The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-24

the people only. Why not put this mat ter up to the people of Jefferson county and see if they want to issue bonds.
 T appreciate what the government has done for Birmingham, and I claim that I have as much interest in Birmingham as any man here. I came here when boy and I have lived here ever since and expect to live here. l have had the pleasure of serving the county for sev eral years on the board and I have tried to do it faithfully.
 You gentlemen know if we who are in office make a mistake, we have to an swer to the taxpayers.
 q am not discussing the route, because I know the route that you want. Now. the engineers estimate shows $175,00 is necessary to grade the fish trap road you are now advocating, and when cherted, $300,000. That is $25,000 mile for chert road-three times more than we have ever spent for road in this county, and the only difference between this and some of the others is the percentage of the grade MT. Miners statement solves the freight rate proposition, and he is not for truck bearing highway. I do not believe that the merchants can afford to use it, because it does not furnish them what they want. MT. Brown has the right idea. An electric line that would affect the freight rates, if you ex-
 
 is what we want. I am in favor of the road as much as any man in the house, but I am unwilling to let the county pay for all the experimenting.
 PENNINGTON RESOLUTION
 q do not mean to cast any reflection on any of my colleagues. but I do think it should be left up to the people of Jeff ferson county. The next board has got to provide for $70O,OOO or sSO0,O0O that we have not got, and we will have to raise the taxes, for there will be no other way. make this statement honestly and feel that with the information that I have, this great expenditure should be left to the people. I am ready to do anything that I can and cooperate with you all and don't want you to misquote me and say I am against the road I am ready at any time to meet you gentlemen or any citizen and try to do for the best in- terest of the county.'
 MT. Penningtons resolution was put to vote and carried.
 The route proposed is what is known as the Nichols Fish Trap road. The resolution further provides that the proposed Taylor's route be macadam- ized from the end of the Bessemer macadam pike to the ferry-a distance of something over 10 miles,
 MT. Pennington's resolution follows:
 ''Whereas, public sentiment is over whelmingly in favor of constructing highways to the Warrior river.
 Now, therefore. be it resolved. by the board of revenue of Jefferson coun- ty in regular session assembled:
 "1. That the construction of high way to Nichols fish trap be, and the same is hereby authorized over and along the route as heretofore located by the county engineer and approved - Tr,,.% gineer; and for the purpose of paying the cost of such highway warrants of Jefferson county, in sufficient amount are hereby authorized to be issued.
 "2. That said warrants be issued in convenient amounts to bear interest at rate not exceeding AZ percentum per annum. and made payable yearly in equal amounts. as nearly as may be convenient, payment to begin five years after issue and not extending for more than 10 years after date of issue.
 "S. And that the contract for the construction of said road be let to the lowest or best responsible bidder after advertisement as required by law; said contract to be let and the construction of said road commenced at the earliest date possible.
 "4 Be it further resolved, that the construction of highway to Taylors ferry be-, and the same is hereby au- thorized to begin at the terminus of the present macadam road, and that the force of convicts, known as near Johns. be put to work constructing the Tay- lor's road not later than present job Is completed (about August D and that the force of convicts. known as Evans camp, but put to work on said road not later than August 1, and that other forces of convicts be placed to work on said road at the earliest possible time Al rS1ox hn pleted at an early date
 "5. That both of said roads shall be constructed according to the surveys and plans of the county engineer. which have been approved by the United States government engineer. subject to tho Improvements and economies nec- essary to the preliminary surveys."