The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1908-01-18
the RAILROAD BIll


Sparta. Va. Jan 10th. 1905.
To The Free Lance:
mean the bill 70 repeal that law now
on the statute books which forbiis the
construction Of q railroad parallel TO the
r., +. 4 p. road. By all means let this
bili pass; In justice TO the eouatry
through which this road passes and the
cities Of Richmond and Fredsricksburg
which are 30 largely Affected BY f. The
prohibition which has 50 long existed
aud has operated 50 materially to the
detriment OF this section should at once
be removed When this law was passed
the railroad was in its beginning. and
may have needed this help, but that
time has long since passed when a
company which has grown so that stock
which originally cost tbs purchaser
$215. 900 Is now worth two millions.
the day has come when other interests
should beconsidered. There Is absolutely
no fairness or justice in longer keeping
other companies from constructing lines
between Richmond and Fredericksburg
and Washington. Indeed it Is a matter
oil surprise to me that Richmond has so
long remained inactive IN this matter.
There is abundant traffic for two roads.
Whatever injury might come to the r,
r. X p road would be only temporary.
Traffic Is increasing at rapid rate, and
it will not be long before the present
road cannot handle its freight with facil-
ity. Ths double track on this road has
just been completed, aud yet IL Is lust as
difficult to get freight shipped expeditions
" as It was ten years ago, with a single
track. One OF the officers Of the com
pany told me four years ago that ia ten
years they would need four tracks worse
than they now reed two. And only q
N.wn a l..
OF the best informed railroad men ia this
country. stated that with the present
railroad facilities In this country, il was
impossible TO handle the produce that
needed to be shipped. For PHYS sake
then let US do all in our power to en-
courage the building OF another road
that VIII help US out Besides these facts
everybody knows that another line
would greatly stimulate trade and IL
would not be long before both roads
would be doing all they could.
Notice some other facts: Suppose the
state should not get so large a dividend
on its stock as IL does now, there would
be an increase OF railroad property in
the state oil millions OF dollars, aud tie
tax from this property would more than
compensate Tor any injury the states
revenue might receive.
But the fact is that the state ought
by ell means. to sell its stock and get
out OF the railroad business Ii Is unfair
to other railroads for the state 10 be IN
competition with them. Ii is hindrance
to trade aud il tends TO prevent such
railroad legislation as + often needed.
By all means, let the present prohibitive
law be repealed. and let Us DO all we can
TO invite the construction OF many more
lines OF railroads in our state.
We have a genial climate, q kindly
soil and noble people. We only need
greater facilities for the development of
our resources to make our country smile
with peace and plenty. beg. therefore.
that our representatives In the House
and the Senate from this county and
district will work with ell their might
to have this Objectionable law wiped
from the statute books.
ANDREW Bro DDUs.