The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-23
VISITORS PLAY GOLF AND ARE TAKEN OVER
 INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
Optimism for Future Is Fea- ture Emphasized by Every One-Vanderbilt Sees Big Improvement Since His Last Visit Here

Birmingham entertained one of the most influential bodies of railroad mag mates that has ever visited the city yes- terday afternoon when the special train Birmingham at 1,3O o'clock bringing the officials of that road, from the presi- dent to the entire board of directors. The few hours they were here were spent In playing golf at the Country and Roebuck clubs and in looking over the industrial district.
 The party was compOsed of c. H. Markham. president of the Illinois Cen tral; w. l.. Parks, vice president; ID. R. Burbank, secretary; A. s. Baldwin, chief engineer, l.. w. Baldwin, assistnnt SUI perintendent, s. M. kittle, assistant to bers of the board of directors; C. A. Peabody, Walter Luttgen, John F. Auch- incIoss. Philip Stockton, John G. Shedd and Cornelius Vanderbilt.
 The party was met by E. F. Stovall. general agent of the Illinois Central and Central of Georgia lines; w. A. Win burn, president of the Central of Geor- gia; Col. A. R. Lawton, vice president of the Central of Georgia, and a number of prominent citizens, including George Gordon Crawford, Frank Nelson, Ross Smith, Frank Fowlkes, w. W. Crawford. Walker Percy. Maj. w. B. Leedy, G. B. Mccormack, Maj. E. M. Tutwiler, Henry DeBardeleben and E. w. Barrett.
 Visitors Very Optimistic
 Optimism literally bubbied from the en- tire party of railroad officials. Prosperity was the slogan and every one expressed their belief that good times had come to the country to stay and would get bettel each day. MT. Markham was the most enthusiastic man in the crowd and said that things looked exceedingly bright
 There is big demand for every com modity on the market" he said, "ane the prices of these commodities are sucr that give each manufacturer fair profit Business over our lines has gradually in creased until firmly believe that by thu first of the year our road will be able tt put up as gobd record as it did two years ago. We have continued to i'm prove our lines in every way and to show our confidence in the future. we have or dered 50 locomotives for the Illinois Cen. tral, eight for the Central of Georgia 2OO0 cars for the Illinois Central and 100 for the Central of Georgia
 Tt is with great pleasure that l an able to announce that we have ordered 40 900 tons of steel rails. Twenty thou sand tons of these rails will come from the Birmingham district. Our road is 1T excellent condition and we intend t, keep it up to the high standard we hav' set for it. We contemplate doing an ex cellent business. I can see no reason why all of the industries and manufac turers as well as the railroads will moi reap the benefit of returned prosperity I am delighted with Birmingham ant think it very fine and progressive city.
 The entire party appeared to be in 2 happy frame of mind. Business appeared to be the least of their troubles and tn, entire lot seemed to have highly enjoyed the afternoon spent at golf and sight see ing When the visitors were seen by al Age Herald reporter at the Terminal sta ton a few minutes before their departure for Atlanta, Savannah. and New York they expressed their appreciation of thu courtesy extended them by the citizen of Birmingham Such remarks as "Som golf course" This is hustling town al right Birmingham grows by the hun dreds each week. '"rhe southern farme will get along all right this year witt cotton at 12 cents a pound, "Good-by
 good luck, see you next year. could b. heard as new crowd of them arrive, at the station and bade their friend good-by.
 Shedd Talks of Other Things John G. Shedd, president of the Mar shall Field stores. and one of the mos genial men in the party. expressed him self as liking other things besides busi ness.
 For instance, like to look at big
 bustling city like Birmingham" h