Reprinted from Central of Georgia Magazine, March 1950, v40, n03 (Savannah). Page 3.

Plans Call for Continued Independent Operation,
With No Change in Routes and Rate Structures

The following information was made public February 5 by M. P. Callaway. Chairman of the Board, Central of Georgia Railway Company, Savannah:

The Central of Georgia Railway Company will ask the Interstate Commerce Commission for authority to acquire control of the Savannah & Atlanta Railway Company.

Terms have been agreed upon, and only the formal consent of the Interstate Commerce Commission is needed to complete the transaction; one of great interest in transportation circles, and of outstanding importance to the territory served by the two railroads, particularly to the Port of Savannah.

Present plans of the purchaser call for continued independent operation of the Savannah & Atlanta, with prevailing routes and rate structures undisturbed, with no important changes in personnel contemplated, and with no cessation or slackening of competitive effort.

The purchase, if ratified, will include not only the 141 miles of line from Savannah to Camak, but more than 2,000 acres of prime industrial property, and ample residential property in the Savannah area to serve the industries; indeed this feature of the transaction is regarded as one of its most important features. It provides opportunity for the expansion and development of industry along with room for the construction of homes for the workers in the prospective mills and factories, with convenient access to their place of employment.

THIS MAP shows, by broken line, the Savannah & Atlanta RaiIway extending from Savannah to Camak, a distance of 141 miles. Terms have been agreed upon for the purchase of this line by the Central of Georgia Railway, and only the formal consent of the Interstate Commerce Commission is needed to complete the transaction.. Central of Georgia Magazine, V40, N3, March 1950 (Savannah). Page 3.

The Empire Land Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Central of Georgia, has reached an agreement with R. M. Nelson, of Watch Hill, R. I., for the purchase of the capital stock of the Port Wentworth Corporation, Crossgate Homes, Inc., and Coleraine Homes, Inc. The Port Wentworth Corporation owns it majority of the capital stock, both common and preferred, of the Savannah & Atlanta Railway.

In this manner the Central of Georgia will acquire control, if permission is granted to consummate the negotiations. It is pointed out that the pending arrangement is in the best interest of all concerned. The public, and the towns on the line of the Savannah & Atlanta, will lose nothing, with the rates protected. the same routes open to shippers, the same representatives having contact with the patrons of the two railroads, and representatives of all other railroads having the same solicitation privileges.

The Savannah & Atlanta will have the benefit of friendly affiliation with a 2,000-mile trunk line. The Central of Georgia, which has been particularly active and successful in industrial development, will acquire acreage at Savannah ideally adapted for this purpose. Added impetus to the growth of Savannah's port is anticipated, and the magnificent work of Mr. Nelson for Savannah and this area will he carried on.

Robert M. Nelson, of Watch Hill, R.I., issued the following statement:

"From time to time, various groups have approached me regarding the purchase of Port Wentworth Corporation and its associated companies. I felt it my duty to Savannah and to my associates to wait for a buyer whose operations of the property would continue along the same general lines as in the past.

"Preliminary discussions with the Central indicated that if they became the owners, the identity of the Savannah & Atlanta Railway Company would be preserved and that they would operate all of the properties in a manner that would redound to the lest interests of the community. The Central has a large, capable and well-trained organization. Its officials and department heads are Savannahians familiar with our setup and they will be able to develop the properties more rapidly by direct local supervision than by absentee management, as has been the case in the past. I am also a great believer in Southern ownership of Southern industry.

"I am sure that all local interests and all shippers on the Savannah & Atlanta Railway Company will recognize the advantage to Georgia of Central's acquisition and will cooperate wholeheartedly in the remaining steps necessary to be taken to consummate the transaction."