The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-20

ed in the development OF the Union
Pacific. its immense earnings its
magnificent physical condition and
the great expansion OF Pacific coast
traffic have largely come as the re-
suit of far-seeing vision, the untir-
ing energy and the command Of capt.
tai possessed by Mr.. Hartman. II
there shall come to the front In the
railroad or financial world = man or
group of men of Mr.. Hartman
stamp. equal TO the opportunity Offer
ed by the South there 10 practically
no limit that can be set TO the rapid
ty of the progress and the increasing
prosperity OF the South
1.-THE railroads Of the South At
lantic States" said Mr.. O'Dell. must
make an expenditure of vast sums In
modernixfng the whole railroad sys-
tenn II this section 10 to be saved
from q congestion OF traffic and
ability to take care Of its growing
trade. The recsivership Of the Sea-
board and tia physical breakdown OF
other railroads in the South at the
very height Of the boom period few
years ago was only an indication of
the fact that the South was growing
more rapidly than Its railroads.
Southern Growth VIII Be Halted.
This condition still prevails and
Southern growth will be halted unless
the railroads begin Immediately upon
q far larger and more comprehensive
plan. the rebuilding Of their systems
than there are yet any indications Of.
There should. moreover. be q very
great increase in the mileage OF
existing railroads to open up new
traffic whether the main lines have
been put in shape to handle increas-
ed business"
Mr.. O'pell. who Is entirely familiar
with the Carolina, Clinchfield and
Ohio railroad. using that as an Illus
tration OF the statements made by him
- TO the need OF lettering the ply
steal condition Of railroads of the
South to reduce operating expenses.
said;
The Ciinehheld road is the only
tine In the South Atlantic States that
IL the wisdom Of such construction ID
reflected in its cost per ton mile In
handling its traffic. One solid train OF
the Clinchfield road will make three
train loads for the immediate connec-
tons Of that line"
And then. in closing, Messrs. WAL
lace and o'Deli united in saying.
There Is no other field in America
offering a greater opportunity for the
investment of capital, not by millions
but by hundreds of millions, in q
work OF this kind than the Southern
States"
VIII the Financial Powers Heed?
Commenting on the statement oil
Messrs. O'Dell and Wallace, Mr.. Ed
monds says:
These remarkable statements b,
men Of such national prominence In
! the railroad world as engineers and
operating officers should awaken the
great financial interests OF the cas-,
to recognition OF the situation. Here
| 10 q country. as pointed by wailacs
and O'Dsll. with limitiess capa bilitiea
for development. . country In which
hundreds OF millions Of dollars could
be wisely invested tn the develop.
ment Of the railroad interests OF the
South. The investment of such enor-
nous sums would not only brine
about a vast increase In the prosperity
in the South. but II would safeguard
the money already invested In South
| arm railroads BY giving TO them in
creased efIicisnoy and enabling them
| to do business with a larger margin
Of profit, while 1t the same time les
SEEMING the cost Of freight .transpor-
tation Will the financial powers oil