The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-07


 | fight I think, and the railroad resisted us as they are resisting us now; now they ought no to expect to make dividends on watered stock; now l have before me some periodicals in which they have ad- vertised and I want to read you how they are going and how they can afford to do what we have asked them to do; now, put that resolution in the form of a request, and l know it is in the power of this board, and offer to prove it if nec- essary. it is in the power of this board to compel the road to do what is right and just by these 25,00O or 26,O00 people. '" l will read some statements about the company earnings: Birmingham Rail- way, Light and Power company January to March 31, net earnings for the quar- ter, $333. .437.' What was it the previous year?-$291, ,97O, a difference of over $4O,000 within year"
 MT. Weatherly: What year was that?"
 Judge Lane "This year"
 MT. Bradley: "Or 1910?"
 Judge Lane Well, it says the current year. l take it 1911; I may be mistaken. The periodical is dated 1911. You don't suppose they would be publishing a state ment way back over year; it just gives the year preceding. previous year, and l take that to be 1910, quarterly that is from January to March 31 Well, now we will go a little further; we find that the common stock of this company-now I am no railroad man; I may be wrong on some of these figures. If I am. correct me. Here is common stock $3.500 O00: pre- ferred stock, $350O,000; R. E. F. and ex- tension and M. $25.000, 000."
 MT. Bradley: That is authorized
 June Lane: How much is the real?"
 MT. Ford: Eleven million"
 Judge Lane: Well, that is counting the stock issued and bonds something like $1S.- 000,000. Well, of course, anyl dy knows that that road didn't cost anything like that. Now, I think the finest thing in the world for these people to do would be to go on and get, on good terms with these 25,000 or 26,000 people by granting what they wish. They have granted it to East Lake and in my idea it is about the same distance, isn't it, MT. Harris?"
 MT. Harris: About the same'
 Judge Lane: Now. all this talk about these books, as practical men we know that it Is not anywhere the same thing as man taking nickle out of his pock- ct; take the laboring man. he is generally hard up and has not the s2. 60 to spare at one time and the poor people out there are ones that need this change and think this company, while 1t says there in that paper it is trying to do what we wish them to do, I think they should re- consider what they have said and ac- cede to the wishes of this great number of people. Now. you have heard what some of these gentlemen have said as to the number of families are moving away; l don't know, I suppose that is true I suppose some have moved from there just for that reason; but I know if they put on that scent fare 1t wouldn't be a great while before the company has peo- pie out there to pay them.
 Talk About Books
 Now why should East Lake-it was thinly populated when they put on the 5- cent fare; 1t was thinly populated, but they did 1t, and they are being repaid for it. now, why not give these people the same right as East Lake? The same results will occur: the city Is going to build up.
 why compel those people to come within the scent limit instead of let ting them live where they have little homes and where they have their busi- ness? It seems to me that 1t Is an un- wise and not a fair proposition to re- fuse the request. think 1t Is the fin est thing in the world for the railroad company and the city government and the people of the city to cultivate the most cordial relations, and I am sure there never will be cordial relations Wieh thcSS peopie Oul III the WOODS unt1l they have acceded to their request to be put exactly on the same basis as people who are equally distant from the city. Now. MT. Stewart has well said they are simply urging to be put on the same basis as any other city. l am not much travelled man and don't go around much; I have always had to work too hard to do it-didn't have the money to go. but in any event I don't recall any place where they charge more than cents; there may be, but I am not advised of it; l have been to good big cities, and every where I have been they have charged | a 5cent rate I want to say right | now, as far as | am concerned per l sonally 1t Is right and just and I ex- | pect to exert all the power have dur | ing my incumbency in this office to ! bring about a 5-cent rate. I believe 1t | is fair, just and equitable, and to the | interests of the people, and I am sure | it Is to the interest of the public" Weatherly Speaks
 | Commissioner Weatherly did not as- sume the attitude of Judge Lane. He |