The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-01-13

RICHMOND, Jan. 12-lSpeciall-Bef
the legislative roads committee and
many other legislators this morning
President kimball, of the Norfolk and
Western, appeared to talk against the
Kent bill. Besides Mr.. Kimball there
were here Vice. President and General
Manager Sands, Counsellor William C.
Bullett and Messrs. Barbour, bronson
and AXtell.
Mr.. Kimball said: "Should tho Kont
bill become law it would DO an irrepa-
rable injury to the railroads of Virginia
and fatal blow 10 the continued agri-
cultural and industrial development of
the State. The fact of such legislation
being introduced acts as n reflection on
the officers and directors of Virginia
railroads and an intimation that thev
have so oppressed the people and Grip
pied the industries Of the State that
Legislative Intervention is prayed. 1t is
susceptible of proof that the exact con-
trary is the case. Would a member Of
this committee engage in furnace or
other enterprise where the conduct of
the business, and even prices to be
charged, were taken out of the hands Of
those interested and placed under legis-
lative espionage?
Tho commissioners might be fair
and reasonable. but tho uncertainty
would deter you. If this bill passes
further money will not be invested in
Virginia railroads and the works already
commenced could not be completed. The
railroads in their efforts of development
bring many other industries here Tho
Norfolk and Western has brought in n
hundred and eigh teen, with Il capital of
S34 ,OOO,0 600, while our road has itself ox-
pended Sii, 100000.
Tho test Of peoples prosperity is
their ability and desire to travel and in
the shipment of their products. This
test applied shows the people along our
limo to be prosperous, for in.lSSl 2l5, 900
people were carried, while in 1901
1.S61, 400 were carried.
The tonnage of freight increased in
the same decade from 100000 tons to
5,79G,000 tons. During this period
freight ratios have decreased from
l 44-lO0 cents to 54-lOO cents; passenger
fares from9 3-100 cents to = 500 cents.
While | speak of the road about
which l know most. I can saw that
other roads have done in proportion to
their opportunities. Tho roads have
shown that they have the interes. of
Virginia at heart, and have and arc
doing their utmost for Virginia develop
ment, and l think they have earned tho
right to ask that no more restrictions
be put upon their business than upon
the business of amy citizen or class en-
gagged in other business pursuits.
Railroads need money. This comes
from without our borders and can ONLY
BIO obtained by roads having good credit,
and money will not flow where adverse
legislation makes uncertain tho returns
on that money. AS Il railroad officer |
ask that you report the bill adversely
and that you will not report favorably
on any bill which will unfavorably af-
feet the railroads.
at the conclusion of tho speech tho
committee closed consideration of the
bill for the day. Mr.. Kent will be
heard next.
In the house the Koiner bill allowing
female physicians for female wards OF
asylums called forth long debate. but
was finally passed to engrossment.
The senate session was brief and I'M
interesting.