The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-08
BARBER DECLARES EFFORT IS
 MADE TO BANKRUPT THE CITY
Mcdonald Resents Weatherly's Attack
 on His Patriotism
} the Editor of The Age-Herald:

To the Editor of The Age Herald:
 Of course, I anticipated heaps of re- sentful abuse of me by some of the members of the city commission when l determined to file injunction suit against an illegal raid upon the sinking fund.- of the city My lack of patriotism" alleged by Commissioner Weatherly and some of his associates against me con- sists of my invocation to the court to protect a sum of money the taxpayers of Birmingham have placed in the hands of the city authorities to pay a specific public debt-a fund which the commits sion has boldly proclaimed it will di- vert to other uses than that for which it was levied. As well might it be said that he who guards his hen roost against proving invaders is unpatriotic as to charge one who seeks protection of the court from unclean invasion of the pub lie till, with a lack of patriotism.
 Commissioner Weatherly not being taxpayer himself can easily afford to vote away the money of others, if he has am trying to save him from the com mission of sin which seems to so easily beset him.
 No, Mr. Weatherly, this is not what is usually termed "a friendly suit' It means war to a finish to protect the citys credit, the money of other taxpay- CTS and of mine Respectfully.
 T. C. MCDONALD.
 Birmingham, June 6, 1916
  It is your government and your city commission and it is entirely up to you whether or not you will knuckle to ruth less corporate rule or have representa- tive commission that will respond to your Wishes?"
 Every member of the city commission was in an indignant mood yesterday as the result of the injunction proceedings. Charges were freely made, but no mem Der of the commission cared to be quoted for publication other than Commissioner Barber, who stated that he speaks for public consumption at all times.
 Neither E. H. Cabaniss nor Sydney J. Bowie cared to make statement for publication regarding their plans of fight ing the injunction suits. It was stated however, that every precau ution was be- ing taken to safeguard the interests of the, city at the first hearing of the bills, which was expected would be held with in the next 10 days.
 M'DONALD'S ALLEGATIONS
 MT. Mcdonald charges that the amend ment to the constitution of 1901 was framed for the purpose of providing the interest charges on all outstanding bonds of the city of Birmingham at that time. and also to provide for a sinking fund to pay off such bonds at maturity. There was something over s2,0O0,00O in bonds outstanding at that time.
 It is further alleged in MT. Mcdonald s bill that the collection of the special tax of F of 1 per cent since 1902 has more than paid all interest charges and has created a sinking fund that can almost pay for all the bonds outstanding at the time of the adoption of the consti- tuition. MT. McDonald charges that this being so there is no further need to burden harassed taxpayers with this special tax.
 Should the above allegations be held valid by the courts it would mean that the city commission would have to make restitution to the sinking fund of more than $10O0, 900 which has been used in paying interest charges on other bond issues passed since the adoption of the constitution. It is further conceded that such restitution and the stopping of the special tax can mean nothing else but a recevership for the city of Birming- ham and it's resultant loss of credit throughout the United States.