The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-06-23
President of G.. F. & A. and
Party of Officials and
Bankers Here
PLAN CONNECTION
WITH THE SOUTHERN
Line Being Built From Pensacola to
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Shown Over
the City and Entertained
at Clubs

The full significance of the coming of
the Gulf, Florida and Alabama railroad
to this district was scarcely appreciated
in this city until yesterday when Presi-
dent Roy Megargel and n party of east
ern bankers reached Birmingham. 1t
was announced by President Megargel
that when his line was completed to kim
brough, station on the Southern rail-
way, during the next few months, Bir-
mingham would have an absolutely new
outlet to Pensacola whereas at this time
this district is dependent solely upon the
Louisville and Nashville to reach that
port. At Kimbrough Junction. traffic
connection win be made with the South
ern railway from Birmingham and trains
sent into Pensacola by a shorter route.
The opinion is held here that few, II
any, railroad developments of the last
few years south of Birmingham have
held the possibilities for Birmingham
as does the present one. 1t is believed
that with Pensacola brought into closer
touch with Birmingham and with the
Southern railway at this end of the line
sending traffic into Pensacola there will
be an impetus given Pensacola and ocean
traffic from Birmingham which will be
of the greatest value to this community
Bond Issue Expected
Mr.. Megargle was here yesterday en-
route to Tuscaloosa and then to Pensa-
cola with party of the officials and
eastern bankers. 1t is believed that a
large bond issue is to be floated by the
Gulf, Florida and Alabama line during the
next few months if business justifies.
The party was met at the Terminal sta
ton by l.. Sewer, general agent for the
Southern railway; w. w. Crawford, d.
rector of the Alabama Great Southern,
and by Robert Jemison, Sr, also direc-
tor of the Alabama Great Southern line.
The officials also met at the Terminal
e. w. Carey, traffic manager for the Ten
nessee Coal. Iron and Railroad company,
and were taken to the steel mills at Ems
ley. They were shown over the giant
industrial operations there and later
visited Fairfield. returning to the Tut
wiler for luncheon.
In addition to Mr.. Megargel the party
is composed of: f. b. Erwing, of Megar-
gel & Co, New York; Henry Rogers, A.
M. Day and f. S. Watenberg of the same
company; H. NJ. Skinner and Frederick
Remington. the former of Chicago and
the latter of Rochester, representatives
of Megargel & Co.; II. II. Lambert, Fort
Dearborn National bank. Chicago; w. G.
Goodrich, of Goodrich & Co., New Haven.
Conn; Phillip Sawyer, of Sawyer, Noble
& Co., Providence. r. l.; Edward Dolb,
of Jacob, Dob & Co, Buffalo,; G. A.
Berry vice president and general man
ager of the Gulf, Florida and Alabama
The party of visitors were entertained
q ct afeyp with 4,sH - . H.
ham Newspaper club. the Country club
and at dinner. They We're very much
impressed with Birmingham. A majority
of the men had never been here before
and they were much surprised to find this
city so very much larger an6 greater
than had been suggested by discussions
heard from time to time.
200 Miles Already Constructed
We have great proposition for
Birmingham when we get our connec-
ton at Kimbrough with the Southern
railway" said President Megargle
THAT connection will open up a new
and direct route to Pensacola for pas
senger and freight traffic and will give
Birmingham much greater opportu-
nifty in that connection than enjoyed
In the past. Our company has 33 feet
of water at Pensacola and the best
docks possible to acquire. We have the
line built nearly 200 miles north of
Pensacola and we have over 400 men
working as fast as they can on the
line in addition to steam shovels and
such equipment. We are building as
fast as we can to Kimbrough to get
that traffic connection linked up with
the Southern thus unbottling Birming-
ham in another and different way to
the seat. / believe this will be i'm
mensely valuable to this city
I'VE intend to eventually build to
Tuscaloosa. but that will require some-
time yet. From that place our line will
probable continue north to point on
the Illinois Central railroad Perhaps
that point will be Jasper or Haleyyille
the Illinois Central, you know. may be
reached at either place. The difference
Is the Illinois Central owns their own
line at Haleyville, and is not depend
ent upon any other service after leav-
ing that point
1t is apparent that Mr.. Megargel has
In mind arranging through service from
the north to Pensacola. His reference
to the Illinois Central suggested that
he had some understanding in connec-
tion with his plan to go to Haleyyille
With southern railway Connections at
from this section and with
at Haleyville from the Illi-
nois Central from Chicago and the
north, his line would be reasonably well
fed.
Will Not Come to Birmingham
1--WE want traffic and territory rather
than cities.'' said Mr.. Megargle. 1--WE