The Savannah morning news., 1904-12-12
PLAN TO HASTEN
IRON SHIP MENTS
SEABoARD'S FAST FREIGHT
WILL POUR BIRMINGHAM'S PRO-
DUCTS INTO THIS PORT.

Movement Now Being Made TO Sc
cure Trackage Rights So No Della
VIII Be Experienced in Getting
VIII BE Distributed 10 Many Part'
of World from SavRnnah-PIar
Soon to BE Announced.
There is a project under considera-
ton by the Seaboard Air Line to es-
tablish a fast freight service between
Savannah and Birmingham, by which
the iron and iron products of that
city may be brought here and distrib-
uted from this point in great quanti-
ties. The plan when put in opera
ton will greatly expedite the move
ment of Birmingham products to this
port and also greatly increase the
amount heretofore sent here.
To establish this service requires
that an agreement be reached between
the Seaboard and the Charleston and
Western Carolina. 1t is proposed to
have this pig iron special. as it mas
already been termed, run from Savan-
nah to Greenwood, S. c. To Fairfax,
S. c., the fast freight service can be
conducted over its own tracks by the
Seaboard At that point it will be
necessary to take the Charleston and
Western Carolina to Greenwood.
At Greenwood the service will con-
meet with the new Atlanta and Birm-
ingham division of the Seaboard Air
Line This route is approximately 1876
,-f he mil
to bring the same products around by
way of Hamlet, N. c., as has been
done in the past.
savannah Distributing Point.
The effect of this service will be to
make of Savannah a great distributing
port for the iron and iron by-products
of Birmingham. 1t will provide a sea
route for Birmingham iron and manu-
featuring output to New York and
other seacoast cities
There has long been a demand for
just such plan as this.
The Seaboard in establishing the serv-
ice will be the gamer by an increas-
ed movement of freight in this direc-
ton. Savannah will be benefited by
reason of the increased importance of
the pig iron export market.
The details of establishing this serv-
ice are not complete, but that the ne
gotiations under way will result in
the service being inaugurated is adj
mitted. There yet remains to be de-
termined the contract for trackage
rights over the Charleston and West
ern Carolina which is the connecting
link in the movement. This road is
a division of the Atlantic Coast Line
and maintains friendly attitude in
the matter, so that there will be no
hitch, it is thought, in securing the
necessary consent to the use of its
tracks.
Will Move Iron Rapidly.
1t is assured that there will be di-
rect connection at Greenwood for Sa-
vannah of all freight consigned by this
special service. The service may be
regarded as through without change,
for it will bring all goods as rapid
~ as possible. Consequently greater
importance will be attached to it when
instituted.
Birmingham's growing Importance as
q commercial center makes this pro-
posed freight service of vast import
to Savannah. 1t will do more to
increase the iron export trade than
any similar movement instituted in
some time. Great quantities of Birm-
ingham iron reach this city now. but
more will be welcome.
Mr.. L. E. Chalenor. assistant gen.
eral freight agent of the Seaboard Air
Line, when asked relative to the time
this service would be inaugurated stat
ed he could not say definitely. Much
freight is brought around this route
at present, but owing to there being
no concerted action between the roads
involved, more or less delay resulted.
1t is to quicken the service that the
two companies are getting together
on plan to expedite the movement
of pig iron from Birmingham to Sa-
vannah.
He further stated that it would be
several DAYS before the service would
be announced officially.