The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-08-20
HARRISON DENIES AGREEMENT MADE
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(Contfnued From Page One.) mittee is interested only in obtaining relief as quickly as possible. It is to be hoped that the whole movement may De kept out of politics"
 Mir. Ingalls, said the chamber had gone to considerable expense in having a crossing survey made; that the solu- tion tentatively agreed on was, in his judgment, the best one possible, and that the chamber committee had be- lieyed. before Mir. Harrison's statement came out, that a definite solution was at hand.
 Meet Is Important
 Commissioner Dickson said the tangle probably would come to a head at Sat urday's conference. He explained that he had favored underpasses, as provided in the city's plan, but had tentatively agreed to General Sibert's yiaduct proposal in order to escape liti- gation that might continue for five years, and then produce no results.
 "There was no vote taken at the joint conference" Dickson said, but my understanding was that, if the rail- roads came to terms on the division of costs. the work on the Eighteenth and Twenty-fonrth street viaducts would proceed. I feel that am bound to that extent and will be governed accordingly at Saturdays conference. l want speedy relief at these crossings"
 Another development Tuesday was announcement by Leo K. Steiner that citizens favoring the proposed Eight eenth street viaduct would meet at the Chamber of Commerce Thursday after noon at 8 o'clock for a full discussion. A protest against erection of this viaduct had previously been made by a group of property owners, led by Col. T. H. Molton.
 "The underpass plan, in my opinion, is by far the most desirable, HArri- son said, "both for the present and fu- ture. I am in favor of 1t and in favor of offering it to the railroads on 1o- 25 cost basis, which feel is fair and done to avoid delay and litigation.
 "If they will not accept 1t on these terms, then I am in favor of taking every legitimate step possible to force relief.
 If we have to go to the courts, l am in favor of putting our case on the basis where the railroads will be re- quired to pay the whole cost; as am advised by our attorneys that our case would be stronger on that basis, be- ing supported by many precedents in numerous states as we'll as in the su- preme court of the United States. Our attorneys say they are practically cer- tain of winning"
 Compares Plans
 nR ahn oao of underpasses as against viaducts, liar rison points out that the Sibert plans calls for only two viaducts, while there would be three underpasses.
 The total cost of the viaducts at Eighteenth and Twentieth streets, in cluding construction and abutting propS erty damage, Harrison estimates at $2,930, 900.
 Cost of underpasses at Fourteenth, Eighteenth and Twentieth streets, Har- rison estimates, would be $2,350,0 900, thus gaining an extra grade separation and costing S5S0,00O less than in Si- bert's plans. He puts property dam age of the three underpasses at $1OO,- 900 as compared to $1, ,6S0,O 900 for the two viaducts.
 Must Relieve Twentieth Street
 Most important of all, the under pass plan provides for and makes pos sible relief at Twentieth Street, where, under the Sibert plan, the property damages at present, and which will grow with time, make it almost pro- hibitive," Harrison says. '"The rail roads frankly states that they will fight either underpass or yiaduct on Twentieth street, now or later.
 "This is the main thoroughfare of Birmingham and must be relieved either now or later. This is recognized by General Sibert and the Chamber of Commerce committee, but because of the railroad opposition to it, it is proposed to drop it."