The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-17

Immediate object l. said to BE a Northern
Outlet

lmIle nltte Object - Ntinip he "A Noiinfih
Outlet
The proposed plans for tho extension
Of the seaboard Air Line system re-
Gently published In the sun have attract
cd considerable attention in financial and
railroad circles.
Some interests regard the move as a
"blun" designed to bring the Southern
railway 20 terms and put an end TO the
contention existing between the two sys-
TENS Many hnanciers. however. sail that
they recognized the scheme as plausi-
Bile ono and expressed the belief that, as
President Hoffman was an enterprsins
as well as an aggressive railroad man,
the plans would bee carried out II suiil-
Client capital could be enlisted. lnvesuea-
lion Yesterday boo authoritative circles evl-
denced that there was good ground Tor
believing that the New York dispatch
which outlined the plans was partly ir
not wholly correct.
There appears strong assurance that
the initial and most important link IN the
extensions referred 10 VIII be built This
is the Virginia and Carolina railroad,
which is TO extend from Richmond 10
Riddway on the Raleigh and CASTOR
railroad. an important part OF the sea-
board Air Line system.
President Hoffman is out OF tho city
and Mr.. Louis McLanc. chairman OF the
Executive Com nttee OF the system, said
! that me could not discuss the subject.
MFR NcTane said that the project was
not "a "bun' although the Scaboard
MANAGEMENT YVES not the chief mover
in the enterprise. When asked II the
line would become part OF the Seaho1rl
/ system he said. "a glance az the map
would show that our system is rs natur-
al ally'
As has already been stated. De Witt
Smith. OF New York. and associates have
secured tho franchises of the Virginia
and Carolina railroad under an obliga-
ton 10 complete the line. This road is an
old project upon which some work was
! done before the war Moncure Robinson,
father Of the late John VI. Robinson. IS
| said 10 have been the chief promoter
/ of the construction of this line. and
/ through his efforts about 10000 were exc
| pended on the road.
with the completion OF this project ana
| us control secured to the Scaboard. the
/ latter would be able 10 enter Richmond
over IT'S own lines. and DE IN position
l % interchange traffic with the Chesapeake
and Ohio 10 advantage. IT, has been the
/ determined policy Of the Seahoard Air-
D Line for some time 10 obtain Northern
outlet Tho recent rate VAR with mo
Southern railway was Influenced 20 some
/ extent by the belief that the Southern
was blocking its efforts IN this direction.
After reaching Richmond "a traffic al
/ lance IS proposed with The Richmond.
fredericksburg and Potomac railroad FOR
/ the haul q its trains 10 Quantico. within
| O. short distance Of Washington. The Rob
/ inson family are largely interested in tho
/ Richmond fredericksburg and Potomac.
Entrance into WASHINGTON would Doe the
/ next move. and traffic alliance with The
! baltimore and Ohio railroad has been ec-
r.ously suggested. With the carrying ont
| ~ n scheme OF this kind the scah0lrl
wouil become a formidable system. and
would take "a much larger share of the
traffic movement from the East % the
South.
A. 70 extensions and connections %
reach Now Orleans and points 60 Florida.
those IN o. position 20 know regard them
u.s. remote. and it IS the impression th.t
n Northern outlet for its present territory.
embracing SOME Of tho most progressive
sections To the South SIS the chief end
On view az ibis time.
In connection w'tl This move 90 h~-s '.n
4 the scope of tho Se1hoard system. D. is ~
interest 20 recall tho recent attempt NJ
Mr. Thomas J.. RYAN 10 obtain control
+ hv cndo1voring 10 buy "a airrIfv of the
stock o. tho parent company. Nr Ryan.
otter buying large minority interest.
flllel 20 secure r. ior.tv of tho stock.
because NJ refusal 20 son hv 'he come
rrfttoe with which 10 WAS pooled llo is
still however said Oh he ambitious -
get control ~ the property Nr Ryln
bought some ~ Pho stock which had been