The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-01-05

Journal publishes the Ito"
editorial on the former president OF
me Seaboard Air Line system and his
Men like John Shelton Will
Hams, the retiring president OF
the Seaboard Air Line railway,
and ]. NJ. Barr, who succeeds him
in that office, are scarce in rail-
road cireles-
John Shelton Williams COM
hInes the faculty of conception
with tine power to execute He
has in him all the elements or
a captain of industry" in the
true sense Of the word-not as
a reckless inflator or stocks ana
manipulation of markets, but as a
builder Of wealth, n developer or
Mr. Williams would nave been
a richer man than he is If he had
turned his splendid faculties to
his own personal
along the lines of legaliZed rob-
bery; but he would have forfeited
a large part of the high respect
in which he is held, north as well
as south.
The Seaboard is fortunate in
having Mr.. Williams to remain
with the company as chairman OF
the board o. directors, now that
he has been relieved of the pres
idency at his own request.
Mr.. Barr is a practical railroad
man, and his services as vice
president lave for some time
commanded a very high salary.
His knowledge of the business Is
thorough, and he is placed in the
front rank by those in touch with
railroad matters. The Seaboard
will be ably managed by its new
president
We hope that The Journals idea of
Mr.. Bars management OF the system
will be borne out by the facts. There
certainly is room for great improve
ment on the old management under
Mr. J.. SHELTON Williams as president.
His retirement and the reorganization
OF the management did not surprise
any one in this city. We had been
locking for the change for sons time.
1t was known that the Williams di-
r~ectorate was an over-cna-ged balloon
which needed only a pin~puncture to
cause a collapse. The long expected
COLLAPSE has come and the Ryan in
te~est has at last secured a position
ON the board. 1t is TO be hoped that
there will be a change in policy as
wen as in management. The people
OF Wilmington have had enough OF
the former way Of doing business. 1t
is true that Mr.. Barr was II OF the
officials under the old system, hut he
Was not in a position TO do as he
pleased then. 1t is hoped now that
he. as head OF the system. will in
auGurate a policy OF building UP in
place Of the former one of tearing
down the towns along the line of his
road Mr.. Barr has an opportunity
now of doing great things for ms
and for Wilmington, if he will
look at the situation in the right way
come TO the aid or our bus ness
men The merchants OF Wilmington
are not inclined to boycott the Caro-
Ina Central railroad. They look
upon il as a state institution and are
inclined t give it all the support in
INCL PO"CAs DuI NiC IdNC W
much self-respect and too good
an eye to business TO put Up with
the discourtesies and injustice
that this system has I'M osed up
on them of late. If the Seaboard
wants it's share or even a small por-
ton OF the business of Wilmington
it must change it's past policy toward
the mechahts of our city. 1t must
give us a passenger service which will
be Of convenience to them. The pas
senger service as now run is a farce
ON ra~ilroading. 1t takes a business
two or three days to go any
where up the line no matter how near
the point He cannot go fifty miles
up the road without losing two nights
and the better part o. tkrAc days
from his office. Such a schedule is
an outrage. 90 other city i'll the
United States of the size of Whining
tom is forced to put up with such an
schedule ana no city but
Wilmington would have put up with
for such a length Of time.
Our citizens have submitted to this
long enough. 1t is time for
them to assert themselves. Let them
tell MI. Bar that they will not put UP
with such treatment any longer. The
corporation commission has the
power to regulate passenger and
freight schedules. If the new man
agement of this system insists on
keeping in operation the old schedule
the corporation commission should be
to in the interest of the peo-
pie and the business of the town.
re NJ lFnKipJav oo,Id r;ca fro,r b;s