The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-12-07

The Roanoke Railway Construction
Company Is still forging ahead in the
work OF securing subscriptions for the
new railroad. Some property owners
ara subscribing literally. some have
subscribed voluntarily, while large
number have so far done nothing for
this enterprise which promises to do
80 much for them and for the city.
The skies are frightening and the
citizens are awakening to the fact
that upon themselves alone rests the
success of the plans.
All tho money necessary for the
building of the road will not, CT course,
have to be raised in Roanoke, but it
is certain that unless the proposed
amount is subscribed within the next
few weeks the road will follow in the
footsteps of former enterprises, which,
IL carried out, would have caused the
prosperity of the Magic City to have re-
NAMED continuous and permanet.
While the failure to build a cotton
factory in this city last year did not lie
with the citizens Of Roanoke, because
they subscribed the amount asked of
them, the neglect to build the proposed
railroad will rest upon the shoulders OF
the citizens Of this city, and this city
alone.
A representative of THE TIMES con-
versed with a number OF citizens on the
subject and found the sentiment in
favor of the road to be unanimous.
Some of the opinions received are as
follows:
f. II. Stewart: Nothing that we could
do would contribute more to the pros
perity of our city than the building of
this road; in fact, / regard it as q ne
cessity If We wish to retain and give
employment to our present population.
While the money spent in its construc-
ton at this time would 5e Of every great
value to US, the greater bene fits to be
derived would be tho cheapening OF
freigbts; the reduction in the prices OF
coal that would necessarily follow. and
the advantage that another and COM
petitive line would give US in securing
| other manufacturing industries, which
| we can never get withoutit.
Maj. j. FL Dunstan: In my opinion
this new road. if built, would do moro
| good for the city than could anything
else that could.be done. Roanoke can
never be manufacturing city of any
Importance until we have competition
in freights l think the plans pro-
posed are good. The harder the times,
rely on themselves to help the scheme
along. Using the old exclamation,
God helps those who help them
selves" we certainly need to help our.
selves now. There are few schemes
that could be easier on the people than
this one, as nothing will be paid until
the road is actually in operation.
Postmaster A S. Asberry: am in
favor of this proposed railroad, for the
reason that believe it would have a
very great tendency to build up
wholesale business. Without com
peting line OF railroad we can never
expect to do much in this line Of com
merce. Everybody in the city ought to
be interested in this enterprise without
personal motive in trying to locnte 1t
in any certain section of the city. We
only want the Chesapeake and Ohio os
| con- peting line for the general good
| of the city without considering tho good
| it would do any particular corporations
| or branches of business.
| Joe Frank: I think the building of
the proposed railroad is for the bost
| business interests Of the city, and VIII
enchance the value of property.
would rather have the Baltimore and
Ohio than the Chesapeake and Ohio.
Jos. j. Catogni: am in faver of tho
pioPOSeo no" iaileoau, pelleFiHB VHaI
competing lines of railroad are greatly
to the advantage of the business in
| terests of a city. Any new line of road
will benefit our city.
Market Clerk Robert E. Coleman:
am heartily in favor of the road
and the scheme. I believe in rail
roads and think the more we have
the more business is done in the city
l think this proposed road Is for the
best interest of the city.
Councilman c. b Moomaw: think
| the new railroad will be of great ad-
vantage to us in various ways, by caus-
| Ing reductions in freight and com petit
| ton in business.
Councilman j. S. Pattie: We certainly
ought to have another railroad and /
| would like to see this one built