The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-03

~ MALL wonder that Americans are NO literally rolling in wealth anu care not at all what the price ot gaso- line may be when munitions plants and steel plants throughout the coun-
 try are declaring Rig Dividends by dividends on an un- Munitions Plant precedented scale.
 The other day New York firm that is little known to the general public, engaged in the manufacture of shells and torpedoes, declared its second dividend of 1OO per cent in cash on the common stock within the year. The first was paid in July.
 This particular company earned last year $5, ,532,0oO, equal to more than 435 per cent on the $1, ,250, 900 common stock Enormous profits are being made by many other concerns dealing in war contracts, by no means limited to the manufacture of muni- tiohs. Nearly all branches of indus try have been given a great impetus by the war in Europe and the neces- sity for quantities of supplies.
 Fear has been expressed that there will be sharp falling off in this busi- ness when the war ends. Naturally, there will no longer be demand for munitions made in America" but Europe will still have to draw on this country for much of the material needed in the work of rehabilitation. Besides, the United States now has an opportunity to take it's rightful place in the markets of the world. By so doing there will never be any less demand for American-made products. THE annual meeting of the stock 4 holders of the Southern Rail- way company to be held at Richmond, October 10, will be more largely attended than usual, : if the request of President Fair fax Harrison is needed. For many years past the shareholders have been represented mostly by proxy. Seldom uyorn thnro o~o Stockholders Urged than dozen to Attend Meeting present in per
 son. But n keeping with MT. Harrison's policy seeking to develop spirit of hearty cooperation, stockholders are urged to be on hand to hear the annual re- ports and participate actively in the business of the meeting.
 It is announced that many of the Z officers of the company will be in at tendance ready to invite and answer questions and explain such details of operation as may be of general inter- est. It will be like a great family gathering and the plan will doubtless prove both popular and beneficial.
 One reason why President Harri- sons administrative record is signally distinguished may be traced to the fact that all departments of the Southern are brought into close and stimulating touch with the executive office. In this way an esprit de corps is established all along the line. Every employe is made to feel that he is an important factor in the upbuildlng of a vast system, and now the president will further broaden his get-together activities by bringing into his council stockholders, large and small, and making them feel that they have an intimate place in the progressive work of the company His idea is that only good can come from an exchange of views and a free discussion on the part of the men who have invested their money in the Southern railway
 When Richmond held the general headquarters of the Richmond and Danville railroad, the predecessor ot the Southern, the annual meetings were, according to custom, cut and dried affairs. But after the offices wore transferred to Washington, D. C., there was an organized movement