The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-11-01
SOUABBLE SUBSIDIES. AS COMMISSIONERS. MEET IN CONCLAVE.
Conference Before Public Hearing SmoothS Out SaI- ary Argument by Four
 to-0ne Ratio


 Surrender of D. F.. McLendon, pres ident of the city commission, to the will of the other four commissioners that the salary of H. M. Taylor comptroller. to be fixed at s4,o0o, in- stead of s5,OoO, yesterday. turned what was expected to be a stormy meeting into one of the "tamest" that the administration has known. Pres ident McLendon did not present a res olution that the comptrolfer's salary be fixed at 5000, as had been ex- pected nor did he actively oppose Commissioner Harrison's resolution that 1t be placed at s4,000 He con tented himself with voting ''No,9 while all the other commissioners voted for the resolution.
 In conference just prior to the open meeting of the commission it was understood that President Me Lendon would not present his resolu- tion. It had been known that none of the other commissioners would sup port it, and the president was will ing to recant. He introduced the res olution at the last meeting of the commission, but 1t had been carried over, on account of the absence of NOHlIltHSiOHGI w. n. 4lChSpn.
 Since Tuesday, Commissioner liar rison has made frequent statements. in which he asserted that he would actively oppose increasing the salary of the comptroller, and said that the comptroller had drawn during the past year an unauthorized salary of 5000 He said that the salary had been fixed by resolution last Novem- Der at $4.000, and that 1t had been set up in the budget in January at s5,000
 All Had Been Said
 "Mr. McLendon and I agreed in con ference this morning that we had both said about all there was to be said" declared Commissioner Harri- . son.
 My efforts have been directed to insure fixing of the salary at s4.0oo. and with that accomplished I had nothing more to say. Had President McLendon presented his resolution or made statement, I was prepared to speak. In the absence of either, did not think a statement necessary.
 T went at length into the history of the case in previous interviews s because 1 felt that 1t was necessary that all the facts be known. My whole object was to prevent a re-
  perienee this year."
 Following the commission meeting. Commissioner Harrison made a brief statement, clearing the comptroller of any opprobrium. His statement follows
 Tn fixing the salary of the comp troller at s4.000, we have done 1t in accordance with the former action of the commission. In doing so. we have not meant any reflection upon the honesty or integrity of the comp troller, Mir. Taylor.
 This matter seems to have been wholly misunderstood. It was with the view of correcting the situation that I have proceeded throughout the whole matter"
 The words wholly misunderstood" !" Commissioner Harrison explained, is applied to the comptroller.
 Middleton Quits.
 President McLendon had declared last Wednesday that he would make full statement at the commission meeting and Commissioner Harrison had subsequently, declared his readi- ness to respond.
 The resignation of s. A. Middleton. chief of the fire department. was accepted by the commission on mo- ton of M. B. Cloe. commissioner of public safety. J. l.. Akin was ap- pointed to succeed Chief Middleton, and Ali Brown, B. o. Hargrove, E. w. Taylor and W. F. Hanlin were appointed first, second, third and fourth assistants, respectively. Pres- ident McLendon expressed regret at the resignation of Chief Middleton, and praised his administration.
 Special appropriation of $e.14s.14 was authorized for gas and electric extensions in North Birmingham. Of this sum. s5.o75.s2 will be used in gas extensions and $1,072.22 in elec- trie extensions. This Is the begin- nipg of program which will ultimately cost $50,000.
 Books to be Audited
 Petition of Salvation Army officers that they be allowed to hold a tag day in Birmingham for the raising of funds was denied. The commis- sion's action was based on an ordinance which provides that only three tag days shall be held during the year. two for Confederate vet erans and one for the Boys Indus trial club. Captain William Scott appeared before the board, and pre- sented the request of the Salvation Army.
 Contract for annual auditing of the city comptroiler's books was given to Rex F. Ashdown of Birmingham. The auditing will be started at once. and will require SO days or more. according to H. Nj Taylor. comp troller. The accepted bid was for $l,475.
 Retiring of s25,00o of public im- provement bonds on November 15. from the sinking fund. was author ized. and s17.5o0 of public improve ment bonds already redeemed were burned in open meeting.