Birmingham age-herald., 1894-12-22
WITH THE RAILROADS.

The holiday travel is increasing and the prospects bid fair to it's exceeding that of last year.
 The union passenger station was a scene of activity yesterday, hundreds of people coming and going.
 Today the holiday excursion rates, which are cents mile each way, with limit of return'to January 3, go into effect and the travel will be increased largely, for hun dreds will take advantage of these cheap rates.
 Nearly every train that comes in now is loaded to it's utmost capacity, and some of the roads are compelled to put on extra coaches to accommodate the travel. The local travel is also very good, many people coming from short distances to the city to do their Christmas trading.
 While the travel to Texas and Arkansas during the past few days has been heavy, this is now being counteracted by the large crowds that are coming back. A large number of people came In yesterday morn ing over the Queen and Crescent, while thirty five came in over the Kansas City, Memphis and Birmingham on an early train going to points in east Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas. Yesterday ai- ternoon the Kansas City, Memphis and Birmingham brought In and turned over 10 the Southern party of 100 from Arkansas en route to points in east Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas.
 Last night the banner party of the season came in over the Kansas City, Memphis and Birmingham. They were carried on I, special train of twelve coaches. The special here was taken by the Southern and carried to Atlanta.
 GOOD FOR BIRMINGHAM MERCHANTS.
 The Central Railroad of Georgia has in- creased the accommodation for freight from Philadelphia now so that merchants will have better service than ever before known.
 The Central has put on au extra boat be- tween Savannah and Philadelphia. Besides the ones coming from Boston will stop at Philadelphia and take freight for Savannah and other points on that route.
 This gives the merchants of Birmingham the benefit of three sailings per week from Philadelphia which they have not had heretofore. Birmingham merchants have always experienced some delay in mer- chandise from Philadelphia, but this new creased expediency and makes better ser vice.
 L. & N. EARNINGS.
 Comptroller Quarter of the Louisville and Nashville has just issued the following comparative statement of the earnings of his road for the second week of December: Freight ......... .$3i1, ,5so s3o4,7ao s5i5, 1858 Passenger. 77 1865 75,535 sS,s70 Miscellaneous. 27, 9s5 26,775 35,s3o Total. l.........S417.4 .430 $407 ,o40 $470,055 The following figures represent the diff ference in earnings as compared with pre- vious years:
 1S93 1892. Freight. 6,S5o S33,llo Miscellane eous. ............ *1,210 *t7, ,545 Total l....................t$l $l0 ,390 **S52, 1925 increase. ttDecrease.
 The total for the two weeks of the month was SS41 ,640, an increase of S2S, ,735 over last year and shortage of $109, ,530 under the same period of 1892.
 From July to December IA the increase over 1893 has been $434 S5S, and the decrease from 1892 S1, ,276, 365.
 CALIFORNIA TOURISTS.
 Yesterday afternoon a special car of northern tourists passed through the city over the Queen and Crescent en route to San Francisco. They come from New York, Boston, Cincinnati and other points.
 To make food light, wholesome and de- Ir Drin poI- i,o Do