The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-03-16
SOUTHERN TO BUILD
TO STEVENSON, ALA.
GENERALLY BELIEVED THAT A
LINE WILL BE BUILT OUT OF
CHATTANOOGA, ALTHOUGH Ex-
PENsE WILL b LARGE.

seottsboro, March 5.-(special) 1.-The
all absorbing topic in railway circles TINS
morning is the Southern railways plan
ming to build its own tracks between
Chattanooga and Stevenson. Your cor
respondent while In Stevenson last night
and this morning talked with a number
of railroad officials and it is the general
opinion that 1t will be the ultimate re-
suit.
1t is not a new subject for discussion
in railroad circles, but the question has
been forging to the front recently with
apparent reason for belief that the answer
will prove to be in the affirmative.
1t Is no secret that more or less COM
plete surveys for track for the Memphis
division of the Southern between Steven
son and Chattanooga are filed in the gem
eral office at Washington. 1t is persistent
ly rnmored that these have been supple
mented by more detailed statements from
the engineering department bearing recent
dates
What has perhaps served more than any
other one thing to originate rumors OF the
new stock is the growing hostility be-
tween the Louisville and Nashville and
the Southern.
Under the present arrangement the
Memphis division of the Southern railway
operates between Chattanooga and steph-
enson, Ala, a distance of thirty-eight
mics. over the tracks of the Nashville,
Chattanooga and st. Louis, controlled by
the Louisville and Nashville. At Decatur,
"A, to which point both he Louisville
and Nashville and Southern run, the
Southern owns the only railroad bridge
across the Tennessee river. Matters have
been about equalized between the South
ern and the Louisville and Nashville
therefore. the Southern running from Ste
venson to Chattanooga over the Nashville,
Chattanooga and st, Louis tracks, while
the trains OF the Louisville and Nashville
road cross the Tennessee river 81 Deca-
tur. Ala. over the Southern railway
bridge.
1t Is now understood that even the usual
Official denial is this time absent that the
Louisville and Nashville intends shortly
to begin the erection Of its own bridge
at Decatur. Should this be done the con-
tract with the Southern would be per-
mitted to expire. and the Southern would
be obliged to pay the hard cash for the
privilege of using the Nashville, Chatta-
nooga and 81. Louis tracks between Chat
tanooga and Stevenson.
There is little affection between the
Southern and the Louisville and Nash
vile. The fight at Knoxville last year. in
which the Soutlern was vanquished has
not served to increase any friendly feel
ing between the two.
All the railroad men state that every
Indication points to a break between the
Southern and IT, Louisville and Nashville
OIL the agreement over Alabama tracks
and bridges.
It would cost a tidy sum to lay track
between Stevenson and Chattanooga for.
unless II went many miles around. II
would have to tunnel Lookout mountain.
Had 1t not been for this one difficulty. the
expense OF surmo.nting which would
probably equal the cost of all other nee
essary work on the thirty-eght miles of
track 1t Is believed that the Southern
would have had its own tracks to Steven
so long ago
The cost Of construction OF a track be-
tween Stevenson and Chattanooga would
be large owing to the mountainous dis.
trict to be traversed; but the Southern
officials. 1t Is believed, are of the opinion
that this plan wouli be economical in the
long ran and would at least relieve the
threatened condition of being compelled
to make terms with rival.