The morning times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1897, 1896-08-30
SOUTHERN REACHING OUT
Rum0red Purchase of the Nor
folk and Western Line.
STORY HAS BEEN DENIED
Yet the Gathering of Southern Of
ficinls at Norfolk Seems to Give
Importance to the Statement
Changes To be Made on the Alex
andria and Mount Vernon Road.

Railroad circles are all agog over the
reported purchase of the Norfolk and West
ern road by the Southern. Although the
rumor that the deal has Leen made Is de
pied at the Southern Headquarters in this
city, yet the meeting Of the officials of the
southern In Norfolk yesterday, where the
Norfolk and Western terminus and sheds
were Inspected, and the Iuriher fact that
"a conference will take place in Atlanta
un Monday, seem to give ground for beiief
that the Southern will absorb the line.
The policy OF the southern thus far has
teen to prevent competition in its terri
tory by Buying up or getting control of
every system or line, 10 matter how small
weich would lie rival or The smallest
magDit ude-
for some time the Norfolk and Western
was an insurmountahle barrier to the
Southern in its efforts to get exclusive
control of the traffic all through the
South. aud the Southern was compelled
TO use the Norfolk and Western for its
freight traffic, and does to some exteut. yet
The Norfolk and Western was offered for
sale last week. and 1t is stated by promi-
neut railroad men, that the Southern Is
negotiating for the road
WOULD DCOMPLETETHE SYSTEM.
Since the Southern secured its Cumber-
land zap aud Knoxville branch 1t has
been abe 10 be less dependent on the
Norfolk and Western, but still has to use
that line To Some exteut as medium FOR
freight distribution.
Inc especial aova ntage which would
accrue from the acquisition or the line
would be a direct route between Lynch
burg ana br istol, Tenn. the latter place
beng now reached by CirCuitous route
to Morristown or Knoxville and then back
AGAIN up the BRISTOL branch. Held OF
western traffic to Columbus, Ohio, which
Is a territory not yet operated by the
Southern. and a line TO Hagerstown, Nd,
would also he obtained. These latter sec
tons would not be so important to the
southern as the line between Norfolk and
Bristol.
PRESIDENT Spencer. Vice President Bald
win, General Supt. Green, DIVISION Supt.
O'Brien and other officialSof the Southern
were IN Norfolk Thursday, professedly for
the purpose OF inspecting tie southern
road property there, but really to look
over the Norfolk and Western interests.
The party viii proceed TO Atlanta and
conference will be held. 1t is supposed. on
the Norfolk and Western deal
Extensive Improvements VIII be made at
the Norfolk terminus of the Southern. with
a view OF handling increased uantities OF
freight. Primers Point will be made
suitable as a landing place Tor large
stea mers engag aged in the cotton trade, winch
the Southern expects to handle cotton
press will also be built there and the roads
lea ading to the terminal sheds and ship
wharves viii be paved and graded.
NOT YET FILLED.
The position OF division passenger agent
OF the Pennsylvania Rauroad Company,
with neauuuarters IN baltimore, maue Va
can't by the ueatn or Stephen ID. Kennedy,
who was Connected with the road Tor over
twenty years, has not yet been Tiled. Sew
eral officials stationed at Washington have
been mentioned In connection with the
place. W. u. Wheeler has been acting
division passenger agent since Mr.. hen-
pedy's death.
, Inc Seaboard Air Line and Southern Rail
road will ENJOY a cessation OF rate cutting
hostilities uptll Judge Slnonton renuefs
his decision In the injunction case. The
decision is expected in the neXt few days
Should he hold that the court has 10 jurie
diction III the matter, the case Will prob
ably be appealed and then brought before
the Interstate csmmerce commission. 1t
WIN eventually reach the Supreme Court OF
the United States.
because OF the lack of facilities for.
freight traffic on the Washington, Arllng-
ton and Mount Vernon electric line, which
has taken the place of the local trains for
meriy run by the Pennsylvania road be-
tween Washington and Alexandra, some
dissatisfaction mas been caused.
The Messenger service has been improved
by the electric line. The fact, though, that
a passenger frequently IS delayed because be
cannot get his baggage carried OH a
PENNSYLVANIA road at a time which will
get it to Alexandria an hour or SO after
he reaches the place. has caused some
complaints. President q. T.. ABBOTT, OF
Vernon Company, was notified OF the
complaints week ago. and be Immediately
went to Philadelphia from Vermont, where
he Is SDenQiuS UUe anu S1'C o..
order for three combination baggage and
smoking cars These will be coupled to
the passenger trains and be regularly run
over the road.
BELT LINE TUNNEL.
The famous Belt Line tunnel built by the
Baltimore u Ohio under tie city OF Palti-
more to facilitate its northern traffic, Will
be opened 10 passenger and freight trains
Oh tue first OF HeptemDer. The time to New
York has been reduced seven minutes by
the tunnel This gain is now lost because
the passenger trains have to enter Camden
station and then pull out before going into
the tunnel On this account it Ia thought
that Camden station will be abandoned
The historic old station has outgrown its
usefulness, and handsome depot, built
al tho opeA cut at the northern end OF the
underground track. obviates the neces-
sity for Camden station.
Charles Il. stuart, well known to Wash
ipGtonians and formerly in charge of the
BaHinIope aud Ohio ticket office at Elf
teenth street and New York avenue, has
been placed in charge Of the new depot,
which is known as the Mount Royal sta
tion. - 49,