The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-11
Five Members of County Delegation Take Ward to
 Task for Activity in Be half of the City
ASK INFORMATION
 AS TO EXPENSES OF
 COMMITTEE OF 100
Want to Know Whether Paid Lobby Is Being Main tained at Capital and if So Statement of Expenses

The apparent breach between certain members of Jefferson county's legisla. tive delegation and the city commis- sioners of Birmingham widened per ceptibly yesterday.
 It has been evident for sometime that some of the legislators and the commissioners were not in harmony or legislation needed for Birmingham
 Yesterday five members of the dele sation, Wealdey, Scott, Tarrant. Welch and Copeland, addressed a letter to President Ward evidently calculated to put the commissioners on the de- fensive for their activity in trying to secure legislation affecting the city
 In this letter they ask for informa- ton on whether the peoples money is being spent to maintain a Birmingham lobby at Montgomery
 They want to know the amount spent on such lobby.
 They ask how much of the people s money has been spent on telegrams sent to members of the legislature.
 They want complete statement of the expenses of the committee of 100, including postage.
 They also want a complete statement of the city's finances for July
 Commissioner Ward was informed of the contents of the letter last night by a representative of The Age Her aid, and asked for statement. Mir. Ward said that the letter had not yet reached him and that naturally he could not go into discussion of the subject without this letter before him.
 He indicated. however, that an an swer would be immediately forthcom- ing as soon as he had received the communication.
 The latest development in the Bir- mingham situation is told in the fol- lowing dispatch from one of The Age Herald's Montgomery correspondents last night:
 Montgomery, August 10,-(SpeciaD- members of the house Jefferson county delegates have formally inquired of George B. Ward, city commissioner as to whether or not the city government is maintaining in Montgomery, remuner- ated lobby.
 The letter is significant as being in dicative of a practically irreconcilabie break between Birmingham and men sup posed to be representing Birmingham in the capacity of legislators. In other words, Birmingham and it's representa- tiyes are not working in harmony for the public welfare.
 Senator Judge, Representative Shapiro and Representative Hogan. local option members of the delegation and those con- sidered friendly to Birmingham bills pend- ing before the legislature did not sign the communication. Senator Judge and Representative Shapiro stated this after noon that they were not asked to sign the letter. and were mot made aware that the letter had been written. It is believed that the same Is true as con cerns Representative Hogan.
 The legislators ask Commissioner Ward to announce the sum paid the lobby in the event the lobby is maintained. As far as known. F. D. Smith, attorney. Is the only man in Montgomery looking after the interests of Birmingham who is remunerated for his services.
 Hon George B. Ward. President. Board
 of Commissioners. CIiy ~s Birn-sn~;l.Ss,
 Letter to Ward
 Dear Sir: It is being rumored about the capitol that the city of Birmingham in maintaining a lobby in Montgomery s.t public expense. and is spending large sums of money in promoting Legislation the city Of Birmingham In order to settle these rumors. which In our opinion do no credit to the city of .Bir- we ask you to advise the pub lie whether or not the funds of the city of Birmingham h2ve been spent for the purpose of maintaining a lobby, a lobby ist, or lobbyists, er agent or attorney of the city of Birmingham in Montgomery, and if you answer that this hos been done, will you please give the name or names of such lobbyist or lobbyists or agent or attorney, and the amount al- ready paid, the purpose for which paid and also the amounts do be hereafter paid under any contract now existing
 We will thank you also to publish a statement of all travelling or other expenses, if any paid for sending em- ployes of the city of Birmingham to to appear before commit tees of the legislature. the name of such and the amount expended by each.
 Tn addition to this statement we also ask that you give to the public a complete statement of the expenses of the committee of 100, if any part of such expenses were paid by the city of Birmingham. in this item please in- clhde statement of cost of printing and postage, and all other expenses of said of 100, if the same or any part thereof Were paid by the city of 
 Want Published Statement
 'We will thank you also to publish a statement of all telegrams sent to