The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1891-03-12
Railroads and their Relations to
tho People and Material Devel-


The management of the Norfolk and I
Western railroad two or three weeks ago,
when considering a proposition from
several gentlemen to furnish facilities
or developing valuable iron property |
close to the Shenandoah Valley branch !
of the system, and marketing the pro-
duct, said that the company would pro
vide a branch anywhere that there was
everything in its power to assist in the
enterprise / hat has been the policy of
the Norfolk and Western ever since it
passed under its present management.
The effects are seen in the extraordinary
industrial progress now all along its line.
Capital is flowing in for investment il:
iron and coal properties, for the reason
that it is encouraged by the railroad au-
thorities. and the assurance given that
it will not be allowed to lie idle for want
of rail facilities to reach market. The
liberal policy of this corporation is thus
known and praised everywhere. Men of
enterprise and means, both from this
country and Europe, are directing their
attention to the properties tributary to
this road, with view to purchasing and
developing. Not only the industries.
but the company and the State are en-
couraged and benefited by sneh poll
cy Public sympathy ard support are
commanded by this corporation, for it
is recognized as a great artery OF com
merce, adjusting its policy and employ
ing its re sources of money and brains to
advance the interests of the Common
wealth, enlarge the area of industrial
activity. and further the cause of en-
liohteEed "ivlization.
Not only is the road amply equipped
with all the necessary machinery aud
appliances to accommodate the enter
prises it induces to locate along its line,
but il furnishes capaeious and slightly
depot buildings at almost every point,
and subscribes literally to the stock OF
every plant that is projected to convert
the raw material into marketable pro
ducts. The wisdom and sagacity of this
policy is demonstrated ia the increasing
business of the road; the Immense
amount of capital that is flowing into
the contiguous teri itory; the towns that
are springing up as if by magic, and the
general thrift and stir and progress of
the whole allied country. The Norfolk
and Western has a good word from
every man of enterprise and pnsh who
becomes cognizant of what it is doing. 1T
further illustrates what great railroad
can do for people and State.
AS rich i'm minerals as is the country
trayersed by the Norfolk and Western.
we do not believe it equals that through
which the Chesapeake and Ohio railway
passes from the Blue Ridgs to the Ka-
nawha Fails, extent of mileage eansid-
cred Within these limits lie the greater
resources of this road. The iron ore, mar
bic, coal, timber, and other valuable
elements O. material wealth, form a
sum of undeveloped wealth unmeasured
and immeasurabie. An expert in iron
making and statistics related to indus
trial enterprises. trained and instructed
in the activities of Pennsylvania opera
tions. recently said that the great iron
producin district of the continent
would lie locate along this road, with
its center in Allegheny county. 1t is
there where the richest of hematite iron
ore and limestone are found side by side,
with coal an coke within easy peach
This immense natural wealth has not
been literally lvcrtised; attention has
not been comprehensively called to it,
and consequently it is not SO we'll known
as the territory accommodated by the
Norfolk and Western. Nor has the pol
icy of the Chesapeake and Ohio been as
liberal as that which made the section
through which the Norfolk and Western
runs known throughout this country
and Europe. Not until the present
management of the Chesapeake and
Ohio came into rover Was prominence
given to local development, and not un
der this management has it been com
mensurate with the vast resources await
ing its active aid and sympathy. Travel
where you may through the money and
business centres of the country, and the
Norfolk and Western will be mentioned
a dozen times where the Chesapeake and
Ohio will be named once. When calling
attention to the mineral resources of
Virginia and the great opportunities
presented for profitable investment, tise
first Question asked would be, Are they
located on the Norfolk and Western?
When told that they were not, then
what the policy Of the Chesapeake and
Ohio was towards industrial enterprises,
and whether it was as liberal as that of
the Norfolk and Western.
Eastern and Western capital is look
ing anxiously towards Virginia. 1t will
come this way in the early spring.
Within the past few months we have
met here several Wisconsin gentlemen,
representing millions Of capital, ready
to be invested in desirable mineral prop
critics. Their inquiries were about the
country tributary to the Norfolk and,
Western They had heard of that sec
ton, but not of the equally as rich, if
not richer, region accommodated by the
Chesapeake and Ohio, and to that sec
tion they went and placed limited
amount of money.
The time has come for the railroads.
fhe great avenues and arteries of com
merce, of development and progress
passing through the territory of Vir-
ginia, to grasp and comprehend their
mission and the trne policy to consum-
mate it. They are chartered by the
peoples Legislature with vast pewers
and liberal privileges, to the end THAI
they might subserye ii e public welfare
in uncOvering hidden wealth, in brings
ing the people closer together, uniting
distant communities, expanding and en-
larging commerce. and promoting gen
orally the interests of the citizen and
the State. ANY ebeese-paripg, timid,
restrictive policy, would be in conflict
with the purposes of their organization
and the spirit of the age. and react upon
the corporation that should adopt it.
The citizen is bending his energies and
risking and employing his means as
N aver before in, the history of this Com |