The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-13

with this automobi1e2 How many 6chooi- houses would you erect with the pro ceeds? Will you pledge the people to sell every automobile the city has and not purchase any? As commissioner will you refuse the use of city car to the commissioners and yourself?
 DEFENDS SPARROW EGG ACTS
 And the sparrow eggs doctor, seem to rest uneasily in your nest. By the anti-sparrow campaign the people of Bir- mingham were saved about s1Oo,000. The city's action was recommended and the result commended by the United States government and the example of Bir- mingham was pointed out to other clues
 Maybe your reign as mayor or East Lake made you wiser than the United States government.
 T was an advocate of municipal own ership, the elimination of grade cross ings the regulation or franchises and municipal problems generally before either you or MT. Weatnerly were heard of in municipal work, and when MT. Weatherly was the hired servant of the Southern Railway company and the Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph company and other large corporations, not the greatest of friends of municipal ownership.
 when I retired from the office of mayor in 1909 I directed public attention
 
 instrumental in purchasing in East DIT mingham. :. municipal ownership movements. Tn Bl' when Commissioner Weatherly undertooR to make a light contract he was repu- diated in a referendum l was acuveIS enga ged in the campaign against MT Wea therly's alignment with the Birming, , ham Railway, Light and Power com pany.
 "Tn 1910, while a private citizen and the question of selling tho North Birmingham light plant was up stated in the daily press:
 "T recommend to every voter Wnc l thinks well of my Judgment that he ca .t h,s vote on next Monday against the sale of the North Birmingham water and light plants'
 l .~rha peopie again vindicated my I Judgment by voting against the sale
 aAs president of the commission, have done everything possible to oe- 1 yelop the North Birmingham water and light plants, and actively support l ed a recent bond issue for the enlarge ment thereof
 REGULATING FRANCHISES l "In 1901. long before you were dis l covered by Mir Weatherly, led the memorable fight, making it impossible | for public utility corporations to SO | cure franchises for longer term tnai
 30 years. The Birmingham Failway | Light and Power company was max l ing strenuous efforts to get it's con 1 solidation through before the consti | tuition of 1901 become operative.
 .'The people of Birmingham realiz the significance of this service. V stead of every franchise the Bfrmins ham Railway. Light and Power com
 pany being in perpetuity. 1t is for period of 30 years.
 I sTn 1912 while a private citizen, 'l initiated movement against the rati fication of the waterworks contrac
 which would have delayed the day fo
 municipal ownership of the wate plant and out of my private fund , bore most of the expense of that cam
 paign. Again the people upheld m work. How much did you contribut ! to 1t?
 "what did you do to prevent tn last legislature from passing the pub lie utility bill over which you ar : now shedding such crocodile tears
 The files in the city hall will shoN
 my activity.
 .Tn every movement for civic better | ment I have been active. I have neve
 cast a vote for which I apologize. M
 public record bears investigation.
 "Your statement that I saidst cit was busted Is untrue. It never ha
 been busted and never will be bust
 ed unless 1t gets into the hands [
 incompetent administrators. did sa. , | not that I was busted but that
 had made tremendous sacrifices V serving the people and had given tim : to their welfare that could have bee : l devoted to my own personal interest," r It Is this reason that your patriot : discoverer, MT. Weather1y, gives fo : not standing for reelection. ( i course. the salary as president of tn l commission may be to you gain. 0 Now that your questions have bee