The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-09-10
VAN HOOSE TELLS
 WHY HE WILL NOT
 SEEK CITY PLACE
Former Mayor Gives Some h. tereSting Advice as to What Should Be
 Done Here

J. A. Van Hoose. former mayor of Birmingham in announcing his de- cision not to enter the present race for city commissioner, gives some in- teresting reasons.
 In addition MT. Van Hoose makes
 several suggestions as to tbings which should be done in Birmingham which will no doubt he read with wide interest:
 ITO the Voters of Birmingham:
 After careful study of the whole situation l have decided not to ask you to employ me as president of your city comm iSslon.
 So many unsolicited inducements have ah eady reached me from people in all walks of life it seems matter of courtesy and also of business con cern to them to frankly state why have reuched this conclusion. My inn mediate family and relatives were earnestly opposed to my again get pensive and even dangerous fight against lawlessness and vice.
 This would be a fight from the word go against powerful and strong ly entrenched interests. That ele- ment never sleeps never tires and stops at no possible limit of right or revenge. They know they were licked in the Van Hoose administration in '94-'96. They also know that the same determination, experience and persistency can do again.
 Tn these depressed times when so many men and women are striving to earn an honest living and make fends meet it seems doubtful, if not unrea- sonable. to ask or expect them to leave their work, arouse themselves carefully inquire into records and ca pacity, and enthusiastically support the most experienced and capable ap- plicants.
 Workers have no time in the day and are too tired al night to hear the clamor of so many applicants and then wisely decide.
 Religious Differences
 But the main and controlling req son Is that l cannot now get my con sent to do anything which will further inflame the unfortunate religious diff ferences among the people l love. Although as city official I would deem it my duty to head the wishes of the large majority of those who employ me, still my personal life long convictions are that woman's or mans political or religious affiia- tions should not be the test of busi- ness employment. Only loyalty. faith fulness and efficiency should be com sidered
 Tn thanking those who wanted me to offer, l especially thank the labor ing and business men and especially the younger set of business, profes sional and commercial men. Lastly, but really .rstly, the good women who wanted to help me clean house.
 T firmy believe that a heavy if not an actually winning support would have been given me from these sources. But the present inflamed condition of religious differences ap- pears so acute that 1t seems hard U have a calm, business like examina tion of mems private an public rec ords as to what they has. done for themselves and for the various busi ness enterprises Tn which they have been engaged. and by that test of rec ord, experience and efficiency to stand or fall
 Makes Suggestions
 AS 1 have travelled much, studied past and present civic conditions, had wide experience in dealing with men and things, and as 1 love the town and the people who have done so much for me, and most thankfully would have tried again to do some thing for them before I die, please allow me to modestly make some i'm portant suggestions to you?
 '1a Demand from applicants that ! they individually and voluntarily re- store to you your rightful power of the referendum and recall if after say a years trial their work was not | satisfactory.
 You now have the unbusiness-like situation of employing a person and | then for four years are unable to | make change.
 T had given this pledge. Others l should also voluntarily do it. I have | carefully formulated a pan for such yet binding referendum vote. It has been pronounced by all who nave heard it, as simple. work able, fair and at no cost to the tax | payers.
 70. Demand more reasonable pub licity in your financial affairs. Be shown at least quarterly the sources | and amounts of your incomes and as | fully as possible, in reasonable space | of public print. show how and where | your money is being spent.
 8. Demand rigid economy and ef- Live within our income | even if we have to deny ourselves | things we would like to have. Estab- fish a budget and do not heedlessly | or carelessly blunder over 1t.
 "A. Abolish all useless offices and | expense. This will enable you to in- crease your police. fire and sanita ton forces.
 "5. Clean up the city morally and physically.
 Tn the fight against disease, law lessness and vice, do it swiftly and effectively. but do it silently. You