The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-05
LOTION IS GENERAL MANAGER
SUCCEEDS CAPT. JOHNSTON IN
CHARGE OF STREET RAILWAYS.

Lotions appointment n Surprise
and Generally Commented Upon in
view of His 'ReSfgning City
OnIce-Mr. I. u. Kinsey Elected
His SueceSsOr-MOre Promises of
an Improved Service by street
Railway People.
Mr.. II. NJ. Lotion has been appointed
general manager of the Savannah Thun-
derbolt and Isle of Hope Railway, and
will enter upon the discharge Of his duties
tomorrow. While changes in the man
agement of the street railway have been
anticipated for some time, they were not
looked for in that direction. The appoint
unent comes as a surprise, inasmuch as
MIR. Lotion has had no experience In street
railways. but it is a source of pleasure
TO MIR. Lotions friends, who have faith
in mis- ability.
The appointment was the occasion for
other changes in city offices, and also in
the street railway, but the vacant notches
were filled with clock-like prompiness, 80
that ofiiceseekers win not have any need
TO exercise themselves.
l''Hh'+NAt
erintendent of the water works, made va
cant by his resignation which was accept
ed at a called meeting of Council yester-
day afternoon, was flied by the election
of Ingram T. Kinsey. who has for several
years been chief engineer at the Springfield
pumping station. His election is the recog-
milton of faithful and efficient service In
the water department
Capt ]. H. Johnston. the retiring gen.
eral manager of the street railway, will re-
main with the company as its treasurer.
When it was intimated recently that
changes We're likely, the belief was enter
tanned that Capt Johnston's removal as
general manager would not sever his con-
nection with the street railway, but that
he would stll be retained in an important
position. His duties as treasurer, it is stat
ed will include the auditing of accounts
and other matters that come within the
scope of the company's local financial man
agement.
A more energetic management, the eff
ficent direction of Improvements it is said
that will be made in the near future, and
a general betterment of the street rail-
way service. are given as the principal
objects of the change. Without critics.
ing the former management, the board of
man in charge of the roads local affairs,
whose duty is to better the car service
and put it more in touch with the public.
The purpose is said to be to make the
service what the public will approve. With
this in view the directors announce hat
Mr.. Lotion viii assume absolute control
of the entire system, his duty being TO
direct its operations and recommend such
changes as the immediate Improvement of
4 IL mill In \,
responsible for the service, be it good or
bad, and the public will know
where to place the responsibility.
Mr.. Lotion has wide field
before him, and If, without experience, he
succeeds In giving Savannah satisfac-
tory street railway service, he win be en-
titled to a monument. The public has
suffered long from an Indifferent service
1t remains to be seen whether il Is to
continue to suffer. Mr.. Lotions appoint
ment, while 1t was a surprise in one way.
was commented upon as an appropriate
return TO the city for the almost unlimited
franchises It has given the street railway
company. It may be that the aldermen
who have not read the street railways
contract with the city will now find time
TO do so. and see that IL is enforced Here
tofore there has been a general complaint
among city officials that they were unable
L
manager is now responsible for any fail
ure on the part of the street railway in
this direction. Some of his closest friends
In the Council are on record for a strict
enforcement of the ordinances relating to
operation of the street railways. Mayor
Myers, although a director in the railway
company, said in his letter of acceptance
OF the nomination that he was for an en-
forcement of the laws relating to corpo-
ri ion np1xr cfr
If there is any inclination on the part of
the new management of the railways TO
comply with the laws of the city or 10 en-
force them il will very soon be apparent
The change by which Mr. Loften takes
charge was systematically planned It
having apparently understood who would
succeed him. The City Council made its
changes without friction, and The street
railway had everything arranged for the
change from its end of the line. All the
changes contemplated were promptIv
made, so that there is no Inconvenience
either to the city or the street railway
Mr.. Lotion was approached some dsvs
ago II is stated, and rendered the position
of general manager of the railway. He
agreed to take the offer under advisennent
he said, and after brief consideration
agreed 20 accept It, on condition. that he
be given entire control The object of his
car service on an improved basis. and in
assuming the responsibility, he did not
care to be restricted in the exercise of his
own Judgment on all occasions. 1t is
stated this was agreed to by the directors.
whereupon Mr.. Lotion prepared his res
ignation as superintendent of the water
works
While Mr.. Lotion did not file his resig-
nation until after u O'Clock, it was rumor-
ed there were to be important changes an
the street railway during the day. Act
ing Mayor Tiedeman was advised that the
resignation had been fled and as Mr.,
Lotion desired immediate action taken on
IT, so that he would be ready to take
charge of his new Office tomorrow a epe-
cial meeting of Council was called The
board did not spend much time in caucus.
Acting Mayor Tiedeman announced that
the resignation of Mr.. Lotion had been
received, and after ii had been read and
accepted, called for nominations for his
successor.
Mr.. Kinsey was nominated, and there
being no objection, he was promptly elect
ed. The position does not so to him as a
political reward. but is a promotion won