The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-07-14
The DURHAM DEPOT
HEARING.
After Long Argument Con-
tinued ill July II at
Durham.

Durham.
The final hearing upon the petition Of
the people OF Durham for a UNION depot
VIII be heard by the Corporation Conmls-
sion on july 18th, III the Durham court
mouse at 1879 o'clock. 1t Is understood
that st tins hearing members Of the
Peace Committee Wall De summoned
among others to testify.
At the hearing in TINS city, which was
continued TO July 18th at Durham, the
attorneys representing the petitioners We're
MeSsre. Victor S. Bryant, II. A. Foushee,
and J. Crawford BIgss.
Witnesses examined for the parties ask
ing for the union depot We're MessrS. 5.
G.. Cole, T.. w. Vaughan. and W n. Falion.
The Southern hallway was represented
by Col. w. a. Henderson,, OF Washington,
ID. C., general counsel; Mr.. f. H. Busbee,
of this city, State counsel; Col. \. B. Au-
dreWs, first vice-president, and Nj. Henry
". Miller.
For the Seaboard Air Line there APP
peared Judge Leigh r. Watts. Of Ports
mouth, general counsel; Judge I. b. Wo-
mack, OF this city, local counsel; General
Manager J, 81. Barr, OF Portsmouth, and
Judge r. W. Winston, local counsel Tor
Durham.
The Norfolk and Western Railroad was
hot represented, but the Commission was
notified by them that they did not OBJ
ject to the union depot.
The following resolution from the City
OF Durham Was presented:
Resolved, by the Board Of Aldermen
Of the City of Durham IN regular meeting
assembled, July 6Un, 1903:
"a That the passenger depot facilities
$50 n,. $500 - 40 o., - NV lA, -a 49,
inadequate and insufficient to meet the
just and reasonable requirements of tne
public.
go That a union depot to be used
by the Norfolk and Western, Seaboard
Air Line and Southern Railway, beng all
the roads entering the City of Dur
ham Is practicable and feasible and will
greatly subserVe the public welfare and
convenience.
90 That ii. a.. Foushee, attorney for
the Board of Aldermen be, and he Is
hereby directed 20 present these resolu-,
tons IN person to the Corporation Com
mission Of North Carolina and to use
his best efforts to secur the erection OF
a Union Depot within the City of Dur
ham as comprehended by the act of the
last General Assembly of North Caro-
lima, known as the Fuller Bill
VI Lid 81 COlIllIIlIlec VI
the Board of Aldermen to be designated b.
the mayor, be appointed to so to Raleigh
and use their best efforts to secure the
erection OF d Union Depot and all cItl
zens Of this city are requested to cooper
ate with the city attorney and committee
OF this board IN securing the object OF
these resolutlons.'
The Seaboard Air Line filed the follow
Ing answer to the notice of the commits
sion:
.'seaboard Air Line Railway, answering
the notice 10 show cause why 1t, together
with other railroads, shall not be required
to construct and maintain a Onion Depot
for the City Of Durham, reserving ali
questions OF power and jurisdiction in your
honorable body to MAKE any order III the
premises, and expressly declaring that
III It's opinion you have no such right or
power III the premises, for answer sayeth:
90 That it is now and has at all times
been ready, willing and able to join IL
the construction OF d suitable Union Depot
Ter the said CITY of Durham.
20 1t admits the desiIability for a
Central Union Depot IN said city and it
declares that, from an examination OF
the ground and the tracks Of the va
Ilous roads, a Union Depot for the said
city Is feasible, practicable and inexpen-
slve, Tor that the land is level, the track,
OF the various roads have a physical
connection with each other, and there
is ample vacant space at several points
for the construction o. the same,
90 1t further says, however, that
your honorable body has no jurisdiction
IN the premises to order a depot to be
constructed by more than one railroad
at any one point.
And having fully answered, it prays
to go hence without delay"
The Southern Railway Will file its an
sWer within the next few days.
1 Col. Henderson stated to the Commis-
sion that the southern r. r. admits that
the depot facilities IN Durham are not sui
ficlent, and said the company was anxious
and wiling to erect a suitable depot
building. Further, he said he was per
sonally of the opinion that a Union Depot
should be arrange for. but he commended
that the Corporation Commission had no
right to force the company to 60 into part
nership with people not agreeable to it
for such a purpose.
Mr.. Biggs asked Col. Henderson if the
Southern Railway also admitted that it
was practicable for the three railroads
to build a Union Depot in Durham.
Col. Henderson replied that he should
think 1t was possible in any town.
Judge Watts. for the Seaboard Air Line.
said they conceded that the depot accom-
modatlons at Durham are totally made
quate, and while they did not concede
that the Corporation Commission could
ORDER that a union depot be erected. they
die concede that a union depot is neces-
sary to meet the demands Of the city Of
Durham.