The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-22
WILL SOON GO TO WORK.
G. AND A. WILL LOSE NO TIME IN
PUSHING ON IT'S TERMINALS.

Financing the Scheme-S65O, 900
taIists Would Have Taken More.
Western Exports and a Big
Thing for the Company and Sa-
yannah Anticipated by Mr.. WILL
iau3.
President John Shelton Williams of The
Georgia and Alabama Railroad spent yes
terday in the city. He was here on his
regular monthly visit, it being his Gus
tom to go over the property at least cnce
a month. During the day he was in con-
sultation with Vice President and General
Manager Cecil Gabbett Secretary w. w.
Mackall and the roads attorneys, Messrs.
Charlton, Mackall and Anderson.
The projected terminals on Hutchinson
Island are now matter of keen interest
to the officials of the Georgia and Ala
bama, and the plans to be followed in the
undertaking were discussed and a number
of the details pertaining to it were con-
sidered. The officials now know just how
they stand with the city with regard to
the island property, and they are there
LClC tAitlt AlAbN4l ellS Vi
their hopes, which are for the early IS
adjustment of a complete system of docks,
warehouses and general terminal facili-
ties.
Mr.. Williams was seen last night. He
said the actual work has already COM
menced. A force OF engineers is finding
levels for use in drawing up the plans
urbia mil ba
made. Mr.. Williams says it will probably
be not more than six weeks before the
contracts will have been let, and the act
ual labor of dredging and building com
menced.
The big drawbridge to span the river will
be one of the first things begun in con-
necton with the establishment of the
terminals The president says that imme-
diately after the opening of Congress
bill viii be introduced to give the Georgia
and Alabama the right to put the bridge
across the Savannah river This is
formally that has to be observed before
bridge can be constructed across a nav
igable stream No difficulty is apprehend-
ed by the officials in securing the consent
of Congress to the construction of the
bridge. They recognize, Mr.. Williams says,
the favor with which the undertaking is
viewed by the people of the city, and
they do not expect any opposition to the
bridge project.
It is desired TO have the bridge complet-
ed soon as possible after the commence
ment of the work, as the ability of trains
to pass it would be of great assistance in
carrying out the plans. Material and sup
plies win have to be had, and a bridge
would enable the contractors to get them
by rail. Northern bridge-buiiding firm
will be given the contract for the struc-
ture. 1t will be made at the works, and,
when it arrives here it win be in readiness
to be put together over the river.
! 1t is expected that the charters applied
for by the Georgia and Alabam Terminal
! Company and the Georgia Construction
| Company win be granted about Nov. or
| s, but preliminary steps will not be de-
layed pending the charters being received.
The work will go right on, and, by the
time they are secured, it win be Well ad-
| vanced.
Mr. Williams was asked If the action
taken by Council in the matter of the
Hutchinson Island property is regarded by
| the officials of the road as liberal. He re-
| piled that it has been thoroughly satsfac-
tory, and that 1t has been a source OF
qualification to him to see the spirit in
which the people of the city have met the
officials Of the company in their effort to
| build the terminals. He says he is glad
to see that there is no spirit of opposition
manifested, and that the putting forth of
the energy of the company and the invest
ment of its funds are welcomed.
I'VE expect" said Mr.. Williams, ito put
! in improvements on the island that will
surpass the expectations of the people Of
the city. We propose to put in as thor
| ough and complete a system as can be
| found anywhere. There will be no such
terminals as there are at Jersey City but
there win be none at New York, Phla-
delphia or any of the large cities that
will be superior TO them We will secure
| the services in a few days of one of the
finest engineers in the country, and he will
| be in charge of the work. He will make
the final plans upon the survey and levels
upon which the engineers are now busted
on the island Particular pains will be
taken in the choice of this chief engineer.
lie WILDE a recognized master of his pro-
| fession.
The financing of the work is all right.
The bonds have all been placed. They are
per cents, and We could have disposed
of more than the $65O,00 worth had
larger issue only been deemed necessary.
AS soon as the charter for the company
has been secured the bonds will be float
ed, and all the money necessary for the
work will be in hand. The Georgia and
Alabama has put In a large amount for
| the construction of the terminals. having
sold bonds to enable it to do so. There
VIII be no difficulty at all about financing
the undertaking.
we will eventually. according to our
hopes and plans. spend considerable more
money in connection with the establish
ment of the terminals at Savannah Be
tween one and two millions in all will be
invested. l am not prepared to say just
in what manner these further expend-
lures will be made after the completion
of the terminals. but we have things in
prospect that viii tend to the material
advancement and prosperity of the city.
1T should be matter Of pride to the
city to know that the bonds we have
placed were eagerly sought after by
Northern and Eastern capitalists This
shows that they have confidence in the
enterprise and faith in 1t as an invest
ment. / think the record of the manage
ment of the Georgia and Alabama will
show that this confidence is not misplace
ed"
Mr. Williams traced the history of the
road since it has been in the present
hands. showing the remarkable progress
it has made. The mileage has been in
creased by about so per cent, the gross
earnings have been increased from some