The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-04-16

Br W. u. l,lmistian.l


ID. \. Tompkins. Of Charlotte. touching
tho recent brilliant railroad perform
ances Of young Mr.. John SHELTON WI
Iams, Of Richmond. Mr. TonpkinS Is
ons of the most prosperous men Of Norh
Carolina. and one of the most thorough
~ posted men in matters pertaining to
the industrial development Of the Sonth
Il have no Doubt said Mr.. Iomu-
kins, that the extension Of the Sea.
board system as it is being accomplish
cd Ly MIR. Williams. will he of great adj
vantage to the South. 1t will increase
the tendency for development on each
OF the Vines that were formerly separate
lines. hut VIII now h come one new and
large system. 1T will naturally give bet
ter facilities both Of passenger and
freight service to a large number of peo-
pie Who heretofore have not been ON
any through line of comprehensive ra.l-
way system. For some years past the
Seab0ard system has been fortunate in
falling into strong hands Mr. Hoffman
was "A man Of great ability. When Mr..
st. John came to the system, he greatly
increased the strength of the Seaboard
manage ment. Now that Mr.. Hoffman 5
disposed partially to retire, Mr.. lobe
SHELTON Williams will come to the head
of the system Mr.. Williams is yet 4
young alan AMI is known to be ON cl
great talent. having large reserve
strength for work. The increased mile
age that Mr.. Williams has brought to
the system and the increased vain" rhai
his youth brings to the management WI
without doubt not only benefit the road,
but The entire section Of the country
through which the various parts Of the
system go.
III, has been SAID cominudl Mr..
TompkiGs that this new combination m.iI
gave had effect lamn the Southern
Railway. | do not think so. 1t viii not
injurc it in the slightest degree The
South is growing very rapidly; new man
Ifa,tur;ng plants are being built With
astonishing frequency. farming interests
Rave developed on better lines. and There
is really need for more transportation
facilities. This enlarged service of the
ScahCard simply meets the requirements
Vt ahe development OF the country 1t
akcs nothing from the Southern. The
greater part eff til two systems are not
competitive. but each system is devcl-
ping certain sections Of the country, not
much touched 10y the other. There are
several crossing points and common t.r-
nGqlalS of course. lEdt in the main cuch
ystem has ample territory. the develop
npnt Of which win keep III busy With
decreasing manufactures and tendency
e the farming slement to come to the
South, both systems will undoubtedly
ave IN opportunity TO grow
This young joan Skel,on Williams is
carce turned thirty five. Some folks
think he happened suddenly But men
who do big things nowadays DO not hlp-
pen this way While financiers, specially
failrOad men, are maryelling at the spled-
Tor OF this young mans recent perform
tnce, the wealthy old dodgers in Rich
mond who have known him since he was
/ lad grunt and say: Not aG all sur
prised; always knew the boy had it in
him.. In the last fifteen years. john
Skeltoa Williams has put in about seven
md half years ct extra work while the
est Of the world was asleep. He is Il
ate worker n0w. He never stops work
ny lie is rs intent upon his problems
Is Edison is upon his He is so bUsy,
be wouldn't have time for se}f-com-
mendation. even if he wanted to. He
Font seem TO be conscious of what he
las done. IL has in his own mind only
One 10 his goal by degrees. and that is
d. His father has been a Banker for
years in Richmond. He had above other
things integrity accuracy and broad
gagged foresight based upon Il scholar
ship. The hoy went to wvrk sarly, and
he absorbed everything his ia her had
to impart to him. His greatest powers
today lies in the confidence with which
men Of money regard his word and his
Judgment He is head Of the short st
line from Washington to Tampa, and the
system over which he has control .akcs
mp the substance of the country ii
touches like a sponge. Many men had
bCen fGiled in buying for certain in
icre- the SealIoard Air Line. john
Skeit0n Williams bought it, Nine hun-
bred more miles remained TO he added in
he Florida. Central and Peninsula,
making $500 miles in all. Only wkk.n
a recent date Mr. Williams was inf the
aCad of Il line of ro;td running from
Savannah. Cal to Montgomery Ala .
Ills road is known as the Georgia and
Alaiana Railroad which is the re-oIt
gaflilation Of the old Savannah Ame,i-
us and Montgomery road. The Flor
'da, Central and Peninsula system reach
Is from Columbia. s. C., to 1'anb]l Fla.
going through Savannah and Jackson
Vile besides having various branches in
Florida. i am told that line is to he
hlFlt very soon from Hamlet to Column
5ia which will be almost the hypothe-
ause Of Il right angled triangle.
The line now building from Petersburg
to Iidgeway will save 30 miles between
Atianta and Washington. and the run,nr
) that the Baltimore and Ohio in coop
ration with the Seaboard, will build
inc between Washington and Quantico.
If 0ne will study the map, and is inter
astcd in the South, the accomplishment
VI these things will " Ugh tons.
/ do non believe the people of North
Carolina have yet realized what is al
eady ut their doors. 1t comes too ut
time when the liquidation from the last
panic has about been completed. 1t comes
at the beginning of what will probably
bc the three years Of greatest industrial
activity this country has ever known
Even one year ago, money would not
nave been turned loose for She Launching
~ 50 colossal scheme. The time is
ipe now, and when men Of money look