The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-17

act, too large proportion for this
economic and social welfare to be on
secondary consideration.
The experience of other states.
where the law has been longer in
force, has demonstrated the wisdom
of its Administered by a separate
body. Therefore, l would recommend
to the legislature the creation of an
Industrial commission to be ap-
pointed by the governor for such
term as II is deemed wise, chairman
and two associate members, at such
salary as you deem commensurate
with the Importance of the service
to the state. The expenses of the
commission should be provided for in
the act and should not be paid from
the present income of the state or
cut of the state treasury, but should
come from fees from those who have
matters before the court And this
commission should be made self-sus-
tanning.
There are many features of the
present law deserving in some in
stances of radical amendment too
numerous to include in this message.
would commend to the legislature
for it's information and careful study
the provisions of. the Ohio law rela-
tive to the establishment OF the COM
mission and its duties of administra-
ton. This law seems to have met the
situation, and. 1 am informed, meets
the general approval of all classes.
Department of Archives and History
The history and traditions of
people should be preserved, and I'M
der Mrs. NJ. B. owens management
this is being done in the department
of archieves and history. Her de-
partment is crowded, corridors and
cellars full of important documents
and files that are part of Alabama's
history. She is handicapped in her
work by lack of room. How to remedy
this is one of your problems. She will
probably present to you plans for
the future, and I commend to you
her plans and ask a most careful in
vestigation. ! request that as far as
possible, having due regard to the
state treasury, that you cooperate
with her and preserve for future gem
erations the history of our people.
Registration Laws
Our registration laws are expen@
sive and cumbersome. Many of our
citizens are prevented from voting
because of their inability to register.
The law now provides for three reg
istrars in each county. Why pay
three where one could do the work?
If it can be done constitutionally,
would suggest that this work be
done IN the office of the probate
Judge. He is responsible for the Of
fetal voting list, and now practi-
cally duplicates the work Of the reg
istrars. This would enable the regis
tration books to be open at all times
and any person qualifying for regis
tration could then conveniently reg
lister. There might be some objection,
or constitutional prohibition to this
system. In that event, | would rec
Gmmend the abolition of the board as
now constituted and the number re-
duced in order to save unnecessary
expense, and require more frequent
registration. In most counties one
registrar could easily do the work.
Port Amendment
The people Of Alabama, by almost
consent at the polls, de-
cided that the state of Alabama
should lend its credit to the building
of a port for Alabama at Mobile. Our
people have great hope in this de-
velopment. TIC my mind, this is the
most important legislation with
which you will have to deal. The peo-
pie have been promised returns on
their investment You will be charged
with passing the enabling act carry
ing into effect the constitutional en-
aotment. I, therefore, recommend
that careful study be given to this
important matter, and every restric-
ton thrown around the expenditure
of these sums to insure the people
that there will be no default in pay
ment of bonds and interest. Every
detail of this act should be carefully
studied, every caution taken to pru-
IDENTIFY expend these monies, and the
best business men of our state should
be charged with the grave RESPONSE
bility of furthering this enterprise.
We cannot hurriedly go into this. /,
therefore, recommend that you ap-
point a committee to confer with the
harbor commission, the governor and
such experts and business men as
they may agree upon, to bring to you
recommendations to the end that we
may safeguard the public interests
and the states treasury.
In my judgment, a great day will
dawn for Alabama when this port is
completed. Every section will be
benefited, and the product of field
and mine, of mill and factory, will
cause our industrial life to throb with
new energy. New markets will be
opened. transportation will be cheap
ened and all our people will feel its
benefits. We should not delay the
matter unduly, but every care should
be taken to the end that the people
will be assured that the matter is be-
ing carefully and properly handled.
The harbor commission has been
active and diligent in securing data,
and has submitted a tentative bill
which should be carefully considered
in detail. Let no act be passed that
might be unconstitutional, and every
care should be taken In its enactment
where the bond issue would not be
questioned, or the right of the state
to lend its credit be doubted. This
problem is ours; let US meet it
thoughtfully. prudently. with the best
advice obtainable.
State Highway Department
Good roads are essential to our
advancement. The federal appropria-
tion, together with our bond issue for
good roads, should bring results
Every dollar should be made to count
and the law should be complied with
connecting county sites.
Too many surveys are made and
too few roads built. Overhead and
useless expense should be prohibited,
results should be obtained. roads
should not be built for political rea~
sons. but where they best serve the
public.
In my opinion, the state highway
commission. as now composed. is
top heavy" While the members are
honest and conscientious. and are
moved by patriotic motives. they nat
urally represent their own sections,
and each has his own idea of what
ought to be done, apd as conse-
quence confusion arises and no def
mite plan is fixed. SO far as know
they are all good. capable. honest and
mai riQtic t-1iner 70 e.