The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1913-10-07
.LADD LOOKING OVER
PLANS OF KELLEYS
Represents Financial Back
ers of Proposed Railway
HAS LITTLE TO SAY
Taken Over Route of Proposed Rail
way-Much Impressed by Growth
of City During the Past
Ten Years

Stating that he had been very favor
ably impressed with what ne mas seen
so far George r. Laid, consulting ensi-
neer of Pittsburg, is investigating the
franchise and the conditions governing
the proposed Kelley street railway in
this city. Mr. Ladd has been sent to
Birmingham by Ii. p. Taylor & Co., OF
Pittsburg, the financial concern which,
in connection with a syndicate or other
eastern financial institutions, expects to
finance the Kelley street railway lie
arrived here yesterday morning and ex-
poets to return some time the latter part
of the week. probably Thursday or FRI
day
Yesterday Mr. Ladd was taken over the
proposed route of the Kelley lines in this
city. He could make no detained state
ment last night of his impressions in
regard to the Kelley franchise and the
proposed route. but lie Hid say thar he
was tremendously impressed with 1.-The
growth of the city since WAS here 10
years ago. He stated that IRON casual
inspection of the prop ,sed route IF the
Kelley lines, it seemed to be Just about
where he would have thought It should be.
Has Full Power of Attorney
Mr.. Ladd has full power of attorney
from the Taylor company, and N case
he finds satisfactory conditions here he
will Immediately close contract with
the Kelley interests. His work here will
consist In general inspection of the
records at the city hall in regard to the
Kelley franchise legislation. an inspection
of the route of the lines, checking up
of all engineering estimates as to cost
of construction. and operation and all
other phases of the proposition in which
the man who puts up the money would
of course be interested. .
1t was stated by the Kelley associates
last night that large power house will
be erected in connection with the opera
ton of the property here power house
which will be capable of unit extension
so that additional power for lighting and
other such purposes will be available
II the company should elect TO enter this
field at later date.
After Mr.. Laid has passed upon the
franchise and conditions governing the
work of the Kelley company here, George
c. Kelley stated last night that they
would be ready to begin construction
work Immediately. I'VE are ready now"
stated Mr.. Kelley, land are only waiting
for the official % k of Mr.. Ladd, who
represents the financial interests who are
back of us. As soon as Mr. Ladd COM
pletes his investigation the formal con-
tract will be entered into with the ongl-
neering company, which will pr ,hably
be the Courtlandtt company, which we
have already been negotiating with, to
begin the actual work. The Endorsement
of Mr. Ladd will be required on any
contract made with such an engineering
and construction company"
No Sentiment in Matter
tits a matter of facts and figures with
me-" said Mr.. Iadd last night. He's a
jovial little fellow with an almost con-
slant smile that makes him look more
like Sunday school teacher than a rep
resentative of a big financial concstn
There's no sentiment entering into my
work here. No matter how much | want
to help the town or anybody else, the
people | represent are not going to build
this railroad for love. They want 20
know where dollar is coming back from
if they put it into the proposition. That's
my business--to show them Just what
chances they have of getting their money
back and making profit. To do it win
call for a lot of figuring and judging
of matters and conditions on their merits
and not on sentiment.
There will probably be some minor
changes to be made in the plans Of the
Birmingham Rapid Transit company, the
Kelley company under its incorporated
name, before / am through. But other
than that l can say nothing at the pres.
emf time