The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-12
A NEEDLESS DELINQUENCY

In another column of this page is pub lished a communication from the commis- sioner of public utilities protesting against an editorial in The Age Herald entitled, "Inade- quate Street Lighting which was based on an article in this paper setting forth the Unsatisfactory situation in this respect and noting many complaints received. The com missioner of public utilities charges in effect that the newspapers do not tell the truth and are inaccurate. He complains of what he calls "a great long sensational story about bad street lighting conditions" There was nothing Sensational in the story, which was a simple relation of facts. The only sensations likely to arise in this connection are those that mark frequent robberies and other crimes committed under cover of dark ness in many parts of the city. The news papers make faithful efforts to be truthful and accurate. If they failed in this as glar ingly as the city commission has failed in providing the needful street lights, the news papers would soon go out of business, be- cause the public is not required by law to contribute to their support as in the case of the municipal government.
 The commissioner of public safety ex- presses surprise that The Age-Herald 'who has no authority in the premises" has re- ceived such complaints, instead of myself or the city commission who has full authority in such matters" It is true that The Age Herald has no legal authority to install needful street lights. As a public journal, however, it has duty to the community, in- cluding efforts to bring about proper admin istration of public affairs and the fullest possible return on public money disbursed. Perhaps the complainants had this in mind @l.s. AA~xx olnl &A kA assist in providing relief. The searchlight of publicity is known to be a tonic to public authorities to give attention to their official duties.
 The commissioner of public utilities vir- taally admits dereIiction in the street light ing situation when he acknowledges that out of eight hundred street lights recommended and on the list for installation only about one hundred and seventy-five have been installed since the new contract was made about seven months ago. For many weeks after the con tract was made mo lights were installed. Why the delay after years of hardship on the public during which no lights were provided because of failure of the city and the utility to agree on terms and conditions? If twenty five lights week can be installed, why is 1t that one hundred and 3seyenty-fiye, instead If more than seven hundred, have comprised he record up to this time?
 As to attempts. of the commissioner of public utilities to defend the use of weak lights on the ground of costs, it is widely recognized that many of the lights render little service because of this deficiency, and it can be shown that under a proper system more lights can be obtained with less cur rent than is required for dim lights of the wrong type. The people are fed up on pleas of poverty from the city hall. There is sell dom a proposal for any sort of public im- movement that is not met with the so-called epoverty" argument. What becomes of the millions of dollars which the people contribute to the municipal government in taxes and licenses? Contention that a great, growing. progressive, prosperous community cannot afford to have needful street lights for the public protection is absurd, even when coming from public authorities hunting excuses.
 The fact remains that Birmingham as a whole is inadequately lighted; that many resident streets are partially or wholly in darkness; that such a situation is based on false ideas of economy and is actual waste when the indirect cost of and lack of pro- lection from crime that inevitably develop from such condition are considered. Any citizen who observes the situation knows that the facts are as The Age-Herald stated. The commissioner of public utilities cannot assume sole authority in this situation as he presumes to do. The ultimate responsi- bility lies on the city commission as the official municipal authority. That body has Sa plain duty which is not performed. Every question involving the public protection and the functions of municipal government is the Responsibility of the city commission. There has been too much passing the buck" from one department to another. It is the duty of the city commission adequately to light the streets of Birmingham. It has not been dope. It is not the only evidence of ineffi- eient administration at the city hall