The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-29
JUDGE OPPOSES
 GAS PLANT SALE
w. H. Sanford Takes Is- sue With Mayor Gun
 ter On Issue
(sTATR CAPITAL BuREAU)

MONTGOMERY, Ala, March 28.-- A war of words was started today be- tween Judge William H. Sanford, member of the court of appeals, and Mayor W. A. Gunter, IT,, over reports that the city commission was about to dispose of the city water works. Judge Stanford circulated an open letter to the civic organizations in which he charged that the disposition of the water works would be the sale of the rights of the people of Montgomery. Mayor Gunter retaliated with the declaration that the city commission had given no consideration to the sale of the water works and had no intention of doing so. He charged that Judge Sanford had erected a straw man to hit at and had put himself in a posi-. tion Of being the defender of the pub lie interest when the public interest needed no defense. The controversy arose as a result of the decision of the city commission to place the water rate at $4.50 a quarter beginning April 1. An auditor reported that great loss had been suffered by the city through the operation of the water works, since the plant was ac- quired. After the ordinance increasing the rates was adopted the Birmingham Water company and Birmingham Water Works company sent agents to Mont, g0mery with the view of obtaining in formation on which to base bids for the acquisition of the property. e. The commission some days ago an- nounced that it would not consider any offer which did not contemplate a franchise value of $1,0OO,0O0 in addi- tion to the actual physical value of the property. It also stated that the con- tract of sale would give the city the right to acquire the property again at the end of six months by the payment of the purchase price plus the amount invested in additional improvements.
 Judge Samford's open letter charged that the cost of operating the water works in private hands would be greater than the cost in the hands of the city.
 Agreement Reached--A temporary agreement has been reached between the receiver of the Muscle Shoals, Bir- mingham and Pensacola railroad and certain lumber companies having track age rights over the railroads line as to details of the contract affecting these rights, which have been in dispute. The, Alabama public service commission was advised today that the sawmilI people and the receiver on Thursday signed an agreement as to trackage. rights to be applied for a four-month period. The commission has not taken action in the matter of approving the agreement, but is expected to do so Monday.
 Seek To Dust Sheriff.-The bond of $2,50O required by the supreme court from certain Crenshaw county citizens who are seeking to impeach Sheriff P. s. Mcqueen of that county was filed today with the clerk of the supreme court. It is expected that the court will soon fix the date for hearing the case. i4
 The petition was filed with the court March 13 by five citizens of Crenshaw county: J. Frank Taylor, J. c. Me Lendon, H. E. Knight, W. T. Holley and H. c. Tenn. They charged that Sheriff Mcqueen had been guilty of willful neglect of his duties, corruption in office, ineompetency and incorporate use of intoxicating liquors. Arthur Chiffon, attorney of Montgomery, rep resents the petitioners. The bond was required to cover costs of court in case MeQueen should win.
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