The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-25
T|DEWATER SPUR
 TRACK OPPOSED The ROden Hotel Company
 Makes Objections J. c. BEATTIE SPEAKS Hotel Company and Railway Company Officials Present Case Before the City Commission-No Ac-
 tion Is Taken
J. c. BEATTIE SPEAKS

A vigorous protest was made yester- day afternoon at the meeting of the board of city commissioners by the principal stockholders of the Roden Hotel company against the construc- ton by the Tidewater Railway com pany of a return track or at Fifth avenue and Eighteenth street
 The contention of the hotel company was that use of this return track as terminus by the Tidewater company at this point would prove source of great annoyance to the guests of the hotel besides being otherwise very un- desirable. It was contended that the construction of this track would stop direct street car line along Eigh teenth street from the Terminal depot past the hotel. It was also stated that the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company, in the event the re- turn track was not allowed to be built, would apply for a franchise to con struct track along Eighteenth street from Fourth to Sixth avenue and along Sixth avenue to Nineteenth street.
 Beattie's Arguments
 I. c. Beattie. vice president of the Roden Hotel company, and chairman of the building committee. was spokes- man for the stock holders of the hotel company, many of whom were pres ent President Dewberry of the Tide water company and Counsel Forney Johnston presented the new street car company's position in the matter.
 MT Johnston contended that the use of the track would not be undesirable, as suggested. nor would 1t shut out competing lines as the provision of the Tidewater franchise expressly provided against such a proposition. He said the operation of the cars was subject to the ordinances of the city and any un- avoidable or unnecessary noise could readily be stopped. He said the Tide water company contemplated extending the line along Eighteenth street to loop the business part of the city and that the use of the return track would be temporary. He asked the commission CTS not to interfere with the present plans.
 Mr. Dewberry also spoke on the sub ject, explaining to the board the proposed duuillOfldl IoultS tne liucNdtci SoHipdly expects to construct.
 General Discussion
 A good deal of general discussion was indulged in. President Exum said he was frankly of the opinion that per- manent terminus at such close proximity to a hotel of the magnitude as the Roden hotel was a decided objection. but if it was temporary he saw no objections. MT. Weatherly also took part in the discus sion and agreed with the hotel company that the track might be objectionable but said he wanted to deal fairly with all parties. stating that he thought the plan suggested by Mir. Dewberry oyer came many of the objections.
 Judge-Lane stated he was not familiar with the proposition and moved that the matter go over until Tuesday, and sug- gested by that time both the Tidewater company and the hotel people might get together and see if they could not settle the matter for themselves. His motion was carried.
 MT. Beattie and his associates were vigorous in their objections to the plan of operation now contemplated by the street railway company. Practically all the stockholders of the hotel company were present, except President Fies. who is absent from the city and included I. C. Beattie, J. H Loveman. Lee Bivins, R. P. McDavid. W. c. Weston, architect. and Godfrey bowman.