The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-05-17
REALTY COMPANY
GETS FRANCHISE
Norwood Line Will Be Built
by Kelley Interests
IS FOR THIRTY YEARS
Franchise Contains Gross Revenue
Clause-Must File Plans by June
| and by June "a, 1914, Cars
Must Be in Operation

The Birmingham Realty company
was granted yesterday a franchise for
80 years to build. oper, tie and maintain
a street railway around the Norwood
boulevard. In effect, this company OBJ
tanned the franchise but it was made
out to |. c. Beatty and associates. On
account of being a director and stock
holder of the realty company, President
Culpepper Exum did not vote on the
franchise.
1t is generally understood that the
franchise will ultimately go to the
Kelley interests that are promoting a
new street railway in this city. Mr.
Beatty of the realty company affirmed
that yesterday and added that he had
been assured in writing that the Kelley
interests would build the line.
The franchise was brought up at the
meeting last Tuesday. 1t was inspect
ed in the meantime by the city attor-
ney and was ready for passage yester
day, and did pass. That is the first
instance in the history of commission
government here that such a valuable
right was granted in such short time
for S1700, payable to the city and
signed by the Birmingham Realty COM
pany was the consideration for the
franchise.
The franchise provides that on or
before June /, which is less than Is
days ahead, the plans of the Kelley
company must be filed for approval by
the city. Within one year from June
"a cars for revenue must be operated
over the line. Actual work of con-
struction on the line. according to the
franchise, must be started by Septem-
ber 1.
representatives of the Kelley in
terests present at the meeting said
while no arrangements for electric
power had yet been made they would
operate cars by the time specified In
the franchise. According to the other
grants services must start earlier than
one year from this time
The grant yesterday provides that
from 1921 until 1926 the company is
to pay the city per cent of it's gross
revenue. From 1927 until 1882 the com
pany must pay 4 per cent of its gross
revenue to the city, and from 1888 until
the 80 years expire, the company must
pay per cent of its gross revenue to
the city. The franchise provides that
no more than 5 cents shall be charged
for any passenger from one end of
the line to the other. Transfers must be
given by the company free to those
who pay transportation. The grant
that the company must place
by the construction and must pay for
street improvements Is inches from the
rails on such streets that are used
which are ordered paved by the city of
The granting to the Kelley interests
rights on Birmingham streets
of a valuable character. The company
has franchises for line from Elm
wood cemetery along Avenue f to the
city and is permitted to get into the
very heart of Birmingham on a line
street from First to Second avenues.
Rights to use the rails of the Bir-
mingham Railway. Light and Power
given the Kelley interests by the city.
Along Fifth avenue the Kelley inter-
ests may use the rails of the Tide
water for many blocks, according to
the citys attitude in the matter Com
pensation for the use of the rails OF
other street railways is placed by the
city commission.