The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-02-10
UNION DEPOT | FOR MOBILE Purpose of This Bill off MT. Hoffman. RAILROADS MUST BUILD Construction Shall Begin with
 in Eight Months.
 Companies Which Violate the Act Shall Pay a Fine of Not Less
 Than $1, ,ooo-May Con- demn Property. q

Representative F. o. Hoffman of Mo- bile introduced yesterday in the House of Representatives one of the novel bills of the session. It seeks to compel the rail- road companies owning lines entering the city of Mobile to construct and maintain a union passenger station.
 Despite its novelty. Mir. Hoffman has strong hopes of having it passed the House and Senate. The bill has been carefully drawn, and he says that it will accomplish the object for which 1t is in- tended ard give the people of Mobile re- lief from a condition whoh has become almost intolerable. The bill provides a heavy penalty for railroad companies which refuse to assist in the construction of the union passenger depot. The whole course of procedure for the condemnation of necessary property and for the erection of the structure Is provided.
 MT. Hoffman is not a legislative. rain- bow-chaser. He has done some effective work for his constituents in the Legisla- ture. He is a quiet, active worker and the fruits of his energy are manifest.
 MT. Hoffman's bill. in full, is as fol- lows:
 Text of the Bill. Section 1. That the railroad com panies whose tracks enter the city of Mobile, are hereby required to provide for the location and construction of a union passenger depot in said city, and com- mence work thereon within eight months from the passage of this act; provided. it shall be lawful for any one of said rail- road companies to construct such depot, and maintain and operate the same. un- der the provisions of this act, in which event all other railroads shall be com pelled to use the same in accordance with the provisions hereof
 ''Sec. g. Said union depot shall be locat- ed at a convenient point in said city, not exceeding seven CD blocks north or two blocks south of Government Street or west of St. Joseph Street It shall be adequate to accommodate the public and have sufficient trackage and shed capa- city to accommodate all railroads enter ing said city. The plans and specified tfons for the construction of said depot shall be filed with the Railroad Commits sioners of Alabama for approval, at least sixty days before actual construction be- gins. Said Commissioners shall give pub lie notice in some newspaper published in the city of Mobile. of the filing of such plans and specifications, which shall be open to public inspection for ten days. If demand Is made, a hearing shall be granted thereon. The Railroad Commis- siopers of Alabama shall have full power
 
 the plans and specifications and require new plans and specifications stbfbe sub- mitted.
 May Condemn Property.
 ''Sec. B. Said railroad companies, or any pne of them, are hereby authorized and empowered to condemn to public use any and all property necessary for the con- struction cf said union depot and right of-way over any land leading thereto, necessary for tracks. curves, switches and turn outs; such condemnation to be had under the general laws of 'the State. They are also authorized to construct tracks upon any street included within the area named in this act, where neces- sary to reach the depot, and they may close any one of said streets for not more than one block, except Commerce, pro- Vided If it should be or become necessary to close Water Street, subway shall be constructed under the depot for the pas- sage of vehicles. the intention being that vehicles shall have an unobstructed thoroughfare from Government to Beau regard on Water Street.
 Sec 4 In the event all. or any one