Birmingham age-herald., 1895-08-16
AN AGREE EMENT
Reached by Southern Railway and Steamship Men-Seaboard Air Line Falls Into the
 CoIumns-Loca Bits.


 Aug. 15.-The convention of Southern Railway and Steamship men engaged in drawing up the new agreement and forming a new association, to be known as the Southern States Freight associa- tion, met shortly before noon today. John w. Thomas, vice-president of the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis railway and vice-president of the old Southern Railway and Steamship asso- ciation, presided. The meeting was held behind closed doors. There were about sixty representatives of the principal southern rail and water lines present. The discussion today was over the de- tails of the proposed agreement. The meeting was harmonious and excellent progress was made, but the proposition that no member can withdraw from the agreement without giving six months notice raised some objection.
 Vice-President St. John of the Sea- board Air line wants the time of notice changed to sixty days instead cf six months. As the Seaboard was not in the old agreement, and has caused much trouble in the past by holding aloof. it is quite probable that their suggestion will be adopted or a compromise substi- tuted. When this point is settled the agreement will be practically completed and ready for the signatures of. the rep resentatives of the lines.
 The old board of arbitration is to be continued with the privilege that m ifi- bers having cases in dispute can submit their grievances to outside arbitration.
 The Southern States Passenger asso- citation held meeting here at D. m. for transaction of routine business.
 At 1:30 D. ni. the convention of railway officials adjourned. The chairman of the meeting, Mir Thomas, announced that everything had been agreed to except ar ticle IS, relating to differentials. This was referred to a special committee, which will decide just what differential shall be granted to the combined rail and water route over direct routes. MT. J. B. Thayor, general traffic manager of the Pennsylvania railroad, who is here, will confer with this committee. The confer ence adjourned to meet at the Hotel Wal dorf, New York, at Il a. m. next Thurs day.
 The sixty day clause suggested by the Seaboard Air Line vls adopted and that line will now be given an opportunity to act with other lines in maintaining rates.
 Vice-President St. John says his line will become party to the agreement if the competing lines join.
 The Birmingham Mineral railroad is barometer of the business in this dis trict. Ii moves much of the ore and coal. At this time last year one train day OH l0lS fOdu DdHulSu d1l lGe lItlSnl. Now the road is so heavily charged with haulage that locomotives from the main line of the Louisville and Nashville are put on it. and often a train is annulled for the want of rolling stock. The Lous- vile and Nashville road on the main line is put to the test to keep up with it's freight. One hundred and. nine freight locomotives left the Birmingham round house in the past four nights.
 The Louisville and Nashville is an- nounced as the official route of the Grand Army of the Republic of Alabama to the national encampment to be held in Louis ville September II to 15. All comrades and Grand Army men are invited to join the Alabama posts on the trip.
 The .rumor is current, though nothing has been officially given out, that change of schedule will be made or the Southern early in September. How the changes will affect Birmingham's inter ests can not be told until the movements of trains are announced.
 Another rumor that is current is a gen eral turning around and shaking up of dry bones in the various offices of the Alabama Great Southern railroad, both in this city and elsewhere. Several slates have been made up, but the result will not be known until the general roll is called.
 The Louisville and Nashville pay car was in the city yesterday and dispensed A large amount of money among the many employees of the road.
 Mai. Claude Lewis, soliciting freight agent of the Chesapeake and Ohio and Southwestern railroad with headqnar ters in this city, left yesterday afternoon for New Orleans.