The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-03-23
LETTER FROM COL COLE
He Defends r., F. & p. X. X. Against
Unjust Charges.

Fredericksburg. Va, March 21. 1911
To The Free Lance:
In the Richmond Times-Dispatch
of Sunday. March 18th. appears an
article under the caption OF Freder-
icksburg. in which the following eX-
tract appears:
For a long time the railway line
that rushes through the city disre-
garded the people. but the wide
awake Business Mems Association,
or Board OF Trade. got busy a few
wears ago and Il has brought the
railway TO terms. 1t is not neces-
sary to 90 into details. Ii is suffi-
cient to say that within the past few
months a new passenger station that
cost good deal OF money and is an
ornament to the city has been erect
ed and a freight depot has also been
rut up"
cannot permit this statement to
so unchallenged. AS one Of the
proxies Of the r. F. & p, desire
TO state that in my official con-
nection with the road 1t has shown
every disposition to treat the peo-
pie of Fredericksburg in the fairest
and most courteous manner The
question of improvements at Fred
ericksburg had been In contem-
plation for a long period and were
delayed by the condition OF the
money market. Ever since | have
been a member Of the board OF proX
les have from time TO time con-
ferred with the road as to improve
ments at Fredericksburg. not always
at my own instigation. but frequently
az the request of the road and the
road has always desired to conform
to the wishes and sentiments OF the
people of Fredericksburg as TAR as
possible to be consistent with us IN
terests and the business side OF the
propositions.
Ever since the double tracking
was first contemplated the company
has had in view the improvements at
fredericksburg. which is an impor-
tant point on its line Not only
have | conferred with the road in
my official capacity as to these i'm
provements. but a number of prl-
vate citizens from a public-spirited
standpoint have written the road as
to certain plans and making Ger
tain suggestions and have always
been shown the greatest courtesy
do not wish to detract from the
Business Mems Association as an
organization. from its accomplish
ments or from it's aspirations. but 1t
is unfair to the r. T. G p. Z. r..
unfair to me as one of the proxies
of the road unfair to the community
to say that 1.-The wideawake Business
Mems Association. or Board OF
Trade. got busy few years ago ana
il has brought the railway to-
terms
The r. +. & Z. r. r. has nothing
to gain by antagonizing Fredericks-
burg its citizens, or any of its organ
izations and the improvements made
here. which have cost a great deal
Of money and which have greatly
improved not only the facilities both
forthe road and for the city. but
mas improved appearances and en-
HANGED property values. has made
these improvements for the public
good. for adding to the value OF Its
own property and for increasing its
business.
am glad 10 see that The Star
and The Free Lance in reproducing
extracts from the article saw fit t9
eliminate the quotations above.know
ing them TO be untrue. and | desire
to state that such elimination was
without any suggestion from me. as
in fact. | did not know that such an
unjust statement was contained IN
the article until after The Star
and The Free Lance had been print
ed
| make the above statement in JUS
tice TO the railroad and TO all con-
cerned
Very respectfully.
+. u. Cole