The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-10-15

rate will yield, and yet leave tho
 gas rate the lowest In the entire
 south and one of the lowest in the
 country.
 So far as we can now see, if the
 suggestions herein made are adopted, the receiver can at once begin to meet every reasonable demand In the way of service and extensions. He cannot go rapidly, 1t is true. but
 he can make definite start at a pace which can be maintained in any
 event, and probably In time accele- rated Furthermore, 1 think the
 basis of reorganization will have
 been laid.
 Too Much Made of .sDffferences~
 Frankly. I think you gentlemen of
 the real estate fraternity have made too much of what you call differ
 ences. You have supposed too much that certain aspects of the problem could be compromised and traded to
 settlement. and you have thought too little of the breadth and depth
 of the real problem. We have a prob-
 lem for solution, and not a dispute to be compromised My feeling is that
 when the problem is seen and un- derstood in it's depth and breadth, differences will disappear.
 l In saying what I have just said,
 do not intend to minimize the value
 of your services. You have made a good start, but only start. We would welcome the addition to your committee of a representative from every commercial and civic organiza- 1 tion in Birmingham. If such a com mittee could be formed for the pur- pose of investigating the true con
 dition of the utility and the prob lems confronting 1t, with view to l enlightening the whole community and of making constructive recom-
 mendations, I believe that the serv- ice would be invaluable.
 What we need above all things is fuller, broader and wider under standing. If that can be brought about I have confidence in the ulti- mate solution of the problem in a
 sound and permanent way.
 Emergency Rates Not Sound Basis Let me repeat. that nothing per
 manent can be done by a temporary
 receiver, but he should be permitted to lay the foundation for a sound. strong and permanent reorganiza- ton. Rates and fares must fluctuate i but mere emergency rates, such as you suggest. do not furnish any sound basis for reorganization. You understand, of course. that tho
 receiver Is only court officer, and that in major matters his power ends with recommendation to the court appointing him. You understand, too, I assume. the powers of the pub lie service commission to supervise and control utilities. Whatever Is done must be done pursuant to law and subject to the supervision and control of the agencies of the law. Enough has been said to show that your questions cannot be answered categorically. We welcome. however, your interest and spirit. We will as- l sist you in any further investigations you may wish to make. We hope that l you will come to see that there is a problem to be solved vitally affect ing the entire community. and not
 merely dispute to be settled. Won't you turn to that problem, with or without the additional committee
 suggested, and give to the public all pertinent Information, together with your recommendations in detail7 | If you will adopt the suggestions made, think there is good reason to believe that we will get some-
 where. Respectfully,
 LEE c. BRADLEY, Receiver.