Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1907-09-19
NOTES BY OBSERVER.

grant such franchise, but has In
corporated into the ordinance certain
provisions that the company says it
cannot agree to, namely, the building
of new depot, the employment of
watchmen at important crossings, the
removal of the old tracks, etc. Al
though the right Of way tor its new
line has been bought and paid for by
the railroad, its contracts let, and
all things made ready, work has not
yet been commenced, and it is init
mated that the Improvement will not
be made until the town council backs
down. Indeed, it is whispered that
if the town continues to act stubborn,
the railroad will take an entirely new
route, make its depot near the water
tank, and cut across to the south and
east of the corporate limits, and thus
leave us high and dry-and repentant.
This is most probably futile bluff.
The fact is, in Observers opinion, the
railroad company has gotten itself in
to hole, and though this doesn't Of
ten happen to big railroad, it is the
case in this instance. The company
went ahead with all its preparations,
spent large sum of money and COM
mitted itself in every way to the en-
terprise, all without first getting the
franchise that it needed and must
have. II made mistake in putting
the cart before the horse, and its off.
Gals may as well own up and get out
of the embsrras sing position in which
they have placed themselves as best
they can.
1t would probably cost the railroad
from $4,000 upwards to change its
route and its plans nova sum much
greater than would supply all the de-
mands of the council. About $l5, 900
has been spent for right of way for
the line chosen. Probably that much
more would be necessary for new
right of wsy-and there you have
$4,000 as starter. The engineer
ing work for new bridge at differ
ent location would all have to be done
over again, and if the iron work is al.
ready under way, as reported, a
change would run into mighty big
figures. 1t would likewise be very
expensive matter to cut through the
two ridges of hill, east of the present
line-indesd, if the railroad officials
should really get mad about it and
change their route they would have
to pay exceedingly dear for their an
ger. They are not likely to let their
feelings run away with the appropria-
ton, especially as they got themselves
into the predicament.
Taking it for granted, then, that
the town has the whip hand, we think
that our officials ought to be pretty
sure as to what they want and then
sit down and wait for compliance with
their terms. Observer agrees that we
ought to have a new station. Shep-
herdstown has been making many i'm
provements, both Of public and pri-
vate nature. The railroad, which de-
rives so much revenue from US, ought
to show some public spirit, too, and
get right in the front Of the process
sion. We are not proud of the pres
ent depot and its approaches, and we
doubt If the railroad folks are. In
deed, they say that they desire to
provide better facilities and mean
eventually to give us new building.
But eventually is too far away. This
is the golden opportunity to get what
we need, and if we let go our under.
hold now it will probably be many
year before we will again secure such
an advantage. We know it is sort O.
mean to strike man when he is
down, but we also know what the
railroads do to us when they get the
upper hand.
It's sort Of poetic justice that has
overtaken the railroad. Some TWEEN.
ty-6ve years ago, when the old Shen-
sndoah Valley road was first con.
structed, although Jefferson county
contributed $25o,ooO, little Shepherds
town pluckily donated some $4,000
more, on the condition that the rail.
road shops should be erected and
maintained here. We put up our
cold cash in good faith Some in
significant repair shops were kept here
for few years. Then the railroad,
without any scruples that were ap.
parent, raced the shops and moved
away. bag and baggage. When the
people protested, Superintendent
Sands laughed at them and told them
to be satisfied to smell the smoke as
the trains went bv. The railroad wos