The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-01-25

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4.-[Speciall-
The following is the text of Senator
Baroour's report from the committee on
tho District of Columbia concerning tho
Senate bill to authorize the Norfolk and
Western Railroad Company to extend
its lines into the District of Columbia:
Your committee, to whom was referred
the Dill, having carefully considered
inc merits thereof, submit the following
report:
This bill was introduced in behalf OF
tho Washington and Western Railroad
company, OF Virginia, body corporated
under the laws of that State; that COM
pany composed principally OF stock
holders of the Norfolk and Western
Railroad Company, having been auly
organized for the purpose of construct
ing railroad from point on the Shen-
andoah Valley railroad near Front
Royal and thence through tho counties
OF Fairfax, Loudoun, and Alexandria
TO the Potomac river at q point above
the Aqueduct Bridge, presented it's
petition to Congress asking authority to
extend its lines into the District of
Columbia, with terminal facilities in
Washington city.
This corporation has by purchase and
consolidation become part Of the Nor
folk and Western railroad system, and
that company has, this committee is in
formed, set apart the funds necessary
for tho construction of the road
throughout its length of nearly ninety
five miles.
1t is evident to this committee that
this company will be required to con-
Struct over the Potomac and Rock Creek
bridges which will be, if necessary, very
substantial and expensive.
The advantages to como to the citi-
zens of the District of Columbia from
commercial standpoint, in relieving
largely the present freight blockade,
arising from the limited facilities pos
SeSSed by the existing railroads; and.
through u distribution of the freight
and passengers from tho South and
West, from terminal point that is very
accessible to tho hotels and business
centers OF the cities of Washington and
Georgetown, arc Sclf-cvident and to bo
appreciated by everyone,
Whom we consider further that the
proposed route of this road will open up
and greatly develop beautiful and rich
section Of the neighboring State OF Vir-
ginia, bringing its inhabitants within
easy reach of tho markets of the Dis
Congress to perfect the charter granted
by that State to this company by az
cording to it the authority set out in tho
bill to enter and locate its terminals in
the District of Columbia. Beyond this
local interest your committee secs in
the construction OF this now line by tho
Norfolk and Western Railroad great
addition to tho convenience and comic
OF tho travelling public of the South and
West through it's richest and most beau
tiful sections, and in tho competition
for business both in passenger and
freight traffic the general public will be
necessarily benefited.
To the citizens OF the District OF
Columbia and of the North and East adj
ditional facilities will be afforded for
reaching the mineral springs and health
resorts of the valleys of Virginia. Your
committee have noted from statistics
submitted to them, the rapid growth of
the freight and passenger traffic in tho
railroad systems approaching Washing
ton, and they look forward to as great
an increase in the future, all of which
demonstrates the wisdom of timely in
crease in the facilities for access to and
from tho District by railroad transpor-
tation.
Provisions arc inserted in the bill
which prevent its creating monopoly
in tho use OF the route designated
Your committee believes that every
safeguard for the protection of the pub
lie has been provided for in the bill as
amended, and tits reported to Senate
with tho approval of your committee
and the recommendation that it be
passed.
The terms of tho bill have already
been published. 1t permits tho road to
enter the city by bridge above George
town, and pass Georgetown to q point
west of TwentysiXth street and South
Pennsylvania avenue, whore it shall
construct its acpots, etc. 1t is further
empowered to CONNECT with other lines
which are or may come within tho Dis
trict. Tho measure is regarded very
favorably by the District press and pub
lie generally, as the business of the
city has been greatly impeded by mea-
gre railroad facilities.
The Trouble Settled,
DE%vE;, Colo Ian 81 -TSDoo;oI1