The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-10
LEGISLATURE MUST ONCE FLOUR|SH|NG.
SAFEGUARD PORT TOWN IN MORGAN'
MONEY, SAYS K|lby COUNTY DISSOLVED.
Retiring Governor Congratu-
lates People of State on
Passage of Port Amend
ment-- Gives Warning
STATE CAPITAL BUREAU /
THE AGE-HERALD
Montgomery. Ala, Jan.

Montgomery. Ala, jan. o
When the people of Alabama voted
overwhelmingly in favor of the rati-
fication of the seaport amendment in
November they showed that they
may be trusted to do the proper thing
when they have received fun infor-
nation regarding the subject, ac-
cording to the declaration of Gov.
Thomas L. Kilby in his final general
message to the legislature today
Governor Kflby's statement re-
garding Alabama's seaport combined
a word of congratu,1tion to the peo-
pie of the state and a word of warn
ing to the members of the legisla
ture. He declared that port develop
ment will work wonders for the
state but that it is the duty of the
lawmakers to impose such restric-
lions by wise legislation as will pre-
vent the use of the states money In
such a way as will not benefit the
people. He said it is the duty of the
legislature to see that port develop
ment Is started at the earliest pos
sible moment. but it should not sacri-
flee the peoples money for the sake
of speed.
He urged the lawmakers to support
the state harbor commission in Its
plan for a thorough investigation OF
the seaport and harbor front by en-
gineers before contracts for develop
ment are let. "While the people have
provided the funds and approved the
development program, in the final
, , ,1t ,cfc eli
tual development and the responsible
lily for the use or misuse of the public
funds will be upon the legislature,
concluded Governor Kilby.
KiIby,s statement
Qualification of the Alabama sea-
port amendment by the voters in the
November election provided plan
for the state development which is as
complete as can be made said Gov
ernor Kilby. The action of the
people in approving the constitu-
tional amendment is cause for con-
graduation. 1t shows that they can
be trusted to do the proper thing
when they have received full infor-
nation regarding the subject.
I "The development of the port at
Mobile should benefit every citizen
of Alabama This development will
be an invitation to the ships of the
world to make Alabama's port a
stopping place for the loading of the
immense cargoes which are now
passing our own port en- route to the
port of another state. 1t will be an
invitation to. all developers of indus
try to use the giant waterway sys-
tenn developed by the American gov
ernment-the Warrior river. 1t Will
be a means of stimulating business in
general because water. transportation
means lower freight rates, and lower
freight rates mean greater move
ment of commerce, and greater
movement of commerce means the
financial betterment of every citizen.
Cotton Shipments
Every patriotic and enterprising
citizen now looks forward to the day
when Alabama cotton will move to
foreign markets from Alabama's sea-
port and when Mobile will be the
concentration point for the com
modities of the southern states.
"The people have said that the sea-
port should be developed and have
provided the means for the develop
ment 1t is now the duty of the
state to complete this development at
the earliest possible moment consist
ent with good business practices. But
the people would not have the state
sacrifice their money for the sake of
speed. 1t would be far better If there
were some delay in development If
such delay would mean the protec-
ton of the states money.
TT Is now the plan of the state
harbor commission to have engineers
make thorough surveys of the states
harbor front and facilities and pre-
pare recommendations before start
ing the development This is COM