The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-26
PUBLIC SPIRITED MEN FOR DOCK BOARD SOUGHT

five members to be appointed by the governor, one of whom the governor shall name as chairman and such commission, no two of whom shall be residents of the same congressionai district of the state, which commits sion, in addition to the duties therein more particularly specified, shall be vested with and shall exercise the powers, duties and authority now vested in and exercised by the present state harbor commission, which are in conflict herewith. The commits sioners shall be appointed for the terms of one, two, three, four and five years respectively; each com missione's term to be designated by the governor. The term of each com missioner, after the expiration of the term above provided for shall be five years, but any commissioner may be removed by the governor at pleasure at any time and a successor appointed for the remainder of the term. The said state docks commits sion is hereby provided and desig- mated as the agency of the state through which it shal accomplish the acquisition, maintenance and opera tion of all the improvem and fla cilities hereby authorized and through which the same shall be managed and controlled by the state and hereafter
 
 mission. It is further provided that no person having financial interest in any deal with which shall be eligible for appointment as a member of said commission. The members of said commission shall receive their actual expenses in attending meetings of said commission or in attending to any of the duties under this act.
 Compensation Provisions.
 Sec. 8. The commission must, with the approval of the governor, appoint secretary treasurer, a chief wharfinger and as occasion requires may appoint such number of deputy wharfingers, collectors, attorneys, clerks and other employees as may be necessary. In addition, the said commission, with the aproval of the governor, shall also appoint such architects and engineers and other persons as may be required for the study and development Of the facili- ties of the ports and when necessary may appoint general manager hay ing such powers and performing such duties as the commission may see proper to confer upon him. The com mission, with the approval of the gov ernor, shall have such power and authority fix the salaries and com pensation for the general manager. snsinetrs, aRhitects and other em- ployes and may prescribe their duties. Until the appointment and qualification of a general manager the commission may appoint tns president or other commissioner to act ex-officio as general manager and shall fix his salary while so acting, Such officials and employees shall hold office for such time and on sucl, terms and conditions as the commits sioner may determine. The secre- tary- treasurer is required to make bond In such amount as the commis- sioner may order payable to the state ana conditioned upon the faithful dis charge Of his duties. He shall re- celVe and dtsburse for the commission all monies which 1t is authorized to receive and dfsburse. He shal be-re- sponsible for the safe-keeping there or and shall properly account there for.
 Sec. {. The state, in engaging in the work of internal improvement, of promoting developing, constructing, maintaining and operating harbors or seaports within the state and it's Jurisdiction, acting through the said commission. shall have power to ac- quire, purchase, install, lease, build, own, hold, maintain, equip, use, con trol and operate at seaports, Wharves, piers docks, quays, grain elevators,
 
 other water and rail terminals and other structures and facilities need ful for the convenient use of the same in the aid of commerce including the dredging of approaches thereto, but before the said commission shall eX- ercise such authority 1t shall first submit complete plans, including es- inmates of costs, prepared by com potent engineers or architects, to the governor who shall consult and con fer with said board in reference thereto and as to dredging with the proper United States authorities. The governor also shall be authorized and empowered, wherever he thinks 1t is exDedient, to make other and further Investigations in regard to the desir- ability of such proposed acquisition or erection of facilities as above mentioned.
 Appraisal of Real Estate.
 Before approving any purchase of real estate at a price more than $10,- 900. the governor shall cause the same to be appraised by three dis interested and competent men of his selection, the expense of such ap- praisal to be paid as hereinafter pro- vided for the payment of expenses and no purchase thereof shall be made, except by condemnation, for sum in excess of said appraisal. If after such full investigation as he deems necessary Is made, the gov ernor approves such acquisition, pur- chase, lease or the erection of such facilities, he shall indicate 1t by en- dorsing his approval on the plan, or hy letter to the commission, and thereupon the commission shall go forward with such project. If, how ever, the governor disapproVes, the commission shall not have authority to begin such proposed improvement but may make other and further sug- gestions or amendments to the gov ernor from time to time. The state through the saId commission shall have power to acquire, own, lease ana operate tugboats. to locate, install build, acquire, lease, own, hold. main tain, control and operate at seaports a lino or lines of terminal railroads with necessary sidtngs, turnouts' spurs. branches, switches, yard tracks. bridges, trestles and cause ways and in connection herewith or apDurtenant thereto shall have the further right to lease, install. oulld, acquire, own, maintain, control ana use any and every kind or character of motive power and conveyance or appliance necessary or proper 10 carry passengers, goods, ware ana merchandise over, along or upon the tracks of such railroads or other con
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