The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-07-11
Commissioners Are Hopeful That Lynn's Visit Next Week May Bring
 Results
PRESIDENT WARD STILL UNABLE TO
 MAKE UP HIS MIND
Question Is Whether Company Would Settle on a Basis Which the Com missioners Would Consider
 Fair to the People of
 Birmingham

A sentiment which appeared to be gain ing headway developed yesterday to the effect that an amieahle settlement of the
 water rate controversy would yet be made.
 President A NJ. Lynn of the water works company will be in Birmingham next week. Exactly what for, it seems is either unknown or being kept secret. The fact that he is coming back to Bir- mingham. however, is considered signifi- cant.
 Judge A. O. Lane. city commissioner who is leading the movement for an aini- cable settlement or agreement had an- other conference yesterday with Walker Percy, counsel for the waterworks com pany. Judge Lane stated that Mir. Percy informed him President Lynn had been in St. Louis. that he had been eommuni- cated with by long distance telephone and that he would return to Birmingham next week.
 Hopes for Settlement
 Judge Lane stated further that Presi- dent Lynn was coming in the interest of an amicable settlement of the rate
 controversy between the city and the
 water company. The judge stated that Mir. Percy yesterday appeared to be strongly impressed with the possibilities of an agreement being reached.
 The basis upon which Judge Lane will ask for an agreement with the water company and thereby settle the contro-
 yersy will be a decrease in water rates of probably 10 per cent from the rates of ordinance 97-C, or rather the rates
 which have been in use by the water company for the past two years, a blnd- ing guarantee to furnish pure and Whoie- some water and shortening of the sub urban contracts now held by the com pany so that all contracts with the city
 will be for six and a half years, the life of the present old Birmingham con tract Thereby all contracts in Greater
 Birmingham would expire at the same time.
 President George Ward stl states that he does not know his own mind in regard to the controversy. He says he'll talk when he's got something to talk about and not before. At present he says he thinks one way one day and changes his mind the next.
 MT. Weatherlys position is known. He favors fighting the waterworks company to the finish and taking from it its fran chise.
 However, it is the conviction of nearly all those on the side lines at the city hall that though MT. Wards position is problematical and MT. Weatherly s appears clearly fixed, neither one of them | would stand in the way for moment of any settlement or agreement with the waterworks company which they regarded just and fair.
 4te ,@l,a af IA a controversy then is whether or not the
 waterworks company would ever agree to a settlement which the three commis- sioners will consider just and fair, set clement which will embody low rates wholesome water and short term contract Many people believe the company will not and for this reason the chances for settlement are thought very remotei others are inclined to the belief that the company stands ready to concede some important points the city has been contending for and therefore a settle ment is promising.
 Lynn's Visit Hopeful If is argued that President Lynn would not be coming to Birmingham to merely inform the commissioners that his com pany stood firm on it's announced posi- tion but rather that he Is coming because he has Tn mind some concessions in the hope of settlement of the litigation. 1 Judge Lane yesterday said he was very hopeful of a settlement. "I have every l req son to believe that the waterworks company and the city is about to get | together on this proposition said the | judge. T have stated to them on what grounds I believe the other two commis- sioners and myself would agree to droT the litigation against the corporation. 1 have no doubt but what the company wants to settle the matter amicably. MT Percy and others connected with the wa | terworks side of the case are broad minded and fair men. When MT Lynn arrives next week. I believe that neso- 1 tiations of great importance to every wa l ter consumer in Birmingham will be | opened up and unless I am seriously de- l ceived at present I believe they vii I be concluded to the advantage of all