The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-02
DISCUSS ! E GRADE . CROSSING PROBLEM
  J. ] NaeFc and Engineer Kirkpatrick Speak "J LEY a3 ED" FAVORED + irkpa ck States Steps Are Under Ar ia Remedy Situation-Editor G3aonds Says Birmingham
 | eatest City in South

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 J D. Moore and City Engineer Kirk patrick discussed the grade crossing problem at the weekly luncheon of the Chamber of Commerce yesterday noon. The attendance at the luncheon yes terday was much larger than at any previous time, and the long tables were completely filled.
 President Sibley of the Chamber of Commerce presided at the meeting and introduced Mir. Moore as the first speak CT. MT. Moore said in part.
 "l have studied the question of grade crossings enough to know that 1t Is a big problem. and one that cannot be solved without great deal of time, labor and patience. Ws must know Just exactly what we want and go after it in the right way. l took the time to look up the matter, and in or der to eliminate the danger of grade crossings it would be necessary to erect over 40 viaduots In Birmingham proper, without counting Greater Bir- mingham.
 Twentieth Street Crossing
 Take for instance the Twentieth street crossing at the Louisville and Nashville tracks, To erect viaduct there 1t would be necessary to start the viaduct down about Second avenue in order to get a proper slant to it. That would make it necessary to cut out several streets. The expense would be tremendous. It would be necessary to erect the viaduct about 25 feet above the tracks, which would make a long incline. Then there Is the idea of making a subway. To do this would cost a large sum of money. To go down into the ground would interfere with the city sewer system and piping. Perhaps the subway would be dark. and it would afford an excellent hiding place for robbers and thieves. It would make the policing of the city much harder.
 "The only way to do. In my opinion, is to have the railroad tracks elevated. This has been tried out in most of the larger cities of the north and works very satisfactorily. In Chicago the elevated tracks are doing excellent
 
 desirable manner of eliminating the danger of grade crossings and l be- lieve it is the only practicable way to get around It."
 Kirkpatrick Speaks
 President Sibley introduced Mr. Kirk patrick at the conclusion of MT. Moore's speech. MT. Kirkpatrick said:
 'rhe grade crossing question Is an old one with Birmingham. In my of- fcial position l have investigated the matter. There is no doubt but what there is a great need for safer cross ings in many places. and steps will be taken before long to secure the de- sired change. Our department will make map of Birmingham showing all of the grade crossings and danger ous places. It is the plan to have a committee of railroad engineers. with myself as chairman, look Into the mat ter and see what can be done.'
 At the conclusion of the grade cross ing discussion President Sibley intro- daced Richard E. Edmonds, editor of he Manufacturers Record. who spoke very highly of Birmingham. He referred
  and spoke of it's rapid growth MT. Ed monds' remarks were heartily applaud ed. John A. Fox, one of the commis- sioners for the Panama California ex- position, to be held in San Diego, Cal. In 1915, was a guest at the luncheon and delivered short talk on the prospects of the exposition.
 Panama Exposition
 We do not propose to make 1t merely chow," he said. "It will be educational and my mission on this trip is to inter- est the southern states in making ex- hibits at the fair. We would like to have Birmingham have large exhibit or her mineral and resources We don't want merely a state building. Some state is going to have about four acres of land where map of the Mississippi basin will be made. This map will show the people exactly how the great basin is drained. It will even have the locks on the Ohio river and those on the Tennessee river at Mussel Shoals. An other state will have parcel of land where they will make a relief map of sF'lorida, showing the great drainage processes.
 "oyer s10.O00,000 will be spent on the exposition. It is to be an exposition .oA the southern states. We( have pre- pated folders in which all of the larger .4ita-- south will be given a page.
 i ealt will be sent all over the taH etss in an effort to have the sa -lt whd attend the fair visit the *at e- ta asge them take the southern fa saan of the northern one At se ehNIs rae there will be the eXr s.ssitia han Francisco That place {ed <a the exposition away from san f1HesH hat the smaller city Is going E. ha,sa one Sast the same"
 aFr Hs 4siii be in Birmingham for .esv s4ee ransaetlng business of
 c ficn.
 srhe H IQu heon of the Chamber of .-..--.r at4 aii be held next "Wednesday ot .aelHak Pho subject for discussion :, eaa rill be announced in q f.
 
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