The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-09-15
HILL AIMS FOR ATLANTIC.
Rumors Of Most Important Railroad
Deal in Years Woll SubstantIate<l.

week rumors have been rife that a
deal has been made by which the
Burlington system of the Hill lines
will build these gaps. As this in
wolves the absorption by purchase or
lease OF the whole extent OF the Ten
nessee Central, running through
Nashville from Hopkinsville on tn,
west. to the top Of the Cumberland
Plateau on the east, and the bringing
In Of one of the two big railroad sys-
TENS Of the West .hese rumor, have
naturally created great dea: OF ex-
element not only throughout the
State, but over the South generally.
II there is anything in the immediate
proposal no more important develop
ment for the South has come in 25
years.
The rumors appear to have back OF
them a substantial foundation. Col
5. M. FELTON,, chairman Of tho board
of the Tennessee Central and presi-
dent Of the Chicago Great Western. in
a special telegram to Nashville par
ties, confirms the story. and says that
the surveyors now in the field be-
tween Hopkinsville and Paducah are
making preliminary location of that
part OF the new construction. It ia
almost too good to be true. but there
are various confirmatory facts. The
ultimate intention of the Hill system
to come into the southeastern terri
tory has been often mentioned, and
some recent utterances Of Mr.. Hill
himself lend strength to the selief
that such a plan exists.
The story is that the Tennessee
Central will be extended from Hop
kinsville to Paducah. a distance Of 20
miles. where 1t will connect with the
new line which the Chicago, Burling-
ton and Quincy is now constructing
from Herrin, ILL.,. to Metropolis. H.,
just across the river from Paducah.
This line Is 40 miles long and is near
ing completion. With a bridge at
Paducah, and the Tennessee Central
extended to that point, the connec-
ton would be a continuous one from
all the territory of the Northwest to
Hartman on the Cumberland Pla-
teau, where the Tennessee Central at
present connects with the Southern
Railway. 1t is said, however. that
the plan does not take into account
this connection with the Southern.
but that the Tennessee Central will
oe built on 70 Knoxville, distance
of 10 miles, from whence connection
Will be established witt the Seaboa~d
Air Line at Rutherfordtor. y G.. hv
the construction of the Knoxville. Se-
vierviIle and Eastern, a distance Of
80 miles.
1t will be seen, therefore, that only
three short pieces of new construc-
ton IS required, from Hopkinsville to
Paducah, 20 miles; from Hartman to
Knoxville, As miles, and from Knox
vile to the connection with the Sea-
board 80 miles; in all a new con-
struction of one hundred and forty
five miles. This excludes the new line
from Herrin, Ind, to Metropolis. ILL.,.
of hich CT -
along.
Whether the present rumors have
anything in them or not, there is
hardly doubt but that the gaps Of
new road will be built by somebody.
The prospect opened by the establish
ment of such connection between
either Of the great Western railroad
systems and the lines penetrating the
southeast will not be neglected long.
There are grounds for regarding the
Hill interests as the most logical
establlshers of such connection
Most persons are familiar with the
long fight that has gone on between
Hill and Hartman for control of
traffic, and the west
bound trade with the Orient. The
contest has continued for ten years.
ever since Hartman entered the rail-
road field. First one and then the
other has gained an advantage. Hills
efforts have been directed to securing
such connection with Eastern and
southern roads, and particularly with
southern roads in the matter of west
bound shipments of cotton for export
to China and Japan, as would put his
Northern lines on an equal footing
with the Southern Pacific of the Har-
rman system. He had the edge on
his rival until Hartman wreste
from Hills allies the control of Irc
Illinois l., 1