The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-16
TOURISTS GOING IN CROWDS
RETURNING NORTH FROM FLORIDA
DAILY By TRAINLOAD.

to Get berth Reservations at Sa-
vannnRh-LOng HauIs From FIOri-
da Get the Prcference-Roads Re-
ceive More Revenue when Their
Passengers Ride Long Distances.
Railroad Men say stop-Over Priv
fIeges Are Not Being Used as Last
seasOn-They Hope Next Month
VIII Have More Tourists Taking
in the Sights of savannah.
The predictions of the railroad men that
this week would bring a great many tou-
rists out of Florida are being verified. The
vestibule trains of the Plant System and
the Florida Central and Peninsular Rail-
road are crowded daily. The passenger
agents here say they often cannot get
the berth reservations on the vesubules
that the Savannah business demands.
II is often the case that a passenger
does not like to wait until the trains have
gotten this side of Jacksonville, where
the reports of space in the sleepers are
made up before they can ascertain wheth-
er they can be accommodated. Neverthe-
less he has to do so, as the roads find 1t
more profitable to get a long haul on
passengers than to take them up a points
further north.
1t is not an unusual thing for the agents
here to be wired from Jacksonville to
send down a report of berths sold in order
that vacancies still existing in the allotted
space assigned Savannah may be disposed
of at that place. The other trains are far
ing well also, though the vestibules, be-
ing handsome and luxurious, naturally
get most Of the tourist business.
Passenger men say they are sorry to
note that thus far the tourists have not
been stopping over at Savannah on their
return North in as great numbers as has
been the case during past seasons. 1t was
expected that great many would take
advantage of the stop-over privileges
borne by the tickets. and give the Savan-
nah hotels the benefit of a few days, stay
while engaged in the pleasant pastme of
visiting some of the points of interest i'm
the vicinity. The tourists who come later
in the season may decide to take in Savan-
nah. 1t is said from April to April Is is
the best time during the season for the
tourists to stop over
The story of the consolidation of the in
terests of the Plant System and the Flor
ida Central and Peninsular at Tampa is
being revived. 1t is said the two lines are
likely to get together soon to arrange for
union depot Many reasons are advanced
to show why such a consolidation would
be of mutual advantage to the roads. Some
months ago the talk was that such action
on the part of the roads was imminent
Officials asked about it, however said they
had heard nothing of the matter and did
not think the consolidation would be con-
summated A Tampa railroad man, talking
of the matter says:
An of the trains of the Florida Central
and Penlnsular will run through 10 Port
Tampa, having the use of all of the facili-
ties docks and warehouses at that place
On the other hand the same road will
surrender TO the Plant System all of its
terminal facilities in this city, including
the valuable water front property. The
Plant System will build end maintain a
union passenger station that Will give am.
pie facilities for handling Lht business OF
all of the trains centering in the city.
The Florida Central ana Pennsular and
the Plant System will divide equally the
boat business from the Manatee section, a
part going to Port Tampa as at present
and part coming to the docks OF this city.
The Plant System will get the benefit of
the Florida Central and Peninsular on its
Mobile business The merchants In the
large territory covered by the Florida Cen
trail and Peninsular can then buy goods
and have them shipped by the Mobile line
TO this city, and thence distributed over the
Florida Central and Peninsular at a great
ly reduced freight rate. This will give the
Plant Steamship Line a great deal more
business, making 1t possible TO supply a
large territory that is now shut out. and
1t will be great benefit to the territory.
Mr.. James Menzles, assistant general
freight agent of the Plant System. is ex
pected to return in day or two from Bal
timore, where he went on business after
the adjournment at old Point Comfort of
the recent meeting OF the conference com
mittee of the Southeastern Freight Asso-
citation.
Mr.. L. A. Camp, travelling passenger
agent with headquarters at Columbus
for the Central of Georgia, was among
the visiting railroad men who spent YES
terday in the city. Mr.. Camp has been
busy lately looking out for the Central
in the approaching movement of the
members of the Travellers Protective AS
ISOLATION. He says Columbus is going to
send large delegation to Savannah to at
tend the convention. The Central has
virtually secured the movement of the
Columbus drummers, who win come in
body. They will go up to Macon, where
they will join those from Atlanta and
those who start from Macon in special cars
for this city. Post ID. located at Column
bus, and those al Macon and Atlanta,
have been holding meetings recently at
which a great deal of enthusiasm was
evinced. All of these cities will send big
delegations.
Passenger Traffic Manager wrenn of the
Plant Syetem is preparing some very at
tractive advertising matter for the con-
vention Of the 4. p. AS, to be held in
Savannah next month. Col. Wrenn is a
good friend of commercial men and ap-
preciates their value and friendship.
The south-bound vestibule over the
Florida Central and Peninsular was late
yesterday morning. the delay having been
caused a short distance this side of CO.
lumbia by a blazing wood pile. This
wood had been stacked near the track
for shipment. There was a great guam
tity of il, and II blazed furiously More
than an hour and a half was spent IN
waiting for the flames to die down suffi-
GENTLY to allow the train 10 pass Ii Is
thought some miscreant fired the wood
pile. Summary means of stopping such
malicious work should be adopted