The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-18

which you seek to bind me to are un- heard of and unprecedented in the creation of any board of commission having 10 do with the publics basi- ness. There is no such restriction in the appointment of the members of the board of education, which has to do with the education Of our chil- dren and the handling of millions of dollars. There is no such restriction in the election of the members of the city commission, which has to do with general administration of all the departments of the city and Of the expenditure of the millions Of dollars of taxes of the people.
 l, Of course, am interested in the appointment of members of character and fitness who will not only have the executive capacity to carry for ward this work, but who will also inspire confidence in the general public of Birmingham. l realize that for this movement to be successful that this whole scheme must be sold to the general public of Birmingham, to the voters of Birmingham. be- cause this board will have broad powers and must be made represen- tatiYe of the people generally e Bir- mfngham and not composed entirely of any one type or class of this city.
 
 people of Birmingham when this mat ter is laid properly before them for the improvement of the parks and playgrounds of the city and the rais- ing of finances which must be done through the people to enable the board to pursue it's work. Despite your threat and arrogant attitude exhibited in your letter to fight and oppose the raising of any funds through vote of the people to carry on this work, l am satisfied that when our program is completed and laid before the people and your atti- tude and position is also laid before the people. that our efforts to raise funds will be overwhelmingly rati- fled and approved by the people of the city.
 1 request that you show this let ter to every member of the committee or any others that had part in the authorization of your sending me the letter you did. Yours very truly.
 VIM. l.. HARRISON. Commissioner of Parks and Play
 grounds.
 Wanted Bill Amended.
 After my reply and position defl- nitely stated, surreptitious move was made by Senator Randall to have the bill amended, who stated that this was done at the request of Bir a mingham individuals, who sought to amend the bill by taking the appoin- tive power of the park commission out of the hands of the city commits sion and placing it n the hands oe the governor. Teis Was done with the expectation of controlling and dictating the appointments.
 While this move was in progress. Phillips came to my office and stated that such a move was made and asked, urged and insisted, that l agree to the amendment, and stated that if 1 would not the park bill would be defeated. I told him that under no conditions would I agree to any such amendment, and if the pas sage of the park bill was condi- tioned upon my agreeing to it, then there would be no park bill and that he might so advise the individuals who were trying to obtain this amendment that he should use every amendment to the full limit.
 T told him then that if he were sincere in his efforts to have the bill passed as agreed upon, that instead of asking me to agree to such an amend msnt that he should use every power at his command by himself and his committee to defeat the amendment. The amhendment was OSleaLtu anu lllt DJll was passed as originally drawn, and when it came time to appoint the park commission 6 committee of the kiwanis club came to me and asked me to put Phillips on the board. I knew he was not temperamentally fitted for the place and his attitude toward me was antag goristic, but despite all that told them that I would recommend him to go on the board.
 His attitude toward me has con tinued. I have been patient, toler- ant and forbearing with him. but the limit hos been reached. He issued a public statement which in effect said that he would not serve on the board ii l were elected chairman. As an honorable man, d man of his word which 1 am assuming he is, there is only one thing for him to do, and that is resign. His remaining on the board was conditioned upon my elec- ton to the chairmanship. When l was elected he should have auto matically rendered his resignation" {"