The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-02
T|DEWATER LINE TO
TUSCALOOSA WILL
! Be UNDER WAY SOON
Brown Returns From East
and Discusses Com
pany's Plans
TUSCALOOSA POWER
HOUSE BEING BUILT
Local Franchise Situation Will Be
Taken Up With Commissioners in
Next Few Days-Sorry to
Lose Avenue F

The Tidewater will begin to build soon
to Tuscaloosa. This is statement OF
G. I. Brown, general manager of the
company, who has just returned from
the east, where the proposition was taken
up and discussed. He did not announce
the proposed construction formally, but
in discussing tho general development of
the Tidewater properties here said that
shortly, perhaps within few days, he
would be able to announce formally the
fact that his company would commence
constructing to Tuscaloosa, just as soon
as the new Bessemer line is completed.
That will be within the next few months.
Mr.. Brown said that his company was
now building a large electric plant at
Tuscaloosa, which will cost $4,000. il not
more. That will be used TO electrify the
line to Holt from Tuscaloosa, illuminate
the city and to furnish part of the
power for the new line. The remainder
of the required power will be secured
here in Birmingham.
Surveyed to Tuscaloosa
The line of the Tidewater has been
surveyed to Tuscaloosa, it is gathered,
and practically all the surveys have met
with approval. 1t is stated that the
operations here and in Tuscaloosa have
been SO very satisfactory and successful
that the Tidewater officials are now about
ready to construct the remainder of the
way.
Mr.. Brown said in addition to the Tus-
caloosa line his company would take up
the local franchise for IT. blocks with
the city commissioners during the next
few days and thresh out with them some
of the details of that formal request
made some time ago. He did not indi-
cate that any changes would be made
in the present franchise, but he expressed
regret that his company was not given
the Avenue L line to Elmwood ceme-
terry. Mr.. Brown indicated that such
line was the key to the city from the
companys proposed South Bessemer line.
1--WE intend to build to Tuscaloosa,
said Mr.. Brown yesterday. However,
cannot at this time go into details as
to that proposition. The line was origi-
nally started to that city and there is
no disposition to abandon the idea. We
are now building in that city a power
plant costing about $4,000. which will
furnish a great amount of power to our
company We have excavation work un-
der way there now. That work will be
carried through without delay on our
part. We intend to electrify Immediate
ly the line running to Holt and to the
university The power station will take
care of that situation and give us some
additional power
1.-THE Tuscaloosa line has not completely
developed yet, but l expect to be able
within few days to have some detailed
information to give out In that connec-
tom.
Franchises in Birmingham
"As for Birmingham we hope to get our
franchise Strengthened out with the COM
missioners within the next week or SO.
That line will involve a tremendous cost
and will require some time to build. How
ever, we want the franchise requested.
am sorry that the commissioners did
not grant us the Avenue + right of way,
which we desired very much at the hands
of the commissioners.
Mr. Brown was asked in reference to
the West End application and said
''The people in that section want the
line very much We intend to give them
all the aid we can in realizing that de-
sire. The rights of way are now being
looked over. The people are earnestly
at work on the matter and believe they
will get line through that territory.
We Have made no decision yet, how
ever. That extension will come up with
the proposed Bessemer route on the south
side of the city.
Our construction work is progressing
very satisfactorily here and conditions
look very flatering taken by and large"