The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-16
By HUGH W. ROBERTS

By HUGH W. ROBERTS
 Montgomery, July 15.-tspecinl.)
 If bills now pending before the
 legislature should he enacted Into
 law. conditions which now prevail
 in Birmingham and Jefferson coun-
 ty would be entirely revolutions
 fixed.
 Senator Judge. as Is known. has
 measure which would increase
 the number of city commissioners
 of Birmingham from three to five.
 provide for the inauguration in 2 BirminehaiBs of . government by
 manager nnd council. Mir. sha-
 piro has still another bill of far
 reaching significance, one which
 would give the city of Birming ham
 the right to prepare In a conven-
 ton of It's citizens a municipal
 charter under which 1t could "rule
 itself" irrespective of laws and
 conditions elsewhere prevailing.
 The bill which would in more startling manner than any other now pending effect The bill would divide the county into two parts, the greater to remain under the name of Jefferson. the lesser to be chris ened Jeff Davis.
 Measures for Relief
 Other bills pending would materially eff. 'ect either in a good or evil manner the great city and great county of the state Two of these were planned for the finan- ,ia relief of the former. One would ap- oropriate out of the funds of the county the sum of $2O0000 for the use of the city The argument in support of the bill Is that whereas the people of Birmingham are he chief contributors to the treasury of he county, they receive nothing in return rom the county.
 The other bill coming under the head O 'elief measures for the city. of Birming- ,anl would give the people of Birmingham through the the operation of a constitu. lCnal amendment the right to increase by heir votes the tax rate prevailing in he city. It Is believed that majority oi he delegation could be induced only with great difficulty to support the bill ap- )ropriating for the use of the city $200, ,00t ,f the countys funds. Six members of he delegation favor the bill providing means for increasing the tax rate of Bir- ningham and procuring more revenue fol the use of the city. It is said that MT Neakley and MT. Copeland do not enthust to a great degre over the merits of thai pill.
 Two New Commissioners
 Other bills would create certain com. missions to serve various purposes in the ,ity and county. Senator Judge, for in- stance, has a bill which provides for the creation of an election commission to have charge of all elections in the city ,f Birmingham At the present time, as s known, municipal elections, even those n which commissioners are candidates for e. election, are in charge of the commis- ,ioners. Senator Judge would change con iitions so that municipal elections would De under the supervision of the probate udge, the sheriff and clerk of the circuit ,ourt of the county.
 MT. weakley's bill creating a building commission of 15 members to serve the without remuneration in matters of great building activity, has al. 'eady been explained. This commission will be similar to the one which some years ago constructed the great sanitary runk sewers extending across the county md in a few years will have supervision ,f the construction of a skyscraper court house and jail in the county.
 All of the foregoing are local measures The city and county will be effected along with all other cities and counties by gen. .ral bills which will be enacted into law.
 The Differing Viewpoints
 There is scarcely a question but that he fate of Birmlngham-if not of lief erson-is Tn the hands of the members oi he delegation.
 There is no member who has any other wish than to serve his constituents. Some If them, however. differ with the majority Il the manner which it would be wise to ldopt in arriving at identical ends The .ity authorities have testified that with ut law guaranteeing to Birmingham neans of permanent relief the city's fate IS city will be sealed: that. in other words, Birmingham will be compelled to ,ffer to it's people services scarcely better han those offered by villages. \ It is believed, however. that the dele yation will insist on a bill of permanent .elief, and will not be induced to delay lction on the theory that in the equaliza- ion of taxation. Birmingham will auto- come into its own