The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-10-14
City Commissioners Refuse
 To Answer Three Questions
 Submitted By Realty Board
Board Doubts Sincerity of City and Street Railway Com pany-Safeguarding Public Interests, Reply CommiS- SionerS

olUIiEIS
 Refusing unqualifiedly to answer three questions propounded by req estate board intermediates in 8 letter yesterday, the city commi ssior asserted in it's reply, sent late in the afternoon, that the three points at issue between the city and the Bir- ingham Railway, Light and Power company would have to be thrashed out at the conference previously call ed for next Tuesday
 Following a series of conferences held alternately with city commis- sioners and Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company company with both, it was made known by the special committee of the real estate board, which has been under taking to adjust differences by ar bitration, that it doubted the sin eerfty of one or both of the parties involved. In q letter yesterday ad- dressed to the city commission and to Lee C. Bradley, receiver of the
 
 Light company, the real estate com mittee asked for show of hands and a definite answer on three points.
 The city and the utilities company were asked in the questionnaire if they would agree to all points COW cred in the proposed settlement made last week by the real estate board, with the exception of those relating tc car fare and gas rates. They ask ed if, in the absence of an agreement at Tuesdays conference, they would agree to the fixing of a six months emergency car fare and gas rate by the Alabama public service commis- sion. Finally, they were asked If at the end of the six months period they would agree to a permanent fixins of transportation and gas rates by the then legally constituted au- thority
 Commission in Conference
 Immediately following receipt Of the realty boards letter, the city commission yesterday afternoon went nto lengthy conference behind closed doors. A reply was framed in which the commission flatly re- fused to answer the three questions asked by the realty board committee.
  at the letter of the realty board, and that any apprehension on the part oi the realty board regarding the sin cerity of either the city commi ssion cerity of either the city com mission of the Birmingham Railway Light and Power company must have arisen following the meeting last Wednesday. The commission said that until taht time. it had understood that all points involved In tie differences between the city ana the utilities company with the eN- ception of free transfers and sN-cent tickets had been agreed to by the company.
 Real Estate Boards Letter
 Following Is the letter sent yester- cay bv the the Real Estate board to inc city commission and to Lee E Bradley, receiver, Birmingham. Hall- way, Light and Power company: To the Honorable Board of Comm's- sioners of the City of Birmingham
 Honorable Lee c. Bradley. Receiver
 Birmingham Railway, Light and Tower company.
 Dear Sirs: The Birmingham Real Estate Board, feeling that the people of Birmingham are vitally interested in an early settlement of the differ ences between the city of Birming ham and the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company, some weeks ago appointed the undersigned as a committee to take up with the city commissicu, and with the receIv- ar of the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company the question oi an carly settlement of all differences, and to that end this committee has had several conferences with the commissioners of the city df Birming ham and with the receiver of the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company, and has brought about joint conference at which the differences have been discussed at length.
 At one time this committee was led to believe that basis Of settlement had been reached on ali matters ex- cept rates of fare and rates for gas However, a doubt has gradually grown in the minds of the committee as to whether or not either one or both parties really desire settle ment. This committee has been in- vited to participate in conference to be held en next Tuesday. We feel that before entering this conference we are entitled to frank statement on the part of both parties to the controversy as to whether or not there are impelling reasons why eith- CT one CT both do not desire set tlement of the existing differences.
 Text of Questions
 You are familiar with the final proposals made by the Real Estate Board committee, and which are set forth in an article by MT. Victor H Hanson .n the Birmingham News of october 12. We. therefore, propt unj the following questions. which in our opinion should be answered frankly before the conference arranged for next Tuesday. viz;
 1. Will you agree to the proposed settlement made by the Real Estate Board. with the exception of the question of transportation rates and gas rates?
 2. In the absence of an agreement at Tuesdays conference. if held. as to rates on gas and transportation, will ytu agree to join the Real Estate Board in securing, through the Pub lie Service commission. emergency rates for six months. on gas and transportation?
 3. Wit you cooperate with the Real Estate Board in having fixed. at the end of the six months period. permanent transportation and gas rates, by the then legally constituted Iate-making authority?
 We are making this letter public. as in our Judgment the people of Birmingham are vitally interested in the settlement of this controversy, and are entitled to know the position of beth parties and the present status of the controversy.
 We ask the courtesy of prompt reply. which will immediately be giv- en to the daily newspapers. in order that the public may be fully informed.
 Respectfully.
 J. K. BROCKMAN.
 J. c. BEATTY.
 CLAUDE H. ESTES.
 A. R. DEARBORN.