The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-17
SPECIAL SESSION
Of LEGISLATURE IS
COMING, REPORTED
Preliminary Moves Have
Already Been Made,
1t Is Said
STATE TREASURY TO
BE BETTER TREATED
Birmingham Finances, Senatorial Sit
uation, Anti-Fee Amendment and
Redistricting of State to
Be in the Call
BY HUGH w. ROBERTS

BY HUGH w. ROBERTS
The report that Governor ONear will,
in the near future, issue a call for an
extraordinary session of the legislature,
cannot be confirmed.
The rumor which was generally dis
cussed in well informed circles yester-
day could not be traced and its source,
therefore. could not be located.
However, the report was generally
credited. 1t came as voice from no
where and soon was everywhere 1t
was so significant and so positive in its
tone that every man listened and be-
lieved AS a result there was great spec
ulation. Those who will be chiefly con-
cerned in an extra session Immediately
got busy.
Just when the call will be issued is,
of course. a matter of speculation, But
that preliminary moves in the direction
of the special session have been taken,
although these moves are not tangible,
is generally believed in political circles.
The Financial Question
The report has it that the session will
be called primarily for the purpose of
making arrangements by means of which
the state can borrow a sum of money
greater than the constitution now per-
mits. Governor ONeal, it is known,
has been .'cramped'' for cash praeti-
cally every moment since he assumed
charge of the states affairs He has
made valiant and, as a whole, successful
efforts to stem the tide. Now, it is un-
derstood. something will have to be ac-
complished in the way of relief.
But while this matter is reported to be
the prime cause for the necessity of an
extra session, the call will not be con-
fined to that matter. Included in the
call, if, in substantiation of reports. the
call is issued, will, it is understood. be
reference to the senatorial situation In
all probability the Legislature will author
ize the governor to appoint man tenn
porarily to fill the vacancy caused by
the death of the late Senator Johnston,
and will, in addition, provide machinery
for a special election which, in all prob
ability, will follow soon after the ad-
journment of the Legislature.
OF Local Importance
In the call will be included, it is said
two matters in which Birmingham Is
chiefly interested. The first will concern
the necessity of putting into effect the
amendment providing for the abolition
of the fee system in this county. The
second will relate to the distressful finan-
eial condition of the city of Birmng-
ham. 1t is probable that the legisla-
ture will permit an increase of tax rates
in Birmingham, or perhaps, separate
taxing district. a separate county
will be considered.
In this regard. it Is known that the
finances of Birmingham are in a more
serious state of depletion than the
finances of the state. 1t is freely stated
that something will have to be done
The annexation of the suburbs under
the terms of the Greater Birmingham
bill heaped upon the shoulders of the
old city burden almost overpowering
Needed improvement cannot be made
The police force is ridiculously made
quate, inadequate to such an extent that
thieves and burglars and robbers and
murderers prey with impunity upon the
goods and persons of the people. II is
said that the force cannot be increased
On the other hand, 1t is admitted that
the city cannot be turned over bodily
to the lawless.
The city of Birmingham is anxious for
the special session. 1t has as many sore
toes as has the state. A special session is
almost necessary, it is said, and for it
the city fathers will probably join in the
general clamor.
Jefferson a District
Another matter-and that which is calis-
ing .the most interests. that is, of per-
sonal nature. is the re-districting of the
congressional subdivisions of the state
In the call according to the report this
matter will certainly be feature There
is. of course. general speculation as to
what changes will be ordered. The one
point on which practically the entire state
is agreed is that Jefferson county will be
a district of itself.
The political effect will be Interesting
amusing. The six or eight gentlemen of
this county who are laying plans for the
acquisition of the seat now occupied by
Oscar w. Underwood will, of course
withdraw their. workers now engaged in
educating the masses in Perry Bbb AMI
Blount. In Bibb j. Fritz Thompson will
Immediately. 1t is believed, announce him
self a candidate for Congress In Perry,
it Is believed Col. w L. Pitts will i'm
mediately announce himself candidate
for Congress. In Bount. George W. Dar-
den. member of the legislature, will, 1t is
believed, begin laying plans to secure a
berth in Congress.
About DIR. Abercrombie
But the primary effect of reapportion-
ment of the state will be exerted upon
DIR. John w. Abercrombie congressman
at large. He will be the first to receive
the blow. He will find himself in the
twinkle of an eye out of job. And that
he has made good. everybody will admit
His people. especially those of the Sixth
district. have called him freueuntly and
never in vain But, nevertheless he will
have to begin looking out for No. l.
There are two avenues into which In all
probability DR.. Abercrombie has already
looked. He might run for Congress from
the Sixth district. He might enter the
race for the Senate. Neither proposition
offers exceptional inducements. however.
BY the date of redistricting. the present
race in the Sixth will have been run. The
present candidates will have acquired
such a lead that it would be practically
impossible to dislodge them. Tn regard
to the Senate, the prospects are even
darker. For the people have alrea1y
decreed that Oscar w. Underwood will be
the next elected senator from this state
Four Big Issues
When the call is issued, therefore, and
that il will be issued is confidently ex-
pected the most important matters in
cluded therein will be.
A scheme for the financial relief of the
state.
scheme for the financial relief of Bir-
mingham.
Provisions for the formal adoption OF