The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-10-16
MLEND0N MEETING
Speakers Criticise Barretts Han
 ding of City's Affairs

Charges made against D. E. H1. Lendon by Dr. N. A. Barrett were de. nicd by friends of McLendon q, q meeting held In front of the First National Bank building last night, one of a series held in yarious mart. of the city. f~' ''
 The first to speak In defense of MT McLendon was W. J. Wheeler who referred to the accusations made aeainst him. He first spoke of the Birmingham water works issue and states' At the time of the isste. l'Soo citizens had requested that the question be referred to the people to vote upon. he said. Napoleon Hill and l. W. Ross had valued the property at $500, ,0O00 and Dr. Barrett valued the property at S7,757. GOO without submitting the question to a vote by the people and by this made It necessary for them to pay taxes on the extra amount without allow ing the people to have any control whatever.
 "Dr. Barrett has accused MT. Me- Lendon of employing non-union labor in building his home, while during his administration he has had his home remodeled by nonunion labor, and has in other ways done what he could against union labor, at the same time claiming he is for the union labor man.
 Before his election he promised to reduce the sinking fund tax, which rate has been increased s1 05 on the hundred" Mir. Wheeler declared. "He has spent S4,00O,o00 in excess of any previous administration; he sold auditorium bonds at a discount of per cent and advertised to the pub lie that they were sold above par; he sold the school bonds at IS 80 after refusing 95, thereby costing the county $60,000: he has boasted of re- moving debts that have not been re- moved, and has only S70 to show for the s240,000 worth of government food which was sold, and for which the federal government allowed him 10 per cent profit.
 He has lowered himself in the es- timation of the people by bringing the church into politics and my mud singing"
 w. T. Stewart Speaks
 W. T. Stewart then made talk in which he stated that both candi- dates belonged to the same lodge, charging that McLendon's name had
 
 him in the eyes of the public.
 The charges were made against McLendon because pr. Barrett was afraid he'd lose the s5,0o0 yearly salary" he declared. "and during hls administration he hired lawyer to go to the legislature and use his in- flnence in an effort to have the sal aries of the commission raised. He showed his ability more than ever when, after Mrs Solon Jacobs point ed out to him his duties, which he did not know, he was forced to employ lawyers to analyze them for him." Cheers followed this statement
 That isn't very good record for one who has been head of such city as this" He stated Dr. Barrett stat ed that If McLendon was elected many of the babies of the city would die because of lack of pure milk. Dr. J. D. Bowling, health officer, Is ap- pointed by the county board of healtr and it is his duty to inspect the milk"
 Following this ". H. Anderson made talk in which he stated he had known McLendon since he was q would like to praise pr. Bar rett." he said. but I cannot because of the record he has made as head of the city. and because he has re- sorted to mud singing without sticking to an honorable, upright campaign. It Is sad condition when a campaign Is not conducted on high plane"