The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-09
SLOW RESPONSE TO
EFFORTS MADE FOR
AN EXTRA SESSION
Altman Indicates That Some
of the Workers Are Get
ting "Cold Feet
SAYS CORPORATIONS
ARE ALL AGAINST 1T
Some Members of Delegation Say
They Are Unwilling to Proceed
Further Unless Chamber of
Commerce Gets Busy

The support of the Jefferson county
legislative delegation in the effort to
bring about an extra session of the legls-
lature for the purpose of putting the anti
fee amendment into effect, is not as
unanimous. it now develops. as II was In
the beginning of the campaign for an
early gathering of the lawmakers.
John W. Altman, who has been NOV
ing spirit in the effort to put an end to
the fee system which has been stone
around the neck of the county for many
years stated yesterday that 7. ii. Notion
member of the legislature, who aided in
drafting the letter TO be sent to other
legislators, had expressed his unwilling
ness to continue in the fight unless the
Chamber of Commerce should actively In
ject itself into the effort Furthermore
Mr.. Motion in his letter to Mr.. Altman
quotes Walker Percy, another legislator,
practically to the same effect.
Il have received a letter from Mr..
Motion stated Mr.. Altman yesterday, in
which he practically declines to continue
In the fight for an extra session of the
legislature in which we hope to put into
ciitNt liit dntl-Ite system dIutuuiHthL "
the constitution. Mr.. Motion, who pre-
viously had been rampant for the extra
session, writes that he has had a talk
with Walker Percy, another member OF
the legislature, and he quotes Mr. Percy
as having stated that it might be unwise
to send out the letters to other legislators
requesting their aid unless the Chamber
of Commerce actively enters into the bat
tie. Mr.. Motion states that he himself
is very busy man, and in addition to at
tending to his business is engaged in the
construction of a certain building, that
considerable time would be required at
tending an extra session, which time he
would be willing to lose provided the
Chamber of Commerce gets busy.
I'VE have heard nothing from the
Chamber of Commerce. Our petition that
that organization aid us was referred to
the legislative committee. of which Sid
course, predict the fate of the petition.
1T is evident, however, that the cor
porations are not very much in favor OF
getting the lawmakers together, even for
the cause which they have been for many
years advocating. But we are going ahead
although handicapped, in the knowledge
that the people are with us If the corpora
tions are not. contend that it is pitiable
that the Zee system stands good chance
of remaining in force for another six
years, during which time the poor man
and the negro will be oppressed, it is
probable, simply because certain interests
are unwilling to risk the temper of the
lawmakers
Mr.. Altman was asked for an opinion
concerning the report from Montgomery
that as the regular session of the legis-
latyre would convene week before the
officials of Jefferson county, having beer
elected, will be inducted into office, il
would be possible, if haste is practiced, tc
put the fee amendment into effect, anc
thus make unnecessary the extra ses-
sion.
Mr.. Altman simply smiled. That's sol
they are sending out" he said. 1.-The basi.
of an officials remuneration, in my opin.
ion, cannot be changed after he has beer
elected"
Mr.. Altman stated further that Legis-
lator Estes had not answered the com.
munication sent requesting his aid
Letters have been prepared for mailing
to legislators from other counties bu
they will not be sent unless signed by the
entire Jefferson delegation.