The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-10-22
GRAY TALKS ABOUT
 RATE INCREASES Railroads Want To Know Commissions Policy VIADUCTS FOR THE CITY Frisco Vice President says Approach ing Conference Is Almost Sure To Result in Definite Action on
 Part of Railroads
vIADUCTS FOR THE CITY

Carl R. Gray, senior vice president of | the Frisco system, who was in Birming- | ham yesterday, believes the western lines are more interested in finding out the policy of the interstate commerce com mission toward the railroads than in get ting the actual increases in rates that have been asked for. He says the rate increases involved would mean only about ssOo0O year to his company.
 My idea about the rate increases is that the railroads desire above any pe- cuniary gain to learn the attitude or policy of the commission toward the rail- roads on rate increase questions and the method of increasing wages on the varl- ous lines,' said MT. Gray. Recently one company raised wages to such an extent that every dollar of the surplus went into this channel and the company has not in creased its earning power When we find out the policy of the commission we will know exactly how to proceed.
 Personally, I believe the interstate commission is composed of men fair and honest Every decision that has been made by them to my mind reflects a stu
 
 other way except as an effort to do the right thing. I daresay one could find few railroad executives who do not think the commissioners are absolutely square For this reason we do not believe any radical decisions will be made.
 ''The rate increases are minor matters compared to the entertainment of their attitude on the rate-wage questions. As we believe the commissioners are men of fine mentality, our improvements or ex- penditures are not being held up on the rate question. We have been through four years of very trying conditions and have necessarily been compelled to hold up many improvements. However, con dtions are readjusting themselves and we look for a clearing of the doubtful conditions"
 yiaducts in Birmingham
 In speaking of Birmingham and the via ducts MT. Gray said:
 Tn the matter of viaducts there Is one get the viaduct on First avenue. It will require some further discussion, but it is an eventuality that must be met. AS time pHSSeS Ine TdlfTOaQS are COIlllllB lO ize and understand that such affairs as our yards on Ninth avenue and the via duct evil must be corrected. We have arranged our yards and will make fur ther improvements In that service. We hope to move all but about per cent of our work from this central point. The viaducts will be constructed in time. Personally, I am not inclined to the opin- ion that work will begin by January 1. That is only two months and 10 days of, and that Is not sufficient time in my judgment to map out the plans properly The Frisco system is interested in the First avenue viaduct and will assist in the solution of that evil. But we are not at all interested in the Twenty-eighth street one except from desire to see Birmingham improved. The next meet ing I think will be held here. I have re- quested MT. Spencer. vice president Of the Southern. to select Birmingham and fix October 31 as the day. This is the most central position and the time is con- venient.
 we will make another plan and sub init that to the city When this is done I should think everything will be satis- factory"
 See New Work At NorwoOd
 MT. Gray held an extended conference here yesterday with A. D. Lightner, gen. eral agent for the executive department The two officers walked over the new work being done in Norwood which Is parallel of the Southern railway, and walked into North Birmingham and through to Thomas yards.
 At the conclusion of this personal in spection Mir Gray said the work In Nor wood was progressing very favorably and would when completed mean great de- crease in trains operating through Bir- mingham. MT. Gray left for St. Louis on the afternoon train yesterday.
 ENCTNJE OE GET MIA