The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-05
By RICHARD F. LUss1ER

North Birmingham was the next subject .upder discussion. F. G. R, Gordon, the accredited representative of the Birming- ham Railway, Light and Power company, was the first speaker, and for 25 minutes he assailed the theory of municipal own ership with much vigor. MT. Gordon s remarks were met coldly, although at various times he excited applause from distant dark corners of the theatre. 4.n attempt was made to ask MT Gordon questions from the floor, but 1t was ruled out of order.
 Commissioner James Weatherly fol- lowed MT. Gordon on the rostrum with fire in his eye. He was received with prolonged applause and when he re- counted the manner in which A. H. Ford, former president of the Bir- 1ningham Railway, Light and Power company, had admitted to the city commission his active participation in the abduction of labor leader during the street railway strike the cheers and hoots of the audience were deafen- ing.
 WEATHERLY ANSWERS
 Commissioner Weatnerly upon being warned by Chairman Hall that only facts were wanted and not the indul- sence of personalities proceeded more gently to recite the history of the North Birmingham plant and what it as doing. He closed with these words: No one but the Birmingham Railway. Light and Power company is afraid of this meagre sum of S500000; and re- member that cooperation is the keynote of twentieth century civilization. So get busy tomorrow at the polls.''
 The subject of municipal ownership was the next on the programme and Chairman Hall announced that T. H. Motion had given over his time to Commissioner Ar1ie Barber. who would speak for 30 minutes. MT. Barber was very hcarse from continued street meetings and he snoke with painful difficulty He urged the ballot for all WorKin gmen, and said that the city coulc engage in any enterprise, such as hailding schools, sewers, streets and auditoriums and it's officials would be praised as public spirited men, but the moment it sought to construct utility that encroached on the private monop- olies then it incurred the venom and hatred of the vested interests. He fur ther stated that the worst enemy of the working gman was himself, as he was not conscious of his responsibilities to the community.
 SHAPIRO SPEAKS Isadore Shapiro was next introduced as the speaker of the Labors Co., operative and Educational committee and for IS minutes the legislative rep resentative of Jefferson county spoke on the duties of the voter and of the excellent work of the committee in gathering to hear both sides of public questions. MT. Shapiro's address was received with more enthusiasm than any of the previous speakers. Col Sidney J. Bowie followed MT 1 Shapiro with an earnest plea for the | civic auditorium. MT. Bowie frankly stated that he would vote for all three | of the bond issues, but especially } urged that the auditorium bonds be possed upon favorably as it meant SC much for the growth of the city. Hs fsaid: eve want Birmingham to grow l we want new people, we want to grow in culture and to that end we want ar auditorium"
 1 At the close of MT Bowie's remarks | the report of the subcommittee was read containing the questions asked oi the city commission regarding the three bond issues and the answers re- ceived.
 Although no recommendations were made by the subcommittee it was evil dent from the applause that all three of the bond issues met with favor of the audience by an overwhelming g majority.