The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-05-23

would be mistake to do this. THE rail-
road Is willing to pay It," he said.
Attorney Walker Percy replied that the
Seaboard would pay it ana were not ask
Ing for anything to be done which was
not Gust omary.
Alderman Moore said that no other rail-
road had ever been charged anything
but after some further discussion ne
withdrew his amendment
BRADLEY ENTERS PROTEST.
Just before the vote was about to be
taken Attorney Lee Bradley arose and
said that he represented the Birmingham
Belt Railroad and asked to be heard He
said:
In the opening I want to say that
come before you as the representative of
the Birmingham Belt Railroad, and that
as its representative ] am authorized to
say that there is no citizen of Birming-
ham who will accord a more hearty well
come to the Seaboard Air Line than they
will, and 1t recognizes fully and heartily
the advantages that will accompany it,
But we are confronted tonight with an
ordinance which is essentially unfair to
my client. An ordinance that was pre-
scented without notice, and 1t was asked
to be acted on two hours after 1t was
presented.
1 say II Is essentially you
gentlemen will see that the track of the
Birmingham Belt Railway runs parallel
with these tracks. But what l want to
say is that the Birmingham Belt Rail-
way is not ready just now to make a
showing. The stockholders of the Bir-
mingham Belt Railway are interested in
Birmingham. They have the good of
Birmingham at heart and they have de-
termined to preserve this property for
the use of railroads which may want to
come into Birmingham on fair and equita-
BILE terms. Now, l think you gentlemen
recognize the fairness in giving us an op-
portunjty to be heard on matter of such
great Importance. All we ask is that the
matter be postponed until the parties ins
terested In the Birmingham Belt Railway
be given an opportunity to be heard
from.
IF this franchise Is granted 1t would
mean four tracks throughout parts of the
right of way, as the Belt road already
has two tracks and the Seaboard, l un-
derstand proposes to put down two"
Mr.. Pairo of the Belt road then pointed
out on the map where the tracks of the
Seaboard would parallel his on Tenth
avenue.
OPEN TO ALL ROADS.
Mr.. Bradley, continuing, read a tele-
gram from Mr.. Henry M. Atkinson, pres
ident of the Belt road, which stated that
the road is open for use by the Seaboard
Air Line as well as all roads entering
Birmingham, and stating that the grant
ing of this franchise would retard these
plans and asking that hasty action be
not had.
Mr.. Bradley said that all they asked
was that the matter be postponed until
i,fa ha
There is no occasion for hasty action"
he said. 1.-The granting of this franchise
will practically amount to confiscation of
the Belt Railways property. All that We
want is little time"
What for-to sell the property" asked
Alderman Thach.
1.-The Birmingham Belt Railway is not
for SALE" said Mr.. Bradley. ut is good
investment for its stockholders who have
no desire to SELL
Alderman Linnehan here asked Mr..
Bradley how many trains a day the Belt
road operated over its Tenth avenue
track
Mr.. Bradley replied that he did not
know
THE reason I ask" said Alderman Lin
nehan, rs that this road recently present
ed petition to the city council asking to
be relieved from placing a light at a
crossing. claiming that they ran but three
/, trains a day over this road
Mr.. Bradley than stated that the Belt
road claimed a right of way of 26 feet
over Avenue A from Thirty-second street
to Twenty-ninth street, although they
had no tracks there
Alderman Altman closed the discussion.
He said:
THE facts stated by Mr.. Bradley in
stead of being an argument why the COM
mittees should not grant this franchise
Ia an argument In favor of 1t. If the Belt
road had already spoiled certain streets
with tracks a few more could not hurt"
BY an unanimous vote 1t was then de-
cided to recommend the ordinance favor
ably and the committees then adjourned.