The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1911-10-05
gIafI.si,IIF,f ana =. 8 o.

q
CIaEksbIFg and b. & o.
Keenly appreciating the merit OF
ClaTkebuFsis cause, It is not at all
strange that the people here, and
especially the board of trade and
large shippers, as well as many
smaller ones. should be insistent in
campaign for railroad improve
mentB at this point,
It Is admitted that Clarksburg
furnishes the Baltimore and Ohio Il
vast volume Of business, steady all
the time and Increasing monthly. It
IS admitted that during the recent
eo-called hard times, the business
the railroad company received from
Glarksburg not only kept up to the
previous standard but increased
every month.
It IS true that the Baltimore and
Ohio Is expendfng and has ex-
pended a considerable amount OF
money here within the last few
months to improve conditions and
relieve a situation that became per-
picking to the company itself in the
dispatch Of it's business. not only
perplexing but paralyzing as the IA
cilities were SO badly cramped that
operation of the local yards was very
much like trying to crack a hickory
nut in q mouth without teeth. 1t
was simply up to the Baltimore and
Ohio to do something to save itself
IN this part Of the state as the con-
gesti6n here interfered materially
with its business at other points with
which sClarksburg had to do and
which had to do with CIarksburg.
But, the Telegram is not so unkind
as to question the motive of the
railroad company in making these
improvements in yard facilities. The
company doubles readily saw the
5ustuess of the opportunities and at
the same time recognized the adj
vantage to itself In making them.
One is inclined to believe that on
the principle that railroad com
panies inquire what new or great
business improvements will bring
the action OF the company in ex-
penditures here has been based on
the earning power of the Clarksburg
point This emphasizes the fact that
with the marvellous development
this section is undergoing almost
unlimited expenditure on the part of
the railroad company would be JUS
tined by the returns it would re-
ceive. The company doubtless real
ICES the possibilities and is there
by prompted to give assurances that
the demands will be met at the
earliest time possible in connection
with other improvements it must
make at other points in West Vir-
ginia to overcome the handicaps Of
delapidated conditions brought
about doubtless to a certain extent
by deferring action until the time
was more opportune.
argument is advanced that rail-
way passenger stations are not re-
garded by railroad companies as
earning sources and that they really
bring no returns on investment. In
the technical operation this may be
true, but 1t is hardly to be accred-
tied that railroad companies base
their station-erecting action on that.
Ifso. why veritable palaces here and
there as railroad passenger stations?
why any kind OF a station? The
passenger station Is certainly an es-
sentfal to the operation of rail-
road. else it would not exist in any
form, and If an essential why not
attach enough Importance to it to
make it creditable, useful and SAN
itary? Where there is no competi-
live line, painted coach has no
more earning power than an un-
npaied one. yet all coaches are
painted one. yet all coaches are
actual earning power, yet pains are
taken to have neat looking ones.
There Is no disputing the fact that
=@----