The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-27
ROADS APPROVE
 SEAPORT PLANS
Show Spirit Of Cooperation With Sibert In Develop
 ing Port


 MOBILE, Ala, Jan. 26.-(Special Leased Wire. e.)-High officials of rail roads which enter Mobile and which will be directly affected by any plan for port development with proceeds from the $10,0O0, 900 state bond issue have been in conference and commit nication with the state docks commis- sion with the idea in view of ascer- taining the desires of the commission and assisting in the perfection of a construction plan, according to an- nouncement today of Gen. William l.. Sibert, chairman and engineer. Gen eral Sibert confirmed reports that he already had started negotiations with railroads and that many of the high officials have come from their offices to discuss details.
 While not divulging any of the ma jor details as they relate to the rail- roads the docks commission headquar- ters statement said the railroad off -cials will continue in conference un- til there has been a solution of the problem of port construction"
 It has been agreed that railroads, proper connections to expediti0usly and economically serve the port, are, con- cerned in almost every step which the commission takes and they are the ones receiving first consideration,
 Roads Cooperate
 q can say for the railroads enter ing Mobile that not one has shown hostility to our tentative plans," said the statement. They have shown every willingness to cooperate"
 General Sibert has compiled much information, on sites which are being considered for first work. Railroads, 1t is stated, own much of the prop erty under consideration, while indi- viduals own other sites. In the plan under considerat ton the railroads will play an important part, it is stated, due to the desire of the commission to have railroad facilities the very best possible.
 Information yesterday said that the board of appraisers, named by the commission with the approval of the governor, will be ready to function when request is made for a meeting It will be the duty of the board to sit in judgment on prices which own CTS have fixed on sites when the com mission desires to perfect its scheme of construction.
 We want to have all data necessary for consideration by the appraisers be- fore they are called to meet" said General Sibert. ''It is long and tedious task we are facing and one which calls for much careful thought, before plans are made public. The and communicate with the docks commission until their part of the pro- gram has been completed"
 When the appraisers meet in Mobile information as to the price owners have fixed on property, desired for the port facilities, will have been prepared. The price asked and the suggested com mission price, it is stated, will be shown in plain figures"
 Can Condemn Property
 While the docks commission mem- bers have not reached that stage where plans are in formulation for condemna- tion proceedings against property where prices are considered too high, atten- tion has repeatedly been called to the handicaps which will result if the is necessary to go into court and prove prices asked are exhorbitant. Ample provision is made in the seaport en- abling act, as we'll as old state laws, to condemn property for public use, it is stated, but much time and expense is neC6SSdry tO carry OuL tulS ucLuOu LII gaining possession. The commission IS looping to avoid court procedure and its resultant expense to all concerped. The delay in port construction means more to the city, it is stated, than does the expense or handicaps which follow court litigation.
 A very important part of the pre- liminary program of port building is the compilation of data showing the origin and destination of various kinds of cargoes. The commission is reported studying this feature of the duties. Much valuable information in this line came into possession of the commission when the present members took office. The study being made now will show the railroad rates for switching, etc., at the port of Mobile. This data will form an interesting study for the com mission in its plan to have all rail- roads serve the port facilities.