The morning news., 1894-04-19
ON A TOUR OF THE SYSTEM.
President Plant Looking After His
Railway Interests.

The Winters Travel Not as Large as
Was Expeoted-Mr. Plant Opposed
TO Opening Streets Across the Sa-
vannah, Florida and Western 9
Right of Way South of Anderson
street-Grade Crossings a Danger
Gus Thing.
President H. B. Plant, Of the Plant
system, left for Thomasville last night in
his private car, after looking after his
railway interests here. He was accompa-
MED by Mr. D. F. Jack, aud his private
secretary, Mr.. Sullivan.
Mr. Plant will go from Thomas
vile to Montgomery, from which
point he will return north. He
will visit this section again this
summer, however. He has Just completed
a general tour of his railway lines in
Florida and their connections.
~ found everything in good condition, "
he said "Our passenger business was
not as good during the season Just ended
as we would have liked. In fact it was
an off year for Florida. A fair freight
business was done, the orange crop being
very heavy and the winter vegetable crop
being good Our lines are now
at work repairing and putting
rolling stock in hrst-class condition, in
order TO be ready to handle the summer
business The watermelon crop, we have
reason to expect, win be good, and there
will be considerable fruit and vegetables
10 be handled, in spite of the freeze.
OPPOSED TO STREET CROSSINGS.
In speaking of the matter of opening
the streets In the southern section of the
city across the Savannah Florida and
Western railways right OF way,
the city, Mr.. Plant said that
he was compelled TO oppose the city's de-
mands.
In this enlightened age" he said,
''crossings at grade are out of date in
large cities. There is too much danger in
them, and the opportunities for damage to
both the railway company and private in
dtviduals are too great. 1t appears to me
that the city asked for too many cross
ings in the southern section of the city.
Even If that section were fully developed,
which it is by no means, crossing at
every three or four streets would fully
answer the demands of traffic in a purely
residence section. The railway company
surely cannot be expected to extend its
system of gates to every one of the cross
ings asked for, and without this protec-
@AOA9 eAAO NAOooAiAFo WOAAA bO uAAoel4Cs
WOULD LESSEN THE SPEED.
There are other, and very strong rea-
sons why the railroad should oppose the
city's request" continue Mr.. Plant
I'm these days railroads are required to
make very fast time. Our connections re-
quire US TO make a very fast schedule be-
tween New York and Florida, and the de-
mand is becoming greater every year
We must now cut off every unnecessary
minute, and put our passengers through
In the shortest time possible. We lose
considerable time now by coming into
Savannah, which we could save
by transferring at Southover Junction,
and continuing the run to Florida
with only few minutes loss of time. If
these numerous grade crossings should
be established we would be compelled to
run our trains into and out of the city at
q very much slower rate Of speed than at
present, with an increased loss of time
by coming into Savannah. In this case
our fastest through trains would probably
be compelled to pass Savannah without
coming into the city. Our fastest through
trains no longer run into Charleston
on account of the extra time required TO
run In from the junction and out again
We should dislike very much to pass by
Savannah without coming in, but the ne
cessity of making a fast schedule might
force us to do so under certain condi-
tions