The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-29
Permanent Highway Seems
 Assured-Only Questions
 Remaining Is Material to Be Used and the Route
MERCHANTS UNITE IN URGING ACTION AS
 SOON AS POSSIBLE
Time to Stop Talking and Go to Work Is Unanimous Opinion-Want It Built Right if at All

The highway from Birmingham to the Warrior river seems assured, and the only question is a matter of route and the material with which it will be constructed
 George H. Clark, county engineer of highways, will in the next few days submit his report on the proposed War rior river highway to the board of rev enue with plans and estimates. Engi- neer Clark has made a thorough sur vey of the four routes that have been suggested from time to time, covering the entire route from the city limits to the river terminus.
 He has also prepared a map showing the commercial and industrial centers of the city in order that a terminus that is central and convenient can be located. He has also a map of the Warrior river showing width and depths at various points that have been mentioned as suitable river terminus showing the nature of the banks and adjacent lands.
 Owing to the financial condition of the city, the county has borne all the expense of these surveys and the work of making them has largely been done by the county engineer. The report will contain estimates of the cost of construction along the various routes and of other matters that go with the building of a great highway It will include the estimated cost of construct ing the road by chert, concrete, ma cadam or brick.
 The interest in the proposed highway is manifest all over the district, and yesterday many expressions from lead ing business and professional men were made commenting the proposition and urging the board of revenue to build the highway as soon as possible Among those who commented on the proposition were number of we'll known merchants who expressed great interest in the gateway to the Warrior Their statements follow:
 DO TT RIGHT
 Sol Caheen: T am heartily in favor of the proposed permanent highway from Birmingham to the Warrior river cannot see why we do not get behind this great work and make this city Oiit Ol iue IHOSl PlOSiCoSiNC III NhS' south Nothing adds to city as much as water. If for no other reason than to give the citizens a place to spend pleasant holiday the project should be put through.
 What is the use in building any road at all unless it is built of the best material and put down so that it will stand the test of time? am in favor of a highway at least 90 feet wide made on a solid concrete base of sufficient thickness to stand the strain that will be imposed upon it and as- phalt, brick or wood block on top. l was on the recently built highway from Birmingham to Montgomery a few weeks ago. I was heartily disgusted at the condition of this magnificent highway a few months ago. Ruts were in evidence everywhere. Some of the road had been washed away In spots and the whole highway was in ter rible condition when one considered what a fine pike it was a few months ago"
 Now, if good road, built of chert and rolled in the best way goes to rum in the short period of three or four months, what is the use of us spend ing our money for such roads? The maintenance of such road Is more in the course of few years than the price of the finest asphalt road With a concrete base that can be built. would say make provisions for an elec- tric railway. Don't build the highway then tear it up for the building of the trolley line.
 USE THE CONNECTS Above all things, l say use convict la bor on this highway. It can be done and that is what the citizens of this county should demand. They have done some very fine concrete work on some of the roads hereabouts and they can be taught. by the proper man. to do excellent work In the building of the greatest road ever undertaken in the state of Alabama. l have talked to numerous citizens about the building of the Warrior highway and I am frank to say that have yet to meet anyone who was not in favor of the bulld- i ing of this great monument to the hustle and thrift of we Alabamians and Jefferson county citizens Build the road right. Do ! it as soon as possible and above all things l lets not talk for years and then forget what we were talking about. This is one | of the richest and finest counties in the state and it is up to us to help every citi- l zen in it's environs by the building of a wonderful highway to the mighty War rior. Freight rates will be reduced; there /! is no argument against this if the road is 1 built to stay. If it is half way road the railroads will pay no attention to it and l the money we spend will have been wasted forever with no chance of ever s~..~.