The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-17
THREE PROMINENT RAILROAD MEN IN
 CITY YESTERDAY John SkeIton Williams, David son and Harahan All
 In Birmingham
WILLIAMS TALKS ABOUT
 AFFAIRS OF SEABOARD
Frisco and Illinois Central Officials Are On Inspection Trip-BurIington Headquarters Coming To
 Birmingham.

With John Skelton Williams, long con. nected with the Seaboard Air Line, and at l present owning about two-ifths of the stock of the road; A J. Davidson, presi- l dent of the Frisco. and J. T. Harahan, president of the Illinois Central, in tho city yesterday, Birmingham had it's share of the distinguished railroad officials of the country.
 MT. Williams arrived in Birmingham yesterday morning, and after spending the day, left over the Louisville and Nashville for Montgomery MT. David son arrived at o'clock in the afternoon over the Frisco from Memphis and left on No. 1, Alabama Great Southern for ] New Orleans last night MT. Harahan reached Birmingham yesterday morning l from Memphis and left yesterday after noon for New Orleans. He was in the city but few hours.
 As far as could be learned, there was no special significance in the visit of the three distinguished railroad officials. As far as known no one of the trio saw the other, in spite of unauthorized reports to the effect that deals of certain na- lures were pending"
 Status of Seaboard
 When seen by a representative of The ge-Herald, MT. Williams made the fol- lowing statement:
 There is nothing significant in my visit to Birmingham. I left Richmond Thurs day, spent Friday in Atlanta and reached Birmingham this morning. From Bir- mingham I go to Montgomery and from Montgomery to Savannah. From Savan- 1 nah I return to Richmond.
 You see, I am going over the entire Seaboard line. I am inspecting the prop erty and famiarizing myself with affairs and conditions.
 "Under the operation of the receivers the Seaboard is doing finely and cleared more profit in 1908 than it did in 1907, this being true in spite of the panic and cer- tain litigation. There is no probability of an immediate reorganization of the seaboard. It is not known when such action will be taken. No plan of reorgan- ization has been discussed. The road is going ahead with it's business, and 1t may be a considerable while before the prop erty is again reorganized.'
 1 MT. Williams is especially interested in that portion of the Seaboard which ex- tends from Birmingham to Atlanta. The Seaboard is a hobby with MT. Williams, and he Is deeply interested in its success. He has always been prime factor in the | development of the road, and one of the | ho ira fidence in It's ultimate success There is no better known man in the south than MT. Williams, and during his stay yester- day he was in consultation with Seaboard officials, coal and iron operators and was entertained.
 President Davidson Inspects.
 President Davidson of the Frisco, dis claiming that he was in Birmingham for any other purpose than the mere inspec- tion of the property, did not discuss the possibility of the Rock Island and Frisco inaugurating distinct systems of govern ment or other matters that have proved interesting subjects of gossip.
 With Mir Davidson were several minor officials, clerks and stenographers. His escort to Birmingham was Superintend- ent Lorton. In Birmingham he was en- tertained by A. D. Lightner, general agent of the Frisco; Walter Moore, coal op- orator, and other prominent gentlemen.
 B. F. Yoakum, chairman of the execu- tive board of the Frisco-Rock Island sys- tenn; Benjamin Winchell, president of the Rock Island railroad and the numerous other prominent officials who were ex- pected with MT. Davidson, did not come, but are expected at an early date.
 "we are simply going over the property of the road" stated President Davidson. ''There is nothing significant in our visit. From Birmingham we go to New Orleans and from New Orleans to St. Louis.
 We have found everything in first class order in Birmingham and practically over the entire southern portions of the system. We learn that business has been good for the past several months, with in- dications of still better conditions"
 President Harahan Talks.
 During the few hours in which Presi- i dent Harahan remained in Birmingham he was in consultation with T. l.. Stubbs, superintendent of the Illinois Central and w. B. ,Leedy, one of the vice presi- | dents.
 | He lunched at the Southern club and there when seen by a representative of | The Age-Herald talked freely concerning generalities.
 He announced his satisfaction with the affairs of the Illinois Central as admin istered by local representatives, but stat ed that the fine business done by the Illinois Central had not surpassed his expectations
 we expected much, you see," he bland ly stated, flor we had thoroughly in- yestisated Birmingham and the surround ing country before we entered. and knew that we were making no mistake
 q am looking over the property of the road. and will spend several more days in the south. The Illinois Central is doing very nicely considering its short life in Birmingham, and we believe that its business will continue to improve. The service will be improved steadily, until the road will have few peers in this part of the country"
 Boost for Birmingham.
 Col. J. N. Merrill, general southern agent of the Burlington route, with l headauarters in Atlanta, was in Birming ham yesterday. MT. Merrill stated that the Southern headquarters of the Bur