The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-14

and details were being worked out, but that the final fulfllment of them de- pended upon what the executives thought after the entire situation, was looked over carefully.
 MT. Baker indicated that should the entire division fail to be double tracked there was scarcely any doubt but what the points on the line over which the heaviest traffic passes would be double tracked. The company has during the past IS months completely double tracked the Chattanooga Southern di- vision of the Queen and Crescent route, and will be compelled to double the local division, according to officials in clined to discuss the future of thsQueen and Crescent.
 It is stated that one of the strongest factors other than the confessed neces- sity of the work will be the fact that the Louisville and Nashville Is double tracking and the Queen and Crescent must be in shape to handle as large d tonnage as that line. The Queen and Crescent route now competes strongly with the Louisville and Nashville OH business from New Orleans to Cincin natl and beyond The Queen and Cres- cent has played the Louisville and Nashville a rather rough game and has been putting 1t over from time to time, not only here but elsewhere. Mr. Baker is not inclined to place any great weight upon the Louisville and Nashville being a standard for the ac- ton of the Queen and Crescent as he simply said that the work would be done if possible this year, the congested points receiving first consideration.
 Between York and Meridian
 The most oongested spot on the Ala bama Great Southern railroad which it is taken will be relieved first Is from York, Ala, to Meridian. Along that piece of track 12 regular Alabama Great Southern trains pass per day not counting innumerable freight trains In addition the Southern Railway company. which concern owns the Queen and Crescent, operates three trains per day over that piece of track, connecting Meridian with Selma. Anniston and Rome, Ga. not counting the Southern railway freight trains. Taken all in all the strip of roadway Is said to be badly in need of relief
 Other parts of the system have been cared for in measure, but the Ala bama Great Southern has only small amount of double track running from Birmingham to Irondale, and perhaps a short strip elsewhere in this imme- diate section.
 With the Queen and Crescent double tracked practically all the way from Cincinnati to Meridian and with the Louisville and Nashville double track ing almost the same route. traffic race will be precipitated. the like of which has never been experienced in this section heretofore.
 Cautious in Discussing Plans
 While MT Baker was very cautious about authorizing a statement in ref erence to the double tracking, he said:
 We have plans to do, quite d little double tracking on the Alabama Great Southern railroad this year. Whether or not it will be reached that soon l am not in a position to say. take it that at least it will be started this year on the congested points of the line. We have completed double tracking the New Orleans. Texas and Pacific property north of Chattanooga, which has materially assisted in traffic problems and operat- ing difficulties in that section. The Ala bama Great Southern division of the Queen and Crescent route is next in line and will be tackled. ] hope. this year. The congested points of the line are be- ing cared for now the best way pos silla op, thae n ilII la sriyen great all