The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-28
LOOKS OUT FOR SHIPPERS.
INTERESTS or PEACH GROWERS
ARE CONSULTED By RAILROADS..

President John Nj. Egan of the Gem
trail Answers mn Editorial In the
Atlanta Constitution - lie shows
what the Central Is Doing In An
ticipation of Handling "A Big Crop
This SeasonAArranGeme That
Have Thus Far Been Made-The
Road VIII Do Everything 1t Possi-
bly, Can TO Facilitate the Market
ing of the Fruit.
The attention of Pres dent John M Egan
of the Central Railroad was directed yes
terday to an editorial In the Atlanta Con-
stitution arraigning the arrangements Of
the Georgia railroads. particularly the
Central and the Southern, as those chiefly
interested, for what was termed their fail
ure to appreciate their opportunity for the
realization of dividends by helping the
peach growers of the state and other far
mers by furnishing all the transportation
and shipping facilities that could be ask
ed.
1t was insisted by the editorial writer
that the arrangements fail to recognize
their own chances for the increase of
earnings, because they do not consider
the farmer as a means to that end, The
Constitution insisted that the farmer is
the factor that makes dividends and that
his welfare should be sought by the rail-
roads, but a prominent official of the Cen
trail remarked that sight seemed to be
lost of the many instances that might be
cited of the great interest in the farming
industries in Georgia that has been TAX
en- by the Central and the efforts of Mr.
Egan to help the agriculturists in every
way possible
President Egan was astonshed that
such view of the attitude of the rail-
roads toward the peach growers should be
taken. He said: Arrangements have
been made with the Fruit Growers Ex-
press, with headquarters at Chicago, the
strongest best and only company that
can furnish as good refrigerator cars and
as many as are wanted. This company
has erected ice houses at various points
along our line and Is now having them
filled with ice manufactured in Macon.
anticipating the wants of the growers
and to facilitate the movement of the
fruit, we are now putting in additional
tracks, aggregating six miles in length.
These tracks are being built at Fort VAL
ley and out from the present fruit tracks
that extend from Fort Valley and Mar
shallville.
1--WE have printed and distributed among
the growers list of crate manufacturers,
so that they can obtain what crates may
be required, as crates and baskets are as
necessary for the successful movement Of
fruit crops ais railway tracks, refrigerator
cars and fast schedules.
''At the present time our traffic manager,
accompanied by other officials of the line,
is on a tour through the fruit districts.
They are stopping to see every grower
and producer that can be reached, and
an estimate will be made of what will be
i .1pan
to handle the crop The officials of the
railroad are seriously alive to the necessity
of the case and do not intend 10 leave any
thing undone on their part to serve those
interested in fruit growing along the line.
"Rates for transportation and also for
refrigeration are, and have been for some
time, established, and the reports I have
received from parties visiting the fruit
growers at the present time is that all the
fruit growers ask isathat we give them a
servite similar to thatsof 1898. 7tQa 7rH
''It is a very easy matter for some COM
pany that has few cars to offer them at
less rates for refrigeration and render in
ferior service 1t is also an easy mater
for soliciting agents Of some lines of rail-
way, if they do not see that their conpl-
MES are to be given aHrthe business, to
complain 10 the producers and have than
imagine that their interests are not being
looked after.
we nave MADE every preparation TN
we can consistently make to take care of
this business and know that a great deal
depends upon it, We appreciate that
movements of this kind are similar 10
movements we are obliged TO make in
handling large numbers of passengers or
large quantities of freight that must
reach point at a given time. We expect
to keep thoroughly posted, not only from
day TO day, but from hour to hour as to
the conditions and requirements that sur
round the coming crop, and viii anticipate
it's wants as far ahead as we possibly can
Fruit will be shipped from about fifty
stations on the lines of this railway. 1t
is impossible at the present time to give
the number of produceAs that will be ac-
commodated at those stations. 1t must
be borne in mind that the producer who
raises but dozen crates of peaches for
the market at some by-station has com-
paratively the same interest in that ship
nent as the producer who ships ten or
twenty cars at more important station,
and in our arrangements, we are endeav-
oring to protect the interests of all pro-
ducers, be they shippers of large or small
Quantities