The Leader, enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1915-1921, 1921-02-04

fourteen thousand bales of cotton;
whereas, in the last year or two it has
produced on an average of Thirty
tive hundred bales, and this condition
insofar as the cotton industry is con-
cerned has prevailed over practically
the entire system. Another condition
which has cut into the income of said
Railway Company is the fact that ag-
rlcultural products of every kind have
decreased greatly in value and there
is very little demand for same. Anoth-
er reason is that the lumber and cross
tie business is gradually being reduced
and at the present time is at a stand
still
SIXTH: At the time the A. B. &
A. was completed to Fitzgerald the
property values of the present town
and county vas probably Two Million
Dollars. At the present time the ac-
tual market value of the property in
the city is probably Six Million Dol
lars, and in the County Ten Million
Dollars.
SEVENTH; We consider that the
said Railway company has been of the
greatest benefit to the territory thru
which it runs than any other agency
III Sd1u V,
ElGTH H: We realize that conditions
have not yet reached normal basis.
, We realize that there is probably
merit in the contention of both sides
to this controversy We also realize
| as stated, that the people that are
served by this line of railroad are
| more vitality interested in its opera
/ ton than either the owners or its en-
ployees, especially in view Of the fact
that millions of dollars have been in
vested along the line of said Railway
| Company.
NlNTH: For instance should the
/ said Railway Company have to cease
operation party living in Fitzgerald
desiring to go to Savannah, Ga, would
be required to leave Fitzgerald at II
noon, go to Abbeville, Ga, by the Sea
board Air Line and would reach Sa-
vannah at or 9 o'clock at night and
it would be impossible for hin to tran
sact business in Savannah an get bach;
to Fitzgerald until the second day at
about II o'clock. Whereas, he can
| leave Fitzgerald at this time in The
morning and reach Savannah at about
100 o'clock, have from two to three
hours in which to transact business
arriving back at Fitzgerald the SAME
day about II 100 o'clock p. M. Should
a party living in Fitzgerald desire to
go to Atlanta, Ga, if the said Railway
Company should cease operation il
would be necessary for him to drive
fifty miles in an automobile TO catch
a train going to Atlanta.
TENTH: We heartily dissaprove OF
any suggestion, coming from any
source whatever, that this railroad be
"junked", as it involves the very bus
mess life of this immediate section anC
] is and will continue to be the main de
veloper of our section, affecting the
daily lives of 100000.
| ELEVENTH: 1t is known to the
peope along the line of the railroad
that the business possibilities and de
velopment of this section is in its in
cipiency and no section of the South
) east has more potential possibilities
II THEREFORE, the premises con.
sidered we respectfully request thai
the Labor Board in passing upon tho
controversy above referred to, talk
into consideration the interest fth(
public which the said Railway Comp
, any serves and also further consider
the probability of reduction in the
living expenses of the employees anC
of the interest of the owners upon pas
sing upon said controversy