The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-06

T christen thee the Weatherly via. duct"
 With this sentence, little Miss Pau1- me carter Maben yesterday afternoon reieased bottle of Avondale spring water hanging from wire overhead II dashed against the concrete sides or the big structure, broke and tbe water splashed to the floor. The first big viaduct in Birmingham had ma terialized
 A crowd of several hundred persons gathered at First avenue and Twenty eighth street yesterday to attend the formal ceremonies of the opening and Christening. The special cars. decor- ated with flags and bunting, left the city hall at o'clock and arrived at the new structure at 3:15.
 With John w. Sibley presiding as master of ceremonies, the exercises i'm plediately began, speeches being made by MT. Sibley, J. R. Hornady, James J. Smith, J. H. P. DeWindt aifd Com missioner James Weatherly. At the close of the speaking Miss Maben. at- tended by her maids of honor, broke the bottle of water and the exercises were over.
 A Wonderful Achievement
 All the speakers dwelt on the com pletion of the viaduct as a wonderful achievement MT. Weatherly, who has had direct charge of the viaduct ne- eotiations of the city since commission form of government. paid high tribute to the representatives of the railroads. the Sloss- Sheffield Steel and Iron com s,any, the Birmingham Railway. Light and Power company and all persons directly connected with the construc ton of the big bridge.
 There has been a wonderful spirit Of cooperation all along" he said. "and 1t means much for BirmInebam The railroads have found out that we are not set of wild animals seek ing whom We may devour: we have found out they are not thieves and rol; bers seeking whom they may catch by the wayside We have found out that we are all interested in the same thing and have in view the same ends.
 MT. Weatherly stated the viaduct is "tie that binds" between the east ern end of the city and the city pron- CT and that it will be "power for spiritual and moral good for years to come" He advocated a million dollar bond issue to be used by the people of Birmingham in building other yiaducts public auditoriums and similar struc- lures.
 The structure has been built by the Louisville and Nashville, the Southern. the Alabama Great Southern, the Sloss sheffield company, the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company and the city, the latter paying 25 per cent
 The viaduct was to cost $2S0. 900, but 1t Is said that 1t will cost about s22O,- coo when completed.
 The stone and sand which went into the making of the structure=1S, s, 900 tons-was furnished by Birmingham concern, the McDonough Ore Mining Gate City
 Proportionate Cost Not Worked Out
 The proportionate cost of the viaduct 10 ene different companies participat- ing, 1t is said. has not yet been worked out. The city has agreed, however, to pay 20 per cent; the total cost of the Railway, Light and Power in the structure Is given at about $S0,000; leaving the remainder to be divided between the Southern and the Louisville and Nashville railroads and the Sloss company, the latter bear ing small share.
 In his speech yesterday Mir. Weath- erly stated that the commission hoped to have viaduct built every year un-
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