The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-29
MEASURE I AK [ {. AWAY POWER 0F. CITY COMMISSION
HoWze In Opposing Bill Says People Are Satisfied With
 Present Arrangement
STATE CAPITAL BUREAU I
 THE AGE-HERALD ! Montgomery. Ala Aur 2g |

The house of representatives this afternoon passed the bill of Repre- d sentative Jeter of Jefferson provid- 5b ing for the election of the city board of education of Birmingham by the ,s voters Representative Henry Howze of Jefferson opposed the bill and ~ contended that it would mean the ldisruption of the eity's school system, Awhile the other six members of the EJefferson delegation favored the new system.
 The vote on passage was 5 to g. The issue came before the house two times, first on a motion of Repre- sentative Fite of Jefferson to pro- eVide for the calling of local bills and , general bills with local application.
 MT. Howze sought to amend the motion by striking out provisions for general bills with local application. TIhis would have prevented the con esz sideration of the educational bill, as 1t was introduced as 8 general meas ure of local application. The house defeated Mr. Howze's amendment and adopted the tite motion. This brought consideration to the bill later in the afternoon.
 MT. Howze charged that the ques- . ton of electing the city board by the people was not an issue in the local campaign in which the JeffeTson del egation vas elected, that the city board has bsen named by the city government for 35 years, that during this time only two superintendenGs or city schools have been in office and that an excellent school system has been constructed.
 Clubs Oppose Change.
 He read telegrams opposing the bill which were sent by the League 1f A-~ip 1rrtN Tf1fN irr- Chamber of Commerce and Cham Der of Commerce and urged the house not to pass tile bill, which night inn pair the efficiency of the school sys tenn. He declared that the people of Birmingham are opposed to change in the present plan.
 Representative Fred Fite answered -e that a majority of the people are Tn favor of the election of the board by the people. The Birmingham News and others say the city board of edu- cation should be elected by the city commission" said Mir Fite. "They are the same people who come down here and tell you that the city com mission hasn't sense enough to elect the park commission for Birming ham,"
 He insisted that the people of Bir- mingham do want the bill passed, that some members of the board of education want it and that som5 members of the city commission are in favor of it.
 O o O
 deter Pushes Bill.
 Representative Jeter, who intro Cdced the measure, said the plan pro posed is the one in effect for the election of the county boards of edu cation. "If the plan for the election of the county boards is correct, then the same plan is correct for the cleo tion of the city boards of education" he declared. "The people of Birming- nam want the bill, members of the city commission want this respon- sibllity taken from their shoulders. Mir. Jeter said it is not intended to legislate the present board out Of o. flee, but it is desired to have their successors named in elections.
 Representative l.. K. Bowen of Jee- ferson sought to make an address in support of the bill, but there were calls for vote, and he sat down, after declaring: Let's put this thing over"