Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-11-29
STRANGE RUMoRs.

portsmouth, va, NOV. rs, lo99.
Mr.. Editor:
There are strange rumors afloat in
this city; rumors, which, If true, will
cause great public disappointment
that will require time to neutralize its
bitterness. These rumors, MIR. Editor.
have relation to q certain railway and
ferry enterprise that will probably soon
appear before our City Council in quest
of certain facilities necessary to eff
feet its construction, so as to make
Portsmouth one of its terminals. 1t is
haldly necessary to add that the con-
struction Of this important work Is to
be under the auspices OF the Ports
mouth, Pig Point and Newport News
Railway and Ferry Company Nor need
there be any elaboration of the advan-
tages to Portsmouth by its putting us
in touch with that splendid trucking
region through which the road will
pass, as they have long since been fully
weighed and found. If 1t were possible
above the standard weight.
But for Portsmouth. to lose quick
transit facilities with Newport News,
the deep water terminal of one of the
finest railroad properties on the CONT
nent. is matter OF the gravest mo-
inent. 1t was the great freight work OF
this road, and its vast Industrial ad-
junctS at Newport News that suggest
ed great profit to Portsmouth, in draw
ing it closer to the former city by the
construction OF Il line of freight and
passenger traffic between the two cities
Apart from the advantages to Ports
mouth by opening this new artery OF
commerce, 1T was considered by the 10.
cal members, of the above named COM
pany, at least. as being, III times of an
industrial dearth in and around their
CITY, of incalculabe benefit to our me
chanics and working men generally, rs
they could with less inconvenience find
remuneratiVe work in the great ship
building establishment at Newport
News, without giving up their homes
in Portsmouth. And now, Mr.. Editor,
since the hearts of our people had been
made glad by promises of an early
completion of the road, 1t seems they
must be saddened by strange rumors
of opposition, which, if strong enough
to sever this life-giving artery of COM
merce and inter- communication, can
accomplish nothing more than to give
West Norfolk Il prize that rightly be-
longs to Portsmouth, and thus erect
another section of that Chinese wall,
with which some people are always
trying to cross our city. We are not
asked to subscribe to the stock of the
road. nor pledge the credit of the city
to its constructors but simply for the
right of way down High street. Are
there any opposing interests so poten,
that the Council dare not grant it?
Are we under obligations to any othei
line that such q grant would contra
vene its rights? If so, think we need
push inquiry but little to ascertain that
IN many instances the city OF Ports
mouth ONLY has kept its covenants
which, Of itself, should give her abso-
luton. 1t need hardly be said that VIC
should utilize every source Of public
revenue that offers. and If this,new en-
terprise gives any promise OF additional
resources. 1t is but our plain duty to
foster II by making such reasonable
grants as may be needed in the con-
summation of it's work.
Respectfully.
K. r. GRIFFIN.