Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-29
MILLIONS OF EXPENSE
SYSTEM OF DOUBLE TRAcKAGE
ON THE soUTHEHNg RAILROAD.
The Yards in Alexandria to Be En-
larged-work On Washing
ton Ditiadon.


lion dollars will be expended by the South
ern railway in double-traeking," said Presi-
dent Samuel Spencer of that railroad at the
New Willard this morning to Star re-
porter.
THE work was commenced several
months ago, and the Washington division
will be the first section. of the road equip
ped with the two tracks. AS fast as pos
sible the other divisions will be double
tracked. This will not be; done by Owls
IONS however, but will be done in sections,
where there is general freight ana pas
senger congestion
1T is the purpose of the Southern to have
a double track between Washington anu
Atlanta. To do this work will require more
than twenty-five millions of dollars. 1t Will
be impossible to complete this work IN one
or. two years, but it will be prosecuted untli
it is finished. Portions of the line Will De
double-tracked to relieve the present CROWD,
ed condition, and then the double INKS VIII
be connected, thus forming continuous
double track to Atlanta"
The contract for double-track1ng the
Washington division was awarded seVeral
months ago. and more than two thousand
men are employed on the work. When COM
pleted the Southern will have CONTINUOUS
double track as far as Orange, a distance
of ninety miles. The next work of double.
tracking will be done in North Carolina.
Later on the existing gap will be con
Structed.
Improvements in Alexandria.
Further discussing the proposed improve
ments, President Spencer said: The shops
and yards in Alexandria will be enlarged
and the greater portion Of the present
equipment will be rebuilt This will involve
the expenditure of a large amount OF mon
ey, but adequate accommodation Will pe.
made for the needs of the road
There is no intention on the part OF the
management to remove the general ofnces
from Washington to Atlanta. and no
changes along that line are in contempla-
ton. The statement made in many papers
that the official personnel of the road is to
be changed is also untrue. / do not expect
to retire from the presidency of the system,
neither does Mr.. w. w. Finley, second vice
president, expect to be made president.
These reports originated in the south and
are of the whole cloth
THE newspaper reports sent out yester-
day morning that the Southern had COM
pleted arrangements to merge with the Mo-
bile and Ohio road is another hoax. Such
a thing has not been discussed by the man
agement of the Southern, for the stock of
the Mobile and Ohio road has been owned
in its entirety by our road for several
years. There will be no combination of
arrangements, and the two roads will be
operated hereafter as independently as they
are now.
II intend to come TO Washington in No
vember and make the national capital my
home While my family is enjoying the
summer months away from the city the
house which recently purchased will be re-
paired and made ready, for my occupancy
in the fall. 1 will spend most of my time
III New York and my summer home. AS
the directors of the road live in New York,
1t is necessary for me to be there fire.
Quently.
President Spencer arrived in Washington
last night from New York and spent the
greater part of today at the general offices
of the company. Mr.. W. w. Finley, the
second vice president of the road who has
been in Europe and Africa for the past six
months in search of better health, has re-
turned, here much Improved and has re-
sumed the duties of his office. The two gem
eral officers held conference this morning
on improvements to be made as outlined by
President Spencer to: The Star.