The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-11
Says B. r., L. & p. Co. Must
Keep Ahead of Rapid
Growth of Bir-
mingham
NO CHANGES WILL
BE MADE IN THE
LIST OF OFFICERS
Engineers Now Here Making Esti-
mates for Extension of Gas and
Electric Service-Company
Wants Public i'm It's
Confidence

There will be no immediate changes
in the personnel of officials for the Bir-
mingham Railway. Light and Power COM
pany, but there will be immediate appro-
priations for extensive developments in
volving a large amount of money
This was a statement given out yester-
day morning by George Bullock, presi-
dent of the United Gas and Electric conf
pany, the recent buyers of the American
Cities and therefore owners of the Bir-
mingham Railway, Light and Power COM
pany. Mr.. Bullock received representa-
tives of all the local newspapers at the
offices of A. II. Ford, president of the
Birmingham Railway, Light and Power
company. His talk to newspaper men,
which lasted about 30 minutes, was filled
with interesting statements affecting Bir-
mingham. He announced many important
details of the local companys plans
He announced that j. s. Prevear had
been elected vice president and chair
man of the executive committee of the
American Cities company to succeed
George Davis of Ford Bacon & Davis,
and that Mr.. Prevear would have charge
OF the operations of all the American
Cities property. He is said to be one
of the best street railway men in the
United States. Mr.. Bullock agreed to that
estimate of Mr.. Prevear yesterday morn
ing.
Engineers Also Here
1t was stated that of the party with
MIR. Bullock on this trip was B. F. Wood.
chief engineer for the properties. He is
looking ever the power stations, now and
VIII make up an estimate for Mr. Bullock
upon which will be based betterments to
the local properties. The statement was
also made that John Titzel, gas engi-
neer of wide reputation, was here to make
an inspection of Lhe gas work with the
idea in view of extending the plants as
required by city of this size.
The two engineers. Mr.. Bullock said
are to work out their plans Immediately
and he added that when ne returned to
this city from New Orleans next week be
would be able TO tell exactly what the
immediate frture held for Birmingham IN
the way of betterments in those TWO de-
Dartments.
Want to Keep Ahead
we want TO keep aheaG CT Birinin2-
ham in its remarkable growth" were the
he was talking to the press representa-
tives. ~ his town is growing fast. We
are. not up to it now and must catc!l
up and then keep ahead. Thal is why Mc
1ltzel and Mr.. Wood are even at this
moment at the gas mousse and at the pow
er house getting information for us as
TO what must be done and that as quick
ly as po"sfble. We propose to make eN-
tensions "A our properties here as suou
as we can. / think the work will entail
the expenditure of quite q lot of money
but it must be done. Birmingham is u
splendid town and one that is growing
rapidly. We propose to 90 all hat we
can to help the city -lts forward march
to greater things.
Il have just seen Mr.. Ford and Mr.
Sloan five minutes wnen you gentlemen
called and I have nothing just now 10
say about the extension OF the railway
lines | Eave not been Informed of the
conditions and, of course, cannot say
what is to be done in tnat connection.
However, we intend to do everything that
is required to make these properties bet
ter ano more serviceablc to the city.
Close Relations With People
81 want you to say this: the owners of
this property desire the closest relations
with the public it's serves and to that end
we will try to cultivate the faith and con-
liuGiitc VI Jul fidltolis. we are diilDltlOuS
to serve them adequately and we will do
everything possible TO make such a posi-
tion for our company in this city 1t is
our desire to cooperate in every move
ment to the betterment of this city in
every way and We will constantly look
out after such opportunities. Our Proper
ties depend solely upon the people, and ii
is to them that We must make good.
As to changes here in the official fam
lily / can say that we have not considered
the slightest changes. | have NOT beer in
formed of any rumors about possible
changes, and If there are any floating
around I take ii that they simply accom-
panied the change of ownership of the
properties. Absolutely the only change
that has been suggested is In connection
with the place vacated by Mr.. Simmons of
the gas department who resigned some
time ago you doubtless well know.
As to the engineering department.
to succeed the firm of Ford, Bacon
& Davis. / may say that the United
Gas and Electric corporation has been
formed to succeed the former named.