The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-03
MANY ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST V|ADUCT SCHEME TOmlinsOn Says Code Pro- vides Railroads Should
 Bear All Expense HUDDLESTON MAKES
 SENSATIONAL TALK Former Alderman Accuses Late Coun- cil of Stupidity-Altman, Till
 man, Smith and Others
 Before Commission

After hearing arguments for and against the tentative viaduct agreement framed by the former council, and re- ceived by the railroads, the commission yesterday adjourned the meeting until June IA.
 On that day. it was announced, the ex- ecutives of these railroads interested will be here and tell the commissioners how much money will be expended in the pro- posed construction. The railroad presi- dents and vice presidents to meet with the commissioners are the men to spend the money. On that account, and to fully exhibit the utmost respect for the gov erning body, the railroad men will be present.
 For four hours Commissioner Lane and President Exum listened with manifest in terest while attorneys, property owners and railroad representatives unfolded their pleas for and against the proposition.
 The opening was given to J. W. Altman, who has opposed the viaduct agreement almost from it's inception. He said that the streets should not be dedicated to the railroads in consideration of their build ing the viaducts which the law plainly stated should be erected by the interests free of cost to the city.
 Street Crossing Agreement
 The entire hearing yesterday seemed to hinge upon the dedication of the streets in the neghborhod of S1oss furnace where the bridge is to be erected. The prop ertry owners in that adjacent territory and others further removed stated that to close the streets named In the agree ment would cause untold hardships on those frequently using the thoroughfares, and would in other ways do harm to the interests opposing the proposition.
 Col, John Tillman for the railroads made a speech in which he said that the entire proposition had its birth when cer- tain paving on practically unused street was agitated by the property owners and tbe aldermen. He said it was suggested that if the paving was laid aside that viaduot would be erected which would be the consummatlon of a general ambi- tion and would absolve the city and prop erty owners from the necessity of paving the street. This proposition was brought to the railroads" he said, land was kindly assented to. Negotiations were be- gun at that time for the construction which have been kept up with singular regularity since that time.'
 Concerted Action Preferable
 Colonel Tilman, further on in his argu- ment, said that according to law each railroad could be required to erect via ducts, but that concerted action and uni formity was not held in the law for the guidance of the railroads. He suggested that in literal construction of the laws it might be that one railroad could build of one character while the viaduct of an- other would be of totally different de- sign and totally ineffective. He suggest ed the general desirabiity of concerted action as the most sensible and business like manner in which to promote the ne- gotiations.
 The argument of Colonel Tillman against the non-dedieation of the streets was based upon the power of the city, the prevalence of public opinion for the m- mediate construction of death-trap re- lievers, and upon the fact that the streets to be dedicated were not so important as one might believe from arguments advanced by those interested. He said some of the streets were now closed, others were practically useless and that the interests were only building for the future and not for the present needs, as in line with all business propositions.
 Huddleston Talks
 Former Alderman George Huddleston made the most caustic and sensational speech of the hearing. He did not mince words in paying his compliments to the railroads and in talking of the old alder manic regime he said:
 q would not accuse the late and un- lamented body of willful misconduct or of being subjects of influences, but de- clare to you that this proposition Is who'll ly indefensible. It is the offspring of stupidity upon the part of the body to which have just referred. Nothing, I say. but stupid men could have made this agreement
 The former alderman said that he ap- peared for no one, had been offered a re- tainer and declined, that he was actuated by his conception of crying injustice and made long appeal to the commits sion to repudiate the task as completed by the former body of which he spoke so scathingly, and of which he was a member.
 His speech ended the hearing before noon and at 3 o'clock the commission met again.
 Commissioner Weatherly, who suggest ed that he was ineligible to act upon