The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-02
JOY UNRESTRA|NED OVER CENT FARE Uncle Jimmie Liddell Tells
 of Early Days RIDING THE COAL CARS Women Used to Have to Stop at Ensley to Wash Their Faces and
 Hands Before Continu-
 ing to Town
RIDING THE COAL CARS

It has been many years since a happier man has visited the city hall than Jimmie Liddell of Ensley and Wy lam who yesterday called on Commits sioner Weatherly. His happiness was caused by having to pay only cents from Ensley to Birmingham on the street cars, whereas in the past 10 cents has been the charge.
 While talking to MT. Weatherly and a few other friends there MT Liddeil erlated some interesting situations rel ative to past transportation problems between Ensley, Pratt City, Wylam and Birmingham. He said that he had been longing and waiting for the reduced fare for no less than 25 years and that it made him supremely happy to some wait the matter had been at least temporarily solved to the satis- faction of the people. Asked as to the attitude he would assume on the light ing contract, held to be the cause of the reduction, MT. Lddell said that matter had not been taken up by him just yet and he could not foretell his attitude thereupon.
 In telling of the efforts that formerly MT Liddell said:
 When I lived at Pratt City and just after No. 1 shaft of the Tennes- see company was fixed at Pratt City. we did not have any way to get to Birmingham. That was before the dum- mics came to solve the problem. 1 can distinctly remember that we used to come to town on freight trains seated on top of coal The women folks and all would pile on top of coal cars and come sailing to the city. 1t was never otherwise than that the women folks would have to get off the trains at Elyton and bathe their face and hands before they could come up into the little city.
 We never paid less than 50 cents for that sort of a ride either And let me tell you, my boy, the company would not take any checks or any thing except the real money. Nor would transfers be given. The high cost of riding caused many of us to stay at home except when 1t was absolutely imperative that we visit Birmingham. The trains we rode were operated by the old Birmingham Southern railroad and they were soon usurped by the dummy line that was operated out our way for years. We always had to pay more than 5 cents for the ride, and I never did think it was right. Our section of the country was no fur ther than any other section that paid less than we.
 For 25 years we have been fighting the high car fare between Ensley and Birmin gham and I am infinitely pleased that the Birmingham Railway, Ligh. and Power company has put it into effect I think Brother Ford of the Railway Light and Power company wanted to give us a square deal long ago, but I personally think he was directed by the men higher up to retain the high fare. I am con soled by this thought in connection with the fact that the reduction may be temporary and that is, thank the Lord they cant make 1t 50 cents again like the old coal car trains. And again, the women folks will not have to bathe their faces and hands in Elyton."
 The experiences of Uncle Jimmie at the city hall brought forth the great est interest from Mr. Weatherly, several city hall attaches, City Attorney Boyd, Secretary Ryall and the reporters. He is what Is commonly known as "the salt of the earth.' He is a member of the Wylam First Aid corps, has been an employe of the Tennessee company for over 20 years, is highly respected in all this district, is member of the Presbyterian church and for many years one of the officers of the church; is d native of Scotland, and occupies the important position of fire boss at one of the Tennessee company coal mines.
 The industrial men and newspaper men hereabouts that have followed re- cent mine explosions recollect that Uncle Jimmie Liddell has been brought from the awful depths many times overcome while fighting the black damp and that he has participated in more rescues in this community than almost any man here.
 No accomplishment, however, of a most useful life has brought forth such unrestrained glee from Mr. Liddell of Ensley and Wylam as the nickle car fare