The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-10
THE soUrHHRN's ROUTE SOUTH
Mr.. st. John. of the Seaboard, has Faith
in/t South.

Mr.. st. John, of the Seaboard, has Faith
in/the South.
According to a Richmond dispatch,
President Williams, of the Seaboard Air
Line, and Mr.. Middendorf, a capitalist of
Baltimore, who is largely interested in
various industrial enterprises south, have
returned from an extended tour through
this section. These and others acting
with them have recently acquired large
tracts of land in the iron ore belt of
Alabama. 1t is the purpose of the man
ayers of the Seaboard Air Line to pene-
trate through to Florida, forming
through trunk line between the north and
the tropical south. This line will pass
not a great distance from the tract re-
Gently acquired.
The penetration of the Seaboard Air
Line south means great deal to the de-
velopment of the section. The recent
great advance in price of iron and the inn
mense demand for this metal have given
a great impetus to the industry in Ala
banla and elsewhere in the south. This
increase in the price of the products of
smelling works has already put for
tune in the hands of Richmond capital
mines.
Vice President and General Manager
st. John has sent to southern publica
ton a list of improvements and new i'm
dustries in 80 towns on the system. show
ing the boom that is on in the southeast
ern territory Mr.. St John says:
Business generally never was better
at this time of year, and the prospects
fap no fi.f4, II nCrlxr hriry
Surely no section of the country offers
superior advantages to the investor than
that traversed by the Seaboard Air
Line"
1t is reported that the Southern Rail
way has made an agreement whereby
it's route from New York to Florida
points will be by the Pennsylvania rail
road from New York to Washington, by
the Southern Railway from Washington
to Alledale, by the Charleston and West
Carolina to Yemassee. and from Yemas-
see over the Plant System by way of
Savannah and Waycross to Florida
points.
The PENNSYLVANIA Railroad. which has
been notably successful in its practical
following of the merit system policy in
its operation. has. it is announced, prac-
tically decided to add complimentary
feature to that policy in the shape of
pensions for employees retired at the age
of 10. The pension allowance will be
based upon length of service and aver
age wages. and will be administered in
harmony with the employees relief fund.
In the history of the Pennsylvania rail-
road there have been several remarkable
instances of the advantages to be derived
from fidelity to the company's interests
and ability to advance from the shops |
to the presidency. The pension system
is an addition to the benefits enjoyed
by the employees Of the company.
The Alabama Great Southern Railroad
has perfected ait Birmingham a school OF
instruction. The object of the school is
to get the employees of the railroad to-
gether in an organization of their own.
and then discuss and exchange views
on all questions relating to railroading.
What to do in case of certain accidents
will be discussed in full A number of
experts in the employ of the road will
frequently give talks and lectures at
these meetings, such as Superintendent
Wickershanl. on Transportation" Mas
ter Mechanic w. III. Cox. ON Air
Brakes Chief Train Dispatcher Ed
wards, on 1.-THE Handling of Trains
The report that the Seaboard Air
Line will use the Pennsylvania traces
from Quantico to New York has been
officially confirmed. Passenger traffic
arrangements with the Pennsylvania
from the terminus of the r., #. and
y. to Washington and thence to New
York have been concluded said
high official of the Seaboard to a Wash
ington Post correspondent. When the
r., p. and G. division from Richmond
to Ridgeway is completed we will use
the r., r. and +. to Quantic9. thence
the Pennsylvania TO New York. The
Seaboard route from New York t.
Tampa, when the r.. =. aai c. and lie
link from Cheraw to Columbia shall
have been completed, viii be ahodt fifty
miles shorter than any Other. The
official declined to discuss The report
that the Seaboard Will build a line
from Richmond to Washington.