The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-07-17
GERMS WERE FOUND IN NORTHS|DE WATER Examination by Duncan on
 June 23 Showed Infection DISAPPEARED LATER Report of City Bacteriologist Causes Comment--No Developments Yes terday in the Waterworks Controversy
DISAPPEARED LATER

Typhoid fever germs were found In water taken from the mains of the Birmingham waterworl<s at 1911 Rush avenue, June 2S, according to Prof. E. M. Duncan, city bacteriologist.
 In samples of one cubic centimeter and in samples of 10 cubic centimeters Professor Duncan reports he found B. coli, the typhoid fever germ. During the latter part of June and the first of July there has been illness at 1911 Rush avenue, where Dr. Duncan se- cured the samples. Three members of the family have been attacked with fever. none of which developed any thing serious, however. the high tern peratures disappearing after several days.
 Dr. Duncan's report on his finding germs in the Northside water did not become known until yesterday when Dr. k. M. Cunningham, city health of ficer. issued his monthly report for June. Professor Duncan stated yester- day that the Rush avenue sample was taken to represent the whole North side as all the water in that section came from the same place. Two or
 
 other examination of sample of the Northside water and found 1t all right. This latter examination. however, will not appear until next months report.
 Caused Considerable Comment
 The report of the health officer showing MT Duncan's finding caused considerable comment at the city hall yesterday. The basis of the recent quo warranto suit against the waterworks s company to declare void It's franchise was that it had furnished impure wa ter and this allegation of the city has figured largely in the controversy and negotiations of the past few weeks be- tween the city commissioners and the waterworks company. Although the city lost this suit, 1t has appealed to the state supreme court and the admin istration appears to have complete con fidence of winning the case there.
 Developments in the waterworks con troversy apparently have ceased for the time being. Chief interest at the city hall is now centering In the report of the city engineer on a municipal waterworks. Engineer Kendrick and his staff are all eady at work on plans it Is stated and inside of 80 days will be ready to report to the commission CTS.
 Until that time, the commissioners de- cline to discuss details of the scheme. They state that it might be the city engineer would not report favorably It is practically taken for granted, however. that he will report favorably. It is known that a municipal waterworks is pet scheme of MT. Kendrick. Commissioner James Weatherly, who is leading the waterworks fight. and President George Ward agree that bond Issue for the plant will be eagerly authorized by the voters if the city engineer reports favor ably on the scheme. They state that if MT. Hendricks report is favorable, they will immediately call a special election for the bond issue.
 Expect Statements Soon Before there are any further develop ments along this line. however, statements will probably be forthcoming from Presi- dent Ward and Judge Lane, in which they will advise the water consumers what in their opinion should be done with the present water bills. Commissioner Wealth erly has already taken his stand on this, advising that water bills of the in- creased rates be paid except under protest after the company has cut off the water and then damage suits should be placed by the public in the hands of able att torneys.
 | Before the recent peace parley'' with the Water company, JuuBe Lane ndu different plan and President Ward third. The waterworks officials who came here to attend the parleys, however, have now | left the city and all prospects of a settle ment appear gone. Therefore Judge Lanes plan and President Wards plan have failed and they will have to either side in with MT. Weatherly in his advice of payment only under protest or attack the question from another angle. Both Judge Lane and Mir Ward had nothing to say yesterday. Both said they would | have, however, within the next few days | In the meantime several other moves of l Commissioner Weatherly are in the em- bryo stage and may develop. One is the resolution by which the size of the present | mains and the water pressure is being in- vestigated by the city engineer.