The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-11-03
COMPLIMENTS FOR
 BIRMINGHAM RAILS
Engineer of Hartman Lines
 Talks of Orders
CONDITION OF BUSINESS
Says Birmingham VIII Never Fail To Get Part of Hartman Rail Or
 ders Every Year-Rides
 Around Highland Avenue

That a rail order will be, placed here by the Hartman lines every year. and that the Hartman railroads are always anxious to secure the Birmingham rail were among the number of compliments paid Birmingham products last night by J. D. Isaacs, the veteran chief engineer of the Hartman lines, who is in Birming ham.
 MT. Isaacs said the Hartman lines gave Birmingham an order for rails not so long ago, which was among the largest ever given here, and that every year Bir- mingham would share in the orders of the Hartman interests. He said that the rails here had been improved upon every year. and were the best that could be possibly purchased at any plant.
 He spoke enthusiastically of this dis trict and the existing relations between it and the line he represents. MT. Isaacs said the wonderful growth here would be duplicated and the battle cry of the was very appropriate. In speaking of Bir- ningham rails, he said:
 "The rails made here have proved emi- nently satisfactory to our lines. We placed part of our largest order here and have been receiving portion of the rails every month since. The rails have proved the very best. They stand the chemical analysis and wear exceedingly we'll We have found scarcely any but were altogether sound We are very much pleased with all our relations with Birmingham. Although the rails that have been made here have all been good, 1t seems to me that a. better grade has been reached during the past few years. The rail now seems to have a better an- alysis and wear stronger and longer. Birmingham need have no fear but that the Hartman lines will come right here for rails every year. We have an order to give every year. We place 1t after the appropriations have been made. Our order for next year has not been decided upon, but when it is ready Birmingham will come in for as much as can be ham, dled. here
 "The Ensley plant Is now working on part of our order. The rails have been coming for several months now. You hHOW we uOIl Duy IdliS as Oit Would cabbage or sweet potatoes or possibly chestnuts. We buy for future and ex- tended delivery I am very much im- pressed with the possibilities of your steel-malSing industry. and shall stand ready at any time to testify to the fine quality of Birmingham rails"
 Development Work in West D,..., opment, Mr. Isaacs said: fss s6f p.The railroads out west are working right along. I cannot see any cancella- ton of extensions. However, we have cut down the fancy touches and have neglected to put on some frils and furbe- lows on account of the rate troubles. Although this Is true we have been rather busy. We are making some fine extensions and opening up some new country. The work planned has gone for ward. We are not planning very far ahead now and will not until some -po- litical questions are settled. This is, not caused by the freight tariffs on western railroads. The rates have been suspend ed but, the railroad men out west believe the interstate commerce commission will give a fair decision. The railroads have been more or less handicapped on ac- count of high money during the past few years. A great many things to discour- age capital have been done, but, condi- tions are looking a great deal brighter at this time. The railroads have kept the maintenance up to the standard. We have tried to improve the rolling stock and equipment and reduce the cost in an effort to keep up with the increased cost of money borrowed. This effort has taken quite a great deal of wealth from the railroads which has been put Into com- mercial channels. So with every turn of the wheel the railroads have been assist ing the country and paying for it at the same time.
 q feel optimistic over the outlook and would be slow to form an opinion ad- verse to the people. I think the American people very fair and do not feel they will assist in any scheme to hinder pro- gress."
 Trip Around Highland Avenue
 MT. Isaacs, with A. H. Baldwin, chief engineer of the Illinois Central, were taken TOT an automopHe rlde over BIT mingham after the meeting, of engineers had adjourned They were carried over Highland avenue MT. Isaacs said it would be impossible for one to identify the city of six or 10 years ago with the modern progressive municipality of to- day.
 He and Mir. Baldwin left Birmingham this morning for Chicago.