The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-13
BAY STREET TRACK FAVORED.


Williamson street to he sidewalk on the
north side of Bay street and run down the
walk TO the exchange. spur tracks could
then be constructed to the business houses
on each side, giving each house its own
track. From Barnard street turn should
be made back down Bay street 70 West
Broad street There would be plenty Of
room by moving the street car tracks TO
one side Only one Of the TWO tracks of
the switch between jefferson and West
Broad streets is used anyway"
Mr.. A. M. Leffier of the a. Letter Com
pany said that mis- company coniemplates
an early move from Bay street to the
warehouses, and so is not particularly in
terested in 4 track on Bay street He
was inclined TO think that business could
be more satisfactorily handed from the
warehouses.
Mr. W. D. simkins said hat he would
be delighted 70 have railroad track on
Bay street
Alderman D. r. Thomas said that he
might vote 70 grant the request of the
railway company, but there must first be
very definite understanding of The con-
ditions on which the tracks are 10 be
constructed and these conditions must be
positively defined in a manner which will
leave no ground for doubt or dispute in
the future. Just what conditions he
thought should be imposed Mr.. Thomas
was not ready to state. lie does not be
lieve, however, in granting valuable fran
chises TO corporal tons or individuals with
out an adequate return 10 the city.
Alderman j. 2. Williams said he had rot
given the matter any consideration. He is
not decided as to what position he VIII
take. There are arguments both pro and
con-" he said. III is undoubtedly to the
interest of the city 10 sustain the value
of the Pre- pc ty on Bay street. The remov-
al of business to the railroad warehouses
may benefit the railroads, bat ii will be
decided injury TO private property owners.
As | see the matter at present, l am OPP
posed to giving advantages to any one
railroad which viii not be enjoyed by 9th
err reads. Whatever contract Is entered into
by the city for this purpose Ii shou d be
required that the tracks should be open
to access TO all roads entering the city, or,
if the railroads prefer a different arrange
ment, hat the company controlling the
tracks shal be permitted 10 make only
| limited transfer charge
Capt. D. G. Purse, president of the
Board of Trade, believes strongly that the
petition of the Georgia and Alabama RAN
way should be granted. but thinks there
are certain points which should be care
fully watched by Council THE grant
should be to the Georgia and Alabama
Railway Company" he said, "and not 10
the Terminal Company, and should re
coupled with a condition that the head
quarters of the system of which the rain
way is a part shall remain al Savannah.
| This condition should have been made
when Hulchinson's Island was granted to
the company, but ii was not and now is
The accepted time 10 save this advantage
to Savannah ard stop the rumors of re-
mOval of headquarters which. are current
on the streets. | have the most friendly
feeling for the Georgia and Alabama Rail-
way and its official heads Much has been
done for Savannah by their skilful NOV
| ing on the railroad chess board, but much
| of these great and abundant advantages
| will be taken from us by the removal of
| headquarters to Richmond, Baltimore or
| New York. Let any arrangement agreed
upon, therefore, be confirmed and sealed
! forever by an act of the Legislature soon
| to assemble, and Savannah's interests VIII
/ be safe, and not otherwise
Capt Purse is also Of the opinion that
the railway company should be authorized
| and required to extend its tracks to the
| extreme eastern end of Bay street to a
| connection with the Pant System in or
| der to assure that there win be no en-
| gorgement Of freight by reason of the lack
| of facilities on River street.
A gentleman who is interes led neither in
| business nor property on Bay or West
Broad streets said, in speaking of the ptop-
| ostion to Council, that il would lie a Sc
! rious mistake for the city 10 grant the
| right to any railway to use West Broad
street. The street railway company" he
| said, has more lines and operates more
cars on West Broad street Than on any
street in the city. This in Itself would fur
n'sh a serious objection 10 the use Of the
| street by a steam railway. In addition to
| this there is a great deal Of traffic of all
descriptions on West Broad street, espe-
cially along that portion which the rail-
way desires 10 use, and with the steady
growth of the western section of the city,
rf1x
With freight trains N frequent operation
on this street frequent accidents would be
almost uuaVoida BILE.
"A much safer route" said he, land one
which would cause little inconvenience to
business traffic and pedestrians would be
from the conpany's property on Stewart
street around by West Boundary street to
one of the less important streets of Yama-
craw leading to the vicinity of Bay or
Williamson street. This route, if a little
longer, would probably prove more econ
omieaI to the company, as there is no paw
ing on West Boundary street, and the ex-
pense Of construction would be much less
The liability to accidents would also be
greatly reduced as there is but little tiati'c
of any kind on West Boundary street. The
! line could follow the canal bank. crossing
under the Central Railway culvert"
President w. w. Mackall of the Georgia
Construction Company, when told of the
said that he was glad to have the subject
freely discussed. I'VE have simply offer
ed the people of savannah he said "the
opportunity to obtain something of which
they confessedly stand in need, and which
we believe would greatly benefit a large
number of property owners and business
men, as well as ourselves. If they do not
choose TO accept of it we shall not be
out anything. We have our terminals here
and we expect to do our full share of the
business anyway"
Il think the record of the Georgia and
Alabama Railway to date" said Mr..
Mackall, us that we have fully lived up
to all our promises to the city, and that
this should be sufficient guarantee that we
will continue to do so in the future. The
company will make no objection to rea>
sonable restrictions and conditions, but If
the proposed Improvement will be of ben
eft to the city, and Council so regards il,
1 fail to see why the desired permission
should be hampered with adverse condi-
tons"
Mr.. Mackall said that the headquarters