The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-10-27
SEABOARD AIR LINE
Belief in That Louisville and Nashville Deal
is Gaining Ground Steadily.
Be A HARD BLOW TO THE SOUTHERN
should the big Southwestern Syntii.
cate Invade Their Territory IA Far
"s Norfolk AS il Would 81 IL Gets
SeRbonrd-RyRn Syndicate Will
Nuke Money on the Transfer.

If the Seaboard Air Line was really
purchased by the Thomas-Ryan syndi-
cate, as is generally believed in railway
circles. II is more than probable that
when the transfer is made on the books
of the company it will be To the Louis
Vile and Nashville Railway.
Belief In the success of the dicller
which is said to be on between the big
Southwestern system and the Ryan
people grows daily.
l.. & N. CAPITAL AVAILABLE
Before the end of this month the stock
recently purchased by the syndicate will
be paid for. Instead of this money COM
ing from Mr.. J. Pierpont Morgan. who
usually backs Mr.. Ryan, il is quite
probable that it will come from the L.
X N, and that the syndicate will pocket
quite handsome profit on the deal.
MAY THROW" THE SOUTHERN.
If Mr.. Ryan throws" the Southern
on the deal. by this proceeding it will
only be Il case of sell at the highest
figure" Such a move would certainly
be most distastcful to the Southern, for
the L.. & y. is quite jealous of the grow
secure control of the Seaboard ii would
he fight to the death-a battle OF
giants.
WHY T.. e n. WANTS IT.
The Louisville Il Nashville completes
with the Southern for business from the
middle States. Tennessee, kentucky.
Missouri Illinois. Indiana and the gulf
States all furnish fighting ground for
the two systems. The L. Il y. controls
the Nashville, Chattanooga and ST
Louis. and the Western and Atlantic
which puts it into Atlanta, 1t also con
trolls the Georgia. giving 1t access to Au-
gusta. The Ryan-Thomas syndicate
purchasers of the Seaboard. owns the
Port Royal and Augusta. y new line is
now in course of construction from
Charleston to Allendalc. OH the Port
Royal. This new line. il is understood
will be controlled by Ryan and his as
SociateS.
A GREAT SYSTEM.
BY securing the Scaboard. with the
Port Royal and Augusta. the Louisville
and Nashville would have direct lines
to two seaports-Port Royal and Char
leston-and would compete for all east
ern water business. BY the Scaboard
they would reach Wilmington. Norfolk
and Baltimore, the latter city being the
terminus of the Bay Line OF steamers.
Il part of the Seaboard's property.
Thus, IL Will he seen. the Louisville
and Nashville by securing the ScaDoard
would put itself in shape to compete with
the Southern for all business now
handled by the latter system.
ANOTHER VIEW of IT.
Some think that. while the l.. * n
people may not purchase the Scaboard
they Will enter into an agreement with
the Ryan-Thomas syndicate by which
they Will be put in position to compete
with the Southern.
4 any rate. il is believed TO he n Ger
tainty that the Louisville and Nash
vile people are negotiating with the
purchasers of the Seaboard for 1t deal
of same kind. and the outcome of these
negotiations are awaited with great
~ si..f.- 1.
ton. as even friendly alliance OF the
Seabuard and The Louisville and Nash
vile would mean Il change Of the entire
railroad situation in the South.