davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02
CITY TO PAY $40
FOR ITS ARC LIGHTS
Five Year Contract Agreed
Upon Yesterday
SOME PROTESTS MADE
Company Claims Conditions Here Such
That 1t Cannot Furnish the
Lights At n Lower
SOME PROTESTS MADE

The light committee of the City
Council met last night in the mayors
office and after listening to commit
tee from the Board of Trade. and
President A. H. Ford of the Birming
ham Railway, Light and Power COM
many. awarded the contract to the Biz
mingham Railway, Light and Power
company to furnish the city with arc
lights at $40 each for five years
This is a decrease of 50 from the
price paid under the contract which
expires September l. 1t meets with
the approval of the light company, al
though the plan submitted by Mr.. Ford
of ss7.b0 for 10 years was turned down,
due to the fact that 1t provided that
the city pay for all extensions OF lines
where they were more than one block.
Ferd Marx, for the Board of Trade,
presented letters from various Cities
showing samller rates, and Sol Ca
heen made a talk urging the city TO
take up the question of commercial
rates at this time.
Mr.. FOrQ IN reply, sedeSu eh"' go
cumstances differ in cities where the
power is furnished by water and the
light company does not have to pay
for coal and water. He said that coal
is costing him $1.55; that skilled labor
is higher than ever, and that Birming
ham is spread out over more territory
than any other southern city.
I'VE are furnishing arc lights from
East Lake to Jonesbore, 23 miles, and
from Red mountain to En- sley. miles,
he said.
He simply stated that his company
would not take the contract at less
than $40 on the gorund that 1t could
not make it pay. Lighting companies"
he said, very often make contracts at
a loss to pacify the powers that be,
but l am sure that the people of Bir-
mingham want to see our company
prosper"
The committee finally adopted the $40
rate over the protect of Alderman Will
liams, who substituted a motion for
s65.
One of the aldermen promised to pre-
pare an ordinance to be submitted
Wednesday night requiring an investi-
CATION of the rates for commercial
lighting and to give the merchants re-
lief If possible.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02
Damage suits FILED

Alleging that he suffered physical in
5uries and great mental pain and anguish
when the roof of a stockhouse at the
Ensley steel plant fell in on him, Mitre
Moka yesterday filed suit for $1,000 dam
ages against the Tennessee Coal, Iron
and Railroad company in the circuit
court
Suit for $4,000 damages was filed yes
terday In the circuit court against the
McCartin Contracting company by Lee
Williams. alleging personal injuries. VIII
liams claims he was in the employ OF
the defendant company when some grad
ing was being done at Corey, and was
injured when the. chain of a steam shovel
broke and struck him.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02
SEABOARD INCREASES
PAY OF OPERATORS

Four hundred telegraph operators on
the Seaboard Air Line Will receive in
crease in pay effective August 10 from
per cent to per cent.
An announcement to this effect is
contained in an official circular is
sued from the office of C. II. Hix, vice
president and general manager of the
Seaboard.
The increases Will be made voluntar-
lily by the company as no request for
them has been made by the operators.
The increase affects every man connect
ed with the telegraph department from
Rich mond to Jacksonville, Fla.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02
MAIL CARRIERS AND
CLERKS GET INCREASE

Thirty-six local mail carriers and Fl
clerks of the postoffice Received sub
stantial increases yesterday in their
salary from the government. The in
creases were made effective July l,
but yesterday was the first receipt or
the additional pay The total amount
paid In salaries to postiffece attaches
here is about $4,000 per month. All
the rural mail carriers are paid from
this office which swells the total ex-
penditure of Uncle Sam in Birming-
ham to about $4,000.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02

cilities for the travelling public I have
had but little time to think over the
proposition but 1t seems clear to me
at present that the city should not be
taxed for the building of a viaduct
for the benefit of the railroads. The
Twenty eighth street viaduct propo-
sition is an evasion of the question
That does not touch the matter of re-
lieving the grade crossing nuisance
and seems to me to be foreign to the
question under consideration"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02
CuIpcpper Exum

