Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-20
Mr., WILLIAMS TALKS.
He Outlines the Future Policy Of
the SeaboaId Airline
Be ABSOLUTELY INDEPENDENT
Three Other SyndicateS Tried to Pur-
chase the Road.
OFFICERS NOT YET ELECTED
a1ofr. Of r.. p. q G. in statu Quo
But Suggestion rs to Extension'
paint. IN It's Inclusion in the Ar
raneenerts-To Develop South
OFFICERS NOT YET ELECTED
raneenerts-To Develop south.

New YORK, Wnere ne mas pcNh ~ N
ence with other members of the syndi-
cate which has secured control of the |
Seaboard Airline.
To a Dispatch reporter last night MT
Williams said that he was feeling paruc-
ularly well pleased over the result OF the
negotiations in view OF the active COM
petition that had been encountered ana
overcome. No less than three syndicates
were I'm the field, and the resources OF
one OF them at least, were to all intents
and purposes exhaustless. In New York
On wednesday. Mr.. Williams says,
prominent financler told him that the an
norncement of the safe of the Seaboard
Airline 10 the Richmond and Baltimore
syndicate was to him a most Dltter uis-
appointment, for he had formed syndi-
cate TO purchase the road and a repre-
sentative had been instructed to submit
a proposal 70 President Hoffman when
the news arrived that the transaction
was closed This gentleman said that he
| did not even know that the negotiations
| were going on between the Williams syn
| dicate and Mr. Hoffman. He was con-
I vinced that had he been able 10 secure
| the road he would have made several
| million dollars out of the transaction
OFFICERS NOT CHANGED YET.
| The Williams syndicate has secured
| controlling interest in the steam packer
| and the Seaboard and Roanoke. IheIF
| has been no change in the officers up 10
| This time and Mr.. Williams declined 10
| commit himself as to the time Wheh al,
| elertion would be held. He also refused
! 70 discuss the statement so widely eircu-
| lated and generally accepted as autneh-
tic that himself will be chosen presiueh'
| of the system ,o.or.-
burg and Carolina railroad remain III
| statu quo. said Mr.. Williams, ana no de-
velopments are looked for in that direc-
,,,-,f. 70 .--st yofai dag, nt-fenss.
| Mr. Williams left for Savannah, Ga.'
last night to attend a meeting OF the dI-
rectors of the Georgia and Alabama oi
| which he Is president. and expects 10 re-
turn tomorrow or Saturday at which
time he SAYS. there may be interesting
| statements to be made.
POLICY OF THE SYNDICATE.
Mr. Williams has outlined the policy ol
the Seaboard Airline under the new
management I'm an interview Which WI
annear today in the Manufacturers re
cord In this interview Mr.. Williams
says: ,rr
"trnder the able management OF Mt
Hoffman and Mr. ST. john the Seaboar'
has been a potent factor in the ueVeioP
ment Of the South. The poicy OF deVei
onment will be pursued with vigor, AM
tha neonIe along the line may be assure'
thot there will be no backward step. l
will he the aim of those who nave nov
come into control of this system to Civ
| every possible aid and encouragement I
tho extension Of commercial interests q
the Seaboanl. to the growth or manutac
tures along hhe entire system, 10 the vi
verslfcationl Of agriculture ana TO IN
. most intelligent work Of drawhg popula
60, and new capital into this territory
We recognize the mutualty of interest
that the prosperity of the road depehu
: upon the prosperity Of the country-ai'
uritb that i'm view we shall work for IN
Advancement Of the whole country WIN
!, IS tributary 10 our lines.
"The South has made wonderful pre-
: eress. but what ii has accomplished
L only the beginning. It's growth in n
!, next few years WILL l am sure, be create
than that of any period in the past, an
> in this progress we expect to'see the SCI
hoard do it's full duty to the country an
rean the full benefit Of increased bus
ness.
WILL, BE ABSOLUTELY INDEPENl
:, ENT.
% oI may add" said Mr.. Williams TN
- our policv is to maintain the Seaboard
I an absolutely Independent line, ana the
;, need he no fear as TO its absorption
n any other system. 1t will be abundant
~ ahIe 10 take care of itself and to play
o. leading part in every good work ior u
/, advancement of the South, and we no
~ not only TO retain all the friendly int
ii est given 10 its former management
" 10 still further strengthen its aoid up
;. the good will Of the people
of RESOURCES OF THE COUN TRY.
T, ."rhe men Interested in the purchase
r. the Seaboard Airline" says Mr.. w
C. uams. recognize, first, the remarkaI
n combination of wealth ana traiiic-cre'
be ing resources of the country sfetchl
from Norfolk and Portsmouth Uhe I
n Ioptic terminus of the line) 10 Allan
81 and second. the inherent strength or
seaboard system and its great possib
tics Reaching from Norfolk to Altar
In almost an airline the Seaboard :.
ut tenn runs through the very heart and c.
a. tra ~ what has been called the futl
rf eitus of cotton manufacturing OF
IS world It's branch lines bisect
- stretching from Wilmington. on the cof
.ly 10 the mountains at Rutherfordton'
,e- with its many connections. II covers
OF most this entire territory. The cott'
*. mills Immediately on the line OF this r.
o. represent an investment OF probably m
nd than sl2.OO0000, and operate over Jo
lie splndles. while mills than can be reac
er by the connections of this system wo
add easily another half million spino
TO the textile interests already, In WI
or part. tributary TO the Seaboard. IN
-, mills have been notedly successful
.,s monstrating In every way the adyanta
s os this territory for this industry. W
the steady development of the practic'
III unlimited water-powers along this II
To- and the rapid expansion OF cotton ma
ne features. az yet practically In It's infai
a. compared with what II will be. II
VI reasonable to predict that no other ec
railroad mileage will in the future be
TO show a greater cotton industry.
% EXTENSIONS TO BE MADE.
,he "put cotton IS only one industry.
~ territory IS rich In its ADVANTAGES of
,s,- minerals. lumber, and climate. The "
ma, ,ohacco business OF Carolina, Win
- s,,,... - . Invested caDital Is largely