The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-31
PEOPLE WILL NOT BE coERcED

PEOPLE WILL NOT BE COERCED
 If the members of the board of rev. enue still retain the intention of going forward with the real-estate deal look ing to a change in the site of the county courthouse and involving the expenditure of great sum of public funds, the best advice that can be given them is: Do not do it!
 If the board is impressed with the argument that the scheme will provide funds for the construction of new structure, let them reflect that the permanent public convenience is a weighter consideration than the ques- ton of nominal sum of money. The present site is one around which those activities that revolve about the court house as a center have established themselves.
 If the board has hearkened to the complaint that the street noises in- terfere with the proceedings of courts, let the board remember that the major public interest takes precedence over any minor private interest, and that a encouragement of street-railway traffic is minor consideration and should by all means be carried through in order that the dignity and the eff ficiency of the courts may no longer suffer by these needless noises. For automobile horns, cutouts and engine racing, "zone of quiet" may very easily be established.
 If the board of revenue commits itself to this project, let the board re- member that it cannot commit the people of this community. Sooner or later the board will be forced to come to the people for authority to issue bonds to carry through the undertak- ing. Let tke board not come with any plan involving coercion because of ir- revocable steps already taken. Let the board be careful lest, by going too far in this matter, it may oust the county's business from its old home without any assurance that a new home will be provided.
 Let the board not be fooled by any pressure brought to bear because of expiration of options or other irrele- want suggestions. Let the board re- member that it has the authority of eminent domain and that 1t may con demn property needed for public pur- poses, should the public requirements ever counsel such course. Indeed, it is very possible that condemnation would bring any desired property into public possession at price lower than it might be secured by private persons on option. There is no need for such haste in this matter as the reported intention of the board implies. If the board wants to come clean with the people of this community, let it sub- init to the people a free and untram- meled proposition, which the people | may accept or reject as they see fit, without having involved the public | welfare in any embarrassing dilemma.
 The secrecy with which the board | has surrounded this deal is in itself | enough to arouse the public to demand | a halt on the proceedings. The people will not tolerate pussyfooting in the management of their affairs. New and more commodious offices for the conduct of the county's business and the administration of justice are ur gently needed, but that implies no need for negotiations under cover, nor for the evolving of schemes in which the public interest is made very poor second. The people of this com munity are too intelligent to be fooled and too independent to be coerced. The members of the board of revenue should know that as well as anyone else.