The Washington herald., 1909-03-28
spcci.l to me washington Hsrsla.

Special to The Washington Herald
Norfolk. Va. March E.-Henry H.
Rogers. the Standard Oil magnate. once
boasted that he wished to build great
railroad with his own funds on Satur-
day. April 3. Mr.. Rogers dream viii be
practically realized.
On that date the first through coal
train over the virginian Railway will ar
rive Al sewall Point from the West Vir-
sinia coal fields. and thereupon Mr.. Rog-
ers. IN the presence OF a distinguished
company OF New York hnanciers. the gov
ernor Of Virginia. United States Senators
, rom Virginia. and the best citizenship
of Norfolk. will officially declare open
70. traffic the vlrginian Railway, built
Utmost entirely with Mr.. Rogers own
funds and funds he raised from his
notes.
Norfolk VIII Celebrate.
The opening OF the virginian Railway
r-iil be the signal for big celebration in
Norfolk The city will celebrate the
vent with bunting decorated buildings
nd fireworks at night, while in the har-
or all craft will make bedlam Of noise
Following the ceremonies at Sewall
Point. Mr. Rogers and his party Will be
guests Of honor at a big banquet given
~ the people Of Norfolk. over 800 plates
win be laid. Among the guests will be
GOV. Swanson, OF Virginia: United States
senator's John W. Daniel and Thomas s.
Martin, several members Of the Virginia
Congressional delegation. and presidents
"a ali the transportation lines entering
Norfolk.
Speeches viii be made by Mark Twain.
Gov. Swanson, James NJ. Beck. Melville
3. Stone and others.
Mr.. Rogers party will be made up OF II.
7. Rogers. jr.. Samuel L. Clemens.
franklin Q. Brown. George II. Church,
-rban H. Broughton. G. H Hyams,
James NJ. Beck. Ralph Ashcroft. Melville
y. stone. Raymond Du Puy William r.
Coe, and William Z. Benjamin.
Tour of Inspection of Line.
Following the ceremonies in Norfolk,
Mr. Rogers party VIII board a special
rain and make a trip over the line, stop
ping at convenient points on the way 10
spend the night One Of these points
yyiu be Roanoke. where another dinner
viii be given.
The completion OF the Virginian Rail
way marks a new era on construction
Of coal lines 20 the seaboard Trains
started at Deepwater can roll easily tC
the seaboard. the grade being low. One
viii be able 70 pull eighty loaded
cars. whereas forty is now the limit OF
other lines which have steep grades.
The cost Of the road has been approx
mately 100000, over half Of which has
been put up by Mr.. Rogers personally
The only public tinanciering Of the road
was done when Mr.. Rogers issued long
term notes in lots OF 100000 and Their
Sl7.OO0000. part OF the latter being used
TO retire the notes first issued.
Coal Piers Very Large.
The company has spent 100000 IN the
construction OF a steel superstructure
rendered" pier at It's terminal at SewaT
Point. The pier is loo feet long. sixty
feet wide. and sixty-five feet high. and
viii be able 10 accommodate golfers viii
q carrying capacity OF 1000 tons each. OF
which the company will have fleet Of
ten or twelve The company recently
placed an order for 800 all steel ffty-tor
coal cars. to cost about S1.5OO.OOO
The authorized capital stock Of tht
Virginian Railway Is S36OO0.OOo and IN,
authorized funded debt $33.5O0.OOO frs
mortgage 8 per cent ffty-year gold bonds
All these bonds are pledged under tn,
Sl7,O00,OoO note issue Most OF the stool
IS held by Mr.. Rogers