The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-12-11
THE BALTIMORE s. OHIO.
Why business Men in Baltimore Should
Interest Themselves.
(From the Baltimore News

The decision of the receivers of the
Baltin ore and Ohio railroad tn give nm
control of that part of the Valley branch
between Strasburg and Harrisoniur. has
not received attention in Baltimore tlint
its importance demands. We have long
since ceased to regard as of any value the
investment of 100000 made in the
stock of the Valley road bv the CITY of
Baltimore, but we could far better afford
to see that forever lost than to see Bnlti-
more lose the last possible chance of ever
controlling the trade of the Valley of
Virginia. 1t has seemed reasonable to
believe that whenever good times would
bring about certain railroad develonments
in Virginia and West Virginia, il would
make profitable the extension of the Vnl-
ley line from Lexington to Roanoke or
Salem, and thus give to this city through
connections with that territory, which in
mineral, timber and agricultural re.
sources is scarcely equalled elsewhere in
America. If the Baltimore and Ohio
has, however, finally abandoned the lease
of the stretch between Strasburg and
Harrisonburg, it would seem to indicate
that the receivers have definitely decided
to forever abandon the question of extern
sion into South vest Virginia, and thus
lose all hold upon the traffic of that re,
gion. 1t may, of course, be possible that
they Lave In view some arrangements for
Il Joint traffic use between their company
aud the Southern railway, but rs mat.
ters now stand Baltimore is cut ont of
that territory, and the people of Alexan-
dra are proposing to hold public meet.
ingS to express satisfaction at this turn
of affairs, which, it is supposed by the
business men of that city will turn the
trade of the rich mineral region between
Strnsburg and Harrisonburg to Alcxnn-
drn.
The people of Baltimore cannot afford
to sit idly by ana see railroads connecting
them with the South and with Virginia
and West Virginia, especially. pass out
OF the control of this city and into hands
that are more friendly to other places.
Southwest Virginia and West Virginia
contain resources of such unlimited
wealth creating possibilities that we will
be recreant to the responsibility that
rests upon us if we permit the rich trade
of those rapidly growing States to be con-
trol!ed by other cities. No othe- sea-
board city in America has as it's back
country" region of such infinite re-
sources. The development of the coal
iron and timber regions of West Virginia
end Southwest Virginia has barely COM
menced, and get these two States are an
nnally turning cut even now upwards OF
12,C00,O00 tons of coal.
The region which might be brought
into tribute to Baltimore through the
Valley road has marvellous natural re-
sources, and, destined to he the scene of
tremendous industrial activity and pros
perity, should he made tributary TO Balt-
more. 1t will be too late to do this after
the lines of trade and travel have been
definitely fixed by contraction of rail
roads 10 carry this traffic from us instead
nf moi To Itnlt
other business territory upon which to
depend, it ought to be able to grow rich
out of that field alone if it could control
the growing traflics of West Virginia and
Southwest Virginia. The opportunity is
one that no other city of this country en-
Joys, and yet our people seem to be max
ing but little effort to increase their hold
upon the traffic of that section. On the
contrary, we see one principal hold that
could have been secured by the extension
of the Valley line probably cut off from
us, and we have made no effort whatever
to prevent this.
1t is OF course, k'own to everybody
that the Valley branch of the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad has not been profitable,
and there is no earthly reason why it
should have profitable under the con
ditions that have prevailed. Ending
practically nowhere, as it now does, with
out connections for through service, de-
pendent wholly upon local traffic and Civ
ing such inferior service us to drive both
passenger and freight traffic away from
it, no sane man could expect any other
result than has been seen IN the unprofit-
able condition OF this part of the Balti.
more and Ohio system. 1t may also be
admitted that the conditions for extern.
sion have not been favorable. and that
without some good railroad connection mt
Salem or Roanoke, no great through
traffic could be developed, but if by ex-
tending to Salem or Roanoke, through
connections might be made to the South
or IL line developed into Southwest Vir-
ginia coal fields in order to put Balti-
more in direct connection with the Poca-
hontas coal territory, local and through
traffic both would be so greatly developed
as TO make this line profitable and
greatly increase the trade of Baltimore.
y careful study Of the resources of
Virginia in connection with the influence
which their development may he made to
bear upon the progress ana prosperity of
Baltimore is il subject demanding the
thought of every business man of this
city. We cannot afford to overlook the
fact that here is II territory that has no
parallel on this continent for possible de-
vclopment and wealth creation, all of
which can be made tributary to this city
if we are wise and progressive.
THE COTTON CROP.
IA.