The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-10-28
w. L. Park Shown Over Devel- opment Work By President
 Gordon Crawford
SEES GREAT FUTURE
 FOR MINERAL SECTION
Plans That Are Being Carried Out Here Fly the Steel
 Corporation

After looking over al lthe properties of the Steel corporation here as the guest of President George Gordon Crawford, W. L. Parks, vice president of the Illinois Central, said last night that he was perfectly amazed at the wonderful work being performed.
 MT. Park was here yesterday to see Birmingham. He had never been over this district and embraced the oppor- tunity yesterday to look at what is be- ing done by the corporation in Bifming ham. Mir. Park said last night the most impressive feature of the great develop ment was the plans for the future which are being incorporated in the work He said if half the industries were brought now shown, this district would be in real ity the Pittsburg of the south, and would favorably with any industrial district in America
 In speaking of general affairs, MT Park was very optimistic over conditions, and said if the railroads were assured that the policy toward them prior to lsO7 would return soon millions upon millions of dollars would be spent by the railroads in new lines and new work of every description
 He said in Birmingham and almost all cities of the south crying demand for greater railroad facilities was evi- dent, and this would be answered when the railroads felt sure of the attitude of the commissions and lawmakers In speaking of Birmingham he said:
 Birming am's Wonderful Future
 "There is small room to doubt but that Birmingham will be the largest town in the south at the rate she is now grow ing. The industries around here are sim ply wonderful. and the outlay for im- indicates that greater facili- ties are to be given Birmingham. The greatness of your city cannot be overes- timated and we are very proud of the fact that our lines touch here
 T was deeply impressed with my visit over the Steel corporation properties here today with MT. Crawford. His informa- tion as to the work under way and the facts as l saw them certainly mean that Birmingham Is heir to all that is good and valuable l had never inspected the industries of Birmingham before, and had no conception of how large this district was until today. Hereafter I shall never lose an opportunity of talking up Bir- mingham and predicting great things for its future.'
 Illinois Central Affairs
 Tn speaking of Illinois Central matters he said: "It is well known that Mir Har- ahan, our president. will retire next year. According to our pension plans he will be retired at the age of 70. Although MT. Harahan has reached that ripe old age, he possesses the mentality of much younger man. In my Judgment he win remain in the councils of the Illinois Gen. tral for many years. His successor has not been considered yet"
 When asked directly if he would sue ceed MT Harahan as president, MT Park said that he had never thought of such 8 possibility, and that so far as he knew no move had been set on foot to groom a successor to Mir. Harahan.
 "Business Is fine,' continued Mir, Park "We have shown a remarkable increase in earnings this year which is something more than a great many companies have done. We have kept begging away at the plans that would afford better ser vice and have succeeded in a moderate way in pleasing our shippers"
 Possibilities of south
 Tn speaking of the south and the possi- bilities of this section. the probable suc- cessor to the presidency of the Illinois Central said:
 "As I grow better acquainted with our lines in the south the more I am impressed with the latent possibiI- tiles. The country, Us 1t were, has only been discovered and not yet near ly prepared for the great commercial benefits that will result from the scien- tific development of the dormant agri- cultural. timber and mineral resources. A soil in many places as rich as the Nile: an abundant and well distributed rainfall and the best climate on earth, with vast stores of coal and iron-the and progressive era of pros perity is at your door.
 While the railroads have pioneered this work of development do not be in the idea that they are not now essential to further progress. Lit tie will be accomplished without tn eir active coop eration. AS they become stronger In their efficiency they nat urally strengthen other business en- terprises Transportation has been and will continue to be the great developer.
 New Enterprises
 q see opportunities on every hand to open up new enterprises and peo- pie waiting to embrace them. They must be assisted and there Is no power so great as the railroad to accomplish this. The batting of the railroads and the restrictions of unreasonable laws and requirements in my opinion eff il is at all necessary Is about 50 years too early for the good of the whole people. I am glad to see recently symp- toms of sanity on this question for the sooner we get right ona what is due those who invest In the1railroads the sooner they will be ready to put in some more money for extensions and i'm provements.
 "Our American railroads as yet are primitive. Millions of dollars could and should be spent In Birmingham. Mem phis and New Orleans alone. All over the south there is a crying demand for new railroads and increased facilities With the confidence of investors de- stroyed by unwise demagoeues who have only personal or ulterior objects in view these projects will wait One of the worst features of the present tendency Is the weak ening of the rail. roads in other directions. While they have one wing on the ground they are attacked by vultures of various kinds against which they are not able to de fend themselves properly.
 "The conditions are no worse in tho