The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-22
City Commissioners in a Housing Meeting at East Lake Hear Troubles of the FOrlOrn Suburbanites
WEATHERLY STATES
 THAT EAST AND WEST
 HIGHWAY IS CERTAIN
Commissioners in Speeches State That Board of Reve- nue Is Unfair to the City. Supper Is Served

Birmingham, through it's commissioners formerly launched a fight to pledge al candidates for the board of revenue tt give this city a square deaP' at con- ference with the East Lake Civic league last night. The meeting, which was at tended by several hundred citizens wal held at the East Lake city hall at Seven ty-seventh street and First avenue. Pres ident George B. Ward of the city commis sion presided.
 Following the meeting the commission CTS were entertained by President Waro to a church supper given by the teen age girls of the East Lake Methodis' church. This proved one of the most de lightful incidents of the suburban excur- sion, as the supper would have suited the most captious of epicures.
 "TEEN-AGE" DAMSELS
 Added to the supper, and the efficient and pleasing service of several blue-eyed and pink checked teen-age damsels Gm- properly termed chickens in larger centers of population), the city commissioners were given a humorous touch of Vaude- vile when Beauregard Vinson, a candi- date for the board of revenue who admits that he is singing his way into office twanged on his banjo and sang negro melodies. MT. Vinson graciously answered several encores
 Commissioners George B. Ward, James w. Weatherly, Arlie K Barber and Johr R. Hornady, and Clarence Lloyd, secre- tary to the commission, embarked in the city automobile at 7:30 o'clock last night at the city hall for the darkest East Lake By following closely the route of MT Weatherlys East and Vest highway the party arrived at the East Lake city hall some 15 minutes later.
 James c. Arthur, vice president of the East Lake Civic league, opened the meet ing and introduced George B. Ward as the chairman of the night President Ward at once plunged into the bushes: of the evening with his usual directness:
 we are here, he said, because wt desire to get acquainted and in getting acquainted to ascertain ways and means of serving you better. We want everyone to speak out tonight with feeling the least emb barra ssment that comes with register. ing complaint We want to hear youl complaints and the heads of every de partment of the city are here to hear you Let's get together
 BARBER SPEAKS
 As no one appeared disposed to com. plain immediately, Commissioner Barber was introduced by MT. Ward, and the head of the public safety department made a telling speech on cooperation between the city and the citizens.
 "As a candidate for office" said Com. missioner Barber, "I criticized my oppo nent for reducing fines. Since assuming office I have cut and reduced twice as many and possibly more I understanG the difficulties more. I understand also the great work my colleagues are doing and have been doing''
 Commissioner Hornady was the neXl speaker and he briefly commented on the fact that the suburbs were well repre- sented on the present board of commits sioners. Commissioner Ward then intro. duced Commissioner J. H. Truss, as "East Lakes favorite son.
 Commissioner Truss at once plunged into the difficulties encountered in the street department through the lack o1 funds.
 "We need money" said Mr. Truss 'We haven't got it and many of these repairs that l so freely promised as a candidate I find cannot be accom- plished because the city treasury can not stand the strain However, file your complaints; I am glad to CO operate at all times."
 Commissioner James Weatherly was then introduced and advocated cooper ation with the suburbs. the east and west highway and also implored the citizens to seek the pledges of all can didates for the board of revenue that they should give the city square deal
 DO SOMETHING FOR CITY
 'Iet the board of revenue do some- thing for Birmingham" said Commis- sioner Weatherly. You have candi- dates in East Lake for the board pledge them that they should help the city. The east and west highway can be built by the board of revenue as it is authorized by law to do so.
 We are the only city in the Uni ted States operating within our in come. We do this by law but don't think the legislature put something oyer on ,1s in paSSing that statute for