Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-11-14

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creek or valley intersectinS It's main line
and ii is claimed by some to bave the
right under the lateral branch" provi-
sion to construct a parallel line SO as to
occHpy both sides ola gorge, like that OF
New River, for example.
There are now in course OF construc.
ton in the Kanawha Valley, and seek
ing outlets TO the Kanawha river, from
the south, the Paint Creek railroad, the
Cabin Creek railroad, the Fields Greek
railroad and Davis Greek railroad. The
Chesapeake and Ohio company is un-
derstood to deny the right OF any OF
these corporations to cross its line with
out its permission, or even to construct
a railroad at all, on line which 1t might
occupy with i feeder or "lateral branch. /"
Can il be thar the immense wealth OF
coal aud tim6er lying up these and
other creeks can be locked up at the
caprice of corporation operating a
line along the main valley in which
they run? Has our legislation been so
constructed as thus to place the devel-
opment OF a large portion OF the State at
the mercy OF single railroad?
Allusion has been made before to the
queer state of affairs prevailing along
New river. The line of the Chesapeake
aud Ohio above Hawks Nest, occupies
the northeast side OF that river. The
Atlantic and Northwestern company has
located and secured the right of way on
the opposite or southwestern side.
Scarcely are its contractors at work be-
lore the New River and Greenbrier
Company, composed mainly OF en-
pluyes Of tue Chesapeake and
Olio commences operations on the
same side OF the river. There is not
room enough for both. The Atlantic
and Northwestern first on the field, Sc
ects it's ground and goes to work telling
trees, eIcavatinc, blasting rocks and
grading. Twenty-Five feet below the
New River and Greenbrier FORCES are 81
leutly working away undermining the
embankment above and making slow
progress to . serious collision. What is
TO be the outcome OF all this? Has the
Chesapeake and OHIO control in its own
right and through it's connections OF that
great gateway between tide.water and
the kauawna Nalley-the New Rive
canon? Must all other roads travel over
high grades, tunnel immense mountains
and build great fills and bridges in order
to cross the southern part OF our State?
Upon the question thus pres nted de-
ponds the success Of more than one en-
terprise OF Importance, and with It is
intimately blended the prosperity OF a
very large and promising section OF
West Virginia.
Other complications already arising,
or likely to arise, present similar pro-
/ hlems. The Elk river route has been
I selected by such railroad corporations
/ as tie West Virginia Central, the North
/ rrn and Southern West Virginia, the
/ Atlantic and Ohio, the Baltimore, Gin
ciunati and Western, and the Baltimore,
! Cincinnati and Western Central, the
Two latter being rival claimants to the
same charter. Orljrariiyitwou'd be said
thrse1rr hrt paper" companies, and out
/ oil their conf ling pretrntiOns nothing
serious can arise. But the rapidity with
which uusubs;antiai enterprises have
nateral;z.d and d, vel)pcd strength and
! substance even in our own Site in the
/ PAS. twelve months, assures us that any
railroad scheme of reasonable prcmiSs
. ,s tla..r 20 command capital and become
iornui,lhle.' The Norfolk and Western
Is known to be pushing an extension
! westward by way OF East river and the
head Of Blue Stone. |. must strike the
Ohio by way of Coal river or Guyan
lotta, We; both OF those streams have
been pre- emptei and repre-emp;ed by
the fprsi,e iorethought OF railroad pro
motors, aud charter has been piled upon
icp OF cnarter until the question of pre-
crdence and right becomes almost I'M
! sovable
We TO not fear the construction o.
too many railroads. We do lear the
defeat OF substantial and important
measures Of public development by thi;
rivalry Of corporations and charters
J Oar railroad laws are very liberal
| Probably in its desire to build up the
STATE the Legislature has been too gen
erous. At the coming session practical
/ steps should be- taken to remove the
difficulties ut which We have limited
otherwise the free and liberal laws here
( :oiorc enacted 70 aid the development
( If the State may become in their re
/ suits positive obstacle TO its progress