Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1883-03-21
TIE VIRGINIA. MIDLAND RAILWAY

In commenting upon the gushing OF the
Baltimore directors from The Virginia Mid
land Road. the 1Mericun saws:
Although TWO gentlemen Mcssrs. Key
ser ana W!Imer~-wcrc to represent Bali
more interests. they are so hopecssly in the
minority that their presence in the board
does not promise much FOR this city. De
spite this Fact, however there is reason for
ocIievlng hat Baltimore is much nearer The
realization OF her hopes in The VIRGINIA
Midland than she has been Tor wears. Il
was learned yesterday that Mr.. Sol. Haas
General Freight Agent of the associated
lines c. thc Eirgimias and the Caroliuas
was IN the city on Monday negotiating for
the establishment Of connections between
the virginia Midland. Baltimore and Ohio
ana the Baltimore and Potomac Railroads
which would give Baltimore an alI.rail line
TO the South and al points covered bv the
associated lines, including the Richmond
aud DanNi!ic Railroad. The negotiations
that have heretofore been made with
a view Of ohtaiAins tiese conrcc-
lions have Invariably come from the.
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and
the other side has always shown consider.
able reluctance 10 make any concessions or
even to deal frankly with the question.
Now, however, that the associated lines. of
which The Richmond and Danvilc is one
nave taken The initlatory step in the ncgo,i.
ntions, there Is every reason 10 believe that
reciprocal treaty Of exchange between thc
roads at Issue will soon be eiIrc.e,, Tie,
chief breaker ahead which tnose represent
ing Bali NOR. interests will have to avoid
Wall be the question of diflerential rates .
between Baltimore and Richmond.
"Difercntial rates in favor ofRichrnolid Of
six cents OH the first three grades and three
cents on the last three gredes-tLe same
that are accorded Baltimore over New Yorl,
would &c Ill equitable arrangement, which
would be satisfactory to the business com
munlty and al the SAME time recognize the
rights Of Richmond. There will, doubtless.
be quite hard fight to secure these conces
sions to Baltimore, falling which through
connections which .iv Haas is now arrang-
ing for vii! he worthless. There is little
doubt thai this sudden disposition on the
part OF the Southern lines to make concess-
IONS TO Battimorc's interests is due TO the
fear that Mr. John w Garrett will carry
out his threat q e7tsnaing the Valley Rail-
roaa of Virginia southwark if the Baltimore
and Ohio is not given 6 fGll connection with
the Virginia MidIandn
directors the chief feature Of the meeting was
the question raised by President Barbour as
10 the extension OF the Virginia Midland
from Danyilic tc Mooresvlle, where !. would
connect with the North Carolina Midland,
In support OF :his project he stated that Mr..
Robert Garrett claims that it was the under
standing between the Baltimore and Ohio
and the Virginia Midland that The connec-
ton would be made by the latter road, and
that Mr.. Garrett declares il the Midland
does not undertake it Mr.. Garrett will ex-
tend his Valley Road down there and make
the connection" Upon this representation
the new board tGok The matter under adj
visement. 1t would be much easier for the
| proposed connection to be made BY the Vir-
gnia Midland than by The Valley Road but
the advantage Of extending the latter TO Il
connection with the North Carolina Midland
giving Baltimore an independent through
line to The South, would be very consider
able"