The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-03-19

rains to and from this city now ac-
cored by the latter 10 the TWO u
ern lines. Seaboard officials declare.
must be likewise extended 10 their
company.
on the south the Seaboard has nm
bi1iuos plans for an entrance into Flor
Ida and New Orleans, and. with the lat
ter gateway at it's disposal. "a will form
in conjunction with the southern Pa
SIfic. with which Ii now has direct bust
ness dealings, the eastern part or n
tr~anscontirental system. with import
ant ramihcations into Texas and the
southwest. Florida traffic, either pas
senger or freight. produces little or no
part in the ~Seaboard's revenue. The
line is shut out from that territory 10y
reason Of the exclusive and direct cnn-
nection with the two Florida lines, the
Plant system and the Florida Central
and Peninsular. by the Atlantic Coast
Line and Southern railway. The objec-
tive point for the Scaboard's Florida
outlet is Columbia. :. G. The nearest
point on its line 10 that city Ia Chess
ter, but at that point the Chester and
Lenoir road intersects ii. and the Sea-
board may build a side line to con-
meet Monroe, one OF its divisional sta
tons. with Columbia, and at the latter
point the Seaboard. it is said. will ex-
pect the Florida Central and Pcninsular
10 carry it's traffic to the various Flor
ida resorts reached by that line.
Atlanta being its extreme southern
terminus, the Seahoard proposes to
overcome its inability To get it's cars
into New Orleans over the Atlanta and
West Point road by building extensions
enough to enable it to reach Mcntgom-
cry. To this end a line about fifty miles
long Will be built from Atlanta 10 Car
rollton, Ga. where connection Is to be
made with the Chattanooga. Rome and
Column hlIG An ayfanGjnn nP this line
which is under the control OF the Sea-
board, will be made TO Columbus. sew
cnty-five miles beyond. and at that
point the Alabama Midland must take
the cars into Montgomery, there the
Louisville and Nashville. now an ally.
will furnish the remaining haul into
New Orleans. At New Orleans the
Southern Pacific. with It's diverging
and California lines, will aid In plac-
ing the Seaboard on an equal rptting
with its northern competitors.
For some time past reports have
been frequent that the Louisville and
Nashville was financially Interested In
the Seaboard Air Line. and was much
concerned in the perpetuation OF the
pool now controlling that property.
Denials OF ar official character have
been made, but 1t Is known that the
Louisville and Nashville wants the
Seaboard, and has made indirect er-
forts to secure an interest in it's man.
agement. There is little likelihood Of
an abandonment OF the ambitious plans
of the Seaboard. The question OF sufi-
cient business for all the lines under
the contemplated improvements is said
to have been fully settled. but before
the Seaboard. however. can consum-
mate its schemes OF extension Il NAV
be confronted witt fights in the courts
with competitors, to the delay OF it's
plans. Air Line interests say
the proposed extensions viii be carried
through. and no effort will be spared
to make that property a great highway
between the north and south.