The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-08-05
For the Good of
the Community

~ friendship ends in. words When their actions
their votes needed to protect and promote the
interests of the district they sadly wanting
The sorry spectacle was presented at Montgom-
cry last week of of Aabamians whose loyalty to
state and pride in the industrial development of its
mineral district should have lifted them above the
plane of peanut politicians whose sole policy is to
get the money regardless of where or how.
"You are rich; we need the money You must
give it to u.s." That was the common expression.
And, "You should be proud to help the poorer
countless, was the companion utterance
Yes Birmingham and the mineral district are glad
that they are able to help the poorer counties. Not
only they glad to do it, but they have been doing
for years past to the extent of millions of dollars AS
stated by one of the Jefferson county representatives
jefferson county paid into the state school fund over
$500 900 in 1918 in of the amount returned to
her schools
Reducing it to percentage the that Jefferson
contributed than dollar in every $40 of
the total state school fund.
Jefferson county paid into the state treasury as
land tax dollar for every dollar the balance of the
state paid and oneourth Of all the other taxes col
lected The taxpayers of Jefferson county paid it
without kick with the full knowledge that far
greater sum was going out than would come back.
They did not stop to inquire where the money
going. The tax their property reasonable
and while the land valuation at higher level than
in any other county of the state they made demand
for an equalization upward elsewhere, did they
demand lowering of the average in their
county.
Yes Jefferson is rich county, beautifully blessed
with deposits of coal, iron and other minerals that
will not be exhausted during the present
ceeding generations. The mineral deposits will keep
her industries going for ages to come and continue to
pour riches into her lap, and into all Alabama
But this is no excuse for piling burdens upon her,
burdens that will cripple her business, retard her
growth and development, shut off markets beyond the
boundaries of the immediate district and restrict her
production.
The levying of production tax on the two prin-
nased d in the Brmingham district viii seriously af
feet production because of the undue advantage such
tax levied in other state, will give operators
in rival districts.
Members of the legislature who after listening to
the statements of conditions in the Birmingham dis
trct, statements made by men whose character and
reputation entite them to the respect and confidence
of every Albanian, for they too, are Alabamans
by nativity and lifelong residences; men who have
been engaged in the development Of the mineral in
dustry in Alabama for the period of their lves men
who know what they are talking about refused to
believe them. It has to the point where ex-
pediency overrides justice and fair play.
Every man in the legislature at Montgomery who
voted to impose the tonnage tax the Birmingham
district either admitted that it was an unjust and
discriminatory tax, if placed on coal and iron ore
it should be also placed on other natural products.
such as graphite, lime timber, clay, brick cement,
etc. But blindy following, obedient to orders from
higher ups they cast their votes for this unfair and
unjust tax
Bv so voting they in effect said, Birmingham dis
trict may be right to make just because
YOU happen to be richer than we but need the
money; you've got it, and we are going to take it.
Governor Kilby, who has been demanding every
hour of the day the past four weeks that the tonnage
tax be retained in the bill, is said to have
admitted that it unjust tax but because OF the
need of increased and there being no other
source from which it could be collected so easily,
ordered that it be levied And his subservient follow
ers beloved and begged and browbeat and pleaded
for it,
The sad part of it all is that majority OF the 100
members of the house of representatives listened,
yielded and like good fellows, yelled Eyes" when
their names called
The cry of foreign capital earnings of the cor
poratons going into the pockets of New Englanders,
New Workers and other foreigners constantly falling
on the ears of the legislators had its effect Dividends
going out of the state had the effect of
these legislators that the waving of red flag has
a bull It caused them to red, and seeing red,
which interpreted, to them foreigners reaping
nrofits on Alabama investments, they voted to take
away part of those profits.
AS matter of fact, whatever profits there are in
Alabama coal mining remain in Alabama Practically
every coal mine in Alabama is owned by Alabamians;
most of them thus furthering the industrial develop
ment of the state.
Whether governor of the state ese if
elected constituents them. Not
elected because he Kiby
constituents election time that their
toMongomery with collar around