The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-10-14
FOREMAN OF GRAND JURY SAYS HE WILL. VOTE FOR BATSON
Letter From Rob Adams Read by Robert Patrick at the WoodIaWn
 Meeting

man be given tho Job ot commis- sioner of public improvements. &, R. Batson, candidate for that position on the city commission. spoke to ca pacity audience last night in he Woodlawn city hall Despite the fact that many political meetings have been held in this hall during the past week, the crowd that attended found difficulty in securing seats. some re- malning in the hall during the speeches.
 The meeting was opened by Will liam l. White. eliminated candidate for the office, who introduced Luther Patrick Birmingham attorney. MT. Patrick stressed .he fact that MT. Batson was the only technically com petent man left in the run n-off, and should he be elected he would be safe bet so far as competency and ability went.
 Mr. White next explained that as he himself was an engineer of seven years experience he knew enough about the profession and about the man personally to justify the stand he has taken with MT Batson
 I heard some rumors last Tuesday about some supposedly nefarious do- ings of MT Batson and went straight to him and told him that if they were true l would fight him to the last, but that if they were false I would help him in his candidacy as much as possible. l have found that the rumors and reports are all ground less and false from personal invesel- gation.
 Reads Letter
 T have here a letter." continued MT White, written by the foreman of the jury which is supposed to lave found out startling facts. and 1 offer 1t to you just as it was received"
 Birmingham, Ala, october a. MT s. R. Batson, Consulting Engi-
 neer, Birmingham, Ala.
 Dear Sir; In justice to you, 1 will state that there WSs nothing in the findings of the grand jury of which served as foreman. involving moral turpitude or dishonesty on your part.
 You are the only candidate in the race for city commissioner who Las had or even claims to have any tech nical training or practical experience along. the lines of street or road building, and, therefore in my opin- ion, you are the most competent, pro- ftcient and suitable man in the pres ent race to occupy the office of street commissioner, and I expect to cast my vote for You Monday. Yours very truly, ROB ADAMS"
 When MT Batson arose he was greeted by prolonged applause. which subsided only when he made his first remark. He began by thanking the people for the support in last Mon days voting, and asked that he be given q thorough confederation before the run-off election Monday. He mentioned that many facts had been misconstrued in certain advertise- ments about some roads built nnler bis supervision.
 Look nt official Records.
 There is some idea behind this, but look into the official records will disclose the truth" said MT. Pat son. T have been building roads In this county for twelve years; iii fact ever since I've been out of college, where l studied the profession which have followed all these years-oivil engineering I will say that have had charge of more road construction than any other engineer in the United States, and am an engineer of national reputation. or else I wouldn't have been on the state high way commission
 You can go out on any road in Jefferson county and think you'll find 1t in good shape all the time, but here in the city it is different. On the county roads we have worked cut a system of maintenance which has been in vogue several years, hut In the city there is no such system. The streets are full of holes and bumps. If l am elected systen, will be put in order that will keep the streets in first-class condition,
 Tn securing the federal aid or S50O000 for county roaods in 1920 consider we achieved somethl = great. The qualifications were ii the roads must be planned, surveyed and have specifications ready for the construction. I was in charge f having this done, and. with the aid of other engineers. who worked r ith me day and night, we got the county the appropriation.
 Tn closing. I want to state that if you don't vote for me next Monday please vote, for it is your duty and your right And in voting vote for the man you think is more competent for the position and the one who will give the best service"
 Frank Croy also spoke briefly in Mir. Batson's behalf.
 Many people came forward and shook hands with Mir. Batson at the close of the meeting rIDCT DV nnnnIInT