The age-herald., 1897-08-20

words: During the year several things occurred which seriously affected the rev enues of the company. The more promi- nsnt of these were Lhe rate war on bIlsi- ness to and from the east, and which pre- vailed for some time. the reduction of the fertilizer rates by the state railroad commission and the higher oesan ratas of freight on cotton from Savannah 70 European ports, than the rates from other ports with which the lines of the Central of Georgia are In competition This serious handicap continued nearly the entire season and caused the loss of considerable business and revenue to the company, which, under proper normal conditions, would have moved to market over it's lines.
 These difficulties, together with the large amount of money which the com pany was called upon to pay, in the way of back taxes before referred to- prevent ed some improvements to the property which were contemplated all of which, as we keep no betterment or improvement account, must come from earnings.
 "The very gratifying result shown from the operations of the property have been obtained only by the cordial and faithful cooperation of officers and employees in exercising the most rigid economy con- sistent with proper maintenance of the property.
 "As shown by the balance sheet the company has no floating debt.
 "It is gratifying to note a decided im- proyement in the agricultural and gen. eral business conditions of the section of country served by our lines. The crop prospects are very promising, and indica- tions point to a considerable increase in business for the next year. It is also gratifying to know that, with the in- creased and improved facilities we have been able to afford, the relations be- tween the company and its patrons gen. erally are of very friendly nature, rec ognizing on the part of both co-depend- ence which necessitates mutual consid- eration. This has, to a large extert SUD- planted the antagonism to railroad prop erty and investments, which has, in many instances, resulted disastrously to the railroad companies and other properties, and has reacted upon the country, gen. eraIly. Respectfully submitted"
 
 "There seems to be an impression" " said railway superintendent, speaking of the fast service the railways are now giv- ing, "that the fast trains are the m0sib dangerous for the people to ride on, and ehat more persons are killed in crossing tracks etc. than by fhe trains which are slower. This is mistake. The Pennsyl- vania Railroad company has given this matter special attention, and has statis- tics to show that, in proportion 70 the fact and slow trains run, more accidents have occurred to the slow trains, and more persons not in the employ of the company have been killed by the slower Grains. Men in charge of fast passenger and freight tnainG are constan. ly on the watch for danger Tlhs engineer feels that there is more at stake, and one will notice that the blasts of his whistle are more frequenE and sharper; that the fireman is more particular 10 ring the bell when passing through a town or city or near a highway crossings 1t would be difficult to find people living on the lines of the roads which run fast trains that have not heard of the Chicago limited ca the Pennsyl- vania lines, the fast express. No. ?. be- tween St. Louis and New York over the Vandalia and Pennsylvania lines: tine Empire State express; the Knick srbock- CT, on the Big Four, a1ld the hundreds of other fast trains. Fast trains are run nearer on time, and people know their time and keep out of their way. Hihe equipment of the fast rains is kept at the best standard, and everything conduces to making them safer to ride on and less liable to injure the people at highway crossings and in passing through towns and cities The Pennsylvania transpor- tation departmen. is fully satisfied that AL. fe- The Louisville and Nashville continues short of cars. The grain traffic in the north is tal1ing up all the surplus supply of cars in this district, and the local off, cials don't know one day how they will pull through the next. It is expected that the rush on account of the grain crop will be over In time to give plenty of cars for the removal of the cotton crop. w. G. AdManama, folrmsr1y commercial agent of the Kansas City, Memphis and Birmingham at Memphis, is travelling passenger agent of the Central States D.s patch and Continental hnes at Louisville. He succeeds W. W. Blakely, who is well known in this territory.
 
 Conductor Will Waring has returned from his vacation and is on his accus- toned run over the Southern between Birmingham and Greenville.