Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-06
SOUTHERN sRAILvvAY PLANS
usv Union Passenger Station in Washing
ton Bnder Consideration.
Completion Of Zine Between Winston
Salem and aloorcsville, N. c.
Extension Of Lease.

dition to going ahead rapidly with its part
in the development Of the plans for the
erection Of a new union passenger station
in Washington and the construction OF
yards Of its own in the vicinity OF the city.
is making important improvements in other
directions.
Within the next few days there will be
completed a line Of railway extending from
Winston-Salem to Mooresville in North
Carolina. which will give the Southern
new and Independent line between Green's
boro' and Charlotte, and which. It is ex-
pected, will entirely relieve the Southern
from the entanglements in which 1t has re-
Gently been involved by the action of Gov.
Russell of that state.
At present the Southern uses, as part
of its main line between Washington and
Atlanta, a strip of railway ninety-three
miles i'll length between Greensboro and
charlotte, and which is portion of the
North Carolina railway, three-fourths Of
whose stock is owned by the state OF
North Carolina. The North Carolina rail-
way really extends from Charlotte. via
Salisbury and Greensboro, to Raleigh and
Goldsboro', a distance CT 223 miles, and
since 1871, has been under lease TO the
Southern and its predecessor, the Richmond
and Danville system. This lease was made
in 1871 for a period of thirty years, and
everything worked pleasantly between the
state and the railway company until about
two years ago. when the Southern began
negotiations for an extension of the lease
from it's expiration in 1871 for a period of
Einety-nine years.
SeabOard Air Line Makes Bid.
In 1896, however, the Seaboard Air Line.
which had line of it's own into Raleigh,
made q bid for the lease of the North Caro-
lima road, and this resulted in a conflict be-
tween the two railway companies ana also
involved Gov. Russell. Many months of
contention have followed between the gov
ernor and the Southern railway officials,
during which the governor has filed num-
Der OF suits for damages against the rail-
way officials, and efforts have been made
in the North Carolina legislature to abro-
gate the lease, all Of which failed, however.
of accomplishment. Recently it has been
mutually agreed to submit to Judge Simon
ton of thu federal court the question as to
whether or not the original lease to the
Richmond and Danville was or was not
made in legal manner. The court meets at
Greensboro next week.
The Southern railway people are conf
dent that the decision Of Judge Simonton
will be favorable to them, but in view Of
the fact that they have experienced con-
siderable trouble in the. past, by reason Of
the fact that part of their main line has
Teen, and might again be, in control OF par
ties antagonistc to them, they some months
ago decided to build the new road between
Winston-Salsm and A1ooresville, as above
stated In securing possession Of the prop
erty necessary upon which to construct this
line, the Southern pursued a policy differ
ent it is alleged. from that of any other
railway company in the country, SO far as
known, and instead of acquiring the right
of way under the terms of the charter, or
by condemnation proceedings, purchased
all the property needed outright and paid
cash for it.
VIII Purchase Right of Way.
1t is stated to be probable that If there
should be any future trouble on account of
the LEASE of the North Carolina railway,
the Southern would parallel that part of
the line between Greensboro and Colds
boro', a distance of 100 miles, and would
follow the precedent set in the other in
stance by buying the necessary land along
the entire route. Since the Southern has
made its vast system Of Improvements at
Norfolk, which is to be its deep water ter
| minus, it is a matter Of Importance to them
either to have the North Carolina railway,
OF at least that part of it between Green's
boro' and Selma, or to parallel the North
Carolina line between the same points.
The decision of Judge Simonton, which
is eagerly looked for in many quarters,
will not, 1t is understood, be appealed from,
either by the governor Of North Carolina
or the Southern officials whatever the de-
ciSion.