The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-26

completed, and even though we are oper- ating trains to York; we are daily spend- ing much more money than we receive on that part of the line in an effort to per- feet it. and we are trying now to ar range to buy additional passenger and freight equipment, provided we can see that our revenue will hold its own, if not increase. Another thing that you should consider is that we furnish more trains on which passengers can ride than most lines similarly situated, and we permit and provide for the carrying of passen- gers on our freight trains solely for the accommodation of our patrons and not because 1t is best for us to do it. No other railroad in the territory gives this accommodation to it's patrons.
 Notwithstanding the facts as above stated, l want you to know that 1t is my desire and my intention to make reduction in passenger fares as soon as the coun- try settled sufficiently to justify It.
 You will see by this lengthy reply that I have endeavored to explain the situa- tion to you fully and in view of my desire to cooperate in every way, I can with sour real friends along the line of road I want you to feel free to discuss with me or other officers of the company and take up at any time you see fit, spe- cifc cases where you think an adjust
 
 give it careful consideration and I be- lieve can explain our position, and in some cases no doubt can better condi- tions which you may rest assured 1t will always be my policy to do The rail- road as you know lacks much of being complete, and our success and the time within which we do complete 1t and bet ter the facilities is largely dependent upon the cooperation and friendly assistance of nenp1a along the ha+ iE Ina q mutual interest, and by cooperation and friendly working together can accomplish much more than by discord and antagon- ism. and the object in writing you thus fully on the several subjects you have brought up has been in an effort to show you the true conditions, but if there is anything in this letter which Is not fully understood, or If there is any point that has not been covered, I shall be glad to have our general freight agent meet with committee of shippers and patrons, or l will, if desired, personally meet you and discuss further any points that you may wish.
 T am ready always to do my part and I think what I have done in building this line through a territory that no one else thought enough of to develop is sufficient proof of my good faith, and the remark able growth of the towns along our line, | tOSetHeT WllH tue uDpFeceuenteQ prosper lty and good financial condition of the merchants and planters and other good people is proof positive that the railroad has treated well it's patrons and made possible this development. and those who know me l believe will continue to give me their assistance and good will, at least until I have carried out my plan and given you a frst-class through line of railroad. Of all times for a disagree ont ,tc ta l1 ( tune for the reason that you have an in- terest in what I am able to accomplish by extending the road, and therefore 1t Is to your interest, hope you will agree, to assist in every possible way to increase our earning capacity rather than reduce it, Tor ali the money VIC make and a great deal more. is being put right into improvements of the property. of wbicb you ara in the end the benehciaIies and the fact that we have already made all the rednctions that VIC were able to vol untarily as the opportunities offered. and by reaching York opened additional mar kets for our patrons, seems good proof that as opportunities offer in the future we will continue to better conditions, both As to rates and service, and you can rest assured that I will do my full share to this end. l believe l have many friends on the line who appreciate what has been uoHe ds Iully as appreciate the Rlndll- ness and good will they have always shown me and the fact that those who are doing their share in helping me to develop this territory are my personal friends is a source of the greatest sat isfaction, and l always want you to feel as you have manifested in the past that you are not only free to make any re- quests of me or discuss any matter with reference to the railroad business with me personally, but 1t Is my personal wish, and will be my pleasure, to go over any such matters of disagreement with any one and every one of you who may wish 1t. My policy is to treat you fairly, and
 in doing this am confident that I will my self be justly treated Very truly yours,
 JOHN COCHRANE, President"