The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-17
FRIDAY. JANUARY II, 1905.
Nothing more is wanted 10 rem
der a nun miserable than that he
should fancy 1t is sos-From the
Latin.
THE FREDERICKSBURG RAILROAD
QUESTION.

THE FREDERICKSBURG RAILROAD
QUESTION.
We have been very deliberate In COM
ing to conclusion as to the proper
course for the State to pursue In re-
spect to the proposed bill repeating the
inhibition to the construction OF rail-
road parallel to the Richmond, Fred
ericksburg and Potomac Railroad. The
question is serious one. and involves
the rights not merely OF many inves-
I tors IN that railroad, but also of the
! State. The Richmond. Fredericksburg
4 and Potomac Railroad has, as we have
had occasion to say before, been
/ model railroad. and has performed its
great public duties in most exem-
piary way. There has never been q
1aint upon the integrity and high char
acrer OF It's management. AT enormous
expense it has put itself in condition
to do all the business that Is offering
In the regular way. and we believe
that its connections are SO fixed and its
service so perfect that there is barely
the rcmotest danger that any other
connection can be effected which will
ohstruct the continuous growth of it's
revenues under normal conditions of
trade. we would say further that the
mere fact that the Fredericksburg
Railroad is u so-called monopoly does
not arouse in us any sense OF indigna
..cn or resentment. A monopoly isl
vicious only when 1t is injurious to
those who come under its influence.
This is not the case with the Rich
n,ond. Fredericksburg and Potomac
Railroad. Moreover, we have been uni
formly opposed to the futile investment
ot money by rival concerns merely be-
cause the first occupier is securing q
GGod return upon his operation. In
England, we believe, Parliament will
rot permit another railroad to be built
which will reduce tile revenue of one
already existing. unless there is some
Eood reason for it.
a remarkable condition OF facts is
presented in this case. The Fredercks-
burg Railroad performs its duties In u
1nost satisfactory way, and Is prepared
20 do even more of its great through
business than it is now doing. Never
1lieless there is good room for this
proposed. .eicc.fic line especially with
he object OF It's being extended to
desirable nt--Manassas-that the
Fredericksburg Railroad will not reach.
IN view Of these facts, we are fully
persuaded that the exclusive right
Which the Fredericksburg Ratlrond now
ias should not be continued TO the
detriment of tho country aud to tie in
terest of the public. especially those
eiong the line OF the proposed now
railway. We have not come to this.
conclusion hastily but only after the
most patient Investigation OF all the
accessible facts in the case.
There is an opening for line along
the proposed route which, IL operated
as we believe Is intended, by electricity
will be of incalculable service 10 the
people along Its line in a way which
q great steam trunk line like the Fred
ericksburs Railroad could not possibly
rendcr. We have seen this in the
electric line between Richmond and
Petersburg We sec it again in the
electric line between Richmond ana
ashland. The reasonable and fair pros
pect of having an electric air line
rpened through from Rlchpond to Ma
nassas is most captivating to those In
Richmond who want more intimate
connection With the splendid country
Of Fauquicr and thence by the Ma
nassas Gap Railroad to the valley.
To secure these advantages, and ut
lie same time, we believe, meet the
objections OF those who are SOLICITORS
# shout the interests OF the State, It
would only be necessary TO amend the
seSisting statute so as to permit the
granting Of . charter for an electric
iine instead of an absolute repeal of
the existing law. II those who propose
TO construct this proposed parallel
electric line are willing to put their
money IN ard thus add to the welfare
pf the community. II seems 70 us thu,
It would be little enough on the mart
as OF the State 10 amend the law as sue.
gested. and allow them to DO so.
j.ssg4 ----------------=--=-
iasES THE CONJhIONER IN Icnunu