The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-02-15
INSPIRED BY THE L. & N.
The Talk About Breaking the Georgia
Railroad Lease.


An editorial in the Augusta Chronicle
advocating the breaking of the Georgia
railroad lease to the Central railroad on
the ground thatit defeats competition and
is unconstitutional, has excited comment
throughout the state, especially among
railroad interests.
Those whose interests and surroundings
are competitive to those of the Central
railroad and of Savannah, have been
quick to take the matter up, and declare
that the disruption of the lease should be
brought about at once. Others have
spoken more conservatively, taking a
very different view, especially as to the
source which inspired the attack. A
well-known railroad man who was in the
ity yesterday had word to say upon the
ubject
81 do not speak with any certainty
he said, when asked about the matter.
but have an idea as to what is meant.
Suppose, for instance, the South Carolina
railroad were about to be sold. and sup
pose the Louisville and Nashville owns a
large proportion of the underlying securi-
ties of that property; suppose, too, that
Charleston is getting deep water on her
bar under the government work. / am
not able say anything definite, but putting
the matter in that light n reasonable
inference may be drawn.
ut seems that the attack is inspired
by the Louisville and Nashville people.
1t is well known that the Central controls
some interests by reason OF the Geor-
gia railroad lease which have been so
conducted as to bring about some friction
between the CeRtral and the management
or these interests as well as the Louis
vile and Nashville railroad. 1t NAV well
be seen, then, how the discussion Of the
question has been brought about lust at
this time.
Il do not mean to say that the Augusta
people have been guided by any inspira-
ton from the Louisville and Nashville
people alone, or that they are working for
the interest of any other seaport as
against Savannah. But it is solely the
interests of Augusta that they have at
stake. The Georgia road is not allowed
TO compete beyond certain points for
western business into or through Augusta
and this more than anything else has
prompted them in the position they have
taken" ---...
There seemed to be no doubt, however,
in the mind of the gentleman that the
secret of the movement, as much as
anything else, is the desire on The part OF
the Louisville and Nashville TO obtain ex-
elusive control of the Georgia railroad
lease for purposes of its own. 1t has
always been believed that that road de-
sired to get control Of the Georgia rail
road, which belief has giTen rise, more
than on one occasion, that there had been
a deal by which the Central was 10 re-
linquish its interest in the lease in con-
sideration of other interests, which the
Louisville and Nashville was to turn ex-
clusiYelY over to the Central. But the
Central has not ana will not, relinquish
its interest in the lease. The Georgia
railroad lease, it may be added, was the
only one not included III the order of
Justice jackson with regard to turning
the leasehold interests over to the owners
of the property in case they desired to
take them