The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-11-18
NO CHANGES ARE IMPENDING.
PRESIDENT ERWIN SAYS PLANT
OFFICIALS REMAIN AS AT
PRESENT.

vice President Morton Il. Plant
Both In the CIty-Hr. Erwin Reas-
sures Any Who Might Entertain
Doubts of the stability of Their
PosItiOns-The New Relationship
Between the Plant system ana the
sOuthern-Mr. Erwin Favors tho
Home Manufacture of Home Pro-
ducts-AdvIses "a Refinery II IL Can
he shown Practicable and Profit
nbIe-NOt the Policy of the System
10 Invest in Such Enterprises.
Railroad News and Notes.
The two leading officials of the Plant
System are in the city. They are Presi-
dent r. G. Erwin and Mr.. Morton f.
Plant, VINO is in charge of the steamship
lines of the system The gentlemen will
remain in the city and section for some
days, in fact, until after the series of an
nual meetings of the stockholders of the
Plant System has been held.
Mr.. Erwin came in from the North, ac-
companied by Mr.. F. dec, Sullivan. assist
ant to the president, and Mr.. w. R. Sui
livan, mis- secretary. MIR. Plant came in
by way of the Central yesterday after
noon, both gentlemen travelling In their
private cars.
During the day Mr. Erwin was busy
locking after matters of importance in
connection with the railways and bust
ness of the law firm of Messrs. Erwin, du-
Bignon, Chisholm & Clay. He was seen
during the afternoon and asked about mat
tiers relating to the Plant System.
In view Of the fact that since his eleva-
ton to the presidency Of the system there
has been considerable talk OF possible
changes among the officials, Mr. Erwin
was asked If there are any impending
changes. His reply was in the negative
and it was clearly conveyed by his answer
that the present organization is very like
ly TO be the permanent one. Reports have
been printed that Maj Bradford Durham
general superintendent of the system
would, for one resign his position. Mai.
Durham himself denied to the Morning
News some time ago that he con-
templated any such action, and the state
ment of the president should certainly re-
lieve any further apprehension of the gen.
eral superintendent taking any such ac-
ton.
Mr.. Erwins declaration regarding the
official force of the system will doubtless
be of no little comfort to officials, and
those who are employed under them In the
conduct Of the business. When the head
of a department is changed, it Is by no
means infrequently the case that the new
man has following. That following has
TO be provided for, and 1t means the loss
of positions for some and their supplanting
by others who have probably been under
the new official elsewhere.
Mr. Stewart r. Knott, who is to be
elected to the vice presidency of the Plant
System at the annual meetings that be.
| q DC in
Erwin said it viii be about Jan / that
Mr.. Knott will assume the dudes of his
new position. II is not believed the ac-
cession of that gentleman to the vice
presidency will be followed by any changes
in the official personnel of the system.
The Plant System and the Southern
bear a new relationship to each other
that of the closest allies. Mr.. Erwin COM
mented upon the new friendship, saying
that the operation of trains Jointly by the
two lines will shortly begin Tomorrow
will see the first trains of the Southern
turned over to the Plant System at Jesup.
being taken from the Florida Central and
Peninsular, with which the Southern has
heretofore affiliated. on Dec 10 the first
trains will be brought in by the Southern
over the Plant System tracks via the for
mer's new connection between Columbia
and Perry, S. c., and Yemassee on the
| Plant System.
Since he has been at the North Mr. En-
win has had but little opportunity to make
a careful study of matters of commercial
or industrial importance to this section
Such, however, is his intention. He said he
would soon take up che consideration OF
the syrup industry along his line
L believe" said Mr.. Erwin that The
products of this section should find ready
market here. Between producer and con-
sumner there should be no vast distance TO
be traversed, and raw material of this re-
gion should find manufacturers at hand
ready to buy for ifs conversion into the
form in which ii is offered to the public
for sale. Such is beginning to be the case
with cottons the establishment of many
factories In the South affording the far
mers market for their crop"
The conversation being upon sugar. the
introduction by Mr.. Erwin of this fea-
ture of home manufacture of articles from
home products. prompted the query as to
N-cther he favors the erection of sugar
rehnery at Savannah or some other point
conveniently located for the needs of far
mers of this section. The reply was as
follows
yes, If it can be done practically and
proftably. That is a matter have not
Investigated. do not know what chances
OF successful operation a refinery would
have. One would be in conformance with
' the policy l advocate of home manufacture
OF home products, but upon the question
Of its being made to pay l cannot speak
The Plant System would be very glad TO
zee such an enterprise successfully con-
Quoted"
Does your advocacy mean Mr.. Erwin.
that you would be ready to put money into
a refinery, say to go In with portion of
the stock in a company formed for the
operation of a refinery
NO" was the reply 1T would he
poor policy for railway companies 10 be-
| come financially interested in any COM
/ mercial or industrial enterprises along
their lines. They would be left open 10
I the charge of favoring point at which
such interests might lie to the detrimeht
OF another where the roads had no other
} business than that of hauling passengers
/ and freight The Plant System has len
been asked to invest In such enterprises.
but 1t has always had 10 make the same