The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-06-28

the matter, had unanimously IaVoFeu the Helena Hardwood road. Captain White, in his address, challenged this statement. He said that at meeting yesterday of the Civic Association decision was made to stick by the present road. He was supported in his statement by c. R. Harsh.
 Someone in the audience asked MT. Ewing how much property he owned on the valley route. "I am glad you asked that question:" replied the speaker. T own property on the Red Shades mountain route and the little that I own on the proposed route l have already contracted to sell"
 Bessemer's Interest
 Bessemer's interest in the road question was presented by A. D. Ausman, secretary of the Bessemer Chamber of Commerce, who declared that the change would do more for the industrial district of which Bessemer Is a part than any other action ever taken by the commis- sion. George Ross of Bessemer point ed out that the Shannon n-0xmoor- Hardwood road would go with in five miles of Bessemer, the fourth largest city in the state" he con- tended that 1t Is the most feasible one and that provided 1t is built the one over Shades mountain will not be, abandoned, but Twill be kept up Carles Bently of Bessemer also spoke in favor of the change.
 After advocates of the proposed route had finished, Captain White rose to his feet and made master ful plea in favor of retaining the present road He said that he rep resented between 800 and 1000 peti tioners in shelby and Jefferson coun- ties and also the board of revenue of Shelby county.
 Shelby County
 He read a letter from the Shelby county board of revenue, which stated that the county had already spent $100,0 in grading and chert- ing the present route. It was also pointed out that the road runs north and south through the center of the county and that the proposed road would be of little service to that section of the state.
 Captain White raised the point as to whether the commission has the right to abondon the old road. He contended that 1t will be necessary to get permission of the bureau of public roads before any change can be made. He said that 1t would take all the money Shelby county will get out of the state road fund to con- struct the 22 miles that would be required for the proposed new route.
 Referring to Jefferson county. Captain White declared that all of the S250.000 in the Initial amount coming to this county would be re- quired to build the Parkwood- Helena road. He then asked members of the commission for the results of tena- tive survey made by the state high way commission. Unable to obtain the report, Captain IS@ite then turned the guns of his attack on the engineering obstacles to be overcome on the proposed route and declared that 1t was impracticable from that standpoint.
 Barrels of Money
 You are good lawyer, Captain White, but not much of an engineer" interposed Commissioner Batson, who added that three railroads had seen fit to lay their tracks through the valley.
 Yes. but they have barrels of money" replied Captain White.
 Extracts from a survey made by George Huntington Clark were then read by Captain White who remarked that no competent engineer would recommend the route.
 Mn C1arks survey, as read by Captain White declared. that only a portion of the grade of the old railroad line could be used and that in two or three places the road would have to go through cuts where danger from falling rocks would be great. At one place it was stated that there Is only narrow space be- tween the l.. and N. and A. B. and d. tracks and that 1t was doubtful whether a right of way could be ob- tained-
 John Bunyan Quoted
 In conclusion Captain White de- clared that the gorge between the hills in some places Is extremely nar- row and that John Bunyan never offered moro obstacles to the Chris tan on his way to heaven than will baffle construction of a road on this route"
 In a few words in rejoinder. George F. Davis declared that it was possible to get through the narrow gorge by raising the bed of the road so that the space between the cliffs.
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