The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-05-04
ALL RAILROADS TO
SHARE IN CONTEST
They May Work Together to
Upset Two-Cent Rate in
Virginia.
VALLEY OF VIRGINIA ROAD
Believed That Important Changes
Will Be Made in the
Situation.
VALLEY OF VIRGINIA ROAD
BY WALTER EDWARD HARRIS.

WASHINGTON, d. c.. May IA rail-
road man In this city to-day said he
believed there was little or no doubt that
all the railroads OF Virginia would unite
In the fight to be made against the de-
cislon OF the State Corporation Commits
sion. He referred, of course, only to
those roads affected by the decision, five
In number. This official said further that
he did not know that all the, roads would
be named In the suit brought to test the
order, which Will be Instituted for the
purpose OF testing also the validity OF
the commission Itself. but the expense
would be shared between them.
1t appears that the railroads are in
doubt as to whether the commission can
be entoined from putting the order into
effect. II the commission is court 1t
cannot be restrained, it Is said, but II
not court, n restraining order may be
issued by a court OF competent Jurisdic-
ton. Probably an application for an in
Junction would be as good way as any
to determine the nature and status OF
the commission.
Virginia Valley Road.
Interesting rumors affecting the rail-
road situation In the Valley of vir-
gala are current these days. Captain
Willard, of the Corporation Commits
sion, Is very familiar with transporta-
ton conditions In the Valley. The
commission has been inspecting the line
of the Valley road quite frequently OF
late, and these frequent Inspections
may mean that some action Is con-
templated looking to the bettcrment Of
conditions.
1t would not be surprising II there
were important changes in the rail-
way situation In the Valley in the
co,,rea NJ n comma ra iveIy short
Certainly there Will be changes, and
in the direction of Improvement. II the
Baltimore and ohio, which owns the
Valley road. wifi dispose of It's prop
erty in the Valley at anything like a
reasonable figure. The city Of Balti
more. after investigation, discovered
recently that the stock of the Valley
read held by the city had no market
value. but the company has not evinced
Willingness to part with 1t, even at
reasonable figure
Probably the richest and prettiest
and certainly one OF the most his
toric countries in the world is the
Valley of Virginia. In the counties
OF Rockbridge and Augusta are also
located some of the most important
educational centres. The best OF grain
and cereals are here grown and the
finest horses and cattle are raised, and
yet 1t, has a railroad service so in
adequate as to do II serious injury.
impair values and cut off connec-
ton with its markets
Baltimore on the Alert.
Tho city of Baltimore. Always on
the lookout for trade, early turned
its attention to this rich section. Many
years ago the Baltimore and Ohio
Railway was looked upon almost as
f1u - 11.h1 cnle nd re-
tail merchants of Baltimore. When the
Baltimore and Ohio, therefore. talked
about fostering railroad into thi';
rich section, the idea looked good
to the ard-headed. practical and sue
cessful merchants Of Baltimore, who
saw visions of big trade In the VAL
ley. There was no difficulty whatever
in persuading the City Fathers to sub
scribe 81 200, 900 to the stock OF the new
enterprise.
The counties in the Valley were not
backward in their liberality. with the
result that considerably over 100000
went into the railroad. and 1t was built
and Baltimore was pleased with happy
anticipations.
But their hopes were doomed. Mr.
Robert Garrett was too busy devoting
his attention to the extension to Phi'a-
delpha to pay attention to the Val
ley, and Baltimore's million vanished
into thin air along with the money
of tho counties. The railroad was
actually finished to Lexington, and
there ended, a.d the Baltimore and
Ohio has never driven a spike beyond
that historic town. But 1t did give
Baltimore some kind OF service via
Harpers Ferry.
B. & O. Lost Control.
But, sad to relate the chief Of
tense on the part Of the Baltimore and
Ohio was yet to come. It lost con-
troll Of the line between Harrisonburg