The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-04

omitted to the chamber at the meet
tically indorsed the proposition and that
he was satisfied that it would prove one
of the biggest assets of the city when
built. Speaking for himself he stated
! he would do everything in his power TO
promote the speedy building of the au-
ditorium.
j. w. Sibley also spoke in the strong
| est terms favorable to the building of
the auditorium. He said that no propo-
sition could come before this community
! that would appeal so strongly to all
people as the building of the proposed
auditorium. He declared it would bring
together all divisions, social, moral or
political, and that much as the OPEN
ing of the wire mill at Fairfield would
help the community the building of the
auditorium would mean more.
| Oscar Turner stated that nothing
| would bring Birmingham such big re-
| turns, for with suitable accommoda tions
the city would be in demand for the
| great conventions of the nation. He
said they were all desirous of coming e
to Birmingham if proper facilities We're
here and urged the erection of a build
ing mot for a day." but large enough
! for years to come. He volunteered to
do all he could to bring about the
| recommendations of the committee.
| Paschal Shook offered a motion that
the Chamber of Commerce request the
| board of city commissioners to call an
election for a bond issue to build an
! auditorium, which was unanimously car
ried.
! President Harding called on Henry U.
| Sims, chairman of the finance and taxa
| ton committee, to open the discussion of
| tax reform
| Mr.. Sims referred to the fact that the
| ha
| the finance and taxation committee in
| full, so he would not take time to read
| 1t. He stated the question of the city S
| finances was one of the greatest mo-
ment and should be earnestly and care
| fully considered He said neither the
| aldermanic form nor the commission
! form of government was responsible for
the present conditions, but the constitu-
! tion of the state in its distribution of
| the taxes. Referring to the recommends
| tions of the committee in regard to sep
arating the sources of revenue for the
state from those of the city, he ex-
planned the plans adopted by California
and another state at length. At the close
of his remarks he offered the following
| resolution:
Sims Offers Resolution
Whereas, the city of Birmingham is
| in pressing need of revenues to provide
more schools for its youth, more police
protection for its citizens. enlargement
of its public grounds, and for the safety
of its public credit; and
| Whereas, in the belief of this cham
ber an adequate increase of the revenues
of the city can be obtained only by a
| substantial increase of the amount of
| taxes levied for city purposes upon prop
erty within its borders; and
| Whereas, under the system of taxa
ton now in force in Alabama, to ma
tnn hA fnxv
property within the cities of the state
would make such property bear more
than its share of the burdens of govern
ment, and the equalization of the bur-
dens of government throughout the state
has been found to be unsatisfactory
now. therefore, be 1t resolved
First. That the Chamber of Com
merce of Birmingham recommends the
adoption by the people of Alabama OF
an amendment of the state constitution
by which the sources of revenue for state
and the sources of revenue for municipal
and other local government shall be
made separate, leaving to the cities and
! counties the sole power, as near as may
be, of levying ad valorem taxes upon To-
cal property, and allowing them to levy
| what taxes may be required up to a
proper limit thus eliminating all ques-
tions of inequality of taxes throughout
the state;
| SECOND. lndI the committee or
finance and taxation of this chamber be
| directed to confer with the proper per.
| sons in other cities and towns in Ala.
bama and to endeavor to obtain theii
| Endorsement of such a constitutions
| amendment;
Third. That the president of this
chamber be authorized to appoint a spe
cial committee to present the views OF
this chamber as herein expressed to the
governor of Alabama and to request hin
to appoint a commission to investigate
in detail and report to him their con
clusons as to the efficacy of such
change in the system of taxation in Ala
bama to relieve the many difficulties now
attending the levying of taxes through
out the state"
II r. d. Johnston moved the adoption o.
the report, but before the vote wa:
taken Mr.. Harding called upon Captain
Boyd to give his views on the resolution
and the matters that were before them
Boyd Gives His Views
Captain Boyd said the question of tax
alton was of the greatest importance
all that while he made no pretense a
being an expert along those lines, ye
1t did not take an expert to see tha
Birmingham was being bled to death by
the state and county. He expressed
grave doubts as to the feasibility of tn,
plans as suggested by the committee
I
plan of the state taxing the public serv
| ice corporations for its benefit and tn,
city and county taxing the property wa.
not for the best interests of the city
Captain Boyd suggested that a plan b,
which the city and county We're under
one government would be the best mean.
of settling the vexed question of taxa.
ton. He argued his proposition al
length and finally made motion thai
the resolution be laid on the table.
r. D. Johnston asked permission tc
speak, as he had made the original mo.
tion He said he agreed with Captain
Boyd in some of his deductions, but saw
no reason for any apprehension of dan
ger, as the report of the committee did
not bind the chamber by any hide-bound
rule. He said he voted for the resolu-
tion because it meant action and some
thing definite being done to relieve the
present undesirable conditions
Mr.. Harding suggested that the motion
to lay on the table be Withdrawn in or.
der that the discussion might be prop
erly before the chamber, which was done
II After some further discussion it was de-
cided to postpone action on the matter
until the next meeting night of the
chamber and that Captain Boyd be add
ed to the committee. A motion to this
effect was carried and the meeting ad-
iourned. After the meeting sandwiches
fruit punch and cigars were served
Both Sides
From the Washington Star
| dorrt helieva half of what coo l.,