The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-03-09
CENTRAL PUSHING WEST.
GEN. ALEXANDER KEEPING AN
EYE ON RIVAL MOVEMENTS.


Columbus-Progress of Work on the
Birmingham Line-A Projected Short
line to Atlanta-The immigration
Scheme.
The Central railroad expects TO do some
extensive building this year President
Alexander was asked yesterday in regard
to the survey for road to Americas, and
he replied that the Central was now consid-
ering three projected lines.
An air line from E len to Perry to con
meet with the Perry branch to Columbus.
An air line from Eden to Buena Vista,
crossing the Southwestern at the Flintriver,
using the SouthweStern's bridge and treste-
work over the Flint river from Oglethorpe
on the west bank to Monteuma on the east
bank From Oglethorpe the Buena Vista
and Eastern track can be used, and a con
nection from Buena Vista to Columbus is
projected, to connect with the Columbus
and Western to Birmingham
An air line from Eden to Americas, and
thence via Buena Vista, building from that
Point to connect with the Columbus and
Western at Columbus for Birmingham.
This last line, said Gen Alexander,
would be a shorter line to build, but we
structed MIR. Belknap, our General Mana
ger, two weeks ago, to put out two corps of
surveyors on this lne-0ne to start at
Eden, going in the direction of Americas,
and one at Americas working this way.
Since that time have been absent from the
city, and Mr.. Belknap is in New York, SO
that | haven't learned whether the engi-
neers are now going over the line as directed,
but / suppose that they are. Two surveys
are being made from Buena Vista to Co
lumbus, and surveying parties will soon be
put on all the lines.
THROUGH TO BIRMINGHAM.
Gen Alexander was asked if the Central
intended to build this year, and replied that
it is the intention of the company to build,
of course, and get direct connection West
with the Columbus and Western, in order
to put Birmingham in close connection
with Savannah
He was asked which route would be Sc
lected of the three.
'That depends of course, y he said. upon
the disposition of the people along the lines.
The Central does not ask subscriptions, but
it will ask rights of way. All the SURVEYS
will be submitted to the directory, and
final decision will not be reached until then.
Speaking for myself, | do not like to leave
so large a city as Americas off our proposed
line, although the Perry route, as you will
see by the map, is not very far from being
an air line to Columbus, where we connect
with the Columbus and Western for Bir-
minghdm."
Referring to the rumor that the Central
is not working in theSnterests of Savannah
Gen. Alexander said, "You can see that if
there were any fears ON that score, they
ought by this time to be removed. for we
are~worl1ing to bring the rich mineral and
manufacturing belt of which Birmingham
is the center, into direct and close connec-
ton with Savannah. This does not look
much as if Savannah was being overlooked,
does itg'
GOING AHEAD WITH THE WORK.
"Will you complete the Savannah and
Birmingham connection from Eden to
Columbus this Year, he was asked.
81 don't want to say that" was the reply.
my predecessor, Capt. Raoul, said that he
would complete tine Columbus and Western
inside of year, and it is not finished vet.
We expect to build portion of it at any
raten
when will the Columbus and Western
be completed"
1--WE are able now to approximate the
time. Two weeks ago daylight showed
through the Coosa mountain tunnel. This
tunnel is $500 yards long, nearly
half mile, ana the hard silica, or sand
stone, dulled the tools to such degree that
the work was necessarily very slow. Here
is a sample of it, - and the General took from
a cabinet piece of the rock, which showed
that it was all the workmen had said of it."
ut will take great deal of work vet to
complete the tunnel" he continued, but |
think it safe to say that we viii have a train
through from Columbus to Birmingham in
sixty to seventy-five days"
THE EVAPORATION SCHEME.
Gen. Alexander was asked to explain in
age immigration to Georgia in connection
with the Bureau Of immigration of which
Mr.. Glessner has charge.
THE Central he replied, "has no lands
of its own to sell, but it is interested in get
ting the country settled along its lines in
this State. There are thousands of acres
of fertile soil not in cultivation, which can
be bought much cheaper than Western land.
We believe that when the fertility and
cheapness OF the land is considered by those
who live where the little school children
freeze to death in groups on their way
home, and our benefiCent climate is brought
to their attention, they viii be glad TO come
to Georgia. Mr.. Glessner was recommended
TO us very highly as successful planter
fully experienced in the adaptability of the
soils of the State to iCcesstul and profit
able cultivation, so we selected him, and
will encourage him and back him up in his
effort TO attract immigration. Every sta
ton ON our lines of road viii be a
bureau OF information. People having
lands to sell need only let our agents know
where it is, and we will see that there are
no misrepresentation made to those who
make inquiries of us wi, h view to pur-
chase. Mr.. Glessner, believe, is to make
trip West, and think be is to have "a col
lection of the products of Georgia for exhi-
bition and to publish paper in the interest
of the immigration scheme There are
matters Of detail which will be left to Mr..
Glessner's judgment"
SHORT LINE TO ATLANTA.
Gen. Alexander was asked if there was
any foundation for the rumor that the Cen
trail contemplates shortening its line from
Savannah to Atlanta in event of the At
lanta, Atlantic and Great Western beng
built
"We have considered the NATTER he
said. 1.-The Central does not expect to do
that, except in the event that it would he
confronted with an opposing line Then
we should shorten our line by building
about fifty-seven miles of road. We would
build from Sandersville TO Milledgeville,
using our bridge over the Oconee
river at the latter point. From there
TO Eatonton we have a line. From Eatonton
we would build to Covington, striking our
road to Covington. and giving Us rs near as
possible an air line TO Atlanta. This would
shorten our line over forty miles, making
the distance 252 miles from Savannah TO