The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-05
FIGURING ON A NEW ROUTE.
RAILROAD MEN WONDERING WHAT
THE f. C. & II. WILL DO.


It's Through Business-Atlantic
Coast Line May BE Used Between
Cheraw and Denmark-AIso said
the Southern May Be Induced to
Continue the Present Route Until
the Completion of the Cheraw
ConnectiOn-OfHciaI Silent About
1t.
A question over which this end of the
railroad world is now rather divided is
that of the connection the Florida. Central
&, Peninsular will manage to make in or
der to keep up a through business from
FLORIDA to the East until such time as
its connecting link with the Seaboard
Air Line between Cheraw, S. c.. and Co
iumbia is finished. Nothing seems to be
known positively about the matter in Sa-
rannah, though there are two theories as
10 what will be done.
one is that the Seaboard Air Line and
the Florida Central and Peninsu'ar will
make a traffic arrangement with the At
lantic Coast Line. under which they will
be able to use its road between Cheraw
and Denmark. The other is that the
Southern Railway will be induced to con-
tinue to handle the through trains in con-
nection with the Florida Central and Pc
ninsular until the completion of the Che
raw-Columbia link of the Seaboard Sys-
tenn.
IL has been generally understood that
the Southern Railway would discontinue
its operations of trains in connection with
tine Florida Central and Peninsular on
- MIL aorir, aes
system for entry into Savannah and its
business south of here 1t is question as
TO whether the Southern would continue
TO handle trains for the Seaboard System
between Columbia and Washington until
the Cheraw extension Of the latter could
be completed
Vice President and General Manager
Cecil Gabbett of the Georgia and Ala
hama. under whose charge the northern
division Of the Florida Central and PENN
sular has been placed, was asked yester-
day if it has been decided by what route
the Florida Central and Peninsular will
continue it's through business. He an
swered that he was not then in a position
20 discuss the matter, as nothing definite
has yet been decided Mr.. Gabbett would
not say whether the route would be via
the Coast Line or continued as at pres
ent
Mr. w. w. Mackall, secretary of the
board OF directors OF me Georgia ana Ala
bama and a member of the general coun'
sci who is very close to President Will
lams of the Seaboard System, was also
seen He too said he had heard nothing
relative to any change in the present plan
Of handling the through business of the
Florida Central and Peninsular. Mr..
Mackall did not seem to think there would
be airy trouble encountered in making an
arrangement with the Southern for its
continuing to handle the business until
the completion of the Cheraw link if the
Seaboard System should express a desire
TO that effect. He had learned nothing,
however, to indicate just what viii be the
route.
The consensus of opinion is that it will
be via the Atlantic Coast Line. The Sea-
board Air Line, provided the Coast Line
would agree to the plan, could turn over
its trains to the latter at Cheraw. They
would then be brought down to Denmark,
via Sumter and Orangeburg, where they
would be turned over to the Florida Cen
trail and Peninsular That line would look
out for the rest. Returning, the through
trains would take the same route, which
is very short between Savannah and Rich
mond
1t is believed that there would be no
objection raised by the Coast Line to this
scheme. The Seaboard has a traffic ar
ranSement with it whereby its line will
be used from Weldon, ". c.. to Richmond,
and it is presumed that there would be
no difficulty about a temporary arrange
ment to cover the awkward position in
which the Seaboard finds itself on account
OF its connecting link being uncompleted.
President williams of the Seaboard
doubtless knows perfectly well what he is
about His announcement to the Morning
News some months ago was that
there would be through trains
over his system by Jan. ].
He has nearly a month left yet TO make
that promise good. BY that time, it is be-
heved' the Cheraw extension win be com
pIeted' and then continuous connection
VIII be afforded over the system from
tampa to Portsmouth. Later a line from
hldSeway to Richmond will be finished,
merely giving he system Its own read into
the latter city.
Inc Southern Railway may offer no OBJ
yecuon to handling the Florida Central and
Lehlnsular business time longer. From
me way IL cut off the Florida Limited its
ram from Cincinnati and other points,
ana IT'S sleeping car service in connection
Win the Georgia and Alabama- between
savannah and Atlanta some time go, how
tNer' II Is augured by some railroad men
pIat the chances are shaky for the Sea-
uodId getting out of the difficulty through
me lnstrumentality of the Southern unless
etdt line is offered something very sub
0'a"'ldt IN the way Of inducements.
~ reputation for complacency is enjoyed
~ the southern, which has always seemed
tta'Ier anxious to please other lines. It
Is d great system, and it is believed that
to"stueraole is found in that to induce Il
10 Try 10 keep on the best of terms with
iir Ier mes. Running roughshod over other
a. would create prejudice, it is believ-
w. AGAINST the. Southern, and rates would
Cul and harmony destroyed It is the
t1oNlhern's principle to maintain both to
''5 5.l .@St. The seaboard may be treated to
uiSplay of this complacency if it is de-
ied TO have the Southern continue han
r. RI me Florida Central and Peninsular's
trough business until the completion of
ne Cheraw connection.
r cone who are in a position to fudge
rseily closely as to what will be the ROME
~ DEC TO- insist that It viii still be
p outhern and the Florida Central and
mi. 'Is .iar. The strongest argument for
VIZ oeAef is that no announcement has
.'. oeen made of a change. IT is said IL
tnange were contemplated It would have