Il am not in a position to say anything
definite on the viaduct proposition" said
Mayor-elect Culpepper Exum. IT have
not made a study of either the proposal
of the railroads or the usual course fol-
lowed by other cities in such matters.
OF course, l am heartily in favor of the
erection of viaducts to reduce the num-
Der of our graded crossings wherever II
is in keeping with the citys financial in
terest."
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02
Prof. j. ID. williams

81 have not studied the proposition
enough to know just what is best. but
1t seems to me that the roads should
be required to provide safe crossings,
said Prof. J. D. Williams, principal OF
the public school at Woodlawn There
is one thing certain, viaduct or SUD-
way should be built at First avenue ana
Twenty eighth street. 1t does not seem
to me that the city should be called
upon to provide this necessary improve
ment for the safety and benefit of the
railroads"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02
Walter Moore

81 most certainly favor the construction
of these viaducts, said Walter Moore,
"and want to see It done with all haste.
but you've got to show me when 1t
comes to closing up streets and maintain
ing abutments and approaches forever.
I've got to know something about this
thing before l can pass judgment on It,"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02

The aldermen of the city of Birming-
ham seem to be almost unanimously OPP
posed to the proposition made by the rail-
roads, They are not outspoken In their
opposition, but the general opinion among
them seems to be that caution is the
word" and they are not going to accept
any proposition with snap judgment.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02
Aldermen Inclined to With
hold Judgment Until Care
determination Is Made
ALL AGREE ON URGENT
NEED FOR VIADUCTS
No Special Committee Meeting VIII BE
Held This Afternoon-viaduct
Question VIII Come Up for
Action Tomorrow
FIRST AVENUE

If city chooses First avenue for
viaduct, the street railway, We
hicle and pedestrian traffic would
use the yiaduct to East Lake,
Woodlawn and Avondale. 1t would
go above the tracks of the South
fern, Central of Georgia, Alabama
Great Southern, Louisville and
Nashville, Sloss company and Belt
line and numerous sidetracks.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02
CITY ITEMS

Hunane Society Meeting-An import
ant meeting of the Birmingham HUI
name society will be held this after
noon at O'Clock at the council cham
Der In the city hail. A full attendance
Is urged as action is to be taken on
the matter having the dog catchers use
nets instead of wire loops in their
work
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02
r.. ID. Burnett

''I want to see these viaducts construct
ed" said r. D. Burnett. Il am especial
ly anxious to see the First avenue viaduct
built, for we carry more people over that
line to East Lake on one Sunday than the
Tw enty eighth street viaduct would ben
eft in a week.
II am glad to see the railroads willing
to take the matter up, and hope that we
can come to some agreement
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02
Sol Caheen

Il wonder whether the railroads are
sincere. and really wish to come to an
agreement with the city on this PROPOSE
tion,' said Sol Caheen. 81 certainly do
not think they expect any sensible city
council to accept the proposition they
have made.
II am opposed to the closing of any
streets or avenues which are now open
but. on the other hand, favor the open
ing of many streets which are now
closed.
THE construction of these viaducts
will reduce the damage suits. and save
the street car company and railroads
thousands of dollars. AS public service
corporations they owe 1t to the people to
put in these safety bridges, and all the
city should furnish, In my opinion, is the
right of way"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02
Some Believe Railroads Have
Made Good Proposition,
Others Are Doubtful
NUMBER THINK BURDEN
ON THE CITY TOO GREAT
Age-HeraId Seeks Expressions From
Men in All Lines of Business Be-
cause of Importance To
City and Suburbs
GIsT OF PROPOSAL

; Railroads and corporations agree
; to build 60-foot viaduct on either
; First avenue or on Twenty-eighth
; street; provided
; City will construct and maintain
; necessary approaches.
; City will assume all damages to
, abutting property owners other
; than railroads.
, City will maintain roadway and
; viaduct.
, City will close permanently all
; adjacent streets.
, City will abandon paving plans
; for both First avenue and Thir-
; ty-second street.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02
TwENTy-EIGHTH STREET

