The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-07
GEORGE B. WARD AND.
tom MCDONALD IN.
"A POLITE CO[L0QUy
Gentle Clash Before Open
Meeting of Subcommittee
Probing City Affairs
SEWER FORECASTS
THE TONE OF REPORT
Says Criticism Is Cheapest Commodity
on Market-Riggins Says People
of Gate City Prefer Schools
to Sewers

A very polite colloauy between George
b. Ward president of the city commits
sion, and T. c. Mcdonald, well known
citizen. and statement by l.. Sewer to
the effect that criticism is one of the
cheapest commodities ON the market. We're
distinguishing features of the open air.
meeting yesterday afternoon of the sub
committee of the committee of 100 men,
named sometime ago to probe the conduct
of the municipal government.
Captain Mcdonald started the ball to
rolling by declaring that there was great
anxiety ON the part of the people regard
ing the sinking fund, fund which. as IL
generally known. is set aside by the con-
stitution with which to pay interest on
bonded indebtedness. Inquiry regarding
that fund was made some days ago by
Frank V. Evans.
Mr.. Ward, in reply to Captain McDon-
aid, stated that he had received re-
quest for statement concerning the sink
ing fund from Felix l.. Blackburn and
that Mr.. Blackburn had been furnished
the information he desired Mr. Ward
suggested that Captain Mcdonald could
secure this information and have 1t pub
lished in The Age-Herald,' wnerc,' he
added. "all the people of Alabama could
read it,"
Captain Mcdonald, replying, suggested
that Mr.. Ward should have the data pub
lished. And then Mr.. Ward again took
the floor.
1.-THE sinking fund contains s225, 900 in
cash. he said, land about $4,000 in Sc
curities."
Mr.. Ward has told u.s. rejoined Cap
tain Mcdonald, "how much money the
fund contained. He has not told us how
much it should contain"
Whereupon Mr.. Ward explained that
the sinking fund was started not IN 1901
as Captain Mcdonald had supposed. but
in 1907 Shortly thereafter the incident
was closed, Captain Mcdonald intimating
that he would acquire a statement of the
fund.
Criticism Cheap Says Sewer
Mr.. Sewer toward the conclusion of the
session declared that he had heard con-
siderable criticism. but that none of those
who had criticised had displayed dis
position to aid in going to the bottom
of the subject. He added his definition
of criticism, that lit is the cheapest COM
modify We have" He then suggested
that the people of Birmingham should
rally to the support of the municipal gov
eminent and very frankly stated it as
his opinion that in this way much good
could be accomplished.
The little speech of Mr.. Sewer was
taken as a harbnger OF the one of the
report which is soon so be made by the
subcommittee to the general comrnittee.
1t Is taken for granted that the report
will in every respect be favorable TO the
administration, and that in the report 1t
Will be stated very plainly that nothing
of a material nature could be accom-
plished In the effort to reduce expenses
by impairing the vigor of the several de-
partments.
The open meeting was called for the
purpose of giving interested citizens an
opportunity to point out ways in which
greater economy could be practiced. In
stead OF testimony to this effect, how
ever, the testimony which was adduced
was favorable In every instance to the
continuation of the departments under
debate without additional handicap.
J. w. Donnelly, president of the library
board, pointed out the value of the IL
brary, told the story of It's growth, and
how soon 1t would become In fact public
library in building of its own. He ex-
pressed the opinion that 1t would be more
hurtful to the city of Birmingham for
1t to be advertised that Birmingham had
given up It's library than 1t would were
il advertised that Birmingham had cut
away its police department. He stated
that the library was being operated now
at an expenditure of $4,000 per annum,
and that $4,000 would not be a sum in
excess of the need.
DIR. Hankins, interested In Ehe' recrea-
ton department, spoke of the good, the
necessity Of that department. which costs
the city, he explained, only 500 per
month He predicted that after 10 years
1t would save the city 10 times its cost in
that II would have educated the youth of
the city In such fashion that police pro-
lection would In a measure be unneces-
sary.
Prefer Schools to Sewers
Mr.. higgins of the East Woodlawn-
Gate City territory told the subcommit-
tee that there was school building in
that section of the city which was ready
for occupancy, but which still maintained
closed doors. He told of the need Of the
school, and declared that his informa-
ton was that the delay was the result of
the city's inability to equip the building.
II have been given to understand" said
he. that the city is preparing to con-
struct sanitary sewers in our section. We
have been the healthiest people of this
city and have had no sanitary sewers. 1t
Is my suggestion, therefore. that the
money to be expended for extension of
the sewerage system be withheld and ap-
piled to the equipment of our school.
Inasmuch as we have good health, we
are more in need of education than of
sewers"
The meeting came to a practical con-
clusion when In reply to suggestions that
something be said regarding the govern
mental and administration department,
Mr.. Ward. rising slowly to his feet, de-
clared:
II believe firmly that every man in the
Citv hal Is doing his hast