The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-23
FRISCO CHIEF IS. OPTIMIST ON CITY.
(Continued From Page one)

l ago. He compared the month of Oc- tober, 1921, with October, 1928. Mr. Kurn stated that for the month of October, 1923, his road handled 22, ,000 cars freight more than in October, 1921, and that the returns for the October, 1923, performance were only slightly in excess of those for the October, 1921, performance, indicat- ing, he stated, that freight rates had undergone serious downward re- visions.
 Compares Earnings.
 In fact, MT. Kurn stated, the aver age per car earning decline, October, 1928, as against October 1921, was $10, and yet" Mir. Kurn further stated unfortunately, the numerous hear ings going on by the interstate com merce commission are disQuieting, as the clamor on the part of certain in- terests Is the direction of further downward revision of rates." As we have practically no control over cost items" said MT. Kurn. and very little, if any, control over our freight rates. it leaves for us the chore of bringing about the most efficient handling possible of the transporta- tion problem, keeping a constant watch over all items of cost, and expense which might tend to put the cost of operation above the returns from operation. This,' said MT Kurn, lis the most serious problem confronting the executives of rail- roads and is one in which the pubic
 is very vitally concerned for the very good and sufficient reason that trans portation must go on in the interest of development, and the present high standard of transportation cannot be continued if rates are to be further depressed and costs remain as they all nt plane"
 MT. Kurn stated that he never could be classified as a pessimist, He felt that all pesslmistio talk was adverse. In fact" as he stated 1t, T dislike to talk but prefer to produce results" :" The Directors.
 Following is a list of the party accompanying MT. Kurn:
 E. N. Etown, chairman of the board, 120 Broadway, New, Yory city.
 J. M. Kurn, president. Frisco build ing, St. Louis, Mo.
 c. w. Michel, vice president, 120 Broadway, New York city. A. G. Becker, A. G. Becker & Co.,. 1S7 South La Salle street, Chicago.
 David P. Bennett. Pittsburg. Steel l Products company, 700 Union Arcade building, Plttsburg.
 Frederick H. Ecker, vice president, Metropolitan Life Insurance compa- | ny l Madison avenue, New York city. Walter s. Franklin, vice president. 1 American Trading company, 25 Broad street, New York city.
 sam Lazarus, president, Acme Development company. Frisco build | ing, St. Louis.
 J. R. Koontz, vice president In charge of traffic, Frisco building, | St. Louis, Mo.
 F. H, Hamilton, vice president. secretary and treasurer Frisco build i ing, St. Louis, NJ.
 Grant R. Mccullough. president, First National bank, Tulsa. Okla.
 Robert M. Thompson, 16 East Forty third street New York city. p sinson & Co.,, 43 Exchange Place, New
 B. F. Yoakum, Il Broadway, New V rk.
 51 William street. New York.
 Albert Strauss, J. and w. Seligman & Co.,, New York city.
 - Jesse Hirschman, speyer & O., 21 Pine, New York city.
 Ford Harvey, of Fred Harvey, Kan sas City, Mo.
 J. E. Hutchison. general manager. Frisco building, Springfield. Mo.
 II. l.. Worman, superintendent of motive power, Frisco building, Springfield. Mo.
 The tour being made by the off cials is expected to last a week. It started at Memphis, from which point the special came direct to Bir- mingham. The next stop will be Springfield, Mo-, then Kansas City, followed by Tulsa and Oklahoma City Okla, and ending at Fort Smith, Ark.
 Much of the visit to Birming gham was at night and plans to entertain l the visitors were practically fore gone. The train was expected to pro- eeed in the early morning.