Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-03-29
rnE GEORGIA arm CENTRAL,
Their Joint Property In Alabama--
Conference Commtttee-Visit 90 the
Railroad Wharves and shops-The
Georgia lease Not Yet Considered
Another Meeting To-day.

The subject of the rumored lease Of the
Georgia Railroad by the Central, was the
absorbing topic of conversation in business
circles yesterday, and 1t was generally be-
lieved that the conference of the commit
tees Of the respective roads, which was
announced to be held during the morning,
would give this subject consideration, as
we'll as the division of the property Of the
Western Railroad of Alabama, Jointly own
ed by the companies.
The following distinguished railroad Off
cials arrived in the morning and registered
1.-THE Screven House: Colonel 8. Thomas, OF
Athens; Ferdinand Phinizy, Esq, and DR..
j. s. Hamilton, of Athens; II. D. MeDan-
tels, Esq, of Monroe county; Colonel j. FL.
James, of Atlanta; John Dawson, ESQ and
Colonel j. B. Cumming, of Augusta. Gen.
Z. P. Alexander, Vice President of the
Louisville and Nashville and Georgia Rail
road, and Cecil Gabbett, Esq President Of
the Board Of Managers of the Western
Railroad of Alabama, were also in the city,
the former guest of Gen. A. r. Lawton.
The conference was to have been held in
the morning, but as several OF the gentle
men had not been in Savannah for num-
Der of years, Col. Wadley decided to devote
the morning to showing them the improve
ments around the city, and more especially
the Central Railroad property. The party
were first driven to the depot and work
shops of the Central, aud spent a
couple OF hours In their inspection, and
obtaining information of the large facilities
of the company in the turning out of work
OF various kinds. They were then driven to
the Central Railroad wharves, and noted,
with surprise, the vast improvements which
had there been made, watched the opera
tions of the steam pile driver, visited the
cotton presses and steamships in port, and
then made tour of the city, visiting other
industries. This occupied more time than
was anticipated, and hence the meeting was
postponed until the afternoon.
About half-past five O'Clock in the after
noon the gentlemen assembled at the Cen
trail Railroad banking house, and proceed
ed to discussion of the interests of the
two companies in the Western Railroad of
Alabama, the object of the gathering. No
definite arrangements were perfected up to
the hour of adjournment at seven o'clock,
aud another meeting will be held this morn
ing at ten O'Clock, when 1t is thought that
the business will be completed.
The subject of the lease of the Georgia
Railroad was not considered, though it is
not improbable it will be brought M to-
day, aud something definite may be learned.
We are authoritatiVely informed that SO
far no measures have been taken in this
direction, despite the numerous rumors to
the contrary.
We may say here, however, that the senti-
ment of our business community is largely
In favor of the lease, as 1t is believed that
such a combination will settle many vexed
questions, and inuTe to the advantage OF
Georgia and Savannah. One Of the con-
ference committee, though stating that
nothing had been done, remarked to us yes
terday evening that he could not see how
any intelligent business man OF Savannah
could regard other than with favor such a
lease. Much that has been said on the sub
j c., however. Is based on sup
position and has not the sane
ton of ''oftieial utterance" When
the lease is effected, if it ever is, the readers
of the MORNING NEWS win be advised of
it. But uutil the question of the division
OF the Western Railroad of Alabama Is
settled nothing will be done concerning the
lease.
In regard to the rumor that Colonel Wad-
lev had prepared 100000 OF bonds which
he proposed to put on the market sooa,
and Memphis Railroad from Dadeville
to the Cahaba coal fields, We
we may say that for some time such has
been the intention of Colonel Wadley, pro-
vided it was found feasible. A competent
corps are now prospecting the locality to
ascertain il there is sufficient coal in that re
gion to justify the extension, and If theil
report is favorable measures will at once BIZ
taken. The road is now known as
the Columbus and Western and II
under the Presidency of Colonel Wadley
At the time it changed hands the subject
of this extension was considered, and Il
was estimated that the cost would be abou
| twelve thousand dollars per mile. The dis
lance from Dadeville to connection witt
the coal fields was ascertained to be fifty
miles, and bonds to sufficient amount K
cover this cost are prepared, and will bt
issued should the extension be determined
upon. AS to the ultimate object OF THU
movement we are uniformed, but 1t may
be assumed that it will be to the benefit o.
the Central and Savannah.
That some important developments in re
gard to railroad interests are in the nea
future, scarcely admits of a doubt, and
probably we may know more about then
when this conference committee close theil
lahorG