Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-01-11
President Harrison's inspection
Tour Through South Likely to
Result in Double Tracking the
Lines Radiating From Here.

IMPORTANT improvements Of South
ern Railway property in Atlanta are
exrected to follow the visit to Atlanta
If President Fairfax Harrison, who
arrived in this city at I o'clock Sat-
rrdav afternoon on his first inspec-
ton trip since he succeeded the late
". w. Finley as head Of the system.
He was accompanied by Vice Pres
,fent and General Manager e. H.
-ospman, Vice President H. B. Speu-
qsr and Key Compton, president Of
The Chesapeake Steamship Company.
Although Mr.. Harrison and mem
hers Of his party refused to affirm
the report, It Is generally understood
rat while here he will take up with
'ocsl officials Of the road plans for ex-
rensive improvements Of the roads
Atlanta property, which NAV result IN
The double tracking Of several OF the
single-track lines radiating from At
ANITA, a project which, 1t is under
stood the TOAD has had under consid-
Grafton for some time.
Confers With City Officials.
Il is regarded as significant that
Mr.. Harrison's first act after leaving
hon at 4 o'clock Saturday afternoon
vas to walk through the train shed
down into the yards and terminals,
where he made a thorough inspection
Of that portion of the roads Atlanta
property before going to the local Of
fees Of the company.
Several matters of Importance that
directly affect affairs of the Southern
in Atlanta are understood to have
been taken up at a conference which
Mr.. Harrison held with local Off
Gals Saturday night. 1t was official
w stated that Mr.. Harrison and his
rarty will spend Sunday going over
every inch of Southern Railroad prop.
erty in Atlanta, and probably will
hold another conference with local
officials Sunday night.
Refuses to Discuss Plans.
Monday morning Mr.. Harrison will
1eave for Birmingham 20 inspect the
property Of the road at that point, and
from there will go to other important
cities on the system before returning
70 Washington, among them Mem
phis, Chattanooga and Knoxville.
In sharp contrast to the policy pur-
sued by the late President Finley, Mr.,
Harrison was decidedly reticent re-
garding his policy as head OF the
road, refusing to comment on aay
matters whatever.
In a formal statement issued from
his private car. Il was stated that he
IS making the trip to renew his &C
cuaintances with physical problems
Of the property and with conditions
throughout the territory the system
serves as they exist to-day
q do not care to comment on either
the condition of the road or on GEL
eral conditions In the South" said Mr..
Harrison. This is my first trip over
the system slice became president.
and / will have nothing to say until
have completed my inspection.
Travels Only In Day Time.
Il am travelling with NV eyes an ]
ears open and nv mouth Shut he
added, with a smile.
During the trip from Washington to
Atlanta Mr. Harrison Travelled excln-
sively during the daylight hours. In
order that he might thoroughly in
spect the tracks Of the system. II ts
understood that he was particularly
well pleased with the condition Of the
new double tracking between Attain
Ia and Gainesville.
In addition to Messrs. Coapman,
Spencer and Compton, President Har-
rlson was accompanied to Atlanta oY
Henry w. Miller, assistant to the
president; w. N. Foreacre, of Char
otte general superintendent; H. L,
Hungerford, Of Greenville, superiu-
tendent Of the Charlotte division, and
J, c. Williams, of Washington, as
sistant to the president. He will be
accompanied from Atlanta to Bir-
mingham by officials Of the Blrming-
ham division,