The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-02-28
MAY SUCCEED M'BEE
MAI. uUGER's RUMoRED APPOINT
MENT YET UNCONFIRMED.
A BELIEF THAT HE'S THE MAN.
lie IS NOW IN SAVANNAH VISITING
RELATIVES.

Was a Member of Tennessee's Com
mission to the Paris Exposition.
Made Railways a study While
Abroad-Najor Huger's Railroad
Discuss His Probable Connection
with the seabOard Air line.
Mai. F. K. Huger, member of Ten
oessees commission to the Paris Expo
sition and until recently superintendent
of the East Tennessee Division of the
southern Railway. is the guest of rela-
lives in Savannah at Abercorn and State
streets. Mai. Huger is accompanied by
Mrs. Huger.
The Morning News on Tuesday publish
ed dispatch from Baltimore, stating
that it was currently rumored In f,an-
cial circles there that in the reorganiza-
ton of the operating department of the
Seaboard Air Line Railway Maj, Huger
was to be general superintendent of. the
entire system. This rumor is by. no means
considered groundless in well-informed
circles The close relations which Sa-
vannah, in particular, and the eastern
South in general, occupy to the Seaboard
makes the visit of Maj. Huger interest
ing, because of his possible future con-
uection with the system.
While 1t is expected that important an
nouncements affecting the organ cation Of
the operating department of the Seaboard
will be made at an early meeting of the
directors, this has no connection with
Mai Huger's present visit. He is de-
scendant of the diltingui he'd head Of the
family whose name he bears, and is here
on a visit to relatives in town and the
old home place on the Carolina side of
the Savannah river. His long absence
made it pleasure to him to stroll over
the plantation, and incidentally to shake
hands with the daIkies."
Maj. Huger's trip abroad was an ex-
tended one, from which he derived much
information and entertainment. Being
for years actively engaged in railway
management his interest in this direction
naturally attracted his attention to trans
portation matters.
THE successful operation of railways
on the continent under governmental con-
troll speaks well for this sys en-, he said,
BY attention to the details of operation
and the exercise of great precaution ac-
cidents are reduced to a. minimum, and
the most satisfactory results are obtain
ed. Fun is sometimes made of the con-
ductor and the little brass bugle he uses
TO signal his engineer forwa d but the
promptness n scum ing the bugle ex aims
the fact that ira ms are almost varia-
bly, run on time. Trains start at the pre-
else moment for departure, run at mod
crate speed, about fcrty miles an hour
to our average of fifty mi es, and in this
way lessen the possibility of mishap and
delay. The electric sigral apparatus by
which the appro0 CHI of trains is announc-
ed is another highly use -ul feature en-
plcyed in the oper ton of t"ains."
Maj. Huger's observations extended to
the physical condition of the various line
over which he travelled and particularly
to roadways, which he found to be excel
lently maintained. Stone walls along the
mountain sides prevent the possibility of
lands.ides, which are prevalent and in
many instances disastrous in some parts
of this country. Viaducts miles long have
been built on some lines at tremendous
cost. Il wondered what had induced the
expenditure of such vast sums on road
ways" he said, land was told they had
nothing else to do with the money"
Another feature of. governmental con-
troll of railways, Maj. Huger said. and
one that contributes UNNECESSARILY to
satisfactory results in all departments Is
the answering adherence to the merit
system in advancement. Faithful ser
vice on the part of employees absolutely
insures to them recognition when the
time comes 10 fill higher pieces. They
do not labor under constant dread of be-
ing displaced for political, sentimental or
other illegitimate causes. For this -ea-
son strong efforts are made on the part
Of employees to make god records that
Will contribute TO their chances for ad-
vancement,
Maj. TIuger was naturally reticent as to
the talk of his future connection with the
Seaboard, which his high standing as a
practical railroad man has caus-d to be
so widely circulat in railroad and finen-
cel circles throughout the country Much
OF his time since his retirement from rail-
road work has been given to travel He
mas inviting business inducements In the
West under consideration, so that In the
event. he is rendered a high railroai posi-
ton its acceptance would be subject to
consideration with the other engagements
he has in mind.
Maj HugerS railroad career has been
one to fully capacitate him for the duties
q an executive position. Beginning at
the bottom OF the ladder he has, like
nearly all other officials of renown.
Climbed the ladder step by step, and has
made his mark slowly but surely. While
strict In the enforcement of railroad
rules he nevertheless commanded the re-
fpect OF the small army of men he had
lnder his control.