The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-03-28
Slogan of Railroads is
"On to the Gulf"

The Importance Of developing the
vast commercial possibilities Of the
gulf coast and the prolific region con-
tiguous thereto is rapidly impressing
southern railroad managers, and many
lines are already either building or
contemplated that will eventually re-
suit in the greatest benefits TO this
, section in every way. The last issue
Of The Manufacturers Record con
tanned the following article upon the
subject, which will be read with in
terest by residents Of The Deep Wa
ter City:
On to the gulf would seem 20 be the
Z slogan in many railroad enterprises
in the south today. Since the United
States gave assurance that a Panama
canal canal would be constructed the
owners Of our existing lines which
reach ports on the Gulf Of Mexico
have been stimulated to improve their
facilities, and the projectors Of new
railways are now inspired to prepare
their plans also with a view toward
handling freight destined for a marine
route via the great interOceanic wa
terway. The most notable Of these
new projections is the extension Of
the Florida East Coast Railway TO
Key West, now conspicuous chiefly
because Of its daring engineering and
construction which challenge wind and
wave, although the future will prob
ably find Il more notable in facilities
for reaching Havana and the isthmian
canal The starting Of this work, now
well under way, has been followed by
divers announcements of schemes TO
build other lines to points on the guilt
none. Of course. so far seward as
Key West, but each and every one
presenting inducements more or less
inviting to persuade railroad cOnstruc-
'tion thither. But there are also other
transportation plans looking outward
and which are not yet carried out
thar were conceived and Incorporated
bef--- he extension OF the Flagler line
be Thus the advantages OF the
Underwater outlet for railroad -freights
via the Gulf of Mexico were early
realized, and the number Of new rail-
road plans based upon that Tealiza-
ton testifes to its value, which will
be greater than ever on the compile
ton Of the canal One Of the most
recent projects for a line Of any mag
nttude TO the gulf is that Of the Au-
gusta & Florida Railroad Company,
which proposes TO connect several eX-
listing small railroads in Georgia by
building links between them and thus
secure a very direct and advantage
Gus route TO tide on the gulf Still
others are those Of the Birmingham,
Columbus g. St. Andrews Bay Railway
and Of the Atlanta q Gulf Railroad,
both Of which are building lines, one
20 connect the great iron center IF
Alabama with the coast and the other
20 give the capital Of Georgia a SINH
Jar connection. At Pensacola, Fla,
there are two or three projects, one
for making a connection from the
Central Of Georgia and another for
building a line from Memphis. In
Alabama there are still other plans
conceived for building from Birming-
ham 10 the gulf, and in Mississippi
several companies have in view south,
ern outlets TO the sea- One Of the
progressive companies in the latter
state is the Gulf e. Ship Island Rail-
road, which already has facilities at
Gulfport Of no small capacity and
which Is extending its railroad lines.
The Mobile, Jackson & Kansas City
Railroad, which has lately completed
3ts road northward to Middleton,
Tenn, is also governed by an enter
prising spirit, and may be expected
10 build other extensions. Its port.
as Indicated by the name Of the CON-
pany, Is Mobile. The Mississippi Cen
trail Is also extending. In Louisiana
the line OF the Louisiana Railway d
Navigation Company Is fast approach
ing New Orleans, and upon its CON-
pletiOn another railroad there will
have attained a gulf outlet The Kan
sas City Southern is also said to be
reaching out quietly to enter the same
city, and the construction OF a new
line. which is recognized as a branch
Tor that company. is already under
way. The New Orleans Great North
ern is another important project
Moreover, the Colorado Southern. New
Orleans & Pacific Railway, now build,
ing between DeQuinCy, la, and Baton
Rouge, is authorized TO build a branch
directly southwark to point on the
Louisiana gulf coast. Other compan-
les in Arkansas as well as in louisa
ma which propose to build lines like
wise aspire 10 reach tidewater through
che latter state. In Texas il is Port
Arthur and Galveston which the new
roads mostly endeavor to reach. In
fact, the St Louis, Brownsville &
Mexico Railway, or Gulf Coast Route.
has just completed its extension 70
Galveston, and there are numerous