The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-23
LET Us HAVE THE LINE.
MANAGER JEFFERY, OF TIE ILLINOIS
CENTRAL, TALKS ENTERPRISE.
Tho Branch OF that Road from Cairo to
Memphis Depends on Contingency
President Nettleton Here on BUSH
ness.

|
General Manager Il. r. JeGery, OF the
Illinois Central Railroad company, was
asked by an APPEAL reporter last evening
II his visit had any further significance in
1t than detailed in yesterdays issue, which
detailed the periecting OF arrangements for
tho Mississippi & Tennessee road 10 operate
as branch OF the great system Of which
he Is the manager. lie replied that IL did
not, but as II would take some little time
to inaugurate tho same system OF doing
business on the newly-acquired branch, as
followed In the main system, he expected
that he and other officials Of the road
would be In Memphis much oftener than
heretofore.
Further than this" he continued, 1--WE
have come into Memphis TO remain; We
wish TO become moro intimately acquainted
with liz people and 10 assure them that Il
is our intention TO do our full part toward
the upbuilding Of the city. The Missis-
sippi 4 Tennessee has been ever since its
construction convenient line 10 this city.
II IN our purpose TO make IL douby 80, and
tho time Is not distant when ii will be
recognized as having not only the best
road-bed, but all OF the passenger conven-
fences enjoyed ON our trunk line. Mai.
Burke, whom your people know no well,
will bc continued in his former capacity.
We ask nothing in our efforts TO accom-
plish our purposes in this respect except
lair treatment from the city.
when ! was here some weeks ago THE
ArpsAL did me the kindness OF an extend.
cd notice In regard 10 an entirely new
branch road which We then had In con-
temptation. Several points from the main
line we mentioned in connection with this
probable projection. Since then the sur
veys have been completed and were hand.
ed mo just before leaving Chicago. II the
branch road Is built II will be constructed
nom Cairo Ia this city. II depends upon
contingency which will not be decided
probably before the middle OF next month,
The distance over the surveyed route is
l37 miles 10 the city limits. In order 10
be In convenient location We would have
Ia come several miles further, which would
probably make the entire line l4O miles
long"
What Is the contingency you speak
at is simply question as 10 whether
the traffic along the route viii sustain Il or
not This matter | shall investigate be-
fore my return, and II II Is shown that the
traffic will provo profitable the plans and
specifications will DO submitted TO the di.
rcctors."
II Il Is decided TO build the road. how
long will Il take 10 complete Il, and what
prcliminaries will have 20 be gone through
with before the work will slart2
''lf II Il decided 20 build the road. work
will commence ut once. We have no pre-
liminnries In our system; when we decide
TO do thing, and the people are willing.
We 20 ahead and do II. We ask no subsi-
dies. ] would not give picayuno for a
road built ON subsidies, Tor ~ soon rs the
Inducements are exhausted, the road Ms
usual thing falls into bankruptcy. II IL not
worth the while TO build q road II the
traffic OF the section through which u passes
will not sustain II: When this is assured,
that Ia all We ask"
road 10 this city,
SHOULD II be decided 20 construct n. bids
and contracts would bo let along the iirst
part OF April: The road would be inrun-
ming order by January J, 1854 II isa
very lair country over which II would pass.
Not near a. much heavy work, M at first
thought. We would have TO construct
iron bridges over the Haichic and Obion
rvefs, We construct no other kind as for
that There would not DO any very ex.
tended trcstlc work, and tho grade would
be about thirty feet TO the mile, less than
any road which now runs into the city.
The road think would be profitable TO
our system, and the benefits 20 accrue 10
this city from II are undoubted. We built
n branch road OF 1855 miles out In Iowa last
summer, beginning the latter parf Of July,
and completed II by the 10th Of December.
and over great deal roughor country than
tho projected route from Cairo 10 this city.
The road would open up the most direct
route nom this city 10 Chicago, 81. Louis
and the northwest but Il will have 10 be
built for It's full advantages 10 be apprcci.
ated. As told you at the start We will
know whether that will be done by the
middle Of next month"
Gen. Geo. II. Nettlcton, president Of the
Kansas City road, and Mr.. Wallace Pratt.
general attorney Of the road, arrived In Tho |
riiy yesterday and are registered at the |
6ayoso hotel.
Gen. Ncttleion greeted TuR ArrHAL man |
and In ncply 10 the general |
question Of what was new with him In |
ailroad circles, replied: "Simply nothing.
am here, a. | frequently am, looking |
illor the interests OF my road. which I am |
glad 10 say are In good shape"
Asked M 10 whether ho had met the |
distinguished representatives Of other !
,oads now In the city. hc said; ono; I |
lid not know there were any here. There |
a 20 he no conclavc II leading railroad men |
here ON any subject that have heard Of, |
md u We meet u will only bc In casual
way, ] reckon"