The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-02
ADDITIONAL TAXES ARE NOT WANTED BY PEOPLE OF ALABAMA Joseph o. Thompson Writes a Letter to Michael
 Cody
FAVORS BOND ISSUE
 AS WISER MEASURE
Senator John T. DensOn Also Writes to Chairman Cody in Favor of the State Bend
 Issue
By l.. s. BETTY


 Montgomery, January 1.-(Special.) "The people of Alabama are not in condition to stand additional taxes at this time, therefore a bond issue is much wiser and more convenient,' said Joseph O. Thompson of Birmingham, progressive national committeeman from Alabama, in a letter to Michael Cody chairman of the state bond issue committed
 Mr. Thompson declared that while "those of us who do not affiliate" with the democratic party are not respon- sible for the financial condition of the state, "it would not be proper for me to lay blame at the door of this or that administration"
 Mir Thompson's letter to Chairman Cody follows:
 'I am most heartily in favor of the bond issue, and shall do all l can for the success of the amendment It is unnecessary for me to say, as an anti democrat, that those of us who do not affiliate with that party are in no wise responsible for the condition the state has gotten into financially and at this time it would not be proper for me to lay blame at the door ot this or that administration for the present financial condition of the state. think the important thing for the citizens of Alabama now to consider is the best solution of the unrortu- nate condition we find ourselves In. If appears that the state owes S25OO without re- arrangement in consequencef of which the credit of the state is being lm- paired, the old soldiers, school teach- CTS and public institutions dependent upon the state are being embarrassed.
 "The people of Alabama are not in condition to stand additional taxes at this time, therefore bond issue is much wiser and more convenient. The taxes of the state are rapidly 1ncreas- ing by virtue of the hydroelectric plants and other enterprises in the state which are being developed Gal though temporarily exempted) from which source inAa few years the state will be able to pay all of its bonded indebtedness without the slightest ln- convenience to posterity or those of the present generation who may be living few years hence.'
 DENSON FOR BOND ISSUE
 Another strong letter received by Chairman Cody in favor of the bond issue was written by Senator John T. Denson of Eutaw. Senator Denson, as will be remembered, opposed the bond issue resolution on it's passage through the legislature.
 Senator Denson said he opposed the resolution because, in his judgment. the need of a bond issue might have been obviated if certain other measures pend- ing at the time had passed. He declared there is no wisdom in the suggestion to ensemble the legislature, for, assum- ing that each member of that body voted his convictions on all measures affecting the states finances when he had the op- portunity, it would be silly as it would be annoying and costly again to assem- ble the legislature in the vain attempt to formulate and enact relief measures
 Senator Denson's letter follows:
 While I was not one of those who supported the bond issue resolution on it's passage through the legislature my failure to do so was not prompted by ln- difference to the necessity of taking care of the states outstanding ODlSdlloIlS, but rather by the hope of the passage of certain measures then pending, which, if accomplished in my judgment would have obviated the need of a bond issue. These-sentiments were expressed by the writer on the floor of the Senate at the time of the passage of the bond amend ment resolution.
 ''When we recollect, however, that most prominent among those who fought and killed the primary measures to which we have just referred, in the face of the oft-repeated statements that if they did not become a law, bonds would have to be issued, are those who are clamorously assaiing their issuance, we are con strained to the hearty support of the amendment as being the next best and only thing to be done at present to re- lieve the states distress. We hope it will be adopted.
 Neither is there any wisdom in the suggestion to reassemble the legislature on this question; for, assuming that each member of that body voted his conviction on all measures affecting the state finances when he had the opportunity, it would be silly as it would be annoying and costly again to assemble the legisla- ture in the vain attempt to formulate and enact relief measures
 "I believe the people of this part of the state are seeing the question some- what in the light of the foregoing argu- ment, and will adopt the amendment"