The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-10-11

and their action IS conclusive that they
 have from the very beginning intended that the government take over their sys- 1 tenn and operate 1t, every act having been aimed in this direction. Their action can be construed but one way, and that is l that they now intend to punish the people for having repudiated them in their re- cent attempts to dodge their portion of the war burden, when they refused to allow an increase in rates.
 Either this is their status or they are
 powerless to act, and though we have been slow and patient, on account Of
 war conditions. the company has reacled the conclusion that the commission and the people will endure anything and
 everything rather than to take action, though it be for self-preservation. They had just as well quit as to carry ou such a mere semblance of service. The
 commission and the people are taking
 action only when compelled to do so, MUST PUT ON TRAILERS
 'I went out the other day" said Com missioner Taylor, and you could not
 stand on the car that I was riding on.
 It was impossible for another person to
 get on the car. But we passed a flock
 of trailers on the side track, and it oc-
 cured to me that the company could
 have at least put some of these cars on
 the back end of their motor cars to take
 care of the crowd The public does not
 understand why they could not have done this and I do not either"
 There is only one car on Avenue B
 line and it reminds me of what the or- ficials of the B. R. l.. X F. company said to us in conference when we asked for an audit of their books. They stated to us that if we wanted an audit out of mere curiosity that they could not favor us with it. l want to say that if there is any way to make them put
 on trailers and take care of the crowds we are going to do it."
 OFFERED NO REMEDY | Dr. Barrett, president of the commits 1 sion was the last one to express him. | self He said: ''The company has ad- mitted everything, the poor service and | the justice of the complaints. but they ] have never for one time even offered l to remedy the evil. much less promised I anything to the people that they ara serving in the way of Improvements. In every conference that we have ever held
 with them it has been the same indif- | ference that has characterized their ser vice. They have even gone so far as to | intimate that 1t would get worse We
 have been patient. but now we are al the breaking point and we have been 1 driven Ito 1t, too. There is nothing left | but to take action and make that action as strong as we can possibly make 1t, and as strong as the conditions require. :" | w. c. Dean following the expressions I from the commissioners stated that he wanted to state for the men employed , by the company that they were doing , their very best, and that they were 1OJ per cent in their patriotism.
 When they work 15 to IS hours every
 day, it is only reasonable that they get
 a little rest When you see a car go- l ing to the barn, that crew worked 1s
 hours the day before and 15 hours that
 day. so don't blame them. It is all that
 they can endure physically, and they l have to have rest
 l The commission assured Mr. Dean that l they understood this situation and that they had only praise for the employees who are sticking to their posts
 | Many who expressed their opinions on the situation yesterday were of the opin. l ion that the city would have to take | further action, and that 1t would not be
 surprising if the officials of the com. pany failed to show up Monday to ex. plain their side of the case that is fast
 being whipped into shape against them. as their task would be too tedious anl
 very likely impossible