The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-15
LOCAL SOLONS HAVE HEARD NOTHING IF AN EXTRA SESSION Judge Thinks It Must Come Before November to Make Salary Law Operative STATES FINANCES
 NEED ADJUSTMENT City Officials Read News of Fossil ble Call for Extra Session by
 Governor With Great
 Satisfaction

If the governor is planning to call the legislature in extraordinary session, he has not consulted with members of the Jefferson county delegation.
 Despite that fact, however. it is the consensus of opinion in Birmingham that the special session will be called. Thomas J. Judge member of the legislature, and senator elect, is of the opinion that un- less the anti-fee amendment is put into effect prior to November. when local county nominees will be elected, the amendment cannot be operative within a period of six years. The governor has promised the people of Jefferson county that the fee system would be abolished before the beginning of the terms for which local nominees will be elected.
 If the opinion of MT Judge is correct the extra session, ill accordance with the promise of the governor, will be called, as indicated by The Age-lIeralds Mont gomery correspondent, either late in the summer or early in the fall.
 Construction of Constitution
 "It is my opinion" said MT Judge last night, that the provision of the constitu- ton has been construed by the supreme court to mean that the basis of an of ficiafs compensation shall not be changed following his election. Some nave con- strued the constitutions provision to mean that the basis of his compensation cannot be changed during the term for which he has been elected.
 If l am correct, the governor will have to call his legislature together prior to November, for in that month all nominees will be elected
 Mir. Judge then added that he had heard nothing official in regard to the prob ability of an extra session.
 There is need for an extra session, howe he said "Of course. we want to put the anti-fee amendment into effect. And then we want to take care of the financial interests of the state. And We must do something for the cities of the state which are so badly cramped in regard to treasury assets.
 ''As soon as we are notified that an eytra session will be called. the delega- tibn will get together and prepare d bill sInaking the anti-fee amendment effective. This bill would, of course, carry the set salaries which in the future officials of this county will receive in return for their work
 Make Salaries Adequate
 MT. Judge stated that he had not given enough thought to the proposition to warrant the expression of opinion as to the salaries officials should draw.
 '1 am in favor" he said, "of making salaries adequate and thoroughly in keep ing with the size and importance of the county. At the same time. the stipends should be-as they are now-commensur- ate with the salary of the President of the United States.
 There is difference of opi,on in Br- mngham as to the amount of salary which should be paid officials following the abolition of the fee system. Some citizens contend that the sheriff should receive sl5,00O and the probate judge 12.0o0 Others contend that the salaries should be sl0,000 and Ss000 respectively and con tend that for those salaries worthy men In the future will announce for office.
 None received news of the proba bility of an extra session with more satisfae- ton than city officials. The commits sjoners are very anxious that something he done for the financial relief of Bir- mingham.