The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-03
B. R.,L. &P. NOW
 PLANS TO JUNK
 TIDEWATER LINE
Quits Conference With Commission When Cur
 tailed Service Refused

In formal statement Saturudy, " -. l.. Harrison, city commissioner directly in charge of public utilities, declared the receivers of the B. R., l.. and P. company had served notice on the com mission in a final conference that un- less street car service on the Tide water line could be curtailed they would move to junk" the entire line.
 The commissioner said he would use the full power of the city in every pos sible and legitimate way to prevent the ..junking'' of any part of the line and to force it's operation with full and unimpaired service
 !. His statement indicates that there is little prospect of narrowing the breach between the commission and the receivers and that both sides now are making ready for a heated contest in the courts or before the state public service commission.
 Harrison's Statement
 Full text of Mr. Harrison s statement follows:
 For several weeks the city commis- sion and the receivers of the Birming- ham Railway, Light and Power com pany have held conferences and had " changes and proposed abandonment of part of the trackage of the Tidewater car lines. As commissioner of public utilities the propositions come more peculiarly within the department over whics I have supervision than in any other department of the city; and l felt great responsibility and that the other commissioners and myself should give the fullest and most careful con- sideration to the application of the re- eeiyers. This has been done so far as am concerned with view of protect ing the rights of the city and of accord ing justice to the utility corporation. l have had and do have the desire to CO., operate in every reasonable and proper way with the receivers in the reorgani- zation of these properties, having in view the paramount duty l owe to the people of Birmingham.
 No Agreement
 These conferences have resulted in no agreement and have reached finality with the suggestion that unless a part of the trackage of the Tidewater line is abandoned by agreement with the city that entire service by way of the Tide water will be discontinued and the Tidewater line "junked." That such should be done is to my mind unthink- able, and as to whether there be legal right on the part of the corporation is lmmaterial for there is a duty and moral obligation which the company must fulfill.
 When the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company acquired the capital stock of the Tidewater company, g separate corporal ton, they assumed an obligation of substantially million and a half dollars of the Tidewater's bonded indebtedness. This obligation they will pay. as l understand it, whether the Tidewater is operated or not. My view Is that when they took over this money obligation they alsJ took over an obli- gation to the people of Birmingham, and especially those who lived upon, used or had property or have acquired property along the route of the Tide water line; and that obligation was and Is to operate the Tidewater car line in Its full integrity.
 Separate Companies
 .I understand that the Tidewater and the other company are separate corporations, but in actual ownership and obligation to the public it is one and the same.
 As I have said in public addresses, the street car system is part of Bir- mingham, a needed and necessary part the street car company is entitled to and shall receive all fair and just con- sidera ton; likkewise, Birmingham and its people shall receive all fair and just consideration, and regardless of techni- calities. as a commissioner of the city of Birmingham, l will use the full power of the city in every possible legitimate way to prevent the junk ing" of any part of the Tidewater line and to force it's operation, if needs be, with full and unimpaired service.'