The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-08
Contends Public Service Corporation Is Behind Mc- Donald's Injunction Suit Against Bonds
ASKS THE PEOPLE
 IF THEY INTEND TO
 STAND SUCH ACTION
Says If Sinking Fund Con- tentiOn Is Maintained Re- ceivership for City Will Be Imperative

Are the patriotic citizens of Birming- ham going to allow the Birmingham Rail- way, Light and Power company to wreck the city government"
 This is the question hurled at the elec- torate yesterday by Commissioner Arlie Barber, following an executive confer ence in Mayor-Commissioner George B.. Wards office, on the action of T. c. Mo- Donald in filing injunction proceedings in the city court against the commission CTS issuance of $3, ,OO0, GOO in bonds, which were voted on last Monday.
 ''The action of Tom Mcdonald explains itself" said Commissioner Barber, and makes it plain that he is acting for the Birmingham Railway. Light and Power company. If MT. Mcdonald wanted re- lief his first bill of complaint, headed at all three of the bond issues assured him an equitable hearing before the courts. But he reveals his hole card when he filed an additional bill directed specifically al the electric light plant bond issue. That action barred the teeth of the greedy octopus, which, defeated at the polls, now seeks to thwart the will of the public by technical machinations in the courts.
 LAWYERS RETAINED
 Commissioner Barber then stated that as a result of the conference the law firm of k. H. CabanisS & Sydney J Bowie had been engaged to take' care of the interests of the city. He also stat ed that the legal hazards thrown in the path of the city commission meant re- ceivership for Birmingham, if carried to a successful conclusion
 My membership in the Presbyterian church." said MT. Barber, prevents my giving vent to all my thoughts on this action inspired by the Birmingham Rail- way, Light and Power company. But I want to say this: Are the patriotic cit izens of Birmingham going to allow the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company to wreck the city government? ? That is what is being attempted. For the past few months, alarmed at the pro- gressive spirit of the city commission, the officials and legal sharps of the Birming- ham Railway, Light and Power company have made every effort to bind the hands of the commissioners by threats at re- calls and the transferring of authority through legislative connivance to the state public service commission. The Bir- mingham Railway, Light and Power com pany has no standing at the city hall at the present time, and therefore the tentacles of this corporate octopus are seeking to crush the municipal authori- ties, rather than submit to the will of the electorate.
 ATTACKS COMMISSION
 By these two bills of Tom McDon- aids the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company directly attacks the commission form of civic government. In the first bill directed at all three of the bond issues which alleges the unlawful payment of interest charges from the sinking fund the intent is very plain and means that if upheld by the courts the city will be forced into a receivership. By this move the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company hopes it can escape competition in the electric and power field from the city for several years to come. But I predict that this corporation, astute though it's officials undoubtedly are, have gone too far in this instance, as the attempted riding roughshod over the rights of the people will act as a boomerang that will drive the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company still further in the iniquitous pot of public distrust and dis gust.
 "So I ask the question boldly of the people; Are you going to stand for it?