= If city selects Twentyeighth
= street, the viaduct would be used
= to connect the north and south
, sides, and 1t would cross tracks of
= Louisville and Nashville, Southern,
= Central of Georgia, Alabama Great
= Southern, Seaboard, and many
= sidetracks.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02

proposal. said: II do not think an ex-
preston from me would be timely
am. as is known, interested in the mat
ter from an official standpoint, and
would ask to be excused.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02

Normal for this month, 40; excess of
this month as compared with the nor
NAL, 61o; accumulated excess since jan
uary 1, 2.43.
Wind. = Prevailing direction, south ;
total movement, 1922 miles; average
hourly velocity, 5.s; maximum velocity
for five minutes), 30 miles per hour,
from southwest on 4.
Weather-Number of days, clear l.
partly cloudy, 10; cloudy 49, on which .O1
inch, or more, of precipitation &C.
CURED, IL.
Miscellaneous Phenomena dates off,
Thunderstorms, 1. q 8, 4, 8, 6, 7, s, 9, TO-,
IL, 10. IA. 16. II, "a. %, 30
w. F. LEHMAN, Local Forecaster.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02

faces danger every minute of the day
on First avenue. If the council neglects
to accept this plan it will be partly re-
sponsible for any accidents occurring on
First avenue from this danger. l be-
lieve it is economy to shoulder twice an
ordinary expense If In this the city Sc
cures something that is very greatly
needed. l believe the damage arising
should be paid by the city,
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02

On your Excursion trip to
Washington use Birmingham
Special" steel train and the
quickest.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02
A. A. GambiII

"I favor the proposition said Alderman
A. A. Gambill IT think the erection of
these viaducts of vital Importance and l
believe the city should accept the rail-
roads proposition
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02

I'm my opinion the joint railways
should build subway for the street
railway along First avenue, pay the
damage to property and that the city
should pay the cost of maintenance,
said M l.. Davidson, superintendent OF
carriers in the Birmingham post office,
who lives at East Lake. The city
should certainly not be called upon 10
build the subway. This Is clearly the
dutv of the railroads and the street rail-
way / think the city should MAINTAIN
the subway just as 1t does the streets
of the city,
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02
A. H. Ford

A. H. Ford
A. H. Ford, president of the Birming-
ham Light and Power company, in
answering queries in reference to the
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02
Ross c. Smith

Ross c. Smith, who resides beyond
East Lake, and who crosses 'acks
twice daily on First avenue, in speaking
of the viaduct proposal, said yesterday:
II think from my information that
the railroads have made a fair PROPOSE
ton to the city. The opinion of people
residing out my way is that the First
avenue plan should be accepted. The
danger is greater on First avenue than
on Tewnty-eighth street, and If what l
have been told Is correct, this situation
should be relieved quickly. If the city
really desires a viaduct I do not see
how the council can decline the pro-
posal.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02
c. C. Heidi

1--WE must go SLOW said C. C. Heidi
Lets not give up everything for a little
viaduct which we can force the railroads
to build. I will fight any proposition to
close up half dozen streets. At first
glance do not think the railroads prop
oeition will hold water
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02
e. l.. HigdOn

This question of a viaduct at First
avenue and Twenty eighth street
seems very simple to me- said Sher-
If e. L. Higdon. THE proposition is
we have a dangerous grade crossing
ON First avenue. Whose business is 1t
To relieve the situation or correct the
evil? The city made mistake in the
beginning when the roads were allowed
to cross on the same grade. The roads
were granted franchises for operating
through and across the streets of the
city. It is their business and duty to
provide for the safety of their pas
sengers and the property Of each 9TH
or. The city has nothing to do with
this except to see that such safety Is
nrovided. l do not believe the city
should be taxed with any of the cost of
building or maintaining viaducts. fhe
matter of closing streets and alleys
should also be guarded carefully by the
city. 1t Is my opinion that the city
has no moral right at any time to
permanently close any street or alley.
OF course the viaduct should be built
on First avenue
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02
John williams

