Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1888-03-03
RAILROAD EXTENSION.

CHAMBERsBURG, Pa, February %.
The fifty-third annual report of the
Cumberland Valley Railroad Compa-
ny was published here to-day. For the
year ending December 31st, 1887, the
earnings of the main stem were STA,
1862, and the operating expenses
S575, 314.95, making the net earnings
for the year $199, 1857. After the
payment of the interest on the bonded
debt, the Maryland and Pennsylvania
State taxes and an eight per cent.
dividend, there remains surplus of
So, 184.03. The Cumberland Valley
Railroad leases and operates the
Martinsburg and Potomac Railroad,
which runs from Hagerstewn, Md, to
Martinsburg, w. Va. This road in
1887 earned S21 ,660.56, and the oper-
ating expenses S23.0l7.37, showing
deficit for the year of 81 1852. 1t
Is proposed to extend the road from
Martinsburg. w. Va, to Winchester,
Va, and in regard to this proposed ex-
tension the report has this to say of the
Martinsburg and Potomac Railroad
This road was sold on the 18th day
of November, 1887, under decree of
the Circuit Court of Berkeley County,
w. Va, and was purchased by Thos.
B. Kennedy, who has given public
notice that new company will be
organized on the 18th day of March
next"
In response to what seems general
public demand from the section of
the Valley lying between Martinsburg
and Winchester, the new company
proposes to make an effort to extend
this road to the last named point.
This, however, it cannot accomplish
of itself, and the Cumberland Valley
Company will doubtless be called
upon to assist the enterprise. The
investment heretofore made by the
Cumberland Valley Company will
new company as in the old; but it
will likely continue to yield the same
unsatisfactory results, unless some
thing be done to increase the general
prosperity ofthe road. For this reason
we cannot be Indifferent to any effort
made to enlarge its operations and if,
by increasing our investments to a
limited extent, we can thereby secure
for the main road an extension which
would giveit a corresponding increase
of business, the assistance required, in
the judgment of your board, should
not be withheld. The section through
which the proposed extension would
pass presents many features inviting
to railroad enterprise. It is highly
productive, and rich in natural adyan-
tages. The city of Winchester, the
proposed terminus of the road, has
already large business interests, which
are growing in Importance"
This open statement, coming from
naturally conservative board of direc-
tors, is regarded here as a positive
declaration of the intention of the
Cumberland Valley Road to build the
Winchester extension this coming
summer, with the ultimate
intention to extend it to Gerardstown
and further points in the Virgin
las. The Cumberland Valley has fur
nished the cash for the
Martinsburg and Potomac Road, and
this increase to their already heavy
investments in the property makes it
necessary that new feeders through
the Virginias be created for the main
line, in order to secure the money al
ready invested. Philadelphia CAPT.
talists have indicated their willing
ness to advance all the money neces-
sary. The report also says that new
roundhouse, warehouse, and other
permanent improvements, costing in
all more than $4,000, will be erected
in Chambersburg this summer, and
this statement goes to show that the
road from Harrisburg, Pa, to Win
chester, Va, one hundred and eigh-
teen miles in length, will be operated
in two divisions, of fifty-two and sixty
six miles in length, respectively, and
with headquarters at Chambersburg.