The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-08-25
POT BOLLS OVER
 AS HEA TED SPEECHES MARK
 MUNICIPAL CAMPAIGN START

istration as to enable the commission to give the people of Birmingham what they need. declared John H. Taylor. ccmmi ssioner uf public safety.
 Modern fighting equipment has been placed in the stations all over the city, he said, with a most efficient corps of men in charge. He declared he was trying to protect the outlying districts as the central portions of Birmingham are guarded against fire loss. He pointed to the act of insuring the lives of all fire men and paying men hurt in the dis charge of their duties as constructive achievements to his credit.
 '"Tbe efficiency of the Birmingham police department compares with taat of any in the south" declared MT. Taylor. T admit the department is inadequate in nun bers, due to short finances, hut it Is one of the finest in the country, in cities the size of Bir- minYham., The detective department has caught more clever crooks than any other city the size of Birming- ham.
 My record Is open. I ask you to get the facts One thing certain IS that I won't go out leaving a float ing debt such as that with which the present commission was saddled when 1t went Into oIIlCe.
 w. Fl. Barnard Of Pratt City de- clared that if man gave good serv- ice he should be given a second term delivering short and spicy talk. However. he said, he was looking for the place vacated by MT. Burruss.
 Improvement Commfssioner
 S. k. Batson. former county ensi- neer, declared he was seeking the place of improvement commissioner. He declined to talk at length. saying streets are built through deeds, not through tha use of hot ~air.
 W. T. Cloc declared he was out after the votes. and that he would make no premises until after cleo ton.
 ". E. Dickson made a plea for the women vote. reminding the women that he had voted for suffrage when the question was before the, leaisla- ture. Better law enforcement would be possible with the women aiding, he declared. Treatment Of all sec tions of the city alike in the expen- ditures of city money was urged by him. He said he was willing to turn the white light of publicity on the rent hogs of Birmingham. Promises were made to help bring down the street car fare. the light and gas rate and telephone rates, should he be elected
 M. A. Dinsmore, attorney, who is running for associate commissioner. stirred up the meeting with a bit ter arraignment of Mir. Dickson and MT. Truss as members of the legisla- ture who voted for the utilities bill. Mir. Dickson, in particular was taken severely to task by Mir. Dinsmore.
 "Why didn't you try to bring down these high charges when you had the chance?" demanded MT. Dinsmore.
 In answer to MT. Dicksons query as to whether he wanted an answer. Mir. -Dinsmore shouted that he could tell the people of Birmingham about it.
 "Tell the citizens of this city why you didn't do these thingsT declared the attorney. "The next Legislature will do what you and the other mem bers of the last one failed 10 do. They will abolish the public service com mission and put the power of regula- ton back In the hands of the muni- cipaiities. where it belongs"
 Mir, Dinsmore also took a rap at the city legal department, asking why seven attorneys were necessary He charged that the town was infested with vagrants. promising to put them on the road gangs if he were elected. re bdlu nC' WOoiu tah6 tthr fiiohSy for lazy lawyers and pay police to watch the homes os citizens while they sleep.
 W. l.. Harrison, labor leader. was met with hearty applause. He de- clared he would do the best he could if elected. He also stated he wished to deny voting for the utilities bull.
 NJ. A. Hines asked for support, de- claring he had been a conductor or the A. G. S.. for 12 years and was asking election as representative of the people. He declared he was . real estate man. but not rent hog.
 License On Volume
 Suggestion was made by J. E. Lacey Pratt City business man. that change be made In the license, scheme. He outlined a plan whereby license fees would be paid on the sales vol ume of merchants. He referred his hearers 10 his past business life and ifs deeds as mayor of Pratt City for two terms. He declared himsel. in favor of a policy Of justice to all.
 John w. Lacey of East Birmtng- ham asked the support of the citi- zens of Wylam as represe ntative of the people.
 Will E. Mabry requested a trial as commissioner, to see how . successful business man could act as . public sficial.