The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-03
Ned Braces Suggestion to Utilize River at Once Meets With Cordial Re sponse and Appreciation
SHELBY TELLS OF
 WORK BEING DONE
 ALONG GULF COAST
John Mcqueen, Just Back From Trip Up Warrior From Mobile, Enthusias- tic Over Possibilities

The article by Ned Brace in yesterday s Age Herald, suggesting not only fine highway, but publicly owned railroad to the Warrior river, caused widespreaao and favorable comment and met with the most hearty indorsement.
 It was stated it opens a line of thought that cannot be ignored, and that Birming- ham and Jefferson county can and should do what other cities have already done in matters of this kind. It was pointed out that the city of New Orleans has taken over the entire wharfage ot the river front and has expended nearly $2o,- GOO.OOo in improvements, making the city one of the finest seaports in the world.
 It was @also stated that what is done in the way of construction should pc on the scale and plan Of permaneiicy sug- eested by Ned Brace. as the opening of a gateway from Birmingham to the gull presents such great possibilities to this district that only propositions of perma- nent basis should be considered
 WORK ON GULF COAST
 In this connection John w Sibley, who returned Saturday from Gulfport where the officials of Harrison county are eX- pending LOGO on paved highway from Biloxi to Pass Christian via Gulfport, said:
 "The proposition as outlined by Ned Brace this morning is worthy of the most thoughtful consideration. What IS done in regard to opening the Warrior to the commerce of this district shoud be done with an eye to the future. So Tar as the railway is concerned 1t should pc built for the reason it could be operated with power furnished by Lock l7, ana with this cheap motive power, ill my opinion it would be a paying investment from the start. In order to secure the best wharf facilities the authorities or many of our river and seaport towns are taking over the docks themselves, deem- ing good wharfage an asset to the town. I see no reason why our authorities can not build such docks and believe that they will prove a good investment
 "Of course, good roads are an asset anywhere, but in my opinion it is highly important that should the road to the rlver be built it should be with the best material possible to secure.
 I have just returned from Gulfport,  have foated a bond issue of $6O0,000 to construct a paved highway from Biloxi to Pass Christian via Gulfport. It Will replace the old shell road that was washed away by the recent storm. In rebuilding the road the authorities de- cided to build for the future, and a paved highway is the result The people on the gulf coast are enthusiastic for the per manent highway, and no difficulty was experienced in selling the bonds. While we are building, let us build big, and l feel sure the result will justify the out lay"
 M'QUEEN MAKES TRIP
 John Mcqueen, who has recently re- turned from a trip on the Warrior and Tombigbee rivers, from Mobile to Lock H. with a representative of one of the largest corporations in the country dealing in a domestic commodity, with view of establishing barge line, is enthusiastic on the proposition to open the gateway to the gulf, and yesterday said:
 "I read the article by Ned Brace today with much interest and pleasure. I have recently taken a trip on the Warrior river with a gentleman representing a large corporation who had in view the establishment of a line of barges from a point near Birmingham to Mobile l was much impressed with the nature of the work done by the government at an enormous expense This gives the Br- minSham district a waterway to the gulf and in my opinion it is the sheerest folly not to take advantage of it. Then again a mere description of the beauties of Lake Bankhead does not begin to convey an adequate idea of it's grandeur. It must be seen to be fuily appreciated. This in addition to the commercial value of the river would be of vast benefit to the district just as the lake fronts on or near the northeastern towns have proven of benefit to that section of the country Let the highway and railway and docks be built as soon as practicable. Their commercial value to this district is ncaI- culabe."
 TUSCALOOSA MANS VIEW
 Edgar Clarkston, prominent attor- ney of Tuscaloosa, said: While 1 am not a citizen of Jefferson county, am nevertheless interested in the de- velopment of the county and Birming- ham in particular. I have noticed what has been said and done in favor of the proposed highway from Birmtng- majority of the citizens in expressing my confidence in the mutual good of Birmingham in the event the project goes through.
 q believe bonds would be voted for by the Birmingham citizens if neces- sary to build this magnificent road way to the river. Tuscaloosa is right on the Warrior river and the good it
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