The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-29
PROPERTY OWNERS MEET ID PROTEST ON TAX INCREASES Do Not Blame Board, But Think Legislature Is to
 Be Blamed NO ACTION TAKEN
 TO SECURE RELIEF Entire Meeting Is Good Natured and Members of Equalization Board
 Are to Be Invited to Be
 Present

Propeptry owners by the hundreds responded to the call of a petition circulated Tuesday for a mass meet ing to be held yesterday afternoon in the first division of the city court. Ev- cry available seat was filled while a large crowd stood around the walls Of the room. The meeting was good na- tured and no excitement developed. Shortly after the meeting was called to order a chairman was elected The name of Frank Nelson was proposed, but he declined the nomination on the grounds that he had an engagement and could not remain through the meeting. Sterling A. Wood. attorney, was elected to preside by acclama tion. After a short speech by Mir Wood in which he outlined the purpose of the meeting and spoke briefly on the in justice of the large tax increase, Frank Nelson, Jr., was called on for a speech by the crowd MT. Nelson made tell ing speech, reciting facts in regard to Birmingham real estate
 BOARD NOT TO BLAME
 T have nothing against the board of tax equalization" said MT. Nelson One of the members I do not know very well. but I do know the other two and I not only like and respect them, but am fond of them I believe they have done what they think was right, but l want to say right here that I think their judgment is bad. I do not believe, with due consideration any man would agree that Birmingham and Jefferson county could stand a raise like the one that has been made
 For the last Is years or more Jeff 1erson county has had to stand a raise In taxes of approximately 15 per cent. This has not only worked a hardship D on the individual property owner but has inflicted great injury upon the town. I don't and I can't understand how the board got it into their heads that property had increased in value in Birmingham in the last 12 months I think that we all have exaggerated Ideas as to the size and value of Bir- mingham. We have increased our pop- ulat1on by taking into our corporal te limits all the suburbs within our reach. We have widely scattered town with large population and flatter our selves that we are as large as Mem phis and other southern cities I say again l believe the board is honest Tn the discharge of their duties as they see It, but that they have their figures immensely wrong. The state has gone tax mad and has centered it's clutches upon Jefferson county in an effort to make the property owners of this coun- ty support other sections of the state"
 MT. Nelson touched upon some refer ences regarding personal property and the amount of raises that had been made He finished his address by saying that the property owners should get together and light down these persistent tax raises that come from year to year.
 At this juncture and when B. M. Allen had been called on for a speech. Gen. Louis V Clark arose to a point of order and made a motion that the members of the board of equalization should be in- vited to attend the meeting as it was free-for-all citizens meeting. and he thought that anyone would enjoy listening to speeches like the one just made His motion was carried and committee was appointed to invite the board The board had adjourned and Chairman George C.. Whatley had gone, but John B. Rosen- stihl and A. s. Kylee-the other two mem bers accepted the invitation and attended the meeting.
 ALLEN SPEAKS NEXT
 E. M. Allen made one of his character lstic speeches. He, like Frank Nelson, Jr, practically eXonerated the board for the blame, and after a few preliminary remarks fired his heaviest artillery into the last legislature, stating that they were responsible. Being a lawyer and thoroughly familiar with the doings of the recent legislature he handled them without gloves. He stated that it was not fair law, and had not been intended as a fair law when framed
 "Why until just before the bill left the Senate there was no provision for an appeal to the circuit court" said MT. Allen. T did not know this myself until recently l was examining the act. The only clause originally intended was to take refuge by arbitration. Then the property owners would have the privilege of choosing one of the men and the state the other two. What chance would he have in such an arrangement. The appeal act was last attacked.
 "As the thing stood Jefferson county is paying more than one-fourth of the taxes going into the state treasury now, and say that it is unjust to ask us to pay more than that. We are paying more than our part, and the state is not satisfied; so they want us to continue to contribute to the 40 counties in the state who do not pay their actual running expenses, only more heavily than be- fore"
 MT. Allen stated that Birmingham had been built on speculation and future ex- pectations He said that it had been built like Fort Payne. the only differ