The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-28
AGREE
ON PLAN TO SUBMIT
TO CITY COUNCIL
Viaduct at 28th Street Nearer
Realization Than Ever
Before
SAID TO BE LIBERAL
IN IT'S PROVISIONS
Prominent Executives Representing
Practically All Railroads Entering
Birmingham Held Long Con-
ference Here Yesterday

A definite proposal TO erect d Niauuoe
near Twenty-eighth street and First ave-
nue-will be made the City Council by the
railroads. AT a meeting held yesterday
the railroad representatives agreed
among themselves to submit definite
plans which will be carried out provided
the city agrees to the conditions. The
meeting was held in the offices of Till
man, Bradley & Morrow and began about
10 o'clock. The railroad men adjourned
about 8 clock and left Immediately on
trains for other cities. The meeting was
attended by the executive and engineer
ing officers of the roads entering Biz
mingham and they agreed to provide
viaduct in the neighborhood of the ter
ritory complained Of
This meeting was one of the most i'm
portant steps yet taken in the question
of providing viaducts for Birmingham. Al
a meeting held In Louisville, KY, the
roads agreed to construct the yiaduct
provided they could agree among them
selves as to several matters not mem
toned In the proposal to the city. The
City Council decided that the offer was
entirely too indefinite and requested that
a. new plan be outlined. The city also
requested relief from several burdens I'M
posed to which serious objections were
made These objections are said to have
been removed by the railroads as re-
suit of yesterdays meeting.
In addition to this the railroads have
definitely and finally decided among the
several officers interested just what they
will do 1t will now be up to tho city or
Birmingham to accept the proposal which
has been drafted or reject 1t. II the
council accepts the plans then the rail-
roads will start Immediately to construct
the passes. II the negative is given the
plans by the council, then another meet
ing will be held and an effort made TO
draft other plans suitable to the council.
This latter situation, however. is not ex-
pected to arise.
After the meeting yesterday l.. SEWER
of the Southern railway, who is chairman
of the local committee, said 1t would not
be proper for the railroad representatives
to announce what agreement was reach
ed. He said the matter would be COM
municated to the council and that pody
would then be the proper source 10
make public any plans formulated and
offered by the railroads.
Henry B. Spencer vice president of the
Southern, who Is chairman of the COM
mttee of executive officers, also stated
that no public announcement would be
made by the conferees. He left last night
for Memphis.
Although no statement was given out
it was understood from one of the men,
ers of the conference that liberal plan.
according to his opinion, had been out
lined 1t is said the companies will build
only one viaduct and that the place was
to be selected by the city. The companies
agree to erect a viaduct on twenty
eighth street or they will erect one on
First avenue. The conditions imposed
as said to be simple. The city of Bir-
proaches to the viaduct and pay for
property damages to any individuals not
connected with the construction. The
sloss company and the Central of Geor-
gia are the only property owners that
would be damaged so this condition Is
said to be very easily overcome. as they
are connected with the work. The agree
ment also provides for the closing up of
certain streets and alleys and the aban-
donment of paving on Thirty-second
street.
The cost of the viaduct was variously
estimated from $4,000 to s1,5Oo,OOo. 1t Is
believed that the most conservative figure
would be $1,000000.
The street railway company, the Soss-
Sheffield and the Louisville and Nashville
are the three companies which are most
vitality interested in the outcome. j. K.
Newman, represented the former, W. l..
Mapother, the Louisville and Nashville,
and Jno. w. Mcqueen the Sloss-Sheffield
company.
The findings of the meeting will be
submitted to the city authorities today
by L. SEWER, of the Southern railway.
At a meeting to be held shortly the
plans will be made public and the coun-
Gil will appoint committee to investi-
gate the proposal If the city of Bir-
mingham agrees to the findings the rail-
roads announce that work will start at
once. If the city does not agree to the
conditions then another meeting will be