Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1899-07-06
The Norfolk & Western Railway.


of the company July 18th. No reason
is given for the resignation, except the
statement that he will get position
with a western road. It is further an
nounced that Superintendent l.. +.
Johnson will succeed Mr.. Barr for the
present.
In our opinion the resignation of
Mr.. Barr will be no great loss to the
railroad company or to the patrons OF
the road. He came to the n. q W.
a couple of years ago from railroad
in the northwest with a considerable
flourish, and we were led TO expect
great things of him. Itappears to u.s.
however, that he only contracted still
more the illiberal and narrow policy of
this road, and the system of petty
economies that he introduced, and
which was made so much of, was ride
ulous in many respects. Saving few
drops at the spigot and permitting an
outflow at the bunghole is nothing to
brag of.
We express the sentiment Of the peo-
pie all along the line of this road when
we hope for a new general manager
who shall take some interest in the
local business of the road. The policy
of the n. & w. since its formation has
been to seek for through business and
let local traffic take care of itself.
High-salaried officials have been APP
pointed and great expense incurred in
working up through freight and pas
seDger traffic. And what has it amount
ed to? Such business could only be
obtained in the first place by taking
it at such low rates that it was not at
all profitable, and after it was gotten
there was a constant struggle to retain
ia struggle that usually ended in
losing the business to more important
and better equipped lines. If one
half the expense and attention had
been devoted to developing and en-
couraging local trade that was given to
through business, the road would be
in far more prosperous condition
there would probably have been no re-
ceivers. The effect Of the company's
policy is apparent to the most unOb-
servant. 1t has only such local bust
ness as cannot escape it, and as for the
through business-where is it?
Shepherdstown presents fair sam
pie of the indifference Of the n. & W.
to its local patrons. For years past
the company has actually had no
freight depot here, although this town
is one Of the most important points on
the Shenandoah Valley division. All
the freight business for this town and
the surrounding country is transacted
through the medium Of a couple Of old
cars on a side track. This, it must be
conceded, is standing disgrace to the
company and a continuous ofsnse to
the shippers. Besides, the location of
this depot on wheels is such as to make
it dangerous and uncomfortable per-
Torrance to get on or off Of passen-
ger train. If the company had any
regard for the wishes Of its patrons it
would build new passenger station
here and utilize the present building
as freight depot. 1t is a necessity
of the plainest sort.
We have no doubt that the n. & W.
could make big money on its excur-
sion business-but it doesn't There
are few more attractive points on any
road than the Luray Caverns, yet it
has been years since there has been an
excursion from points along the line
Excursions originating on other roads
are carried there for some small pro-
portion Of the price Of through tickets,
but to offer inducements or accommo-
dations to local parties is apparently
not dreamed of. The beautiful and
historic Antietam Battlefield would be
Mecca Of general interest if railroad
accommodations were offered, while
Pen-Mar excursions would be patron
lied most literally by the people Of
the Valley if decent facilities were
offered. The new grounds of the
Morgan's Grove fair at ShepherdstOwn
are naturally beautiful and attractive,
and if the railroad company could be
interested the place could soon be
made a famous resort and a source Of
much profit to it and others.
We do not know who the new gen.
eral manager will be. We sincerely
trust it will be man of broader ideas
and more liberal methods than his pre-
decessors, and that he will try the ex-
pertinent Of giving local affairs some
consideration.