The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-20
A LEGISLATIVE REVIEW

A LEGISLATIVE REVIEW
 The legislative mill is grinding and the grist will soon begin to run out. The revenue bill is being modified to meet changing views and to relieve itself of some of it's absurdities. The people greatly regret that there will be an end to much of the tax ma chinery which operated so success fully for Governor Kilby and enabled him to retire so much of the states successor in unprecedentedly splendid condition. It is not good judgment to tinker with machinery that is running smoothly and performing satisfactorily the service for which is was created. It is hoped that the legislature will be gifted with financial wisdom be- yond that yet demonstrated in this respect.
 There is considerable satisfaction among thinking people over the likeli- hood of defeat for the measure au- thorizing popular election of county superintendents of education. h. stead of sending this office into poli- tics, the legislators will do well to raise the professional requirements for the office and to provide some state commission for the examining and certifying of candidates for such positions. By this means the public would be assured that no educationally unfit man would ever be able to ob- tain supervisory school position any where in the state.
 The abolition of the fee system for county officials is recognized as de- sirable, provided the legislators have the courage to do it. A measure de- signed to prevent misrepresentation on the part of dealers in land is of more importance than may at first appear, for more harm is done state by conscienceless salesmanship than people realize. Often section with a perfectly legitimate claim upon the notice of investors is given a black eye because it is represented as be- ing what it is not. A law penalizing illegitimate real estate advertising and propaganda is proper defense of the state from injury.
 Birmingham notes with interest the bill to reduce the city commission from five to three members. The principal factor in good government is ability. The chief consideration is not the number of public officials but their quality To reduce. the number without improving the quality of a commission membership gives no ben eft. One good man is far better than five of indifferent caliber and quality. It is question of getting the right men for the place, and that is something the people do not al- ways succeed in doing. The favor able report of the measure to regu- late pool rooms and to redeem them from their present unsavory status is good judgment. Formation of state commission to administer the workmen's compensation act follows successful demonstration of such com missions in other states, notably Ohio. The chief result of such commissions work has been to make adjustment more prompt without the intervention of court delays, in making the ad- ministrators of the law more access sible to the workingman, to prevent litigation, and to adjust cases that under the court system are undiscov- cred and neglected.
 Of statewide importance is the leg islation now forming to develop the states seaport at Mobile. It now ap- pears that this legislation will be given precedence over other matters as soon as the necessary bills are prepared in conformity with the law and in &C., cordance with the seaport's most pressing requirements. With that DO iect under way the state's commerce will have been given pillar that will make it unshakable. The need for good legislation is pressing, and it is hoped that the legislature will be able to~separate the wheat from the chaff and resolutely winnow out that which will spoil the average quality of its grist.