The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-09-21
BALTIMORE Z OHIO EXTENSION.
The Reads Trouble Attributed
| TO Its Failure to Build South
what Director Duvali Says About It--Ho
Says If the People of Virginia VIII Ex-
hibit the Proper Spirit the Extension
Would Kun.

morning continuing inc discussion OF
the extension of the Valley branch of
the Baltimore and Ohio. 1t says:
Mr.. Henry Duvall is director of the
Valley extension of the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad He said yesterday in
reference to the Baltimore and Ohio's
intentions and the action Of tho people
of the Valley of Virginia in striving for
an extension of the Cumberland Valley
, road through their section: sit has al
ways been the desire of the directors CT
the Valley road to extend the line far
ther South, and this feeling know still
exists and is seconded by the Baltimore
and Ohio management. Our road now
extends from Harrisonburg to Licking
ton, and its incompleted condition has
cccasioncd much discussion at each
meeting of the board. Not only is it
our desire to continue the line to Salem,
in which direc ton a portion of the
grading has already been done, but the
suggestion that it be extended west
ward to Chattanooga has met with much
favor. This route would give direct
line Of travel from Baltimore and the
Eastern cities to New Orleans and other
Southern >martS.
Al one time it was thought that this
route would be pushed, and that Il con
nection would be made at that point
namcdswith the Richmond and Danvillc
systemA Tho matter, however, did not
materitiZe. The directors of the road
do not wish to cmbarrass themselves
with heavy indebtedness. which is the
chief reason why the extensions have
not been urged with more force. Efforts
have been made, and are still being
made, to secure the cooperation and aid
OF the people of the Virginia counties
whom the road would benefit, but so far
the responses have not been sufficiently
encouraging to warrant further outlay
on the part of the Valley road in MAX
ing the proposed extensions. The city
OF Baltimore is already creditor of the
road to the extent of 81 900, 900, and no
further aid could be asked or expected
ri her. The interest on the bonds that
segere issued by the Virginia counties for
e he construction of the existing road
way has not all been met promptly, and
much of this Indebtedness has fallen on
the baltimore and Ohio company, which
has always shown Il Willingness to CO.
operate with our board in all efforts for
the bctterment Of the line.
1t is appreciated that IL rich country
would be developed if the contemplated
VHuChoiOilo Wclc duu JIdC DalJl-
moro would be benefited by the opening
Of this territory and tho diversion to
this city of its trade We feel that we
owe much to the city for the aid OK
tended tie road The interests of tho
city will be protected so far as is in our
power. ! know that the feeling gener-
ally, both of the Valley extension and
of the Baltimore and Ohio officials, is in
favor of pushing this work to points
that would make it profitable, and |
believe the matter will be given an
early and favorable considcra ton by
all parties concerned. Nothing definite
has as yet been done looking to this end,
but if the people of Virginia will meet
us in the proper spirit no rival roads
will secure the trade or divert from Bal
timore her natural tributaries
Referring to the same question. Ham
blctons circular says: 'Thc activity in
railroad construction in the South is
claiming much attention., and the peo-
pie of Baltimore are anXiously looking
for better facilities and more direct
route which will give thcm close con
nection with the trade of this section.
1t had been supposed that the Baltimore
and Ohio Company would have long
since occupied the territory presented
by the Valley route, but il has so far
failed to grasp the opportunity. How
ever, it is not too late. but the mana
gers of the Baltimore and Ohio must be
up and doing, or else they will be antic-
ipated by rival lines. The Baltimore
and Ohio now ends at Lexington, Va
BY building from Lexington to Roanoke,
about fifty miles, it could form most
valuable connection. There is now UNI
der construction, and well advanced, the
Roanoke and Southern railroad from
Eoanoke, Va, to Salem, n. &. A new
Gne is projected and will. no doubt, DC
= aFuilt from Salem to Columbia, ). G..
tEhere it will connect with the south
found road now building from Columbia,
H. c. to Savannah, Ga.
III Reference to the map will show the
great desirability Of this route, and the
immense advantage which would inure
To the Il. & o. Company and Baltimore
Fifty from such connections. The temp
5htion to pocket the $1,000, 900 received
from the sale of the Virginia Midland
Gai]road was too great to be resisted by
Hthc manager or managers of the Il. Il o.
hCompany, but it was an evil day for
baltimore and the Il. e. o. when the
Rsale was made. If the ID. & O.. had
Aspcnt one-fourth the money in perfect
ding Southern connections which was
l$spent in going to New York it would
1ncver have gotten into financial difficult
Eties, and Baltimore would not have
Mad<-st.t Nlivide its Southern trade with
4eea% 10 Mia and New York. We have
PhllaoeipNSee present management of
mo oo"D' aNpreciate the advantages
the y. a. ~ II X extending the Valley
TO TOD De o ond we bon they will take early
4 s st"ns to-, secure theNatm %
Mr.. p. Is. Sublett,a leading nAeichant
Iof Staunton, Va, writes to the Sun as