The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-15
Real Sentiment of City Has
 Never Been Ascertained on Question But Pending
 bill to Divide Jefferson Will be Defeated
Birmingham Would Feel
 Principal Effects if Di- F vision Were Made Prob /, lens Are Worthy of Study
By HUGH W. ROBERTS.


 Montgomery, Aug. 14.-(special.) )-In view of the fact that there are on the falender of the house, supported by fla vorable committee reports. two bills con aining plans for the division of the inn perial county of Jefferson. it is interest," ng to speculate on what is the real senti- nent of all the people regarding "divis- on.'
 It has always been true that the people pf the southern half of the county, or hose living in and around Bessemer. have desired and made strenuous efforts to secure a division. 80 that they could fovern themselves without being over \hadowed by the greater population. Teater wealth and greater influence of lrmingham. The people of the northern ection of the county. or the Warrior lection, have not been active, if there Nas ever been in their hearts desire 6f what is known as "home rule.' Re- karding division, Birmingham. or the heart of Jefferson county, speaks in oud voice-in a strident tone of opposi- ion. It Is interesting to note. however, hat that note of opposition comes from
 body of men welded together to con- erve those advantages which Birming- ham possesses in the form of great and beneficent corporations. The corporate heads believe that were the county d. Fided their interests. lying in more than bne subdivision, would be too greatly Fictimized by tax gatherers. The real entiment of Birmingham has never been [scertained and probably will not be Escertained before the passing of decade If years.
 The bills pending before the legislature vil die as their innumerable predecessors If similar import have died-a-borfing. he members of the Jefferson county del- gation are impressed with the big voice (manating from the heart of the Magic yity. They are impressed. rendered timid. nd as a result, will not act However. is interesting to note that among the members of the delegation there Is a wholesome sentiment favorable to divis- pn. That sentiment, like the sentiment Birmingham itself will be stifled mo- bentarily for reasons of expediency.
 ft is highly questionable, however, as to Whether or not 1t Is expedient that the entiment be crushed. It Is generally ad- hitted to be true that the state, pos- |essed of many small counties outstrips
  |rovement is nothing other than material )rogress-its rival possessed of few, Though imperial counties. It would fol- ow as a natural corollary that were Jeff erson divided into three parts. the out yng districts, at present stagnant as a esult of the overshadowing influence of Birmingham, would raspond to the neces- jty of existence, the necessity of stand lone which would confront them. But he principal effect of the division would e felt in the Magic City. The bill con emplati division of Jefferson Into three Iarts contemplates a Birmingham mu- icpal-county combined under one gov rnment; a municipal-county enjoying the avenue which is now received and di- ided by Birmingham and Jefferson;-- nunlcipal-county capable of growing rich trough undivided profit and expenditures ut in half a happy condition which ould be produced without impoverishing ny individual, without even increasing he burden of any individual.
 At the present time Birmingham Is nancially embarrassed to an alarming xtent Jefferson county, generally re- arded as a rich county, cleared in reve- ue only $S0.000 last year, and if bur ened through the provisions of burden ome bills pending before the legislature, will conclude the ensuing fiscal year with clear cut and significant deficit. or the TeIeL Ol tHe clLy, NdTiouS pilis re pending, and these bill will be en- cted into law. While they are regarded s perma nent relief bills. they will prove q best only temporary relief measures. i future years, 1t could be said in truth, Birmingham. constantly growing, will nd itself periodically embarrassed, for he laws of Alabama. as has been aptly aid were apparently framed to prevent he construction of a very great city. And the long run, some of these days, as he story book has 1t. the people will, rith common accord. turn to the one orm of permanent relief which is of- cred, that is, a division of Jefferson ounty into there parts, with municipal ounty of 90 square miles known as Bir- bingham.
 It Is a pretty problem, and one in the clution of which honest men will hon. stly differ. It Is a problem of too great importance to the continued growth and Prosperity of Birmingham to be permitted Q remain, through the selishness of poli- clans and fear of industrial enterprises. nsolved. There Is job ahead for real hen, men who will not tremble at the aging of the immoderate tempest which
 mere reference to division invariably onjures up.