Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1896-12-17
Norfolk and Western Affairs.

WOulu Dt NtlCOl4t ASoSSS ~ tA'''
leges in the big union station that the
Chesapeake and Ohio and
Pennsylvania railroad companies are
talking about constructing in Wash
ington.
In conversation yesterday in his Of
fee at Roanoke, Va, Maj Fink said
to a Star reporter in reference to the
matter: Il have not the slightest
doubt that, as YOU have stated, YOU
have been informed by various officials
of the railway companies named that
the Southern and Chesapeake and
Ohio would be willing, and that the
Pennsylvania people would be glad,
for the Norfolk and Western to build
a branch line from Front Royal, Va,
to Washington, which would be so ar
ranged that our trains could go into
the same station as the others named.
Il have not, however, forgotten that
when some time ago we asked Con-
gress for a charter under which the
Norfolk and Western could get into
the District of Columbia, the Penn
svlvania Railroad Company, through
It's representatives, went before the
committees Of Congress which had
charge of the matter and defeated us.
"The extension of the Norfolk and
Western from Front Royal to Wash
ington would be a very desirable I'M
provement. and we have not aban-
doned the idea Of constructing that
line, but our plans for the immediate
future do not comprise anything OF
that sort, and, while We are preparing
to increase the facilities of the Nor
folk and Western at various points,
the building of short line into Wash
ington. so that our trains could get
into that city without going around by
Shenandoah Junction and Harper S
Ferry. w. Va, is not one of them.
81 do not wish to be understood by
this remark to mean that we may not
renew our efforts before Congress at
its coming session to get the permission
necessary to build the line from Front
ROYAL to Washington, nor do | say
that we will make any move in that
direction IN the very near future.
ROAD BETTERMENTs.
The Norfolk and Western intends
on account Of its constantly increasing
business to spend a great deal Of mon
ey in improving its present lines, and
when these are made we will certainly
not stop trying to extend and develop
our business, which, notwithstanding
the excitement incident to the recent
presidential campaign, was as good as
we expected, while the net receipts for
October last were as good as were
those for the corresponding month OF
last year, at which time the amount
was regarded as almost phenomenal.
"As for the future Of our road, ]
believe it has entered upon career OF
prosperity which Is likely to continue
for a long time, unless President
Cleveland should give the people a
scare in his message to Congress next
week, in regard to some public matter
similar to that he gave the country
in reference TO the Venezuelan question
little more than a year ago, the re,
suit of which was that the boom II
business, which had but just fairly
started, was stopped, and from tho
effect of which we are only now recov'
ering
"Stll another reason why We can
not at this time talk Of taking a par
in the project Of union station il
Washington in conjunction with tn
other companies above named is to b
| found in the fact that although tn
Norfolk and Western has been reor
gaDized az the outcome Of the receB
foreclosure sale and baa its own prem
dent and other officials, who are per
forming the duties Of their respectiy
positions, it IL still actually in tn
hands Of the receivers appointed b.
the United States court. This state
affairs exists in order that the receiver
may close up all mattessof busne'
relating TO their receiyership, and no
because there is any question as t
the ownership Of the road.
MONEY FoR IMPROVEMENTS.
A gentleman who is well informe
on Norfolk and Western matters tol
the Star reporter that he had the be'
sort Of authority for saying that at tn
time the representatives of Mr. :
Pierpont Morgan bought the road
few we Gs ago the latter set apart
certain number Of millions Of dsllal