The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-09

at least approach the national idea IL
he wants to. by declaring to make an
ample bank account the touchstone of
patronage.
New Charter for r., F. & p. r. r.
After existinga and prosperlng for over
seventy years under It's original charter
the Richmond fredericksburg and po-
tomac Railroad has decided to give up
every special privilege and apply for n
charter that VIII put 1t OH an equality
with every other railroad in the state.
The original charter of the Richmond,
fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad
contained number of provisions that
are absolutely foreign to the present
powers of railroads. For example, the
Richmond. fredericksburg and Potomac
Railroad was free from taxation, but 1t
was obliged to stop at whatever point
any passenger wished to get on or off.
1t was also obliged to allow private
parties to use the company's tracks for
private trains, and further, the company
could not condemn more than three acres
at any one point for the use of the
railroad.
OF all provisions, however, the most
onerous was the Limitation of earnings
to fifteen per cent.--the surplus above
this amount going to the State. When
the charter was granted fifteen per cent.
doubtless seemed beyond the dreams OF
avarce. but then railroads were tender
and innocent. To-day the thirst for
dividends is not to be so easily appeased.
Therefore, in order to reap the lnevita-
bic growth and prosperity that will come
to 1t as the main connection between
the Southern coast States and the North
the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Po-
tomac Railroad has relinauished its free
dom from taxation The effect of this
action is much softened by the comfort-
Ing belief that dividends far in excess
of the ninety per cent, now being paid,
will be shortly realized.
parallel road to Washington has long
been the dream of some and the bugbear
of others Under the proposed legisla-
ton no SUCH COiiliuSSISs SttiA oNSuii
The States investment is, therefore. left
as safe as possible. Possible consolida-
ton with the Pennsylvania is the only
remaining contingency. This is much
feared by some who bear in mind that
the Pennsylvania has always operated
| its subsidiary roads for the sole benefit
ed the pennsylvania itself.
Even this danger, however, is largely
done away with by the enactment which
requires the approval of the Board of
sinking Fund Commissioners. the Gov
ernor and the Aforementioned must
consent before any mergercan be made.
Before the Republican senator's get TO
| rate billing, certain amount of ne
ioicing over vacillators won over is to
be expected There is tmc-honored pre-
cedent for uniting billing with cooins'
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II 10 reported from London that Sir
Thomas Upton will challenge the Amer
ican's cup next year. Why does not the
Jamestown Exposition Company make
a bid for the race?
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The food aduterators, we understand.
have learned tv make beefsteak out of
sawdust. aniline and hambonc. 1t is
said TO be almost as good as boarding
| house Hamburger.
We are informed that Mr.. John d.
Rockefeller's continued retirement Is due
to the fact that he is still hard at work
on his valentine for Miss Ida Tarbell.
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When the wedding presents are all in.
Miss Alice Roosevelt might entertain q
proposition to devote some of them to
stocking up new department store.
Air-ship builders have now reached a
point where they can make ships that
will do everything but fly. That is abso-
lutcy their only fault.
Back to the mines" says District
President Patrick Dolan; there will be
no strike Tonight Mr.. Dolan has our
kindest We are for him all the time.
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Rather than face the prospect of a long
| coal strike, 1t is rumored that Judge
Andrew Hamilton may decide to 90 on
living in Paris.
Secretary Tnft's celebrated rebuke to
Mr. Wallace looks somehow slightly diff
i ferent since the ex-engineer has got his
opportunity to explain It.,
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