Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-03
T. C. 4 P. PURCHASE
MIR. WILLIAMS DISCUSSES SOME OF
ITS FEATURES.
SEADOARD'S SHORT ROUTE SOUTH.
IL Will Re shorter Than Any other
when the II. T.. & G. and the south
feet on the Southern.

The purchase of the Florida Central and
Peninsular railway system by the syndi-
cate which recently acquired possession
Of the seaboard Airline was fruitful
topic in financial circles yesterday.
But the interesting feature of the story
of the purchase as published in yester-
days Dispatch, so far as the general pub
lie was concerned. was the statement. au-
thorized by a member OF the Williams
syndicate, to the effect that the Sea
board Airline would soon have a shorter
route from Washington to Jacksonville
than any competing line. The statement
was much discussed, and was scarcely
credited.
"The Seaboard route from Washington
20 Jacksonville win be shorter than any
other" said Mr.. John Shelton Williams,
president OF the Seaboard, yesterday af-
ternoon. Some connecting links OF road
will have to be constructed. When this
is done the statement made I'm the first
instance will be absolutely true. The
links / speak OF will be built"
THE OFFICIAL FIGURES.
Mr.. williams then referred the Dis
patch reporter 10 a comparative table OF
distances I'm substantiation OF his state
ment that the Seaboards route South
would be shorter than that of any OF his
competitors. The figures were on an
ordinary scratch pad in Mr. Williams
own hand. They were evidently made
some time ago.
The claim supposes the completion OF
the Richmond. Petersburg and Carolina
road from Ridgeway, y. c., to Rich
mond II also anticipates the building OF
q short ink from some point on the Sea-
board Air Line TO Columbia, :. c., the
northern terminus OF the Florida Central
and Peninsular. The figures prepared by
Mr. williams. which he made the reporter
verify from the Official Railway Guide
were as follows:
BY the Seaboard Air-Line-Washington
to Richmond. ia miles, Richmond 10
Ridgeway. 100 miles; Ridgeway TO Savan-
nah 3SS miles; Savannah to Jacksonville,
l39 miles. Total distance from Washing
ton to Jacksonville, m miles.
BY the Southern ailway-Washington
10 Danville. 239 miles; Danville TO Sayan-
nah, $50 miles; Savannah 10 Jacksonville.
l29 miles. Total from Washington 70
Jacksonville, 767 miles.
BY the Atlantic-Coast LAne-Washington
10 Richmond, III miles; Richmond to
savannah. 81 miles; Savannah to Jack
sonyille l72 miles. Total distance from
Washington to Jacksonville. 7@ miles.
THE CONNECTING LINK.
Mr.. Williams declined 10 state what
would be the course OF the link which
will be built in South Carolina connect
ing the Seaboard and the Florida Central
and Peninsular. II will not be 100 miles
in length. It will. Of course connect with
the Florida Central at Columbia.
II is a somewhat significant fact that
while the authorized statement given out
by the syndicate Wednesday only limited
al the probability OF tho Seaboard and
Florida Central systems being united
under one management. this is now
taken az a foregone conclusion. All plans
presume upon this being accomplished.
THE SOUTHERN NOT UNEASY.
Another feature OF the deal which at
tracts much attention is the fact that the
purchase of the new system gives 10 the
Se9board the control OF the Southern's
Florida branch. II IS impossible 60 obs
tain an authoritative statement regard
ing the probable attitude Of the new sys-
TEN towards tho Southern. and a PROPOSE
ton to continue. after the expiration Of
the present contract. the arrangements
which the latter has heretofore had with
the Florida Central from Columbia TO
Jacksonville.
Nobody is going 10 throw away good
business" said an official OF the Southern
yesterday. 81 don't care whether II is an
Individual or corporation that has the
say. good business is going 10 be held, II
possible. So ] predict that the Southens
present arrangements with the Florida
Central will continue In force"