The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-09-13
THE SEAB0ARD AIR LINE.
Consolidation Furthered by Meeting
ofRaieigh & Castor II II. Go.

oil AAtltl4U - iFalNANu II ~ We
Mr.. John SHELTON Williams returned
Monday from Raleigh where he bad been
attending a meeting of the Raleigh and
Castor Railroad Company. lie was ac-
cOmpanied as far as Richmond by Mr.
j. William Middendorf viCe-presidcnt OF
the Georgia and Alabama Railway. Mr.
NiddendOrf continued on his way %
Baltimore and Monday night Mr. Williams
left for New York ON business connected
with the proposed consolidation He was
Joined yesterday by Mr. Mddendori.
Az the meeting the legislative acts au-
th0rizing the company 10 consolidate win
other companies We're ratified Under me
power thus secured the various prophecies
controlled by the syndicate Will DE con
soIdatcd under the name OF the Raleigh
and Castor Railroad Company These
pr0prieties include the lines belonging 20
the Seab0ard Air Line system, of which
the Raleieh and CASTOR is part the
Florida Central and Peninsular railroad
and the Georgia and Alabama Railway
This consolidation brings together. with
links now being built connecting and
noncompetitiye lines. and does not merge
competing properties, which, under tns
laws of some Southern States. Is illegal.
When this is accomplished. IL is the
purpose 90 change the name Of the Raleigh
and Castor Railroad 20 the Seab0ard Air
Line. il was al first suggested to call
the consolidation the Washington. Florida
and Gulf Railway which title would en-
brace the territory reached by the new
system. but this plan has been abandoned,
and the el-estabished name Of the Sea
board Air Line is to be perpetnated.
The Raleigh and CASTOR meeting ad-
iourned until September a. when further
action toward the consolidation VIII take
place AT the adjourned meeting it is the
purpose 60 increase the capital stock OF
The company and present the financial
plan for the consolidation Of the proper
ties. The publication OF this plan has
been delayed because it was felt that It's
announcement would hamper The eXecu-
ton of q number Of details which were
essential 10 its success. Among these was
The requirement of minority interests tn
some Of the subsidiary lines already con-
trolled 10y The syndicate through the
ownership of majority interests.
Messrs. williams and Midicndorf went
from Raleigh 10 Atlanta. That portion OF
the SeabOard territory seemed 10 be ln
good shape. although a short cotton crop
was expected This was regarded more
On the light Of a blessing by the people
than setback. as they felt IL would
tend toward higher prices for the raw
product While the spinners have been
making handsome profits as the result OF
The general prosperity of the country the
growers have not shared In the good times
by any material Improvement in values.
General interest was shown I'm The plans
for The new railway system. the railroad
men found 10 gratifying % note the spirit
0f frendlinoss which existed throughout
The section toward the Seab0ard Air Line
This is attributed 20 the policy Of treat
ing the people with consideration and
I'm recognition that on the welfare OF the
territory tributary TO the railroad depend
ed largely the success bf the road Itself.
II Is 10 be the policy OF the enlarged Sea
board system to continue this method of
dealing with the country tributary TO IT'S
lines. and with the greater capital and adj
vantages secured by becoming a through
north and south line the management viii
have greater opportunities IN this difee-
tion
Between Cheraw and Columbia. S c..
the whole route is filed with workmen.
and this line will be finished by Decem-
Der 18Th. The line from kideeway, y
c.. TO Richmond. is 20 be ready I'M time
for the running of through trains IN con.
nection with the Pennsylvania railroad
and the Richmond. Fredericksburg and Po-
toInac between New York and Florida
points over the new system by January lst
Surveys have been made by the syndicate
for a lire from Augusta. Ga. TO Charles
ton $. C.. and for a continuation of this
line through Augusta go Athens Ga.
where it would strike the main line of the
Seahoard running 20 Augusta. This would
secure 4 direct route for the system b.
tween Charleston and Atlanta 10 is said
that the construction Of this line was M
der consideration