The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-18
RAILROAD WORLD.

Statistics have been compiled by the Street Railway Journal which shows the mileage and capitalization of the street and elevated railroads of the United States for December 31. 1903. The report shows there are only 260 miles of horse railways and S5S of cable and steam rail ways 9S per cent of the mileage now being operated by electricity. The mileage in 1903 was 29S0 against 26,293 for the year 1902. the increase amounting to 353S In 1905 there were total of 16, lS6 cars against 70006 for the year previous. The capital stock of railway companies last year amounted to $l,1Oo Io,sSS, against q, ,522, ,06S, 760 for 1902.
 The earnings of the Alabama Great Southern railway for the fourth week of June amounted to $S7,344 against $S7. 497 for the same week last year. The decrease in earnings for the week amounted to S153. The earnings of the Central of Georgia railway for the first week in July amounted to s1719O0 against s15S,20O for the same week last year The increase for the week amounts to s13,700.
 The Southern railway reports earnings for the first week in July amounting to $s02 334 against s76l, 40S for the same period last year. The increase for the week amounts to $40,926. The Louisville and Nashville railroad reports earnings for the first week in July amounting to S5SS. .S35, against $Gf9, ,123 for the same week 2SS for the week.
 The sum of $25O0OO is to be expended on the site and the new union passenger station at Mobile The state railroad com mission has approved of the plans for the new station, and work will begin shortly The station will be amply large to accommodate all of the railroads en- tering Mobile. It will be situated at the corner of Beauregard and St. Joseph streets, and it's construction is undertaken by the Southern railway
 Officials of the Frisco system announce that the St Louis-Chicago line of the Eastern Illinois will be opened on Au- gust 1. A family conference of the pas senger officials of the system was held In St. Louis recently to discuss schedules for the new line.
 The officers of the Chicago and Alton, after a conference lasting over two months, have decided to advance the wages of all locomotive firemen on an average of per cent per month. About 100 men are affected by the increase which becomes effective at once
 The maintenance and way department of the Pennsylvania railroad had ordered a study of the relative efficiency of pas senger terminals of the Pennsylvania and competitive railroads. The report will be exact as to information embodying complete official plans of track and inter locking systems of some of the more im- olc ff. TT,t4 40I tat~
 The block sngnal system is being in stalled on the Southern Pacific railway on it's lines in Texas between New Orleans and Houston.
 The annual report of the interstate com merce commission shows that the total number of railway employees on July 30, 1903, was 1,3l2537 an increase of 123, 222 over the figures of the preceding year. At the present time on a conservative es- innate of the recent reduction in operat- ing force, the number of railway employees is about the same as on June %, 1902. The reduction in the number of employees has therefore been merely a return to nor nal conditions.
 John B. Mcdonald, in a recent state ment to the rapid transit commission in New York, said that the subway would be completed by August 1. and on that day turned over to the Interborough Rapid Transit company for operation later. This date is according to the Rapid Transit boards calcul tions, three years, within the time which Mcdonald had to com plete the work.
 The Louisiana railroad commission has given notice to all railroad companies operating in that state that it intends at session to be held sometime in Sep ternber to adopt rule making 1t the duty of all railroad companies to protect all grade crossings by interlocking and other safely devices.
 Milton H. Smith. president of the Louis vile and Nashville railroad has issued a circular announcing the appointment of Wible l.. Mapother as assistant to the president of the Louisville and Nashville. The circular also announces the resigna- ton of Walker D. Hines, which was hand ed in the latter part of June. MT. Map other will practically become vice presi- dent of the system
 The Wall Street Journal says: Baltimore financial circles were much interested on Thursday at the presence in Baltimore of B. s. Guinness of Ladenburg, Thal- mann & Co.,; John skelton Williams, chairman of the board of directors of Seaboard Air Line. and Eppa Hunton, a member of the bankers committee in charge of the. afrafrs-of John [. Williams & Co.,, and J. w Middendorf & Go. MT. Guinness was in conference with a num- Der of Baltimore intereHs who control large holdings of Seaboard stock outside Of the Middendorf- Williams combination
 It is currently said in banking circles, that pooling of the-stock of Sea boa I'd would be undertaken and that this nooJ would secure majority of the stock. ana that this movement Is entirely independ- ent of the Blair-Ryan-co Coolidge. interests in the property.
 The Frisco Rock Island interests have an option on 5000 shares of the Midden- dorf-williams holdings. This option ex- rires next month. and the prices named in 1t are considerably above those current fin the market. For the common 1t is $co a share. and for the preferred stock s35 a share It is believed in Baltimore ffnan- ciaI circles that there is a move of great 1 interest impending in the affairs of Sea- board and that this action will be of great benefit to the property.
 nroaq Parade and Raufom