The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-26
OWNERSHIP OF THE Il 6 r. ~
The Plant System Talked of rs the
PrObabIc Purchaser


The Jacksonville, Tampa and Key West
railroad will be put up for sale by Re-
ceiver Durkee, at Jacksonville, next Mon
day. BY the order of the court a cash pay
ment of S350,O00 must be made on the road
by its purchasers, and they must assume
the mortgage for $2,212,OOO and interest.
which becomes first lien on the road
Speculation is rife as TO who will be the
roads purchasers Some say that the
Plant system will purchase the road
straight out. Others say that the first
mortgage bondholders, through their COM
mittee, will buy it in, and put it under the
control of the Plant system. Either of
these suggestions seems plausible on a
consideration of the road, its situation and
its advantages for the Plant system Then
the receiver and members of the bondhold-
ers committee have been in consultation
with Mr.. Plant at Tampa, and this fact
is very suggestive of a contemplated deal
No opinion is expressed but that the
Plant system will operate the road. The
only question seems to rest in its purchase
outright by the system or its being merely
placed under its control That the Plant
people would like to have the road either
as its property, or under its control, there
seems to be no doubt. Without the Jack
sonvlle, Tampa and Key West, the Plant
system is incomplete; with it, 1t would
have a perfect system.
e.
Tampa and Key West being shown on the
Plant systems folders and maps as a
part of the system. From Jacksonville
to Sanford il runs down the map in the
heavy line that traces the route of the
system. No other road that does not be
long to the system is so put down and its
natural position as a part of the system
is recognized.
The Jacksonville, Tampa and Key West
has always been friendly to the Plant
system. Their relations have been har-
monious and connections are made at
Jacksonville and Sanford. The road, be-
fore il went into the hands of a receiver,
had always been a money maker
The Jacksonville, Tampa and Key West
is conceded to be so located as to be a
great advantage to the Plant system IL
operated by it. II cuts through the ter
ritory of its competitor, the Florida Cen
trail and Peninsular and the Florida East
Coast railroad, running parallel with them
down the peninsular.
If the Plant system does acquire control
of the road 1t Is said the new route TO
Tampa would be used for its through pas
senger trains. The present west coast
route would be used for the through
freight traffic. 1t is also thought proba-
BILE that the system would build a bridge
over the st. Johns river between Astor
and Pierson. Astor Is the eastern terminus
of one of the systems roads, the St.
Johns and Lake Eustis, and Pierson is
across the river just five miles away on
the Jacksonville, Tampa and Key West.
The places would be connected, and about
60 miles cut off of the present Sanford
route from Jacksonville to Tampa.
The Jacksonville, Tampa and Key West
with it's divisions Is about 200 miles long.
Its equipment Is said 10 be in good condi-
ton. Some of the officials here are of the
opinion that the road will either be
brought under the SYSTEMS control by
bondholders.