The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-13
WARD ISSUES AN EXTENDED REPLY ID STATEMENT MADE BY BARRETT Renews Charges He Has Been Making Recently in His Paid Advertising DEFENDS ACTION IN SPENDING MONEY FOR SPARROW EGGS Says He Was Regulating Franchises and Urging Municipal Owner
 ship Long Before pr.
 Barrett

George B. Ward, candidate for preS1- dent of the city commission, yesterday issued a statement of approximately 17so words in reply to Dr. N A. Bar rett's 110o-word statement published in yesterdays Age Herald.
 MT. Ward begins his statement with these words:
 "Dr. N. A. Barrett, who has not and dares not deny that he was nominated for the presidency of the city commis- sion at secret meeting of the T As, that secret political organization domi- mated by the courthouse ring for their own selfish interests, foresees my election when he says: The voters are going to judge Ward on his record and his competency for office.
 MT Ward then goes into details, claiming that Dr. Barrett has frequent ly testified to MT. Wards competency as a city executive, and proceeds:
 "Dr. Barrett squirms and squawks about gasoline and sparrow eggs and paid ads. He displays an abortive sense of humor and poor qualifications for the office of president of the city com mission. What programme has he to present? How does he propose to finance the city? What wares has he to offer?'
 Following reference to paid politi- cal advertisements the statement con- tinues:
 Tt is trick of politicians when hit with paid ad to cunningly seek to eyade it's truth, and instead to repeat edly speak of its cost. That ad was expensive, doctor it will cost you dearly.
 ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
 Doctor, your questions are dema- gogic flap -doodlish, and asked to de ceive the public and divert the issues, but will answer them.
 You ask why not mention the cost of street improvements in Birmingham? Did you not read that East Lake prices ham and Ensley prices in 1909. the year was mayor, which showed that Ems ley prices were S3 1-3 per cent lower than those of East Lake, and Birming- ham 25 per cent lower?
 Birmingham bonds were issued for these improvements at per cent East Lake issued bonds at per cent. More over, East Lake bonds were obtained bv the contractors at 95. You fostered an additional debt of per centAon the people for inferior work. I deny and challenge you to show that the Exum administration borrowed money at S& per cent. with or without collateral.
 "Regarding the R.. M. Grant & Co. contract, which. has been tremendously advantageous to the city. and which, when made, so gratified MT. Weatherly, this was the first time the city sold public improvement bonds for any length of time under per cent. This contract, which still exists. is for 5h per cent. Could you have done better: Tell the people how and where
 Bond sales are advertised and al ways will be while I am at the city hall. The above proposition was at yertised when Grant & Co. secured the contract. All like concerns were noti- fed and given a chance to bid. How would you handle it. doctor?
 EXPLAINS THE STREET TAX
 And the street tax Is worrying the genial doctor When did you become a convert against the street tax. doc- tor? Brush up on Birmingham history and you will learn that I vetoed the street tax three times, and reluctantly voted for 1t in 1916 to keep our schools open.
 "The decision of Judge Sharpe in the Mcdonald suit which took S25U,0OO from our general fund made 1t imperative to adopt temporary measures to save the city's credit. pr. Barretts discoverer, MT. Weatherly, ardently championed these saving measures What would you have done under these circum- stances? Would you have voted the street tax, or have the city repudiate it's obligations? Don't condemn, doc tor, unless you can refute.
 Your query concerning the $,20o, COG bonds discloses your ignorance of the fact that this floating dept had been ere ated by the Weatheriy administration and stared me in the face when l came into office. It was up to me to solve What would you have done?
 T put 1t straight to the people and refunded the debt through bond issue, which reduced the rate of interest. This refunding saved the city nearly s5000O in interest in four years which Is 10 times the salary receive. Did the finan-
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