The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-27
SOUTHERN PLANNING B|G IMPROVEMENTS
 RumOred Mobile Division Will Be Overhauled FOR CANAL TRAFFIC
Reports Circulating That Recent Visit of Officials Was to Out line Improvements Between
 Birmingham and Mobile

That the recent visit over tho Mobile division of the Southern railway ny prominent officials of that line means that between s750,o00 and s1 ,OOO OO0 will be expended soon in bettering the physical condition of the line between this city and Mobile and harbor i'm provements in the latter city was the general belief eNpresse- here yester- day
 F. IT, Coapman. vice president and general manager of the Southern, with the chief engineer and other well known officials were here recently after having looked over the situation at Mobile and on the division between that city and Birmingham. 1he officials in- timated very strongly that something was up for consideration, but further than to say that the general improve ments extended over the entire system, the officials would not be quoted.
 Harbor Improvements Reported
 A report from Mobile and Selma yes- tcrday was to the effect that $2,000 090 W ould be spent in harbor facilities ct Mobile and track improvements between Mobile and Birmingham. However, lo- cal officials were inclined to scout that large an expenditure inasmuch as that much money will not be neeocd for the maximum improvement on the Mobile division.
 The officials here yesterday did not have any information to give out as to the proposed improvements. L. Sevier general executive agent Is in Washing ton; II. M. Durham, the principal as sistant engineer, is also at d confer ence in Washington, as was other of- ficials The local transportation de- partment has no authority over the Mobile division. hence did not feel at liberty to make any statement
 It Is understood. however, that for the purpose of getting in line for the proposed improvements locally and the anticipated traffic from the Panama canal the Southern will perform the work. l is said the company intends to get into q position to handle the maximum business when the Panama canal is opened. As il x generally ad- initted that Birmingham will be the main hub around which the business will center. the improvement of the Me bile division Is consequently of par importance.
 Relay Track
 At Mobile 1t is generally known that the Southern railway nas at this time very fine harbor facilities. It is sam a large part of whatever appropriation Is made will go 10 the harbor improve ments in Mobile, which are expected to be started as soon as possible. The principal work on this division will be the rela ying of the track, the improve ment of the bridges, some double track ing and other improvements of costly rature.
 The purpose of the e-mpany in con nection with whatever new work Is done is to secure the best possible bridge construction ana track work to withstand the maximum tonnage that may develop on the line. The work will it is stated, resul, III the improve ment of freight and passenger service on the Southern railway Mobile divi- sion to Birmingham. fhe service at this time is very good but it is saii will be ,dade which will place the Southern in position tD with some of the premier rail roads of the country that arc trying to Iy.,, ,a1