The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-08-03
DEADLOCK ON DETAILS
 IS FEARED Viaducts Or Underpasses
 Is Heated Question
 For Decision SIBERT'S FINDINGS ARE NOT GIVEN OUT Said To Have Provided No Protection For Twentieth Street UNDERPASS WANTED THERE BY HAWKINS Believe Commission Will Refuse To Accept Some Of Rec
 concentrations
SIBERT'S FINDINGS
 ARE NOT GIVEN OUT
UNDERPASS WANTED THERE BY HAWKINS

With thousands fo Birmingham citi- zens and numerous civic organizations on record as demanding speedy relief from open railroad crossings in the business district, it was feared Saturday that another long delay would result from threatened deadlock between the city commission, the railroads and a special Chamber of Commerce commit tee over construction plans.
 Although official confirmation could not be obtained, there were strong indi- cations at city hall that the commission will refuse to accept some of the rec concentrations made by Gen. W. L. Si- bert, the Mobile engineering expert, in his report to the chamber committee. Copies of this report are being studied by commission members and City Engin- neer A. J. Hawkins.
 Report Is Secret
 Sibert's findings are being kept se- cret, but will be made public on Au- gust II when railroad heads, together with the commissioners and chamber l committeeman, meet in an effort to reach definite agreement as to whether viaducts or underpasseS should be con- structed. The city stands ready to enact ordinances to start the dirt fly ing" as soon as the various plans and recommendations are harmonized.
 Gen. Sibert's report is said to have provided no protection for the. Twen- tieth street crossing, held in some quar- ters to be the thoroughfare in greatest need of relief. The city's own plans, prepared weeks ago by the engineering department and tentatively approved, call for an underpass on this street, and commission members are known to be vigorously opposed to leaving the street without protection. Thus, the Twentieth street situation appears cer- tain to develop split, since the rail- roads will support Sibert's proposal to leave the street open.
 Other Variances
 While the Twentieth street crossing looms as the chief bone of contention. there are other details over which the city, on one hand, and the chamber committee and the railroads, on the other. appear to be at variance. At the. forthcoming meeting, every effort will be made to effect compromise. but the prospect is said to be slim, particu- larly with regard to Twentieth street.
 Full authority to decide on the re- medial measures is vested in the eom- mission and failure to reach aI5-aeree- ment on August II will not deter it from proceeding to adopt what it he lleves to be the best plan but unless all differences are adjusted before hand. it IS practical certainty that an iniuuc- tlon suit, calculated to keep the relief project in the courts indefinitely. will be instituted. Such a suit, however probably would be filed in any event. according to those in close touch with the situation.
 Members of the chamber committee. like the city officials, are maintaining strlctest silence in advance of thescom ing meeting. Belief prevails, however. mat the committee and the railroads heads Will support Sibert's report, with the city approving portions of it but standing firm for protection at the Twentieth street crossing.
 Views expressed by many citizens Saturday indicated that the public, cares little whether viaducts or underpasses are constructed. Any kind of relief from existing hazards would be well comed, they say.
 Street Commissioner W. D. Dickson and City Engineer Hawkins conferred at length Saturday and closely studied General Sibert's report. They will give It further consideration this week.
 I've have nothing to give out until the meeting on August Il" these off cials said, in declining to state whether fight would be made on the genernl's recommendations.
 Briefly, General Sibert's report. ac. cording to information obtained in semi official sources, proposes viaducts for Fourteenth and Eighteenth streets. nothing at Twentieth street, and DOS sibly an underpass at Twenty y-fourth. under plans of the city, underpasses at Fourteenth, Eighteenth and Twen- tieth streets and a viaduct at Twenty. fourth would be constructed