The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-05-23

Board OF Trade: All the people Of Bir-
mingham are delighted to know that the
Seaboard Air Line is arranging to enter
this city. This system will be of incalcu-
liable benefit to the community and I
think we ought to organize and celebrate
on a grand scale the breaking of ground
for the road In Birmingham. The Com
meroial Club the Board of Trade and the
citizens generally would be quick to join
In such a celebration.
Mr.. Oliver Chalifoux, ex-president OF the
Board of Trade: I am heartily in favor
of the Seaboard Air Line, and II any
work had to be done to aid In getting
what 1t wants from the city. 1 would
gladly give my time to 1t, and I think
every other citizen would do the same.
Mr.. w. N. Malone real estate: No
greater thing has been set on foot recent
ly for the benefit of Birmingham than
the Seaboard Air Lines plan to enter
this city. The coming of the road will
add value to real estate and will help
every branch of business In Jefferson
County. 1t is earnestly hoped that the
| city council will act without delay in
granting the necessary franchises.
| Mr.. M. p Messer, real estate: Proper
ty values are already enhanced at the
prospect of the Seaboard Air Line build
ding into Birmingham. 1t will be a great
day for this community when the Sea-
board trains are running to Birmingham.
Mr. A. L. Fulenwider, president of the
Realty Company: Birmingham will be
most fortunate to get the seaboard Air
Line. This is one of the questions about
which everybody thinks one way.
Mr.. Robert McLester. of the firm of
MeLester & Van Hoose, wholesale gro
ceIs: The Seaboard Air Line will benefit
Birmingham, and so will every new line
that comes here. All the merchants, 1
take it. are glad that the Scaboard Com
pany intends to build to this city.
Mr.. Ito K. Steiner, Banker The Sea-
board Air Line will be of immense adj
vantage to this district, and the Board
of Aldermen should not hesitate a mo-
ment, ard l do not suppose 1t will, in
granting the franchises.
SOMETHING OF THIS LINE.
The Seaboard Line is an old name In
the railroad world, but the system of
260G miles Is one of the youngest and at
the same time one of the strongest and
most prominent In the country. 1t is at
present reckoned as che CT the four i'm
portan- systems south of the Potomac
and east of the Mississippi, and a factor
of such magnitude that it must be con-
sidercd in any of the railroad develop
ments In the southern territory
During its formation the men who had
undertaken to carry it through to a sue
cersful completion encountered bitter and
determined opposition from one of the
most powerful financial interests In this
country. All of these difficulties were
met with rare patience, skill and judg.
ment.
The story of the Seaboard Air Line
system is full of interest.
Two or three years ago a group of cap
italists of Richmond and Baltimore Sc
cured control of the Seaboard and Roam
oke Railroad. This line. though only
eighty-one miles In length, was the pa
rent road In the old Seaboard syst EN-,
operating more than 900 miles of road.
extending to Atlanta. Its outstanding
capital was but a little more than ST.
900 COO, so that a comparatively small in
vestment secured control of an already
extensive system. After this property
had been purchased the intention was an
nounced by the new interests of CONSOLE
dating all of the roads embraced In the
Seaboard Air Line system with the Geor-
gia and Alabama Railroad and the Flori-
da Central and Peninsular Railroad. AL
together there were more than eighteen
roads operated by one or the other of
these three groups.
ALL LINES CONSOLIDATED.