The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-01-22
WHAT ARE ITS POSSIBILITIES


page a Communication from Mr.. Rob
ert Beverley, Jr., q well known sgri'
eulturist and stock raiser of Essex
county. The tenor of his writings il
to draw out discussion upon the sub
ject Of better transportation facilities
for the country along the upper tide
waters of the Rappshsnnoek river,
and we hope this subject, which is SO
much in need Of a solution in the di
rection indicated, may call forth
some feasible suggestions. As the
writer asks the views Of The FREE
LANCE we will give them, though they
are hardly more than repetition OF
what has been previously advanced
in our editorial columns. We would
he glad to see others take up the sub
ject and our exposition Of it, for in
that way light may glow ont Of what
is at present darkness.
The suggestion of river boat for
the whsrves between this city and
Tappahannock is not new one,
though the idea of q continuation from
the latter place to Baltimore with
out interruption is for the frat time
publicly brought out by Mr.. Beverley.
This, as well as his schedule, appears
to be quite q good ides, and, given
the boat and route, We do not just see
where they could be improved upon.
II is true that our section (snd We
include those counties in question,
lying along the upper half of the
nsvigsble Rappahsnnock river is
much behind in the matter Of good
- yCortstion facilities, and We
should Ike very much to begin the
new century with new order in such
things. There are no better people
upon the face of the globe than these
people-they are, like nearly all true
Virginians, Natures noblemen and
their country, sun-kissed and be-
dewed as it is from Natures bounty,
is of itself an occidental Canaan.
Nature has done her part, man must
do the rest. How best to do this is
the puzzle.
1t is not our desire to throw cold
water upon the plan proposed by our
correspondent bat we present these
points wbichiappeal irresistibly to as
against it: Thorough concert in sup
port OF such plan would be neces-
sAry of all the people along the line
to insure any measure OF success.
This can hardly be guaranteed from
q people Of so diversified interests,
many of whom now employ private
methods of transportation, and some
of whom would be likely to continue
doing so. Between here and Tapps-
hammock alone the freights are not
sufficient to warrant at the most more
than one boat q week to Baltimore.
II more boats are to be employed only
small ones could be utilized without
heavy loss, and these could not risk
the trip up the Chesapeake Bay-eer-
taiply not in any season but the sum-
mer, and conform to regular sched-
ule. 1t is barely probable that If
the people as q unit agreed to and
did patronize this route exclusively
that two large boats week could DO
made to pay. We base this calculation
upon existing conditions. No one OF
Ae two boats which leave here weekly
ever has anything like half load by
the time Tappahannock is reached.
Were it not for the heavy shipments
below that point these boats would
travel to Baltimore at a loss. Could
the advocates Of Mr.. Beverley's plan
get the guarantee that no more sail
vessel shipments would be made and
that those people from the interior
would agree to haul their freights
to the Rsppshannock instead OF to
the railroad on the Caroline side and
the Potomsc river on the Northern
Neck side we could then see some
prospect for paying route; but as
we have said, this appears ito be an
Impossible thing.
Three boats a week from this city,
"a under the recent, and shortly'to
he.resum med schedule Of the Weems
line. seems to as to be the only prac'
tIaal scheduls that can be adopted
inst vet. There are many advocates
Of a purely river boat, and this plan
presents some possibilities ss we'll IS
difficulties. la this scheme small
boats could be used and quick and
uniform schedules be carried out.
But there lies the difficulty of trans
fer. AT Tsppahannock freight and
psssen gers would have to be trans
ferrsd 10 the larger Baltimore boats.
This would 10 no Inconvenience Of
= z1. : Il eLn 80 eot,., esort huf