The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-12-03
GOOD FOR SEABOARD.
Atlantic and Birmingham May Soon
Become Part and Parcel Of Great
Systen1-New Owners Active.

System-New Owners Active.
There is every reason to believe that
the Atlantic and Birmingham railroad,
which has been acquired by east
ern interests, represented in this Sec
ton by H. NJ. Atkinson, will become a
part of the Seabuard Air Line, and
that it will be used as a connecting
link between the lines of that system
in south Georgia and Florida, and
those in the northern section of the
state. It will also give the Seaboard
direct line from Birmingham to the
seacoast by means o. the extension
from Montezuma to Birmingham along
the route already mapped out.
The announcement in The Atlanta
Constitution OF Sunday that the east
ern interests represented by Mr.. Atk:n-
son had acquired the Atlantic and Bir-
mingham, running from Waycross to
Montezuma, and would consolidate 1t
with the Tifton, Tnomasville and Gu;f
and the Tifton and Northeastern, caus'
ed no little comment in railroad cir
cles. 1t promises to prove one OF the
most important railroad movements
that has taken place in Georgia in
some years.
Prominent among the eastern CAPT
talists who are represented in this
section by Mr.. Atkinson is T. Jefferson
Coolidge, of Boston, Mass. Mr.. Cool
idge has just acquired an extensive in
terest in tie Seaboard Air Line, and
will, with Thomas F. Ryan, become
one of the important factors In shap-
ing the future OF that property.
The purchase by these same inter
ests of the Atlantic and Birmingham,
and it's consolidation with the other
roads named, undoubtedly means an
important step in the development OF
the Seaboard system in this section.
The Seaboard system at present is
in the shape of big "Y," with no con-
Meeting link between the two prongs.
one of which extends into south Geor-
gia and Florida, and the other into
Atlanta. BY the construction Of the
Atlantic and Birmingham to Atlanta
from Montezuma, its present terminus.
the necessary connection between the
main system will be established, and
If the originally contemplated exten-
sion of this line to Birmingham is
made, the Seaboard will nave acquired
TWO lines to the west, the other two
being extensions of the East and West
railroad, which is just now in process
Of completion between Birmingham,
and Atlanta.
Messrs. Coolidge, Blair and their as
sociates will probably come through
this section at an early date, with a
view to arranging their new plans.
The Seaboard is undergoing some rad
ical changes, as has been announced
in the press for the past few weeks
and new blood has been injected into
the veins of the road.
Those who have been watching the
situation will not be surprised to learn
of any new developments within the
next few weeks.
T. Jefferson Coolidge, Jr., or Boston,
and has associates have obtained a
large share of the stock Of the road,
and they mean to make it one of the
first systems of the United States All
the interests represented in the new
deal appreciate the work of John Skel
ton Williams, the president of the Sea.
board, and they speak in the very
highest terms of his labors for the
upbuilding Of the south.
The fact that the Seaboard will not
be combined with any other southern
system can be accepted absolutely.
This Is obtained from the highest
sources. All future developments will
be watched with the greatest interest
by the people of this section.