Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1900-03-01

Coal Fields Opening up Big KailWaY
Companies Backward on Account OF
the Cost OF Bridging the Mononga-
hela-Rich Territory, Thickiy Popu-
lated AwaitingsDeyelopment.
UNIoNTowN, Pa, Mar. Much
interest is felt here ia the rumors OF
future railroad developments in
Greene county. The people of Fay
cite have long desired to get into
closer communication with their
cousins across the Monengahela river,
and now that Fayette business men
have invested SO heavily in Greene
county coal the desire for railroad de-
velepments in that section is all the
greater.
Greene countians themselves are
looking longingly toward Fayette
county from which they expect their
railroads to come The Baltimore &
Ohio, the South West Pennsylvania
and the Plttsburg, Virginia and
Charleston are all edgiag over toward
the border of Greene, being shut out
only by the Monongahela river. The
Pittsburg & Lake Erie is also survey
ing prospective routes into the new
Masontown coal field and If they
reach that point they will be within
hailing distance OF Greene, with of
course, the Monongahela intervening.
1t appears the big companies are
playing watching game to prevent
their rivals from stealing a march on
them in the matter Of pushing across.
None OF them seem anxious 10 incur
the expense of bridging the Mononga-
hela river, just at present, when all
structural iron is so high priced.
Certain it is that should one road
make the break the others would fol
low and Greene county would have
speedy railroad developments. Which
road will be the first to make the
The Pennsylvania is in the most adj
yantageous position, holding the river
front up the Monongahela river to
PIT. Marion. The Pennsylvania con-
trolls the narrow guage Washington
and Waynesburg giving them a mon
opoly of the railroad business of
Greene county, which is comparative
ly small, though the freight rates are
very reDumerative, it is said.
Greene county people have become
tired Of waiting for the big concerns
to act, and are pushing forward the
project of building road from Union
town through Wapnesburg to Wheel
ing. Already they have raised liberal
subscriptions and many of the Greene
county farmers are Offering free right
of way for the proposed road. Back
of this project are many of the big
capitalists who are interested in
Greene county coal fields. Charles
lutte, the big coal operator, favors
this plan of opening up the new field.
1t is said he has offered to contribute
money to the stock of the new COM
pany to build one-feurth of the road
The Waynesburg bankers are also fav-
oring the plan. 1t looks as though
lutte and his associates will do some
thing and if they take the initiative,
the big roads would be compelled to
push into the fields to protect their
interests.
The Uniontown, Waynesburg &
Wheeling road would be a short route
between Wheeling and Pittsburg, cut
ting off about 70 miles from the routes
now travelled by the B. & o. That
such road would pay there is little
doubt. 1t would traverse a rich
country, thickly populated and in adj
difiOn to the vast cnal traffic that
could be counted on from the start
would be sure OF profitable local
freight and passenger business
Strong Play Coming.