The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-03
EDGEWOOD RAILWAY
SALE IS HELD Up
Citizens, Through Attorney,
Offer Objections
SERVICE NOT FAIR
Mr.. Ford and His Attorney State
They Do Not Wish to Purchase
Line if Through Service
Is Demanded
SERVICE NOT FAIR

The contamination of the sale OF the
1zdgewood street railway to the Birming-
ham Railway, Light and Power company,
which has bene hanging fire for the past
few weeks, was deferred yesterday by the
city commissioners and the discussion OF
the proposition is to be resumed again
this morning.
1t was thought this matter had been
finally disposed of at a former meeting
but Directing citizens, like "Banquo's
ghost" will not down; for at every meet
ing of the board of city commissioners,
when this question is sprung, has its at
tending delegation of citizens who are OPP
posed to the sale on one ground or an
other.
The Edgewood street railway has not
been a financial success, and the bromot-
ers, Messrs. Smith and Brazeltpn, have
been negotiating with the Birmingham
Railway. Light and Power company for
several months to bring about a sale. A
clause In the original franchise stood in
the way of the deal which had reference
to the transfer privilege in the event the
street railway was acquired by Compel
Ing line.
After number of conferences an agree
ment was reached in which the Birming-
ham Railway, Light and Power company
agreed to extend its service from the
end of the South Highland car line to
the city limits near the top of Red noun
tain.
This agreement seemed to be satisfac-
tory to all parties and the ordinance was
drawn up and was to have been passed
at. the meeting yesterday. But in the
meantime new complication arose, as to
the manner in which the service was to
be extended The persons who filed pro-
test yesterday seemed to be under the
impression that the service would be
continuous} from the South Highlands car
line to TIE top of the mountain. The
ordinancT revealed the fact that the prop
osition Mas to provide shuttle car
which would operate between the termi-
nus OF the South Highlands car line to
the tcp of Red mountain. where the Edge
wood line will commence. This is what
started the row and yesterday the OPP
posing citizens with their attorney, Alex
Gerber, appeared before the board to en-
tyr protest against the condition of the
ordinance.
Mr.. CARRIER made a lengthy and strong
argument for his clients He stated that
/they were not opposed to the sale of the
property, but he insisted that in the event
the deal was consummated the city COM
missioners should retain the right to COM
pei the purchasing company to give con-
tinuous service at such times as in their
Judgment they deemed 1t expedient and
proper. He stated that 1t would be UNI
wise to place this power of service IN
the entire control of the company for a
period of 27 years which is the unexpired
term of the Edgewood contract.
Hugh Morrow, attorney for the Bir-
mingham Railway, Light and Power
company, stated that If the company
was compelled to maintain a continu-
Gus line from the South Highlands line
to tie top of the mountain the nego-
tiations were Off He stated that the
schedule proposed was the best that
the circumstances would permit and
that 1t was equitable and fair.
President Ford of the company stated
that the building of the road had been
Ill advised and that it could not be
operated except at a loss for some years
to come
He said that they We're at no time
eager for the purchase and had severa
times refused to consider buying the road
as they had in contemplation a different
route that would cover far more pop
ulcus district.
Mr.. Weatherly offered an amendment
TO the effect that the city will always
have the right to control the service or
the line from the Highlands terminus to
the city limits A general discussion was
had and the matter was finally passed
until this morning, when action will be
taken.