The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-11-12
GOVERNOR FIRST :
OFFICIALLY URGED
BROADER SEAPORT
In His First Message to Legis-
Iature Governor kiIby Ad-
vocated State Aid
For Mobile
STATE CAPITAL BUREAU
THE AGE-HERALD.
Monk1nnierY. Ala. NOV. Ii

Alabama seaport amendment at the
general election Tuesday the last
big proposal of Gov. Thomas e. Kilby
was written into Law by the people
of Alabama. This administration will
end the middle OF January with the
record of having won every major
proposal, feat the like of which is
states official history during the
twentieth century.
Governor Kilby uttered the first
official word in behalf of state sup
port and control of the states sea-
port in his first message to the legis-
lature after he was inaugurated in
January. 1919. Throughout the four
years which have followed the gov
ernor has insisted that the state
should develop the port as q part of
state program for the advance
ment of tho people. Within two
months of the close of his administra-
ton the people approved the proposal
and authorized the use of the states
credit to the amount OF $10,000.000 in
the construction of docks. wharves
and facilities which will give the
states seaport at Mobile the means
and methods of competing with the
port at New Orleans and other ports
which have been under the control of
the state.
Asset of State
In the first message to the legis-
lature after he was inaugurated, Cow
ernor Kilby said
The Port of Mobile, standing at
the gateway of our vast river sys-
tenn, is truly an asset of the state.
This fact has been for some time gem
orally appreciated by our people, but
only of recent years has anything
tangible been done that would in
dictate statewide interest in the de-
velopment of the states only sea-
port. 1 refer to the creation CT a
state harbor board by the legislature
OF 1915. Unfortunately our constitu-
tion does not permit financial as
sistance with regard to development
OF terminals, SO that while the act
creating the board gives 1t broad
powers to acquire and hold property
no practical means could be placed
at its disposal to bring that end. The
foundation, however. has been laid
and we should build upon 1t SO that
in time the labors of this board shall
not be confined as at present to GER
tain executive functions local to the
harbor at Mobile and the mere regu-
lation of water terminal property.
I'VE have seen the advantage OF
public ownership of water terminals
by the state at the Port of New
Orleans. Public owership OF such ter
minals is the ideal condition. Per-
haps some years may pass before we
can reach that point, for regard must
1T.
needed property, which unfortunately
is now privately held. The start has
been made. The state should go fur
Their and by constitutional amend
ment lend its credit to the harbor
board for water terminal develop
ment at Mobile and at such other
carefully selected points of concen-
tration OF freight on our rivers as
may seem advisable; and these latter
should be increased from time to time
to meet the demands of develop
ment.
Urges Terminal Sites
1.-THE idea I wish to convey is that
the state harbor board should
be truly of statewide juris-
diction and benefit in SO far
as our rivers are concerned. 1t
should be given power step by step
reasonably to acquire and develop
needed terminal sites SO that In the
end a compact and useful system
would result. The harbor board
should, while this is in process. give
all announcement to private and
municipal development under such
conditions that the owner may be
protected from state competition that
would result practically in confisca-
ton. The regulation of charges of
all water side terminals should be
reserved in the harbor board so that
no unfair charge should on the one
hand, work hardship upon the public
or an inadequate charge, on the
other hand, serve the purpose of
diverting freight to ono point At the
expense of another.
'.As further means of giving the
harbor board a statewide status, I
would recommend that the Alabama
river be given representation by
amending the law SO that ono or
more members from Montgomery
county or some other county touching
the Alabama river should be placed
upon the board"
Recommendation Followed
The legislature followed Governor
Kilby's recommendation to the letter.
submitting the constitutional amend
ment for the use of the states credit
in the development of the port and
providing for upstate representa-
tion on the harbor commission.
The amendment was submitted at
the general election two years ago
and was defeated. the majority
against it being about 1900. An in
adequate campaign In behalf of the
amendment was conducted. according
s. persons who did not understand the
proposal were not reached in the
campaign OF education.
Governor Kilby held to the view
that the people of Alabama would
favor the amendment when they
understood it. When the legislature
assembled in special session in the
fall of 1921. Governor Kilby again
brought the proposal to the atten-
ton of tho lawmakers and urged
that the amendment again be
submitted to the people for their
approval or rejection. "The people
refused to ratimy the proposed
amendment for the reason, in my
judgment, that Its real purpose was
not understood and the benefits to
accrue from 1t were not fully real
lied by them" said the governor in
his second request for the submission
OF the amendment. In his message
Governor Kilby included an article
prepared at his request by DR.. Err
win Craighead on the necessity for
the development of the states sea-
port by the state, an article which
has attracted attention of persons
interested in the development OF
waterways throughout the nation.
Organised State
The legislature resubmitted the