II have not dlgested the viaduct pro
posal yet, and cannot state my position
on the question: said John Williams
alderman from the Sixth ward. 1.-THE
proposal on the face of 1t appears very
regular and easy to meet, but when
analysed may show something other
than appears on the surface.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02
j. ID. Collins

Alderman J. d. Collins said: II think
the First avenue viaduct should be
erected first and then we can arrange
for the others. We need several in
Birmingham at once, but things OF
this kind must be gone over carefully.
l have not looked into the proposal
very closely and cannot state whether
/ will favor it or not
There will be no special meeting of the
council committee to hear the proposition
OF the railroads today. 1t will come up
under the regular order of committee
meetings tomorrow afternoon. 1t is be-
lieved that 1t will be disposed of in a few
minutes.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02
w. N. Lin dsay

81 favor the building of subway
along First avenue to relieve the grade
crossing nuisance" said w. NJ Lindsay
Of Woodlawn THE subway should be
built and maintained by the railroads
affected. 1t might be just and fair
for the city to assume some OF the
expense of maintaining the roadbed
lust as it maintains the streets or the
CITY but the burden of taking the cross
ing roads off the same grade rests on
the railroads. 1 favor the subway De-
cause 1t would be cheaper to maintain
and would cause less damage to ad-
joining property. Other cities in the
north and west are requiring roads
to build viaducts and subways and they
are doing it without expense to the
city.
II cannot understand why the roads
here are demanding or asking things
of the city, 1t is clearly the duty OF
roads to provide safe crossings and
they should be required to do this In
birmingham as we'll as elsewhere. me
roads can we'll afford to assume the
entire expense. They are the great
est losers by reason of the dangerous
grade crossings and l can see no rea-
son In the public being required TO
provide the means of safe railroad op-
Grafton. The suggestion of viaduct
along Twenty-e eighth street is huge
Joke in my mind. That does not pegln
to touch the question before the peo-
pie. 1t would do nothing to relieve
the grade crossing evil and would &C
commodate but very few people. we
would still have the nuisance COM
platned of and that must be correct
ed sooner or later"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02

EDGEWOOD'S great ad
vantage-no dangerous rail
road crossings.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02
Edward d. Smith

Edward d. Smith, former city attor-
new and now counsel for the Alabama
Great Southern. said:
II think the proposition fair and I'D
eral II a comparison Is made between
this proposal and the one made to the
civ of Memphis. 1 understand the
Memphis plan was that the city snoulo
pay far greater damages than the city
of Birmingham. However, the memphis
conditions are far different from Biz
min CHAM. / wish to see the structure
erected quickly and do not think any,
thing worth while can be secured with
out pay"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02

I'VE must have these viaducts," said
W. T. Cox of the Cox Shoe company;
but not at the cost of embarrassing the
city in the future by tieing up streets
and avenues which we may want to
open.
I'm Atlanta the street Is opened under
the viaduct and Is used to an extent.
The cost to the city in paying damages
would be enormous if these streets were
closed I think 1t is a matter in which
the city should move slowly, and with
caution"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02
Hill Ferguson


There is pressing necessity for the
erection of viaducts both on First ave-
nue. and Twenty-eighthf street." said Hill
Ferguson, land l believe the proposition
submitted is not entirely fair to the city,
in that both cannot be provided.
There is only one available highway
connecting the rapidly expanding south
side of the city with the central district
on the north, and that is the Twenty
first street viaduct. That another viaduct
is needed to connect the south side with
the north side at the Terminal station
district is clearly obvious.
ION the other hand. there is an equal
ly great necessity for a link between
the growing eastern section of the city
with the western. Where there is one
safe approach from the northside to the
southside there is absolutely no open
highway connecting the eastern end
with the western.
I'm regard to the other terms of the
proposition, especially that which re-
quires the city to assume the damage
to abutting property. do not believe
them to be altogether unjust. When the
city is required to assume these
damages, however, and in addition to
maintain the approaches to the viaduct
that both viaducts should be erected
With both provided these conditions
would be only fair
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02
G. L. BrnzIeton

