Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-07
WHEREIN SOME FACTS ARE
DETAILED,

LIE fi1LEb.
The Norfolk and Western Railway Is
backed by the Pennsylvania Railway,
which owns Il very large block OF it's
stock; in fact. has the controlling in
terest. The Pennsylvania Railway is
one of the wealthicst and one of the
most INSCRIPTIONS corporations in the
country. 1t is one of the class OF cor
porations that divides its time between
business and politics. ana that seeks to
supplement legitimate business eXpan-
sion with valuable concessions obtain
cd by lobbying; and worse. wherever
such are to be had. The Pennsyl-
vania Railway is never niggardly in the
matter OF campaign contributions, pro-
vided its taxes are kept down and its
friends ut court are given free use Of
the back stairs. 1t gave to Mr.. Hanna
$50 10000 in 1896; need we add that il
has the run of the back stairs. and that
its friends at court are smiled upon by
royalty?
The bearing of the facts above de-
tailed is obvious. The powers that be
at Washington are under obligations
to the Pennsylvania Railroad, of which
the Norfolk and Western is a protcge
Is 1t, therefore, safe for the Board of
Harbor Commissioners to surrender its
control in this matter to the Norfolk
and Western, leaving it to the sole dis
erection of the Washington Government
to say, (under pressure of powerful in
fuence,) to what extent the coal piers
of the Norfolk and Western Railway
shall be run beyond the Port Warden's
line into the channel? The question
is submitted on it's merits. The TIar-
Dor Commissioners, who are supposed
to have cut their cyc-tecth should
know that there is but one answer to
this question. They have undoubtedly
observed what the "pur can do, as
things now go in this country
Let it also be observed that the con-
duct OF the Norfolk and Western has
not always been such that it can rise
up with especial grace and due measure
OF indignant scorn to repel the mputa-
ton that 1T would find n pull with
the government useful and handy in
this matter. In it's own small and
modest way it has done something in
the 'pull-line" aforetimc. We have no
quarrel with 1t on that account. having
not the smallest desire TO be the Gus
todian of its morals. We are only
directing the attention of the Harbor
Commissioners to facts that it is highly
important they should keep in mind. in
dealing with the question before them
one OF these is, that the Norfolk and
Western is looking after its own inter-
ests exclusively, and that it is not
famous for the nicely of it's scruplcs.
Neither philanthropy nor moral philo-
sophy Is its long suit. 1t makes re-
bates on it's freight rates where re-
bates Will do the most good; it permits
goods to lie in its warehouses where
such favor will be most appreciated.
and where the favor can he returned;
1t supplies free passes to public Off
Gals and to their families. And it has
not done these things for it's health
Let be added, also, that it has not done
them in vain. 1t is a corporation of
large influence in this State, ana with
the Pennsylvania railway to second it's
EFFORTS. it Will have all the influence IL
will need at Washington.
The conservative attitude taken bv
the Harbor Commissioners at FRIDAYS
hearing was most gratifying. We have
no doubt that additional reflection will
confirm them in the opinion that they
cannot. with due regard to the interests
committed to their care afford to per
NIT the extension of the proposed new
pier TO the Port Wardens line. where
their jurisdiction ceases, thereby giving
the Norfolk and Western and the Penn
they are concerned. We are all aware
that those railroad companies will do
what best conservcs their interests. en-
tirely without regard TO the interests of
this harbor or of others who use il. If
the Norfolk and Western believes in
earnestness and good faith what IT
says: That the building of n long pier
beyond the Port Warden's line, or To
that line. Will not be any obstruction to
navigation. or do any harm; ana that
the needs of commerce ut This mort yciII
never nccessitatc its removal and the
widening of the channel at that point
then why does it refuse to bind itself
that. in the event II shall be found nee
essary to do so. that it will remove its
piers. or such portion of them as may
be required. al its OwR crpcnSc. and not
place that burden on our people? WHY
does it object To Il concession to be
freely granted. ana conditioned only ON
the future needs of this port, for the
space lis piers will occupy?