Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-08-26
THE ERLANGER SYNDICATE.
Work Being Done on the Various
Roads Included In This Line.
Cincinnati Gazette.

Knowing that the merchants and
manufacturers of Cincinnati are very
much interested in everything pertaining
to the Southern system of rail way, a Ga.
sette reporter hunted up Col. John Scott,
agent of the Erlanger syndicate and gener
al manager of its several railways, yester-
day afternoon, to get his views as to the
early compilation of the syndicates pro
jected lines and extensions. In answer
to general question, Colonel Scott said
the progress which is being made with
regard to the completion of the various
new acquisitions of the 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 expect
ed when he took possession of them
When needed, he has had the hearty
co operation of the merchants and plant
ers living in the region of country tribu-
tary 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 depend for means
of communication with the markets of
the country, converted into first-clsss
railways, with ample equipment to ac-
commodate the traffic dependent upon
them.
Referring to the Vicksburg and Meri-
dian Road, Col. Scott said that contracts
have been made, and new rails are being
laid at the rate of 1000 tons per month.
Steam pumps will be supplied to all
water stations, and the grade raised in
TlQnnG RI A III be
are undertaken in such a manner as to
make the road in its physical condition
first-class, and permanent in all respects.
The passenger fares have been reduced
from five to four cents per mile, and
1000 mile tickets are reduced to $50.
The freight tariff is being revised, and
when completed shippers will find the
rates entirely satisfactory.
AS regards the Vicksburg, Shreveport
and 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, a distance
of 70 miles. At the latter point bridge
is beng built across the Ouachita, and
the surveys are about completed prepa-
ratOry to making tie contracts for build
ing the road from @ lachita to Shreve-
port, distance of IS miles. The pas
senger fares will be reduced from six and
seven cents per mile to four cents on and
after the first of September next. Re-
ferring to the projected New Orleans and
Northeastern Road, Colonel Scott said
the surveys are fast approaching COM
pletion, and that the contracts would be
advertised in very few weeks. Speci-
fications are now being prepared for the
creosoting works.
1t is the purpose of the general mana
ger to have all timber used on this line
prepared against worms and decay in the
most approved manner. In answer TO an
inquiry as to when the system will be
completed, Colonel Scott said it was i'm
possible to name day until the con-
tracts are actually let, but that the work
will be pushed as fast as men and money
can push it, and in the near future be
will operate trains between Chattanooga
and Texas. and between Chattanooga
and New Orleans. The Alabama Great
Southern system, he thinks, by its geo.
graphical position, will be recognized as
the most important system of roads
south of the Ohio river.
1t will be at once the shortest route
between Cincinnati and the Northeast
and the Southwest for through traffic,
and the principal outlet from the coal
and iron fields in Alabama. and the vast
pine forests of Southern Mississippi, to
the Mississippi country, the North
and Northeast, and New Orleans. Par
ticular attention will be given to the
subject of immigration, and the most
Hattering propositions will be made to
merchants, manufacturers, mechanics,
farmers and laborers to come and help
develop the inexhaustible resources Of
the country lying upon either side of and
tributary to all the lines of the system.