The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-09-17
BRANDON STAMPS PORT AMENDMENT
 WITH APPROVAL
Next Governor Predicts Great Impetus to Industrial and Commercial Alabama by
 State Development

JuoSe w. w. Brandon of TuSca- loosa. who was recently nominated for governor of Alabama by the largest majority ever given a candi- date for office in this state, has come out in one of the strongest in dorsements of the port amendment to tue constitution yet given 1t by any one,
 In letter to Chairman Sydney J. Bowie Of the Alabama seaport com mlttee, Judge Brandon says he un- qualifiedly indorses and approves the amendment and pledges himself as governor to see that the inter- ests of the state and of the people are thoroughly safe guarded in every way. His letter follows:
 Tuscaloosa, September 12, 1922.
 Hon, Sydney J. Bowie, chairman,
 Alabama Seaport Amendment. Bir-
 mingham.
 Dear Sir: Answering through this letter to your numerous inquiries which have been made as to my view and position With respect to the Ala bama seaport amendment election, make the following statement:
 Il. l unqualifiedly indorse and approve, and VII vote for. the said amendment.
 2. If the amendment be adopted, I, as governor will approve only conservative plan of development, the money raised upon the state credit to be used only for acquiring facilities as needed, the issuing of bonds to be limited to the amounts necessary to secure such facilities, no excessive prices to be paid for any property, and the states right to condemn needed property to be always available.
 Only Business Men Selected
 g. As Is contemplated by the pro- posed amendment. all property ao- quired in the development will al- ways be owned absolutely by the state and remain under it's control through such board. commission, or other agency as the legislature may designate, and l assure that In inak- ing all appointments to such posi- tions, l will select only experienced business men of outstanding ability and unquestioned character, ignor- ing entirely politics, politicians and all political considerations.
 "4. My indorsement of the said de- yelopment is not in conflict with my platform of retrenchment, reduction of taxes and rigid economy in the administration of the states affairs because full investigation of the present volume and character of traffic has convinced me that state owned and controlled terminal fa- cilities at Alabama's only seaport, acquired and developed in keeping with the principles here stated. will be self-sustaining: that the Income therefrom will not only pay the in- terest on the money invested, but also will be sufficient to build up an ample sinking fund for the re- tirement of the bonds at maturity; and that such income after the re- tirement of the bonds will afford large revenue to the state.
 Mobile Port Best Serves State
 "5. Inquiry into the matter has further convinced me that water transportation to, from and through our seaport carries distinct advan- tage to every portion of the state that the cheapest possible transpor- tation from either the east or west coast of the United States to any point in Alabama is by water to oul seaport and thence by rail to point of destination; that enormous quanti- ties of merchandise in daily use throughout the state may be SC handled that this advantage is null ltiplied as to all points on our splen- did river system where an all-watei route may be used; that shipment either to the east or west coast oi this country, or to foreign countries of our vast surplus of agricultural mineral and forest products is facili- tated and cheapened by reaching water transportation at the nearest possible port; that the difference just mentioned is well illustrated by tho fact that the all-rail rate from tho Birmingham district to the Pacific coast on cast iron pipe Is $27 pei ton. while the rate by barge to Mo bile and from there to the Pacific coast by steamer is s12b0 per ton or $14.50 per ton less than the all rail rate, which saving is sufficient tc keep our furnaces going when other wise they would be forced to shut down; and that the building up of 8 great port in this state will add largely to taxable values. increase our population, supply better mar kets for our products, and give us liberaIly of the manifold benefits which accrue from progress along safe and conservative. lines.
 1uonCly O"mt0 5uCCcbbiuA "8. Several other states. notably California and Louisiana. have met with splendid success in owning and controlling terminal facilities. and am quite sure that we are at least equal to them in relevant natural re- sources and in the integrity and busi- ness ability of our people. What they have done, we can do, and In the near future flood tide of commerce should be flowing through our sea- port bringing in whatever we need and carrying out to all parts of the world the surplus products of our farms. our forests. our mines and our factories. including the surplus out put of the great factories which will be driven by the now wasting water power at Muscle Shoals when the ma tional government shall have con- fided the control and management of that power to Henry Ford. the peo- ple's choice.
 T feel that I can assume that your committee will publish this letter and distribute 1t to the voters of the state. and thereby enable me to an- swer more comprehensively than in any other way the inquiries which have reached me.
 With best wishes for the adoption of the amendment by an overwhelm- ing majority. I am very sincerely yours. VIM. w. BRANDON"