The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-02
HARRISON T0 ABIDE BY BOARD $ ACTION
Thinks Park Members Not h. fluenced By Phillips
 Threat To Resign

Bringing out the fact that he war solely in charge of Di- .ningham parks as commissioner, yet created a park board and surrendered his authority to it, believeing greater rood could be accomplished by so doing, Com missioner W. l.. Harrison Wednes- day. issued reply to a recently pub lished statement of M. P. Phillips, who has been advocated by his friends for the park board chairmanship in opposition to Commissioner Harrison. His statement reads:
 Having noticed a statement from NSr. M. P. Phillips, member of the park board. with regard to his po- s.ti"n on the chairmanship of the board, and also the conditions on which he will serve on the board, makes it necessary that l issue this statement.
 I am commissioner of parks, play grounds and recreation, of the city. advocated, had prepared and spon- sored the passage of the recent park bill in the legislature. I did have complete Jurisdiction and super vision over all parks, but I was will ing to relinquish these powers and authority to a park board of five members, each having equal power and authority; feeling that such a board would contribute to the im- provement and extension of a park and playgrounC system for our city. was never from the outset, actuated by any other motives than the purest and highest in accomplishing this end. To show that this was my pur- pose and my ject I have recently secured, from the ;ity commission for the use of the park board in initiat- ing and carrying out it's plans and work an increase in the park budget of from $37.000 to $7S.000. This money will no: be spent by me, but by the board, every member of the expenditure and the plans that are to govern the park system. I have no desire to dominate or control the park board. Every member of it, is or will be, people of highest standing and of mature judgment and will exercise their own opinions and judg- ment in what is best to be done by this board at .-.l time.
 Has No Political Motives.
 q have iot been and am not ac- tuated by any political motives of the present or future in promoting the creation of this park board. l have no political ambitions or aspirations to serve through my mem bership on lls DOdIu UT llllOuS lnC Sldli lAo ship of the board, if I happen to be chosen for that position by the mem bers Of the board.
 "The gist of MT. Phillips position is that because I am a member of the park board aRd elected by the people of Birmingham as one of the city commissioners. that I should be dis qualified from being chairman of the board, and tha. he will not serve on tn, board if such occurs. This. we would regret. but surely the park board and the city will survive.
 MT. Phillips says that he las not sought the chairmanship of the park board. There are at least two mem bers of the board that can answer that statement. In fact, my friends did nothing for me reg ~fding the chairmanshi1 of the board until after they had found out that Mir. Phillips was turning over heaven and earth a1I bringing every conceivable in- fluence to bear on other members of the park board for the chairmanship. Of course, thel is no politics in that.
 MT. Phillips attitude has been and is now confirmed by his statement. one of dominating and dictating, not only as to the personnal of the board, but as to the chairmanship of the board. MT. Phillips was selected as one mem CT the pcdtu' Just tle same as was. and if the board feels that he is the lroper and logical man for the craftsmanship, then I will abide by tn r action. -On the other hand, if the oard feels that 1, or any other member of the board, should be made chairman of it. l would just as cheerfully and willing ly abide by the Judgment of the board. His threatening attitude of resigning unless he has his own way, I am certain, will have no effect or influence on the other members of the board"