The news & observer., 1905-12-31
Southern After Rivals
Right of Way.
NEW ROADS AS PAWNS
The South and Western and the Con.
demnatiOn Proceedings. How Sub
sidiary Companies are Organized -
Col. Andrews and His
Salary.


Salary.
RAILROADS .6 30 20 80 IS. .66
A hearing in Raleigh yesterday be-
fore Commissioner Smith. in the office
of Vice-President A. B. Andrews. of
the Southern Railway, at which the
deposition of Col. Andrews was taken
in the proceeding for condemnation
of a right of way by the Johnson City
Southern Railway against the South
and Western Railroad, brought out
conditions which are making for
railroad war of dimensions in the West
and which elected some interesting
testimony as to the methods pursued
by the Southern in the organization
Of small roads under independent chart
ers which come under the control oil
the system.
The right of way sought to be con-
demned is stated to have already been
entered upon by the Johnson City
Southern, although it has been actu-
ally purchased from the original hold
ers by the South and Western Rail-
road.
There appeared for the Johnson City
City & Southern Messrs. w. B. Rodman
F. II. Busbee and J. Bis Ray, all
South and Western, Messrs j. Nor
ment Powell, GEM. Counsel, OF Bris-
tol. Tenn. J. c. BiggS, of Durham.
and z. F. Watson. of Burnsville.
The Johnson and Southern claims
that the land sought to be condemn
ed is the Cnly practicable course for
a railroad from johnson City to Mar
ion, which il claims TO desire to reach
for the purpose of connection with
the Southern Railway; while the
South and Western claims that the
proceeding and the entry upon the
right of way is merely a part of
| scheme on the part of the Southern
| Railway to retard and hinder as much
las possible the construction and COM
pletion of the South and Western from
Bristol, Tenn, to Marion. Rutherford
| ton and Spartanburg and thus to
Southport, where the company owns
| 4 water 'front.'
The South and Western, as contem-
plated, is one of the most important
roads in the entire South Originating
at Bristol, in Tennessee. II is design
cd to tap large coal field deposits own
cd by the company and obtain there
| from a speedy line of transportation to
water at Charleston and Southport. To
| attain this end ii is necessary for the
road to reach Marion. to which 1T has
almost been constructed, then Ruther-
l1OfuICn, WBGIe COIlIlCcllOll VIII De Ilflue
with the Seaboard Air Line, and thence
to Spartanburg, S. c.. where connec-
| ton will also be had with the A. c.
L., thereby putting the road in touch
with Charleston. The road is already
completed to Spruce Pines. a station a
few miles from Marion. and the right
of way in controversy it is claimed
was acquired for the purpose of
Strengthening the line to Marion.
Now comes the Johnson (tity SOuth-
ern, which is organized and officered
practically by the Southern Railway
and seeks condemnation of the land
already purchased by the South and
Western Railroad for similar pur-
pose and has already put a force of
hands at work thereon. claiming to
have expended in that manner be-
tween 5000 and 500 a day for three
weeks.
The South and Western is, of course,
opposing the proceeding and relying
upon the deeds which it has obtained
for the lend in question from the
original holders.
Col. An0rewS OH determination.
The purpose of the hearing yes
terday was to take the deposition of
Vice-President Andrews in order to
prove the organization of the John
son City and Southern. 1t was on
the cross examination by General
Counsel J. Norment Powell, of Bristol,
representing the South & Western that
the interesting portions of his testi-
mony came out. Colonel Andrews
testified as to the organization of the
new road and was taken uD on cross
examination to speak of the details
of the Stock-isSue and holding. The
road, which is II miles long was or
ganized on the regular basis of 1000
a mile in stock subscribed for. The
subscription was of course taken by u
few of the officers of the Southern
Railway who are officers respectively
Of the new road and of the Southern
Railway system. 1t appeared
from CO.. Andrews testimony.
however, that only per cent. of the
stock subscription, or about $4,000, had
been paid in, and that this entire
amount mad been paid by Mr.. c. H.
Ansley, Treasurer of the Southern
Railway.
AS Mr. Ansley is also Treasurer of
the Johnson City and Southern. he
drew his check as the one officer to
himself as the other. and in the twin
kle of an eye the trick was done
Colonel Andrews eye twinkled as he
told of the operation under the ques-
tions of ere Css-examining counsel.
Organizing IAN Independent Co..
Mr.. Powell. however, was not sat-
isfied and continued his queries as
to the stock transactions of the road.
1t appeared that none Of the subscri-
bers had paid in anything on their un-
dertaking as to the stock, and that
the Southern Railway alone had paid
Continued on Page Eleven.)