The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-14
GIVES OBJECTIONS
 TO LOCKWOOD SALE
Shades Valley Man Does Not Want Thirty Year Franchise Turned
 Over to Present Company
-. raitor of Tbe Are-IIerald,

To the Editor of The Age-Herald: As you have given space in your Nalu- ahle ,aper to the Edgewood car line peo- ple,s side of the controversy now going on over the modification of their fran chise. we respectfully ask that you give our side of the question the same prom thence.
 If was always understood that this car line was built to develop Shades valley. No one ever thought for a moment that tho line would pay dividends before II had been in operation less than year, Nr Smith and his associates now put forth the argument that they have lost money on their investment and need money to improve their own property ih Edgewood and for that reason are asking the city to amend their franchise before the sale to the Birmingham Railway Light and Power company We don't object to the sale, but we do object to any notifications In the franchise.
 We feel that the Birmingham Railway, L fight and Power company or the Edge wood Land company are better able to carry this burden for few years until ! InS DuSlntSH liiiDibNisf iaNiANi AAfAft 'Aa+N the people of Shades valley to carry 1t | for 90 years.
 1 If the EdEewood ear line or the Edge
 wood Land company are unable 10 carry | on their business. is that any reason why
 the people should be taxed for 90 years to make mp for their losses? It is not sound business doctrine
 i What today Is a wilderness may tomor- row be another Norwood or West End ,..I1 inc, for ba owners and we do not propose to saddle the yoke of the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company oppression on us for 20 years
 We are determined that if the street car company cannot continue operations without this "gcuge' that they may carry out their threats to tear up the track, fold their tents and move out. or else allow a foreclosure as intimated in their article in today's Herald. We lived In this valley before this line was built and can do SO when fl Is gone, So lay on MeDuff. and damned be he who first cries. holdl enoughn We are not ignor- ant people or cheap politicians.
 We have employed legal counsel and prorose to fight this question to finish, even 10 the courts Of highest resort Nhie we have the highest regard for Messrs smith and Brazelton personally. and are sorry their business ventures in the val lev have so far been a failure. vet We do not propose to have tax levied on rs for 20 years on that account. Some of us lost money in business last year, but we have not asked that the people pay tribute to the Birmingham Railway Light and Power company for 90 years on our account. and we don't intend to he threatened or bluffed into allowing our rights 10 be taken away from us without protest
 If they see ht to withdraw from Shades valley. if won't he long before some other company will enter the field and we can afford to wait.
 | We cell on the people of Birmingham to stand hy us in 2 fight to the finish. We trade in Birmingham. and spend thoH- sands of dollars per month with Your merchants and are entitled to fair treat rnent Citizens of Birmingham all remem- ber the Enslev car line "Rouge' and the Iirhting contract You refused to accept 2 10 year lighting franchise. Now comes the Birmingham Railway. Light and Power companv m again trying to saddle a 90 year "gouRe" on an already suffer ing people If will he too late to close the door after the horse gets away. ln the language of John Paul Jones. We have inst commenced to fight It's bah enough to pay 10 cents car fare to the Edgewood car people, but It will he adding insult to ininrv to nav it to the Birmingham Railway Light and Power company. We prefer to stay un- tied, rather than try to get loose
 J R. TINDAL.
 Birmingham. April B. 1912