The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-31
BLRMINGHAA1,S HOSPITALITY POURS
 FORTH WELCOME TO NEW RAILROADS
WEzAI THE VISITORS
 SA2 OF BIRMINGHAM

"The biggest baby in Dixie, a giant city still in its infancy" were the words
 used by Vice President I. G. Rawn of
 the Illinois Central, the ranking officer
 ing Birmingham.
 This has indeed been the most pleas
 ant cordial, enthusiastic reception ever given by city to an incoming railroad,"
 he continued. "It exceeds our fondest
 hopes We are pleased with the favor
 able impression our road has made on the
 business men of Birmingham and feel
 that the road is greatly benefited by com ing to your city.
 1 have visited Birmingham often, noted it's beautiful streets and it's great indus
 tries, but l marvel at what has been shown me today. This is the city of the south. feel it in my bones."
 People need but to come here to realize what a gem beautiful Birmingham is upon
 the cheek of Alabama" said General
 Counsel J. M. Dickinson of the Illinois Central railroad last night.
 Coming as l do from the south. and acquainted as I am with the spirit of my people, l expected much but my expecta- . tons were far outstripped. When I be- gin talking about Birmingham hereafter
 l will be like a weak-kneed horse started
 down a steep hill can't stop.
 "They told me I would find an indus trial city. So I have. I see here the
 beginning of the capitol of the kingdom ,f iron, but I tell you, there are few
 more beautiful cities in our southland. My visit has been great pleasure, and
 ' am more than satisfied of your great future.''
 "When the Roman empire stood at the head of the east, and the nations paid it tribute it was said that all roads led
 to Rome.", said General Manager R. V. Taylor of the Mobile and Ohio railroad
 but now in the regn of industry it may surely. be said that all roads lead to Birmingham.
 "They are coming three at time, Due To faster do the spokes appear than the hub grows larger to welcome them. Right
 now we have in Birmingham the indus
 trial center of the south, but l believe lsthat upon these foundations will be built a our whole country. You need but to sup ply the plants to finish your crude pig
 iron, put a stop to destructive legislation
 and the railroads will furnish you a worlds market
 "Confident as have always been in the future of Birmingham" said MaJ J. F. Hanson, q feel that with this visit, and the courteous treatment of your committee, giving me new view of your possibilities, I cannot express in words what 1t is not even prophecy to think. Birmingham is already far greater than outsiders know, and the possi- bilities of the next few years are won derful. 1 am happy to see that you have already realized the futility of corporation destruction, and are be- ginning to welcome the effort of in vestors. As soon as you spread this
 mo, ement throughout your whole state Birmin gham will begin to go forth ith enormous strides" General Manager F. B. Hartman Of the Illinois Central said:
 "To tell just what I think of Bir mingham would require a long time for I am really and sincerely deeply impressed with Birmingham. The town is splendid one any way you look at it. but despite all of the great development of the district it appears to me to be still in it's infancy, con sidering your resources. The entering of the Illinois Central into Birmingham and the Birmingham district speaks for itself as to what the management thought of Birmingham and the Bir mingham district, and the Illinois Cen tral will lend every facility in the tuture development of it.
 Birmingham has hustling people. It is business all over, and is bound to develop into a great city. I like , the way your town is laid off, and es- pecially the residence section. In this respect it will compare with any city
 in the country"
 J. c. Clair, industrial commissioner for the Illinois Central was full of good sayings about the town. Said he: "Brmin gham is better than a good town.' It is a great town, situated in the heart of a district that is to make it still greater. With the wonderful
 resurces here-your ore, your coal and l your limestone, the brightest of pre- dictions could not be called foolish for the future of this town. I like Bir-
 mingham and it's business men, and I 1 am glad that nay business is such tn at I will have a chance to visit 1t often. There is much to be developed in ! this district yet and my road will do it's share in this work. I want to get 1 in close touch with the business men
 of this community, for the development 1 along our route means development for
 Birmingham and mutual good thus re
 suits. The entrance of the Illinois l Central not only means good thing l for the road but gives to Birmingham
 another splendid stepping stone to it's
 future greatness
 1 F. H. Harwood, coal traffic manager 1 of the Illinois Central heads a depart nlent which is very much interested in l Birmingham and the Birmingham district :, His impressions of Birmingham are of in l terest. He said:
 We have been royalty entertained in
  i some of the more important articles in I the ten years ended in 1906
 1 "One hundred and four million bales oi :, cotton. value s46l3, ,297 ,0G0. Five and one-half billion bushels of
 corn, value g, ,S60, ,437, ,0O0.
 1 ''Sx hundred and eighty-five million