The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-18
STATEMENT ISSUED.
 BY ENTIRE BOARD LIN 0NE-MAN CARS
Commission Maintaint Utility Body Ignored When Cars
 Were Installed
(Continued From Page One.)

other Hines. Since that time the street car company has ignored the commiss sson on this question, and without the approval or authority of the commission, the citizens affect- ed, or anyone else.
 Several months ago the company placed these one-man cars and one entrance and exit cars on the North Birmingham line, where there is large negro population. The citizens of North Birmingham filed a we'll signed petition with the city commis- sion against this kind of car with the single entrance and exit, pointed out the objections that the conyes- tion caused by reason of forcing the white people, men, women and chill dren, in. such close contact with the colored people on entering and leav- ing these cars. also the great danger of trouble between the races or in- dividuals of the races by reason of this condition. The city commission took this matter up with the com pany. and after some negotiations the company agreed to remedy the situation by removing the one-en- trance cars and replacing the double entrance and exit cars on that line. Later the company extended these same cars to the Norwood and Foun- tain Heights lines, when the same objections were registered by dhe patrons of these lines in petitions signed by the great majority of patrons. This took place more than two months ago, at which time the city commission re- quested the street car colapany to remedy these conditions as they had the North Birmingham situation, pointing out to the company that such change would be in the interest of the public and of both races, as well as the street car company it. self. Some conferences were held with the officials of the company as to this situation, and finally the city commission was notified by the com pany that the company would not make the changes or remedy the conditions complained of. The petit ton from these communities were then filed with the public service commission at Montgomery, and after about a months delay the public service commission notified the city that it had no Jurisdiction. saying this was matter for the city to regulate and remedy through it's po- lice power.
 Having exhausted every recourse known to us in effecting a peaceable settlement of an unsatisfactory and intolerable condition, the city com mission had only two courses open,
 
 of the people. (2) to pass an ordi- nance remedying that particular con- dition, and at the same time remedy ing general condition that has been gradually growing worse.
 Is the Ordinance TOO Drasticf
 Some people seem to think that this ordinance is something untried. As a matter of fact, the feature that is complained of as drastic has been a subsisting ordinance of the city ot Birmingham long prior to the year 1917. and it is contained in the city code Of 1917 in the following lan- guage:
 "'Section 1901. Separation of white and colored passengers. The Bir- mingham Railway, Light and Power company is hereby required to fur partments in their cars on all their lines in the city of Birmingham for the use and accommodation of white and colored passengers. Failure to comply, with this Ssection shall be deemed misdemeanor and punish able as provided in Section 1216 of the code of Alabama
 This section has never been re- pealed but inch by inch the street car company has further and fur ther disregarded it. At first the cars were equipped with partitions reaching to the top of the car. peared on most of the lines and a movable board was substituted. So that finally the people of the lines affected have asked for relief against the violation of this old ordinance.
 "So it appears that the commission. in adopting the jim-crow ordinance is merely reviving an old ordinance which many years ago was not thought to be too drastic.
 For many years the jim law, which Is substantially the same as the city ordinance, has been in effect on all railroads south of the Mason and Dixon line. If such a law Is wise and expedient for the rail- road companies, why is 1t not equally as salutary for street car companies? As to economizing space, the same arguments apply with equal force to the railway trains as to the street cars. There would be more available space should the white and colored passengers be forced to sit on the same seat. In our school houses space would be eoonomized and ef- ficiency heightened by consolidating the schools for the white and colored people. but there are some questions that outweight that of dollars and cents.
 Race Questiou Position.
 "Nor is there any disposition to stir up the race question.
 "The city commission was not ae- tuated by any spirit of hostility to- ward the colored race. We are seeking principle and tradition that Is we'll established and recog- nized by both colored and white peo- pie. This ordinance does not create or impose a condition that is not l-1 al effect through the custom and habits of living of both races throughout the south. The truth is that the colored race will benefit more from rem edying of this situation than will the white people themselves. We had and the narrow averting or trouble in many instances. that it is high time that-this situation were effectually remedied. There is no disposition on the part of the colored race to create the changed condition recognize the danger of it and the objections to it. The responsibility for it lies only upon the street car company. Every thinking person | will recognize the wisdom of the slogan. Safety First All the argu- ment about stirring up race strife and hostility is manifestly without foundation and beside the mark.s
 Commission NSt XetS.,ea X by Hostile l ity Toward Street Chr Company. 1 "Neither was the commission actu- 1 ated by any hostile spirit toward the ! Birmingham Railway. Light and Power company. despite the fact that l the city is unable to get any CO., 1 operation from it in any way. In 1 our associations for settlement we were content to consider only those lines where conditions were acute, and where relief was specifically de manded. We were not inclined to press a change of conditions on other lines. But the company refused to remedy these specific conditions.