The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-04
IS WILLING ID HAVE CITY MAKE
 ITS INVESTIGATION
Says They Have Nothing to Conceal About Contract With Alabama Power
 Company

That the contract between the Alabama Power company and the Birmingham Rail- way, Light and Power company was plain. open and above board and further. that the city was perfectly welcome to investigate the proposition fully and ex- haustively, was statement made yes terday by J. s. Pevear, president of the latter company. who was here yesterday.
 His remarks were in answer to a ques- ton about what the company thought of the communication to the city commits sion of c. A. Avant, and the subsequent action of the commission in asking Capt. Romaine Boyd. city attorney. to look into the suggestion that the contract was mor nopolistic and the rates too higlf.
 II read something In the paper about the commission referring letter of Mir Avant to the city attorney" said Mir. Pevear, but we have no official informa- ton in reference to the city invcstieat- ing the contract We have not discussed 1t among the officials of the company or the directors.
 As a matter of fact there Is nothing to discuss. The city Is at liberty to look into the matter fully We have nothing to conceal in reference to the contract between our company and the Alabama Power company. The latter concern had something to sell that we wanted and
 we thought it was a good contract for us. We therefore bought what was of- fered us and that Is all there is to it. We will not offer any objections to q searching investigation of the contract as we have nothing to conceal'
 Mfr. Pevear lunched yesterday with Lee c. Bradley. vice president; Robert Jem. tq.t Sxs T f.xa1 l. II. P. DeWindt, ge. manager. They were discussing business 'rs until late yesterday afternoon at the k sheon table. Nothing was given out as to what sub iects were discussed but 1t was stated by MT Pevear that no reference was made to the power company contract
 Business is getting better" continued MT. Pevear, 'I have been around over our southern properties lately and find a better sentiment and tangible recovery in almost every city where we have oper- a ations. It is my firm conviction that the situation Is better now than 10 days ago and that 1t is getting better every day. "I am very hopeful over the situation as 1t now exists and believe there win
 be steady resumption of all business activities. The Birmingham Railway Light and Power company Is moving along very well. We have been hit by the business depression as have all big con cerns but generally speaking we have got ten along here very satisfactorily. The general situation does not necessitate the purchase of any big amount of new equip ment but we will keep pace with the sit uation as 1t develops I am gratified to see that Birmingham Is holding her own very well indeed. The commercial vitality of this place and the optimism of the people here are two things I believe of greatest value to any community" Mir. Pevear conferred at length yes- terday with local officials and inspected 1 a portion of the properties. He was un- willing to make any statement about when some of the promised extensions of tho company lines would be started. but 1t | Is assumed that the appropriations for | 1915 will carry sufficient amount to fur ther the work that was outlined some. l time ago.