Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-01-09
CARRY PEOPLE ONLY.
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND
THE CONNECTION TRACK.
Its Continuance for Passenger Travel Ta-
voyed-Tslk About Railroad Matters
Money for Streets


The quarterly meeting Of the Richmond
Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday
afternoon at 5 o'clock, the president.
Colonel John b. Purcell. in the chair.
Mr.. s. w. Travers. chairman OF the
Committee on Inland Trade, made verbal
report in reference to the question OF the
delay of shipments TO points on the At
lantic and Danyille railroad, in which ne
said that the traffic manager of the road,
while denying that any delays were due to
the manner in whlch trainc from nlch-
mond was handled by this line, at the
same time gave assurances that every effort
should be made on his part 10 secure the
delivery Of goods with the utmost posi-
bic dispatch. Further than TINS MS COM
mittee had not proceeded IN the matter;
the condition Of the affairs OF the railroad
rendering the present time unfavorable Tor
investigation.
THE CONNECTION TRACK.
Mr.. Travers then said, as chairman OF the
Committee on Inland Trade. he would take
the liberty of calling the attention OF the
Chamber to. the fact that an oTdlnance
passed by the City Council Of Richmond
prohibited the use Of the connection track
between the Richmond, Fredericksburg
and Potomac and the Richmond and Pc
tersburp railroads by trains drawn by loco
motives after April 1st of the present year;
He said the effect of this ordinance would
be TO require through passenger trains TO
mass around the city by the Belt Line, and
That n would. moreover, subject travellers
to the inconvenience of being transferred
from through trains to local trains. These,
he Thought. were matters for grave consld-
Grafton to Richmond and its citizens, and
as best illustrating the situation ne had
heard il intimated that If the city couid
stand such q change the rallroad couia
do so. =,
The subject was then discussed freely by
members Of the Chamber.
Mr.. ID. Buchanan inquired If there was
any probability of the tunnel under Eighth
street being completed, and If so whether
this would not afford route Tor the pas
senger trans of the Atlantlc-Coast Line.
But no information was ellcited on thls
point. ~,
Mr.. G.. W. Burr, of 1905 west Broad
street. said that az person located IN
psrt of the city through which the con-
nection track ran. he had given the SUB
iect much consideration; that he thought
great injury would be done Richmond by
the disuse of this connection, and That
many people who were induced 10 stop
here now would, if through trains passed
around tho CITY. not stop in the future.
Major Joseph Walker, of Chesterfield
county, while admitting that he would
like TO see depot of Importance on the
other side of the river. so far as the inter-
est of Chesterfield was concerned: ssid
that he did not desire 1t TO be estaDnsned
at the expense OF Richmond. and that II
Richmond man he would be strongly op-
posed TO the disuse Of this connection
track by passenger trains.
COMMITTEE TO INQUIRE.
Mr.. X. II. Whitlock expressed the opin-
ion that il would be very risky thing LOT
Richmond TO prohibit the use OF this track
for passenger service, as 1T was hiighiy
probable. he thought, that the railroad
would then put on what is known as
" Shoo-Fly Trains" to serve the travellers
TO and from the city.
The uuestion was such serious one, he
said. that il should be referred to the Com
mIttee on Inland Trade with power to act
in the premises, and for that purpose, ne
offered the following:
Resolred, That the committee be requested 70
consider and report 10 tho Board OF directors OF
the Cham Der tho propriety OF petitloning tne
city Council to rescind the ordtnauce pronion-
ing aftor April !, 1891, the use OF the conhecung
track between Elba and Byrd-street depot py
trnins drawn by locomotives 30 far as said ordi-
nance relates 10 passenger trains, u DeinR ,ne
sonss OF this Chamber TINT the Atlaptlc-Coest
over said connection track.
