The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-05
.SUbCOMM|TTEES ID bE GIVEN PLENTY 0F TIME IN THEIR WORK Bowie Says He Will Not Hurry Them for
 Reports THREE ARE HEARD ON TEMPORARY RELIEF One Opposes Bond Issue, Second Op- poses Raise In Taxes, and Third
 Advocates Establishing of
 Dispensaries

cSuhey 1' boWie, cndlrIlan or the cOm- mittee of 100 citizens named to devise a scheme for the immediate and permanent relief of Birmingham from financial dif- faculties, stated last night that he would not endeavor to hurry subcommittees in their work, and that he could express no opinion as to the time when the commit tee as whole would again convene.
 "1 am determined" he continued, that each of the subcommittees will be fully prepared to make its report before the committee as whole will be assembled. The subcommittee on temporary relief is hard at work. and will be ready to report, it is understood, in the very near future. The subcommittee on permanent relief will hold another meeting tomor- TOW afternoon. It should complete its labor a few days thereafter The sub committee which is probing the conduct of the municipal government is making a very thorough investigation, and follow ing that investigation will likely invite citizens to appear before it in open ses- sion.'
 From what MT. Bowie intimated. it would probably be the first of next week when the committee of 100 hears the re- ports of the various subcomnittees. By that date, the legislature will be in ses- sion.
 Heard On Temporary Relief
 The subcommittee of which John H. Frye is chairman, that named to devise a scheme for the temporary financial relief of the city, held an open session yesterday afternoon. Three citizens gave testimony, one simply opposing the idea of issuing bonds. another agreeing that a bond issue was necessary, but that it should not be followed by raise in the the committee to recommend that the leg islature give to Birmingham the right to dispense liquors under the guidance of the municipal government.
 The first of these, D. F. Hummer of Ensley, after assailing the idea of a bond issue. practically retired from his posi- ton when he expressed himself as un- able to advise the committee what course to pursue. and then agreed that bond issue might be good business"
 He opened by assailing the idea of a ~~~~Ss AN'oSt oAA Nt 6CA tAidt siic tOHl1Illtlee insist that taxation be capitalized. J. D.. Moore, member of the subcommittee, then asked MT. Hummer how long in his opin- ion would be required to capitalized taxa tion in order that the city might settle obligations due this month.
 MT. Hummer replied that sometime would be necessary. Then he startled the committee by this declaration:
 But if the city has to go into the hands of receiver. the sooner that course is pursued the better"
 There followed these questions and an- swers
 ruptcy now?'
 Mir. Hummer: "No. But if bankruptcy is necessary. it might as well be now as then. And 1t might be better to go to the legislature crying for immediate re- lief than to so following bond issue asking for permanent relief"
 w. A. Spencer: Well. what shali this committee recommend?
 MT. Hummer: T cannot tell you"
 J. D. Moore: Don't you think the city should maintain it's credit?"
 Mir. Hummer: "Yes. but not when relief sought is of such temporary character"
 Crawford Johnson: 'Mr. Hummer, you understand that the city owes money due this month to the extent of $1.500,000. If bond issue is au- thorized the money will not be paid out for current expenses but will so to the requirement. of debts now due. The city would then contract new ole ligations payable in 10. 20 and 30 years"
 MT. Hummer: That does sound like