The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-28
Regard It of Vital Import ance to Birmingham to Get Suitable Connection With the River
HAS NOT
 YET SUBMITTED HIS
 REPORT ON SURVEYS
Citizens Believe Project Will Be of Greatest Benefit to Whole County as We'll as City

That paved highway from the city limits to the Warrior river would prove one of the biggest assets of the city and county. is the opinion of many leading citizens and city and county officials.
 As Is known. County Highway Engi- neer George H. Clark and City Ensi- neer Julian KcndriclS have been pIoyed for several months in making a survey of the several proposed routes from the city to the river.
 Owing to their many duties there has been some delay in preparing the report which includes maps and other specifica- tions, but from information received yes terday the plans are about completed and the engineer will make formal report in the next few weeks.
 In the meantime the members of the board of revenue who all favor the build ing of the highway, have been looking into the situation from it's many angles and the question of route, materials and terminus have been generally discussed. It has been suggested that the building of fine chert road to the river would meet all the requirements for many years to
  should be built that would stand the wear and tear of the traffic to and from the river which it is claimed will be made possible by building it. It was also claimed by some that the proper solution of the situation is the building of rail- road.
 VIEWS OF BOARD
 Members of the board of revenue dis cussed the matter freely, and all ex pressed desire to see a highway either of chert, brick, asphalt or concrete. that will connect the city with the river
 Dr. R. F. Lovelady said: '"The matter of highway from Birmingham to the Warrior river is one of great importance, and I favor it's construction The mat ters of route and materials for it are subjects that we cannot pass on at this time, as we are waiting for the report of the county engineer, which I understand will be ready in short time. The board will give the matter the most careful con- sideration when the plans and report have been received, for it is their opinion that the highway should be built with a view of meeting requirements of condi- tions whatever they may be-
 PENNINGTON TALKS
 Lawrence w. Pennington said: q favor the building of the highway at the earliest possible moment, and have made some preliminary investigations as to the cost of building and maintaining the road. It is estimated that to build road paved with good and substantial material will cost about s25,000 per mile.
 There are other items of cost con- nected with such construction. This be- ing the case, the board is waiting to hear the report and recommendations of the county engineer before taking any action It will cost, in my opinion, half million dollars to construct the road, and we should be sure we get the very best for the expenditure of this large sum of money.'
 CAMERON FAVORS IT
 W. J. Cameron said: 'T not only favor the building of the highway, but favor a bond issue to finance the same I think it would be unwise to stop all other road work in the county because of this new construction. As to whether the road should be paved or constructed of other material am not prepared to say at this time, as the engineers plans and specf- cations have not as yet been submitted to us. I was in hopes that some railroad company would build a line from the city to the river to take care of the heavier freight. With such a railroad we could build highway at moderate cost that would meet all requirements and make an ideal condition
 M'GEEVER'S VIEWS
 Hugh McGeever said: q favor the building of the highway for several req sons among which is the fact that I am for any movement that tends to reduce freight rates. I understand the county engineer has about completed his survey of the several routes proposed and that it will soon be presented to the board. We are waiting for the report to be made before taking action. Personally, I am somewhat inclined to the building of chert road for the following reasons: A paved road is estimated to cost S25. 900 per mile A chert road can be built for $60OO a difference of $19,O0O'
 "The interest on $19.000 is opproxf- mately $1200, which gives this sum saved in the construction of the paved road. A chert road can be kept in good repair for about $500. By this method believe at the end of 10 or Is years the chert road would be in the best of repair and the county would be saved several hundred thousand dollars in the construction of the roads and the in terest that follows"
 BIVINS ON IMPORTANCE
 Rufe R. Bivins said: "The building of highway to the Warrior river from
 (Cnnfinued m Pawe TweIvel