Birmingham state herald., 1897-04-18
RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS Inspect the c. & W. Division of
 the Central. R0ADBEB PAR EXCELLENT And Only Two Depots Needed on the Line A Paper Man Takes in the Iaunt and
 Mixes With the People.

A representative of the State Herald accepted an invitation last Thursday to accompany the state railroad com missioners on an inspection tour of the Columbus and Western and the East Ala bama division of the Georgia Central railroad.
 The party consisted of Capt. Jas. Crock, president of the commission, and his associates, Col Harvey Jones. MT. Ross Smith, Secretary Chas. P. Jackson, Supt. Moyes of the Central. and ye scribe
 The party left Birmingham at S:30 a. m. in Supt. Moves handsome private car and while it was business and work from start to finish with the commission and the railroad official, it was very pleas ant days outing for the news man. And it might be well to remark right here, by way of parenthesis, that there is not a more clever or>up-to-date railroad offi- cial than Supt. Moves. and while he did we'll his part in providing for the con- forts of the commission and their guest, he spared no pains to direct attention to his road in every particular, pointing out the Improvements needed, what has been done since their last visit and what is in contemplation.
 One has only to take trip of this kind to learn that the work of the rail- road commission is not altogether ''one sweet song" and that their work is beneficial to the public.
 Officials representing the interests of the people of a great state and those representing large corporations, when both interests are affected are naturally quite reticent in their discussions and not until a report is agreed upon can their opinions be reached. and therefore in this instance it was interesting to note how critical were the examinations of the various depots and the road bed by the commission and how guarded and careful was the superintendent in his rep resentatons.
 More than twenty depots were critically examined on this trip and every detail connected .herewith carefully nc1ed by the secretary.
 The roadbed of the Central from Rir- mingilram to Columbus is in mos ex- cellenat condition. Near 8 dozen trestles have been filled during the past y ar, 54-pound rails replaced by 70 and To- pound rails. and the road is ballasted with rock nearly :he entire way. Super intendent Moves was avelte to having anything said of the fact that no =rious accident has occurred on his road in a number of years, remarking that rail- road mem are more or less superstfdouS ard would prefer to remain in expectancy and guard always against any miShap that might occur, which Is always possi- ble in railnoadtng, however careful one may be.
 The depots along the line are all in first-cla condition, except at Goodwater and Kellyton. Thie complaint from (ynodyafel to the commission was the cause of their making the trip earlier than thsy anticipated. The cttizens ask that additional sitting rooms be added to the depot, ard the company has refused to accsde to this request. giving as req son that their purpose is to build new structure under the same plans and specifications as at ether similar towns on the Nine. Having expended so much moriey already and the building of new depot at Kellyton being compulsory, the company has asked that a short time be granted for the building of the Good water depot. The commissioners, how ever. have mot made their report, but as there seems to be a division between the citizens and the railroad people only as to time wAsn a new building will be put up instead of a sliglhs improvement on the old one as asked for, time no dolTbt will be granted.
 The towns along the Central are all water. Alexander City. Dadeville, Ope- lka, Lafayette and Roanoke. Alexan- der City Is surrounded by splendid ag- ricultural country and handled the past season about 13,000 bales Of cotton. La Fayctte handled about 1500o and Roan- oke 17G00 Alexander City and Roan- oke are considered the most progressive towns on the Columbus and Western di- vision of the Central. barring Opelika and. perhaps, Troy. The country Is di- vidcd up into small farms and as rule are self supporting. the cotton crop being In a large measure a. surplus.
 The Central is one of the most progress sjye railroads that enters the state-is well equipped and in frst-class condi- lion. The leading local officials in Bir- mingham are MT. Sol Jacobs, commercial agent, and Col. A. H. Stevens. agent. Both gentlemen are reckoned among the best business men In the city and none stand higher in the estimation of our people.
 GENERAL NOTES.
 The commission held meeting in Bir- n,ingham Wednesday night for the pur- pose of considering the relative freight rates looking to the interest of Birming hams wholesale trade. Mir. J. A. Van B>ose appeared before the board In the