The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-11-23
MORE EXPRESSIONS
 ON WHAT CITY NEEDS FROM LEGISLATURE
Equalization of Taxes, Says Forbes and Hamilton. Protective Laws For
 Hotels

Opinions expressed by we1l-known citi- Eens yesterday regarding what Birming- ham should seek from the incoming legis- yesterday. All who expressed themselves agreed that money was the greatest need of this city at present. and that the only method of securing funds was the equal- ization of taxes and the passage of laws by which Birmingham and Jefferson coun- ty would be enabled to retain the money raised by taxes here.
 Representative opinions yesterday were as follows;
 Dr. G. B. Forbes: 'T find myself agree ing with the general sentiment expressed yesterday morning that the taxation prob- lems of this county are really fmpera- tive, and should be solved by the incom- ing legislature. The action of the last legislature in adopting tax measures that carried away from this county and from Birmingham revenue that we really need ed and the absence of equalization are re- sulting in much damage to this city and county. I am of the opinion that the sit uation and the absence of capitalized taxes should receive the immediate and care ful attention of the lawmakers"
 w. c. Hamilton: "The city of Birming- hams greatest need is money, and this cannot De secured without taxation. The situation now is such that the city is really in need of assistance. I believe the legislature should begin immediately upon convenang a plan for the equalization of the taxes of the state Jefferson county should be allowed to utilize all of her taxes and the city of Birmingham should be allowed to retain all that comes into the city,
 Hardy M Burt of the Florence hotel "One of the needs of the city and state at the hands of the incoming legislators Is uniform law for the regulation and protection of hotels. I venture to say there IS no class Of business men more the victim of the dead beat than the hotel- keeper. As the law now stands we have little or no protection regarding persons beating hotel bills and are often f1agrantly defrauded. The hotel men of the state, hoWSFSrs nave dlfeduy commenced a movement to secure the passage of a bill similar to those that are in operation in many other states ,and we hope to have the measure incorporated in the laws of the state. We are not asking anything unreasonable or that is not already in practice in other states. We are simp,y asking for adequate protection for our business"
 M. H. McDowell: 'There are many needs of the Birmingham district in re- gard to benefcent legislative enactments, and again there are many laws on the statute books that ought to be abolished or changed. The present method of is- suing warrants at the instance of irre- sponsible parties is an evil that works many hardships. If negro gets mad with his neighbor and wants to give him trouble he can swear out warrant, re- turnable to the criminal court, and have him placed in the county jail. It often happens in cases like this the defendant stays in jail for long period of time awaiting trial. only to be discharged when the case is judicially investigated. The victim has no recourse. Neither ha $ the county for the time and money spent in this class of cases The law should be changed to make these warrants for minor offenses returnable to a court hav- ing immediate and final Jurisdiction in the matter. I am also in favor of a work mems compensation law such as is fin successful operation in other states"