The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-11-29
OVERTURES MADE
 TOCOAL OPERATORS Report Current Following Railroad Officials Visit CONFERENCE IS HELD Understood That Offers Were Made to Settle Coal Rate Controversy
 Without Awaiting Commits
 sion's Decision on Hearing
CONFERENCE IS HELD

Well known railroad officials met here yesterday to confer with coal operators and Chamber of Commerce officers, Will liam A. Winburn, president of the Gen. tral of Georgia President Bowes, vice president of the Frisco lines; A. R. Smith. vice president of the Louisville and Nash vile. and J. M. Culp, vice president of the Southern railway, were among those present.
 The three former officials met with the Chamber of Commerce and the coal operators and discussed an adjustment of the controversy surrounding the rate cases in Montgomery that has caused 3o much trouble to the railroads in this sec tion. No announcement of a final con- clusion was made, but 1t Is stated that the railroad men have made overtures to the coal operators here in regard to an adjustment of the differences without ap- pealing to the commission for a final judgment or awaiting decision from that body.
 MT. Winburn said that he came nere principally for an inspection of the con- pany properties and that his visit should not be associated with anything other than that.
 "Our line is securing from Birmingham Hedltny touIldEe Ol OuSlHeSs, ne BdlQ We have absolutely no kick to make about tho volume of business that we are getting from Birmingham This section seems to be in very good shape.
 ''The situation I believe is improving very rapidly, and we have every reason to believe that the betterments that We desire so much will come without great delay. The situation has been discour- aging, I will admit, but from now on think we may expect gradual improve ment"
 MT. Smith of the Louisville and Nash vile was also optimistic about the gen. eral situation. He said that the Louis- vile and Nashville has been for many years a great friend of this district In time of trial and that there was no req son for this district to believe that the interests favorable to Birmingham had deserted it.
 ''The situation which has caused us some temporary embarrassment is pass ing away rapidly" said Mir Smith. "Bir- mingham is apparently in fine shape, and I know of no district that has a greater position in this regard than Bir- mingham. This is really a remarkable district and no interest feels so kindly toward it as the management of the Louisville and Nashville.
 'I look for an immediate adjustment of the situation. I believe everything will be adjusted satisfactorily within a short time and that Americans will profit immensely by this temporary inconveni- ence and annoyance"
 MT. Culp of the Southern said his visit here was for the purpose of looking around a bit and visiting his children in Birmingham. He said that business was getting better every day and that he believed the situation would so greatly improve during the next few months that one would scarcely know that there Was . war in Europe
 The railway officials here included, i7 addition to the foregoing, R. V. Taylor, vice president of the Mobile and Ohio; D. w. Longstreet, traffic manager for the Illinois Central at Memphis. and others.