Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-26
EASTERN SHORE LINE
BUSINESS MEN COMBINE TO I'M
PROVE COMMUNICATION.
Delaware, Maryland and Virginia to
Be Brought Hours Nearer to
Washington.

party of more than thirty representa-
tive business men of Washington left the
city yesterday on special train over the
Chesapeake Beach railway to meet at the
bay resort another delegation from the
eastern shore, for the purpose of discussing
and perfecting plans for the Inauguration
of a new and short line of communication be-
tween Washington and the eastern shore
and that portion of Delaware and Virginia
lying In the peninsula just across the bay.
The arrangements for the trip were in
charge of Mr.. Paul Y Waters, general
manager of the Chesapeake Beach railway.
The special consisting OF parlor car and
combination buffet and observation car.
left Washington shortly after 80, making
record time. Refreshments were provided,
and the trip was otherwise made quite en-
joyable.
Arrived at the beach, the party strolled
about the resort. breathing the fresh cool
air and taking in the sights. The eastern
shore contingent had come across the bay
IN a power launch, and the two parties soon
met In the Casino to reach an understand
ing.
Mr.. Robert Wells a member of the Mary
i&nd legislature, took the chair. Mr. Os-
Wald Illghman, secretary of state of Mary
land, was the principal speaker He is
president of the Eastern Shore Transport
Company which has been organized and
Incorporated under the laws of MARYLAND
Tor the purpose of establishing a line of
steamers between points on the eastern
shore and Chesapeake Beach This COM
pany desires the cooperation of Washing
ton business men in the venture and ar
ranged the meeting In order to further that
end 1t is planned that half the stock of
the company shall be taken on the eastern
shore and the other half in Washington.
The financing of the venture ia now prac-
tically assured and 1t is expected that
shortly after July 1 steamer will have
been purchased and put in operation be-
tween the beach and several railway ter
mini on the eastern shore. Traffic ar
rar gements have been made with the Ches-
apeake Beach road and with several roads
on the peninsula understandings reached.
30 that no difficulty is expected In making
connections for the new line.
Important to Public.
The result of this movement is of great
Importance to the District since it affects
many lines Of business in the city. as well
as the pleasure and well being of many of
its citizens 1t will be of equal benefit to
the section of country tapped by the new
system.
Its bearing on the summer excursion and
regular passenger traffic between Washing
ton and Ocean City and intermediate points
is perhaps OF most Importance at this time
The trip to Ocean City, which, by way of
Baltimore. now consumes about nine hours,
will be shortened by about three and one
half hours, and the fare reduced about one
third The DEVIATION of many disagreeable
features of the trip by the old route will
enable many persons to visit the resort
who heretofore have been deferred from
making the trip.
There Is known to be desire on the
part of a large part of the population of
eastern Maryland to visit the capital
city. not only for sightseeing but for
shopping, which Is now done in Baltimore.
Since. by the a WASH
ington from any point south and east of
Claiborne will be much less than 1t Is TO
Baltimore. It is obvious that much of the
desirable trade will be diverted to Wash
ington.
In the matter of freight traffic, an even
greater saving of time will be effected.
Farm produce of this section, much of
which is consumed In Washington, must
now come through Baltimore passing
through the hands of commission mer-
chants there before being re-shipped to
this point From the town of Cambridge
on the Choptank river, for instance, one
of the largest shipping points for farm
products of the lower peninsula, from four
teen to twenty-four hours are required for
the shipment of produce from that port to
the Washington market. By the new and
more direct route such freight will reach
Washington seven or eight hours after
shipment. The freight rates over the new
route will be about one-half the present
charges
IsttSlCiA oAoiS GIOOuCIS
Eastern Maryland is a fertile and well
developed country. producing the most de-
sirable fruits and vegetables, and many
Washington housekeepers express a prefer
ence for products from this region. Straw
berries and other fruits and vegetables are
sent from there to the Baltimore, Phila-
delphia and New York markets, where,
owing to competition, low prices are realiz-
ed Washington Is more desirable market
for the Maryland farmers, and Washing
tonians will be glad of an opportunity to
obtain their products fresh, and in ample
quantity.
1t Is proposed ultimately to place yes
sci on the route between Norfolk and Ches-
apeake Beach. In which event the time
from Washington will be reduced by four
hours and the fare rates about one-half.
Among those who addressed the meeting
at Chesapeake Beach were: Mr.. Waters of
the Chesapeake Beach railway, Frank X.
Raymond of the Business Mems Associa-
ton. p. V. DeGraw William s. Knox, w. S.
Mexican and Isaac Cans of Washington;
George f. Haddaway and r. g. Dodson of
Maryland. All these gentlemen, each rep
resenting a different line Of business told
of benefits that would accrue to Washing
toms trade by reason OF this enterprise.
Two committees, each of eight members,
were appointed by the meeting, one to rep
resent the Washington interest and the
other to speak for Maryland In the subse
quent negotiations. These committees
were composed as follows: On the part of
Washington, Isaac Cans, Frank X. Ray
mond. Robert Callahan. w. s. Holton, w.
8. Knox. P. ". DeGraw, Hugh Reilly and
DR.. Earnest F. King. On the part Of the
eastern shore. Oswald Tilghman, Jaudon
Brown, Robert w. Wells. Paul Y. Waters.
w. 8. Mexican, r. A. Wickersham Frank
G. Wrightson and Senator Robert B. Dixon.
Mr.. Waters of the Chesapeake Beach
railway has been offered the management
of the system, as his position Ats him we'll
to see the best interests of the company
and IL is understood that he will accept