The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-11
WILL SOLVE MAY PROBLEMS

Public opinion is unifying on the War rior river connection. Where only few weeks ago, very few of the men of the district had any clear ideas on the sub ject, now the situation is clarifying and practically the whole citizenship is a unit
 in favor of the connection. In discussing the matter last night w. J. Adams said:
 T think the Warrior river is the great est opportunity now confronting the busi- ness men of Birmingham and the entire district Upon the proper solution of this question, many matters which are now causing us worry and concern will solve themselves.
 This river is the key to the solution of the freight problem. It is a matter known to the business people of Birming- ham that our freight rates have been higher than those charged most of the other cities of the same size in the south. This has been due to the fact that most of them had some kind of water connec- tion. It seemed to matter but little whether they made use of their water ways. They had at sometime in the past used them and the old water rates held good.
 Birmingham has learned her lesson and is now prepared to profit by taking advantage of this river at our very doors
 tion of the problem is for the city to extend it's limits to the banks of the Warrior river at the point which is de- cided as the terminus for the river road. As the matter stands now, the city is in the position of asking the county to do every thing which is needed for us to get advantage of the stream. With Ioo nSto eli nf fbn citx 1ir,oifc Ina ity and the county can then join hands and determine what part each is to play in this most important matter.
 "The construction of permanent high grade road is the first thing to be done and then I am sure that a steam or electric railway will follow. With the right kind of connection with the river, there would be enough business to con vince everyone that such move. would be paying proposition.
 "If the city extended it's limits to the river l am certain there would be no trouble about voting the necessary bonds for any improvements which were deemed advisable. This would be an improve ment which would affect the cost of liv- ing of every man, woman and child in the district and it would probably show greater immediate returns than any money ever spent by the city. It looks lick the time has arrived for action, and am sure that the proper authorities will handle the situation in a way to meet the approval of the people,"
 JUDGE SEES BENEFITS
 Thomas J. Judge state senator, be- lieves that the first movement for the people to take in securing the benefits of the Warrior will be the construction of permanent highway to the river. T nave no particular place in mind as the one to which the road should go,' said Senator Judge, "as I think that matter should be left to the judgment of the engineers.
 However, I am convinced that with the construction of a proper highway to the river, the city of Birmingham and the entire district would be wonderfully benefited and the drop in freight rates which would result, as well as the saving by water transportation, would give Bir- mingham tremendous advantage over other cities of the same size. T am con fident that the people of Birmingham are now thoroughly alive to the needs of the situation and the successful consumma- ton of this matter seems only short tune in the future.