The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-11-30

Yesterday morning at the city hall MT. Bradley and President J. S. Peaver o1 the company were in consultation with the city commissioners regarding the increase, but nothing was given out regarding the conference. Forney Johnston, who has been representing the city in this and other special mat ters, is not in the city, but, it is under stood, has been in close touch with the situation and has been advised in Washington of the latest step.
 PROMPT RELIEF NECESSARY Copies of the orders signed by Judge Grubb in New York yesterday were given out here yesterday and they recite some of the particular seasons why the receiver feels that it is i'm perative that more revenue be secured from the street railway branch of the service. The receivers petition set out that prompt relief by increase of in come to the receivers estate is neces- sary and that relief should be obtained by increasing railway fares"
 The receiver prays that he may be authorized to apply to the Alabama Public Service commission for a raiI-
 
 each of the fare zones, with such modifi- cations and exceptions as may be deemed necessary, and that the receiver shall put into effect such increased fares as the Alabama Public Service commission may order.'
 CONDITION ON NOV. 1
 The application recites some inter- etsing facts in connection with the op- ehtion of the local properties among them the following:
 The cash condition of your receiver S estate on November 1, 1920, was as fol- lows:
 Cash on hand .............$ 66 995O0 Accounts receivable ....... 231.615.0o Total cash .............$ 29S,61O00 Receivers certificates, 1919
 taxes ................y 192, 900. .00 Receivers certificates, 1920
 licenses ................ Ss,Ooo.eo Receivers certificates, pre-
 ferred creditors ..... 60. 900. .0O Receivers certificates for
 purchase trailer cars 34 900. co Due on damage claims since
 receivership ............. 115,00O.0O Car trust notes ....... 150 09O6 0l Equipment notes ........ 71527O Taxes due for 1920 - 21.925 0( Accrued interest on bonds 7145O. .Oo Accrued interest on current
 liabilities .............. 3,954.0O Accounts payable ......., 62394s 0C
 
 Total obligation ........$1.7ss.711.oo iolal cash ................ 298,610.0o cash deficit .$1, 436, 01. 0C
 This statement does not include $l79,203 advanced by the city for the new track and paving on Tuscaloosa avenue; or about $210,00O advanced by Sloss-Sheffield Steel and Iron company for the construction of the new by- products gas main; or s4951613 ad- vanced by electric consumers for ex. tensions to be repaid from future earn, ings. They are, however, all obliga- tions of the receiver.
 The only obligations resting upon the estate of either company which have been actually paid by your re- celver, with the exception of S67,029.SS or preferred operating accounts in- cured shortly prior to receivership and wages and salaries of employees then accured, have been the interest and. sinking funds on the mortgage bonds.
 COMPANY EARNINGS
 The combined properties have earned silghtly less than bond interest and sink. ing funds during the receiversnip
 The cash deficit shown results from the payment of preferred creditors O, $6l,02S.Ss; the expenditure of $S54, ,524.53 fo, necessary improvements and extensions the expenditure for renewals and re placements of s177.9s2.54 in excess of tho amounts deducted from earnings for tha; purpose; and the balance from the in crease in cost of material and supple. on hand as compared with those o1 hand at the beginning of receivership
 Your receiver has continued to fur nish service in all departments at tn, rates in effect when he took charge O. the estate. excepting the street railwa, fare.
 1.-The operation of the gas departmen under the rates in effect resulted in considerable deficit in that department but this situation has been remedied ant your receiver is now distributing cokt oven gas at a reduced rate, and is ad vised that under these conditions tn, gas department should be self-sustaining
 RAILWAYS RESPONSIBLE
 The railway departments are chiefly responsible for the deficit as shown or tI>