The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-07-13
RESOLUTIONS


 Whereas, It appears from re- ports of the city commission of
 Birmingham that the present bonded debt of the city contracted prior to the adoption of the state constitution for which this sink
 ing fund is provided, Is less than S2,050,00O, that there is or ought
 to be on hand in the fund levied to meet this obligation by Janu- ary 1 sum exceeding $1 ,000.0OO;
 that the total principal and in- terest payable In 1918 is only $751;
 650 and that the city has until 1881 to pay the entire obligation.
 Therefore, we protest against an annual levy of , mills, amounting to more than $50O,OOO. to meet the principal and interest on these bonds. when mills, or S20O, GOO per
 annum, will be more than suffi-
 cient.
 Therefore, be it further resolved, -aThaf we do hereby call upon each
 and every candidate for city cOnl-
 missioner in the approaching elec-
 tiOn to publicly define his posi-
 tion on this subject, insisting that
 the taxpayers are entitled to re- lief of 3 mills of this tax, which
 is unnecessary and burdensome.
 Resolved, further. That in case of failure on the part of any can-
 dfdate to nEree to use his power, If elected. to render such relief, that he be asked to publicly state what disposition lie proposes to
 make of such funds thus collected in excess of the requirement. for
 meeting the principal and inter- est on bonds issued prior to 1902.
 Resolved, further. That these
 resolutions and the action sug- gested are in nowise intended to
 advance the interest of my can- didate or set of candidates for of flee, hut as simple business proposition of great importance to the property holders of Birming- ham.
 Now, MT President, I move the adop ton of these resolutions and feel tha any extended remarks in support of m. motion are scarcely necessary.
 PROPERTY SOLD FOR TAXES Tt is not necessary for me to tell tn representatives of property owners tha much property in the city of Birming ham has not earned enough during tn last several years to pay taxes. It i to refer to the enormou amount of property which has been sol, 
 CTS have grown poor in holding on. t investments. It is unneces sary to refer to the fact that assess ments have been increased; that tn voters of this county have increases taxes by a levy of mills for schoc purposes; that the board of revenue ha increased the county tax rate to the con limit: that the board of rev enue are paving the way and mappin out programme to bring about a bon issue of several million to build perma nCnt highways.
 Our city commissioners did a yer. patriotic act in subscribing for $10O,0 % of liberty bonds We are all patriot and approved the buying of these bond as an expression of appreciation of hoy the government has treate' us in giving us regional bank, pos tai savings bank. 8 farmers loan bank an armor plate factory. Valley River ca nal and an army training camp
 Another patriotic investment of $250, poo of this sinking fund in school bond to be issued by the city. Good invest nent, no doubt. but it is like mal taking money out of one pocket and put ting it in another This Is a popula act. of the commission, but is 1t legal If Tom McDonald, Tom Motion or an, other doubting Thomas should submi this question to Judge Sharpe his de cision might be another Illegal diver sion.''
 The temptation should be removed"