The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-13
"NO NEED FOR PLATFORM
 WHEN PEOPLE KNOW YOU,"i IS M'DOWELL'S ASSERTION
Ensiey Man Wants to Help Make Suburbs More Intimate Part of Birmingham Thinks City Is Entering On Greatest Period of Prosperity Ever Known

Mae is making the race of his life. The above introduces M H. Mcdowell of Ensley who insists that he is running that he would be ra;r administrator
 of the civic affairs of Birmingham if he l is elected commissioner
 But they all believe that" said the re- porter.
 Certainly, why not?" answered MT. ] Mcdowell, who. by the way, is medium sized man with sharp steel-blue eyes and a firm, aggressive jaw.
 Tt is the undeniable right of all men to think well of themselves, he said. T admit that l am on fairly good terms with M. Il. Mcdowell. thank you" And there you have the man-McDowell
 or Mac" as he is known throughout Greater Birmingham
 Proud of Ensley Mac" has been hereabouts for the past F years and in that time has raised a family, earned the respect of friends and enemies and has made reputation for being a Tive wire" in the construc-
 tive upbuilding of the district In other and clearer words Mac" is of a tried Qudullly-dIlu every one KNOWS JuSJ what he will do and will not do if elected com
 missioner.
 Mac belongs to Ensley or Ensley belongs to Mae" bes anyway, both are much attached to each orner. Mac" will fight for Ensley at the drop of hat, and Ensey goes out to make fight for Mac" without waiting for the chapeau to drop. Mac typifies Ensley in that he is the wiry, aggressive, dynamic force that is continually going forward and looking forward.
 ''Ensley, with her 40,oOO population, de- serves representation on the city com mission" said Mae and I am their accredited representative. l am running
 my race for Ensley, with the interests of
 Ensley and all the suburbs backing me up.''
 You are interested in the suburbs?'
 More than interested" he replied. If elected l am going to the mat for the
 suburbs I have no particular platform.
 but will amend that by saying that
 looking after the interests of the suburbs
 will occupy most or my time once elected. I want the city to get together, to CO., operate in great, big community with equal service for all.'' What, do you mean you have no plat form? That isn't being done, you know" said the reporter.
 Initiative and Referendum What is the need of a platform?' an swered Mac" Under the new five-com
 mission bill the people have the initiative and referendum which practically makes the commissioners merely administrators of the city affairs. Anyone can now init fate legislation and demand referendum. If the commission gets risky and starts anything, up comes the referendum to de- eide whether the peopse are agreeable. This means that the people are now in cor rhaNy tpn city commissioners now and in the fu- ture must represent the peoples will. You believe in the force of public opinion?''
 Believe in it." he answered with emphasis, why, it is the virile strength of our government. Public opinion. rules everything in the United States. Do | believe in it? We'll any time legislation detrimental to the interest of Ensley has been under contemplation you can rest fassured that did not hide my light under a bushel. No, indeed. l hollored.
 wrote letters to the papers. 1 did every thing to call attention to the fact that
 Ensley was being tramped upon and aft CT awhile public opinion swerved my way with the effect the obnoxious measures were shelved-sometimes. And l would do the same if elected commissioner. | would deem it my especial duty to ad- wise the citizens on tine merits Of all assures proposed. Ou arc up tHciS dS the servant of the public--so why not be a good servant
 Well, despite the fact that you have no platform. you must have some very definite ideas about Birmingham. and what is the matter with Birmingham" said the reporter.
 Plans to Increase Revenue Ut is quite easy to state what is the matter with Birmingham said Mac, with a broad smile. Everyone knows that it is insufficient revenue. Everyone also has plans to increase this revenue practical and otherwise. and all I have
 
 company Empire laundry, J. H. Eddy, Earle Brothers Empire hotel, Dr. Il. A. F,lkOurie.