The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-03

appreciate that the railroads and cor
porations are not interested; therefore.
it Is not unfair to request the city to
build the approaches and assume the
consequential damages to abutting prop
erty.
"Second-In the maintenance of the
viaduct the railroads and corporations
request of the city the maintenance of
sidewalk and street. does not force any
heavier burden upon the CITY than the
city assumes on other streets in the
city of Birmingham-that is to say, the
property owners pay the cost of paving,
sidewalks and streets. This the rail-
roads and corporations propose to do in
the construction of viaduct, the mainte-
part of the city. This the railroads and
corporations request the city to do as
to the viaduct.
"Third-Analyzing carefully the rail-
roads and corporations request as to
closing certain streets between the west
line of Twenty-ffth street and the west
line of Thirty-second street. Under the
original plat of the city of Birmingham
by the Elyton Land company, the city
can only force the opening of alternat-
ing streets. those Of even numbers. odd
numbers to remain closed. This would
open Twenty sixth, Twenty-eishth and
Thirtieth streets, Twenty-eighth to be
opened by viaduct would only leave two
streets to be closed as requested by the
railroads and corporations = namely,
Twenty-sixth and ThirtiOth. The open
ing of Thirtieth street would destroy the
plant of the Sloss-shefield Steel and
iron company. No good citizen desires a
hardship of this kind worked on any of
its industries.
Second, Third and Fourth avenues
and alleys to be closed between west
line of South and North Alabama Rail
road companys right of way and Thir-
ty-second street Il First avenue is Sc
lected by the city. These avenues are
closed today. The opening of same
would force the Sloss-Sheffieid Steel and
Iron company to move out of the city,
as they could not successfully operate
their plant without a Stag dump, and the
property now occupied by them for this
purpose is the only available property
around their plant"
John d. Elliott
John D. Elliott, president of the Com
mercial State bank said: II think the
city should be given square deal. and
I think the railroads should be treated
fairly The latest proposition does not
carry sufficient details to form an opin-
ion. However, from the information
contained in the published plan. should
tnliih tiAC PiokcoAeA0AA A>s-~>~'sf
M. v. Joseph
M v. Joseph said: II have had little
time to look carefully into the viaduct
proposal AS understand II, the need
for these structures Is almost critical,
and I would be willing TO see the city
stretch a few fine points to get the real
viaducts arranged"
White K. Gibson
1--WE are glad to see you asking for
pubic EXPRESSION os to TIE viaduct plans
submitted by railroads. 1t occurs to ne
that the plan is ABOUT as fair as the
old story of the divis' on CT game between
the white man and the Indian who hao
been hunting toy,tnsr. ~ ey had ..e''
one turkey and one buxzard. That even
ing the white man said to the Indian:
You take the buEzard and will take the
turkey or>I will take the turkey and you
take the buzzard. 1t Is manifest that
the city should not accept the proposal.
1T is wrong to permit a corporation to
close public streets. AS an illustration
of this. suppose the city had permitted
the \Birmingham Terminal company to
close up Fifth avenue instead Of COM
polling them to tunnel 1t. We need Via
ducts badly, but do we need them bad
enough to purchase them at this pro-
posed sacrifice? We think not.
I'VE think closed streets should be
opened as soon as possible, that under
n circumstances should any public street
be closed, and all those streets where
dangerous grade crossings prevail should
have viaducts constructed by those cor
rorat;ons that enjoy the privilege of en-
teiing this city.
1T there is a place In this world that
demands an ample viaduct for the safety
OF the people il is First avenue near the
Eloss furnace. A great population lives
east of REIMBURSEMENT street and all
OF those who come to this city are In
Constant danger at these dangerous
crossings. In my humble Judgment this
viaduat should be built before other tray
edies are added to the list but this propo-
sition is not The one upon which 1t should
be built 1t would seem fairer for the
pubic service corporations to construct
the viaducts and maintain the construc-
ton and for the city to maintain the road
way and sidew allSs."