The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-10-06

SVllp dHys
The report was read yesterday at
a meeting of the board held at the
Tutwiler hotel. The committee.
which was appointed several weeks
ago, has held a number OF confer
ences with the officials of the Biz
mingham Railway. Light and Power
company and also the city commits
sion, and recently joint conference
was held between the three boards.
The following recommends lions
were outlined for discussion at this
time:
That the city withdraw all pending
litigation.
That the city ordinance regulate
the jitneys and place them on a fair
competitive basis with the street car
company by imposing responsibility
and taxation in proportion to that
imposed upon the company.
That the traction company grant to
the city such rights as may be neces-
sary to connect its road projects and
thus save the contribution of Go per
cent of the cost offered by the
county.
That gas rates be adjusted as of
July 81.
That an adjustment of the cash
fares and ticket sales be made.
Remove friction as to one-man
cars.
That a definite plan be made for
street lighting.
That provision be made for gas and
electric extension and service.
That an accounting of the railway
company be had and that railway
fares, gas and electric service be ad-
justed to enable the railway company
to function and to meet the grow
ing requirements of the community.
That the railway company release
unused tracks and so arrange it's
routes as to release certain down
town blocks for parking purposes.
That frequent conferences be held
and a friendly working relationship
be established.
The street railway company an
nounced It's readiness to cooperate
along the lines suggested The city
commission was n-committal, but
agreed to study the matter.
At the final meeting held with the
city commission the following pro-
posAls were made:
Proposals of Board
THAT the proposals herein set
forth are temporary and shall be in
effect for six months from time of
adoption and will be subject TO re-
vision downward or upward and that
during that time one or more expert
accountants shall be employed to in
vestigate the financial conditions OF
all the departments and rates and
fares relating to those departments
of the Birmingham Railway, Light
and Power company with view OF
fixing permanent rates and street car
fares at the end of this six months
period.
20. That the city agrees to elm
mate the jitneys operating in the
city.
"3. That the city agrees to drop
litigation started by the old commits
sion seeking to annul the franchise
of the company.
-. The company will install at
once upon elimination of the jitneys
7-cent cash car fare and tickets at
tn, rate of 16 for 81. with tickets to
be sold on the street cars The same
charges for transfers as at present
to continue.
IS. That the company agrees to CO.
operate with the city in maintaining
the best of service as to the number
of cars to handle the people, as to
the regularity of operating cars, and
as to any other question looking
toward the efficient and practical
remedying of service conditions.
IS. That the company agrees dur
ing this six months period to put in
all street lights that have been or
dered by the city at the prevailing
rates, with the understanding that a
permanent contract shall be entered
into with the Birmingham Railway
Light and Power company and the
city for all future installation of
street lights, with not less than 100
lights installed per year.
~. That the company agrees to CO.
operate with the city In an equitable
way in the matter of street paving
and all right-of-way that may be
necessary.
49, That all matters affecting rates
and extensions of electric service be
settled as provided, by law. Also that
the matters affecting rates and ex-
tensions of electric service be settled
as provided by law.
objects to Fare Clause
When the report was submitted
Commissioner Harrison. speaking for
the city commission, announced that
IL was satisfactory to the commission
with the exception of the fourth
clause, that of the car fare. The Of
fetal of the railway company stated
that this rate of car fare was neces-
say AoA NiS ~ ~'A~
service.
1t was calculated that with the
elimination of the jitneys the riding
public would save approximately
$1,000 per day while the utility would
gain increased revenues of approx
mately $500 per day. According TO
information obtained by the commit
tee. it appears that only 20 per cent
of the riding public are transported
by jitneys. and to retain the jitneys 1t
would result in 80 per cent OF the
riding public being forced to pay an
additional fare.
Acceptance of the above proposals
would mean that the city cap go Tor
ward with its paving projects In va
rious parts of the city. and secure
electric lbhts for street illumination,
some of which have been ordered Tor
several years. and not yet been IN
stalled. This item wopld relieve
many citizens from the burden OF
providing street lights for the pro-
lection of their families and property.
The committee report declares II
found the attitude of the railway
company to be open, frank and
anxious to have all controversies set
tled and exnreaaed q willingness to