The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-24
SPARKS AND OTHERS MORE OPTIMISTIC Railroad Men Pleased With h.
 duStriaI Outlook SEVERAL SPENT DAY HERE sevier Talks of seaboard's Operations and Scott of Illinois Central
 Says Florida Business
 Is Success.
SEVERAL SPENT DAY HERE

General Manager B. M. starks of the Louisville and Nashville passed through Birmingham yesterday, returning to Louisville after a few days inspection in South Alabama.
 Business is good everywhere" said MT Starks, and if conditions continue to improve it is safe to predict the normal era of prosperity within few months"
 L. Seiver, vice president of the Seaboard, voiced the sentiments of MT. Starks. He said: "The Seaboard's earnings for the final months of 1908 were in advance of the earnings for the same period of 1907, although l am unable to state how much of the increase was solid. and how much the result of the holiday rush."
 Assistant General Passenger Agent Scott of the Illinois Central also spoke favor ably of business conditions Since en- tering Alabama the Illinois Central has done we'll he stated. Our first years efforts to get part of the Florida busi- ness through Birmingham encountered satisfactory results, although 1 did not expect the people to ride our road ex- clusively. We are holding our own, how ever.'
 J. c. Lacoste, general freight agent of the Frisco who in February will become chief of the tariff bureau of the entire Rock Island and Frisco systems, returned yesterday from Washington and New York, in which cities he has just con cluded a week. s consultation with mem bers of the interstate commerce commis- sion.
 MT. Lacoste states that he was simply faniliarizing himself with the details of the office of which he will take charge next month.
 The promotion of MT. Lacoste was an- nounced some days ago in The Age Herald. He has been with the Frisco for a long number of years, having entered the service of the road in the capacity of office boy. He is considered one of the most capable freight men in the rail- road world and his promition caused no surprise.
 throughout the east" stated MT. La- coste on his arrival yesterday, there is a general business revival. l have found nowhere a great boom, and of this we should feel proud for booms are gener- ally followed by period of depression. But everywhere business conditions are strongly rallying and the indications are an era of prosperity is dawning.''
 MT. Lacoste will remain in Birming- ham until February then he will go to Chicago to take charge of the tariff bureau.
 E. P. Coapman, manager of the South ern Railway company, and H. E. Hut chens, general superintendent made an inspection over the lines of the Southern in this district yesterday. The officials travelled in a special train and their in- spection was thorough.
 E. T. Wilcox, assistant general pas senger> agent of the Frisco, with head quarters in Memphis, was In Birmingham yesterday. He visited the local offices of the Frisco and was in consultation with officials throughout the day. Mir. Wilcox, as is remembered, was formerly located in Birmingham.
 E. H. Thayer, superintendent of the dining car service of the Frisco, was again in Birmingham yesterday He is making arrangements for the improvement of the service. One of his plans Is the inaugu- ration of a thorough dining car service from this section to the Yukon Pacific exposition in the summer.