The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-11-10
PASSENGER ACCOMMODATIONS.
Mr.. SPRUNT'S REPORT Of CONFERENCE
WITH A. C. |. GENERAL MANAGER
Report Read Before Directors of Mer-
chants Association Yesterday-Mr.
Kenly Hopes to Grant Wishes of the
Merchants Next Spring - Cannot
port I'm Full.

Change Servic at Present-The Re-
port in Full.
The most important matter which
engaged the attention of the board of
directors of the Wilmington Merchants
Association during their regular No
vember meeting held yesterday was
that of obtaining better passenger ac-
comnodations On through rains from
New York and intermediate cities to
Wilmington. The feature of the meet
ing was the reading of d report by Mr..
James Sprunt. as chairman of the spe-
ctal committee appointed by the board
to confer with the Coast Line officials
regarding the improved facilities.
Mr.. Sprunt's report was written and
in connection with it he made a YER
bal statement to the effect that in an
interview recently Mr.. Kehly, general
manager Of the Atlantic Coast Line,
said hat he is very DESTROYS of grant
ing the wishes Of the merchants OF
Wilmington with reference to better
passenger accommodations on through
trains to and from Wilmington and
hoped in the spring to effect a change
which will remove the
complained of, it being impossible to
take action before that time, owing to
conditions which could not be referred
to in detail. The following is the writ
ten report submitted to the board of
directors by Mr.. Sprunt, to-wit:
wilmington, N. c., Nov. 4, 1893.
ITO w. A. Johnson, Esq, President,
Merchants Association of Whining
ton
"Sir:-We, your committee appointed
to confer with the general manager
of the Atlantic Coast Line railroad,
for the purpose of obtaining better
passenger accommodation on through
trains from New York and in
termediate cities to Wilmington, re-
sspectfully report that two conferences
have been held with Major Kenly who
received us courteously.
"Our first proposal that one of the
through daily trains from the north be
sent by the old route. via Wilmington,
instead of by the short cut. to the
south, was met by a decided negative;
the general manager stated that such
a change would be fatal to their traffic
arrangement for both passenger and
mail service, and that it was not to be
entertained for a moment.
Our second proposal was for a
through Pullman car service from
Washington to Wilmington to arrive
at 9:45 a. m, the passengers to be un-
disturbed at Wilson and the car to re-
main overnight at that junction; also
that a through sleeper be sent from
Wilmington by the evening train
which would connect at Wilson with
out disturbing the Wilmington passen-
gers at the unreasonable hour of IL
o'clock p. m.
ITO these suggestions the general
manager objected because he said the
trains were already as heavy as they
could be run on the schedule and it
was impossible to increase their ca
pacity, the limit of which was already
reached. He promised however to con-
slider the matter carefully and if it is
possible to afford better facilities he
will do SO within a reasonable time.
"Our conference developed some in
teresting features with reference to To-
cal trains. Major Kenly stated that
the Atlantic Coast Linz was running
six daily passenger accommodation
trains to Wilmington, only one of which
has been at all profitable; they also
employ a large force of skilled and
unskilled laborers, besides many ex-
pert employees, clerks, accountants etc.
the cost of which enters largely into
the revenues of Wilmington; also that
it was the policy of his company to
provide for the merchants and travel
lerS of Wilmington every reasonable
facility consistent with sound business
principles.
1--WE are disappointed in our unsuc-
ycessfu1 efforts to secure the benefits or
convenience desired but we hope that
after reflection the general manage
of the Atlantic Coast Line may find
some way to mitigate, or overcome,
the discomfort to Wilmington passen-
gers OF changing car at Wilson at in
convenient hours.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES SPRUNT,
&c. w. WORTH,
WIN e. SPRINGER,
"B. II. J.. AHRENS,
"E. P. BAILEY,
Committee"
Following the reading of the report
by Mr.. Sprunt there was a general dis
cussion of the situation and expression
of qualification at the work accom-
plished already by the committee which
was continued in the service with
thanks for what has already been
done.
Other than the matter of improved
passenger accommodations there was
no business of public interest trans
acted by the directors. Those present
were Vice President NJ. w. jacob (pre-
siding), Mr.. George r. French, Mr.. K.
w. Hicks, Mr.. william NESTLE, Mr..
A. B. Shedding. Mr.. Dewitt Love and
Mr.. s. III. FiShblate.