Mr.. James Lyon seconded the resolution, and
in doing so said that he had gwen th'e Quesuon
much thought. his father having been presloent
OF this road and in ono way or another having
always been Interested In II: that IL had been
operated In the interest OF tho city, and Its a.
fairs 30 conducted that Gs far as he knew, II hao
never been enloined, sued Tor damages, or kllic1
any passengers or citizens: that In the CITY OF
Washington a bill had been passed permitting
the Pennsy lvanih and othor railroads fres IN
cress and that We coulc not afford 10 DO behind
the times: that this connection track passeu
through a most attractive and I'm pposng part OF
the city and wes the best advertisement with
the travelling public that Richmond could nave;
that the car method Of advertsing which is now
greatly In vogue showed the resources and pro-
duets OF q section OF country by taking them all
over the United States, while We displayed Our
attractions and advantages TO something ike
100000 travellers annually by means OF thls con-
nection track.
TIE PRESIDENTS VIEWS.
President Purcell said he was very glad that
Mr. Travers had referred TO this question, ana
that the chamber had considered II with 30 much
interest: tn at II had occupied his attention ana
he was engaged in gathering como stHts-
ties In reference 10 n similar case at Charleston,
g. c.; that passengers 70 and from Cnarle5'oh
yero forced 10 change cars at Ashley junction,
"a station some miles from CharIesloh. anu
through trains passed around that city: that the
citizens OF Charleston were 30 profoundly I'M
pressed with the injury done them by this ar.
rangement that they employed eminent counsel
and considered the question OF taxing away tue
charter Of the railroad for not having, IS pro-
yided, its depot st or near Charleston; tnat In
the city Of Washington, as stated. Philadelphia,
New York, Cincinnati, St Louis. and other citles
such privileges were freely granted, aud that we
could no; afford 10 build Chinese wall around
our city on account OF the complaint OF a few OF
our citizens; that he hoped the matter would DO
referred 70 the Committee on Inland Trade. ana
that they would III axe such report as could go
forth with tho impress Of the Chambers ap-
prOyaL ,,
DR.. j. Hall Moore and Mr. II. L. Staples ali sd-
voc ated the resolution which was unanimously
adopted by the Chamber.
RICHMOND TO RrDGEwAY.
Colonel John B. Cary submitted . resolution
referring 10 the Committee on Inland Trade
the question OF something being done to pro-
mote the construction Of the road from Ridge-
way, N. c.. to Richmond. which, he said, would
bring Richmond about one hundred miles near
or Atlanta, Ca, and afford a third competing
route for southern trade.
In dealing with this question he asked that
the commiItse should also consider what could
be done by the city OF Richmond under lis
charter, as be SAID taat other citesfuch as salem.
Hoanoke, and Lynchburg. we're contributing 10
lines considered of importance TO their material
welfare. In answer TO the inquiry OF Colonel
Cary Mr.. Jackson Guy said that he was OF the
opinion that tho charter OF the city allowed sub
fcriptions TO DO made TO such enterprises pro-
periy guarded by tho approval OF @ certain ma
iority OF the free-holders OF the city.
In this connection Major Joseph Walker eiso
suggested that tho same committee take into
consideration what could be done towards estap-
ushing better connection with the Norfolk ana
Western raiiTosd, saving that II these two rail-
road lines could DO secured and our river I'M
proved as 1t should be there would never be any
danger OF Richmond being g." side-tracked." Tue
inquiries as requested. were referred 70 the
Committee on Inland Trade.
The question Of securing sleepin gear borths
on south bound through trains before the ar
rival OF such trains at Richmond was also re-
ferrod to tho fame committee.
POSTAL AND TELEGRAPH SERVICE.
Mr.. George A. Smith, chairman Of the
Committee on Postal and Telegraph Ser
vice. submitted the following report. which
was referred to the Board of Directors
The undersigned Committee on Postal and
Telegraph service beg leave TO report that they
approve of objects sought TO be attained ~
senate Bill No. 3739, providing for tho establish
ment OF an American ocean mail service, ana
recommend the endorsement OF the measure
With the hope that Norfolk, Newport News, or
some other Virginia port. II not Richmond. may
DO benefited by the operation OF the Oil. They
lixewise approve OF tho resolution adopted by
Mar nd