The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-04
CENTRAL MAY bE GREATLY IMPROVED Markham's Visit Is COnsid- cred Very Significant PARTY TO GEORGIA Head of Illinois Central and Other Officials Will Make Inyestiga-
 tions Which May Result
 in Improvements

It is expected that giant improvements will be made in the Central of Georgia railroad properties, as a result of the in- spection of that line by President Charles II. Markham, which began this morning. He left Birmingham at I o'clock on a special train for Macon, Savannah, At lanta and other Georgia points, accom- panied only by Central of Georgia off, cers and his chief egineer, A. s. Bald win of the Illinois Central railroad
 The officials intend to look at every feature of the line and outline some im- provements which have been held up for several months.
 It is known generally that the late Maj. J. F. Hanson, who was at the head of the Central had many improvements passed by his finance committee before he died. These Improvements had been held to be logical and were to have been made. The work is said to have included the double tracking of the line at a few points, which would have been units in general scheme to relay the line It is expected President Markham will look into the plans heretofore outlined and vii, either annul them or start some of the work.
 The inspection trip which began in Bir- mingham yesterday morning Is the first that has been made by MT. Markham in the south. He is deeply interested in that line and his experience on railroad
 work is said to give him full apprecia- tion of how important the Central is in the lines owned by the Hartman estate. It is not to be discounted that some very marked Improvements will shortly be announced affecting the line. What will be the character of work is not known yet It Is generally believed that
 President Markham will not rush into the work of betterment but will go about it in a calm, conservative way.
 His appearance at the Chamber of Com meree reception impressed the score or more of business men who called to pay their respect to him. He declined in a very positive manner to make any for nal talk giving as his reason the fact
 that his trip at this time was simply to get in touch with conditions and he would rather not make any statement until he had thoroughly informed himself as to
 the conditions. He was extremely affable while at the Chamber of Commerce, talk
 ing and discussing questions of moment
 without any hesitancy. To those astute
 business men who called to see him,
 President Markham made a distinct im- pression for good. His diplomacy was paramount throughout his trip here and his genial company was very much to the liking of local business men. With it all MT. Markham impressed the Birming-
 ham people with the idea that he has d tremendous capacity for work, can handle gigantic problems and will serve well any community which plays fair with him. He is a strong believer in a closer relation with the people and at the Cham Der of Commerce spoke of this to a few is considered one of those broad railroad presidents who believe that the people have a right to be counted in all things, and he is fond of getting right in line with the people on his railroad. He Is very highly regarded in Birmingham, all though having been here less than "A hours. He said that from time to time he would revisit Birmingham and would always be glad to confer with the people of Birmingham on any problems of mu- tual interests. He would not discuss rail- road work in this district, preferring to be first well informed and make state
 nents afterward.
 The personnel of MT. Markham's party over the Central of Georgia includes MT. Markham, Vice President Alex Lawton Of the Central, Vice President Winburn of the Central. General Superintendent Johnson of the Central and Supernten- dent Ramsay of the Central.
 After leaving President Markham's party in Birmingham Vice President w. L. Park left on a special for Chicago. He was accompanied by division officers. They operated a special to Fulton, Ky, where their private cars were picked up by the northbound Seminole limited and carried to Chicago.
 All the railroaders were optimistic and well pleased with conditions, happy over the fact that President Markham was so cordially received in Birmingham and sure in the belief that closer and bet ter feeling would result from the visit between the railroads and the people.
 Among those who attended the recep- tion to President Markham were: J. B. Babb, Robert Jemison, Jr, W. w. Craw- ford, E. T. Shaw, Richard w. Massey, F. M Jackson, l.. Sevier, Harry S. Mat thews, c. w. Lee, Frank Nelson, Jr., J. T. Stokeley, A. D. Lightner. A. II. Ford, B. F. Moore, Wade Wood. B. F. Crabbe, Ernest Redd. Robert Johnson, Robert w. Ewing, George McCleary, J. w. Blair Sidney Lazarus, E. F. Stovall, V. F. Whitaker T. O. Smith, Sidney J. Bowia, J. H. Phillips, J. F. Gibson, Hill Fergu- son, W. H. Duran, Walter FowllSes.