The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-01-05
INDEPENDENT SYSTEM NEEDED

We publish elsewhere Il statement
from Mr. John Shelton Williams, presi-
dent of the Seaboard Air Line system,
answering a telegram from Mr.. Ryan
printed i'll these columns about the Doth
of December.
The people of Raleigh have felt deep
interest in the success of the consolida-
tion undertaken by Mr.. Williams be
cause it means that Raleigh is at last
to be on a great through line betweeh
New York and Tampa When the late
roe to Atlanta. he believed he would be
able to make arrangements for through
trains. but was not able to do so north
of Washington. Mr.. Williams, by the
purchase of two great systems i'll South
Carolina, Georgia and Florida OWNS all
his Southern lines to Tampa: by the
new line from Ridgeway to Richmond.
nearly completed, OWNS the line to Rich
mond; and by contracts already made
can run the Florida trains through from
Richmond to New York city. The litiga-
tion, Ryan's fight and difficulty in bridg-
ing have delayed the contamination of
these plans. 1t is to hoped that the
obstacles are now nearly ut an end and
that the people of Central North Caro-,
lima can shortly have the benefits of Il
through line.
The whole State has been anxious for
Mr. Williams and his associates to sue
ceed because they have felt that the
success of Mr.. Ryan meant that the
Seaboard will fall into the ownership of
the same men who own the Southern
Railway, and that all Central and Yves
tern North Carolina would be at the
mercy of one railroad. There is bust
ness enough for two great systems west
Of the great Atlantic Coast Line sys-
TEN. The absorption of either would he
unfortunate, destroying all hope Of that
competition which has its best effect IN
developing the country through which
it passes. II the Southern and Sea-
board should both be owned by the same
system, all the profits would be can
ried to New York owners. If owned by
two rival systems they would vie with
each other in building feeders and in
making business for the roads. AS an
example of the good effects of having
two systems. it was announced few
days ago that the Southern Railway
would contest with the Seaboard the
carrying Of passengers to Pinehurst,
sending car over the Page road from
Asheboro to Moore county'S famous sum
mer resort. That would be good for
Pinehurst and good for the State. When
the Seaboard has fully passed its period
of litigation and finished building its
through lines, we may reasonably look
TO see it branch out to ASheyillc. Greens
boro. Wilson and other important points
in North Carolina. seeking to enlarge
its territory, and, of course, thereby
helping to develop the States industrial
and agricultural interests.
The increased mileage and progressive
management of the Atlantic Coast Line
have been potent factors i'll developing
the trucking, fish and ali other interests
OF Eastern North Carolina; the Southern
has helped toward the growth and eX-
pansion of business of Piedmon.
Western North Carolina; and the Sea
board has been helpful in the upbuilding
and progress of Central and Southern
North Carolina The continued increase
in mileage and i'll financial ability Of
each of these systems, on independent
lines, is a consummation devoutly to be
wished by every man who desires TO
have all sections of the State continue
the industrial progress made in 1899
Attorney General Monnett, >of Ohio
who was refused a denomination by
Hanna because he prosecuted the Stand
ard Oil Trust, speaking of trusts, says:
Il insist THAT there is no need for any
more legislation The fault dies i'll the
apathy of executive officers in exercising
power already vested in them in punish
ing law violators."