The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-08-09
PLAN PLEASES SAVANNAH.
CITIZENS GRATIFIED IN THE PROS
PECT OF UNION DEPOT.

Lands Began Last November.
Southern Came Into the Plan Lat
er-It Is Thought the Southern
VIII Run No Freight Trains at
First to savannah-PIant System
Keeps It's Freight Yards-Onices
VIII BE in the New BuiIdinS-RaiI-
roads Show Confidence in savan-
nah.
| All of Savannah was glad TO learn the
news of the union depot. The Morning
| News story of the plan of the railroads in
| terested n the project was widely read,
| and on all sides expressions of satisfac-
ton were heard. It had been known for
| some time that there was 10 be a passen-
! ser depot in Robertsville, for the Morn
| ing News published an account some
months ago of the Georgia and Alabama
! buying up lands, but it was not under
! stood that four other lines were in the
| scheme and that, instead of a passenger
station 10 be used by the Georgia and
! Alabama, and, perhaps. the Florida Cen
trail and Peninsular only, there would be
a building Of great size, ample accommo-
dations and every convenience for travel
ers into which trains of five railroads
would run.
1t was last November that the plan that
is about 20 eliminate in an up-to-date
station was set afoot. Mr.. w. w. Mack
all, then set to work to acquire the neces-
sary property. It was not long afterward
| that the news leaked out that the Geor-
! gia and Alabama was buying up Roberts
! vile. 1t was only parity correct for that
! Line was Interested in the movement to no
| greater extent than the Plant System and
! the Florida Central and Peninsular. They
! too, We're included In the scheme.
! The SOuthern's connection with the union
depot idea was of later date. At it's in
| ception it was not known that the South
! ern expected to enter Savannah. As long
! as it was ascertained that there seemed
| TO be a chance of the Southern coming
| in an invitation was extended 1t to enter
the union depot arrangements. 1t readily
| acquiesced, and some months ago that
road became a party to the union depot
/ project.
Nothing has thus far been learned as to
! the intention of the Southern regarding
the handling of its freight at Savannah.
Those who might know of any arrange
meut that would be made profess ignor-
ance OF what the line purposes doing for
| freight facilities, and it is surmised that
/ for time at all events the Southern ex-
| poets to cOnhne its attention to passenger
trahice No road as far as can be ascer-
| tanned, has had oveTtures made for the
| joint use of its depot or freight yards and
for that reason it is concluded the South
ern will remain content to look after pas
sengers only, until after it builds its own
| lire TO Savannah. When that has been
done there may be something further in
the way of railroad terminals.
The Plant System will not abandon it's
| freight yards. Their location on East
| Broad street is admirable and the removal
of the passenger trains 10 the union de
| pot will mean increased trackage in the
| yards for the manipulation of freight, The
| shops VIII also he the gamers in point of
space, for they viii be able 10 spread at
any time it may become necessary.
Neither is it thought likely that any of
the offices Of the Plant System win be
changed other than, perhaps, that of the
| superintendent of transportation AL
though there HI been no plans for the
new depot drawn it is the present expecta-
ton to build il with commodious offices at
the front. Such offices will be at the dis
position of the lines interested, all of
which Will be ION the ground floor" as it
We're, having equal rights and privileges.
No line will have the slightest advantage
over another so it is thought there will be
the same accommodation in the way of Of
fees provided for each. 1t is usually the
]
Gated at passenger deDOts, and for
this reason it is surmised that
connections of the operative desartments
OF an the lines interested wili be IN the
buildings.
An official of one Of the union lines sad
yesterday that there was once a time
| when the other lines at Savannah were
anxious to get in with the Central on its
property 1t was when the reorganiza
ton of the road was being effected il
was suggested by the executives of tht
other roads that a reservation be made
Of certain part of the Centrafs term
nal properly on West Broad street to b,
used for union depot purposes. It was de
sired 10 have joint ownership, the othel
Ines sharing alike with the Central in TIT
property to be devoted 10 the construction
OF a building and approaches. The execu
tiyes waned the property under eOnsid
Grafton withheld from The rest, which wa
10 be bonded. Tor some reason ii was no
done, il being understood, it is said. tina
there was a difficulty about its entir
or partial ownership leaving the Central
II was against the judgment Of the eXecu
lives, the official said. for their lines to e
into the depot scheme under a leasehoh
/ from the Contra, so the plan came t.
uau.ht
The great activity that is displayed b!
the railroads entering Savannah in max
ing such extensive and costly improve
ments in and about the city is taken L
mean they have the utmost confidence il
tie present business of the place and tn
, brightest expectations for its future Thei
; liberaHty in undertaking such substantial
; improvements as the construction o
; splendid terminals on Hutchnsons Islan
: and tho passenger station on West Broa'
street shows they expect proper returns 70
4 their investments In great Improvement
and additions the Central has made at IL
wharves the same spirit is shown, and Sa
vannan is now In the midst of the creates
activity and upbuilding in a railroad wa,
than ever before in her history
Ladies' Night at Isle of Hone.
The ladies will be awarded a handsom