The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-30
RAILROAD NI|L.
SIDE: TRACK. TOWN.
Corporation. Aflgered by Ashland
Council. Preparing to Make
Wide Detour.
SURVEYS NOW BEING MADE
Community Much Divided Over
MatterANou1d Be Disastrous s
Blow TO Place
Ia

e. . J. . . Il
Residents of the little college town
OF Ashland, hundreds of whom have
their business addresses in this city.
stand in imminent danger Of being side
tracked by the Richmond. Frederieka-
burg and Potomac Railroad as som g s
surveys now under way are COMPLETED.
The new line contemplated will pass
to the west of the town. Leaving the
present main track some distance north
OF Gwathmey and striking it again
about a mile beyond Ashland. Though
the surveys have not yet been com
plcted. 1t is understood that the sta
ton will be from quarter toa half
mile west of the present track. mean
ing a considerable walk for those COM
inuters and Others who use the road
daily.
Recently a contest has sprung up
between the company and the Town
Council over the use of Railroad Street
the principal tthoroughfare. along which
Ashland is strung out for more than
mile Up the centre OF this street runs
the main line of the railroad. both
street and town having resulted from
the erection OF houses of commuters
facing both sides of the tracks the
residences standing back in ample,
shady yards.
Asserts Its Authority.
z Since the town has been incorporated
Ii. has proceeded to assert its authority
over the, corporation which called II
Into being and ordinances regulating
the speed of trains were followed by
resolutions requiring the stopping OF
the Florida Limited and fast mails,
until. with local and through trains,
Ashland has enjoyed a service equaled
by but few suburban communities IN
the country. Now the town is attempt
ing to require the railway TO take up
its extra tracks and operate but one
track along Railroad street, and the
corporation has arisnnlin its wrath and
sent out its surveyors TO find some
other way around.
With the double tracking of the road
the Richmond. Fredericksburg. and re-
Jstomac has entered into contracts WIN |
4ihe Seaboard Air Line and the Auantlc
Coast Line TO haul their Florida Lint
ted and fast through mail ana express
trains on schedule that VIII not per
init local stops. Moreover, tne oi'ieitis
declare the heavy train service over
This line. now the gateway to the whole
south. will not allow mile or more OF
its roadbed to be operated on the old
style single track system
What Mr.. Duke Says.
Mr.. W. ID. Duke. secretary and treas
urer of the Richmond, Fredericksburg
and Potomac, confirmed the report that
surveyors were therefore a work on
a line around Ashland. In discussing
the matter last night he said:
ut all depends on the town.. Our
right Ito the use of Railroad street has
been questioned. and the town officials
nave imposed restrictions Which ini-
peril our use of that thoronshfase.
Thev have empioyed counsel and are
attempting to force us TO take up cue
of orr tracks on Railroad Street, 1t
is UP to tile town to say what we shall
do We do not want the expense OF
new grades around the town but we
ara making tho. survey, and If we
cannot come TO some 'definite under
standing as TO what our rights are IN
the use OF Railroad Street we will
have to give the town the go by
Last fall the town counsel atT?ted
strong resolutions and employed cot,n-
sci to ascertain what rights tile corr
munity has in Railroad Street.
Conferences yvith the railroad officials
Jailed to bring any satisfactory COM
promise, ann the breach has wdene.l
until the comISany now feels that 1t is
necessary to mcEe away from the town.
Town Hucl, Divided
Ashland Mas Mad for many years,
and is now eniosNng, remarkably low
commuters'arates Which compare fay
orably with Suburban tickets out of
New York and othert,arge cities The
unusual facilities have made tile town
pleasant residence Splace1 for many
who do business in RiShinond. and am.
move 10 take the raily6ad station away.
from the heart Of tie community will
no doubt result III q depreciation Of
real estate yaFuse REPORTS are 10 the
\ effect that the( to@n is much divided
over the MATTER. and the question of
y policy toward Tire railroad company
Will nosdopbt he the live political Issue
when the pEs1tnt Town Council stands
ser Reelection.