The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-18
EnsIey And Fairfield Civic Clubs CIain Wishes Of Their Sectiona ! ,. Consulted In. Exteyvs Of City Limits SPoes.L COMMITTEE TO
 $STIGATE M 0TIVES Sltizens In Mass Meeting Claim No Good Purpose Can Be Served To Enactment Of LaW-Point Out Objections
ENSLEY BUREAU ! THE AGE-HERALD ! Ensley, Ala, July F

EnStey, AIa, Juiy II
 Ensley and Fairfield citizens Tues day voiced their opposition to the bill of Senator Walter Brewer, in troduced in the legislature last week, which provides for anneXat!Gs, to Bir- mingham of the territory, including the Ensley steel plant and the Semet- Sclvay company properties.
 Members of the civic clubs of the two communities and the Ensley As sociated Merchants, at a meeting Tuesday morning, went on record as being inclined to think no good pur- pose can be served by the enactment of such a law. The association de- cided to send a representative to Montgomery tC give the real senti- ment of this section regarding the measure, If necessary.
 Samuel C. King. M. H. Mcdowell and C. N. Gdlley made speeches in opposition to the plan at the meeting Tuesday. Following discussion, a cCmmittee was authorized by the Ensley business men to act jointly with a committee from Fairfield to inquire into the motives actuating the introduction of the bill and take whatever action Is suitable to defeat the measure.
 The Wylam Business Mems associ- ation, the Ensley Kiwanis club and other organizations of the western section are expected to name com mittees to plan a fight against the proposed legislation.
 No Knowledge of Proposal.
 From statements made at the meet ing, the Tennessee company was wholly unaware the bill would be introduced. Commissioners w. B. Cloe, Mrs. Mary Echols and w. E. Dickson also did not know of it, it is understood, although the city le- gal department drew the bill.
 Additional revenue was stressed as the motive scf the measure, but the speakers pointed out that the Ten nessee company taxes might be in- creased s150,00o. while the city of Birmingham would have additional territory for police and fire protec- collection, street work and other mu- nicipal duties.
 Speakers stated that the Tennessee company's 50 police officers fer the section under discussion were more than the city of Birmingham pro- vided for all Ensley. Schools also would be turned over to the city.
 No one In Ensley has been con suited, they said, declaring it dis pleasing to the business and profess siCnal men of the western section that no one had been asked regard ing their wishes.
 O O O
 Predict Unpleasant Situation.
 An unpleasant situation between the city and the Tennessee company was predicted if the bill was adopted. As that company had made Ensley and Fairfield worth while communi- ties, 1t was urged that its wishes be learned before any legislative action such as contemplated was taken. It was also suggested that the plant came to Ensley under the promise that no city taxes would be collect able and that such a promise must be lived up to and respected.
 Plans fer the fight against the Brewer bill will be drawn immed ately. 1t was stated.
 It is understood here that Senator Brewer was actuated by a thought that the corporate limits should be extended on the west In such man ner IS to take on a wedge shaped sa- lient caused by the steel plants.
 In city hall circles Tuesday it was hinted that the break In a straight line boundary on the west was caused when the Greater Birmingham bill was adopted some 13 years ago by a powerful lobby maintained at Mont gcmery by the Tennessee company.