The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-12
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day, but other than the proposition to
take over the Tidewater had been made,
he had nothing to say at this time.
Sale Is Approved
Friday morning, Judge w. I. Grubb,
of the federal court, approved the re-
cent sale Of the Birmingham Railway,
Light and Power company which had
been effected at public auction recently.
The next step in this matter is for
the interested parties to go before the
Alabama public service commission,
April Is, for it's approval of the trans
fer of the properties, which approval
is expected. Following this approval,
permanent organization of the present
skeleton Birmingham Electric company
is scheduled to be perfected and this
company will take over the Birmingham
Railway, Light and Power properties
from their recent purchaser, the Ma
tional Power and Light company.
Granting the expected approval of
the transfer by the state commission,
j. $. Pevear will petition the federal
court for relief from the receivership
of the Tidewater, which. if still in the
hands of the receiver, will be a Compel
itor of the Birmingham Electric COM
pany, of which Mr.. Pevear is slated to
be president, making it impossible for
him to serve in both capacities.
1t is understood that Mr.. Smiths
statement Friday of the willingness of
the National Power and Light COM
pany to take over the Tidewater before
Tuesday was not threat or an ulti-
matum, but plain business statement
based on the fact that the transaction
could be handled with the financial
preparations for taking over the Biz
mingham Railway, Light and Power
properties, but that business settled, the
Iidewater, independent and alone.
would not be an attractive financial
venture.
Not one of the city commissioners,
Friday, opposed the proposed change in
the Tidewater franchise providing for
the dual division service. President
McLendon is for it, Commissioner
Dickson is for it, provided there is no
hope of continuing the through service.
Commissioner ClOe came out flat-footed
as an advocate of settling the matter
by changing the franchise. Mr.. Har-
rison announced his position as nom
committal and awaiting the discussion
before the commission as whole.
Commissioner Mary Echols is ILL., was
not seen to be asked about the subject.
but 1T has been stated she is inclined
to favor the franchise rearrangement.
though she. herself, has not said so.
Commissioner Cloe, taking a decided
stand Friday, put the advocates of a
franchise change in a majority, re-
CARELESS of what position Mr.. Harrison
and Mrs Echols may announce.
Must Consult p. S. C.
Mr.. Cloe said:
BEFORE we can do anything about
the franchise of final nature. the
approval of the Alabama public serv
ice commission must be secured OF
course, we anticipate the state COM
missions approval, if the change il
advocated by the majority of the city
commissioners. Truly, l hate to see
the Underwater service changed to any
thing but a through proposition as IL
is now operated, but the position of
the city would be utterly inconsistent
II 1T advocated this line continuing as
1t Is when the change will eliminate
more than one hundred grade crossings
for the cars. The city has great
Undertaking on its hands now with the
railroads to eliminate grade crossings.
Where would We be if we approved
the continuance of 105 of them when
we are given the opportunity to cut
out that many from one street car
ilhe! AS see it, the franchise change
is the logical thing to do.
Il do not think this damage of the
Underwater going out of service is a
mere threat. Judge Grubb has said
IL Is losing money, and / believe him.
Inc people operating the company have
sald so. 1t has been offered for sale
twice and nobody has offered to buy
IT, Seems to me. it'sftime to act to
save 1t. Again, | would hate TO see
the employees of the Tidewater thrown
out OF work when their Jobs can he
saved am ready TO vote to approve
the proposition of changing the fran
cnlse TO permit the service being con-
tlnued in two divisions"
Commissioner w. L. Dickson has ex-
pressed himself to the effect that bp
100, would want to see the Tidewa fer
me go on as continuous East Lake
10 Ensley service, as now, but. he said
II looks to me like the old question
OF half loaf being better than no
loat at all, and if We cannot have the
through service, then | will support
scribed. N'
1t was stated at the city hall Fri
day that the city commission will hold
meeting before Tuesday and take
up the matter of the proposed Tide
water franchise change.