The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-17
Anti-Fee Brigade Wants
Jefferson to Get Benefit
of It This Year
OTHER SUBJECTS
TO BE BROUGHT UP
States Financial Plight, Court Re-
form and Taxation Are Looked
Upon as Most Important
Subjects

There is every reason to believe that
there will be an extraordinary session
of the legislators, and the people of JEFF
ferson county earnestly desirous of
putting into effect the new amendment
relating to the fee system in Jefferson
county are buoyant.
On account of the financial distress of
the state and the general belief that
there will be no means with which to pay
interest on money already borrowed when
next the interest is due it has always
been considered probable that the extra
session would occur. The action of Gov
ernor o'Neal in ipstrueting Examiner
Wilkinson to prepare a statement of the
financial condition of the state, is taken
as still another indication. To cap the
climax the determination of people of
this county to work for an extra session
makes the practical assurance of the
special session doubly sure.
The subcommittee of the citizens COM
mittee named to work for the extra ses-
sion in order that the anti-fee amend
men might be made effective, will hold
a meeting Tuesday at noon in the office
of the chairman, John W. Altman, First
National Bank building.
Legislators Meet Tuesday
with the committee of five will meet
the members OF the jefferson county leg
islative delegation, all members of which
are ex-offlcio members of the citizen $
committee. 1t is the plan to draft let
ter to be signed by the Jefferson county
delegates and addressed to every other
member of the legislature, urging that all
assist in the movement for the actual
abolition of the fee system in this county
1T is generally believed inasmueh as
every county save three voted in favor
of the amendment providing means rol
the elimination OF the fee system, that
the majority of the representatives of the
counties will be willing to aid Jefferson IN
escaping from its present plight. 1t is
also believed that if a majority of the
members express a desire that meeting
of the legislature be called, call fol
such a meeting will be issued
Each of the legislators will be shown
) wherein his help is needed, for without
an extra session this year. the fee sys.
tenn cannot be abolished before certain oi
the county officials are reelected or de-
feated by successful opponents next year
And unless the fee system is abolished
before other officials are elected, 1t viii
be several years before the new basis
of remuneration can be utilized, for the
basis of an officials remuneration cannot
be changed during his term of office
Matter for Consideration
Inasmuch as 1t is practically certain
that there will be an extra session be-
fore the conclusion of the current year
there is interesting speculation afoot as
TO what will be included in the call foI
the session.
-s'rhe states financial plight, the fes
system amendment, needed reform in
court procedure. and certain features OF
taxation are certain to be included 1t Is
generally understood. The city commits
sioners Will endeavor TO have the gov
ernor include In his call the considera-
ton of section 3GF of the revenue bill,
which, the commissioners contend, is
costing the city annually in loss of license
taxes the sum OF Seo,eo0. A
II is not considered probablef fthat INC
prohibtionists will enc>ayor in Jhe extra
session to pass a statewide Prohibition
bin, and it is considered probable that
until the next regular session will be
nostponed the matter of removing statt
convicts from the mines