The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-01
THE HARBoR BOARD REPLIES

THE HARBoR BOARD REPLIES
 If Representative J. Lee Long of Butler sincerely desired serious and adequate answer to his series of ques- tions regarding Alabama's seaport at Mobile, he should be gratified and pleased at the full. sensible and com prehensive reply of the state harbor commission. It is hoped that MT. Long will study this reply carefully on the chance that possibly his own position on the seaport development is founded on misapprehension. and that the recorded judgment of the ma jorfty of the voters of Alabama is cor rect. The legislature is commanded by the people to undertake the devel- opment of the port in such manner as to make it contribute the maximum of advantage to Alabama's industry, business and commerce. MT. Long is | a member of the legislature and is subject to the express will of the peo- pie. The latitude of argument and op- position allowed him while the fate of the amendment was still unsettled and in controversy is now denied him, provided he subscribes to our state and national constitutional principle of the rule of the majority.
 The reply of the harbor commission is commended to the careful reading of the people of the entire state in order that they may become charged anew with the conviction that the de- velopment of the seaport is indispen- sable to Alabama's legitimate expan- sion and greatest prosperity, and that every community and every house. hold in the state will reap a cash ben eft. direct or indirect, drought the operation of the port influence on rates of transportation. There should be dispelled at once and forever the erroneous impression given out by MT. Long that the cost of the port improvement will constitute an addi- tional tax burden upon the people of Alabama. On the contrary, it is es- tablished that the revenues arising from the operation of port facilities are more than sufficient to meet run ming expenses, pay interest on bonds and retire bonds at or before matur- ity. The history of state development of the port of New Orleans is proof of this. The harbor board has shown also that the Municipal Wharf at Mo- bile, not built primarily as revenue producer, not only pays for its own upkeep and maintenance, but actually shows a net earning of six per cent. on sum one-third greater than it's cost.
 Governor Brandon is committed to the policy of port development, and his authority is necessary to validate port legislation. It has also been overlooked by many who have discussed port development under the plan contemplated that the legislature is in all cases the final arbiter, and that there can be no program carried out, either wholly or in part, without legislative sane ton, and that there can be no money spent except for purposes definitely approved by the legislature. With respect to its conception of its own duty in the premises the harbor board remarks: "It will certainly be the pol icy of the commission, if granted au- thority, by and with the approval of the governor, to see that the people of Alabama get value received for every dollar of money that is spent. Every man on the commission feels keen personal pride in his steward ship. The governor feels the same. The legislature will not be asked to pass any enabling act authorizing the state harbor commission to expend any money for the building of new projects or the purchase of old pro- jects except by and with the previous consent and approval of the governor of the state and after a most thorough and careful consideration of its own."
 The subject invites study, and the more the people study it and under stand it, the more convinced they will become that the project is essential to the public welfare, and that every month of delay is imposing upon the state a definite loss greater than any proposed expenditure. The port is a state asset and complement to in dustry and commerce essential to their complete success.