The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-02
by CLYDE w. ENNIS


The election of Fairfax Harrison of Vir-
ginia to succeed the late William Wilson
Finley as president of the Southern Rail-
way company and allied lines was re-
ceived in this city yesterday with unusual
interest and a feeling of intense sats-
faction
OF all the men of the thousands that
compose the organization of the South
ern railway the new president was the
most intimate with the late Mr. Finley.
The new official knew the policies of Mr..
Finley better and in more detail than any
of the other men connected with the line.
That intimate knowledge of affairs and
policies came about through II years of
constant business association, during
which term of years Mr.. Harrison was
the right hand man of the late president.
He assisted in the giant financial prob
lens of the Southern, he assisted In pro-
noting that policy of cooperation be-
tween the Southern and its people, and
was heartily In accord with Mr.. Finley in
that wonderful plan to make the south
the garden spot of this country by i'm
proved agricultural processes.
Born and Reared in Virginia
Mr.. Harrison is a southerner He is a
native of Virginia, and not, 1t is stated of
New York, as has been published. His
father was private secretary to the late
southern leader, President Jefferson Davis,
and in that confidential relationship
served faithfully the souths interests
Fairfax Harrison is related to the Virginia
families of the two names, and is related
to Lord Fairfax of England, who is also
Virginia, and who lately resumed his
place in English life at the express wish
of the late King Edward. Mr.. Harrison
resides even now in Virginia. He knows
the south perhaps better than any railroad
official of this section, having all his
life lived here or served the interests of
this section as railroad official.
As railroad man he was first solicitor
for the Southern. However, as Mr.. Fin
ley's constant assistant he grew to learn
the financial and operating departments of
the business exceedingly well. He lately
went over to the Monon route succeed
ing the late Ira Rawn. who committed
suicide incident to the famous Illinois Gen..
trail graft exposures. Mr.. Harrison was
nominated for the presidency of the Mo-
non by Harry Walters, practical owner
of the Louisville and Nashville and At
lantic Coast Line, who perhaps better than
any railroad man of this day knows a
live one" when he sees him. The Monon
is owned jointly by the Louisville and
Nashville and the Southern. Milton II.
Smith, Mr.. Walters and Mr. Finley, the
latter regretfully, acquesced in the seec-
ton of Fairfax Harrison as president of
the Monon route three years ago.
Has Been Here Many Times
Mr.. Harrison as a, director of the Ala
bama Great Southern railroad has been
many times to this city. He is remem-
bered as a rather short man in stature.
He is clean shaved, wears almost in
variably a derby hat, is unpretentous.
modest and possesses pair of penetrating
gray eyes. He is never too busy to hear
complaints or compliments about his rail-
road, and never neglects an opportunity
of personally learning all that he can
about his work from others. AS a di-
rector of the Alabama Great Southern he
has come in contact with many Birming-
ham men. Two citizens of this city, w.
w. Crawford and Robert Jemison, Sr..
are directors of that line. The latter was
IN New 1OTk ytStciudy III TIE IneGLlnR
which elected Mr.. Harrison.
AS to the selection of Mr. Harrison,
Webb Crawford. fellow director. said
yesterday when told about it,
II think it was the wisest thing that
could have been done for the Southern,
and for this section. Mr.. Harrison of all
men of the Southern family knew better
the policies ambitions and hopes of the
lamented Mr.. Finley. He was in close
touch with his work for II years. And
while we have lost in Mr.. Finley a great
friend of the south, yet in Mr.. Harrison
we have a railroad official who knows
this country, it's people, its heeds, and
who is pre-eminently fitted to take hold
and continue the magnificent growth of
his lines, which contributes substantially
to the growth of this city and state. am
deely gratifled that Mr.. Harrison was Sc
lected, as / know him personally and I
know that he will prove quite as friendly
to this city as any one could possibly
prove to be-
Formal Statement Issued
Local officials were all well pleased with
the announcement that Mr.. Harrison had
been elected president From the execu-
tive Offices of the Southern railway this
announcement was issued yesterday of
the election:
Fairfax Harrison, formerly vice presi-
dent of the Southern Railway company,
on for tla loc -