Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-05-09

oSoO oCACl al NldAdSCI T1lLS0IdlU, O1 the
Baltimore and Ohio, Real Estate Man
ager McCubbin, and several other high
officials of the company paid a flying
visit to this city, but that little inform
alton of the purpose of the visit was
obtained, the frequent statement that
the call had no significance" and was
mot important" being made in re-
Spouse to inquiries.
The fact is, that the visit had I'M
usual significance, and had direct
bearing upon several railroad rumors
which have been flying about for some
time past.
While in this city on that occasion,
the B. & o. officials named sounded
a number of Councilmen, and some
other gentlemen, upon a series of prop
ositions looking to important changes,
additions, Improvements and better
ments outlined for the future, and
these appear to be of such character
that the entire community will be in
tereSted in them when their outlines
have been further developed.
from what can be ascertained. the
representatives of the company did not
disclose their plans with any particu-
larity In fact, it is asserted that
there are several propositions under
consideration, and that the entire mat
ter is not in such a shape as to war
les made were rather for the general
purpose Of feeling the public and offic-
ial sentiment regarding the company,
as a purely preliminary measure, and it
is said the results were so satisfactory
that another conference of a more def
mite nature was arranged with men,
bers of Council and others, for the
18th inst. 1t is also intimated that
this conference may be held outside
the city, to ensure greater privacy and
more freedom of discussion
The Register yesterday undertook to
ascertain just what was in the wind
but the results were not altogether
satisfactory Several members of
Council were SEEN and admitted they
had been consulted by railroad officials,
but they protested varying degrees OF
ignorance as to just what was going
on. One Of these gentlemen was frank
enough to say that matters had not
yet developed sufficiently to warrant
any public statement, but that after
the 18th inst the atmosphere would
be more clear. Others said about the
same thing, in substance, but all adj
mitted the fact that the company was
evidently outlining something big for
Wheeling, and the fact of the secret
consultations shows that city legisla-
ton will be needed.
That something more important than
the much talked of depot was on foot
was well indicated by the situation,
and the investigation was pursued in
other quarters. Finally a gentleman
not a member of Council, was found
who admitted, with much reluctance,
that the company had a very import
ant connection in its mind, and added
that there will be something big in
this for Island people, if carried out. !"
This meant a new railroad bridge
across the river, with a viaduct over
the Island, and foot-walk, after the
style of the Terminal bridge, and from
this deduction various others are posi-
BILE
For instance, it will be recalled that
the Bellaire bridge has been in indif-
ferent shape for some time, is only
single track affair and that there
has for some time been rumors that
it was to be rebuilt, in response to
which reports river men called the at
tention of the War Department to the
resent narrow channel span, and OBJ
tanned in a reply a statement that any
new bridge erected there must have a
channel span arproximating eight
hundred feet. 1t will also be recalled
that there was a project on the part
Of the Railroad Company for double
tracking the trans-Ohio division. which
orders appear to have been counter
manded, after extensive preparations
had been made. These things indicate
a radical change of plans on the part
Of the company. Now comes the con-
ference with Wheeling Councilmen.
and the additional and outside rumor
that the B. & O. is negotiating for
either the lease or purchase Of the
Wheeling and Lake Erie or c.. l.. &
W, as soon as the reorganization long
under consideration is contaminated.
Putting one thing and another togeth-
er, a plausible case of mammoth