The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-26
CHRISTMAS WITH THE ROADS.
ALL CLERKS WHO COULD BE SPAR
ED GIVEN A HOLIDAY.

Trflinmastcrs' Clerks and Dispatch
ers Kept Hard at Worlx-They Have
no Legal HOIidays-Trains Have to
BE watched by Them-TiclSet Of
fees Were Open Half the Day.
Talk Ofaa Road Through screven
COunty-Is said the Central Wants
to Extend the syIvania to Mill
Haven-NIr. Esan Likes the Coun-
try.
The officers of the railroads wore an IN
usual look of quietness during Christmas
day. There did not appear to be as much
going on as there usually is Sundays even
All of the clerks and. employees that could
be spared were given the day.
1t has always been the custom of the
roads to give the men Christmas. All who
are not absolutely necessary for the run
ming of the trains tire allowed to be away
from the Offices The offices Of the train
master, including those Of the dispatchers,
are those that are unfortunate in not get
ting the holidays of those who work in the
other departments. There attention TO the
business of the roads is essential and they
remain on duty. The trains nave to be
run and men of tried abilities have to be
on hand to attend to them. They have to
be handled as carefully from the offices of
abe dispatchers, while they are miles away.
as by the engineers and conductors, or en-
gines will smash together and the unwel-
come catastrophe of wreck win result.
Sundays are the only days in the year on
1,y,ia Oh, ioITf
Christmas not falling on that day, the
train hands on the .freights had to make
the best OF bad bargain and make their
trips. Some We're able to make arrange
ments with extra men by which they could
get their services as substitutes, so that a
day might be spent with their families. All
of the passenger trains were also run.
The uptown ticket Offices closed at Il
O'Clock. There was but little chance of
their doing any business by staying open
and the agents recognized this. Usually,
when they wish to c.ose up for all or part
of a holiday, they have an understanding
that all will do So None of the agents
want to miss chance OF. getting the bus
mess, and they do not like to shut up
shop if the competitors are not going to
do so likewise. The agents enjoyed their
Christmas dinners and their afternoons
Mr.. John NJ. Egan, vice president of the
Central, was a happy man yesterday. He
spent the day at his home, surrounded
by the members of his family. This is the
first Christmas that his family has been
in the south. Last year he had been
away from Marquette, his former home,
for several months by Christmas time
This year he found to be very agreebly
different.
Mr. S. S. Satchwell, chief clerk in the
passenger department of the Florida East
Coast railroad, with office at ST. Angus
tine, was in the city yesterday on a
Christmas visit. Mr.. Satchweil has many
friends here who would be glad to well
come him on more frequent visits.
Mr.. M. ". Raley of the Florida Central
and Peninsular railroad, returned yester-
day morning from business trip to CO.
lumbia.
President H. NJ Conner and Vice Presi-
dent John NJ. Egan of the Central rail-
road recently made a trip by private con-
veyance from Sylvania to Mill Haven
Their OBJECT was to view the country. 1t
is said that Mr.. Conner and Mr.. Egan are
considering an extension OF the Sylvana
railroad from that place to Mill Haven
The people of Screven county would like to
see the road built. MeSsrS. Conner and
Egan went from Rocky Ford, where the
Sylvania railroad connects with their line
and there took the train for Sylvania
They did not stay very long, but took a
team for Mill Haven. Mr.. Egan, in res
ponse to a question about his trip, said
that they are not yet ready to talk about
1T. He said he and Mr. Conner had de-
sired to see the country through which
road from Sylvania to Mill Haven would
run. Did you like the country?" was
asked yes. It is a very fine country"
he replied. The officials of the Central
were accompanied on their trip by Presi-
dent Hilton of the Sylvana road 1t is
said the Central may acquire the Sylvania
road, as 1t holds mortgage on it, and
extend it to Mill Haven.
Mr.. T. J. Manson, travelling auditor of
the Georgia Southern and Florida railway,
is spending the holidays with his sister,
Mrs. ]. N. McGillis.