The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-16
RAILROAD WORLD.


 The passenger earnings of he Alabama Great Southern railroad for the month of October show an increase of sI325 and from July till October 31 an increase of s25,632
 The Southern railway has two new pas- senger engines in service between Bir- mingham and Atlanta. These engines are the largest running out of this city and make the return trip every day of the week.
 The freight returns of the Southern railway for this district for the month of October and the present month show an increase of 25 per cent over the cor responding period of last year.
 M. M. Richey. superintendent of the Birmingham division of the Southern rail- way. said Saturday that, so far as freight was concerned. the line was ''cleaned up By this MT. Richey meant that no loaded cars were left on the track, but promptly hauled off and delivered "Of course we are suffering from car shortage he said. but by keeping the cars moving prompt ly and getting them returned as quickly as possible we are able to meet in great measure the demand that is made on us. The coal operators are not suffer- ing on our line. as we have that branch of our system well In hand.
 Frank Griffiths, travelling passenger agent for the Frisco, has returned from the convention in New Orleans. MT. Grif- fths said the travelling men turned out in great force, over five hundred oeing present at their annual conference.
 The special rate to Selma on account of the street fair went into effect yester- day over the Southern railway.
 The New York Commercial Advertiser of November 13 says
 The first annual report of the enlarged Atlantic Coast Line system was issued today The largely increased mileage enables this company to report an in- crease of s11. 931 in gross earnings Tor the last fiscal year. The net earnings amounted to s7772, 119, an increase Of sS'- s61, ,5S1 After paying all charges sur plus of s1, PTS 953 remained, an increase of $4s7. 1885.
 The balance sheet shows the total value of property, construction, and equipment to be $127,255,9l1, an increase of s6O2oo'os-. The Atlantic Coast Line company owns Louisville and Nashville stock to the amount of $45, ,592, which carries the control of the property. Last year the Atlantic Coast Line received in dividends | on its Louisville and Nashville stock l S1, 530,0O0 which Is about $5o0'OD less than | the aggregate amount of interest on the | securities which were given in payment | of the Louisville and Nashville stock. The business of the Louisville and Nashville system increased largely last year. how | ever. and it is believed that an increase in the dividend rate will be justified With in the current year. The Louisville ana Nashvile's surplus earnings for the twelve months ended September 30, 1903 | were s6,31592l. This is net gam under Atlantic Coast Line control of S,65O6l4. During the year the issue of Atlantic Coast Line preferred stock was reduced from $1SS50,00o to $1,744.100, and the com mon stock was increased from 2S,l5o'ooo to $35, ,659,0 GOO. New bonds to the amount of s4, 63,OO0 have been issued by the AL lantic Coast Line for the purpose Of pay Ing for railroads recently acquired. These purchases include the Florida Southern | railroad, extending from PalatRa to | Brooksville 145 miles, and from Barrow to Punta Gorda, seventy-five miles; also