The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-03-13
PORTSMOUTH n EVXS
CIR. fcWsnss Discusses the Outlook
With ~ yfrsstnian Representatives,

MI. & NewEass. president OF the At
lantlc ana Danville railroad, arrived in
the city yesterday morning, ana took
room ~ at Hotel PORTSMOUTH, where he
was sought by The Nirginlan represent
tatlve and asked to discuss railroads.
Alr. sNeWgass said he had little to say
about the Atlantic and Danyillc, as he
mad said all in his annual statement
there was to say.
Reporter: Mr.. Newgass, J. suppose
decision of the Court of Appeals in the
suit or the city Of Portsmouth vs. the
Atlantic and Danville?
MI. Newgass: Oh. yes; perfectly So
Reporter: What will he the future OF
the road? Will it be extended to the
coal fields?
NY. NeWEass: No, sir; the business
OIL the road and the future outlook at
present would not Justify any extern
sion. The road is being run at dead
loss Money Is being furnished all the
time to make up the deficiency. You
know, we have nothing but lumber and
logs to depend ON. We have no North
ern or Southern freight our through
business is comparatively small, and is
not such as would warrant the cxpendi-
ture OF any money.
Reporter: We'll, Mr.. Newgass, do you
propose selling the road, or do you in
tend to continue to run it at a loss
Mt Newgass: l do not intend to cell.
l believe in few years, possibly not
more than one, that this will be pay
ing institution. l have grea faith in it
and believe that money will again be
made out Of tho investment. / think
that 1t will not be long before confidence
Will be restored, and business. which has
been at standstill for so long, will re-
vive and then our road. like everything.
else. will be benefited
Reporter: do you intend 70 come 10
portsmouth at any future date and do
you not think that Portsmouth deserves
some recognition at your hands?
Mr.. Newgass: We'll, in answer to your
question about ever coming 10 Ports
mouth. I will say cannot answer that
now. l would be only too glad to come
TO Portsmouth, but business does no,
justify ME In paying large rents for
WharVes and warehouses, rights OF way
through streets. erecting safety gates
and keeping men there to attend to
them I feel sorry for the people Of
portsmouth that they should have to
lose the $l50,000 that they invested in
the road, but like myself, they have
been swindled by Bateman and others
lost nearly all my cupital through
these fellows, and like the city, am
suffering for 1t.
Reporter: DO you intend to take away
your roundhousc and move the track
leading to the same?
Mr.. Newgass: No, sir; but others are
NoNtliS away we loHHunpusS lOl me, =
little ut time. My track will remain
down, and shall use it at times for
lumber merchants and wood dealers,
etc.
Reporter: DO you find that i, pays
You to have your shops at Lawrence
vile.
Mr.. Newgass: Yes, sir; in more ways;
than one. We get men cheaper than
we did here, and they can be relied on
to remain with us all the time. When
we were here the navy yard interfered
with us Frequently men would leav G
GS at critical times and go TO work in
The yard.
Reporter: II the belt road is built,
will you run down TO Primers Point like
the other roads?
Mr., Newgass: No. sir; we have excel
lent facilities for handling freight and
passengers at Yves; Norfolk. Besides
this. we have had for some time con-
nections with Primers Point.
Reporter: Would i: not pay YOU 10
run passenger train i'll this city, pro
Nlded it could be run on satisfactory
terms, etc?
Mr.: Ncwgass: No sir; our travel is
mostly local. We have but little through
travel, and IL makes but little diff
ference TO our passengers whether they
are landed in Portsmouth or at West
NO, as most Of them so to Nor
folk anyway. Should the time come
when business will justify it you can
rest assured that we will not hesitate 10
come 10 Portsmouth, but will be glad
to do 80. lSut until that time we will
nave TO continue like we are
Reporter: What was your object in
buying thar property from MI Peters
near the cat hole? Was it for the pur-
pose OF building a depot in case you
should ever conclude 10 come back?
Mr.. Ncwgass: No sir; that IS not
contested with the Atlantic and Dan
Vile railroad at ALL. It's for different
purpose. The wh1rf, and warehouse
company was compelled.---to buy that
property. we could not -tn1pruve tllc
cat hole and it was filling UP all the
time The space was too narrow and
the owner OF that property would not
improve. 90 we bought so that improve
ment could be made. but 1t has no con-
nection whatever with the Atlantic and
Danville railroad.
Reporter: Mr.. Newgass whatever
became Of the bonds which the city is
sued to the road?
Mr. Newgass: I cannot tell you. Like
great deal OF money Of mine, it was
Equ1ndered by those reckless people
ut from them. y little while longer with
those people and ! should have been TO-
tally wrecked.
This ended the conversation and MI
Newgass said good bye, saying, with q
twinkle In his eye. do not say too much
In your paper about what I have said"
Incoming Dangerous.
\ section master on the Seaboard Air
Line said yesterday that the number OF
tr1TnDS Wpra fratijnp mora n,,,poro,,r