The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-08-05
s., F. AND. WIS BUSINESS.
BY CAREFUL MANAGEMENT IT
SHOWsUP GOOD STYLE.

SHOWS UF IN tOOD 81 LIE.
Freight and Passenger Traffic Have
Both Suffered as a Result of the De
preston Resulting from the Low
Price of Cotton-The Outlook is Con
sidered Reasonably Good-Immigra-
ton Now Needed to Fill Up the Fer
tile Lands.
This Is the dullsst part Of the year with
railroads in this section of the country and
the Savannah, Florida and Western is nc
exception to the rule. With it freights are
now at a minimum and receipts are at their
lowest ebb,
In September, however. the beginning oil
the era Of heavy traffic both in the freight
aud passenger departments will be evident.
Cotton will then start moving, and before
long the rolling stock under Supt Fleming's
charge will be fully taxed 70 meet the de-
mands Of shippers.
The year 50 far, Capt. Fleming statos,
has not been very satisfactory except in
so far as the tourist travel of the first
quarter was concerned. That was of
greater volume than ever before and
brought in a handsome revenue. Since it
stopped, though, travel, both through aud
local, has been extremely light. This Is at
tributed to the general depression resulting
from the low prices Of cotton and naval
stores. People under the circumstances
were not disposed TO make inroads on their
small supply OF cash for travelling pur-
poses. With fair price for cot
ton this fall travel will resume its usual
volume, and as consequence of the en-
forced abstention, may even assume larger
proportions. The tourist travel, which does
not set in until January.is expected to show
an increase over last season, Just as 10 was
then greater than in 1891.
FAILING OFF IN FREIGHT.
The drought and other troubles in Florida,
by cutting off the crops, reduced north
bound freights of the early spring and sum
mer very materially. Then the melon crop
wns short and there was decrease in that
important item OF business OF nearly
80 per cent. Last year $500
carloads were shipped via the Savannah,
Florida aud Western. This year, up to
July 30, the shipments amounted to but
3,413 cars. There were but few melons to
snip after that and these can be- accepted as
the seasons figures. This is a falling off Of
about 1000 cars
Lumber shipments, too, have not kept up
as well as In past years. Naval stores have
been about the same, or perhaps, a little
heavier. OF general merchandise the ship
ments have so far been less than usual
AS result OF all this, the gross receipts Of
the road have been decreased. Operating ex-
penses have been reduced, but not in the
same proportion. By the able manage
ment of Capt. Fleming the best results pos
sibla, under the condition Of the country
traversed by the road, have been achieved
and the balance sheet will show UP well
alongside that Of any other road in Geor-
gia.
o. 1.-THE OUTLOOK.
The outlook forssthe fall and winter ia
fairly good. The cotton crop along the line
of the Savannah, Florida aud Western and
most OF Its tributaries is doing well. There 10
also the promise of the shipments
of merchandise from Savannah being I'D TO
last years total. A great deal depends on
the prices received for cotton after Ssptem-
Der, and the general impression seems to be
that they will be more remunerative to the
planters than those of the greater part Of
the cotton year now ending.
The roadbed OF the Savannah, Florida
and Western is In excellent condition, and
all the rolling stock has been put in good re-
pair, 30 the company is In as good posi-
ton as ever TO handle freight and
passengers, no matter IL their volume even
greatly exceeds present expectations. In
provements are stAddily being made, it be-
ing the ambition OF the management to out
the road ina condition where it will com.
pare favorably with any insthe country and
be the equal of all Others in the south. The
changing Of thu track below Jesup from 60
pound to 75-pound steel rails will be
started soon. The substitution of better
rails has been going on for years. When
Capt Fleming became superintendent,
about ten years ago, there was nothing but
| iron rails. Since then these have given way
to steel. In chat period, too, the roads
from Live OAK to GAINESVILLE, from Thomas
| vile to Monticello, aud from Climax to
| Chattahoochee have been built and become
| important feeders of the main stem, As
showing the growth of the business of the
road it is but necessary to state that In 1885,
but thirty-eight engines were operated
| while at present ninety-two are in oonstant
| use
WHAT THE s., +. AND w. HAS DONE,
The Say anhah, Florida and Western ha
| been a great factor In the DEVELOPMENT o.
Southeastern and South Georgia and of
! Florida, and has received vast benefits In
the way of increased business from tn,
prosperity IL has served to create and stimu
| late. Ten years ago the shipment of l5(
carloads of melons from South Georgia was
considered something remarkable. Las
! year, as already stated, 4, 500 carloads were
sent north and west over this road. This 4
an increase Of 200 per cent in decade
| lt has been the same way with the orange
business, the tourist business, the truck
and fruit business and the naval stores in
dustry. Each has made immense strides ever,
year Of late aud there is good reason to be-
lieve that in the future their advance viii
be so rapid that present figures will soon looA
as Insignificant as those of some years ag
now appear.
Capt Fleming says the only thing needed
to make the section of Georgia through
which the Savannah, Florida and Western
runs one Of the most prosperous in the en-
tire United States is proper immigration
AS be points out. it has beer
demonstrated that practically everythins
that can be raised in the temperate zone, as
we'll as some things that require almost
semi-tropioal climate. can be produced here
to the very best advantage. He is satisfied
that If some practical plan is started
whereby the people of the north and wes
can, without too great an ex yense, be made
aware of the cheapness and fertility of tht
soil here, the character Of the climate anc
what it is possible to do with
| comparatively small expenditure o
money, that some will be turned il
this direction. Once the movement Il
started and q number are placed on farm
and doing we'll their letters 20 their friend
vii erve to stimulate an inquiring spiri
and others will be continually led to seel
homes In such a promising territory.