The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-21
WEATHERLY BLOCKS DOUBLE TRACK PLAN Future Street Railways Are
 to Be Considered SAME CAR ROUTING Believed No Action on Routes Will Be Taken Now-Weatherly Would
 Be More Cautious About
 Franchises
SAME CAR ROUTING

Taking the position that future street railways of Birmingham are entitled to some consideration, Commissioner James Weatherly yesterday held up an effort to get double track franchise for the Bir- mingham Railway Light and Power com pany along Twelfth avenue from Thirty second street to Pinson avenue or tic terminus of the new Norwood boulevard.
 The matter was brought to the atter- ton of the city commission by a petition of many property owners, committees of whom were present when the matter came up. Mir Weatherly told the as- sembed citizens that he objected to grant ing any rights which are not 70 te exer- cised at once. His point was that tte company only proposed to place one track at this time. but wanted the dou- ble track franchise for future use. Ths petitioning property owners were favor able because the double track would ex- empt them from one third or the stre.t work assessment as the company intended to pay large part of the total.
 MT. Harris Explains
 Mir Harris of the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company explained to the commissioner that he desired the dou- ble track franchise because he was of the opinion that soon the traffle would jus tify it and also on the additional grounds that the company possessed now dol ble track franchise to 'rhirty-second street MT. Weatherly asked directly if the privilege was. to be used at once to which MT. Harris replied m the aega- tive. 1t was then that Mr. Weatherly said he sympathized with the property owners and was willing 10 grant sm- gle track right, but the remainder of tfe city was entitled to consideration. He stated that the Tidewater was nera and other lines were knocking Ut Birming- hams door that might want d line on that avenue.
 Commissioner Lane stated that he other lines would have right to compel the Birmingham Railway. Light and Power company to allow them the use of tic tracks MT. weatherly said however. that was a matter of serious question when 1t came up for settlement and sel- dom the companies could agree. Judge Lane then said the city could arrange that and control 1t. However. shr. Weathery said all that trouble could be ayoided if the city was more careful in granting valuable franchises. He finally .old Judge Lane that 1t would be well for the two to confer about the matter privately. .A motion was then made for the property owners again to petition the city For 8 single track line and final action will es taken Tuesday.
 Stormy Meeting
 Mr Weathery indicated throughout 8 very stormy meeting, when four or five were talking at the same time, that he was unalterably opposed to further grants to public utility corporations which excluded the use of any section to any other company in the future. Ho observed to some of the citizens that evi- 6enty they did not recognize the serious mistakes that had been made In that re- spect in the past.
 The commissioners did not change the routing of the street cars down towr. which proposition was brought np during the summer when the commissioners had little work to do. The general supposI- ton is that matters have taken a sudden change lately and that nothing along that line will be done. at least for the pres ent. It has been, stated to the officials that the loads delivered Into Birmingham by the street cars are very literally dis tributed over all of the city business streets.
 The commissioners acted upon several ether matters of more or less importance but nothing of general interest. The pay rolls for the week were paid ana ore lone pound keeper Is to be separated from the pay rolls next Sunday after en inyes- tgation has been made as to the best one to retain.
 The commissioners ordered one more light in East Birmingham, received sev- eral petitions of more or less importance and then adjourned until Tuesday.