The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-06-22

Roy c. Megargel, president of the
Gulf, Florida and Alabama railroad. i'm
company with the directors and oficers
OF the road and a number of Pensacola.
CAPITALISTS and business men who are
either interested directly or indirectly
in the success of the road. made a tour
or inspection yesterday of the entire
mileage or the road already completed
ana or the work being done between
Pensacola and Cantonment
Pensacola people are especially in
terested in the Megargel road, and TO
get a line from here to the mineral
district OF Alabama the city gave up
one OF its most valuable pieces Of
waterfront property, Few persons
realize what has already been accom-
pliShed in the way of building the
line. and the trip yesterday was "A
revelation to almost the entire party.
The inspecting party left the San Car
los In automobiles and went TO Can
tonment where a special train was
waiting to carry the party. Just south
Of Cantonment the roadbed force is
making a big fill and when this is
completed the rails may be laid from
there into Pensacola, making approxi-
mately eighty miles which will be in
operation within a short while,
That part of the road which was
purchased from the Southern States
Lumber Company has been improved,
the curves Strengthened and the grades
cut down until 1t is in excellent shape.
being practically as smooth as other
southern roads now in operation. This
part of the road penetrated one of the
richest farming sections of Alabama
which is partially settled by thrifty
farmers. The lands have me- been for
sale but they viii be put on the mar
ket IN the near future and II Is certain
that from Pensacola 70 the northern
extremity of the road will be settled
by truck growers and farmers.
WILL HAUL COTTON.
At least a hundred miles of the road
win be completed and ready for oper-
alton by November, The farmers
along the route have been promised
that their cotton viii be hauled into
Pensacola this fall which has made
them plant larger acreage than they
would have done otherwise. From Ip-
cal, Ala, north. the road viii run
through a level country and the road
building to Jones's Mill may be
rushed, the survey having already
been completed and the right of way
cleared
The inspecting party made frequent
stops, going into the various side
tracks and stations to inspect some
part of the work or equipment OF the
road. New locomotives and fat cars
have just been received and have not
yet been put into commission, but
they will be used to rush the road
building, afterward to be used in the
handling of freight. All equipment
which has been purchased to be used
in the construction OF the road was
bought with a view of using IL in
handling the business after the road is
completed.
ROAD HAS REPUTATION.
Unlike many new railroads which
build into practically new territory
the Megargel road has from the be-
ginning maintained a good reputation
with the people Of Pensacola and the
property owners along the route. They
have always paid for everything
promptly and have never asked for
rights which they did not deserve
Those who were invited to make an
inspection Of the road were loud I'm
their praise OF the work now going on.
They realized that Pensacola's desire
for a new railroad is about to be
gratified Leland ]. Henderson, secre-
tary of the Pensacola Commercial AS
ISOLATION. who accompanied the in
spection party yesterday, has COM
piled some data relative to the Gulf.
Florida and Alabama railway, which
will be OF interest to Pensacola people
who do not realize what the road will
mean to Pensacola, and what Pensa-
cola and the country will mean for the
road.