The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-10
Expressions of Opinion

Here are some views expressed yes terday on the proposition.
 Former Mayor w. Melville Drennen: q am utterly opposed to the change in the North and South Highlands car service as proposed. It would be unfair to somt of the banks and skyscrapers on Twen tieth street, which have every reason tc expect fair treatment from the street cal company. As planned now, the change would injure practically every bank ir Birmingham, because they are almost everyone on Twentieth street. Then. the merchants east of Twentieth street would be injured irreparably. The change may be made, but it is certainly unfair in its present proposed shape
 Sol Caheen of Caheen Bros, said: 'l think the proposed change Is outrageous The plan to fasten that change upon the people and merchants of Birmingham was taking into consideration some who are interested in the company and in business, while the other fellows were completely ignored.
 "The city should certainly have a straight cross town car Service. We have only one chief artery of traffic and that is Twentieth street. If that is muddled by this change then Birmingham has no main thoroughfare. I am told that every merchant and property owner on Twen- tieth street between First and Third ave- nues is opposed to 1t, while the mer- chants east of Twentieth street are cer- tainly against this direct stab at them I am certainly in hopes that this pro- posed change will be reconsidered and the commissioners rescind their permis- sion."
 Ferd Marx said: 'I agree with Mir. Ca heen. Birmingham should have this cross town car service and it should not be within the province of the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company to make an order which materially affects and hurts the other merchants. The banks and skyscrapers on Twentieth street certainly have the right to ex- pect that that street will remain the chief artery of travel and it is there they have made big investments. If the big buildings are not to be on the principal 'thoroughfare, where are they to be erected?'
 q hope this proposed change will be reconsidered.
 Mir. Harding's Views w. P. G. Harding. president of the First National bank:
 q am. glad the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company has post poned putting into effect its proposed loop schedule for Highland cars, which are to run several blocks on Nineteenth street to the great ncon- venience of persons on Twentieth street compelled to use the car line Twentieth street has been Birming hams north and south artery for 25 years or more and no matter what changes are made by the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company the north and south cars should continue to run on Twentieth.
 This route plan has been suggested South Highland cars to come along Twentieth street to Sixth avenue and run on Sixth avenue to Nineteenth, al which corners are situated the F'irst Methodist church and the Masonic tenn pie. From Nineteenth street and Sixth avenue return to Twentieth and thence to the South Highlands. North High land cars to run on Twentieth street to First avenue and loop a block by running on First avenue to Twenty first street Twenty first street to Second avenue, Second avenue to Twentieth street and thence as at present to the North Highlands. In that way not only would the principal office buildings be reached, but the cars would pass by the clubs and two of the larg- est churches. as at present. Both Highlands would enjoy a better service than now and the general public would be better satisfied. l hope. at any rate, that something like the plan outlined will be adopted"