The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-27
K|LBY DISCUSSES
ALABAMA NEEDS
IN FINANCIAL WAY
Candidate for Governor
Outlines Plans for Better
ing Condition of State
Treasury

Thomas e. Kilby of Admission, lieu
tenant governor and candidate for gov
ernor, was in Birmingham yesterday.
He has not yet opened his campaign
for the gubernatorial position, nor was
his visit here of a political nature.
but many prominent citizens took oc-
casion to discuss politics with him and
to assure him of their support in the
coming race.
1T is not my purpose to hasten the
time for opening the active campaign
for governor" said Mr. Kflby yester-
day. ut is nearly two years until the
election and is, therefore, too early for
anything of that kind. l had not in
tended announcing my candidacy unit
next year, but since it had been known
to many of my friends for the past
year or more that l was going to make
the race, and since / was constantly
receiving letters and requests from
people in regard to the matter, 1 de-
cided that l might as well make my
formal announcement now. For a year
or more / have been evading this
question, although L knew 1 would
make the race and had confided to
many people my intentions in the mat
ter.
w llOn tliS actual campaign OptIS
up l shall, of course, issue a detailed
statement regarding my position on all
matters of public interest. 1 shall meet
each issue confronting the people or
the state and will let them know just
how I stand. In my opening announce
ment I briefly stated my position on
many of the questions which are now
in the public mino.
FINANCIAL SYSTEM
THE state of Alabama has no great
err problem to solve during the coming
administration than the financial ques-
ton. During my service covering a
number of years as member of the
state senate and later as president OF
that body, I have had the opportunity
to become we'll acquainted with the
finances of Alabama. That there must
be some change, I believe all citizens
will admit The principal trouble in the
past has been that there was no well
considered, carefully worked out bud
get. Appropriations were made without
regard to the states income and with
out considering other appropriations
and expenses which had to be met.
ANY man of large business affairs who
has had much experience as the directing
head of big enterprises knows that such
a method of doing business will only
out what it's income will be and then
decides how much money shall be spent
during the year, and for what items it
shall be spent. They do not spend twice
as much as they can afford for one item,
and then have to let some other equally
important item go without attention. The
whole thing is harmonized.
''The state of Alabama, in my opinion,
should get on budget system. We can
fell Of fho haQinnino Of a nd
each four years, almost exactly what our
income will be. Then we know what
items of expense we will have and what
appropriations 1--WE should make. All of
these matters must be considered with
due regard to each other. and after a
decision is reached, strictly adhere to it"
While Mr.. Kilby let itSbe known that
he would be uncompromising in his cham
pionship of the present state prohibition
laws, for which he has. worked ever since
his stormy career as "the law enforce
mcnt' mayor Of Admission, he expressed
the hope that this question will not be
made the overwhelming issue it has been
in recent years in this state, in order
that the voters might give their calm and
dispassionate consideration to remedial
measures for the rehabilitation of the
states financial affairs. He expressed
the hope that the present liquor laws
would remain unchanged and that prohi-
bition might have a fair trial, so that
it's retention or repeal as state policy
may be definitely and finally determined.