The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-10

M. D. Wilmington of the Wilmington Pharmacy: T consider the proposition offered by the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company to the city very just and fair. If they are to be expected to make us reductions we should give them the ten year contract in return. Even if the Tidewater railroad should enter the field in competition, that is no assurance that the Ensley car fare would be re- ducei to cents and therefore the willing ness on the part of the company now here to do so should merit recognition George 7IcCleery, local manager of the Kress Company: q think the proposition of sie Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company is very fair and reason able. They have large capital invested here and the thousands of stockholders are emitted to fair return on their in vestment While protecting the interests of Birmingham and the citizens, we must not trample on the rights of others. The Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company has made a concession and is entitled to a concession in return.
 "The company has done more than near ly apy other corporation to aid in the development of the city; it is public spir- ited and, I believe, wants to do what is right C. D. Comstock, who resides at Pratt City, said: "The cent car fare to Pratt City and Ensley, without the giving or receiving of transfers, amounts to little to the people of our district, as 1t would involve saving of only 30 cents month to a regular daily passenger, for by ouy- ing Q book of tickets at the rates now in vogue our fare to Pratt and Ensley is only and six-tenths cents per trip.
 Our district would be greatly handl- capped and discriminated against if not a. lowed transfers, as the other districts l am opposed to the contract as suggested by Mir. Ford. for I think the benefits gained b.y it for the people are as nothing compared to the benefits to be gained ty tie Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company"
 Isadore Shapiro, attorney, said: q am diametrically opposed to every proposal submitted by the Birmingham Railway, | posals of, by and for the company. 'In my opinion a ten years contract wou'G be folly, baneful and wholly un- necessary. Our city is growing too rapid ly for such a tremendous concession to the company. A cent fare on all lines except Bessemer with the transfer priv ilege, should be mandatorily promulgated
 nstanter.
 ''The Bessemer fare should be 10 cents
 instead of 15 cents. The reduction in light
 ing should be made as early as feasible.
 ''1 believe in the city's making the terms; not the company. The latter ex- ists by virtue of the formers sovereignty and should be subservient to it's bidding We should control instead of serve it. Birmingham has been welded to mis- named public service corporations long enough. 1t is high time to free ourselves from their domination
 Willard J. Wheeler, president Wheeler Business College: Regarding proposed ten year contract with the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company, this is a matter which the commissioners should give careful attention, as I be- lieve they will.
 If any contract is entered into it should be for no. more than five years. The five cent fare to Ensley will come soon, any way. As to the price for electricity, am not posted, but this Is all matter of comparison. We should know the cost and what other cities are paying. We al know that we are paying too much for electricity and for gas.
 "Whether or not the proposed price Is a fair ono should be carefully determined before any contract is made. The price for gas should be greatly reduced, as well as for electric current.