The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-11-27

ever been done was for brief time to run boats on the Warrior river and their railway at Tuscaloosa.
 'I do not for moment lmpugn the good faith and sincerity of Mr Dewberry or of his associates, or of anybody who has supported the franchise, but as a. business man l am, in all eandor. con- pelled to say that MT. Dewberry's en- terprise does not seem to me to have tho backing required for it's assured success.
 "The ordinance provides for a deposit ok $20.000, an amount insignificant in conn parson with the value of the franchises and the scope of the undertakings. It provides further for the beginning Of work on Fifth avenue within 60 days after the granting of the franchise and pro- vides that cars shall be operated for revenue on said line within one year after the date said actual construction begins.' The ordinance does not provide that con- struction of the entire line contemplated shall be completed within one year. or within any other time. It does not pro- vide over what portion or portions of the line cars must be operated for revenue within one year. Perpetual franchises over 800 blocks of Birmingham can be nailed down forever by the operation of some portion of the line within one year from the date construction begins. By building on Fifth avenue, for example. from the Terminal station to Twentieth street, and operating for revenue. tho Tidcwater Railroad company will acquire title in perpetuity to 300 blocks of the avenues of Greater Birmingham There is no provision as to when the balances of the line shall be built; no reasonable Guarantee that the promoters of this en- teN1rise have either the ability or the in- tenNon within 12 months, or any other perio%, to lay rails over all the streets covereN by this franchise.
 Would Like to See New Line
 "It would give me genuine pleasure to see a new line built to Ensley and op- erated on basis of scent fare, and [ can readily understand the inducement that this suggestion has held out to your honorably body and to many of the citi- zens of this community. If the proposed line should be built to Ensley, the 5-cenr fare would become operative. but no legal obligation is embraced In this franchise as to when, if ever the construction of the line to Ensley shall be completed.
 No franchise should be sought through this city, and no franchise should he granted by the business men in charge of the government of this city unless and until the party seeking the franchise is ready and prepared to exercise 1t within d reasonable and fixed period. l do not believe that the granting of this franchise W ould afford to Ensley or to any other portion of this community cheaper fares or a speedy extension of our street car facilities. I can readily see how the grant of this franchise may be used to tie up for an indefinite period many miles of important streets and to prevent the construction of street ear lines there on. The obligations to be assumed by persons or corporations seeking franchises | from this city should be as clear, definite and binding as the franchises desired. | The promised competition of today may he swallowed up by consolidation on to- morrow. and no franchises should bs gr anted, by whomsoever solicited, unless on it's merits, and by whomsoever to be exercised, unless it is in the interest of the citv as a whole C. FXITM."