The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-04-18
CAME THICK AND FAST
The Road Will Reach Washington
Vic Wilson and Greenville,
WILL MAKE RALEIGH A JOsBING CENTRE
There Now Remains Less Than $1,000 to be
Raised in Raleigh. The Next Meeting
Will be Oh Tuesday, April
221d at 6 0'cleck.
On to Tidewater now!


Raleigh business men in a few minutes
last night raised something over $4,000
for the railroad from Raleigh to the sea-
coast at Washington. The meeting was
called by the Chamber of Commerce and
the Merchants Association jointly, and
was largely attended by the representa-
tive business men of the city. 1t was
very clearly shown that if Raleigh could
raise $4,000, it would be a comparatively
easy matter to float bonds for the con-
struction of the road. Accordingly there
remains now less than $4,000 to be sub
scribed before the road is absolutely as
sured
The meeting was organized with Mr.
James H. Pou in the chair. Mr. Pou
outlined the situation in a few very clear
cut remarks, stating that Raleigh and
the subscribers to the stock would be
sure to benefit in any event. If the other
roads should not cut rates to compete
with our road, it would pay large divi-
dends; if the other roads should cut
down rates to try to drive the new road
out of business, then all would benefit
by the immense volume of business that
would come to Raleigh.
In speaking of the great benefits that
would accrue to Raleigh from the build
ing of the road, Mr.. Pou referred to what
the Chatham road has done for the city,
and the Mills road into Harnett county.
The country through which the proposed
road would run, he said is very much
better one than that which those roads
traverse. This road would go through
the garden spot of North Carolina, John
stem, Wilson, Pitt and Beaufort counties.
Mr.. e. B. Barbee made the point that
this road being the shortest way to the
water would necessarily make Raleigh a
jobubing centre, as the shortest water
route is always the basis for rates
Mr.. c. B. Barbee, in reply to a ques-
ton, said that $4,000 was the amount
that should be raised in Raleigh, in or
Ger to insure the building of the road.
Mr.. Josephus Daniels was called upon
to give his views. He said in part: 81
am in favor of building the road be-
cause it will benefit Raleigh, and senti-
mentally want it because it would bring
me nearer to Wilson and Washington. l
think the strong argument for the build
ing of the road lies in the point made by
Mr.. Barbee, that it would make Raleigh
a jobbing centre" Mr.. Daniels then went
on to speak of the country which the
road would traverse, saying that it was
rich and fertile, some of the best in the
State, and that it would go through the
towns of Wilson. Greenvile and Wash
ington, than which no better towns for
their size could be found. This road, he
said, would have great advantages in this
way over the Mills road, which had done
more for Raleigh than anything else
in the past ten years.
After some discussion on thu question
of rates, participated in by Mr. r.. l..
Harris, Mr. F. B. Arendell, Mr.. Adams
and others, Capt. ]. M. Turner said that
he lad been over the matter very care
fully and was confident that the entire
road could be built for 81 900, 900. and that
shops could be put in operation here for
$4,000. The investment, he said, would
be repaid in a years time.
Or motion of Mr.. c. B. Barbee, the sub
scription books were opened, and the fol-
lowing gentlemen suhScribed.