The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
Matter Is Postponed for Action at Meeting to
 Be Held Later
LENGTHY ADDRESS
 BY-JOHN B. WEAKLEY
Representative Explains Taxation Bill-Says Committee Tried to Be Fair-Offers Services to City
 in Auditorium Fight

No action was taken last night at the called meeting of the Chamber of Commerce in reference to the bond is sue for the building of public au" ditorium for Birmingham. The legal status of the recent bond issue was explained by Representative John B. Weakley and a plan suggested by him to make 1t valid, His remarks were listened to with much interest by the members. but no action taken as Pres ident Johnson suggested the matter go over to another meeting The address of MT. Weakley was the feature of the meeting last night. which was we'll attended considering the inclement weather. Tn addition to speaking on the bond issue MT Weakley discussed the taxation bill at length and also referred to the revenue bill
 Another feature was the report of T. A Weller. chairman of the indus trial bureau committee, which showed much activity by the committee in securing new plants and industrial sites. J. H. Edmondson. secretary manager of the Manufacturers Per n'anent Exhibit association, explained the features of the exhibit and the progress it was making. Reports by Dr. J. H. Phillips on the educational work of the chamber and by Hill Ferguson of the Real Estate Dealers exchange were among the features of the meet ing.
 Proceed to Business
 President Crawford Johnson called the meeting to order and immediately proceeded to business A communica- tlon was read by Secretary Radcliffe from c. W. Roberts, editor of the Bir- mingham Magazine. a monthly period ica1 which will be issued shortly, ask . ing that 1t be made the official organ of the Chamber of Commerce. on mo- tion no action was taken until the first issue of the publication was received by the chamber.
 r. A. Weller. chairman of the in- dustrial committee. made partial re- port in which was reviewed its work. The committee reported that the city commission had been interviewed. with a view of exempting new plants from taxation and that they had the mat ter under advisement. The reported new plants established were as follows oHloH toltOn oll co11idnN, falIIlifl ham Stove and Range company. ben zol plant by Tennessee Coal Iron and Railroad company Edison benzol plant at Woodward and Central Ice company They reported that they had secured 50 manufacturing sites with maps and blueprints of the same. The commit tee heartily indorsed the home products exposition.
 Hill Ferguson of the Real Estate Dealers exchange made an informal report in which he urged cooperation in the effort to bring new industries to the district. He stated that the real estate situation was more or less serious that the dealers had been trad ing among themselves, and that as result trading was at standstill. He stated that if the occasion required a representative from the chamber should be sent to other states when there was a possibility to secure a new industry. He referred to the manufac- tured products made in Chattanooga and stated that what could be made in Chattanooga could bt made In Bir- mingham
 Weakley Is Introduced
 Representative John R. Weakley was introduced by President Johnson to speak on the auditorium bond issue, Mir. Weakley stated that he had heart fly supported the bond issue and would do so again. He explained the law In reference to the issuance of bonds by the city for the erection of public buildings and said at the time of the bond issue the law did not recognize an auditorium as public building which was the reason the $200,0O0 bond issue had not been put on the mar ket. Since that time, he declared, a law had been enacted curing that de- feet and that the city had now the authority to float bonds for this pur- pose.
 He gave it as his legal opinion that the s20O,O0O bond issue could yet be validated by a special act of the 1egisla- ture but pointed out the fact that the bill would have to be advertised 30 days and as there was some uncer- tainty when the legislature would ad- iourn it might not be possible to get the special bill through in time. In the event of a split session he stated this objection would be obviated.
 Mr Weakley stated he had advised with two of the city commissioners and others who thought that the bond is sue voted was not enough to build such an auditorium as would meet the re- cuirements of Birmingham and that $500. 900 would be needed for this pur- pose He stated that whatever action was taken he was ready as member 
 passage of a suitable bill and that as an attorney at law he was ready to serve the city in this matter without fee or price.
 The speaker then discussed the tax alton bill at length He said there was Lot a perfect taxation bill In existence today and that although the committee on taxation had prepared a bill that they thought would meet all require ments it might he shot full of holes by amendments when presented to the legislature He said the bill contained nothing unusual. hard or oppressive; that 1t did not interfere in the slight est with the man who paid his fair share of taxes but that it did go after the tax dodger and the delinquent. He explained the details of the bill at length and apparently to the satisfac- ton of those present for he was heart fly appIauded several times during his address and at its close received a I'big hand"
 Refers to Revenue Bill He referred briefly to the revenue bill and stated that the committee had tried to be fair in such few changes as 1t had made in the present law. Asked to suggest a remedy for the financial condition of Birmingham, Mir. weakley asked to be excused. stating that he had been so busy on the other i. taxt VlrA Rn1 n(