The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-12
THE CENTRAL RAILWAY.
Capt. Howell Talks of Its Condition
and Mr.. Egan's Work.


From the Atlanta Constitution, April IL.
Capt. Evan P. Howell who is a men,
Der of the board of directors of the Cen
trail of Georgia Railroad, returned 10
Atlanta yesterday from Savannah. He at
tended the meeting of the directors of the
Central at Savannah, Monday, at which
John NJ. Egan was elected president of the
road and Maj j. F. Hanson, of Macon,
chairman of the board of directors.
When Capt Howell was seen yesterday
he spoke in enthusiastic terms of the past
services of Mr.. Egan, and the bright
prospects of the Central under his man
agement. He also gave some interesting
details concerning the recent improve
ments effected on the road in the way of
new equipment, new track, new terminals
and stations. Capt. Howell says the road
was never in better shape physically or
financially than it is to-day
Concerning Mr.. Egans election, he said:
Il think the selection made by the board
of directors of the Central Monday was
one of the best that could have been
made. The members present were unani-
mously of this opinion, and all the stock
holders l have seen since the election in
dorse the action.
MIR. Conner demonstrated the fact that
1t was utterly impossible for one man to
handle ell the affairs of the company as
president. Three years ago he found it
necessary to have some of the immense
load on him relieved, and Mr.. Egan was
made vice president and general manager.
| believe Mr.. Conner would be alive to-day
If he had been relieved sooner Of the very
heavy load he was carrying. HeSroke his
health by the heavy work.
Mr. Egans work has been very success
full and he was of very great service to
in ba Dad in
dition
81 have been over most of the system
lately, and l consider the physical condi-
ton of the Central to-day better than X
has even been since Mr.. Egan came to
the road. He has had laid on the main
line one hundred and eighty miles of
eighty-pound rail- the largest used in the
South; he has built seven new steel
bridges, five new large depots, several
smaller ones and repaired and fixed up
many of the old ones. One Of the most
decided improvements Is in the terminals
at Savannah. There has been expended
over $4,000 in these terminals in three
years.
"A prominent steamship man from Bal
timore who examined these terminal said
few days ago that they were the best
of the South Atlantic coast. The fact that
the freight is being handled 30 per cent
cheaper is proof of what has been accom-
plished Three new sleeping cars, the
very best and as comfortable as can be
found on any road. have been added in
the past three months. Three hundred
and sixty new box cars have been added
10 the equipment of the road and hun
dreds of old cars repaired all in the shops
of the company. The expense of equip
ping the freight cars with airbrakes and
automatic couplers has been very heavy.
THE road has It's own terminal In New
York for the Ocean Steamship Company.
and has expended over $4,000 improving
Il; but a. will result in saying $1,000 per
month go the company Many other im-
provements on the roadbed, filling in tres