The Florida star. (Titusville, Fla.) 1880-1917, 1900-07-13
PLANT-FLAaER CONSOLIDATION.
Important Transportation Changes that
Confront the State OF Florida.
From the Tampa Herald.


Confront the State OF Florida.
From the Tampa Herald.
Events are multiplying which give
more and more importance and signifi-
canoe to the consolidation of the Plant
and Flagler steamship interests. It is
very generally understood that the
machine shops of the Plant Steamship Co.
at Port Tampa, will be closed on the lst
of July, not to be re-opened. This is a
circumstance to be greatly regretted, but
it seems to have been made necessary by
the consolidation. Mr.. Flagler is presi-
dent of the consolidated line, while the
manager is a man who has been making
Savannah his headquarters for a long
time, so there is no personal reason why
they should strain point for the benefit
of this locality.
But there are other things of more
significance than this, and they bear
more heavily upon Jacksonville than
the closing of the shops at the Port bears
on Tampa. Mr.. Flagler has been making
some heavy investments about the mouth
of the st. Johns river which seems to
prove that il is his intention TO establish
port at that point for all West India
shipping business, which business it is
the evident intention Of the new PENN
sular q Occidental Steamship Co. to
control.
Mr.. Flagler has become the owner of
the two railroads leading from Jackson
yipa o., tho AtIanti. ona ,,o;nc, 30 D,iIo
and the other to Mayport. Pablo is five
miles above the mouth of the river and
possesses one of the finest beaches in the
world. Here will be built magnificent
hotel, said to be superior TO anything he
has ever constructed. 1t will remain
open summer and winter, and will be
seconded by every attraction that ingen-
uity can devise and wealth supply.
But this is comparatively small item.
Mr.. Flagler is making improvements at
Mayport-the mouth of the st. Johns
river-which are so large and costly as to
make his projects evident To even the
most casual observer. Without going in
tO Il description of them i'm delail-as
>een 10y the excursionist last week-it is
enough TO sa 4, that they comprise COM
plete terminal system, adapted fully and
constructed for II seaport of high rank.
Even if Mr.. Flagler intended 10 connect
his East Coast road with the Mavport
road and make the latter place the port
for transhipping the exports which come
over his line, his construction work at
Mayport is extensive beyond all POSSIBLE
ity of what could be needed for that pur-
pose.
1t therefore becomes apparent that Mr..
Flagler has other designs much more
comprehensive and far-reaching. Now
comes the consideration of what they
are. 1t is easy and natural TO conclude,
in the light of events visible ami i'm part
Just recited, that in addition To the
West India lines it is the intention 10
establish a line of steamers between
New York and MaypOft IN opposition 10
the Clyde line and in competi;on-5y
connection with the Plant System of
railroads-with the Ocean and Savannah
lines from New York TO Savannah. May
port is to he the seaport, where all
freight for the interior i To be transferred
to rail, To be distributed over the East
Coast line and the Plant system.
The terminal and dock facilities being
constructed by Mr.. Flagler at Mayport
abnt upon twenty-five feet of water,
about nine feet more than at Jacksonville.
permitting the use Of vessels of much
higher class.
Every intelligent reader can draw his
own sound conclusions from these facts
1t Is plain that very important changes
confront the people of Florida "a regards
their transportation systems and facilities
How the changes will affect Tampa Is Il
problem worthy the immediate consider
alton of every citizen.
4 ErIl.ItILll L,InI.I.r