The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-01
WEATHERLY IN
 CHARGE OF PROBE INTO T|DEWATER Commission Wants to Make Thorough Investigation of
 Whole Subject BARBER REVIEWS HIS
 ATTACK ON PROJECT Judge Abernethy Among Those Who Think City Should Acquire the Line Now in
 Bankruptcy

Following fiery trade by Comrnis- sioner Barber, who accused the officials of the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company with having deliberately wrecked the Tidewater railroad, the city commission left the entire matter in the hands of Commissioner Weatherly of the department of public utilities yesterday With the request that thorough inquiry into the financial affairs of the Tidewater be undertaken by an expert accountant.
 Commissioners Weatherly suggested that legal action attacking the validity of the Tidewater reorganization plans would probably get at the bottom of the entire matter in tie quickest possible way.
 That coincides with my ideas exactIy,' said President Ward. You look into the matter MT. Weatherly, and enter suit in the federal court attacking the sale of tine Tidewater. What the city commission desires is to protect it's rights in the transaction. l will also furnish you with the services of an expert accountant at any time you make the request
 WEATHERLY SATISFIED
 Commissioner Weatherly expressed himself as satisfied with this arrange ment and promised to plunge actively into the inquiry in the Underwater finan- cial operations immediately.
 The discussion on the Tidewater was precipitated yesterday when the resolu- ton offered by Commissioner Barber for an inquiry come up. As will be remem- hered the resolution named MT. Barber and MT. Weatherly to conduct the in- quiry. Commissioner Weatherly stated yesterday that he did not know anything of the resolution, but that offhand he would prefer to let Commissioner Barber handle the entire affair by himself.
 T would not presume to do such a thlng,' disclaimed Commissioner Barber, land rather than that I will take my name off the resolution and allow MT. Weatherly to handle the inquiry alone"
 Why not have the inquiry by the whole commisson?" questioned Commis sioner Hornady.
 '1 believe I will withdraw my resolu- tion," said Mir Barber, and suggest that the commission serve notice on MT. Weatherly that we expect him to proceed toward an inquiry in the Tidewater af fairs. It is in Mr. Weatherlys depart ment"
 That will be the best way out of it." said Commissioner Ward, "and MT. Weatherly can call for the assistance of the whole commission whenever needed. Incidentally the city attorney is prepar- ing a report on the Tidewater which should be ready in a few days, and I further suggest that Mir. Weatherly and MT. Barber and the city attorney get to- gether and find out just what is the mat ter with the Tidewater."
 BARRIERS ATTACK
 In the attack on the financial opera tions of the Tidewater lines, Commissioner Barber submitted much documentary evidence purporting to show just how the bondholders had juggled the finances of the bankrupt corporation in order to freeze the little fellers' and give the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company the controlling interest.
 At no time" said Commissioner Bar ber,' was anything else contemplated than absorption by the Birmingham Railway. Light and Power company. The Tide water road was wrecked by these selfish corporate interests with that one purpose in view"
 Throughout his entire speech MT. Bar Der attracted more interest than he us- ually does at commission conferences. ow- ing to the fact that the entire commis-
 
 water affairs and the possibility of ac- quring the railway under municipal con trol.
 Among the citizens yesterday few cared to express an opinion for publication, butt quite number admitted that they would favor municipal ownership of the Tide water rather than absorption by the Bir- mingham Railway. Light and Power com pany.
 ABERNETHY'S VIEWS
 Judge H. B. Abernethy of the municipal court stated that the wrecking of the Tidewater lines was nothing short of Financial piracy" and that he hoped the city would stand by it's rights and refuse to sanction the sale to the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company. Judge Abernethy, lis a most valuable piece of property and under municipal ownership could be made to pay. In fact, I would faV municipal ownership of the lines operated by the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company.
 All of these public service corpora tions, such as the Southern Bell >gele- phone and Telegraph compaAy, the Bir- mingham Waterworls company and the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company, are owned by stockholders who live outside of Birmingham. These stock holders merely. order the directors to get dividends and the directors do the besr they can, which means impaired public service at the maximum cost.
 Under the present circumstances the