The Washington times., 1908-07-28
Larger Cotton and Corn
Crops Are Expected
This Year.
RAILROADS PREPARE
FOR HEAVY TRAFFIC
Plans Are Discussed at a Confer
ence CT Southern Officials
Held in Washington.

Business conditions throughout the
South are improving. and although The
change for the better is a gradual one.
It IS none the less distinct. Increased
prosperity is expected in the next few
months. larger cotton and corn crops
are anticipated, and the railroads are
preparing 10 move a much heavier traf-
fic than they did last year.
Such is the present state OF business
affairs in the South. as revealed by the
expert testimony OF officials IN charge
Of the various companies embraced IN
the Southern railway system These
officials met In the executive Offices
OF the Southern railway in this city
yesterday. the conference having been
called by President ". W. Finley. OF
the Southern This conference was ex-
pected 70 last several days, but its OBJ
ject was attained in a few hours. and
most OF the railway men today started
for their headquarters in other cities
Object Of Meeting.
The object Of the conference. as ex-
planned today BY one OF the officials
present. was che reaching OF an under
standing OF The business situation as II
IS now, and as II promises 10 be during
the next few months This was IN order
that the management OF the Southern
railway system might have the neces-
sary information on which 70 base its
operating policy in the immediate
future. The facts ascertained. however.
are regarded as being Of great interest
70 the public at large
There were about Thirty railway men
at the conference. They were agreed
2 hn
larger this year than Tor many years.
IN spite OF the extreme uncertainty al
ways attaching 10 preliminary estimates
OF that crop The corn crop also showed
a marked increase during July. and is
expected 20 be bumper one this year.
Discussion al the conference concern
ed also general commercial conditions.
traffic prospects. and details Of opera
ton There was no question but that The
traffic this year viii be larger than IL
was last, but none anticipates such an
increase as 10 produce car shortage.
The Southern. IN common with most OF
the other railways has many cars idle
just now. and although a substantial
increase IN traffic is looked for there IS
no fear that there viii not be cars
enough A slow Improvement is what
IS expected
All Lines Affected
Al lines OF business were affected by
the depression which Is now DE--lE al
lcviated. The effect was especially no
ticeaole. according to the railway men.
IL the coal. iron, and lumber Industries,
arc In certain manufacturing lines.
such as furniture and cotton goods But
in these same lines an Improvement Is
already manifest.
Those present at the conference in
Guided J. II CuIp md c. H Ackert,
vice presidents Of the Southern railway
T. c. Powell. vice president Of the
Southern. OF the Cincinnati. New Or
leans and Texas Pacific, and OF the
Alabama Great Southern J b Nun
son, vice president OF the Georgia
Southern and Florida. J. II. AIcCue.
general manager Of the Virginia and
Southwestern. Z L Russell. vice vrasi-
dent OF the Mobile and Ohio: and 2
score Of representative Of the traffic
departments OF the entire system.
among them being w r Allen. genera
freight agent OF the Virginia and South
western, Bristol, Tenn; Haiden Miller
Of St Louis. gene raj freight agent OF
the Mobile and Ohio. and II :. Miller.
general freight agent Of the Southern
railway, at Knoxville. Tenn