The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-11-03
CECIL GABBETTS PLANS.
THE GENERAL MANAGER INTER-
VIEWED AT COLUMBUS.

The Central System to be Made One
Of the Best Equipped and Best On
Grated in the Country Only the
Best OF Labor TO be Employed.
COLUMBUS, GA, Nov. 2-Cecil Gabbett.
the new general manager Of the Central
system, made his first official visit to
Columbus this afternoon. He Is now on a
general inspection tour of the varioua
branches OF the Central, but his presence
here Is especially due to the fact that he
wants to make full and searching inves-
tigation into the causes of the late uumer-
Gus wrecks on the Columbus aud w esteru
division OF the system. The NEWS corr
respondent called on Mr.. Gabbett this.
afternoon for the purpose Of interviewing
him on the general situation. He said.
II returned from a trip To New York on !.
wednesday, where had been in consulta-J
ton with the authorities OF the Atlanta and. !:
west folnt railway and the Western Rail- !
way OF Alabama. have resigned the gen. :
efal managership of these roads, but il has /
not yet gone into effect, nor it will not until
l can nnd suitable successor to Capt. !.
Tyler, who has been appointed to succeed !
me-
INSPECTING THE ROADS.
i inspected the roads on Thursday and
stopped that night at Montgomery. / left
the next morning for Eufaula TO meet the
Alabama railway commissioners for the
purpose OF discussing terminal facilities at
tnat point, which they claim are inadequate
Tor the business there. From Eufaula I
came this morning by Union Springs TO
LOOK after our business here and confer
with Mr.. McClintock about matters CON-
cerning his division. am elso here TO look
into the present arrangements of the depot,
which l am informed through the news
papers are totally Inadequate to the publio
needs. l will closely examine into this
matter and see that all drawbacks are
remedied.
HIS RETURN HOME
u Will remain here tonight on this gem
eral investigation and leave Columbus to-
morrow morning for Savannah via Macon.
ana VIII examine she track between here
aud Macon very closely in company with
Snpt. Starr. From Macon TO Savannah I
VIII also minutely inspect the track with
Supt. Hege. From what / have seen of
the Central railway / find many points
where material improvements can be made
and they will be made, but the main draw
back that have come across Is the lack Of
rolling STOCK, which is causing considerable
dissatisfaction throughout that section OF
the country through which the Central
railroad runs.
HOW 1T is OVERCOME.
ITO overcome this trouble, which ia thor,
oughly appreciated by the directors OF the
system, they have, through our PRESIDENT
authorized me TO purchase 900 freight cars,
q large number OF passenger coaches, and
also TO rent 1000 freight cars. The pur-l
chases and contracts have been made, ands
this large amount of rolling stock will bed
supplied within two months. Togethers
with the above stock, we are expecting
within thirty days thirteen new locomo-
tlves, which Will be distributed over the
divisions needing them.
CAUSE OF RECENT ACCIDENTS.
II am satisfied that the casualties and de-
lays OF trains which have occurred ON the
Central railroad for the past thirty days
were caused by an insufficient supply Of
locomotives to handle the increased busi-
ness this year over last. There was no Dos
sibillty to lay over the engines for the nec-
essary overhauling by the machiuists. In
otner words they were on continual run
until they broke down. Some of these acci-
dents were also caused by calling new men
into service on account Of the heavy freight
and passenger traffic. The men were un-
acquainted with the roads over which they
ran.
THE COLUMBUS AND WESTERN.
The Columbus and Western division sufS
fered more in this respect than any of the
other divisions from the fact that the nor
ton Of the track lying between Columbus
and Birmingham is of a character needing
the most skilled labor that can be obtained
ON account of heavy grades and sharp cur.
vetures. This trouble can be only remedisd
by the engagement Of the best and most
reliable employees In the train service.
lime and great care in the selecs
tion OF train hands will cancel these.
troubles and nothing else. The necessity Of
OF this policy being adopted by those iu
charge OF this division has been fully de(
monstrated by me to the company. trust
my advice In this matter will have benefi-
cial results. 1t is my fixed intention to en-
deavor to procure for the Central railroad
the services Of the best men that the coun--
try can afford, and l will not cease in my
endeaVors to this end until secure entirely
competent men.
TO MAKE THEM FEEL AT HOME.
81 will associate them thoroughly with
our company and make them feel That the,
Central railroad Is their home, and that we
will do for them as well as any other cor
poration can do. By this policy the Central
railroat ought to become the strongest.
financial corporation in the state. Theroad1
runs through the richest portion of Georgia
and Alabama, the products of which terri
tory are increasing daily with the rapid in>.
crease OF population. l am assured by rhel
owners OF this vast property, the CENTRAL,
that can command their support, and that
thO requirements Oh Inc Duslu6sS Will Do
furnished as rapidly as needed.
THE STEAMSHIP LINE.
"The Ocean Steamship line, owned and
operated by the Central, is now taxed to fts
utmost to handle the business, but as the
requirements demand additional ships will
be provided. Our terminal facilities at Sac
vannah have grown insufficient during the
past few years, and they will be at once en-
tirely remodeled and enlarged, plans for
which have already been gotten. Upwards
of 800 men are at work daily in the moving
of freights TO and from the rail-
road cars and steamships The wharves
present the appearance of a city to those
unacquainted with the business, and for
anyone to realize the magnitude of the
work ii should be seen.
~ have not yet inspected the Carolina
division OF the Central, having been en-
gagged during the past thirty days in en-
deavoring to reorganize the management
and place it in the shape that believe 1t
ought TO be In to make its operation suc-
cessful. This latter is of vital Importance.
GOOD SERVICE PROMISED.
"Having taken charge Of this company's
property at this particular time during its
busiest season, it has made it doubly
difficult for me TO shape the business