The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-13
OUTLOOK BRIGHT
 F0R THE A.,B. .&A.
Interesting Announcements
 Expected in Few Days
AGREEMENTS
Officials Coming Here This Week 10 Strengthen Alliances-Retiremen Of Atkinson Cause of Much
 Regret in Birmingham
By CLYDE W. ENNIS.

With the sale of the Atlanta, Birming- ham and Atlantic railroad next week in Atlanta and its formal transfer to the new organization, it Is expected that plans in connection with the operation of that line will be announced which will be of much interest in Birmingham. There has been considerable discussion here during the past few days in regard to the line affecting some new traffic alliances, which will strengthen it's position in railroad circles and will add very materially te the gross tonnages handled.
 It is stated that President Lamb and few other officials are expected here during the luatter part of the week or the first of next week to meet officials of the Frisco and the Seaboard Air line There Is said to be pending negotiations whereby traffic agreements advantageous to both lines may be worked out and it is not impossible that other lines may be included.
 The Atlanta, Birmingham and Atlantic and the Frisco, 1t is stated, have at pres ent traffic agreement by which the Atlanta. Birmingham and Atlantic obtains considerable traffic. This, it is said, will be greatly strengthened and there will be affected other alignments which will go to the betterment of the Atlanta, Birming- ham and Atlantic.
 There is considerable optimism in local railroad circles and industrial circles gen orally over the outlook for the Atlanta, Birmingham and Atlantic It Is stated that the new financial arrangements will materially lessen the fixed charge load carried by the line and that there will be an easier method of handling the lndebt- edness.
 The Atlanta, Birmingham and Atlantic, NJ. Atkinson and Alexander Bonnyman. as chief engineer has always held a very warm place in the estimation of Br- mingham people. Mir. Atkinson by his diplomacy and friendship for Birmingham was able to obtain for his line position in this community at the outset which has been of great benefit to it. The per sonal popularity of President Atkinson had great deal to do with the cordiality with which the road was received in Sir mingham.
 With the passing of the Atlanta, Bir- mingham and Atlantic into the hands of other officials the most regrettable fea- ture Is that Mir. Atkinson will no longer be with the line actively. 1t is said that the hard times during which he pushed the line through, the consequent finan- cial breakers. and the absence of that support which he had counted on, lag served to considerably dsappoint MT. At- kinson, who dreamed of the Atlanta, Bir- mingham and Atlantic for years before it's construction, It was his one ambition to get the line constructed and opera led profitably. However. obstacles that even he could not surmount caused extreme financial difficulties and the subseque1; retirement of MT. Atkinson.
 In all of the south. however there is no man In industrial or railroad circles who has so many warm friends in this city as MT. Atkinson, and while he re- linquishes his whole interest in this city, yet he may be counted upon to further the progress of Birmingham at every a- portunty.