II think the plan liberal from the rail-
roads" said T. Brazelton. secretary of
the Birmingham Motor club. The city
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02
BOGGAN SHOWS
BIG COLLECTIONS
FOR SEVEN MONTHS

Seven months collections by City Taz
Collector Boggan total ss19.254.75. which,
compared to the total collections for the
highest record for a whole year ever made
by the city, gives Mr.. Boggan cpedit for
having collected as much in seven months
as was collected In twelve months, when
900 of the tax was that collected from
liquory and stock exchanges. 1t is also an
increase of $4,000 over the same period
last year. Here is the report:
Hon. Harry Jones, Acting Mayor, City:
Dear Sir: have the honor to submit
herewith my report of license collected
for the month of July. 1910. as foflpYs.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02


Citizens of Birmingham and suburbs
showed great interest in the viaduct
proposal made by the railroads for First
avenue and Twenty-eighth street when
asked yesterday for statements on the
subject.
Because of the large number of people
affected, and because of the fact that
the proposed viaduct will be the first of
several and will probably set a precedent
basis upon which others will be built,
citizens seem eager to have careful
investigation Of the conditions made be-
fore Judgment is passed
There Is absolute unanimity of opinion
on the need of a viaduct near the Sloss
furnaces. Everyone wants it as soon as
it can possibly be constructed. This
crossing, with its network of tracks, has
come to be regarded as Birmingham s
greatest death trap. Practically every
enc expresses the hope that PROPOSE
ton fair to both sides will be agreed up
on between the railroads and the council.
Expressions secured from citizens yes
terday were as follows:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02
Leo Loeb

T.. Loeb of Loveman, Joseph & Loeb
said II am not very familiar with the
proposition which has been MADE by the
railroads. but IL what l hear about It Is
correct we want better terms. We need
the yiaduct; we need one here to come
across Nineteenth street, and we need
one TO cross about Twenty-eighth street.
hut we will have to get them one at a
time. and we want them on fair terms.
THAT the city should maintain the bridge
after 1t is built, pay damages on abut-
ting property and build roadways to
meet 1t. is asking too much
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02
A. ID. Lightner

A. d. Lightner general agent of the
Frisco system said II think the pro-
nosal is very fair. The city Of Memphis
accented the indefinite end of the pro-
nosal made their council and have Shout
dered about SO 1-3 per cent of the cost.
The city Of Birmingham will not have
any such amount to pay. We will build
the viaduct under the stipulated condi-
lions, which, believe, will be accepted"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02
w. p. G. Harding

w. p. G. Harding, president OF the
u,r.t National bank, said last night: II
have not made study of the PROPOSE
t,on. but l think the city should consent
to maintain the bridge after It is COM
rIeted The question Of closing up the
streets Is serious one. and without the
most careful consideration, should not
be allowed. BY all means we need these
viaducts."
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02

The following Is the local report of the
United States weather bureau at Biz
mingham for the "a hours ended at
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02
Jack Mcdonald

lack Mcdonald, chief of detectives
said: 'It appears to me as II the raN
roads should be willing to tote fair, as
the negro says. in this viaduct matter
From what I can learn Of the PROPOSE
ton they are trying to get the city to
h,,;,d the yiaduct and then get credit for
~ do not believe the city will accept
anv such terms, and the sooner the rail-
roads know 1t the better, for then they
will make better terms.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-02

Total increase over 1909 .......... 2,214 Is
Respectfully submitted,
J. ]. BOGGAN, License Collector
Seven months 1909 ............. sec, AT Is
Seventh months 1910 ............... SIS. 254 Is
Total, 1907. $320,247, of which tax on
liquors and stock exchanges was 100000.