Frostburg mining journal., 1883-11-24

out the new road, this would have been
one alternative; no work the other!
The dispute, if any, concerning the
new road as Il paying institution is
settled by overwhelming atlirmations
from all quarters of research. What
remains? viii it continue to pay?
Having removed the incubus of ruin
Gus rates to Cumberland ; having en-
forced reduction of canal tolls, and
having gone into market last spring
and supplied itself with Il generous
tonnagc-all in and through its war
upon high transportation, it is a rea-
sonable expectation that it will not
dry up the springs of its life or dam
the current of its prosperity. In fact,
it could hardly abandon its mission
until it forces the great trunk lines to
yield their need of accommodation to
the demands of our trade. 1t is con-
fidently believed that even this great
battle is more than half won--that
before the ides of April the triumph
will be assured. With the main line
of the South Pennsylvania railroad
sweeping us far down as Mann's
Choice, a short branch will open to
us a new and nearer avenue to the
east. The Georges Creek and Cum
bcrland commands the approaches Of
Vanderbilt to this field, and, holding
the key to the situation, will be able
to tender our shippers the option of
four through lines to market.
Now as to the future of Frostburg,
the home of so many people who dis
approved the JOURNALS stalwart cs-
pousaI of the new road. This is Il
topic dear to many hearts wrapped in
business considerations or insulated
in the destiny Of real estate values.
For our own yindication us well as
the comfort of our people, poor and
well-ofi, it is to be said that nine or
ten shippers, who have this year sent
over half. million tons to market,
must soon 90 upon the superannuated
list. The limits of the Big Vein are
steadily narrowing down to the terri
tory of four or five companies, the
great bulk of whose property lies
around Frostburg. This is, there
fore, the heart and ere score of years
will be the body of the finest coal de-
post ON the globe. Some of its own
ers, under the lash of competition and
the rowels Of implacable debt, must
cut dirt for their lives. The rcputa-
tion acquired by this coal as superior
to all competitors, in hundreds of
cases its use a sine q't0 nan with con
sumers, together with cheapened ac-
cess toan expanding field ofconsump-
ton, must make future diggings here
about overgo in achievements our
palmiest days. Revert to the history
Of those days, recall the buoyancy OF
real estate values, and look for a res
toration more certain and durable
than any that has yet fallen TO us
evenly birthright. The diminishing
acres of coal must add higher and
higher values to the unbroken areas,
and it is not possible that any species
of real property shall advance in ma
terial worth without kindred estate
following with measurable pace.
A calm, reflective consideration OF
the foregoing points, given far too
briefly, will lead all thoughtful minds
to look upon the future as bright
with promise Of adequate reward for
labor and capital, and to expect that
future to begin with 1884.
In our own Judgment, fortified by
incontestable facts, the first step TO-
ward that future was taken when the
projectors of the Georges Greek and
Cumberland railroad determined to
construct il new artery to save the
Iife-blood of the region.