The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-03
DENIAL MADE OF REPORTS
 OF LOCAL TRACTION MERGER
FOrney Johnston Says New York Conference Was to Fix Rates for Track
 age Rights

The information is contained in a statement of Forney Johnston. counsel for the Tidewater lines, that the ru- mors are without foundation to the effect that his company is to be ab- sorbed by the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company or that the competitive operations of the Tidewater are in any wise to be hampered by any combination, evasion or move of any character In statement issued last night MT. Johnston sets at rest re- ports to the effect that the New York conference between the officials of the Tidewater and the Birmingham Rail- way, Light and Power company was for the purpose of merging the two lines.
 My attention has been called to a series of articles In the daily papers with reference to an agreement be- tween the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company and the Birming ham, Ensley and Bessemer Railroad company for the abandonment of com- petitive relations" says MT. Johnston's s statement
 N''s1't o' titiOS dic Nlltittly loO ClT- cumstantial to be casual, and I am much interested to know their origin. Their tenor is to the effect that the Birmingham, Ensley and Bessemer Railroad company may agree to evade the condition in its franchise that it shall be operated as an independent and competitive line. There is no foundation for that suggestion.
 That company's applications for competitive franchises have been sub mitted to the city commissioners and the management desires the earliest possible action taken on those applica- tions. The company has other compre- hensive plans for competitive opera tion, which cannot be announced until these franchises are acted on.
 "Of course, to use the cross town franchises, operation in part over the rails of the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company will be necessary. and the compensation for the use of those rails must be reached by agree ment or by proceedings under such franchises as the city may grant. It would be extremely gratifying if an amicable agreement could be reached with the other company which would be acceptable to both companies and to the city. The conferences in New York were held for that purpose and that purpose alone. and with the cordial ap- proval of the commissioners, who would. of course. be glad to have the question of compensation amcably set tied. No person is warranted in the suggestion that this conference means that the system is not to be operated as an independent competitive system, or that the present lines of the Birming- ham. Ensley and Bessemer Railroad company will not be further extended into competitive territory as rapidly as conditions warrant and subject to the approval of the city authorities. We regard all suggestions to the con trary as so misleading that they should be finally corrected
 President Ford of the Birmingham Railway. Light and Power company being informed by The Age Herald re- garding the statement of Forney John- ston said:
 Prom what you tell me In regard to Mir. Johnstons statement, it Is en- tirely correct The conference was solely for the purpose as he says, oi discussing compensation and rights oi track and for no other purpose. That problem alone was discussed. It was held without prejudice to any inter- ests.'