The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-29
Commission May Agree To-
day to Allow Use of City's
Pipes Within the Park
SITUATION is NOW
NEARING SOLUTION
Weatherly Says If High Brows on
the Hill' Want Company Water
the City Will Offer No
Objection

The residents OF Highland park will be
given water from the Birmingham water
works. Following two conferences yes
terday, 1t was announced by Judge Lane
that the water company had been re-
quested to install fire plug in Highland
park. thus causing the company to con-
struct a line into that territory, and
whomsoever desires may attach pipes to
the water company mains and get filtered
water.
The construction into Highland park by
the Birmingham water company means
that the city plant. secured when resi-
dents of Highland park sold the city some
park acreage will probably stand little
chance to produce any revenue. Inasmuch
as the city has never secured any money
since owning the plant, however, that loss
is held to be nominal It has been held
sacred as a miniature municipal owner
ship plant and therefore preserved.
It was planned by the water company
when a permit was granted to place a
large crew of men at work constructing
into Highland park In order to give the
residents their relief from the alleged con-
taminated water which has been reported
several times
However when 1t was suggested that
work start. 1t was pointed out that such
step would kill the citys plant and it
would be well for the water company 20
make some arrangement to rent tho
water mains of the city already In the
park. 1t was not desired that the water
company parallel the mains of the city
Therefore actual construction to Highland
IL
ings of residents will be delayed until
the meeting this afternoon.
Only One Block Needed
If at the meeting the city agrees 10
allow the company TO use the pipes al
ready In place. only one block will be
necessary in order TO connect up. That
will require about two days. Then the
pipes will be thoroughly flushed by the
water company and the citizens may
draw water from the filtration plants.
Whether the commission will agree 70
this was not announced. If they do not.
then In compliance with the commissions
ers' request the water company will build
into Highland park for fire purposes,
thus paraleling the citys mains.
Mr. Weatherly. against whom some crit
icism has been aimed in connection with
water for this section. said yesterday that
II the hlghbrows on this hill want the
pany," he would not stand I'm the way OF
their getting that supply. He pointed ont
the leniency of the city in connection with
charges since acquiring the plant by say
ing that that the water has been free up
to this time and few complaints had been
made except from the ''highbrow'
classes.
Lynn's Comments
President A. NJ. Lynn of the Birmins-
ham Water company. who has remained
aloof during the controversy, said last
night that he was willing to do anything
reasonable TO keep the city's plant from
being a dead loss.
THE city's pipes are already in that
territory said Mr.. Lynn. ut is certain
ly indlsputable that If we build there the
residents will buy our water. So in that
case the pipes of the city would be USE
less to the city. II we can make any fair
arrangements whereby we can pay the
city some slight revenue for the use OF
those pipes we are perfectly willing to do
So otherwise we will comply with the
city's request and build there with our
own pipes. Either way will suit us, but
we have always on ethical grounds held
off from destroying the clty's plant. Had
IL been otherwise we would have supplied
that water some time ago. 1t Is clearly
not our fault that this matter has grown
so furious and we hope the entire matter
will be properly arranged to the satisfac-
tion of all concerned in the controversy.