The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-07-28
WILL THEFC &P. BE SOLD?
More Talk That Mr.. Plant is After the
Savannah Extension,


the New Line is Progressing Slowly.
1t looks very much as if another propo-
sition looking to the purchase outright Of
the Florida Northern, or as it is famil-
iaaly known, the Florida Central and Pen
insular were being considered.
1t is well known that Mr.. Plant wants
10 get control of this road which would
be dangerous competitor OF his lines
into Florida, and it will be remembered
that President Duval, of the
Florida Central and Peninsular
in an interview with the MORNING NEWS
some time ago, admitted that a PROPOSE
ton had been made, but that dhe offer had
not been considered satisfactory, and all
negotiations had been declared off, He
also stated at the time that the property
was merchandizable, and that if a sufic-
lent and satisfactory offer were made,
it could be bought. 1t seems,
however, that those negotiations about
which great deal was said came to moth
ing.
There have been some new develop
ments, however, within the past few days
which lead to the conclusion that the
deal may be on again. President Duval
and Vice-President Henderson, of the
Florida Central and Peninsular, have
been in New York for some days and it
is said that they carried with them
details of the information with regard to
the states Of the work on the Savannah
extension and the progress that has been
made. After in being in New York a few
days they sent for Mr.. J. +. Tucker the
land commissioner of the Florida Central
and Peninsular.
TIE TALK IN FLORIDA.
The talk in Florida over the purported
deal has assumed even larger proportions
1t is thought there that a deal has been
made by which the Plant people and 9TH
ers are to get control of the entire Florida,
Central and Peninsular system, the
Savannah extension included. Some of
the people there believe that this deal
has been actually made. 1t is said that
the price paid was $4,000, 900 and the
management will take charge Oct.
/. 1t is thought that the short cut
from Blue Springs to High Springs will
not be completed
There has been considerable talk in
jacksonville for some time about the ex-
pected deal-in fact ever since the con
tract between the south bound and Flor
ida Central and Peninsular to build the
branch south from Savannah. Mr. Plant,
1t was stated, saw that the combine
intended business, and made a bid for the
system They priced the property, it is
said, at $40 900, 900, but Mr. Plant thought
it was too much, and to bring about
better terms commenced the construction
of the line from Blue Springs. This, it is
said, caused the Florida Central and
Peninsular officials to accept a lower
amount
How much truth there is in the rumor
OF the sale of the entire system is not
known, but it is stated that some propo-
sitiOn is being considered with regard to
the Savannah extension from Harris
road. Whether Mr.. Plant is endeavor-
ing to buy it outright or the Atlantic
Coast Line people are making an attempt
to getcOntrOl Of it,cannOt be said with any
degree of certainty, but it is known that
the latter line is building an extension to
connect with the South Bounu at Den
mark, and it is also well-known that the
Coast Line people would not object
to getting control of quick through route
to Florida.
GOING ON SLOWLY.
Then, too, the work on the new line be-
tween Savannah and Harris road is pro-
crossing unusually slow. There are only
5 miles of rail laid from this end and very
little more at the other. At the present
rate it is hardly probable that the line
will be completed before January next.
tAAAN SilS lhhAg 10 5ehAA " 4lC ldISClN WIFI
the sub-contractors, who have in many in
stances neglected their work.
The Southern Supply Company, which
has the contract to complete the road by
Oct. /, is placed under no bond for
forfeiture II the road is not completed by
that time, and so far as that is concerned
it will make no difference with them
whether the work is done in a hurry or
not. The Florida Central and Pennsular
will not as some suppose, have to forfeit
100000 to the South Bound if
! the extension is not completed
by October Oct, is the date on which
the Florida Central and Peninsular was
| to assume control of the South Bound un-
der the lease, and they must then accord
ing to agreement buy the stock of the
| South Bound or put up 5000, 900 as secur-
ity for the faithful performance of the
| terms of the contract, to which end the
New York Guaranty and Indemnity Com
| pany has already given security in part
! for the Florida Central and Peninsular
THE STORY STILL DENIED.
1t is still denied by the officials of the
| Florida Central and Peninsular now in
| New York, that any such negotiations
have been or are being made with the
! Plant people, but the facts have furnish
! ed strong grounds for the supposition
1t is well known that the
| Florida Central and Peninsular
people are willing to sell out if a salts
| factory offer is made, and it is also well
| known. that Mr.. Plant and 9TH
ers are anxious to get control of
! the line, and that he is liable
| to make an offer which may be considered
! satisfactory The fact of the officials of
! the road all being in New York at the
! time and prepared, as it is said, to make
| a showing, looks very much as if there
! were something going on.
So far as the completion of the line is
! concerned, however, it would hardly
| make difference whether the line went
! to the Plant people or somebody else.
! The property has cost a great deal of
4 money, and the purchasers, whoever they
! might be, would be bound to complete it
! If they expected to realize anything.
/ The contractors aud engineers have never
/ received any instructions to slack up in
/ the work, but have been urged to hurry
| it through to an early completion.
! Though nothing definite is known with
regard to the deal, it is safe to say that
! something is up.