The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-22
ROAD OWES BARGE LINE SUM Secretary Weeks Is Not
 Averse To Taking
 Railroad WOULD BE FEEDER TO RIVER SERVICE Precipitation Of Receiver ship May Embarrass
 Other Lines $27,OOO IS SUM DUE BARGE LINE BY ROAD No Violation Of Den;son Bill Seen In Operation O. War
 rior Service Separately
WOULD BE FEEDER
 TO RIVER SERVICE
$27,OOO IS SUM DUE BARGE LINE BY ROAD
Washington Bureau)

WASHINGTON, D. C., July 21. -ohn W. Weeks, secretary of war, would not be averse to acquiring for the government the Ensley Southern railroad, which recently went into the hands of receivers, if ownership could be acquired at figures which he might regard as reasonable.
 It is not denied that the Ensley Southern, as a feeder to the War rior barge line, would be of infin- ite service to that enterprise. The fact that the Ensley Southern owes the barge line $27,000 will give the government certain authority, it is believed, in its final disposi- tion.
 Fought By Competitors
 The idea obtains in Washington that it is possible that other railroads, re- garded as unfriendly to river competi- tion forced the Ensley Southern into receivers hands.
 Because the idea is nebulous and un- supported by known fact, it is simply hinted at, up to the present time. It is intimated, however, that those who are suspected of having struck blow at the Warrior through the Ems ley Southern may have played into the hands of the Warrior.
 At any rate, it is regarded as ser
 tain that at the proper tine, the gov
 ernment will make an effort to ac. quire the Ensley Southern.
 Gen. T. Q. Ashburn, in charge of the Mississippi and Warrior services de- clined to discuss the foregoing situa- tion, when interviewed today.
 'The fact, that the Ensley Southern is in the hands of receivers, and that we are it's creditors to the extent of $27 ,000 gives us grave concern" he said, i've are endeavoring to work out the fiddiculty as effectively and expe- ditiously as possible, and we think we see light ahead"
 Complies With Law
 General Ashburn explained that the plans for the operation of the Missis- sippi and Warrior systems, as outlined by him in a statement for the press, did not contemplate the slightest viola tion of that section of the Denison bill which requires the government corpora tion to operate both systems as an en- tity. 'The corporation will operate both, he said, "as the law makes it necessary. Each will have its own business affairs, however, and there will be no overlapping either of expenses or profits.
 Financially, each will stand on its own feet and it will never again be a question as to whether the one is a burden or not. l believe that it will be demonstrated in very quick order that neither is a burden and that both are a source of actual revenue as well as great service to the people. "The first result is a net saving in overhead expense of $125,000 per an- mum. The operations will be simpli- fled, red tape will be eliminated. Those in charge will have great opportunity, never before obtainable, to display their initiative. The office of federal man. ager of the two systems is abolished, and there will be no intermediary head. All reports will be made directly to Washington by the way of New Or leans"
 Theodore Brent, formerly federal manager, will become traffic manager of both systems, according to orders issued this afternoon.
 Mobile Is Headquarters Warrior river headquarters will be | in Mobile with Captain E. V. Pickley, formerly superintendent of mainten- ance and construction, in charge as operating manager. The orders will be effective as soon as they are in the hands of Brent and Pickley. The lat
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