The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-11-28
Blue RIDGE RAILROAD.
Col. 4. B. Andrews Tells OF the South
ern's Attitude-Why They Do Not
Think it Advisable to Complete the
Blue Ridge Now.

FOllOWluS lAulSUeS , NO4104 S44S0,
the following statement was given
out by Col. A. B. Andrews, first vice
president of the Southern Railway
company and president of the Blue
Ridge Railway company.
*eWhile the Southern Railway COM
pany feels that it should have line
through the Little Tennessee Valley
and a connection between Walhalla
and Rabun Gap and intends, when
conditions warrant, to complete the
construction of this line, on which
considerable sums of money have al
ready been spent, the present is not
considered favorable time for under
taking this enterprise.
"This line could not be constructed
for less than s3,OOO,0OO, and the mag
nitude Of the undertaking would make
it necessary to raise the required
funds by the sale of securities. At this
time financial and commercial condi-
tions are unfavorable for the sale of
such securities and they could not be
marketed on reasonable trems.
"F'or several years past it has been
the consistent policy of the Southern
Railway company to strengthen the
facilities Of the lines already in opera
zion, so that the company can better
serve the communities and territories
which it reaches, rather than to en-
gage in any new construction. This
policy has been found wise and it will
be necessary to continue it. In line
with this policy, the Southern Railway
company has expended out Of such re-
sources as have been available consid-
erable sums for reconstruction and
double tracking of important lines, en-.
larging yards, the construction OF en-
larged and more commodious freight
houses and team track facilities, and
new passenger and freight stations,
and it has increased the capacity and
improved the character of its passen-
ger train equipment, locomotives, and
freight train cars. It has also made
liberal expenditures for new rail of
heavier section and has eliminated
many miles Of light rail, substituting
the heavier rail therefor. This work
has been going on throughout all
parts Of the system.
"The work of constructing the line
through the Little Tennessee Valley
was halted by right of way troubles
involving litigation which proved slow
of decision and has not yet been set
tied. While the Southern railway COM
pany has not resumed the construc-
tion of this line as whole and is OF
at this time ready to undertake it, the
ultimate construction of the line has
been constantly kept in view. Con-
struction work has been done along
the route of this line whenever local
business to be developed was sufficient
to warrant it and all such construc-
ton has been done with the purpose
of eventually forming a part of the
through line. There is now in pros
pect in the Little Tennessee Valley
some further development which would
cause several miles more of this line
to be built. Everything that, is being
done in this regard tends to bring
nearer the completion of the through
line.
"The Blue Ridge railroad, looking
forward to the completion of a through
line, has only recently laid seven miles
Of heavy rail and has in view con-
tinuing putting down additional rail
until the entire line is laid with this