The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-06-07
Investigator Says Birming- ham Will Require Sub
 ways Within 25 Years
COPY OF REPORT
 IS SENT TO WARD
Pittsburg Lawyer Sent Here to In vestigate and Report on This City's Suitability as Invest
 nient Field

A. E. Anderson is a lawyer of Pitts burg who was recently sent to Birming. ham by certain investment interests and asked to make report on whether money could be well placed in Birmingham
 MT. Anderson has made his report and has sent copy of it to fCommissioner Ward In general 1t is highly favorable to Birmingham. Incidentally, he says Birmingham will have to have subways within 25 years and that the streets are admirable for the utilization of this kind of transportation. His report is as fol. lows
 The following statement of impressions IS based upon observations made during the week beeinning at about Il o'clock p. m.' May 9, 1915. Sunday, and ending at about Il o'clock. D. m, May Is, 1915 sunday, the immediate purpose thereof being the examination as to present and future status of investments made or to be made in the Birmingham district.
 The city of Birmingham is located in the county of Jefferson state of Ala bama, and contains within it's corpor- ate limits about 50 square miles of area
 
 pected to exceed 100000 by the census of 1920. The streets have been well designed being in width in the main town 100 feet or more, the title to which being vested in the corporation. gives full control over municipal needs of the future They are well paved and maintained in good clean ly condition by the street commissioner.
 'The municipal government is of the commission form. with three commits sioners, who seem to be on the job at all times, as shown by inquiry and press reports of their activities The system of accounts is well developed, including daily checking of receipts and payments and a general ledger showing municipal condi- ton up to date with ready reference thereto
 The system of taxation seems to be somewhat archaic under the legislation in force. in that out of $2 .35 of taxes col lected in the city, 70 cents is paid to the state. 65 cents to the county, leaving but S1 for the city, one-half of which must by law be placed at once in the sinking fund, whereby but 50 cents re- mains for municipal purposes, a sum to- tally inadequate for the proper care of such growing municipality. The amount of the tax levy should be placed in the discretion of the commissioners, who are responsible for any abuse to their con- sttuents. The commissioners have been compelled to create an indebtedness of a large amount. which is being cared for by bond issue authorized by the legisla- ture. The legislature has power to pass special legislation applicable to the needs of various communities of the state Un- der such a handicap, it may be said that the government has accomplished remark able results.
 Cares for Education
 Even out of the 50 cents remaining as above set forth. the city provides for the educa tional features without any school tax which is provided in other cities As education is well cared for the municipal functions are further limited in propor- ton. The additional revenues from l- cense taxes and other sources are inade- qIate to equal the drain thus put upon the city resources.
 Tn addition to the regular school sys- tenn library containing about 40, 900 vol umes of well and carefully chosen books is maintained in the city hall in charge Of competent librarian and assistants Ihese books were secured by public ef- Forts, donations loans and otherwise, so that the city bears merely the operating expenses for the working force. This li- orary plant is now upon basis whereby It should grow regularly with the growth of the city and without anyone realizing any burden therefor
 The present center of the city of Bir- was laid out in 1871, and went through the usual incidents of municipal nfancy, but at the age of A it has reached l robust manhood, shown by the ability about five years since. with the aid of the legislature, to absorb several adjoining communities. making the present corpo- ate area. Instead of being bothered with as other cities are, and have been bothered, Birmingham can proceed O grow as rapidly as the energy of it's people will make possible.
 Takes Trip to Lock IT 'On May 13. 1915 Lock No. 1T on the Black Warrior river was dedicated, mak- ng possible water communica tion from he Birmingham district to the Gulf of Mexico. This lock backs up the river Or distance of 65 miles and brings navi- sation by the branch within 20 miles of proper. and should add large | y to the means of advancement This improvement also makes avail l lble shipments from the 800,000 acres of | ,oal lands surrounding Birmingham | hereby providing a method of reaching | markets heretofore confined to railroad |  There are many developments of the | oal lands at various points. and the out | ,ut should grow rapidly with such added | means of shipment. The newer plants are | ,eing operated with electric power pro- luced at central power house, thereby edLcing operating costs to minimum |