The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-25
FACTS PRESENTED
ABOUT RAILROADS
President Spencer of Southern
Delivers an Address
LIVE PROBLEMS DISCUSSED
He Reviews In an Interesting and In
structive Way the Common Car
rler Question in Its Rela-
:, ton to Shippers.

Samuel Spencer, president of the South
ern Railway company, in his address be-
fore the Southern Hardware Jobbers' as
ISOLATION, which met at Hot Springs Va,
recently, sets forth many interesting facts
and discusses questions of absorbing in
terest at this time. Mr.. Spencer said in
part:
1t Is with much pleasure to me that the
opportunity has been afforded TO say a
few words to the Southern Hardware
Jobbers association assembled now at its
annual meeting.
The history Of this association is typi-
cal of that commercial and industrial adj
vaneement in the last generation which
has given prominence to the position Of
the southern states.
Your association had its origin In a rec
ognitlon of the necessity for closer re-
lationship among those engaged in SINH
lar pursuits, to the END not only of SOCIAL
intercourse. but of that wider knowledge
which must follow from the study of the
methods and progress of others, whether
allies or competitors. Such wider knowi-
edge not only adds to opportunities but
it begets a tolerance in the conduct of
bu5iness and in personal intercourse which
broadens the horizon Of the Individual and
enlarges his capacity for general useful
ness.
1t is no reflection TO say that a genera-
ton back. the cultivation of such broader
intercourse and tolerance was one of the
prime necessities for commercial progress
In the southern states, and the organiaa-
- it,. it..
chief manifestations Ct Il realization OF
Chat necessity During that period-er at
least for the Lest half Of 1.-THE material
and industrial advancement OF the south
has been relatively greater. as Yeu all
know than hat of any ether section oe
the United Stafes. In such development
cooperation upen The part of all interests
has been an important factor TIE cot
ton manufacturers. the owners and de-
vclcpers If iron ard coal mines. furnaces
aud iron mills and al classes Of manu-
features and teihers have done their
several rarts :" promoting this spirit OF
cooperation.
one Of The nna' important elements in
tie growth cf the south for the last
twenty wears has heen he davelapment
Of large sr1 efielent systems Of railway
transpce4ation these systems taking The
place IF Tho sm111 dlsiointed units which
served only loeai communities
Withaat doteaeting from the import
anTe e arv ether element In the growth
Of this great section, which now promises
10 he am lng tho vealthiest Of the coun-
try. Is II rot too much 10 say that with
out this DEVELOPMENT of transportation
urnp broader lines. cooperating for
greater usefulness. that growth could not
have taken place md unless those trans
pertaiion syatcnas, and such others as
NAV he created are financially able to
do thslr part In the future, the rich and
varied civilization that is before the
south must he retarded
While much has heen done. particularly
In the last decade. In improving The eft
cheney Fl the transportation systems ~
the south. those svatems unless the signs
are all misleading. are still comparatively
in their infancy