Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-10-20

hnc Win the Florida Central and Eenin-
sular railroad al Columbia is being laid
with new 0-pound steel rails. The new
bridges which are being constructed are
all OF steel. and are adapted TO the use
OF the heaviest locomotives and the fast
est trains.
The new projected lines OF the SeabOard
system from Charleston to Augusta. and
from Augusta to Athens. are now being
surveyed. Several corps Of engineers are
busily engaged I'm the work. and nothing
definite will be given out in regard to
this new line until this preliminary work
is completed.
II this new projected road should be
constructed, the Seaboard, besides being
the shortest line by about 100 miles be-
tween Washington and Tampa and Cuba.
VIII have the great advantage OF operat-
ing It's own rails for the entire distance
between the cities OF Atlanta, Ga. and
Augusta. Ca; Atlanta and Savannah.
Ga; Augusta and Charleston. 5. c.; Au-
gusta and Athens, Ca. by shorter routes
than any now existing between the I'M
pOrtant cities mentioned.
GENERAL CONSOLIDATION.
The consolidation Of the seaboard Air
Line with the Florida Central and PENN
sular railroad, OF which MIR. Williams
was yesterday elected president, and the
Georgia and Alabama railway, will Prob
ably take place between now and the list
Of January. This new system, including
It's projected lines. viii embrace about
1909 miles of main line OF railroad, ex-
elusive Of second track and sidings. This
system also controls controls the Balti-
moro Steam Packet Company, which for
the past fifty years has been operating
one of the principal lines Of steamers on
tho Chesapeake bay between Baltimore
and old Point Comfort, Norfolk, and
Portsmouth.
Mr.. williams stated that the combined
bonded debt of the railroads comprising
this system Is less than that Of any other
system Of like Importance in the United
States. He remarked that the present
combined bonded Indebtedness per mile OF
tho seaboard Airline, Florida Central
and Peninsuar railroad, and Georgia and
Alabama railway, is. in fact, less than
one-half the debt per mile OF the South
ern railway, about one-third OF the uept
per mile Of either the Louisville ana
Nashville. the Mobile and Ohio, or the
Norfolk and Western, or the Chesapeake
and Ohio railway.
CITIES ALONG THE LINE.
The new system will operate its own
trains from Washington. through the
capital cities OF six South Atlantic ana
Gulf states-Riohmond. Va; Raleigh. y.
C.. Columbia. s. c.: Atlanta, Ga; Mont
gomerv. Ala. and Tallahassee, Fla. 1t
win take in every important seaport from
baltimore to Pensacola. including Nor
folk Wilmington Charleston, Savannah
Fernandina. and Jacksonville, on the Al
lantic: and Tampa. Cedar Keys, and 81
Marks. on the Gulf Of Mexico, reachlhg
also the important interior cities ana
towns Of Durham, Weldon, Henderson,
and charlotte. n. c.; Chester, Camden
clinton. Barnwen, ;. G; Augusta,
Athens Columbus. and Albany, Ca, as
well as the leading places throughout
Florida. -u..
| Amona the cities and winter resorts
,.bicb ,viu he reached via tile ScGboard
Airline from New York and Washington
arc. Jacksonville, ST. Augustine, Pam
poach Miami. Tampa, ana Fernanaina'
Via raleigh and Southern Pines y. -;
Columbia $. g.; Athens, Ga, Jhd inter-
mediate points.
THE PARENT LINE.
The seabcard and Roanoke Railroad
IConohany. the parent company OF TINS
system. has been in successful operation
for more tgUu MY Atttl - "4iN +-''N
been through a receivership or requlrsu
REORGANIZATION. For many years past u
has been paying guaranteed dividends Oh
sfocks. and in one year paid % per cent
dividend on common stock IN scrip worm
considerably mon. than rar. the nscu
year which has just closed mas ueeh mo
most successful I'm its entire history. Inc
several roads which Will take part In inc
consolidation have also made masnin-
cent showing for the past year. ne az
oregate surplus. after the payment or IN
teresf on bonds, has amounted TOT inc
mast wear TO near 100 per cent more imam
fixed charges. .-,.
All of the roads comprising the new
system which is about TO be perIeote1
ara controlled in Richmond ana Baiu-
more and are managed entirely III the
South.
Mr.. Williams Elected President
\ telegram received from New York
losr night SAYS: AT q meeting Of the
FLORIDA Central and Peninsular Railroad
Compauy held i'm this city to-day j.
skeleton Williams, president of the Sea-
hoard rhine, was elected president, to
succeed II. r. Duval resigned. No other
business OF Importance was transacted"