Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-12-06
THE WHEELING AND PARKERs-
BURG RAILROAD MEETING To-

THE WHEELING AND FAMILIES
BURG RAILROAD MEETING To-
DAY.
There will be a meeting at the Nc
Lure House in this city, to-day Of the
corporaiors and others Interested in the
projected railroad enterprise between
Wheeling and Parkersburg.
The two most important questions to
be determined at this meeting are, first,
to settle definitely, il possible, upon
building the road. and to provide means
and measures for immediate operations.
Secondly, 10 determine the route upon
which the road shall be located.
We regard the situation as present
ing an eager rivalry between the West
Virginia and Ohio sides Of the river for
the possession of this road, and this
will be decided in favor OF the party
which first begins operations.
The indications are that our Ohio
neighbors not only mean business butare
already actively pressing the enterprise.
They have obtained charter and are
busily canyassing in the interest OF the
enterprise. They have the advantage
OF US in having the route located, over
which the right OF way was once secur-
ell; in having a considerable part Of the
route already graded; and in having
from twelve to eighteen miles less
lenght OF road to build than We
have. We should regard itas strange
il the Ohio people do not build
this road except in one event,
and that is, that 4 road is first begun
and made down the West Virginia side.
five obtain this advantage, much
will depend on the action OF the meet
ing to-day, and the speed with which
measures are matured for active opera
tons. II We lose the opportunity the
loss 10 our city will find but small com
pensation in the building Of the road ON
the Ohio side, rs our chief interest is in
becoming one Of its terminal points.
The other question Of fixing the route,
is very perplexing one. The reasons
that have been advanced for abandon
ing the river and going through the CEN
ire of Marshall county, are not without
weight. The measure Of benefit to the
whole county would be- increased, and
larger proportion ofits population would
contribute 10 ITS construction and sup
port after II was built. The other coun-
ties, for the same reason, would proba-
bly, prefer central rather than the
river route.
But on the other hand the probabili-
| ~ is that the expense Of building the
road would be- largely increased both by
an increased length and the work OF gra-
ding. il the river route is abandoned.
Nor is it entirely accurate TO say that
Marshall county would not. derive any
benefit from the road il located along
the river. The county would not only
derive all the benefit that the other river
counties would have in opening mp 4
route down the river, but the additional
advantage Of competing line up the
river.
Moreover, IL the route is located up
Wheeling Greek the road would necessa-
rily sacrifice large portion Of the traI-
he that would naturally come to il from
Ritchietown. Benwood Bellaire and
even Moundsyille itself This trade,
which is large and valuable, would con-
tinur, a. now, % seek water transporta-
ton rather than meet the inconvenience
and expense Of shipping to the depot at
Wheeling.
These are considerations which will
be- thoroughly discussed, and when the
creek route Il more definitely marked
out more intelligent comparison can
be- made Of the practical advantages OF
the competing routes. And the advocates
oi both should ~ 10 the meeting to-
dav, prepared To- present their claims in
a definite and tangible shape.
There may indeed, be- other routes
more practicable than either Of the two
mentioned, as Tor instance striking mp
CaldwelI's Run at the Ia Belle Mill,
which would bee shorter than route up
Wheeling Greek There will, doubtless,
be- advocates Tor all Of the routes that
may be- made practicable, and the all
vantages OF all should be thoroughly dis
.rrssa1