The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-15
Fred A. Morris Makes Off
cial Announcement of Con-
templated Construction
81 MILES IN LENGTH;
TO COST $1,OOO,O 1000
Birmingham Tuscaloosa Utilities Se-
curities Company Will Build Line.
Detailed Announcement Will
Be Made Soon

Official announcement was made yess
terday by Fred A. Morris of Morris
Bros. bankers. that the Tidewater
would be constructed to Tuscaloosa
within short time. The project will
mean the expenditure OF approximately
s1,ooo.0o0 and VIII connect Birmingham
with Tuscaloosa by interurban trains
serving to bring the two communities
in more intimate contact and more ex-
tensive commercial exchange
Mr. Morris said yesterday that tho
formation in Norfolk. Va. of the Bir-
mingham Tuscaloosa Utilities Secur-
tiles company capitalized at $4,000. 900,
was the organization temporarily that
would build the line. The capitaliza-
tion at the above figure is the max
imum. The officers OF the company
whose organization was announced yes
terday are temporary and will serve
only during the formative period of
the venture.
President Morris of the Tidewater
said yesterday that the line would be
81 miles in length from Bessemer to
Tuscaloosa. At Bessemer the line will
connect with the Tidewater being con-
structed to that place from Birming-
ham, The line will be constructed to
Holt from Tuscaloosa connecting there
with the line now operated in Tusca-
loosa by the Tidewater owners.
Detailed Statement Later
Tn the absence of some detailed fn-
formation being gathered by G. I.
Brown, general manager of the Tide
water, Mr. Morris said yesterday he
did not care to say about what amount
of money the line will cost. He said
that information would be ready with
In the next few days and that a de-
tailed statement would perhaps be
given out. The company agents are
now securing the rights of way and
details of that nature will be carried
through as fast as consistent. Mr.. Nor
ris said in speaking of the constructs
tion of the line that work had really
been started on the line such as 1t was.
yet no physical construction had been
begun.
Mr.. Morris added that actual con-
struction would start soon as the out.
look was good and the company want
ed the line ready as early as pos-
sible.
'The formations in Norfolk of the
Birmingham Tuscaloosa Utilities and
Securities company is our organization
to build our line from here to Tusca-
loosa," said Mr.. Morris. 1--WE have de-
cided to do that work and we Will
get at 1t as quickly as possible. can
not tell Just at this time how much
the extension from Bessemer will cost
However, the work will involve a cons
siderable outlay of money 1t could be
said truthfully that we have already
started on the work. We are fixing the
line from Tuscaloosa to Holt. where the
Bessemer extension will meet 1t. How
ever we have not started construc-
tion between the two points under con-
tract. The line will be 81 miles from
Bessemer and will connect the Bir-
mingham district with Tuscaloosa in an
entirely new way. There Birmingham
will be directly in touch with Tide
water with an outlet to the gulf ports
by water route. We have always had
in mind constructing the line. 1t Will
be rushed forward as speedily as pos
sible."
Agents Hard at Work
The Tidewater construction forces now
at work between here and Bessemer and
enSaReu eiStWHtIt III COflSlTutllOu III ILLS
district will be placed on the Tuscaloosa
extension when they are relieved of the
present work. Agents of the company ara
working rapidly to get such legal matters
as are necessary In shape for the Begin
ming of work. The Tidewater extension
to Tuscaloosa has always been a part
of that company's plans here. barge
line was started on the river at Tusca4
loosa some time ago, it being the intend
ton of the officials to build a railroad !
line also connecting Birmingham with
those ba yes. 1t will operate through
many mining camps such as Johns, Adger,
Yolande and others, and win join Bir-
mingham to Tuscaloosa better than even
at this time with two railroads operatins1
there.
This line will be of great Importance til
this district. and will result in bettery
transportation facilities between this city
and Tuscaloosa. At this time the Ala
bama Great Southern operates severa
trains each day to that city. while tho "A
Louisville and Nashville also has lind
operating to that city. With the Tide
water the additional transportation willy
mean better connections between th4