The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-07-15

Dr. W. II. Oates, state Inspector or jails and prisons, came to Birmingham last night to make an investigation of conditions in the local jail It has reached the ears of the official that the prison is overcrowded, that the condition in in sanitary and that food served to certain prisoners is not eatable
 While it is considered probable that the reports which have been sent abroad arc exaggerated. pr. Oates intends making a thorough inspection and investigation of conditions Tn advance of that work, he declines to make a statement. It is an ticipated that by afternoon he will be in position to say what are facts and what remedy should be applied
 Sometime ago, as Is remembered. B negro prisoners complained in a formal card to the state authorities. These pris- oners represented that their condition was unbearahle, that they were crowded to- rooms. baths closets, etc.. on which the charge is based. And in all cases where unitemized flatt rate bills have been already rendered within the past 30 days it shall be the duty of such waterworks companies 10 give such itemized state ment upon same being requested by it's said consumer.
 Sec 2. Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision hereof shall upon conviction be punished within the limits and as provided by section 1216 of the code of Alabama.
 The resolution directing the city engi- neer to draw plans for a municipal water works is as follows:
 Resolved, That the city engineer be and he is hereby instructed to report to this board as soon as practicable the most flea sible plan for municipally owned and operated waterworks plant that will furnish adequate supply of water suit able for industrial and domestic and other needs of the city of Birmingham
 The resolution regarding the size and pI assure of the water mains of the pres ent company was printed in The Age Herald some few days ago. It is claimed that the present mains of the company are not large enough to furnish water for fires in the downtown district and the assure is not high enough in the High lands residence districts.
 Perpetual Franchise Claim
 The feature in regard to the company's claim of perpetual franchise Just devel- ored yesterday when the waterworks of
 
 commission in regard to their offer to waive all values suburban franchises if the city wished to buy the company in 1921. It was stated that the 1888 rate con tract expires in 1921, and after that the city authorities will nave authority to regulate rates in old Birmingham. ac- cordins to the waterworks officials claim, but tbat the charter of the company giv- ing 1t permission to do business in Bir- mingliam is regarded oy them as a perpet- ral franchise distinct and apart from the rate contract of lSSS
 The commissioners disagree. They state that the 1888 contract which expires in 1921, is the same thing as the expiration of the company franchise. They point to the new claim of the waterworks com psny, however. to show that the present Litigation against the company to take away its franchise should not be waived new iTs favor of even a rate agreement for the next year or two that would be reas- ora ble
 "'rhe proposition was turned down unan- i'm ously. There will be no more confer ences ta ~ In these words from a member of the city ccmmiss)l yesterday afternoon went glimmering any hopes which any one may have had for a settlement of the water controversy ,r for an arrangement for the use of lower rates than those an- rounced recently by the water company.
 Proposal of Company
 President A. NJ Lynn, Counsel Walker waterworks company met with the com-