The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-07-23
Citizens Give Views on
 Various Phases of Water
 Issue Raised at City Hall
(Continued from Page Five)

(Continued from Page Five) the suits against the water company and we don't want to do that We would just be at the same place we nave been for years and years We want a munich pal water plant the bond issue would get it for us sooner than any other plan l know of
 Does Not Favor Compromise
 c. C. Burke. president Ensley club. Ems lev: "I am not in favor of the compro- mise and do not believe the people of Ensley are. We do not consider that the litigation against the water company in the courts is lost by any means. We have every faith in winning out in the long run If 1t is necessary to take 1t to the highest courts. The waterworks com pany wouldn't be wanting to compromise either, you believe me, If they considered they had won this litigation and if they were not afraid of these suits for the peoples rights.
 We voted on 97-C rates once The com promise is the same thing, There is no use doing the same thing over. It would be overwhelmingly defeated. I believe. The bond issue idea is popular It is what the people have been talking of for years. It would either compel the waterworks company to sell it's plant at a reasonable figure or would give us a plant of our own, and there would not be competition but very, very short time, for every body would use the municipal water.'
 Fayors Bond Issue
 Dr. F. c. Rosamond, North Birming- ham: "I am in favor of the bond issue. have talked to many of my neighbors, and they seem to feel the same way It is ridiculous to say the bonds for a competing municipal waterworlks could not be sold. The people themselves would buy them if given the chance, and 1 believe any bond buyer would regard them as a good investment. Anyone in touch with the situation could see that the municipal plant would soon 1oini- nate the situation because practically all consumers would quit the other com pany.
 'The bond issue would carry; believe the sentiment of the people out here Is strongly for it, but we are opposed to the compromise because for the sake of lower rates for time we would be sur rendering every right we are claiming we have over the waterworks company"
 Should Affect Settlement
 William B. Leedy Jr.; "rhe city in my opinion should affect a settlement of the water case, said MT. Leedy. There Is not the slightest hope If breaking the contract. The bond proposition for competing plant is Imaginable In the meantime l am agent for quite a number of property owners who are paying two- thirds higher water rates The company could do nothing but resume the old rates. I recall that the company insisted in giving the people reduction even after 97-C was voted down, and it is those rates which were turned down upon the recom- mendations of MT. Weatherly, which are calling for such criticism from the peo- v,1A txltn .x-it. ful,a toe
 "In the light of the decisions of every court, and the increased water bills, believe the people would be willing to accept 97-C and would never have turned it down and they know of the 97-C out come"
 Wants Cheaper Rates
 G. H. Crane: 'I think the city has cut off it's nose to spite its face. What af- fleets me is not the political future of some individuals, but cheap water. I am not getting water now as cheaply AS I did sometime back. That Is where get rather weak. l believe in municipal ownership. All cities should own their water plants and light plants. However. that will not reduce my bills for the next six years. and am living now. The bond issue to build a competing plant I think far fetched as l do not believe any one would finance such q scheme, and even then it would be impossible to do tbat work under 10 years. In the meantime the plant can be bought in six years Let us have peace"
 FavOrs Municipal Ownership
 Ted Brownell: q am inclined to fol- low MT Weatherly on the water ques- tion. l certainly shall to the extent of municipal ownership of the water p1ant. am also in favor of a municipal light plant. l would not be aloof. how ever, to some adjustment of this con troversy which has only resulted in the practical proposition of making me pay higher for water. It occurs to me that there is some way to settle this mat ter, at least until the contract ex- pires"
 Has Not Studied Question
 W. N. Malone: T am not sufficiently we'll informed on the water question to give an opinion. l have been out of town great deal and also rather busy"
 Playing Politics
 M B. Morton: q think Mir. Weath- erly is playing the water question for politics. He may be sincere as he foubtless is but my interest in the matter goes only to the extent of cheap CT water and good water. We have the best in the world now. I am told but 1t Is not the cheapest They should settle this question now"
 Forced to Increase Rates
 Thomas Hopkins: "We have good wa ter. but the water company was forced to increase the rates under its con tracts. think there should be an ad- ]ustment of this proposition and the people get cheaper water, There should be quick settlement of this prob lem"
 Needs General Manager
 Hugo Marx: "The city needs gen. eral manager and that will come when a receiver is appointed"
 City Should Keep Contracts
 A. B. Tanner: The city. like all in- dividuals. should keep it's contracts. As I see 1t the city has lost its onslaught