The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-04
FAIRFAX HARRISON
VISITS RICHMOND
New President of Southern Rail
way Makes First Official
Tour.
CALLS ON GOVERNOR STUART
Expresses Astonishnent at City's
Growth and It's Business
Importance.

President Fairfax Harrison and a
party OF Southern Railway officials
spent yesterday In Richmond inspecting
tho property OF tho company In this
city and making general business
| survey upon which to base future de-
velopment. The visit was made with
| no specific purpose in view, but was de-
| signed to give the new president a
comprehensive. personal acquaintance
with local conditions. The party call
ed upon the officials of other railway
lines in Richmond and upon several
shippers who have extensive business
| operations with the Southern.
II was the first official visit of Pres
ident Harrison to Richmond since his
election to succeed the late w. w. Fin
ley. In the party were II. b. Spencer
vice president; Il. II. Coapman. vice
president and general manager: II. T.
Hutchins, general superintendent, and
Key Compton. president of the Ches-
apeake Steamship Company. On their
arrival yesterday morning tho officials
at once went to the general Offices of
| the Southern Railway and were greet
ell by General Freight Agent ]. H
| Drake.
Called on Governor.
With Mr.. Drake as their guide. tho
visitors were first taken on an inspcc-
ton tour Of the Southern Railways
properties In Richmond. During the
|
Stuart at the Capitol The Governor
and Mr. Harrison are old friends.
The party left for Washington last
night, at $40 o'clock. over the Rich
mond. Fredericksburg and Potomac
Railroad Before leaving the city, Mr.
Harrison explained the meaning of his
visit to a reporter for The Tmes-Dis
patch.
There is no particular significance
attached to this visit" said he II did
not come to investigate any specific
problem or TO effect any immediate
changes. This is rather n visit from
which to draw knowledge that will
enable me to act intelligently on Ques-
ti"ns which may arise hereafter 1
must now go back to Washington and
digest the information / have acquired
to-day"
Richmond.
Amazed by Richmond'n Growth.
II am no stranger to Richmond, as
you KNOWN he replied but what
saw to-day was revelation to me.
ono can get no real conception Of tn e
commercial Importance Of the city on
the kind of visits l have paid here be-
fore. 1t requires n thorough inspec-
ton Of the manufacturing section, such
as j made to-day, to give a true idea OF
the diversified industry of Richmond.
How the city does grow. I was amazed
to see the strides made.
Richmond, in common with the en-
tire South. has wonderful future be-
fore It. This is the section of the
country now In the process of devel-
opment. 1t is the country Of oppor-
tunity."
In speaking of the impossibility OF
obtaining any idea OF the manufac-
| turing Importance of Richmond on an
ordinary visit, Mr. Harrison referred
TO the Chattanooga scheme of per-
manent exhibit OF manufacturing pro-
ducts. He was told that the mnnufac-
turers OF Richmond are Just now in
stallng similar exhibit He warmly
commended the plan.
Will Not Affect south.
Il am strongly hoping that the In
terstate Commerce Commission will
grant per cent increase in freight
rates. he said. Contrary to the gen
cral understanding, the increase will
not affect the railways OF the South,
but do expect 1t to reflect favorably
on our business in an indirect way The
Increase is being asked Only by the
railways north Of the Potomac and
cast Of Chicago. If granted, II will do
much to stimulate general commercial
prosperity"
Mr.. Harrison considers himself very
much of Virglnian, although his resi-
dence Is In Washington He owns a
handsome farm in FauQuier County and
spends much time there.