The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1881-08-26
TIE ERLANGER SYNDICATE.
[Cincinnati GaZette,1

cincinnati Gazctte.l
knowing that the merchants and |
manufacturers of Cincinnati are very
much interested in everything pertain
ing to the Southern system of railway, |
a Gazette reporter hunted up Col. John |
Scott, agent of the Erlangcr syndicate
and general manager Of its several rail
ways, yesterday afternoon, to get his |
views rs to the carly completion of the
syndicate's projected lines and extern
sions. In answer to n general question,
Col. Scott said tho progress which is;
being made with regard to the COM
pletion of the various now acquisitions
of tho Alabama Great Southern is
entirely satisfactory. In fact, very
much greater progress is being made
toward getting the completed lines in
good working order, than was expected
when he took possession of them,
When needed, he has had the hearty
cooperation of the merchants and plan
tiers living in the region of country
tributary to the lines, who have not
been slow to realize the Importance to
them of having the old half equipped
and broken down railroads, upon
which they have been obliged to de-
pend for means of communication with
tho markets of the country, converted
into iirst-class railways, with ample
|
dependent upon them.
Referring to the Vicksburg and Me-
ridian road, Col. Scott, said that con-
tracts have been made, and new rails
arc being laid at the rate of 1900 tons
per month. Steam pumps will bc sup
piled TO all water stations, and the
grade raised in places subject to over
flow. All works are undertaken in
such manner as to mako the road in
IFS physical condition tirst-class, and
permanent in all respects. The passen-
ger fares have been reduced from, five
to four cents per mile, and 1000 mile
tickets are reduced to S:5. The freight
tariff is being revised, and when com
pletcd shippers will find the rates
entirely satisfactory.
| AS resarus the Eicksburg, Shreveport
ini Pacific line, which runs from Delta,
opposite Vicksburg, to the Texas State
| line, arrangements are now being made
to raise the grade of the road from the
Mississippi river to Monroe, 4 distance
of IS mile. At the latter point Il bridge
is being built across the Ouacl,ita, and
i the surveys are about completed pre-
paratory to making the contracts for
building the road from Ouachita to
Shreveport, distance of 90 miles.
Tho passenger fares will be reduced
| from six and seven cents per mile to
four cents on and after the 1st of Sep
TENDER next. Referring to projected
New Orleans and Northeastern road,
Col. Scott said the surveys arc fast APP
preaching completion, and that the
contracts would be advertised in Il very
fow weeks. Specifications arc now
being prepared for the crcosoting
works.
1t is the purpose Of the general man.
agcr to have all timber used on this
line prepared against worms and decay
III the most approved manner. In
answer to an inquiry as to when the
system will be completed, Col. Scott.
said it was impossible to name q day
until tho contracts are actually let, but
| that the work will be pushed as fast as
| mon and money can push it, and in
the near future he will operate trains
between Chattanooga and Texas, and
The Alabama Great Southern system,
he thinks, by its geographical position,
will be recognized rs the most import
ant system of roads south of the Ohio
river.
1t will be ut once the shortest route
between Cincinnati and the Northeast
and the Southwest for through traffic,
and the principal outlet from the coal
land iron fields in Alabama, and the
vast pine forests of Southern Mississippi
to tho trans-Mississippi country, the
North and Northeast, and New Or
leans. Particular attention will bc
given to the subject Of immigration,
and the most ilattering propositions
will be made to merchants, manu-
facturcrs, mechanics, farmers and
laborcrs to come and help develop the
incNhaustiblc resources of tho country
lying upon either side Of and tributary
to all the lines of the system.