The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-10
WILL VOTE FOR INCREASE IN
 CITY COMMISSION Evident Last Night That the People Will Ind0rse Five Commissioners Tomorrow THE VOTE WILL BE
 LESS THAN 1000 But Two Outspoken Opponents to the Bill, James Weatherly and R. Du-
 pont Thompson-Dr. Heacock
 Confident of Success

It was evident last night that the peo- pie of Birmingham on Monday will in- dorse the so-called "five-commissioner' bill enacted by the legislature in recent session.
 Practically the sole outspol<en opponents of the bill are James Weathery. city commissioner. and R. Dupont Thompson, manager of the campaign of opposition. While Mir weatherly in the event of the passage of the bill. would, through the operation of the veto power exerted by the president, be less formidable than at present, and while his salary would be reduced from $70oo to s4oo0 per annum, his opposition is not attributed to either of these practically insurmountable causes. Mir. Thompson, of course, is dis interested in his affection.
 The vote promises to be small-less than 1000. Very little interest was displayed many people to the general impression that the bill would carry. Although il is claimed that the present commission under the circumstances has performed as well as could have been expected there is no question, students of loca conditions contend. but that dissatisfac ton is rampant, and change is ardentls desired
 Provide for Submitting to Vote
 The five-commissioner bill was pre- pared last winter by Senator Judge ant Representative Weakley and had the sup port of all other members of the delega ton. During the summer the city com mission called an election in the hop, that the people of Birmingham would express their disapproval of the bill. Tn, city eventually called off the electior when 1t was agreed that the bill should be amended in such wise that 1t would be submitted to the people.
 The bill was prepared by Senator Judg, and Mir WealSley because they had beer requested to do so by great many peo pie who were dissatisfied with condition! in Birmingham. As soon as the legisla ture reconvened in July, they amended the bill by attaching a referendum clause, and the date for the election wa. named as October Il.
 Since the legislature adjourned in Sep ttiHDti, tutTt iidS uttil d Iiore or leS vigorous effort on the part of Commis sioner Weatheriy to stir up opposition But in this, he scored very little success if indications are to be believed
 The friends of the bill induced Dr. J D. Heacock, one of the leading physician. of the city, to lead the fight, and Dr .Heacock has done effective work
 b Chairman HeacOck Confident
 Dr. Heacock said last night at the con clusion of the fight that he felt confiden that the people by a large majority would indorse the bill.
 Tt has appealed to people of every view" he said, for it embraces first O. all. the commission idea; secondly, tn. general manager idea, and lastly, tn, representative idea.
 "A commission of five is a commission as much as Is a commission of three and argument to the end that our effor is in behalf of an aldermanic system f. not worthy of notice. Furthermore, tn president of the commission, given tn veto power by the new bill, is in fac a city manager And again. with fiv commissioners to be named, the suburb are assured of representation. And tn suburbs. so richly deserving, have no up to the present time, been represented.
 ]. E Shelby, one of the best known mei in Birmingham, declared last night fo five commissioners. 'I have no criticism to make of the members of the presen commission. But there is no doubt bu that conditions can be improved. Tn five-commssioner bill should be in dorsed."