The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-08
PHILLIPS BAL!y'' AT BOWENpe' z s,' :. FOR RE ;; ,,lflON I Decline To Resign Is
 Terse Response To
 Letter
 DEADLOCK APPEARS FAR FROM SOLUTION City Commission Plans Final Effort To Re-
 store Harmony

6vVAN V 44S&A Aee~Ad
 A proposal made by Lewis Bowen to M. P. Phillips that they both retire from the park and recreation board in the lll- terest of harmony, was flatly declined by MT. Phillips late Friday. In letter to Bowen, in reply tc one received from him earlier in the day, Phillips said:
 "Your letter received and carefully noted. Ildecline to resign > Bowen's letter to Phillips was made public Friday morning. It voiced his interest in playground and park devel opment, defended his record on the park board, and suggested that he and Phil lips should submerge their personal pride and step down in order to re- store cooperation and unity.
 Bowen's first term expired several weeks ago and the city commission nominated him for another term. His confirmation was blocked by the park board by tie vote, with Phillips and Elmer Thurston voting against him or the ground that bigger man was needed for the job."l Chairman William EL. Harrison and Mrs. Charles J. Sharpe voted in favor of Bowen's confirmation
 Action Planned
 The correspondence exchanged be- tween Bowen and Phillips having failed | to clarify the situation or end thu 1 deadlock on the board, the city com mission may take some kind of actior at an early meeting. The state law however, gives the commission httls authority over the board or it's off | cial acts.
 The park board will meet next Wed nesday to consider the commission second nomination of Bowen, and an other tie vote now appears certain.
 Commission President D. E. McIien don said Friday that if the deadlock is not broken by the board Wednesday | the situation will be taken up by tht commission and efforts made to bring about a settlement.
 Bowen's letter to Phillips, which re suited in the latter's flat refusal to re sign, follows in full:
 "Mr. NJ. P. Phillips, Member Park ant
 Recreation Board, Birmingham, Ala
 Dear Sir:
 After having carefully and earnest ly considered the matter of my reap pointment to the park board and thu attitude of yourself and MT. Thurstor toward my re-appointment, and having the interest of park and playground de velopment in this city at heart, wishing to contribute in every way possible to ward its advancement and development which plans we have already worked out to a considerable extent during my incumbency on the board, have con cluded to make a proposition to you looking toward the permanent restOra tion of harmony and cooperation whicl must exist if the park board is to func tion effectively in the promotion of it: great work.
 Was Civic Duty
 "When the park board was frs created and appointed by the city com mission I accepted appointment on thi' board feeling that l could contribute something toward promotion of it's worl and the future park development of thii city. I was actuated solely by what l COHCclfcu was puDllC anu CAFAC Nuti placed upon me by the city commission in helping and assisting in carrying forward this work. I am deeply appre ciative of the honor and confidence be | slowed on me by the city commission in it's first appoiPtment of me and O it's second appointment when it reap pointed me and of its third appoint ment when it again re-appointed me t, | .ln. hTw Ne n1y hna aud NlN9 third appointment feel is not only ; mark of confidence. in me but is aeon plete vindication of my position tha since this controversy arose there ha not been brought out anything tha would reflect upon my integrity, m. ability or my conduct in any way O form as q member of the park board
 q also feel happy in the knOwledg that notwithstanding the opposition t. me, yourself and Mir. Thurston admit have made a good member of the parl board and that you have not made single charge against me that woult reflect on my holding membership ol the board. I have always voted m. convictions on questions coming bef0r the board aL- I have always co-ope rated and worked in harmony with tn other members of the board, all o which think you will testify to.
 have contributed my very best effort and ability to the promotion of tn work of the park board since being member of it. have at no time or OI any question fomented any dissentiOl on the board. I am in no wise respOn sible for Gny dissension that now exists On the contrary have contributed il my own personal way to the prevention of dissenGion as far as l could. \ Al of this I also think you will testify tc Therefore I feel glad and proud of m record on the park board, of my atti tude and position in every way. Il leaving the park board, if l must, l d so with the profound feeling of leavin it with a record and name beyond re proach.
 However I am conscious of the fac that there is condition existing o the park board which must be remedie before the park board can function a all There is too great a work in par and playground development to be don by it in this city for the personal o selfish interest of any member to blocl impede, or prevent progress. There dissension that is deepseated, datin