The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-09-05
A YEAR WITH THE RAILROADS.
TWO IMPORTANT EVENTS AFFECT
ING SAVANNAH.

The Reorganization of the Central
Completed and the Entry Into the
City of the Georgia and AIabama
ROad-The Central Now Fully Res
tOred to Its POsitiOn--The Compile
tiOn of the Georgia and Alabama
Adds Greatly to the Commercial
interests of the City.
For the first time in several years the
railroad situation in Savannah can be
spoken of as settled. The era of receiver
ships and reorganizations has passed, and
the railroads entering Savannah are now
settled upon a solid and permanent basis,
with every Indication of remaining so for
many years to come. All that now re-
mains, humanity speaking Is for the rail-
roads to devote their attention to .devel-
oping and improving their territory aud
thus gradually increasing their trade.
Hazardous doubt and uncertainty no
longer surround the Central railroad. Dur
ing the year that property has been thor
Oughly rehablitated, and its financial
soundness assured beyond peradventure
The fear entertained by many that with
the passing of the control OF this splen-
did organization into the hands of nom
residents of the state that its policy would
not be so favorable to Savannah as in
the past, has not been realized. and with
the selection of Mr.. II. NJ. Conner, who
so ably managed its affairs during cha
receivership, this fear has been shown
to be entirely groundless. During the few
years which Mr.. Conner has devoted to
the railroad business he has thoroughly
mastered every detail Of the work. and
has demonstrated his capacity to manage
the affairs of a large railway corporation
equally as we'll as he had formerly mas
aged his large private interests. To his
careful attention to details Is due the fact
that during the exceedingly unfavorabie
years of the receivership the property
was so well maintained and that the vari-
Gus properties composing 1t are still held
| together as one system, Instead of being
parceled out among rival corporations.
That the property Is now on a solid flnan-
cial basis was demonstrated when, at tho
meeting of the directors, held here a few
days ago, dividend OF ~ per cent upon
the 100000 Of first income bonds was
| declared from the earnings of the lasE
eight months since the reorganization
| went into effect. This is OF course, in
| addition to all other fixed charges.
Next to the reorganization of the Gem
| Of the year to Savannah was the en-,
| try to the city of the Georgia and Ala
1 bama railroad, formerly the Savannah.
| Americus and Montgomery. which was
| so long waiting IN the woods, BY ac-
| duirinE control OF the branch Of the 3a-
| vannah and Western railroad from Lyons
| to Meldrim, fourteen miles from the city.
| and arranging with the Central railroad
| for right-of-way into the city over its
| tracks from that point this desirable event
| was accomplished. AS a result the bust
| ness of the road has been largely in-
| creased with corresponding benefits TO
| Savannah. The business of the road has
been so satisfactory that at times the
| rolling Ctock OF the road has been taxed
| to handle It. That this Is true Is shown
| by the fact that six new locomotives,
| purchased from the Richmond Locomo-
! tive Works of Richmond, Va, are to bo
| delivered here this month. During tha
| summer the business of the road In lum-
! Der and naval stores has been very larges
and much new territory In these lines
| has been opened up to Savannah The
| production of cotton along Its route is not
| as great as on the older lines, but II il
| predicted that II VIII bring at least 1900
| bales to this port this fail, while its cons
nections at Montgomery and other points
| will help to bring cotton here which has
| been going to other ports.
One feature OF the new business devei-
| oped by the road is worthy of special
| mention. Within the last month two car-
| goes OF iron piping have been brought
/ from Bessemer, Ala, to this port and
| shipped to Boston and the Indications ara
| for a steady continuance Of this traffic. Ar
| rangements are in prospect for building
| a large four-masted schooner, especially
equipped for handling the traffic between
| Savannah and the northern ports. A large
| yard has been built west of the city
| to facilitate the handling OF business Tha
| Georgia and Alabama is now a perma-
nent and important factor in the city's
| business
The business OF the Florida Central ana
| Peninsular railroad continues to increase
with the development Of its territory, and
though the increase has not been as rapid
as hoped for, 1t is gradual and perma-
nent.
The Plant system, the various branches
| of which were consolidated in one about
| a year ago, has continued the even tenor
| OF It's way, steadily increasing its busi-
ness, and developing ITS territory, each
| year becoming OF greater advantage 70
| the city's business interests. The mans
| agement Of this great property is 50 thor@
| ough and so well systematized that there
| Is rarely cause for complaint against ID
for any lack Of facilities or accommoda-
tion
The recent action of the system in ad-
ding a hospital and insurance feature for
| the beneht OF Its employees constitutes a
| new departure in railroad circles. The in-
| surance feature is regarded as something
| OF an experiment, but as the promised benz
ehts are guaranteed by the system, it
would seem TO be a safe thing for the
employees.