The Washington herald., 1909-03-10
PLANS LAKE OUTLET
c., C. & o. to Extend from
Charleston to Toledo.
GREAT COAL LINE IS THE AIM
Project Involves Extension TO Ohio
River at KenOva and Connection
with Zimmerman Lines-Seeks the
Panama Canal Coal Trade-Ae-
quires Cuban Ore Beds.

Special 70 The Washington Herald.
Bristol Va. March s.-Information
which is significant and far-reachlng in
connection with the development OF the
rich territory Of Southwest Virginia,
East Tennessee. Southern West Virginia,
and Western Kentucky has been made
known regarding the contemplated plans
Of the builders Of the Carolina, Clinch-
field and Ohio Railroad, which will form
an outlet for the vast unscratched and
untouched mineral and timber wealth OF
those sections.
In a nutshell. these plans involve the
construction OF a low-grade short-line.
coal-carrying railroad 20 connect the
Great Lakes. probably at Toledo. and
Charleston. S c, the penetration Of Pike
County, Ky. and the Elkhorn Valley. and
the crossing Of the Ohio River at Kenova.
W. Va, and connecting with the thinner
man lines for a Great Lake outlet: the
supplying OF coal for the Panama Canal
trade; the acquisition OF nickel-ore fields
in Cuba. and the erection OF a steel ran
plant at Johnson City, Tenn, or at
hingsport. Tenn.
Backed By Big Corporation.
Backers Of this great enterprise is the
Cumberland Corporation, a holding COM
pany. capitalized at s250.0O0.OOO. all stock
paid in. This corporation controls every
dollars worth OF stock OF the new rar-
road. as well as A. per cent Of the Sea
board Air Line. Its chairman is Mark
W. Potter. and others interested are
Thomas F. Ryan, George Il Carter.
Chairman Reams. OF the Pullman Palace
Car Company executive board. and other
finsnciers. 1t is stated that z. II. Har-
riman. who. it was reported. had an eye
on the Carolina, Clincfeld and Ohio. is
not interested in the corporation.
The new coal line is now constructed.
graded. or surveyed from Dante. Va. to
Spartanburg. 5. &. From Dante. Va, the
Great Lakes extension viii be made The
contemplated line WI pass through Dick
ensOn and Russell counties. Va, pass
under the Big Sandy Ridge through a
3,5oo-foot tunnel, and penetrate the heart
OF Pike County, KY, and over the Ohio
River at Kenova. ". Va. In Ohio. IL is
expected that arrangements viii be made
with the Zimmerman lines for a Great
Lake outlet
The new lire has been constructed across
the mountains from Johnson City. Tenn.
20 Bostic. y. c. At Bostic connection
Is made with the Seaboard Air Line.
which gives the line a seaboard outlet
at Wilmington. N c. However. II IS
stated that the line vii be constructed
to Spartanburg. and from there 20
Charleston. S c., where extensive ter
minals have already been procured
suppIy Panama Canal CORI Trade.
From Charleston. the builders. who
also control the Cllnchheld coal fields.
vast undeveIoped mines. coal for the Pan
ana Canal trade viii be shipped. In
this connection, It is stated that the
problem Of tonnage for the returning
empty coal cars has been solved The
Cumberland corporation, Il IS said, has
acquired nickel-ore beds in Cuba which
arc estimated 20 contain 600.000.00o tons
This ore viii be brought 10 Charleston
and placed in the empty cars and carried
to either Johnson City, Tenn, or Kings
port. Tenn. where II Is contemplated 10
erect a steel rail mill. It VIII be recalled
that this Cuban ore makes the hardest
steel rail IN the world. The Schwab plant
at Bethlehem is turning out a product
from It which Is selling at 81 ton
against S2S for the other steel rail
Low Grade Over Mountains.
Information regarding these contem-
plated plans OF the new coal line come
from a man In a position 10 know. He
stated that the grade on the new line
will be so low that one big engine will
be able to haul eighty cars Of coal over
the mountains into North Carolina.
whereas approximately forty Is the limit
nov.
The Carolina. Clinchheld and Ohio is
already supplying coal to the great cot
ton mill district Of North Carolina and
South Carolina. These mills are among
the heaviest users Of coal OF the South
ern industries
0T0CFC TTTTTu cONyC