The news & observer., 1897-08-27
RAILROAD INJUNCI!lpNS|
STOP THE WORK ON THE SHORT LINE 10
RICHMOND.
Both Or. ArIund and De Witt Smith claim the
Right of Way From Ridgeway to
Richmond.

Richmond.
North Carolina seems now to be soreis
a ffiicted with injunctions. NO matter
what is done or proposed to be done an
;n;unction rises up and stops 1T.
This is especially true as regards rail-
roads.
II is proposed to materially lessen the
distance between Raleigh and northern
cities by building short line between
Ridgeway and Richmond, via Peters
burg.
So much is such line needed that two
men saw it at the same time and both
GOT charters for a road over practically
rho same ro,ste-Mr. Dewitt Smith, of
Baltimore. and DIR. Peter Arlund, of
Petersburg. Mr.. Smith called his road
to-be the Richmond. Petersburg and
Carolina Railroad Company; DR.. Arlund
chose the Richmond, Blackstone and
Southern Railroad Company as his tue.
So far so good. But two roads are
not needed along this line; and one or
the other will have to sell out or get out.
Mr. Smith began work on his road first,
metaphorically telling DR.. Arlund to get
off the face of the earth. This the DOC
tor had no idea of doing unless ne got
n, nroner consideration for vacating. Mr..
Smith declared he would give him none
and so went ahead with his work.
The Doctor went before Judge Mullen.
of the Hastings court of Petersburg and
secured an injuncts<>l, restraining the
Richmond. Petersburg and Carolina rail-
road from clearing off portion of the
right of way in Mecklenburg county, for
merly owned by the Virginia and Carolina
railroad. but claimed now as the prop
erty of DIR. Arlund's company.
This Injunction has not vet been dis
solved. but Wednesday Mr.. Smith re-
taliated by securing from the same judge
Judge Mullen-an injunction against
the Richmond, Blackstone and Southern
Railroad Company. (Dr Arlunds COM
pany) restraining its officers, employees.
and agents from further operating in the
State.
The grounds upon which application
for this injunction was made are that
the company has no legal existence;
that the charter under which it was or
ganized has expired, and that it is oper
ating without warrant of law. The court
will soon have to pass upon these mat
tiers. If. indeed, they do not go to the
next Virginia Legislature.
In the meantime all work on the con-
tempated Ridgeway and Richmond short
line. except in North Carolina, must
cease. And even in this State very lit
tie is being done or viii be done until the
dispute IS settled.
These two roads. as the readers of the
News and Observer have already been
informed are schemes revived under old
charters, and contemplate lines from
North Carolina to Petersburg and Rich
mond. Considerable work has recently
been done on the Blackstone line in Vir-
ginia and the Petersburg line in North
Carolina. both of which would give a
through route to Richmond for the Sea-
board Airline which now uses the
tracks of another road, and the injunc-
ton will stop what was considered a
very important improvement
1t is thought, however, that the Penn
sylyania Railroad is backing Smiths
scheme and the Southern Railway is aid
ing and abetting Arlund in his fight.
Whether this be true or not it is great
~ TO the SoutnefnS interest TO have the
completion of the line delayed as long as
possible.
But the people-well they don't count
where a great railway system is con-
cerned.
A special from Petersburg says DIR.
Arlund, is still buying up the right of
way in Mecklenburg county, Va, and
has two corps of engineers at work. He
seems to have plenty Of money and says
he intends to have his road completed
and equipped from Blackstone to La
Crosse by the end of the year. DR.. Ar
lund says that at one time he would
have sold out to Mr.. De Witt Smith, but
that he will not do so now. In fact, when
these roads were under discussion in the
city cuncil in regard to right of way into
Petersburg. DIR. Arlund proclaimed that
he would sell out for $4,000.