The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-05
Runored That Belt Line Had
 Been Bought by Frisco
MR. ATKINSON DENIES II
Gives Out Statement Saying That the Belt Line Was About to Begin Aggressive Constructive Policy
 When Fight Came Up.

No further action was taken in. the courts yesterday by either the Seaboard or the Belt Line in their injunction fight against one another. Both sides are en- joined and both are busy preparing an- swers to the bills which have been filed against them When these are filed a hearing will be had on motions to dissolve the injunetions which will bring up the merits of the cases. The Seaboard's an- swer will be filed today
 An Associated Press story from New York yesterday was to the effect that the St Louis and San Francisco, part of the Frisco System. had acquired control of the Birmingham Belt Line for termi- nal facilities. The story went on to say that the purchase was completed in New York.
 Mir Atkinson denied the report. He was disposed to treat 1t jocularly. He said he was too busy preserving the Belt for the purpose for which 1t was con- structed and could not take the time to deny the many irresponsible rumors' that are being circulated about this prop erty.
 He said:
 There have been rumors of all kinds end characters, both about the Belt and myself personally, some starting from Baltimore, some from New York and so:ne from other places. It looks to me like this ruinor must have come from Baltimore via New York, and probably went to Baltimore frcm Birmingham, as notice a number of the Scaboard peo- pie here.
 Ut may be that an error has occurred in the 5,spatch and three miles is in tended fer 'thtce feet If so, 1t Is quite probabl, that the dispatch means the Frisco System has purchased all of the seaboard Air Line in the Birmingham district. now commonly called the Rir- mingham and Atlanta Hot Air Lire"
 Atkinson Makes Statement.
 MT. Atkins on gave out 9 statement yes- ter day ir which he traced the origin of the Belt Line, and told of his various In-  iation to the development and operation of the Belt.
 After pointing out Inc inve estments that he and his associates had. made in the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power Company, AIr. Atkinson said:
 Having our money invested here, we Gs much as any ono else want to see Bir- it- rerity means our prosr erity. In studying over the situation in Birmingham we ian across the Birmingham Belt Rail- road. We became acquainted with the res son Of it's origin, and were convinced of the wisdom Of it's chartcrers, and the great power for good 10 Birmingham and every one having investments here in per petuatlng tho wise plops of the founders of this city, by preserving for its original purposes tho Belt Railroad as ar inde- pendent means of raib oad entry and free communication in and about Birming- ham.
 Tn view of these fac ts. Tn view of our alre ady large intereets in Birmingham, and further because we considered the Belt Raill oad valuable property In itself ard that 1t could oe made q much more valuable property, some of inc gentlemen who had already interests in Birming- ham, together with others, and myself. purchased tbls properIy. We have had it something less than a year. We have been preparing plans for it's extension and were apout to begin an aggressive con- structtve policy, neco ssitatirg an addi- tional large investment on cur part.
 Welcomes Seaboard.
 'I neither have now nor have I ever had any desire to keep the Seaboard Air Line out of Birmingham. I have been anxious for them to come here, and have done everything I could to induce them to come, and I join with the citizens In welcoming them. It is to my interest, and to the interest of the gentlemen who have invested capital here at my instance that as many railroads should come to Birmingham as will. I was willing to allow the Seaboard to use the Belt rail- road upon proper terms, but I was not willing to allow 1t the exclusive use, for l believe that Birmingham Is not finished yet and that railroad building Is not yet at an end, and that in time there will be other railroads wishing to enter Birming- ham. I do not want to shut the door.
 Pursuant to this plan we filed a peti- tion with the Board of Aldermen offering to allow any railroad to use the Belt on such terms as the city might fix.
 with these plans and with all ar engagements completed to consummate them, I was notified by telegram while in Boston week before last that the Sea- board, under the name of the Birmingham and Atlanta Air Line Railway, had ap- piled to the Mayor and Aldermen of Bir- mingham for the right to parallel the tracks of the Belt on every street and road in and around the city of Birming ham, except only on avenue E. and to build a track on each side of the tracks of the Belt Railroad thereby destroying the purpose for which the Belt was char tered and the plan we were about to car ry out
 Councils Action.
 within twenty-four hours after the petition was presented and without an opportunity for me to be present though my representatives requested 1t, this pe- tition was unanimously reported favor ably by the committee to which it was referred and in forty-eigh hours there