The Washington times., 1906-07-21
POOR TERMINALS
CAUSING DELAYS
Edward Kelly Takes Hope
full View of City's
Future.
MUST Talk WASHINGTON
Spirit Of Business Boom Should In
fuse Citizens Who Are Travelling
Around the Country.

The failure OF the railroad companies
TO keep terminal and transportation IA
cilities up to the demand OF Wash
ington's business is regarded by Ed
ward J. Kelly. secretary and treasurer
Of the Semmes- Kelly Company. whole
sale grocers, as one serious impediment
in the way Of the citys steady ad-
vancement
Il don't particularly blame the rail-
roads for this state OF a1airs.' said
Mr.. Kelly today The fact is, Wash
ington's business has increased so much
in the past hve years. the roads have
not been able TO keep step with it. Per
haps the controlling powers have not
understood how greatly larger facili-
ties have been needed.
Delays have been numerous on this
account Oftentimes it has been "a week
or ten days before a shipment would
leave Washington. Certainly, this con-
dition has operated TO the serious dis
advantage Of the city and all those
who endeavor to do business in the city.
But what could you expect, when the
railroads are trying to handle several
hunured carloads of freight a day with
the same facilities with which they ham
oIed seventy-fve cars few years ago.
Facilities Constantly Improving.
These facilities are being improved
enormously The new freight terminals
Of the Pennsylvania on Four-and-
street are models of convenience and
excellence. The Southern is building
great Yards between here and AleNan-
dria The Baltimore and Ohio is in
creasing it's facilities for quick and ef-
fective service. In a little time the
railroads viii be able 20 handle a thou
sand cars Of freight a day with the
same ease with which they handled
hundred cars in the past.
1T is certainly true that the cOnges-
lion on the Pennsylvania line between
Washington and Alexandria rs respon-
sible for much. it not for most, OF the
delays In shipments 10 the South that
have occurred II seems equally true.
10 my mind. that this unfavorabie and
depressing condition admits of an easy
remedy. j am not one Of those. how
ever. who believe the Pennsylvania las
any disposition 70 lnlure washington
or that its officers Will remain obdurate
when Washington just complaint Is
presented TO them in proper shape.
The Pennsylvania is In the railroad
business TO make money, and it makes
most or its money by handling freight
It Is not going TO refuse any reasonable
aid To Washington, II II can be given
. fered sufficient business 10 make IL
owrth while TO supply increased faclli-
ties. 1 have no doubt whatever that II
the Jobbers and Shippers Association
makes a proper presentation OF its case
10 the Pennsylvania there VIII be
. prompt response.
Jobbing Ability Unquestioned.
There can't be any question about
our ability 10 do plenty Of jobbing bust
ness right here in Washington. The
experience Of firms already in the busi-
ness has proved that beyond dispute.
We need more jobbing houses. and then
we need the enthusiastic help OF every
citizen of Washington. in praise Of his
. home town. Then we shall have a
Greater Washington, sure enough.
There are plenty Of dealers through
out the South who don't know today that
there are jobbing houses in the Capital
of the Nation. / have carried Lhat In
formation myself 10 a good many. Every
Washingtonian who goes out into tie
country should sing the praises Of his
home. That policy has made Atlanta
what II is, Il viii make Washington the
Gateway of the South