the voters expressed to- day absolve or repeal the ordinance ey- ecuted within few days. Some of the contracts held by the company run for sl years and under them the company may operate. We cut the rates and the time down to eight and one-half years. but the people could not see it as Mir Exum and did. The whole matter was one- sided fight wherein I did not attempt to influence one man for the contract
 T am told that some talk is being in- dulged in to abrogate the franchise Of the company because some of the en- ployes are impolite. That is absurd. Tha. is all I know about any movement to take the franchise away from the com pany.
 ''I have no Knowledge of what attitude the company will take on the proposition now. l have had no communication with the officials. I am always for municipal ownership. Moreover am for all things that are good for the people. as I have often said. Yet there is & vast amount of work required to get municipal plants We cannot do that in day. It Is a tre- nendous task I am for 1t with all con- sistent and proper speed'