The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1902-11-15
THE NEW RAILROAD
HAMPDEN STORY INTERVIEWED
ON THE SUBJECT.
"You Gan Quote Me Heartily IN
Favor Of the Proposed Tax" Says
]. B. Shoemaker.

| ~ hASAA VII A>oNC"bCI ~ III dIo
-Four and Six Of this parish for
the purpose of voting tax in aid
OF the proposed Louisiana Railroad
company that wishes to build into
this city, some opposition has
sprung up that will use it's efforts
to defeat the issue.
A Signal representative called
on Hon. Hampden Story, Pres of
the company, Friday the 18th, for
interview setting forth his idea of
how such project would benefit
the parish and why the tax should
be voted. Mr.. Story stated that
he was aware that some opposition
had been raised, but thought that
the benefits to be derived from
such railroad were too plain and
commencing to need many words
from him.
''The Louisiana Railroad COM
pany," said Mr.. Story, ''is a cor
pOration organized under the law
of the State of Louisiana and hav-
ing it's domiclle at this point, and
officered by the principal business
men OF this parish that contem-
plate the construction OF stand
ard guage railroad from Cypress,
on The Texas & Pacific railroad to
Leesville, then through Iota in
this parish through the town of
Crowley and in a Southeasterly
direction to the town Of New
Iberis. The advantages Of such a
railroad through the territory
mentioned, are obvious. 1t gives
Crowley the advantage of compe.
tition III railroad rates and it
opens a new territory now remote
from transportation.
| sit is far beyond my compre
hension," he continued, chow any
sane man can fail to see the signi
ficance of the enterprise to this sec
ton. Say we vote five mill tax
in the two wards through which
the line is to pass, what will be
the result! The value of the pro
perty in that section will be doub
led almost instantously, and the
benefits derived from the reduc
tion of frelghts in one year will al
most pay for the tax during the
remaining nine"
els the road a certainty if the
tax is voted?' Mr.. Story was ask
ed.
ssMost assuredly it u.s." he re
piled. II have here at this nom
ent the bond Of Mr.. 7. y. Beard
sley, the promoter, who forfeits
$50. 900 in the event that he fail!
to comply with his contract tt
the road.
/ "There are many reason why tht
tax should be voted and none why
it should not. The railroad com
pany will not only reduce the pre-
sent high tariff on freight in tn,
: parish open and enhance the value
; of thousand of acres of splendii
undeveioped country in this sec
, ton, but it will establish its head
: quarters in this city. erecting ca
shops, a round house and genera
: offices, which means employment
to several hundred men.
sit has been reported by som,
of those opposed to the tax tina
the officers and directors are t,
derive some pecuniary benefit
, from it, which is untrue. The ia.
goes in assisting the road to bull
into this city and not one cent vii
go into the promoters. OF cours
it is ridiculous to make such al
explanation, as people Of INTEL
gence realize this. but since such
statement has been made circulal
ed by those opposed to the tax,
take this opportunity to contradit
it,"
Mr.. Story stated that he did b
lleve that people were blind
their own interests and that tt
tax would carry regardless of o.
position.
"You may quote me as beln
heartily in favor of the propose
Y tax to aid the Louisiana Railros
company to find into this city
co;d T. Chnnm q kor RI Srrn