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

the reductions as outlined in com munication to the commission is being drafted by Lee c. Bradley, counsel for the Birmingham Railway. Light and Power company Commissioner James Weatherly, who is conducting on the part of the commission the negotia- tions for an amicable settlement or the differences between the city and the company anticipates that the contract ordinance will be sent to him today That proposition will be the law II adopted. Therefore. the commission Is awaiting the filing of that paper be- fore setting time for the first con sideration of the Bir..ingham Rail- way, Light and Power company offer.
 Commissioner Weatherly said yester- day that no snap judgment would be taken on the proposition. He indi- cated that the negotiations had just been started and that the fullest time would be given for a calm and dis passionate discussion of the whole proposition.
 It is understood that the Chamber of Commerce, Board of Trade Trades Council and other bodies of like char acter in this city wifr be invited to
 give their official affirmation or con-
 demnation of the proposal.
 Expressions Heard Yesterday Citizens continue to show interest in
 the subject and the following are some of the expressions made yesterday: Colman Blach of J. Blach & Sons:
 q am not in favor of the city sign ing up for 10 years with the Birming-
 ham Railway, Light and Power com
 pany for I think the time will soon
 come when electricity will be made
 here a great deal cheaper than it now
 is. The water facilities in this dis
 trict promise to develop rapidly with in the next few years and therefore a
 healthy competition may arise that will ultimately benefit the city.
 There is some talk among men who could take hold and push 1t through of erecting an electric plant close to a water supply and furnishing the cit-
 izens with current l do not believe in granting a monopoly to any cor poration. The other lines of business in the city do not seek to shut out com petitors and I do not think the com missioners should allow this company to do so.'
 Jonas Spiro of the Spiro Hardware Co.,:
 "In my judgment the Birmingham Rail- way, Light and Power companys pro- posed contract with the city Is fair. if they would make the cent fare effective to all points within the city limits. They now have it only to Martins station on the North Bessemer line and the city
 limits extend two or more blocks beyond this.
 But, as a business proposition, that we sign up with them provided they give us the cent fare Tn the city linn its, I think 1t would be very fair and just I don't think they should make the concessions just to be doing it, but should have some definite agreement in return v B. l.. Loventhal of the Loventhal Co.,: "Whatever the city commissioners do will be all right with me. However, l think that the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company's refusal to grant transfers on the Ensley line is not reduc-
 ing the fare any, as persons wishing to
 go from East Lake to Ensley will still
 have to pay 10 cents.
 "There are a great many people who
 are employed at Ensley who do not re-
 side in the city proper, but out on some
 of the suburban lines. In their case they
 still have to pay the dime and the only
 reduction that I can see is for the pas
 senger just going from the business sec- ton of Birmingham to Ensley and vice versa"
 Judge H. B. Abernethy: When Paris
 led an army to rescue Helen of Troy he
 displayed brand of ingenuity that is reflected in some of our public service corporations. The historical wooer sent
 unto the besieged army an alleged mon
 ument of wonderful steed, as l recall it. wherein were concealed divers soldiers with instructions as to what to do. When the captors of the fair +elen-that is, l suppose she was fair-were calmly pur- suing their regular routine, the soldiers crept from the wooden steed and let in the besieging army of the youthful Paris. Whereupon the city fell and Helen was IC1rrleu OH. Dlllce lhdt eiiiiS IL 'oS 'SNH quoted: We fear the Greeks when they come bearing gifts
 "The failure of the Birmingham Rail- WAY, Light and Power company to give the cent fare for many years, and after a continual campaign had been carried on was easily understood. But when they capitulated and brought all the perfume of Arabia with them to give unto us, if looks rather superficial. However, if
 the company is serious, full and complete
 explana tions should be made. Then we
 could look over the matter calmly and undisturbed."
 Walter B. Fowlkes, Real Estate Dealer.
 q have not studied the offer of the Bir- mingham Railway, Light and Power com
 pany very closely. However. think from short investigation that the offer may
 be termed fair The company gives more than was asked and relieves the cent fare situation with one swoop of the pen. take it that no fair man can deny the right of the company to wish for a long
 time contract on the electric proposition.
 As I figure 1t out the company is will
 ing to allow any other company to sell
 us electricity, but will bet that in 10 years they are here alone. That seems to be fair enough
 Ferd Marx, merchant: "While the Sir minglaam Railway. Light and Power com many is being so good and giving away it's birthright, why not allow some reduc- tons on the price of electric power? '"rhe price for current in running my elevator is over $50 per month, and the store is closed four days and sometimes