The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-12
MASTER NAMED FOR A, B, GA, Victor Smith Put In Charge of
 Receivershlp ATKINSON SENDS LETTER Thinks Everything Will Work Out and Asks Patrons To Keep It an h.
 dependent Line-RalI-
 road News.
ATKINSON SENDS LETTER

road News.
 An order of Judge Pardee, appointing Victor Smith special master in the case of the Atlanta, Birmingham and Atlantic railroad, was filed in Atlanta yesterday with the clerk of the United States dis trict court.
 The order directs that all interventions and claims in connection with the receiv- ership of this property be referred to MT. Smith, as we'll as the petition of the Old Colony Trust company of Boston, that the capital stock of the Atlanta Terminal company and that of the Alabama Ter minal company be transferred to it from the Atlanta, Birmingham and Atlantic railroad. 1t is the contention of the Old Colony Trust company that the capital stock of these companies was mortgaged to it and should have been transferred some time ago. The capital stock of the two terminal companies amounts to s4,- 50O,0O0.
 Practically all matters pertaining to the receivership of the road will hereafter be referred to Special Master Smith.
 Accompany the above was the following encouraging letter from II. M. Atkin son. president of the Atlanta, Birmingham and Atlantic:
 Atlanta, January il, 1909. Officers and Employees Atlanta, Birming- ham and Atlantic Railroad:
 Gentlemen-Every possible human effort was made to keep the road intact, and to raise the necessary money to meet inter- est on bonds. I had hoped until the last moment to meet this obligation, and, fail ing, the receivership was absolutely nec- essary in order to best protect all inter- ests.
 There is in no way any criticism from the owners or investors toward any lack of encouragement and interest in the property from its patrons in the commun- ities through which it goes; or from the employees. On the contrary, the owners and interested parties feel very grateful for the very encouraging support given during this time of depressed business conditions. Under normal conditions we could easily have handled the situation. and I have assured the investors Ca great many of whom have put their money in this property at my personal solici- tation) that with a little time and the cooperation of the people in this ter ritory. the investment will be worked out and they will not lose dollar. The business of this company, while not sufficient to meet our obligations, was each month gradually improving and promises, with the continued cooperation of patrons and employees, to, in reason able time, work out and pay its obliga- tons.
 Please explain this to all our shippers and patrons, telling them that all the ob- ligations of the receivers will be promptly, met and that it Is in their hands as to whether these people who have invested their money among us will be protected. Also explain to them that it means great deal to the people of the south that this property be a success, as the eyes of all investors in southern development are watching the outcome of this prop erty; and unless this is worked out 1t will naturally retard development in this territory.
 Also tell the people that this road is entirely independent, and their aid and support is what will keep it independent. Yours truly. 1T. M. ATKINSON,
 President. J. c. LaCoste, division freight agent of the Frisco will February 1 become chief of the tariff bureau for the Rock Island system, with headquarters in Chicago.
 Mr. LaCoste will be succeeded as di- Donough, presently commercial agent, and B. R. Starnes, now traveling frelght agent. will become commercial agent.
 MT. LaCoste began his career with the Frisco in 1892 as office boy. He is con- sidered one of the best informed freight railroad men in the service of the Frisco, and his promotion has been regular from the beginning of his service.
 l.. C. Ullrich, recently appointed as- sistant to the general manager of the
 
 resigned. was in Birmingham yesterday. Mir. Ullrch has charge of the fuel supply of the railroad, and in the discharge of his duties will be a frequent visitor to Bir mlngham.
 While this was his first trip since his recent promotion MT. Ullrich has often been in Birmingham, and is well known here among railroad officials.
 w. A. Russell, general passenger agent of the Louisville and Nashville, passed through Birmingham yesterday en route to New Orleans from Louisville.
 H. M. Waite superintendent of the Sea board, is in Atlanta.
 A. D. dghtner. general agent of the Frisco, is in Atlanta, where his son, a student of Georgia Tech. is reported quite i'll.
 LEAGUE CONTEST AT