The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-17
RAILROAD WORLD.

The looked-for discussion of rates to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition at St. Louis did not take place at the meet ing of the American association of gen. eral passenger and ticket agents at New Orleans. Instead the association decided, at the request of President Francis of the Exposition company, re-enforced by the recommendation of the St. Louis passen- the association for January 2 in St Louis, the sole purpose of which will be to con- slder passenger rates to the exposition.
 The question of granting favorable rates to the exposition has been quietly dis oussed among the passenger men ever since their arrival. but very little if any thing, has been said on the floor of the convention. The sentiments strongly fa- vor low rates, as low as were granted any other exposition, but every general pas senger agent in the business will insist that St.Louis give protection against scalpers equivalent to that given by New Orleans during the Cotton States exposl- ton.
 "The association Is committed to giving low rates to the exposition said prom inent passenger agent today, "but 1t will insist on protection. Unless such pro- lection be given the rates will not be as favorable as have been given similar ex- positions
 St. Louis was put in nomination for the honor of entertaining the next con vention as were Chicago, Cleveland, Put inlay, Chattanooga and Detroit and Old Point Comfort. The last place was se- lected.
 officers were elected as wollows: Presl- dent. W. J. White. general passenger agent of the Great Northern road: vice president, E. E. Boothby, general passen- ger agent of the Maine Central railroad; secretary, A. J. Smith, general passen- ger agent of the Lake Shore.
 At the reception at the palm garden, St. Charles hotel, in addition to the annual address delivered by Warren J. Lynch of the Big Four, s. IT. Hardwick of the Southern reported upon the condition of the association. which has 35O members, and said the fraternal branch had 16O members, while 200 were required for sue cess. MT. Hardwick was named as the next annual orator.
 The St. Louis Globe Democrat of octo- Der 15 says:
 Before the national convention of the roadmasters and maintenance of way as- soclation here today, W. M. Camp of Chi cago, spoke of the necessity for finding a substitute for the common railway ties "The vast requirements of railway com panies for ties,' said he, "can not long be supplied from our domestic sources if the present demand continues, and 1t is evident that some measures must be talk en to reduce the demand or increase the life of the tie. In fact, at the present rate of consumption and destruction of timber by fire 1t Is estimated that the supply will practically be exhausted in thirty or forty years from now"
 Suit has been filed in the district court at Austin, Tex, on behalf of the state against the Pullman company and 21 rall- way companies operating lines in this state for penalties aggregating $221,OOO for alleged violating of the antitrust law.
 It is charged that the defendant rail- way companies entered into an unlawful contract with the Pullman company for the exclusive operation of It's cars oyer their lines. A number of other suits of the same character against other railway companies of the state and the Pullman company are being prepared.
 Sam c. Parker, travelling freight agent of the Big Four, whose office Is in the Woodward building, has returned after few days absence on business.
 G. N. Cornatzer, general agent passen- ger department of the Frisco and Rock Island system, with headquarters in Mem phis, was in Birmingham yesterday.
 J. G. O'Hara, travelling freight agent of, the Wisconsin Central railroad, was in the city yesterday. Mir. O'IIaras office is in Cincinnati
 E. A. Neal, general freight agent of the Southern railroad of Atlanta, was on the streets yesterday.
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