The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-01

in many years.
 Before an audience of more than a thousand voters of Birmingham at the Jeff ferson theatre last night, Dr. N. A. Barrett, formally opened his campaign for city commissioner.
 The theatre was comfortably filled with representative citizens from every position of the city, many evil dently present to see and hear on what plane the campaign would be pitched by Dr. Barrett.
 Prior to the meeting at the Jeffer son the East Lake Barrett club formed at the courthouse and marched to the theatre in body, the procession be- ing more than two blocks long.
 One of the features of the meeting was the reading of note addressed to John E. Shelby, chairman of the Barrett campaign committee, from James Weatherly, stating that he had filed his resignation as member of the city commission with the secre- tary, effective Tuesday next at mid night, and stating that after that time he would be at the service of the Barrett campaign committee; BARRETT'S FIRST APPEARANCE
 Last night was pr. Barrett's first appearance before a Birmingham au- dience. That he fulfilled the expecta- tions and predictions of his friends and supporters was evidenced by the tremendous enthusiasm and applause accorded him throughout his entire ad- dress.
 Dr. Barrett is a pleasing speaker. His voice is well modulated and he seemed to impress his hearers with his honesty and sincerity. And there was just enough fire in his address to put the proper amount of leaven- ing in it.
 As indicated in Dr. Barrett's speech last night, his campaign will be waged on the platform of municipal owner ship of public utilities. the elimina- ton of grade crossings, no street tax or other special and petty taxes of any character. no tuition in the pub lie schools, a possible reduction of the mill tax levied for application to the sinking fund, the striving for home rule for the city and economy and efficiency in the conduct of mu- nicipal affairs. He promised safe and just distribution of the burdens and benefits of the city over the entire community.
 This is the first time I have ever appeared before an audience of Bir- mingham or the county of Jefferson to ask for support for a rubfic office" stated pr. Barrett in the beginning. But hope you gentlemen will not discount me too heavily because have lived among you for 25 years and have never before asked your sup port.
 PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
 pr. Barrett paid his respects to the act creating the public service com mission, saying that 1t was the one thing that stands as the greatest ob- struction, the greatest evil to be over- come in governmental and community progress today"
 There are more than hundred cities and towns in Alabama today ab- solutely handcuffed by the actions or the last legislature,' he said. We must go to the public service com mission of the state with manacled hands and bow down to them and beg them ito give us those things which are ours and which we are entitled to have forever Even the power of reg- lation is taken out of our hands and given over to men who are not fa- miliar with our conditions and have no sympathy with our burdens
 T am not fanatical on the subject of municipal ownership. I am not ready at any time to heedlessly plunge the city of Birmingham into the unwise ana indiscriminate purchase of public utilities. believe in fair and cor- rect dealings with the corporations and I am not in favor of confiscating property because it Is owned by pub lie service corporation. l believe when we acquire property we should pay just and only just price for 1t. am not prepared to commit myself to the purchase of every public utility immediately. but just as rapidly as sound business Judgment will enable us to acquire these for the public good I will favor it."
 Dr. Barrett touched on the high licenses exacted from the businesses and trades of the city. Tt has come to point" he said, where, if man wants to do business in Birmingham. he must. in a gentlemanly and gentle manner, be held up by the city for it's rake~off before he can open his doors."
 Reeardsng street railway fysnehises, hs believed 1t should be the policy of