The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-14
THE uTILITY's OBLIGATION

From time to time since preliminary steps were taken to lift the receiver ship of the Birmingham Railway Light and Power company through a reorganization plan, heads of the util- sty have requested a number of privi- leges and concessions from the city 7 commission in extensions of fran chises, permission to change routings, discontinuance of service and substi- tuition of new regulations which af- feet the public convenience. The util- ity seems to have adopted a trading attitude with the apparent desire to obtain numerous advantages in re turn for discontinuance of the re- ceiyership. While there may be some indirect public benefits from the lift ing of the receiyership through re- moval of a certain unfavorable out side impression arising from city's chief utility being under a receiver ship, the greater benefits would go to the utility itself as a consequence of a reorganization whereby the com pany's assets might be better con- served, it's earning power, increased and it's credit protected.
 It were well to consider in this con- nection that neither the city of Bir- mingham nor its people are responsi- ble for the receivership of the utility. Both have been generous and tolerant as respects franchise grants, service and other factors. An important con- cession was made by the people when they voted out the jitneys on promises by the utility that, with removal of this competition, the company would be recognized on a substantial basis, would make extensive improvements and would greatly improve the serv- ice. There is small indication that these promises are being fulfilled. There has been. no perceptible i'm movement in the service, but rather a siackeninH. The net results of re- moving jitney competition so far have been increases in the utility's gross receipts and further inconvenience to the public, while the utility has de- clined to perform its part of street paving, but continues to ask for con- sessions from the city on one plea or another fin connection with the pro- posed reorganization program. Some of the requests made represent large concessions; others, if granted, would cause more or less hardship to large numbers of people through curtail- ment of service, according to num- erous protests already coming in.
 It looks as if sooner or later, under the present policy and attitude of the utility. there will come a direct and sharp showdown between the city and the utility. What form this will take is not now apparent; but the public tolerance is limited to the peo- ple's willingness to bear inconvenience and hardship. Instead of co-operat- ing in public betterments, the utility is refusing to perform its proper share. There comes a time when the people of a great city determine to get the needful service, even though they have to take over a recalcitrant utility and operate it fin the public interests. The great majority of the ,speople of this community are de- pendent on the street car company to carry them to and from their work. The utility is thus intimately con- nected with the industrial and com nuercial life of the community. All se theae people need and demand