The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1909-04-15
T,&w NCRR Scene Doe River T.&wNCRR

in whose future we have Astounding
faith. IL is undoubtedly true that the
time when financial aid will be given by
the state for the construction of, new
railroads has passed, but in the improve
ment of onr railroads, without which
there can be no industrial growth, there
Is as much need of moral encouragement
and support as there was of the financial
assistance that brought into being many
OF the railroads constructed half cen
fury ago and which have done so much
TO bring the country to its present state
of development.
To secure this moral support l am
confident that nothing is needed but a
thorough understanding between those
whom the railroads serve and those who
build and manage them. The railroad
is the partner of every farmer, miner
merchant and manufacturer. Itmerely
performs its part of the work, link in
the chain, preparing and transmitting
the raw product from the farm, the for
est, or the mine, to the consumer.
The value of adequate facilities in the
more efficient and more economical ser
vice rendered by the railroad has beer
well Illustrated during the past eighteen
months of diminished business. DURING
this brief breathing spell, when the ia
ciities Of the railroads were sufficient t
handle the business offered, that bust
ness has been handled more safely, more
expeditiously, and more economically
than for many years prior thereto
Many railroads whose gross earnings
have shown decrease of more than /
million doller per month have shown ne
Increases, an increased saving above thu
cost Of operation, of from 100000 tt
$500 600 per month, and this too withou
decreasing the standard-o maintenance,
OF the railroad property.
This ended the program and tn,
guests reluctantly departed about tw,
O'Clock III the morning Of He1' day
and new era, let US hope, for johnson
City.
During the eyeniDg an orchestra fill
ed the spacious hotel with muSica
echoes.
The distinguished railway official
present were:
W. W. Finley, president Of Tin
Southern, Of Washington.
George l.. Carter, president of tn
Carolina, Ciinchfield and Ohio city.
+. p. Howe, president of the Eas
Tennessee and Western North Carroll
ma, of Philadelphia.
Geo r. Loyal, general superinteud
ent of the Southern, of Knoxville.
NJ. ]. Caples, general manager of tn
Carolina, Clinchfield and Ohio, city.
George w. Hardin, vice-president c
the f. T. d w. n. c., city.
Col. w. A. Henderson, assistant chic
counsel of the Southern,
J. Norment Powell, chief counsel {
the c., c. 20.
J. H. Epps, chief counsel of the L
T. & w. N. G., of Jonesboro.
G. l.. Harris, division superintendent
of the Southern, Knoxville.
H. L. Miller, of the freight depar
ment of the Southern, Knoxville.
o. B. Keister, trainmaster of tn
Southern, Knoxville.
L. H. Pettiplace, superintendent {
the c., G. & 0.
j. ]. Campion, traffic manager I
the c., $50.
The members of the boad of mana,
ers of the Soldiers Home present wer
J. w. Wadsworth, of Genese, N. Y
Edwin p. Hammond, of LaFayett
Indiana.
JOS, S. Smith, of Bangor, Me.
Henry w. Manager, of Chicago.
j. M. Holley, of La Crosse, Wis.
IL. H. Markham, of Los Angeles, Ca
Moses Harris, of New York.
, Gov. Franklin Murphy, Newark, N.
: d. r. Beeson, of Uniontown, Pa
: Other visitors present were:
: Gen, J. T. Wilder, of Knoxville.
] Judge A. A. Phleger, of Bristol
: r.. G. Wilkinson, of Hillsyille, Va.
q f. E. Early, of Hillsville, Va.
b r. w. Dickinson, of Castlewood, V
A. S. Gump, of Bristol.
s Wiley f. Morgan, city enitor of Il
n Sentinel, Of Knoxville.
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