The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-07-24
SPENCER ON THE SOUTHERN.
HE DENIES THAT THERE Is DAM
GER IN ITS GIGANTIC POWER.


The object of the Mighty COnsOIIda-
tion of Systems Declared 10 Be -
Better Service 60 the Public with
out an Increase in Rates-The Gen.
trail of Georgia and the GeOrgIa
Southern and Florida 10 BE Op-
Grated as Separate Properties.
New York. July 23.-There is made pub
lie here to-day letter dated New York,
July 10. from Samuel Spencer. president
Of the Southern Railway Company. to the
Chamber of Commerce Of Macon. Ca,
being reply to letter from that body
dated June u. In their letter the Cham
Der Of Commerce express apprehension at
the consolidation plans OF the Southern
Railway and seek an intimation OF the
company's policy. especially regarding
their city.
Mr. Spencer's reply includes the follows'
ing: Il see no legitimate ground for ap-
prehension upon the part of the peopIa
OF Macon on account of what you term
the consolidation of our company and its
control Of the trafie Of the principal lines
entering and centering In Macon. And I
assure you that you are entirely right
In assuming that the Southern Railway
recognizes the importance of Macon 90
a distributing center.
Whatever may be the result OF the re.
organization Of the Central Railroad Coms
pany there is no intention that the prop.
erty shall be operated as portion of ths
Southern Railway system.
"As regards the Georgia Southern ana
Florida, the Southern Railway Company
and Its friends control not all, but only a
majority Of the securities. Under these
conditions the property should be man.
aged as a separate corporation in order
that the minority interests shall have fair
and equitable treatment and accounting.
and there is no purpose on our part.
even II we possessed the power. to depart
from this, the only proper policy.
1T Is not intended to make, or even to
endeavor to make either Of these roads an
exclusive connection Of the Southern Rail-
way system. II is the policy Of the South
ern Railway Company to strengthen all
Its lines and In every reasonable way to
foster the growth of local interests within
the territory it serves, rather than to try
to force all traffic into particular cham
nels. This does not mean that II proposes
TO assume the burden and responsibility
pr guarantee the success OF ill-conceived
or badly managed enterprises.
I'VE are fully mindful of the Importance
OF the location of offices and shops in
your city. On the other hand you know
the necessity. In all classe of business.
of the strictest economy in operation and
how hazardous II Is for those charged
with the responsibility to make definite
promises for the future as to details OF
aar n
however, that. IT, In the course of bus
mess, the necessity for any changes arises,
there shall be as little disturbance a
possible In Macon Of such local organiza-
tion as you refer to.
"As regards consolidation, permit me
to say a word, consolidation Is in part the
legitimate and inevitable result of reck-
less and speculative construction of need
less railways throughout the SOUTH and
the hopeless struggle to maintain them
when built. You and your fellow citi-
zen are well aware of the widespread ruin
and bankruptcy which came upon the
railroad interests Of Georgia In respect
to the consolidation which followed 10
might be well to ask what else, II any
thing, was possible under the circum-
stances. Experience shows, not only in
Georgia, but elsewhere, that, as a rule.
there are but two alternatives for rail-
road properties under disastrous condi-
lions They must either be consolidated.
TO be operated more cheaply, or they must
be left to starve separately.
'As regards the policy OF the Southern
Railway Company, l call your attention.
to the fact that 1t has not resulted In this
increase of salaries at any point, but has
resulted in better roadbed and equipment.
improved service and greater safety to
the public. There is no reasonable ground
for apprehension upon your part that
with the knowledge and intent OF its own
ers, II will result In oppression or injustica
to any one. The purpose is to secure by a
building up process, an aggregate vols
ume Of traffic necessary to enable It Ia
meet its obligations to its security holds
ers, who have suffered enormous losses.
and to the public, which Is constantly de-
manding better service at a constantly di-
minishing price. To do this It must keen
its properties in constantly improved
condition and all II takes as a means to thia
end Is uniform and reasonable rates ana
the diseontinuance of what much legisla-
tion seeks. but fails to prevent, namely
secret rate cutting and discrimination"
PITTSBURG DISTRICT MINERS