The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-03
Daily Business
 Editorial
The Business Family By RICHARD F. JOHNSTON

ny NlSaAND r. JOf1NS lON
 Are men and women, private enterprise and corporate, wage earner and employe is the same boat or are they not? They are, but for the good of all the con- nection is not as clearly seen as it might be. Everyone has done we'll this year. Every man has had work at good wages. Every industrial corporation has enjoyed record production and sales.
 The corporations turned from red to black ink on balances after the half-year of 1922 and this year they record zeal and substantial profits. This year the wage-earner got his maximum wage. The little boats and the big boats go down the same stream. Fair weather and foul are shared by each alike.
 The railroads reflect the general return of prosperity the same as small and big factories, the same as savings bank deposits and the increase in the building of homes. Net operating half year incomes of the railroads named in the periods mentioned were as follows:
 Central of Georgia: This half year, $2,101, ,000; half year of 1920 there was deficit of $62,0OO. Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis: Net earnings for first half of this year, $1,89s,O0O; first half of 1921, deficit of $362,0O0. Illinois Central: First half of this year, S12,592,oOo; first half of 1920 they were S4,432,O00. Louisville and Nashville: First half of this year, $1O,734,O ,O00; first half of 1920, deficit of $2,5s9, ,Ooo.
 Atlantic Coast Line: First half of this year, $10,193, ,Oo0; first half of 1921, net earnings were $1,80O,OoO.
 Railroad earnings reflect state of business and state of business reflects not only the large private and corporate enterprises, but "Tom, Dick and Harry" trying to earn livelihood for his wife and brats on salary. He who regards with eye askance prosperity in any one direction is misdirecting his vision of his own.
 A brokerage firm with branches in many southern cities is going out of business. However, the Bir- mingham branch will be taken over by new firm and will be contin- ued. Why? Because Birmingham has been found to be a good place in which to conduct a brokerage business. The Birmingham branch was opened last January and has done we'll from the start. A good thing will not be allowed to pass by.
 Birmingham is good place for reputable brokerage house be- cause it is 8 busy industrial, com mercial and financial center and because its successful business men are making money with which to invest in securities. It is a good place for brokerage houses because it is a good place for other lines of business.
 The Baltimore and Ohio railroad has come back to Birmingham with larger offices and more ambitious project of securing a share of Bir- mingham business. It left Birming- ham and other southern points dur ing the World war. It has come back to Birmingham because it realizes Birmingham's shipping ton mage and wishes it's part.
 All the large eastern railroads are represented in Birmingham and they are active bidders for traffic out of Birmingham. Products of this district have the hattt of trav- cling far afield. The eastern trunk lines know this. That is why they are here and why those who left have returned.
 The Frisco says business has been picking up steadily since July 1. 1 So do the Wh0lasala merchants The