The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-02-03
THE RESOLUTION { !
WAS ADOPTED J I Ed
Chamber Of Commerce N. re to
Memorable Legislature
ROAD TO THE. NORTH.
Discussion on the States Position in
the Railroad Business.
MUCH INTEREST MANIFESTED.
The Chamber Declared Itself in Favor
ofthc Proposed New Air Line to
the North Parallel With the
Richmond, Fredericksburg
and Potomac-Text Of
Resolution.
ROAD TO THE NORTH.
Discussion on the >States Position in
MUCH INTEREST MANIFESTED.

Pursuant to notice a general meeting
of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce.
which was very largely attended. was
helG:yesterday evening at $50 O'Clock.
President l.. H. Morris. who occupied
the chair, announced that in accordance
with motion made and carried at
meeting of the Board of Directors held
the s1st ultfmo, that this genera! meeting
of the Chamber had been called to consd-
er Senate bill No. 342 now pending in the
Legislature ITO incorporate the Richmond
ana Washington AIRLINE Railway Com
pany' and to give some expression to
the sentiment of the community upon this
important measure. He then declared
that the meeting was ready to hear any
member upon the question.
Mr.. L. c.. Younger said that he consid-
cred the matter one of the greatest i'm
portance and interest to the people of
Richmond, and that he had a preamble
and resolution favoring the bill in ques-
ton. which he would offer for the con-
sideration and adoption of the meeting.
and request the secretary to read The
secretary then read the preamble and res
oFuliOu, as iDIpN
PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTION.
Whereas, bill has been offered in the
General Assembly of Virginia for the
purpose of chartering a railroad from
the city of Richmond, or any point in
Henrico county, to n point on the Poto-
mac river, in either Fairfax or Alexandria
Counties the title of the bill being, ITO
incorporate the Richmond and Washing
ton AIRLINE Railway Company" which.
in off bc ,f
another railroad between Richmond and
the seat of our national government;
ana. as it is believed to be of paramount
Importance to the best interests of the
South. and especially of the State of Vir-
gnia.j as we'll as the city Of Richmond,
that this bill should be passed, the Rich
E1ond Chamber of Commerce. in the eX-
ercise of the right of petition most re-
spcctfully appeals to the General Assem-
bly, to grant this charter for the follow
in. considerations:
While the facilities for traffic between
Richmond and other Virginia cities and
the South are quite ample, there being
three Southern systems-viz., the Southern
railway, the Atlantic Coast-Line and the
Seaboard Airline, and between Wash
ington and the North, the great Penn
sylyania and Baltimore and Ohio sys-
TENS. with their doubled track lines, af-
fording most abundant, facilities, the link
between these great systems from Rich
mond to Washington is a single track
line, consisting of the Richmond. F'rede-
ricksburS and Potomac railroad. from
Richmond to Quantico. and thence to
Washington of the Washington and
Southern railroad-a part of the Penn
sylvania railroad system.
WHY THE RESTRICTIONS?
The question arises at once upon {, con-
cid finr fsoF IN W
restricted condition as to the traffic be-
tween the National capital and the cap
ital of the Commonwealth exists, and
the only answer that can be given is
that the State Of Virginia. which orisi-
na!ly subscribed. most literally. to the
stock Of the Richmond. Fredericksburg
and Potomac railroad. for The cApress
purpose OF affording its citizens what
was then deemed a necessary highway
for trade and travel, has been asked by
parties desiring to perpetuate the ex-
elusive charter of the Richmond, Fred
ericksburg and Potomac railroad. to put
itself in the anomalous position. almost
two thirds of a century after it's sub
scription TO this enterprise. OF denying
its citizens the right to build another
much needed railroad. urging as their
reasons that the State has pe:unitrys
interest in the Richmond, Fredericks-
burg and Potomac railroad. and The sup
y
might be impaired
+ Such position. upon every csrsidera-
ton OF the wisest public rolicy, cte,ns
to be absolutely inconsistent and inde-
fensibe The Richmond and Washing
ton Air Line Railway COMPANY not only
proposes to build its road without the
aid of the State, but; it is expected to
create more than three million dollars
OF railroad property subject to taxation,
while the property of the Richmond.
Fredericksburg and Potomac railroad,
based on the current market value of its
securities, valued at 1yer tive million
dollars, is forever exempt from taxation.
1t also proposes to guarantee the. States
income from its holdings in the Rich
mond, Fredericksburg and Potomac for
five years. and at the States option to-
pay the State for It's stock and dividend
obligations Of the Richmond, Fredericks-
burg and Potomac, an amount o;;er one
hundred and fifty per cent. in excess OF
its original investments. and the highest
market price at which the stock has
ever been sold. sl
SIMPLE STATEMENT.
simple statement OF = the case car
rIes with it its own argument. Nc re-
cuniary consideration, it Is sbelfevd. in
the slightest degree jilstihes Il position
SO contrary to the States obligations 10
its citizens, contrary to its every tradt-
ton and tozits present attitude upon
most important economic problems with
which it is confronted. but. in view Of
3 the very favorable offer on the part
of the Richmond and Washing ton Air 4
Line Railway Company. to buy its hold
ngs in the Richmond; Fredericksburg
and Potomac, and the additional revenue
to s the State which Will be created by
the construction OF this road and the
developments along its routes.it IS be-
5lieved that her interestwil suffer in no 4
degree whatever, therefore. be 1t
Resolved by the Richmond Chamber
of Commerce. That the General Assembly
to divestS itself of Its interest in the
Richmond. FREDERICKSBURG and Potomac
ralroad at this mos favorable time, and !
that the Chamber urgently appeals to 4
that honorable body by. granting the