The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-12
TAKE DECIDED STEP ID ELIMINATE THE GRADE CROSSINGS City Commission and Rail- road Representatives
 Hold Conference DEFINITE ACTION
 IS POSTPONED Absence of Two Railroad Representatives Causes Delay.
 Next Meeting to Be Held
 on April 10

A decided step toward the elemination of the deadly grade crossing in the city of Birmingham was the result of the Joint conference held yesterday at the city hall between Commissioners James Weatherly and Judge A. o. Lane, and the representatives of the several railroads that enter the city.
 While nothing definite was done owing to the unavoidable absence of the repre- scentatives of two of the railroads, yet the spirit of cooperation displayed be- tween the city and the railroads, through their representatives at the meeting yes terday, gave evidence that the relief sought would soon become an assured fact and that the evil would be gradually abated until every grade crossing is abolished.
 Friendly Discussion
 The discussion on both sides was firm, but friendly and one thing emphasized was the fact that the time had come for action and that unnecessary, delays would not be tolerated. Had 1t not been for the fact that some of the railroads were not represented yesterday the plan as suggested by MT. Weatherly which was to appoint a subcommittee to select competent board of engineers repre- sentlng the city and the railroad com panies to prepare report on grade cross ings in the city of Birmingham and re- port a general viaduct or subway scheme, would have carried and the committee appointed.
 As 1t was the various phases of the grade crossing and it's remedies were thoroughly discussed. The representatives of the railroads generally expressed a willingness to participate in the elimina- ton of grade crossings. It was finally decided to postpone any definite action un- til all the railroad representatives be. given another opportunity to be present and on motion it was decided to adjourn until April 10, at which time an effort will be made to have every railroad repre- scented.
 Weatherly Called Conference
 The conference was called at the in- stance of City Commissioner Weatherly and an invitation was extended 10 every railroad in the city to be represented. Every railroad except the Birmingham Southern accepted the invitation and all were represented except the Seaboard Air Line and the A. R. and A. railroad, whose representatives were unable to att tend through stress of business. The Birmingham Southern acknowledged the invitation but did not accept
 Those attending were H. B. Spencer, representing the Southern and Alabana Great Southern railways. with headquar- ters in Washington: E. r Stovall of Bir- minghsm, and w. G. Arn of Chicago, rep resenting the Illinois Central; T. S. Noise of Savannah; W. A. Ramsey of Columbus and c. K. Lawrence of Columbus, rep resenting the Central of Georgia; ]. H. Doughty of Birmingham, representing the Frisco T. E. Brooks of Birmingham, rep- resenting the Louisville and Nashville: M s. Sloan, representing the Birmingham Railway. Light and Power company, J. M. Dewberry. representing the Tidewater line City Engineer Nicholson, Commis- sioners Weatherly and Lane.
 Weatherly Presides
 Commissioner Weatherly presided over the meeting and after expressing his pleasure at seeing so many roads repre- sented said that he was much impressed with the spirit shown in responding to the invitation of the city commissioners.
 MT. Weatherly said
 'rhe idea that the commission has in mind In taking up the much desired solu- tion of the grade crossing evil Is 10 treat 1t as business matter, to have no agita- tion on the subject and to keep the mat ter free from politics l wish the public to share free your deliberations. We don't want any road here represented at the conference that doesn't want to be here and we don't want 10 do anything that can be complained of. We want to do something unanimous and we want the whole thing voluntary. We have assur- ances that the railroads take as much in- terest in Birmingham as we do. We know of the attitude of railroads in the recent past in paying more attention to communities where they do business where conditions need remedying.
 We take it for granted that there Is not man here who is not familiar with the grade crossing conditions in Birmingham The solution is badly needed and probably harder 10 arrve at than in any other city owing to the scattered territory that goes to make up the city. Very nearly every highway has q railroad crossing at grade The city is gridironed with grade cross ings. The railroads are good things. They have helped to make the town and they will continue to help to make 1t greater. The time has come when I think public sentiment is a unit in desiring the aboli- tion of the grade crossing. The commits sion is only gving expresson to this sem timent.
 Go Slow
 'We don't want to be misled 10 a hasty solution. We don't want to go ahead with out some clear, practical plant, and it oc- cured to me that the best way would be to appoint a practical body of experts, an engineer to be named by the railroads and an engineer to be named by the city, the third to be chosen by the two 10 con slider the situation. and in their report to take in every grade crossing in Birming- ham with view not to securing the abo- ltion of grade crossings all at one time. but q gradual abolition of them from year to year beginning with the one which the engineers think most important
 This plan may mean viaduct in one place and a subway in another. We are not committed 10 any solution in any one