The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-29

SDABOARD INTERESTED.
The Seaboard is endeayoring. said Mr..
Wickham, to enter this territory from
the Southwest. The president of the
Seaboard has denied that he is back OF
this road and the Virginia and South
western.
.'Technically.'' said Mr.. W.ckham, ,''he
may be correct, hut who doubts that
the Seaboard IS endeavoring to reach the
coalfields. 1t is now at Lenior, in North
Carolina, only 40 miles from the Virginia
and Southwestern. Why did it reach
out TO Lenoir? Who doubts that the
Seaboard is striving to enter the coal
-tields?'
Mr. Wickham went on to make an ar
gun1ent against the Gladesville road
based upon his forecast OF tax returns
to the State. Should the territory be
left to the Norfolk and Western and
Chesapeake and Ohio, now in a COM
munity Of interests, that q, larger return
in tax might come to Virginia, or should
a rival company be allowed to enter the
territory? This was~the question pro.
pounded by Mr.. Wickhan.
On Il map AIR. Wickham pointed out
that it was only forty miles from Le-
noir. tho present terminus of the Sea-
board, to the point where a connection
would be made with the Virginia and
Southwestern and Gainesville road.
The coal carried out of this territory
would be taken over the Gainesville road
to the Seaboard and to, Southport, near
Wilmington. where a steamer can save
time twenty-four hours in coalinE over
Newport News and Lamberts Point.
Five. great roads arc striving to enter
this territory. Tho territory will GER
tainly lJc developed. The question for
the Senate was to decide to which OF
these roads the development Of this ter
ritory should be entrusted.
AS TO HALIFAN.
Mr.. Barksdale followed in opposition
10 the bill. Tie argued that the Seaboard
was back of the Mount Rogers and East
crn which was designed to reach the
coal fields. 1t would run through Hall
fax county. The Gainesville road would
enable the Scaboard to enter the coal
fields by q shorter route and the Mount
Rogers and Eastern would never be
built.
Mr.. Anderson stated that President
Williams. of the Seaboard, authorized
him to say that the Seaboard had not
bought the road to Lenoir. and that the
statement mudo to that effect was in
correct.
Mr.. Byars stated that he had it on
good authority that tho Southern. and
not the Seabcard, had bought the road
to Lenoir.
), The Southern, in combination with the
Norfolk ard Western and Chesapeake
and Ohio was endeavoring. to throttle the
Gainesville road. said Mr.. Byars. and
hold back the DEVELOPMENT OF the South
west Virginia country.
MIR. BRUCE REPLIES.
Mr.. Bruce closed the debate in defense
If the bill. His humorous illusions to
Nr. Barisdalc excited laughter. Then
he replied TO Mr.. Wiclham. Instead
of five roads trying TO get into our coun
try, would to God twenty were sighted
in that direction he said. would
that our country out there were Noted
over with railroads.
Further along Mr.. Bruce said the
Constitutional Convention had by its ac-
ton taxing railroads one per cent. on
their gross earnings walked up the Leg
islature and the railroads and made
them agree to accept such a tax as tho
one proposed. The earnestness and the
e,oauence Of the Senator from Wise
caused him to be heard with closest at
tention.
DENIAL OF MIR. WILLIAMS.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Bruce's
speech Mr.. Anderson sent 10 the clerk s
desk and had read the following letter
from Mr.. John Shelton Williams, presi.
dent of the Seaboard Air Line:
Richmond. Va, March IS. 1902.
Hon. George Wayne Anderson. Senate
Chamber. Richmond. Va:
My Dear Sir,-I am surprised to learn
that It has been stated to-day on the
floor of the Senate that the Seaboard
Air Line Railway was backing the Mt
Rogers and Eastern Railroad proposition
This statement is absolutely incorrect
and without foundation. Neither I nor
The Seaboard Air Line Railway have
any Interest. directly or indirectly, in the
proposition above referred to. nor have
we ever had any negotiations on hand in
connection with it
The statement which I understand has
been made that the Seaboard Air Line
Railway owns the railroad to IIenoir. n
c., Is equally false and without founda.
ton.
h It Is unpleasant to me to have myself
misrepresented, as am informed i have
been so repeatedly In connection with the
Southwest Virginia charters
beg that YOU will give this letter
such publicity as you think proper.
Yours truly,
s3. 49, J., S. WILLIAMS.
AR. President. exclaimed MR. Wick
ham. at the conclusion OF the reading of
the letter from Mr.. ~ iliiams. that letter
does not state that the Seaboard Air
Line Is not trying to get into the coal
fields OF Virginia by way of North Caro-
lina.'
Mr.. BarksdaIc repeated the statement
made during the day by Mr.. Harvey that