The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-12

ement Of MT. Smith TOT tn1S pur]
 A list of the expenses of the city employees in attending the hearing of the bill providing for an increase in the tax rate is furnished, the commits sioners stating that the results fully justified the expense. No expenses were incurred by the committee of 100, according to the communication, but the city had the report of the sub committee printed at it's expense. The matter of sending telegrams to Mont gomery is also explained.
 The commission states 1t is always ready to furnish the members of the legislature and the public generally with all legitimate information regard ing public affairs and states 1t will appreciate the opportunity of answer ing any other questions the members of the legislature may propound.
 Letter to Legislators
 The communication follows:
 August Il, 1915. "Honorables John B. weakley, D. R. Copeland. W. S.. Welch, N W. Scott, Felix I Tarrant, Montgomery. Ala.
 "Gentlemen-Your letter of the 10th insant duly received. It gives us pleas ure to furnish you the information therein called for.
 This commission has no paid lobby k Arr ok yiSf, at 11s where and has never had
 Before the legislature met it was realized that 1t was necessary to have great deal of remedial legislation to adjust the city's charter to su- preme court decisions and to repair other defects. The amount of the work was very great.
 The city's law department was so small and extremely busy with many matters of great importance that it was absolutely impossible for the law department of the city to do the work that was necessary to be done during this session of the legislature In ad- dition to this. the financial condition Of the city was such that, in response to wide public demand, the commit tee of 100 was organized to suggest plans for appropriate remedies.
 "It was necessary to procure the passage through the legislature of their recommendations. Because of the absolute necessity of this, Hon. E. D. Smith. former city attorney and one of our ablest and best lawyers, was employed by the city especially for the purpose of assisting in the prep aration of needed remedial legislation and to remain for such time as might be necessary at Montgomery during legislative sessions to see that the bills prepared for the city's relief were properly presented and explained to the various committees authorized to give them consideration and also to assist in their passage through the legislature.
 erhis was rendered all the more necessary because of the fact that cer- tain important matters of interest to the city were antagonfstic to that of large corporations who had regularly employed attorneys who were present on the ground all the time.
 "It would have been betrayal of the city's interest not to have been represented in these circumstances.
 "The fact of MT. Smiths employment and the terms of his employment have already been made public, and undoubt- edly was well known, not only generally, but specifically, by the members of the legislature from this county. MT. Smith s work has been invaluable, and I can but btitNc liidt yOu VIII CncciIullS dNhiiO" edge it's propriety and necessity.
 Weakley Congratulated City
 "As . matter of fact, Mir. WeakIey will recall that at a meeting of the Jefferson delegation with a committed of citIsens from Birmingham at the beginning of the session in the pri- vnte dining room of the Exchange hO- tel he congratulated the city on hav- ing employed MT. Smith to do .thia work and said that it was q wise thing to do.
 Now. will further state, however, that in employing MT. Smith, there was a distinct understanding that he should confine his activities to measures bear ing directly on remedial legislation for the city. and to oppose Legislation adverse to the city, and no other matters.
 Many general bills affecting all cities in many directions might injuriously af- feet or be positively dangerous to the city of Birmingham. As, for instance. the section of the general revenue bill. re- ducing license taxes on waterworks and street railway companies to per cent of gross revenues.
 MT. Smith was instructed to have nothing whatever to do, pro or con, with bills affecting the form of gov
 ernment of the city, including the five commissioner bill the general man. ager Dill, ana any other DlllS that 1n-I volved the personal terms or enolu- ments of commissioners and he has scrupulously adhered to his instruc- tions in this regard.
 No other person whomsoever. except those regularly connected with the city government, have been employed to rep resent the city in any legislative matters whatsoever.
 Tn regard to travelling expenses of city employees to Montgomery to appear be- fore the committee. the list is herewith appended.
 These employees were sent to Montgom- cry to appear before the committee which gave a hearing on the bill providing moro revenues for the city. The city felt that 1t was necessary and a part of wisdom to send the inspector of police to explain properly how the police department had been reduced and the effect it would have on the public and the enforcement Of laws that it was necessary to send the chief of the fire department to explain how the fire department was practically wrecked, as far as efficient service was concerned We sent MT. Milan, the li- brarian to explain, in an intelligent way how the community service work, includ- ing libraries playgrounds, recreation parks, welfare movements, etc., had prass- tically to be abandoned.
 Results Justified Expense These gentlemen did present such mat ters to the committee, and the results jus tifed the expense.
 MT Boyd, city attorney, Mir. Ullman. Asslstant city attorney, and commissionnz