Birmingham age-herald., 1895-05-14
NEWS OF THE RAIL.

When Atlanta announced to the world that she would give Cotton States and International exposition the project was in many instances looked upon as a meres adventure that was not assured of suc- cess. It was an immense undertaking, but now she has demonstrated to the world that the Cotton States and Inter- national exposition will be second to none, except the late Worlds fair. She seized the opportunity to advertise aid in development and to more closely iden- tify the people of the United States with the progress of the south.
 Georgia sent invitations to her sister states inviting them to send exhibits. Alabama, her next door neighbor, ac- cepted, and at a meeting of the Commer~ cial Association of Alabama, which is made up of all of the commercial bodies of the state, held in this city on April it was determined upon to send an exhibit to Atlanta, and to send one of which the people of this state would be proud. It was not only determined to send an exhibit, but that Alabama should have a building in which to display this exhibit. The members of the various clubs over the state pledged themselves for stipulated amounts for their communities. They went home en- unused over the matter and now the whole state has become interested, and the subscription list of paid subscrip- tions is increasing at a rapid rate and the prospects are that a larger amount than the sum agreed upon will be subscribed But every rose has it's thorn. The board of managers for the Alabama department of the Cotton States and International exposition decided upon the outset that there would have to be cooperation on the part of the railroads or this plan could not be carried out. They then com municated with the railroads asking CO., operation. These communications were forwarded to the authorities immediate ly upon the adjournment of the aSSocia- tion and up to yesterday not single word had been heard from the Southern The communication, it would appear, has been simply treated with silent con- tempt as having no bearing. This sys- tenn has sent no word of encouragement and not even answered business com- munication.
 The Louisville and Nashville did an- swer the communication. and, referred them to MT. Stahlman of the Southern Railway and Steamship association. MT. Stahlman's reply was that he had nothing to do with the matter and re- piled in manner intimating that he didn't care whether Alabama sent an exhibit or not.
 These are facts, and explain the man. ner in which the board of managers for Alabama of the Cotton States and h. ternational exposition have been met at the hands of the railroads.
 These managers have been waiting with patience that is to be admired to see if the railroads would not do something, but forty days have passed and nothing has been done. Now, the whole thing amounts to this If the railroads do not cooperate with the people of Alabama there will be no exhibit from this state at Atlanta. This is what it amounts to, and If something is not done, and that right away Alabamas resources will be absent from the great collection of the souths resources
 Caused Discussion.
 The report sent out from New York Saturday night to the effect that the Seaboard Air Line and Kansas City, Memphis and Birmingham railroads are working to gain joint control of the East and West has been discussed here very widely, and the people rather like the idea The Seaboard has been trying for a long time to get into Birmingham, and thereby gain western outlet. The Kansas City. Memphis and Birmingham has at the same time been trying to get an eastern outlet. The two roads now are trying by cooperation to complete a line from Atlanta to Birmingham, and thereby make a through line from Kan sas City to the east
 Messrs. Thomas J. Coolidge and Thomas Newbold, directors of the Kan sas City, Memphis and Birmingham, were in the city a few days ago, and it was noised around that they were up to something of this kind. There is only about thirty-five miles of road to build from Broken Arrow to Birmingham, when the link will be forged and the Southern will have a lively competitor for eastern business.
 Gone to Washington.
 MT. Ross c. Smith has gone to Wash ington to attend a meeting of the na- tional railroad commission, which meets in Washington. The members of this commission are members of the state railroad commissions of the states of the union.
 Many important matters will come up, one of which will be complaint against the Alabama Great Southern railroad from Tuskaloosa.
 Personal and General.
 MT. Charles Jones of the Kansas City, Memphis and Birmingham left last night for Atlanta and the east on business for his road.