The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-01-22
Railroad Freights.

| The Hinton Herald notices the advance
in the freight rates on the Chesapeake and
Ohio Railway, and the effect it is having on
the lumber trade Of West Virginia. IT says
| that 'a number of persons who had been
| buying slaves and lumber are making prep
arations to leave this region, and seek To-
| cality where there Is more competition In
freight. The saw mill men along the line
| of the road are very much discouraged by
| the turn affairs have taken In the matter Of
freight
Last spring when travelling 10 the mineral
| and lumber districts of West Virginia, we
were informed by prominent official OF the
railroad company, that the lumber trade was
probably the most profitable the road had.
Since then there has been marked increase
In this character of business, and 1t prom
ised to be source Of great profit to the
people OF West Virginia. Taking the state
ment of our contemporary to be the fact, 1t
is very plain that any exorbtant advance
Of the rates of freigh tage, must seriously
damage the business Of the road, and oper-
ate adversely to the development OF the nat
ural wealth OF West Virginia. Not only
this, but it will arrest attention in another
direction. The mineral resources Of West
Virginia and Virginia along the line of this
road, are now commanding the serious
thoughts Of eastern capitalists. A vast
amount CT money has already been invested
10 them, and active operations are now 60
ing on to develop the iron and coal Of the
two States, while other investments Of mag
nitude are contemplated. These invest
ments have been made and others arranged
for upon estimates Of profits based upon the
old rates of freight. II the basis Of the
calculation is changed, in the increased
transportation charges, 1t must Of necessity
seriously affect the ir movements and oper-
ate to check the tide of busine So that seems
certain to be setting iowa rds the iron and
coal districts. 1t ought not to be expected
that the railroad company should not share
In the advanced prices which row appear to
be attending iron operations, nor should it
be expected that the railroad should reap all
the advantages aud profits Of such industrial
enterprises. The danger is that the railroad
will gouge TOO deep, aad SO regulate its tar
if of freights as to amount to partial pro-
hibition upon the operators along its line.-
It should be remembered that the iron and
coal business 10 Yirginis and West Virginia
Is In the chrysalis state yet. and 1t lie very
wrong thing for the railroad to strangle it
before it develops. Every encouragement
should be given these industries In transport
tation facilities and charges. for every coal
mine opened and every furnace erected, cons
tributes to the general wealth and develop
ment Of the entire range OF country where
it is located, thus adding to the local trade
OF the railroad, Independent Of the imme-
date business of the industries.
A liberal policy on the part OF the railroad
company would be its wisest policy. Men
are not going to invest their capital and en-
erxies In business enterprises merely for the
purpose of furnishing the railroad with
freightage. They expect profit themselves,
and II the facilities are not afforded Tor them
to realize their expectations they will 90
elsewhere. A monopoly Is curse at all
times and everywhere, and spirited people
will not submit to 1t. There is such thing
4 killing the gooss that lays the golden
aa2N