The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-15
CITIZENS PLAN TO WAGE BATTLE FOR. LAW FOR SAFETY
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 losses if occurring in a day, instead of a year, would arouse any and all communities.
 Dr. Stirling J. Poster, president of the Optimist club, said the ration of deaths and injuries at grade Ncross- ings was increasing with the growth of the city and has become intoler- able, that there was not so much in terest in the matter because of the lack of interest in a large community in the affairs of others, but that each citizen should regard the accidents from a personal viewpoint and make common cause for relief.
 Victor H. Hanson said he was not convinced that legislative action was the necessary means of approach to relief for the railroads had shown an interest in the problem, were co operating for the building of the underpasses and the railroads real ized the benefits that would accrue. If. he said you deem 1t necessary to secure legislative action, if you de- eide you need law, then l am for the law, too, and will do all l can to help you get it.
 Sees Necessity Of Law.
 D. E. McLendon, president of the city commission, told of tentative meeting held with railroad officialcls on the subject. the latter meetings with the presidents and vice presi- dents of the roads and the action Of some of them of at once making sur veys and cooperating with the city to get to work going. MT. McLendon said the city was on good terms with the railroads and may not have to resort to law, but the legislature only meets every four years, 1t is in session now and that it is best to have the law on the subject clear and ready.
 Mrs. C. J. Sharp said it was wom ems function to perpetuate human life. that every maiming of hu- man being, every death at a grade crossing was an agony to some moth CT She said the women of the city stood back of the men in t;e pres ent movement that they were protd of them, had their confidence. and that women would be with the dele gation that goes to Montgomery.
 Joe Loveman, president of Love man, Joseph and Loeb, said that In his travels he had seldom entered city of Birmingham's size or larger save over or under ground, for grade crossings had been eliminated in most of them. If the railroads are cooperating for the construction of viaducts and underpasses for Blr- mingham they will not oppose the present legislation; if they oppose It, then they are not so sincere about that cooperation. This is an oppor- tunity for the people of the city to get together, to put something over as a city movement, its greatest value will be in teaching the value of all making common cause. If this is the opening movement for cooperation in Birmingham, then l am honored Tn being here tonight.
 R. D. Johnson said Birmingham is made up of scattered communities each with it's individual interests, each with it's own town movements and it is harder in Birmingham than elsewhere the get district-wide CO., operation. He pointed out that the two main divisions of the largest Of the group of communities that con- stitute Birmingham have only three chief means of traffic coSIml nicatlon, two of which are grade crossings.
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 Surprised At Public Patience.
 Henry Porter said that when the citizens consider the amount of tune and money lost by the blockadlnS of streets by trains it is wonder anyone stands for it. 1T the legls- lature imposed s6,000 a day tax on Birmingham there would be howl and a fight, a fight that would have such a tax set aside. yet the railroads impose that tax daily in delay, loss of time and money dls- tributed like tax on the cltlZeHS'
 Col. T. H. Motion said the present meeting was the first time he had been in the Chamber of Commerce since he resigned as it's president, because the organizations officials, by the railroads. would take on steps to get the needed Wa ducts. He said the fight for under passes and viaducts had been going on for 37 years to his certain know ledge. Considering the damages sus- taiued by the railroads, he said, 1t IS d great wonder they have not seen the saving in eliminating the grade crossings years ago, and they can make income property of it now, by utilizing the space under the raised tracks for the parking of automobiles and relieve the city of a rapidly be- coming question that seems almost Don't take promises when you go to Montgomery he advised, get the law you want. Get 1t passed ana then jump on the city commission every day until they get the inn built. Keep behind them.
 Resolutions were adopted express ing the sentiment of the meeting anc urging the citizens to join the dele qation for Montgomery and put the viaduct and underpass improvements through.