The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-08
JOHNSTON EXPLAINS
 THE NEW FRANCHISE
Says It Is Amended To Meet
 Objections
THINKS PEOPLE WANT TT
Says Amendments Do Not Recognize Any Justice In "Malicious Criticism To Which the Enterprise
 Has Been Subiectedv

Attorney Forney Johnston, representing tho Tidewater Railroad company, last night issued the following statement in explanation of the new franchise sought from the City Council:
 This company does not desire to an tagonize unnecessarily any department of the city government It had no reason for adherlng to the fixed verbiage of the cid franchise. except well-grounded desire to avoid the danger of delay.
 "It has ccntended for no franchise as a protection for the large investment involved. It has not proposed any opera ton that would injure any citizens prop erty or the welfare of the city. For this reason 1t has never opposed the reconstruction of the terms of the fran chise on a business basis The difficulty was in determining who was criticising the franchise and who was attacking the proposition. In the agitation of this question. since Mayor Exum vetoed the original grant-so often considered that we did not feel authorized to change it in any respect-we have found that an ON 0ellIllnR mdJOTitJ Ol lne ClLlXenS h. dcrsed the action of the council and de- sired the granting of the franchise. We are also assured that Mayor Exum de- sires the construction of the line, upon proper and liberal basis. This situa- tion compels us to accord proper defer ence to suggestions from official and dis interested sources.
 We have ascertained the substance of all reasonable objections and suggestions: from the Mayor, from the members of the City Council and from many citi- zens in whose business judgment and solicitude for the city's future we have full confidence.
 Certain of these provisions are oner- ous in the extreme upon the enterprise. We feel that they impose conditions which increase seriously the burden assumed by the gentlemen who were under the obligation to construct the line under the or iginal grant. However, the council has always dealt fairly with us in this mat ter, and we are secure in our Knowledge that the great majority of the people desire that this enterprise be given a square deal. We have. therefore, incor- pOrated Tn the 1rancnlSe introduced last night every reasonable suggestion from the parties who have considered it from the city's standpoint. which will at the same time allow the work to proceed On that basis we have submitted this redraft and cheerfully acquiesced in the desire of a large majority of the council which desires the construction of the line, that no undue haste be exhibited in pressing the grant.
 we are alone responsible for the verb iage, but we assert that the subject mat ter conforms fully to all just criticism.
 We trust that this proper regard for. the opinion of public officials and dis interested citizens will lead no one to believe that we recognize any justice in the malicious criticism to which the en- terprise has been subjected. We expect to build this line, with the full approval of the Mayor. the City Council, and all good citizens, regardless of whose sphere of influence 1t invades In this endeavor we ask the assistance and good will of all citizens desiring the development of the district"