The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-05-29
Belt Line Builds Track on Street
Wanted BY Air Line
CLAIM II IS NOT MOVE
TO HARASS NEW LINE
General Manager Clark Says the Belt
Line Was Granted Right of
Way by the EIyton Land
Company.

Is the Birmingham Belt Railroad try
ing to block the Seaboard?
Since the franchise was granted on
Saturday night by the Board of Aldermen
two hundred feet of track on Avenue A
just beyond Twenty-second street
General Manager George Clark of the
Belt Railroad, when asked about the mat
ter yesterday, said that his company had
no idea of blocking the Seaboard. 1t
was simply spur track for switching.
This part of Avenue A where the new
track has been laid is just outside of the
city limits. Ordinarily to put a track
down on county street or road would
require the consent of the Board of Rev
enue, but this has not been asked for
in this case, according to Capt. A. j.
Tarrant president of the board. There
is petition now pending before the board
by the Seaboard Air Line asking for
franchise over this part of Avenue A on
which the new track mas been laid. This
will be acted on Monday by the Board of
Revenue
Fills In Gap.
The Seaboard Air Line desires to enter
the city from the east, coming In over
Avenue A. From about 200 feet beyond
Thirty-second street, the city limits on
the east to the Compress Company the
Belt Railroad now has a single track on
Avenue A and claims a right of way of
twenty-six feet. The new track put In
brings their line up to Thirty-second
street, filing in this gap of about 200
feet which is made on account of
curve. They have a track which comes
down Thirty-second street running north
and south, and branch from this
curves into Avenue A and goes out to-
wards Avondale. This curve crosses a
lot and does not enter Avenue A until a
point 200 feet beyond thirty-second street
is reached.
Mayor bremen was asked yesterday
whether the city would take any action
in regard to the new track He said:
The spot Wnere the lTdCh 10 10
outside the city limits. 1 had City En-
glneer Kendrick to go out there this
morning and look into 1t and he reports
that 1t Is without the limits and the city
therefore can take no action in the mat
ter"
Captain A. j. Tarrant, president of the
Board of Revenue, was asked If the coun-
ty would take any action relative to the
track and whether they had given per-
mission for 1t to be laid. He said:
Did Not Get Permission.
This is the first 1 have heard of the
matter I did not know any track had
been laid and the Belt Railway Com
pany has not asked permission of this
board to lay any tracks over or across
the county streets or roads, 1 don't
know what their object Is, but they are
probably going on the idea that posses
sion is nine points In the law. The Board
of Revenue meets Monday and will then
consider the petition of the Seaboard Air
Line for a right of way along this par
ticular street l don't know whether any
action will be taken as to the other
road"
Not Trying Block Game.
General Manager George Clark of the
Belt Railway said: I'VE are not trying
to obstruct the Seaboard Air Line.
have recently had the curve from Thirty
second street into Avenue A regarded and
at the same time this spur track on Az
enue A was put in. 1t was not intended
to block the Seaboard, but simply for use
in switching cars to the railroad COM
press. The Belt Railway has a right OF
way along Avenue A from Thirty-second
street to Avondale. We have had two
tracks down Avenue A, though there Is
but one at present but our right of way
is twenty-six feet wide. THIS was grant
ed :he road by the Elyton Land Com
PAM about .s77. think. This work was
begun Monday and finished yesterday"
Attorney Lee Bradley. for the Belt
Railway, stated that he knew nothing
about the new track and had not given
any advice as to. its being built