The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-03
NEW LINE MAKING
 FOR BIRMINGHAM
Work to Begin on Atlantic and
 Birmingham Extension
PRESIDENT RA0UL TALKS
Rumor Has It That He Has Made Financial Arrangements to Extend Line From aontezuma
 to Birmingham.

Atlanta, Ga., February 2.-(Special)- The Constitution says: There was well defined rumor in railroad circles yester- day that in a short time the work of actual construction would be begun on the Atlantic and Birmingham in the ex- tension from the present terminus Monte zuma, on to Atlanta and Birmingham. While this rumor has been stirred be- fore, railroad men stated that they were in possession of facts that warranted the rumor as genuine.
 The return of President w. G. Raoul' of the Atlantic and Birmingham. from New York was in part responsible TOT the circulation of the rumor, and it was evident that two or three of the officials who were seen were in the possession of facts which they considered as ao- solutely pointing to the extension. They said that to make these facts public a. this time would be premature, and might defeat the accomplishment of the present plans.
 President Raoul was seen at his office in the Equitable building. When asked regarding the report, President Raoul said
 q must beg to be excused from making any statement at this time, and, as a matter of fact, the present conditions are such that could not say anything in the way of an interview
 The report in the railroad circles is to the effect that President Raoul made q deal while he was in New York Tor the financing of the extension of the road from Montezuma to Birmingham and At lanta, and this report was still further borne out by a dispatch from New York to the effect that q deal of several mill lions of dollars had been perfected re- gently for this same purpose.
 Tho Route Suggested.
 As soon as the report had become cur rent yesterday. many of the Atlanta or ficials immediately got busy building the extension on paper. 1t was the opinion of the majority that the proposed eXten- son would not be made to Columbus as formerly believed, but that it would strike through Georgia in direct line for Bir- mingham, and that in doing so would cross the Atlanta and West Point tracks at LaGrange It was thought possible that arrangements would be made between the Atlantic and Birmingham and the West Point route for an entrance into Atlanta until such time as their own tracks could be laid This would mean new through route to the sea from Atlanta in short time if the extension Is pushed forward, as many now believe.
 Railroad men believe that when the time comes for the Atlantic and Birmingham to lay it's own tracks to the Gate City 1t will be through the thicklY populated dis tricks of Merriwether and Coweta coun- ties It will be remembered that for a long time this section of Georga has been praying for better railway service and that this problem would be solved by the Atlantic and Birmingham.
 The condition of the Atlantic and Birm- ingham at present is exceptionally fine, according to the reports of all the rail- road men. With deep salt water out let at Brunswick. the road now tra- verses some of the best portions of the cotton belt, the lumber terpentne and naval stores sections of the state. The extension is certain to bsect the very heart of the fruit section of Georgia and in making it's way through Alabama to Birmingham it will strike through some of the finest pine and hard wood sec tions in the south.
 Reachec Rich Territory.
 Of course the extension into Birmingham IS lDI AllS faldtiiA PAlpOSt OA tdPDlii6 the great coal and mineral inte<ests there On the other hand, the extension to Atlanta is for the purpose of reach- ing the railroad center of the south and share in the handling of the great through business which comes to Atlanta as the logical and commercial distributing point for the entire southland.
 For long time railroad officials have admitted that the essen.IaI proposition for a trunk line or big system in the south is to effect an entrance into At lanta for the securing of maufactuered goods which is rapidly increasing every year, but still more for securing the ire. mendous volume of freight which is con. | signed from all the big cities in the nortt east and west to Atlanta for Hstribu. l tion.
 The advantages to Atlanta of another | through line to the sea and to Georgia | and the entire south is too obvious te need either explanation or comment ! Railroad men agree that the completion | of the line will mean a tremendous boon ! for Rr1nswick which wi become vnor.