The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-10
HARARAN RET|CENT ABOUT ROAD PLANS Illinois Control Coming Some
 Time In April WEATHER WILL BE FACTOR Bonnyman Thinks A., B. 6 A. Will Probably Reach Birmingham in
 June-controversy Between
 Southern and Employees.
WEATHER WILL BE FACTOR

Exceedingly reticent was J. T. Hara- han, president of the Illinois Central rail- road, who spent an hour in Birmingham yesterday morning.
 lie was unable to announce the date of the Illinois Centrals entrance into Bir- mingham, declined to discuss the recent controversy between MT. Hartman and MT Fish, stated that too much had all ready been said on the attempts to regu- late rates in the south, was unable to an swer questions concerning the ownership of the Central of Georgia and the rumor that the Illinois Central planned to build its own tracks into this city.
 President Harahan travelled in a special Illinois Central train over the tracks of the Louisville and Nashville from Nash vile. After remaining in the city for an hour the train left for New Orleans. With the president of the road were Vice-Pres- ident l. G. Long, H. R. Saffold chief en- gineer of maintenance; I. w. Morgan, chief engineer of construction; F. B. Har- riman, member of the board of direc-
 
 and other minor officials.
 'I am unable to state the date on which the Illinois Central will effect an entrance into Birmingham" declared the president. Tt Is simply a matter of time, however, for, as is generally known, the track from Corinth to this city is completed It is a safe prediction that uyil ha it will probably be later than April l."
 The president intimated that weather conditions would prove a factor in the early entrance of the road, and further, that business conditions would also be a consideration.
 Within the last few days members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, locomotive firemen and railway conduc- tors of the Birmingham district have been invited to Washington, where the matter of reduction in wages is being consid- cred by Commissioner of Labor Nell.
 As is remembered, when the officials of the Southern and the representatives of the labor organizations failed to agree on the matter of reduction, the interstate commerce commission was appealed to.
 Commissioner Neil, officials of the Southern and the representatives of the employees have been considering the mat ter for several days. Within the space of week representatives of the unions will be in Washington from every state of the territory through which the South ern operates.
 Considerable interest is being shown in the counter petition of the employees of the Southern. The employees, it is rella- ply reported, taking for granted the ex- planation that the reduction is necessary on account of decreased earnings, and that the officials hope that the return to the former standard may be made within a short time, have offered to lend the Southern the amount of the reduction, this reduction to be restored when the times are prosperous again.
 For instance, if a mans wages are cut s1O0 per year, he will eventually be re- stored that amount.
 Alex Bonnyman, recently appointed general manager of the Atlanta, Birmingl ham and Atlantic, with headquarters in Atlanta is in the city.
 MT. Bonnyman was in Birmingham some time ago with President Atkinson, the two making an inspection of the prop critics of the Atlanta, Birmingham and Atlantic in the district.
 MT. Bonnyman states that he cannot tell the exact date on which the road will enter Birmingham, but June Is the month of contemplated entrance. The road is doing a passenger business into Atlanta and en route Birmingham Is op- erating passenger and freight trains as far as Talladega.
 It has been announced that the Atlanta Birmingham and Atlantic will use the Louisville and Nashville station. though 1t is not stated how long the road will continue the use of this terminal before going to the new.