The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-18
BULLOCK AND PARTY !. WILL SETTLE THREE IMPORTANT ISSUES Officials Will Be Here Next
 Week for Visit of
 Two Days
EXPECTED TO MAKE
 PUBLIC STATEMENT
Tidewater Agreement, Alabama Powe . Company Contract and Gas Ex- tension Are Subjects to
 Be Considered

A trio of problems of vital interest to this community will be definitely solved. 1t Is believed. when George Bullock, head of the United Gas and Electric and his party of officials arrive in Birmingham for a two days visit next week.
 The propositions are:
 Final adjustment of the Iidewater grant for downtown traffic rights.
 The final adjustment of the Alabama Power company electric contract, which has been delayed many weeks.
 The announcement as to what will be done about increased gas provisions for Birmingham.
 The local officials admit that some thing of interest in connection with the visit of MT Bullock and party will be given out when they look over the situa- tion here. It is believed that in the ab sence of any other matters of unusual interest affecting the operations of the company here the above three problems will be given their final dressing up and closed by an announcement as to the final results.
 Tidewater Situation It is confidently believed that in con- necton with the ridewater company franchise an agreement will be reached. Assurances were received as late as yes terday that up to this time nothing has been done which even remotely resembles a decision in that regard. It is believed that for reasons of policy the final de- cision has been delayed until the arrival here of MT. Bullock whereupon something of definite nature will be vouchsafed the public. There has been nothing said during the past few days about the pro- posed understanding between the two street railway companies relative to the Birmingham Railway. Light and Power company assuming control of the IT lc- water. The last word on that was from Forney Johnston, counsel for the Tide | been approached either one way or the | other. However, it is believed in financial 1 circles that an agreement to allow the Birmingham Railway Light and Power company to have the Tidewater would not be viewed with any degree of ill | favor by the owners of the Tidewater. In 1 fact the statement has been made here l time and again that the Tidewater was | anxious to sell out. As to that, however, l HOlnlilB ndS De6n SlNen out DN ffeu | Morris and his associates. MT. Bullock
 may have something to say about that when he arrives in town.
 | Alabama Power Contract l As to the adjustment of the Alabama | Power company contract that has been | up over 14 months, there have been sev- eral minor causes for delay on that prob | lem, and it is believed the last work has about been completed. An announcement 1 that the contract is signed would not be surprising. In fact. the officials have | said that the question is now only one of
 details. It is said this has been the stua- 1 ton for several months. The Birmingham ] Railway, Light and Power company is preparing to use the current by installing special equipment for that power and l franchises are being secured for the | transmission lines to the city from Spal l. | ing, where it will be delivered to the Bir-
 mingham Railway, Light and Power com l pany.
 Extensions in Gas Supply l As to the gas problem, it is believed | that extensive additions will be made to | the present gas house to take care of
 what is expected to be the natural in- l crease here in gas consumption. The company now in control is accustomed to l looking ahead and trying to determine what will be the requirements some years i in advance. It Is stated that as the by product gas matter was refused by the | city there is only one thing to do and
 that is to materially increase the ca pacity and distribute the higher grade gas in the same old way. That will not
 result in any reduction of gas rates to l the people if what is generally believed is
 the programme is adhered to-
 l MT. Bullock and his party will take up some routine problems while here in ad-
 dition to the big three questions which will doubtless be settled.