Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-12-19
ABOUT RAILROADS.
tie Air of Mystery Thrown 0v'r
Them Here
And What 1t Leads to-StruggIiug for the
Best PIsce-The Elm Grove and
State Line - Railroad
Notes.

The Star chamber session at the office OF
the Board Of Public Works on Monday
night, when reporters were incontinentiy
bounced, was theme of some little dis
cussion about town yesterday. A promi-
nent member OF Council said OF it:
sit is unfortunate for the railroad com-
panies operating in this vicinity that they
see fit to be so secret about their affairs,
for they throw an air of mystery about
them that leads many people to look upon
them in the light OF so many schemes.
My experience in Council has been that
when secret measure comes in and is
suddenly exploded there, many members
oppose it, if only through an
excess of caution. They are afraid
Of its very mystery. 1 suppose GER
tain amount of secresy is necessary,
ID account of the lively competition among
railroads, therefore, | do not say 1t Is
wrong, but only unfortunate. As TO that
secret meeting, last night, | cannot see but
,htt it was matter Of public interest and
~ V the puslic should not b. conversant
win it, is more than can tell. The truth
Of the matter is it is a case OF big head on
the part of the Board of Public Works. as
bave since learned that none Of the rail-
read men present had any objection TO its
being known. If il is matter to come be.
lC!e Council, councilmen should have all
ne light possible, and not that alone which
tie company chooses 10 shed upon it.
WHAT WAS DONE AT THE MEETING.
The matters discussed at that meeting
were not new, in the main, though few
additional facts developed themselves. 1t
IL a. .lar h.. Of
p, W. & Ky. for additional track room on
Il e wharf, in connection with the wants
OF the incoming River road. The other
re ads were represented, as already stated,
20 protect their interests therein. At this
mt citing, as at several others, there cropped
OF thc feeling that there was danger in
Grsnting right to any road for fear II
would embarrass some other. The ap,
~ caches to the city ale so limited and
Package within her boundaries are so
.Carce, that many are in fear grant to any
one company would jsopardize some
other.
TWAS in,imsted at this meeting, and
tad been boldly stated In others, that s;.@@
f., W. Il K, is trying TO monOpolize the
liver front and prevent the coming OF
otl er roads, especially those now aiming
n this direction from the east. Whether
this be so or not, some of the members OF
he Board evidently believe so and are not
isposed to listen 10 any proposition from
The T., W. x X.
THE TRIPAETITE AGREEMENT.
The 0. Il. aud p W. Il X. roads have
entered into all agreement BY which bJth
are 10 have the use OF the present aud any
new derots and tracks and the new prJp)
sition is 10 Low tlc Harrisburg Il Vision
To- come into the pool anu also use them
This Iogd, either directly, or by means OF
the little Elm Grove ard State Line feeder
expects 10 come in at the north end and in
This agreement sees, perhaps, its only
chance Of reaching the centre OF the city
and certainly the mills. 1t is then sup
nosed all three roads will have full! swing
at that long delayed but still hopefully
promised bridge to Martain's Ferry
Though gentleman in position to know
assured the writer yesterday, that the
bridge would certainly come.
ACCUSED or EAD FAITH.
Whatever may be their motives and
whatever the foundation, some OF the
Board of Public Works is fond OF bringing
forward the doubt Of the good intentions
OF the z. W. II K. Bad faith is charged,
but though the result to be accomplished
il mentioned, the plans and specifications
are lacking. They say the p. W. Il h, is
trying to cover all the ground possible and
then freeze out the other roads. How,
under the proposed agreement tits TO do
this, is not stated, but with a raised finger
and wistlul glance toward the East, it is
only intimated.
This was the subject under consideration
at the meeting on Monday night. Nothing
was done. The two agreements were sub
mitted and discussed. The matter is yet
to come before Council, and at the proper
time the Board of Public Works, reveling
in red tape, will graCiOuSly advise that
body what to do.
RAILROAD NOTES.
The various committees in charge of the
Mt. Vernon, COshocton and Wheeling rail
read are vigorously working ii up. 1t has
not yet fully interviewed our Board OF
Public Works.
Engineer b w. Peterson has corps of
men ready To lay out the line OF the Elm
Grove and State Line railroad.