The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-23

Before starting into this campaign we explained to the city commission CTS our purpose in detail
 "The Birmingham News of May [ gives the following account of MT. Pevear's s visit to the commissioners: "'president J. D. Pevear informed the commission officially of the com ing campaign by his company Saturday morning. MT. Pevear told the commits sion that the campaign would not be conducted in a personal way in any instance, but believing that there was another side to the question, he would attempt to show it to the people. "'He told the commission he desired to inform it first, because he wanted to assure the members there was nothing personal in the educational campaign he would wage. He said as far as he was concerned, his company would maintain the same friendly re-
 lation with the commission which has been noticeable so far
 Commissioner Weatherly, speaking g
 for the commission, assured MT. Pevear that the campaign would be taken in
 the way it was intended.
 ""Of course, we appreciate your side of it." MT. Weatherly said. You would
 be derelict in your duty to your stock
 holders if you did not attempt to de-
 feat this issue"
 
 MT Pevear the form of campaign the city would make and the salient points the commission would present to the
 people.
 "Tt was all very nicely done and very good humoredly, and after it was
 all over everyone looked easier and
 better satisfied
 'In a large measure, therefore. what
 we have done was done at MT. Wealth
 erly's invitation. He stated even that
 he considered 1t to be our duty. We
 regard it to be our duty not only to
 the stockholders but to the public. And
 we have assumed up to this time that
 MT. Weatherly desired that the public should have all proper information bearing upon the question at issue, that the light should be turned on that both sides should be presented. It seems that the light is not pleas ing light and that he would now de- ter us by his threats from furnishing g further information or arguments to the public. Today we are presenting the views of President Wilson and Senator Underwood, as well as oth- CT distinguished men. We are advised that this is not a crime, even though it involves an expense: and, further more that if the legislature or the city should attempt, by an unequivocal en- actment, to compel the public to vote in darkness upon an issue vital to the business interests of corporation, such an enactment would violate fun damental constitutional rights. TIMELY AND EFFECTIVE "That our articles have been timely and effective is evidenced by numer- ous unsolicited expressions which have come to us from many citizens and we shall continue them in the same fair, patient and prudent spirit which has characterized those heretofore appear ing, believing, as we do. that we have the absolute right so to do and be- l lieving further that an intelligent and fair minded public, is not only willing | to hear. but will demand the right to hear fair presentation of both sides | of an issue which vitally affects the public interest.
 '"This statement is made by J. S Pevear as president of the Birming- | ham Railway, Light and Power com pany, an Alabama corporation. The address of said company and of said Pevear is 2100 First avenue Birming- l ham, Jefferson county. Alabama This | information is given in order to fully | comply with section g of what is known as the corrupt practice act''