The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-09-30

New York, Sept. 27.-President S5,ln
Shelton Williams, OF the Seaboard Air
Line railway, in response to inquiries
today as to the effect which the proposed
purchase of the Louisville and Nash
vile by the Atlantic Coast Line would
have on the Southern railway situation.
and especially on the SeabOard Air
Line, said:
Whether the purchase OF a contrUll-
ing interest in the Louisville and Nash
vile by the Atlantic Coast Line viii
prove a profitable and valuable acquis-
ition, or whether it will prove unror-
tunate for both Will depend entirety
upon the policy which shall be pursued
by the new owners. If the lines of the
Louisville and Nashville system are
held open for the interchange of bus
iness. on a fair and reciprocal basis,
with all connections. without unfriend-
ly discrimina tiOns. the union of these
two important systems may be made
advantageous to both, but If an at
tempt is made to interfere with the
free interchange OF business between
the Louisville and Nashville AID its
present connections, such d policy will
Struction of new railroads. int he
Louisville and Nashville territory and
the building of such additional mileage
throughout the south. Such addition
: al mileage can undoubtedly be built for
ssS than One-half the cost per niIs
of Louisville and Nashville. figured on
the basis which ii is stated has been
paid for its stock. 1 assume. however.
that the friendly relations which have
heretofore existed between the Louis
Vile and Nashville railroad and its sew
eral connections will not b. interfer-
rupted. 1t is certainly the desire of
the SeabOard Air Line to maintain
cordial relations with both allies and
competitors.
II do not know what arrangements
We're made on behalf OF the Southern
railway with the owners of the Atlanti,.
Coast Line in connection with the sale
of the Louisville and Nashville - the
Coast Line interest, nor do l know
whether there is any truth in the re-
port which has reached me to the effect
that "a secret offensive and defensive
alliance has been entered into between
the Southern railway and the Atlantic
Coast Line covering period of years.
1T is certain however, that nothing
has been done and nothing will be don5,
which will affect adversely the earn
ingS and business of the SeaEoard Air
now ramify seven southern StateS, eX-
tending from Baltimore in the north to
the southern limits of Florida in the
south and to Montgomery and Bir-
mingham, Ala, in the southwest. The
business of the system at the present
time is limited only by it's capacity 10
move the freight which is offered to IL
and these conditions will not be inter-
ferred with by any action of connect
ing lines.''
New York, September PA member
of the firm of ]. P. Morgan G Co. ex-
pressed surprise at the tone of Mr.. Will
1iams' statement with regard TO the at
titude. of the Seaboard ! IL Line, in the
matter of Louisville and Nashville anC
Atlantic Coast Line negotiations.
No action Of course hostile to the Sea
board Air Line was contemplated, he
said, though the Seaboard was not con
sidered a factor in the present negotia-
tions. Further than this however, th'
firm of Morgan & Co. was not prepared
now to make any statement in the mat
ter The member of the firm interview
ed said he was unable to find an expla
nation at the time for Mr.. Williams at
titude.