The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-21
than the State official have ever esti. mated it.
A ~sativfactory,, Interview.

Local railroad officials who are fa- miliar with the characteristic reticence of President Milton H. Smith of the Louisville and Nashville. will read the following from The Atlanta Journal with amusement:
 Milton H. Smith, President of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. but better known as the man who never speaks to anyone except his private mediate family, is In Atlanta Monday.
 "Mr. Smith arrived Monday morning and going to the Piedmont Hotel signed his own name on the registry. He pro- ceeded immediately to room SIT of the hotel and took his secretary with him. The conference between himself and secretary lasted until o'clock. It is said that Mir. Smith spoke several times to his secretary during the conference and that his secretary would almost be able to recognize his voEe over the telephone.
 During this important conference a reporter called and asked if MT. Smith was "in." The clerk of the Piedmont Hotel managed to get in teiephonic communication with Mr. Smiths secre- tary and learned that the Louisville and Nashville President was In and the door locked. Mir Smiths secre- tary was then asked if President Smith would be so kind as to allow reporter within his presence for half second. The secretary could be heard as he braced himself against the wall. grab bed hold of the telephone box with his free hand. and steadying himself, falt. eringiy asked Mir. Smith if he would gratify the public with few words. Mr. Smith shook his head and the sec- retary answered in an undertone that Mir Smith would like to be excused.
 "The reporter did not feel that under the circumstances the Louisville and Nashville President should be excused. He, therefore, called again in about q half hour and requested that his card be sent to Mir. Smiths room. The clerk, who was addressed, whispered to an- other clerk and then returned the card, saying, MT. Smith is not in.'
 "A few minutes past o'clock Presi- dent smith, who was not in. came out of his room, took the elevator and came down to the lobby. The reporter advanced, salaamed and feebly uttered: MT. Smith.
 "The Louisville and Nashville Presi- dent recognized his name.
 "T am with The Journal. MT. smith, could you state
 "T have nothing to say for pubiica" ,ton. You will have to excuse me-.
 "Mr. smith spoke as if the confer ence between his secretary and himself had not been a satisfactory one. He seemed very much hurt that anyone should address him in public.
 "rbe object of MT. Smiths visit is mystery. He did not attend the meet ing of the freight rate mathematicians' which was held in room s2l. and rail- road men who did not take part In that meeting said they were not aware oI Mr Smiths presence in the city. The ordinance granting the Atlanta, Knox viiIe and Northern Railroad permission "a huiid terminals in the neighborhood of wayerly place comes up before Council this afternoon. and Mir. smith ,S,sit may have reference to this. Coun- ciI members. however, were not aware of his presence befween Mr. Smith and his secretary ~iIl he resumed during the afternoon. Government Turned Down. |. The Mississippi Eastern haiiroau' .hort line recently constructed from sr,a,I town In Sumter County. Ala, to onitman. in Mississippi. enjoys the ,,ninue distinction of having refused to make a contract with the United states 1ovArnn,ent to carry the malls, For several weeks the Postofnce De- na rtnnent has been endeavoring to place a contract with the Mississippi East ar, officials, but they decline to con- sider the matter on the ground that ,bev are not ready to maintain the schedule required by the Government and Uncle sam will have to continue delivering his mails in that section ot the State by horseback. The Mississip- pi Eastern is preparing to extend US line eastward about eight miles, ana constyuotion work will commence early next year.